Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-07-13

: not trouble ourselves about it; but suppose
after the warm days dance and his efforts
to keep order on the ground he could not
find time to collect his thoughts sufficient
ly to give you full and minute account
and fearing he may not feel any better this
week, l will try and give you a brief &C.
count as far rs my memory will permit
: The first that was spoken here of celebra-
ting the 4th was on Friday evening, June
80, when few Of our patriotic citizens
happened by chance to meet and thought
it Ridiculous that a place like Emmitsburg
which prctcnds to he in every respect a
city.lkc town should be behind in celc-
brating the great centennial 4th of July; SO
they proposed ceremony of some kind,
&c, as the old saying gees, ''it was no soon
er SAID than done" They went to work
with a will, called meeting of all the cit
liens next night, made all necessary ar
engagements, appointed officers marshals.
aids nc, and it could plainly be seen that
it was going to be grand success. Mon
day afternoon the most of our citizens dis
played their patriotism by decorating their
houses and places of business in the most
beautiful manner with wrcaths, United
States and centennial flags, Chinese Ian
ed in mid air, the width of the street, were
numerous rows of flags and lanterns. In
ordinary years the actual Fourth of July is
tame compared with Monday, which was
the only forcrunncr of the glorious Fourth.
From early morn until late at night-way,
until the very dawning of the Fourth it.
self-the roar of the cannon, the crack of
the pistol and the sharp sound of the intan
l,:l Il Lao and
Even the children seemed to be imbucd
with the idea that the Fourth if not already
on hand, was soon to be expected, and their
l. nd aCclamallons for the occasion min
glcd with the throng. In the evening the
tendency toward cXubcrancy became more
marked, and the solidest of our solid En-
mitsburg men were seen to indulge in py-
rotechnical experiments. AS the first cen
fury Of our American independence drew
her last breath and vanished away, the
dawning of the second was ushcrcd in by
thirty eight vollcys of muskctry and from
that until morning there was continuous
{ firing, occasionally intcrspcrsed by the
ringing Of the old Green street Academy
Bell which rang forth loud and clear. At
day break all the bells Of the place sent
forth clear and distinct peal after peal of
merry welcome to the day when one hun
drcd years ago the Declaration of lndcpcn-
dcnce was proclaimed to the world. About
! o'clock our spacious diamond began rap
idly to fill with people who intended to
take part in the grand parade. Windows
, and doorways were thrown open and filled
with gazing spectators. But by far the
greater number had to trudgc through the
streets, crowded right and left and pushed
hilher and ththcr at the fancy Of the mui-
| titlde, all aiming for a glance of the com
pa9y Of infantry numbering about fifty
strong, with loaded mllskcts aud headed
bv string martial music reminding YOU Of
the time of IS, 2-G3. AT s o'clock precise
ly the procession formed and the pro
gramme was opened by the Silver Cornct
Band playing Hail Columbia, and other
excellent music. Next came two large
band wagons drawn by four horses each
with thirty-cight young ladies, each dressed
in white with red white or blue sash ON,
wearing a crown with the name of the
state they represented, bcauif ully put on
IN guilt letters, surrounded 10y stars, doing
great credit to the few ladies whose busy
fingers 50 tastctuily arranged sashcs and
crowns the evening before. Ladies ar
ranged in rows of rcd white and blue. Af.
tcrward followed large tribe OF Sioux In
dians, we congratulate the parties on their
excellent representations Next IN order
came the Emmltsburg Brass Band which
rendered some fine music in the way OF
national airs, followed by long line OF
citizens and countrymcn in carriages, bug
rics wagons, &c. The chief Marshal was
} W. 5. Guthrie, with Taylor Spaldins ,Chas.
Troxcll, Harry Beam and John Adelsbcr-
ger as aids. After going through the diff
tcrent streets, they kept up the line OF
march to Crystal Iron Springs, where 4
pavilion was erected for dancing which
! was vacant scarcely 4 moment the whole
, lay, although excessively warm. Those
who did not participate in the light fIntas-
tic, amused themselves in various ways
Whilst others took their lunch baskets and
, retired to the cool shady Crystal Fount
! where they enjoyed themselves in pleasant
and uninterrupted conversation. About
/, o'clock Prof Lcgard Of Mt. st. Mary's
read the Dcclarion Of Independence, in a
very clear, and distinct manner. His con
: clusion caused cheer after cheer to echo
, and rcccho through the woods 10y the jubi-
, liant crowd.
Alta o'clock Capt Joan X. Taylor was
, introduced who made 4 few very ap'
propriate preliminary remarks previous tC
2 Introducing to the vast assembly Father
s Lefevcr whose speech was pleasant, i'm
prcssive, at times eloquent and disclosed a
decree of originality not to be expected on
=, fourth of July occasion. Whilst the en-
| iovmcnt was at its height the dark clouds
gathered thick and fast unobservcd, sud
! denly making known their presence by a
&c milf f