The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-07-12
THE CELEBRATION AT WYOMING.


Notwithstanding the excessive heat, dusty |
roads and want of quick transportation, the |
Centennial Anniversary of the Battle and |
Massacre of Wyoming at Forty Fort, July
Sd, was grand success, over $4,000 people |
visiting the ground during the day. Cattle
cars, platform cais, cabooses, in fact all
manner and kinds Of cars were pressed into
service to accommodate the people, but with
ali this many were unable to reach the place.
No celebration in this section of the State
has ever brought together so many people,
and so far as decorations are concerned they
could not have been surpassed. Almost ev-
cry house in Wilkesbarre is covered with
flags and bunting, and on all the principal
streets arches of evergreens have been con-
structed The residents of Kingston, on the
opposite side of the river also made hand
some displays, while the railroad company
had all their stations almost literally covered
with evergreens, and their cars and locomo-
tives profusely decorated with flags and pic
lures representing scenes of the event cele-
brated.
About o'clock this morning the special
train, having President Hayes, arrived at The
depot. There were in the car President
Hayes, Mrs. Hayes, b. A. Hayes and w. C..
Hayes, Mrs. Sollace, guest of the President,
Attorney. General Devens, Secretary Sher-
man, o. l.. Pruden, the Presidents Private
Secretary.
Gov. Hartranft joined the President at
Harrisburg, and he had with him Mrs.
Hartranft and family.
Previous to the arrival of the train the
members of the Philadelphia City Council
and the following gentlemen on the staff OF
of the Governor assembled there to give the
party welcome
MajorGeneral Jas. w. Latta, Adjutant
General.
Brig. Genl. j. II. Coke, Com. Genl.
Aids-Col. John Schall, Col. John Comp
ton, Col. George II. North, Col. j. Ros.
Hartshorne, Col +. B. Young, Col. Richard
r. Campion, Col Charles C.. Knight, Col
Is. X. Jamison.
As soon as the train stopped the President
made his appearance upon the rear platform
and after three cheers had been given ht
made brief address, in which he referred tC
the celebration of the day, and expressed
the hope that all the differences in polite.
and religion would be lost sight of, and tina
the celebration would tend to cement NOR,
strongly the bonds which should unite tn,
whole country in more fraternal relations
The President then introduced Attorney
General Devens and Secretary Sherman
both of whom made brief and appropriat
addresses.
When the train arrived at the Wyoming
Station the Scranton City Battalion, com
manded by Major Bores and the Mcclellan
Rifles, Captain Ginley were drawn up il
in line. As the President stepped upon tn
platform he was warmly welcomed by Co
Hoyt, the Republican candidate for Govern
or, and after brief reply by Presder
Hayes, the party.were conducted to carria
ges and conveyed to the residence of HoI
Payne Pettbone for lunch.
The roads leading from the station to til
spot near Forty Fort, selected for the Ger,
monies of the day, were overrun with a
immense throng of persons, all fastening t
the mammoth tent, erected in the open tiel
near the monument to escape from the sun
hot rays, as well as to witness the ceremonie
and before the President and party wei
ready to leave their lunch every seat in Il
tent was occupied and thousands standiu
around. The heat was intoerable und
the canvass, but still many braved the to
rid atmosphere until the conclusion of Il
ceremonies. Others visited the sp
upon which the old fort once stood al
here they found new one had been col
structed at is Of pine trees cut in lengtl
and sharpered to point at the top, the
being three tiers of posts to the 'front.' al
! reaching twelve feet high, as history says Il
|, old fort was"
The dimensions of the old fort were
feet from corner to corner, by 244 in leng
1t was built of logs sunk live feet in Il
. ground, and rising twelve feet above the su
face and sharpenep at the top, with sat
|, to admit of yoke of oxen through The
, ,, was a sentry box on each corner and two
: each side. The present fort is as nearly
s fac simle of the old fort as possible but
only l72 feet in length. The reason why
|, was shortened was to show the line
burned earth at the lower end, so as to co
I vince the skeptieal that the builders we
q correct in designating this as the site.
The streets all along the village of Wy
! mine up to the monument and the Fort we
e profusely decorated with evergreens a
flags, while arches were thrown across t
. streets. Large numbers of booths with
Y freshments were to be found all over t
ground and among the visitors we're a par
= Of Indians dressed in full costume, W
' played game of polo during the atternoC
4 Among the descendants of the survivors
: the massacre, on the stand, were those
9 Col. Iebulon Butler, and Mr.. VIM. II. G.
tie, of Philadelphia, son of Joseph Cast
ID. ID. He was the only representative fro
Philadelphia,
As early as 8 o'clock the monster tent u
. der the shadow of the monument erected
honor of the heroes who were so merciles
q massacred by the Indians and Tory Britt
~ one hundred years ago, was filled. The c.
emonials were advertised to commence at
O'Clock, but owing IN the unavoidable .
= sence of the chairman, Colonel Charles ID,
rance, the ceremonials did not begin un
- 9l5. Judge Dana filled the Presidep
chair, and announced that the celebrate
would be opened with prayer by the r,
d. j. Waller, principal of the Boomsbu
;, State Normal School.
!, An original ode to music, composed
Mrs. Waters, was sung by choir of 500 v
ces, led by Prof Durman.