The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-07-09
The Fourth In Montpelier.

y
Mountain State The ardor OF the most de- |
monstrative patriot OF the days when men were
living who were with bold Ethan Allen at IT.
conderoga, or resolute John Stark at Benning-
ton, was not surpassed by the enthusiasm Of
the multitude of people who, in the beautiful
capital OF the state last week celebrated the
one hundred and eighth anniversary of the
nations birthday. The vision which Webster
conjured up before the eye OF Adams of future
generations celebrating the adoption of the
Declaration OF Independence " with festivities,
with bonfires and illuminations," was realized
here with a completeness OF fulfillment that
would have been balm to the putative prophets
daring spirit The exuberant tide of commem-
orative feeling burst its bends before the !" low
descending sun" OF July had cleared the
calendar for the advent OF its immortal and
very glorious, but very scorching, successor. 1t
ran its course with unabated volume and un-
tagging energy till the sun OF the Fourth had
set and the moon had risen on the patriotic de-
votions OF the multitudes. Young America, in
his irrepressible ardor, met theInational holiday
rather more than half way. He did not lit
orally shed copious gushing tears OF exulta-
tion, OF gratitude and Of joy" on its annual re-
turn, but in less sentimental way was getting
in vigorous welcome to the approaching an
niversary while old America tried in vain to
slumber and to gather strength to do dignifed
honor to the distinguished event by decorous
daylight. As the small hours OF the natal
morning drew on, the snap OF torpedoes and
EdtJlo Vi CrdChoIb, bAplOelOu VI uOuDlo-ouubIb
and footing Of horns sweled to q saturnalia
of rampant patriotism, and there were good
humored and innocent ebullitions OF the spirit
of license the occasion inspires. The sun rose
with smiling disregard OF the incongruities
disclosed in the new deal OF tradesmens signs
and his scrutiny Of other indications Of the
mercurial spirit OF incipient patriotism seemed
to convey benignant hint to "go slow now
that daylight had come and company was
arriving. At dawn the village was lively
scene. People were arriving on foot and In
vehicles, and booths were going up. Public
buildings and private dwellings had been pro-
fusely decorated with the national colors. The
Pavilion and the Mutual Insurance build
ing opposite were elaborately and tastefully
adorned with flags and streamers, and with
" the red white and blue" in various pleasing
combinations. The American and the Mont
pelier hotels and the stores and shop windows
were profusely, and some of them artistically,
trimmed. Several private dwellings were no.
ticeable for the beauty and extent OF their dis
plays, while householders generally showed
their patriotism by flinging out the stars and
stripes. All the avenues into the village were
early thronged The weather was propitious
and there was every indication of great con-
course of people. The incoming trains, regu-
lars and extras, by the Central and by the
Wells River, abundsptly sustained the most
liberal speculations as to the size Of the crowd.
By ten o'clock the crowd was omnipresent
| Streets, sidewalks and squares and every place
of resort were packed. The din OF explosives
| filled the air and rousing old-fashioned
| Fourth Of July celebration was assured. The
| special train bearing the Ethan Allen Engine
| Company and the Sherman Band of Burlington
arrived early in the days The visitors were
| taken in charge by the reception committee
and, to the lively notes of the Shermans' music,
| escorted up State street to Main, thence back
| to the quarters assigned them at the Pavilion.
| The Ethans were the central attraction OF
| the occasion, and their appearance ELECTED
| many admiring remarks. They marched with
the bearing and precision Of trained soldiers.
With the company, in citizen dress, was large
number of citizens and honorary members.
AZ about half-past ten occurred the first sensa-
ton of the day, the parade of the
ANTIQUES AND HoRRIBLEs.
| About half-past nine those who appeared in
| this parade began to assemble on Barre street
near the residence Of Charles 81. Heath, Esq,
from which point they proceeded in the follow.
ing order: Marshal, Roscoe Conkling &c. B
Martin), B. F. Butler &c. A. Owler), U. s.
Grant Harry Cutler, President Arthur (Charle:
A. Snith); Marshfield band the devil and his
wife (W. II. Herrick and c. ii. Fuller, with
with attendant imps; Madame Rentz's con
solidated female mastodon band of twenty
two MEMBERS Madam Rentz (F. l. Pitkin)
leader; then followed a variety Of turn
outs, some OF which defied description, in
Guiding very demoralized looking-band
bearing aloft the legion, 1--WE play for $50. co. ;
In one of the cages which appeared in the pro
cession were two criminals. "The man who stol'
$50 600" and " the man who stole a loaf o.
bread" Their positions as in confinement
were supposed to illustrate the usual course O.
legal procedure in such cases. In anothe
cage was " The Lion Tamer," man Of larg
stature carressing three sportive kittens
very much at home. "Msud S" was driver
by Shack" Dodge. The great value of tn,
bicycle was plainly set forth by wooden mai
upon combination of backbone, handles ant
wheels, supposed to represent that vehicle
} There were numerous other personation
equally worthy of mention. Prominent in tn
} procession were various advertising lodges
among them the large platform cart drawn b.
an elegant team and supporting number O
sewing machines, in the midst of which stool
their agent distributing circulars to the multi
tude as the car passed along The first priz
was awarded to the Madame Rentz band, tn
second, to the criminals in the cage of "jus
tice," and the third, to the representatives fror
, the shades Of Erebus
THE GOOSE RACE,
which was to have taken place at hali-pas
eleven, drew large crowds to the banks Of tn
pond. People thronged the roofs Of adjacen
} buildings and every available spot from whic
| a view of the pond could be obtained.
these but few knew the exact nature OF tn
| sport which they had come thither to witness
) and this fact rendered the interest the NOR
/ intense. After considerable delay, durin
which the vast concourse was entertained wit
some excellent exhibitions of swimming feat
} by some young fellows who had taken to tn
water, the geese were harnessed and an attemI
was made to start them on the course. bu
owing perhaps to lack of previous experimer
the race proved disappointment The gees
. were so frightened las to seem helpless, wer
) entirely unmanageable, and the race had to
given up.
, THE PROCESSION.
Shortly after half.past one O. clock the gran
. procession formed on State street, below tn
d. Pavilion in the following order: Sherman Mi
3 itary Band; Ethan Allen Engine Company, NJ
! 4; the company hose cart drawn by a span {
beautiful horses honorary members Of tn
Q Ethan Allen Engine Company in carriages
q Marshfeld Cornet Band; Company II, Ma
3 tional Guard Of Vermont Montpelier Corns
: Band; st. Jean Baptiste Society, and drur
3 corps. Led by the marshal and aids tn
: column marched up State street to Mair
4 thence to Barre street, and up the latter as ia
Q made. Passing back over the same route as IA
: as the head of State street, they proceede
. thence through Main, School, Loomis, Liberty
l. Main, State, Middlesex and Baldwin street,
a and Western avenue to the point OF startinl
8 Company II and the st. Jean Baptiste Societ
: were then escorted to their respective heaC
3 quarters BY the Marshfield and Montpeie
II bands. The marching Of the Ethans and th
Q music OF the Sherman band were the pleasan
II est features Of the procession, and elicite
y many expressions of admiration The fOrme