Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-08-24


and some other New Hampshire officials,
who found themselves short of accommoda-
tions and attention on their arrival, were
helped out of their dilemma by Gen. W. W.
Henry, through whose courteous assistance
they were finally provided for.
&c. White, Esq, who had the task Of
allotting quarters to visitors. did all
that one man could do, in that difhcnlt duty
H. G. Root, Esq, of the Executive Com
mite was indefatigable in his attention to
visitors. Each needed dozen men to help
him.
The hospitality OF some Of the Bennlng-
ton people was decidedly ample. Hon. L.
W. Park entertained some forty guests, in
Guiding the Judges of the Supreme Court
and their wives, Gov. Prescott, of New
Hampshire, and his staff, Gen. Alvord, Mr..
and Mrs Phelps and others, throughout the
celebration. Hon. A. B. Gardner entertain
ed over twenty guests at his house.
The carriage furnished for President
Hayes to ride in during his stay in Benning-
ton was not that of Hon. Frederick Billings,
but of W. C. French, Esq of Woodstock,
who was the original Hayes man of the Yer
mont delegation at Cincinnati.
The New York Times correspondent paid
the following compliment to our first regi-
ment National Guards "Some 500 men
were in line, and their drill was excellent.
The men went through the manual like regu-
lars. This excellence it seems is due large
" to the incessant drilling they have been
put through during the past few days"
The elegant Centennial sword, to be given
to the militia captain obtaining the greatest
number of votes at Bennington, was award
ed to Capt n. o. Wilcox, Of the Park
guards. lie obtained 200 majority in the
friendly contest, in which nearly the whole
national Fguard of Vermont was engaged,
Capt. Newton, of St. Adams, receiving the
next greatest number Of votes.
The circumstance that Senator Dawes and
Judge Hoar, of Massachusetts, were not
called Up at the banquet was due simply to
the fact that President Phelps was wholly
unaware of their presence.
The Vermont militia. both infantry and
artillery, were highly praised by President
Hayes, whose soldiers eye appreciated their
excellent marching and equipment. Capt.
Fuller's Light Battery was pronounced by
the President one of the finest artillery or
carnations he had ever seen.
The Childs Brothers, of Bennington, be-
sides doing all in their power to aid the out
side newspaper men, got out a notable issue
Of their Centennial newspaper on the 10th,
epbellished with the illustrations of the
battle-ground gotten out by the Harpers OF
New York.
The managers Of the Central Vermont
Railroad deserve praise for the manner in
which they brought and returned to their
homes so many thousands without an acct
dent They ran no less than siIty-two
trains day in and out of Bennington on
Wednesday and Thursday; and though
there were great delays, inevitable on a
single track railroad, there were no coils
ions or mishaps.
The Western Union Telegraph Company
were fortunate in securing the services Of
John N. Hills, formerly of this city, to take
charge Of the Bennington Office during the
Centennial.
The correspondent Of the New York Times
was the only reporter at the banquet who
discovered the real cause of the exceeding
breyity Of President Hayes speech, on that
occasion. The truth was that he was too
much overcome by his feelings for words
The handsome introduction and cordial re-
ception accorded him as he rose, were too
much for his self-control. The Times re-
port says
The presiding officer Of the day, as yester-
day, was Mr.. Phelps, Of Burlington lie
sat at the head of the centre cross table, the
President on his right, and Mrs. Hayes on
his left. Upon him deyolved the task of
| proposing the toasts and introducing the
speakers. None could have done it better,
and the successful way in which this part Of
the programme was carried out was almost
wholly due to the ease of style, ready wit
and suggestive hints that this accomplished
gentleman threw out, as he successfully in
trOduced the several speakers to the audience
| When the Presidents health was proposed
he rose, but he seems to be getting more
and more into the style Of his great prede-
cessOr, either saying nothing or speaking in
the briefest possible manner. On this occa-
sion all that could be got out of him was the
statement that he really was not equal to re
turning adequate thanks for the reception
which had been given him. 1t was quite
noticeable to those who were near him that
there was perceptible touch Of emotion in
the Presidents voice as be spoke, and really
the reception, in its enthusiasm and cor
diality, was such as might touch him.
A disgraceiul incident of the celebration
was the putting up Of posters about the
town marked Fraud. by -" on the
Presidents arrival They were torn down
before any met his eve. Decent Democrats
were among the loudcst in denunciation of
this attempted insult to the guest of the
State.
Among the many private residences elab-
orately decorated, that Of Phillip I. Hub
bell, Esq, attracted especial attention
Near the entrance of his grounds was an
arch bunting fcstOoned between two grand
old trees. From the centre there hung
centennial bell, Of cat straw, with III
worked in eyergreens on the sides, over
which was portrait Of Washington. In
derneath the arch were transparencies
which were brilliantly lighted on Thursday
evening and produced fine effect. The sword
and gun used by Mr.. IIubbell's great grand
iather, Capt. Dewey, were fastened to tree
with card attached, indicating by whom
they were used in the Battle of Benning ton.
The porch Of the house was tastefully dlap-
ed, and in the dining room was a table set
with solid silver and china. taht had been in
the family over hundred years.
Nothing, says the Boston Adpehse s re-
pnrf seemed IN ,tao.a .ho ,,oo,.Io go. - -