Morning journal and courier., 1888-07-06
RaIDGEPORT,s GALA DAY.

A M0nsfer Dem0nstratIOn- The Big.
 Eest Ever Known in the County
 Features OfIhe Big Bay.
 Bridgeport's life was all in her streets on the Fourth and 8 greater display never moved over the roads of the city. Bells and guns began the day and the holiday throngs swayed back and forth along the gaily adorned and crowded thoroughfares. The buildings were buried in banners and bunt- ings, and grouped in each window was the happiest and brightest picture of faces one ever saw. The town wore it's festive dress proudly and its flags merrily frolicked with the wanton breezes.
 People from all parts were there, and when parties from the same town met each other, strangers though they were, friendly greet ing was exchanged in the most democratic way, in such lively humor was everyone put by the cityis gaiety. Bridgeporters were lost in their host of visitors and the outside holi- day makers did the celebrating for them.
 Representations of Washington and the Goddess of Liberty arose about the Connec- ticut bank on Main street and other bank buildings were extensively decorated. The block of the common council chambers was hung with the flags of all nations, and in the center was a huge likeness of the city's seal. Stores and manufactures were alike loaded with decorations and private houses were hid in bright costumes of beautiful colors. The Seaside club on Main street, to which the bon ton of the city belong, adorned their building till 1t looked like 8 little palace of fairyland. Opposite their rooms were the press headquarters, where the learned scribes were regaled with every delicacy through the kindness of that big pillar of Bridgeport, P. T. Barnum. All the pretty young ladies and .Y-1 1..7 zoE411 ofk e-I than ever in jaunty costumes of red, white and blue.
 Ringing church bells and guns from the Atlrnta ship of war aw5ke the town at the first touch of day. Multitudes were pouring in by train and boat and everybody seemed in the happieet mood. At half past eleven an alarm of fire bells sounded and the proces- sion began to move. The blare of trumpets, the beat of drums, the patriotic pieces of an army of bands and the dull thunder from the mouths of many huge cannon on the decks of the Atlanta, made an effect marvellous and not soon to be forgotten.
 When once the line was in motion, the ad- mirable character of arrangements was ap. parent, for from start to finish there were no hitches or confusion. It stretched ont over two miles and took one hour and forty min utcs to pass given posnt.
 The first division was composed of militia and marines. At the head was Chief of fO1lce AarSn ana platoon or police, follow ed by the grand marshal, his chief of staff, Lieutenant Frank J. Naramore, Brigadier General s. R. Smith and twelve aides The Fourth regiment, headed by the Wheeler 6 Wilson band, presented a very fine appear ance. The feature of the division was 8 company of United States marines and sail- ors from the cruiser Atlanta, drawing two of the improved Hotchkiss Machine guns. Bridgeport people very seldom see the boys of the navy, and their appearance was nov- city which all enjoyed. The accurate march ing of the Atlanta's marines and their show ing of nigh discipline in general were com- monly admired.
 The industrial division, marshalled by Mir. Charles R. BrothWell, was the most novel and as interesting feature as any in the parade. There were in all about 15O floats and wagons in this divisien. Butchers showed their dressed beef, painters painted houses, paperers papered, engineers ran their engines, printers printed their papers and threw them into the crowd, bakers made bread and baked, eonfectioners made confec- tions, and every trade was transferred to wheels te show it's art.
 The fourth and fifth division contained about 1900 6remen. The fourth division was headed by the American band of New Haven. The Veteran Bremen of New Ha- ven, clad in the old style hats, red blouses and dark pants, were ct the right of the di- 1