The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-07-08
The Fourth.

y hN Il JUL plls
The Centennial anniversary of our
national independence was observed
throughout the country in d manner
worthy Of republic. The enthusiasm
was intense and the demonstrations quite
in keeping with the boisterousness suppos.
ed to be inherent in youthful minds. Our
nation is yet young, and should be youth.
full in her expressions of patriotism and
joy. We purpose giving briefly some ac.
count of the exercises in different towns
in tho state.
At Brandon the day was opened with
thirteen guns at sunrise, a flag raising
with appropriate ceremonies at $50
O'Clock. with salute of five guns
Large delegations of people from other
towns came 10 at an early hour, and
by ii o'clock the town was full. 1t was
thought there were four hundred from
Middlebury, two hundred from Salisbury,
two hundred from Orwell, many from
Ticonderoga and still larger numbers 10
proportion to population from towns
nearer.
At ll;SO the grand procession formed
in the following order:
Chief marshal and aides; Brandon Cornet Band,
fourteen pieces, William Simms, drum major. J.
B. Kelly, leader; Shorcham cavalry twenty three
mon, captain, Frank Moore Sarsfeld Band, of
West Rutland, f. II. Capen, leader; Brandon
Military Company, forty men; Rutland Military
Institute Drum Corps; Co. A, n G. v, Of Rut-
land 40 men, captain c. c. kinsman Neshobe
Engine Company, of Brandon, 40 men; Ticonder-
oga Cornct Band, IL pieces, J Bryan, leader;
Eagle Engine Company, of Castleton f II Arm
strong, foreman; Eagle Hose, Of Castleton, -
Preston foreman Middlebury Cornet Band II
pieces, Fletcher, drum major, Hatch,
leader; Washington Engine Company, of Middle
bury, 80 men, John 0Connor, foreman Co NJ
N V, of Middlobury, SO men, captain, II D
Maynard; officers Of tho day, committees, speak
er, etc. in carriages; thirty eight young ladies'
representing tho thirty eight states. in a gaily
trimmed carriage with the Goodies Of Liberty"
miss Kittie Esterbrooks) in the front, drawn by
six horses; Fuller's Battery, of Brattleboro. 20
men and two pieces Of artillery, Col Levi Il Full
Ter.
They proceeded to the grounds, where
an immense picnic was prepared for the
participants of the procession. Col. Full.
ler's battery fred one hundred guns.
The exercises at the stand consisted of
very eloquent and able address by Hon.
N. b, Bryant, of Boston, poem by f. l..
Barber. Of Benson, "When the old flag
was new" music by the choir, and tossts
read by Capt. Ormsbce.
Toward evening the "Invincbles" pa.
raded through the streets and attracted
great deal of attention. The fireworks
proved failure on account of the rain.
The decorations about the village we're
tpagni6cent.
n Srr7'soaD.
At Pittsford an elm was planted upon
the village green in the morning. and
little later procession of citizens and
young misses with appropriate decora.
lions formed in front of the town hall,
moved TO the grove, and exercises were
held as follows prayer by Rev. DR..
Boardman wo-ds of welcome by Dea.
Samuel Gilbert. one OF Pittsford's veneer.
able citizens; address by Stephen A.
Walker. of New York music aud
bountiful collation.. At five O'Clock,
adjourning to the church ON account Of
rain, Rev. Mr., Phelps read the declara.
ton Of independence, music was rendered
by the band, and toasts and responsive
speeches were given, aud letters read
from those who could not attend During
the firing of the cannon at the grove
fatal accident occurred. to which refer.
ence is made elsewhere.
PoULTNEY.
Considerable preparation was made,
and there was large gathering Of PEG.
pie from the vicinity. The procession
moved TO East Poultney, aud returned
with considerable accessions. After din.
ner they assembled 10 the grove but were
dispersed by the rain. But not discour-
aged they at length assembled at the
depot. and the following programme was
carried out
Reading Of the Declaration Of Inde.
pendence by Rev. NJ. +. Cady.
Historical address by Joseph Josin,
Esq.
Grafton by Rev. John Goadby, ID. ID.
Poem By Prof, Walter H. Howard.
principal elect OF the State Normal School
at Castleton.
Toasts and responses
These exercises were interpreted By
music by the Poultney cornet band and
Singing by the choir organized for the
occasion.
EAST wALLINdFoRD.
The usual PROFESSIONS, invincibles, bands,
paradss and paraphernalia were the order
Of the day, and Interesting exercises fol.
lowed. Hon. ID. y. Nicbolson was the
orator of the day.