Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-07-07
Bellows Falls. July 4. 1876.

Bellows Falls, July 4, 1876.
Celebration by the People--A Surprising
success-A Midnight "serenade ''--'' TIT
Honibies --Grand Street Procession
Brilliant Display Of the Business and In
dustries Of the Village.
At u late day and amid many other
duties performed and to be performed
the people of this place decided to cele
brate the centennial birth day of the
nation, though but few days were left
in which to make the preparations.
Accordingly during the last few days
the committees and many of the people
have been very busy in the work OF
preparation.
On Monday the reports of the inevi-
table Chinese cracker" and small fire
arms were frequent but at 10 o'clock
at night there was an ominous silence
for nearly an hour, and just before mid
night, for young America at least was
bound TO make an "allowance for varia-
ton of time" all the bells suddenly
rang, the explosion of firearms was fire.
quent, and one bell of some 200 pounds
weight was drawn through the streets
and made to do special duty, to say
nothing of the horns, whistles, drums,
and smaller noises generally, in fact all
the things that John Adams wrote to
his wife one hundred years ago ought to
be done, were done and some more.
In some instances the front yards of
the committees or other individuals re-
ceived special attention, but we believe
it was all received in good part, and
closed by the firing of salute at sun
rise.
THE HoRRIBLEs.
The first demonstration in the morn
ing, little past 6 o'clock, was by the
Horribles," under command of "Skim-
merhorn, Gen'l," who kindly relieves us
of any attempted description, since it
could only be done "in the dead and
foreign languages The sword of
Skimmerhorn, Gen'l,' was something
less than 500 feet long, while the alder
manic proportions of the august drum
major were uncommonly active for one
of his size, unless when engaged in the
peaceful walks of manufacturing sau-
sages. OF course neither Barker nor
Dewey were there. ~ Returning from
the street parade grand address
was made in the Square, but it wasn't
Carruthers CD The delicate bouquets
on this occasion, composed of rhubarb
leaves, brakes. &c, surpass all descrip-
ton, as we'll as the beautiful uniforms of
the grand army. The artillery was I'M
der command of Geo. Andrews, and the
practice of his battery in the Square
showed immense efficiency The intan-
try were commanded by Capt. G Cald-
well, the cavalry by Capt. G. w. Butter
field, while the staff officers were w. J.
Conant and F. G. Atherton. They were
very imposing in their duties and
the last named " staff" officer is reported
to have had signal success in his line
of duty the evening previous AS dis
play of ancients and horribles it was
a very complete success and in burlesque
must have surpassed the original inven-
tor Of this " institution" Arriving at the
depot they were served with refreshments
by Col. Dunton, who thus gave them
happy as well as most acceptable surprise,
after so much work in genius, public dis
play and the fine arts.
GRAND STREET PARADE.
At few minutes past 8 o'clock the
procession was formed in the Square,
which was the most grand and promi-
nent feature of the day, not only repre-
senting the civic but the business and
industries of the village The process
sion was headed by the Bellows Falls |
Cornet Band, preceded by Marshals, A. |
I'll. Fisher, chief of the day, Dan Hig-
gins, chief of the St. Patrick's Temper
ance Society, c. E. Holbrook and G. w.
Osgood, assistants, all mounted.
The next in order was the carriage in
which was Rev. Father Gendreau and
Others at the head of the St. Patrick's |
Temperance Society, who appeared on
this occasion some 100 strong, and with
their beautiful banner, flags and regalia,
were among the most imposing and in
teresting features of the procession.
Next were the officers of the day, or
ator, clergymen, and the city govern
ment," Col. Russell Hyde, Postmaster, as
the national government,
all in carriages. Immediately following
were one four and one two horse car
riages in which were SO young ladies
representing the states of the Union, in.
Guiding Colorado, who voted herself into
the galaxy of states last Saturday.
Mo NAV ualI H.. Al