Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-10-04

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ing. An elaborate collation. was then given
the visitors in large tent, q short distance
from the speakers stand, and at 3 O'Clock the
afternoon programme began. Rev. Charles
L. Pardee of Christ church, Bridgeport, Of
fered prayer, and Stiles Judson, IT,, presi
dent Of the day, made an address Of welcome
Yet, though eclipsed in the shadow o,
Bridgeport's progress, We have felt no twin.
Of jealousy, but only friendship and good
will. On the road to success, the old towr
Wishes her God speed, for in the town Of
Bridgeport she recognizes her youngest born
Though the years in passing have left tn.
marks of time on Old Stratford's landscape
with her ancient dwellings standing as senti
nels of the past; though the moss OF centur.
les is thick upon the stones marking tn.
resting-places of those early settlers who
braved the perils of the wilderness In making
this their abode, yet the mantle of age resti
lightly upon her and the frost of two hun
dred and fifty winters has failed to bligh,
her perennial bloom. Old Stratford is youne
again to-day In the spirit In which she vel
comes yen, and the joyousnsss Of this occa-
sion shall be to her as q life-giving spring
from which she will draw long continued life
and happiness.
B: T. Fairchild. Esq, of New York, spoke
OF the character and purpose of the early
colonists who grounded their work SO we'll.
Rev. g. w. Judson of Orange, Mass, fol-
lowed with short address. The remarks of
Curtis Thompson, Esq., were extended and
full of interest. He gave a good review of
Stratfords history.
General Joseph R. Hawley was to be the
next speaker, but he was not present, and
Lieutenant Governor Merwin spoke briefly.
ne congratulated the old town upon its hap
Ply anniversary and upon the elegant tribute
to the soldier and sailor dead which now
stands upon Academy Hill.
After the exercises were over the crowds
that fingered in the town scattered here and
there. Every train was bringing hundreds of
visitors to swell the throng and the evening
display was made the most beautiful and
brilliant event of the celebration. Nearly
every house in the town was hung and lighted
with Chinese lanterns. All sorts of novel de.
vices were used to make everything pretty
and attractive. At half-past six O'Clock the
programme began by q band concert. Be-
tween the pieces rendered was given a series
of interesting and remarkable tableaux. They
consisted of representations of old time life
and incidents connected with the early his
tory of the town. They illustrated the arrival
Of the first settlers in 1889; trading with the
Indians; going to church $50 years ago; trial
of Goody Bassett for witchcraft in 1850:
Moses Wheeler's ferry, 1858; the wolf hunt
of 1893; the visit of Washington and Lafay-
cite during the revolutionary war; The we'd
ding of Glorisnna Fulsom to John Sterling
In 1771.
At O'Clock there was a brilliant display
of fireworks. The crowds gathered about the
brightly Lighted park and watched the dis
play with great interest. Forty pieces were
exhibited. The prettiest of these were the
balloon assensions, Sparkling Waterfall"
THE Tree of Liberty" "Gatling Battery"
''Chinese Brilliant, ""Old Stratford meeting
house as it stood on Watch Hill in 1885," in
which thunder storm arose and lightning
struck the structure, which was quickly in
flames, The closing piece was inscribed,
"1639-S tratford-1SS9." Over ii was sent
a simultaneous flight of oolored rockets,
forming vast aerial bouquet This ended
old Stratford's two hundred and fftieth
birthday celebration and the dedication of
her soldiers and sailors monument. The
crowds then focked to the trains, and the
depot presented a scene of crowding and hur-
rying which beggars description.
JorTINGs.
The Admiral Foote Post, G. A. R. delepa-
tion of this city numbering twenty men
rode in large carryall in the procession.
The route was estimated at about four miles
in length. MIR. Dickinson, janitor at the
postoffice was in charge of the delegation.
All report a fine time and much satisfaction
with the trip and celebration. All the visit
ing delegations commended the collation.
which was ample and invitive.
Henry G. Merwin Post, G.. A. R. dele.
cation of this city was under the command of
Commander Thomas E. Twitchell.
Among the New Haven people at the cele-
bration other than those In line were Capt.
Charles q. Townshend, Mr.. Fairchild the
GOAL dealer and wife, Mr.. Joseph B. Man
vile, the carriage manufacturer and wife.
lyman n. Law, Mrs. Toes and daughter,
Sexton Smith of Center chnrch. h. H. Peck,
The bookseller and brother and a few 9th.
ers.
Lieut.. Governor Mer win was much pleased
with the celebration and highly commended
the public spirit manifested by old Strait
lords people.
Grand Marshal Tibbals of Milford's cele-
bration, drove over from Milford and en-.
much pleasure recalled to old New Haven
friends his long experience as a member of
he Horse Guards of this city.
Mr.. Coy of Milford, formerly of New Ha-
zen telephone note, was one of the assistant |
narshals of the day, and drove home with
lis family after the exercises.
John G. North, the insurance agent of this |
A Now Haven gentleman and friend Wis., |
ted Miller's duck and poultry fields near the |
sound, where there are 5000 ducks and |
200 chickens to be seen at most any time. |
lie markets them in New York chiefly.
The depot ticket Office at Stratford never |
lad bigger rush of business than that of |
yesterday in the memory of the Oldest in
labitsnts.
The fakirs and peddlers had harvest time |
md one energetic street peddler sold many |
watches and chains at rs cents for the chain, |
nd the watch thrown in free. He sold a |
lumber to New Haven Grand Army men,
Who brought them home to give the chill |
ren.
Before closing mention should be made of |
he exhibit In the Town hall, where was an
Elaborate display of relics of olden times |
vhich had heen loaned by residents Of the |
own. 1t was crowded with sight-sesrs all |
through the day. Many Of the visitors regis
cred their names in book for that purpose |
nd many hundreds of signatures were OBJ
aimed.