The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-07-07
VISITING FIRE COMPANIES &C. &C.

VISITING FIRE COMPANIES &C. &c.
For some time back preparations have
been going on, for the purpose of properly
observing the Centennial Anniversary of
American Independence. The manner in
which the exercises of the day passed off
reflected much credit on all who were en-
gagged in their management The committee
appointed at meeting of our citizens, held
some weeks since, did their whole duty, and
the people of Columbia county are indebted
chiefly to them for the success of the oc-
cason.
The Wyoming Artillery under the COM
mand Of Capt j. f. Ulln.an numbering
about fifty men, who had been invited to be
at five o'clock on Monday afternoon, bring
ing with them two cannon.
All day Monday our citizens were busly
employed in decorating their houses and
places of business, and the result was the
finest display Of bunting ever witnessed in
Bloomsbury Flags waved from every win
dow, and pictures representing Revolution
AIRY incidents were numerous. At half past
eleven Monday night the bells began to toll,
and at twelve, at signal fired by the
Artillery, they all broke forth into a joyous
peal, ushering in the new century. Guns
and pistols were fired, and Notwithstanding
Town ordinance TO the contrary, rockets
and fire crackers bazed and cracked along
the streets. The town was fairly wild, and
many persons did not go to bed at all. At
sunrise, on the 4th the bells We're rung again
and the Artillery fired salute of thirty
eight guns, II. +. Clark Esq ,discharging the
first Centennial shot. All the morning people
from distance came hocking into town, fire
companies and organi cations arrived on the
trains, and if there was any doubt as to the
complete success of the celebration, it was
soou dissipateu.
At one O'Clock in the afternoon the pro-
cession began to form the front resting
ut Market Square, headed by Colonel
Samuel knorr, Chief Marshal, mo ounted,
His aids rode hither and thither getting the
line in order, and in a short time all was
ready to start. First came the Bloomsburg
Cornet Band, with their gay uniforms Just
behind them rode Col. John &. Freeze,
Historian, and Dr. T. l.. Griswold the reader
of the Declaration of Independence, in u
carriage. Next came the members of the
Committee OF arrangements. The tableaux
l776 consisted of fourteen youag ladies,
representi,g the thirteen original states, and
the Goddess of Liberty drawn by four horses.
On the front of the wagon was an arch con-
tanning the names of the states in red white
and blue, and on the front seat rode Judge
John McReynolds, aged eighty. eight, mem-
Der of the Legislature for this county from
1924 TO 1880, and several times afterwards;
and Hoe. L. J. McHenry, our present mem
ber. The tableaux 1876, also drawn by four
horses in Risewick's band wagon, consisted
of TWENTY-FIVE young ladies dressed in white,
representing the additional states admitted
since the Declaration. Immediately be-
hind them rode Sergeant G. S. Fornwald,
ON the black charger of the late Gen
eral w. II. Ent. He carried the war
flag of the Iron Guards. Independent Band
vi DiuNllit Cdtllc HtAt, anu WCtc ioilOWCu
by Washington Fire Company of the same
place. Their Hose carriage was beautifully
decorated, and on it stood four young men
dressed in costumes representing an Indian,
an old Continental soldier, Il Sailor and a
Zouave. In the centre on an elevated seat
rode the Goddess of Liberty, The effect WAS
very fine.
The l776 Fire Company of Bloomsbury,
siderable attention, rs it was their first APP
pearance. Their uniform was white shirts,
and straw cOckades, and they drew their lit.
tie hand engine OF primitive construction,
On the top of it sat a little boy dressed in a
| suit made entirely Of American flags. The
Eagle Hose and Fire Company of Pittston
with their Drum Corps was next in order
Their hose carriage was beautifully trimmed
and they made fine appearance.
| Then came our own Friendship Fire
Company, with Hose carriage handsomely
ornamented, ,and engine drawn by four horses
Fuge's Cornet Band of Buckhorp headed by
u Drum Major dressed in the national colors
and bearing banner surm ounted by an inn
mense pair of buck horns, followed. This
band with their new uniforms made a good
appearance. The artillery with their field
pieces and ammunition boxes, each carriage
drawn by four horses, added greatly to the
make up of the procession. and reminded
one strongly of the years of warfare, when
soldiers were daily seen upon the Streets
They are fine body of men, AID by theil
+ conduct while here showed themselves to be
, not only soldiers but gentlemen. They ex'
, pressed themselves as much pleased viii
their visit
The procession ended with number o
carriages occupied by private citizens Tn,
route of the march was as follows: dowr
Main TO West street, countermarching oI
Main. thence to East street down to Fifth
down Fifth to Market, up Market to Third
!. out Thi'd to West, up West to Main, NJ
Main to Market, and then to the head 0
Market.wherc the stand was erected. Whel
the audience was properly arranged the ex
ercises took place in the following order,
I. Hail Columbia,
, 2. Prayer by Rev. j. Z. Tustn.
s. America,
A. Reading Declaration of Independence
g. Star Spangled Banner, ~.
: o. Historical Essay,
| 7. Red. White and Blue
) g. Religious Address,
. g. Hold the Fort,
r 10. Doxology,