The Newtown bee., 1888-07-06
A BLAZE OF GLORY.
Bridgeport's Monster Semi-Centenni-
 al and Fourth of July.


 Bridgeport has celebrated it's semi-cen- tennial in proper spirit, consistent with itself and it's record of enterprise and progress. The ever glorious Fourth is past and Bridgeport congratulates itself that it passed with so little disturbance. Notwithstanding the presence of tens of thousands of strangers, all things moved without friction, redounding to the cred- it of the city. Ample time had been giv- en for preparation and the result was grand beyond expectation. The wealth CT proved all that could be desired and nothing was lacking. Guests began to pour into the city, Monday morning and continued until Wednesday. Trains on all roads brought heavy loads to Bridge port at reduced rates; but the action of the Consolidated road in declining to transport iiremcn's paraphcrnalia IS se- verely criticized. By Vice President reach any branch of the IIousatonlc sys- tenn were brought here in good order. A reception committee met guests at the depot. Bremen were dined in the Turn Hall on Madison avenue, newspaper men in BuIroughs's library building and otli- CTS elsewhere. Chief Marsh made excel lent police regulations and obtained a number of New York detectives. AS a result, perfect order was maintained. On the streets and at the park, the vast crowds were quiet and well behaved. But those who had erected grand stands on the line of march and those who es- abolished booths to sell cool drinks were disappointed and, in many cases, did not pay expenses; the. weather was cool and there was no trade.
 Never in it's half century of city life has Bridgeport so generally and thor oughly awakened to the needs of pub lie occasion as for this Fourth of July. This is attested by the money freely giv- en to tho committee, by the interest cvineed and by the decorating fever which took possession of the town. Main street is, of course, the most .profusely ornamented and from North. avenue to State street is one blaze of glory. The American flag predomlnated and patriot ic bunting abounded everywhere. Resi- dences are gaily decked with flags and banners, while business houses combine them with streamers and festoons of red white and blue and drape them around portraits of America's most famous men The most noticeable object is the bank building, corner Main and Wall streets Washington is here and flags of the lar ger European nations. The whole front of the building is draped with appropri- ate colors. The Exchange building, just below, is nearly covered; so are the buildings above and Wheeler's block which has been artistically draped by ! professional decorating firm. The D. M Read Co.,, X. F. West, J. E. Barnaby X Co.,, Wheeler & Wilson, A. II. Davis Peet S Smith, The Copeland Bros. Co.,. w. E. Hall S Co, Jesse Sands, Mayor Coughlin, II. N. Ayres, T. l.. Watson X Co. ,Downer X Edwards, Plumb & Boards ley, George F. Connor, John c. How land, F. M. Montignani, all banks and club rooms and hundreds and thousands of others, give evidence of painstalling endeavor and gratifying success. All along State street, Fairfield avenue Broad street and adjacent streets the same profusion is found. East Bridge port is not behind in this regard; many of the decorations there would do credit to any place of business.
 Too much credit cannot be given GranC Marshal Zones for the excellent arrange ments for the parade, ably seconded by efficient aides, of whom Frank J. Narra more was chief Division Marshals wer, Col Henry Huss of New York, Cap Eleazur Parmly of the New Howe Mfg Co.,. Charles R. Brothwell of Barnum' busy office, Henry A. Bishop of the Con solidated road, Charles F.. Williams there were 5S assistant marshals. In tn parade were 15 brass bands aud 10 drum corps. Of course our unexcelled Wheel CT & Wilson band was the center of at traction, but the Howe and Philharmoni of Bridgeport and out of town bands de served credit. The Moodus drum corp produced more systematic noise to tn square inch than anything else in tn procession. The line of march was fror Main and Grand streets to Seaside park passing reviewing stand, thence throug the grove and to East Bridgeport, rt crossing the center bridge and dismiss ing under arch of welcome up Fairfiel avenue. The line was led by platoo of police, grand marshal and aidei First division was military; Col T. l Watson commanded the Fourth reg ment, C. N. G., to which were added th machine gun platoon and visiting so diers. The second division, civic soci ties, was well arranged and many soci ties present in goodly numbers. An il teresting feature of this division was u wheelmen; the three local societies wei increased by bicyclists from Meridel Hartford, New Haven, Danbury, No walk. The Park Citys and Ramblir Wheemen rode well and received a plause: the Pequonnocks, who led tl yan. were also we'll received and tl close and steady riding of the visito won them approbation. Several tande tricycles, two of them occupied by l; dies. were also here. Everyone declare that the third division, containing butcl CTS in uniform of white apron and ta silk hat, Indians and cowboys, with
 long line of floats representing Bridg port,s industries, followed by fantast display, was the best of the processio TO describe them all is impossibl Plumb & Winton had huge ham al inscriptions calling attention to their ot CT goods. w. B. Hall & Co.,, who SUI plemented their handsome delivery wa on by two huge floats replete with evcl description of dry goods, made 2 spccl exhibit of scasonable dress goods ai dress forms with ready made dresses al called attention to their score of depaI ments each as large as an ordinary stor Wheeler & Wilson exhibited the variol styles of machines now made, but callt special attention to the New No. 9. Tl Pierce Cement Pipe Co.'S trucky with
 huge stone crusher, became stalled
 Seaside, but was extricated by addiI more horses. The Keller Piano Co. pla ed piano in their wagon and an expe player discourscd sweet music whi workmen Illustrated the method of ma ing them. 'sWe have what the peop want was the inscription on the D.