Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-07-08
SCENES AND INCIDENTS or THE GLonr.


GUS "FoURTH. THE celebration of this
holiday occupied three days-Saturday
Sunday and Monday-though the latter
was the day recognized as the legal ami
versary of the nations birth. 1t was in
every respect--save in the flow of liquor
and the long professions Of intoxicated
persons-the dullest season of the kind ever
experienced in this place No attempt at
demonstration took place until II O'Clock,
on Saturday, when a large number of per-
sons sat down TO an elegant dinner at the
Bush House, and were afterwards invited
to inspect the interior of the hotel. Vast
Improvements have recently been made
upon its interior. 1t is certainly as elegant
in all its appointments as any hotel situated
in town of the size of Bellefonte. 1t has
been repapered throughout in dark gold
paper of the most modern style. Every
room on the second floor has been carpeted
with Brussels, while upon the third floor
have been placed ingram carpets of taste
ful design. AS all the apartments upon
the second and third floors are furnished,
all the strangers who may ever visit Belle
fonte can be entertained in an elegant
manner.
About 2 o'clock the Pleasant Gap band,
stationed in front of the Bush House, be-
gan lively air, calling the people togeth-
er Chief Burgess Dale, from the balcony
of the hotel, announced that the orators Of
the day had failed to put in an appearance,
and introduced Mr.. James Rankin, who
read the Declaration of Independence. He
was followed in Il short speech by Mr..
Morrison. After another selection from
the band, the crowd dispersed, but not
until after two Of their number had been
placed in the "cooler."
About 8 o'clock p. NJ. people took posi-
tions upon the most prominent places
about town, and awaited the expected ex-
plosion of fireworks from Half Moon hill
These began MS soon as the evening was
sufficiently dark 10 make an advantageous
display, and continued for over an hour
Although quite numerous, they were all Of
the Roman candle, rocket or spinning
wheel description, without any elaborate
pieces Their explosion afforded a very
diverting and pleasant entertainment 10
the many who witnessed il, and Mr. ID. p.
Peters, to whose kindness the people are
indebted for the display, deserves the
thanks Of the community.
OF course, allusion was made TO the
great National anniversary in many of the
church services on Sunday, but otherwise
the real Fourth passed in the usual Sab
bath quiet.
Monday, July 3, was as unlike the great
National holiday AS any day could be. The
temperature was on the descending scale,
and for four hours heavy rain fell, sue
ceeded afterward by light rain. Early In
the morning the Mountain City Band and
the Logan Hose Company parnded through
|, few streets, and then boarded the train
for Altoona, where, if the rain fell AS il did
here, no temptation existed TO drink any
stronger liquid than water. About hall
, the stores and, Of course, the banks and
post-ofIice were closed, presenting a Sab.
bath-like aspect. During the day, for lack
of more profitable amusement, the crowd:
on the streets employed themselves in pac.
ing cannon-crackers beneath empty boxes
and, in some instances, paying boys to si'
on them until after the explosion. In ia,
evening, however, great excitement pre-.
vailed among the "small boys" Several
stores had large surplus stock of fire
T works, and, as they are dangerous stock Il
keep over, the proprietors doled them ou
to the crowd cheap. Then, amid th,
buzz Of spinning wheels, the ascent o
rockets, candles and hot air balloons, ant
the cheers of the crowds, the closing hour
, of July 8, 1880, were as noisy as could b,
desired. The celebration passed withou
accident or adventure.