Bridgeton pioneer., 1888-07-12
THE FOURTH.
A Grand Celebration by the
G. A. R. and the Temper
ance People.


laid down by the G. A. R. Post,
has never been surpassed, or even
equalled in this locality before. From
the time the first gun was fired at day
break, until the last rocket had ex-
panded late at night, the thousands of
people who visited Harris Grove found
plenty to amuse and interest them.
In TACT the celebration was a grand
success, and everything passed off nice
ly and all credit is due, those members
of the Post, who gave so much of their
time and devoted so much of their at
tention to the details of the arrange
ments.
The procession did not start off until
after nine o'clock, as it was necessary
to wait for the Sons of Veterans from
Vineland. When the line moved it
was composed as follows: Marshall
VIM. N. Hewitt; aid, Curtes Louder,
City Cornet Band, Cyrene Comman-
dery under command of Capt. L. D
IL. Gilmour, with % men; Jr. o. U. A.
M. numbering fifty one men under
command of Frank Egg,nan; carriage
with Hon. Robt. More, Revs. W. R.
Mcneil and G. G. Stanger; Drum
Corps, G. A. R. Boys, IS men under
command of iona. Hustled. Following
came a small cannon and two large
bronze pieces drawn by horses. The
Vineland Sons of Veterans afterward
joined the line following in after the
Drum Corps. After the line had
moved over the route advertised,
ranks We're broken at the grove, and
guns were stacked.
Prayer was offered by Rev. G. G.
Stanger, and Hon. Robt. Moore read
the Declaration OF independence.
This was followed by brilliant ad-
dress by Rev. VIM. R. Mcneil, and the
hundreds who heard it, applauded
lo9d and often.
After that the people enjoyed them
selves as best they could. The grove
was cool, and pole swings and other
sources of amusement were kept con-
stantly going, while the many refresh
ment booths did rushing business.
At dinner time the good ladies of the
q. A. R. supplied the multitude with
one of those good, not dinners for
which they are famous.
In the afternoon the string band
furnished music for gay dancers until
five O'Clock, when the sham battle was
commenced. And while it was sham
battle, there was so much that made
it realistic that some of the timid ones
became fearful. The cannons belched
forth and the air was laden with the
smell of powder The shells thrown
from the mortar ascended high in the
air and burst with a terrible report.
Then the Jonnies and the Boys in
Blue charged upon each other. After
some firing came a hand to hand CON
tlict. The Union men were repulsed
and driven back almost within the
cover of their artillery; and then, with
dogged determination not to give III,
they turned, and soon the gray coats
were fleeing before their foes. Men
fell under the fire and were almost
trampled upon, and provisions were
captured. 1t was indeed mimic war,
and gave one an idea OF the terrors
and dangers OF the blood-curdling bat
ties through which those very soldiers
had gone in years past. In all, it was
one Of the finest representations of
war ever shown in this locality.
The sunset guns were fired, and
while in the afternoon thousands were
packed in the grove, the number was
increased at night. where fine dis
play of fireworks was made, and it was
midnight nearly before the crowds had
departed.
We are glad to know of the success
OF the veterans in this their patriotic
endeavor to give the people of Bridge
ton q chance to properly celebrate the
great natal day. Nearly one thou
sand quarts of cream were sold, and
other refreshments were dispensed
largely, allowing the boys to come out
on the right side OF the ledger.
The celebration of the Fourth ofJuly
as arranged by the temperance people
OF this locality was very successful
one, although there was none OF the
usual booming of cannons, nor the dis
play of fireworks in the evening. In
fact it was a temperance celebration
just as advertised, and all that was
done was with the idea of furthering
the temperance cause, and do some
thing to rally the people to the sup
port OF the local option election.
The committee having the matters
in charge spared no time, pains or ex-
pense in making their work success,
and the 5000 people who paid the ten
cents admission at the gate, could find