Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-07-07
THE FOURTH.
How 1t Was Celebrated In this Vicinity


ton was made OF the Fourth in this city, with
the exception of having the church bells
| rang at sunrise, noon and sunset. celebra-
ton that is expressive and inexpensive.
Never was there a more quiet night proceed
ing the advent of the ever glorious day.
There were no noisy demonstrations of any
kind, thanks in large measure to the city
fathers, who by their enactment banshed from
the youthful mind the idea that fire crackers,
serpents, buzz wheels and other dangerous
and noisy tirew orks are absolutely necessary
to the proper observance of the day. And so
there were no fires, no ugly accidents, no
heart burnings or face burnings-no black
Grape hung out at the door, and no black eye
displayed by the Juvenile patriot. The guns
at the arsenal answered very well for a salute
while numerous public buildings and private
houses displayed the American flag. In the
morning company of Antiques and IIorri-
bles was formed on Cushnoc Heights and
paradcd the streets, making considerable
fun. There were several teams fitted up to
burlesque certain popular characters, and
they were really very good. The streets of
the city were orderly, and but few arrests
were made. There were few who had the
idea that they could not celebrate properly
without getting ''full, and so made public
exhibition of themselves.
While the dedication Of the Masonic tenn
pie at Belfast, attracted several brothers of the
mystic tye. and others scattered in various di-
rections the
Excursion of the Henry Morrison,
which was made TO Fort Popham and the
mouth of the Kcnnebec river attracted
crowds. -Four hundred persons went on
the excursion, loading down the steamer.
Head winds and tides prevented the steam
or from reaching its destination till g
o'clock in the afternoon, consequently
the excursionists were late home. There was
dinner at the Eureka House, glass ball shoot
ing and other sports. The crowd was very
orderly, and the excursion was delightful
one in many respects. The Augusta Band,
under whose auspices it was gotten up. fur
nished splendid music during the excursion
and at the point.
From Gardiner,
the steamer Della Collins took the Methodist
Sunday School and their friends on an cx-
cursion to Fort Pophnm, and there was also
an excursion party from Bath. The affair is
spoken of in detail by our Gardiner cores
pendent.
At the Insane Hospital
there was an excellentiy arranged celebration
in the grove, largely attended by the patients.
an VI great power anu tlOQutnct
was delivered by Rev. DR.. Butler of North
Nassalboro'.
On CObhOssereOntee Lake.
The kenncbec Association held its annual
Fiscatorial Fet- on Hodgdons Island the i,h,
and had a very enjoyable time. The morn
ing was devoted to bass fishing BY quite n
number, who arrived on the ground early
They had good luck and fine sport. Proba-
bly, there never were so many bass taken in
one day before. The bass were of unusual
large size, several weighing and lbs
each. The day was favorable for fishing, a
strong southerly breeze was blowing. Nearly
all the fish were caught with fys and by
TRAVELLING with from fifty to one hundred feet
of line, from boats. and in shallow water
Old trout fishermen declared they never had
better sport on Rangeey or Moosehead lakes
Daniel Whitehouse was the '.boss fisherman"
or to put ii in more classic terms. he was the
champion Piscator," catching 30 bass, some
of them weighing lbs. Maj. Nyc and
Capt Black caught fine string of fish.
weighing 35 or ~ lbs, and many others
caught fine lots. Those who came later in
the day found some difficulty in obtaining
passage to the island, in consequence of the
high wind. and partly the fault of those who
had the boats in charge. The Readfield
Band arrived about ~ NJ. and furnished ex-
cellent music. The Band is made up of a
fine set of young men, and gives promise of
being a splendid band. Dinner was served at
| 80, and eaten with RELISH as il deserved to
be, for it was good and substantial A,23
DIR. G. W. Martin, President of the Asso-
citation, said:
Gentlemen In calling this Association
to order, take the occasion of expressing
my pleasure at meeting so many members,
"A ~, 81.
annual Piscatorial Fete. ] feel it is well to
thus meet on this beautiful lake, in the groves
of this green island, for ''the groves were
Gods first temples" Like the Aboriginies,
who once lived on the banks of our
rivers, we come here to hold our ceremonies
at the opening of the fishing season.
1t is an Indian custom where salmon are plen-
ty to gather at the falls and watch for the first
run of fish, and then give thanks by dancing
and singing holding ii as a sacrilege. an Of
fence to the Great Spirit, to kill the first
fishes that pass, because they believe they
are holder and stronger, and will find better
spawning grounds in higher streams, and fur
nish abundance of Ash for the next year. So
we, in more rational way, protect our
spawning fish, and have gathered here to-
day to have our little ''war dance" and cele-
brate the grand work we have accomplished
Inc ASSOCIATION transacted It's usual routine
business, and added several members.
vote of thanks was extended to Hon. T.. NJ.
Stilwell for sending ~ lb. salmon for din
ner. The Secretary's annual report was read,
showing the Association in prosperous con-
dition. The Cushnoc Heights Gun Club had
spirited glass ball shoot. II. A. Thorndke
winning the club badge. The shoot was in
terrupted by shower which only lasted a
few minutes. 1t was now 400 p. NJ. and
several left the island. There were l3 en-
tries in the rifle match. The piscatorial prize,
which was large bass, was won by +. W.
Moore. The rifle shooting was very fine
Rus. Clement Steve Russell, Thorndike,
Fish and others made good scores. About >
the wind increased almost to a gale, so that
it was unsafe for boats to leave the island
and il looked rs though quite number would
be obliged to remain on the island all night
Quite breeze of excitement was raised by
the report that DIR. Amos Wilder was missing
and grave anxiety was felt for his safety. His
valise was found on the shore, and no one
had seen him go for the main land. However
the DR.. quoted al fears by coming up all
right with some fine bass that he had just
caught from boat in the lee of the island
About one hundred persons visited the island
during the day, and 80 partook of the din
rta ,nI al h., Ia