The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1884-07-11
From our Special Correspondent

ings.
From our Special Correspondent
MONTPELIER, July 0.
All that had been anticipated or that had
! been wished by the most proud and patriotic
was realized in all the exercises of the celebra-
ton of Independence day here, as we'll as in the
weather, which nature in her klndest mood af-
forded, and in the remarkably good order pre-
served by the immense crowds that packet the
village on that day. AT an early hour the peo-
pie began to pour in, and by nine O'Clock the
mass had swelled to the number of fully twelve
thousand, lining all the streets so densely that
only a narrow strip Town the centre of the high
WAYS was unoccupied. The scene on Che pin
cipal streets was stirring and lively, presenting
profuse decorations Of flying banners, gor-
geouly arranged bunting in every window and
emblematic hangings covering whole blocks.
The procession of Antiques and Calithun-
plan Horribles formed at the east end of Bare
street at q little after ten O'Clock and marched
through the village till noon. Every feature Of
the procession was well conceived and highly
amusing. The first prize was taken by the fe-
| male band, consisting of % members with the
most ridiculous instruments conceivable, with
Mr. + | Pitkin, dressed to kill, as drum major
ess. 1t is reported that Franks identity was so
skillfully concealed that he did actually set
/ more than one SWANS heart in an anxious flut-
ter. All the members except the major were at
| tired in "Mother Hubbard" dresses of similar
| and gaudy pattern and wore immense straw
hats, grotesquely trimmed. The second prize
was awarded 10 a representation OF the work.
ing of justice, which consisted of a cage divid-
ed into two apartments, one containing an aris-
tocratic criminal who had stolen thousands,
surrounded with numerous Injuries, and the
other holding within its severe and ungenerous
| walls a miserable plebeian who had committed
some minor offense.
The third prize went to the devil, that is to
say, to a festive turnout representing that indi-
vidual and his wife and a delegation from his
family. The procession was marshalled by
Gen b f Butler assisted by Gen w S Hancock
Gen U S Grant, President Arthur. Hon J G
Blaine and Hon Roscoe Conkling. The crowds
gathered on the banks of the river after the
procession had broken up, to witness the anus
ing tub and goose races. These amusements,
however. hardly came up to the standard of the
day, because of the want of entries and of in
disposition among the geese. The afternoon
procession formed on State street at l 80 and
marched until 3 O'Clock. The line was COM
posed OF the Sherman military band of Bur-
lington, the Marshfield cornet band AMI the
Montpelier cornet band, the Ethan Allen engine
company from Burlington, Company II militia,
St Jean Baptiste society, Post Brooks, G A Il,
win their drum corps, citizens and visiting
gentlemen in carriages and citizens on foot.
AFTER the procession the Sherman military
band gave a delightful concert on the capitol
lawn, which was listened to by two thousand
people and received their hearty applause. Ar
rangements were now in progress for the bicy-
cie races on Main street. Tho first contest was
IN lancy riding for a silver medal presented by
Mr. Harry Lowe. Some difficult feats and ele-
CANT attalrments were displayed BIZ each rider.
but V o Whitcomb Of Burlington proved him
sell the best and carried off the prize. The
SLOW race for a gold medal presented by Mr.
W ii heTrick was easily won by Earnest Lowe
VINO also won the first and third heats OF the
iast race Tor $50. Earnest was thrown from
his wheel in the second bert while ahead, but
easily won the other two heats over his ten
competitors. Charles Wheelock Of Barre tool
Inc second prize of $40 and Linly Ayerill of
Barre took the third, s.. The balloon, "Co-
lumbns, was now completely prepared for its
IMP and swayed dizzily to and fro in the air.
s%training impatently on is moorings. The en-
TIRE crowd surged to the school grounds to wit
ness the ascension. The program was carried
out TO the letter. and at the firing of the second
gun Prof Grimley. attended by Charles AOwle
ana George Is Walton OF this place stepped in
70 the basket. the mOorincs were detached and
the curious car arose amid the cheering of the
surrounding thousands. II was watched until
II became a speck in the northern sky, and a
received Saturday morning reported
the party safely landed al Montreal at 90
Friday evening.
The grand display OF fireworks m the even
ing far surpassed anything ever witnessed in
Montpelier before. the whole closing with a set
piece representing the bird of liberty and the
words "Montpelier l776-iSs4," which changed
70 an immense cataract Of IRE representing Mag