Morning journal and courier., 1889-01-21
The Celebration I'm West Haven.

on 4th or July ceieOratlOO: put so tnOr- oughly was the thing done, and so gratifed were all who were present and participated in the affair, that there was truth and point in Colonel Kelsey's toast, offering to teach tour sister village, New Haven," how to get up such things.
 The beautiful day was welcomed by Nat ionel Salute, from spunky little ships gun, the ringing of the bells, and the hoisting of the United States Flag, on an extemporized Flag Staff, on the Green. At ten o'clock a cavalcade of about fifty gentlemen, most of them handsomely mounted, and proceeded by Cornish's Brass Band, of Derby, in a car- riage, marched through Main, Water. and Elm streets, to the village green, where, ap parently, all the people of West Haven, and hundreds from adjoining towns, were assem- bling, preparatory to the grand parade of the day.
 in the meantime, however, an amusing spectacle, not contemplated in the pro- gramme, disclosed itself to the assembled multitude. A company of some fifty young men, disguised in the most ludicrous and fantastical habiliments, armed with all sorts of useless weapons, and bearing banners with extravagant devices, made their appear ance and went through Dress Parade, and Battalion Drills, as novel as ingenius.
 Under the trees which skirt the green, stage had been erected for speakers, and benches placed for the ladies. A large na- tional flag, formed the back ground of the stand, and other flags hung from the branches of the trees.
 The procession was formed on the green at 12 o'clock, under the direction of the Chief Marshal, George R. Kelsey. and Assistant Marshals, H. P. Cady, and D. s. Thompson, in the following order, viz:
 Cornish Brass Band,
 Invited guests.
 West Haven Female Seminary,
 West Haven Male Seminary,
 Children of West Haven,
 Ladies,
 Cit z s,
 The procession marched around the Green, making beautiful appearance. Two or three banners tastefully trimmed with ever greens, were borne in it. Many of the young ladies wore wreathes of laurels, or flowers, in their heads, and it was the general remark of the spectators, that there were an extraordi- nary number of beautiful girls in the line.
 Arriving at the Speakers stand, the pro- cession was seated, so ar as it was possible, and the following exercises took place:
 Prayer, by Rev. E. Cotton, Reading of the Declaration of Independence, by
 Music. Hail to the sn chief. by the Band,
 Grafton, by pr. W H. Painter,
 Music, Hail Columbia by the Band,
 Address, by Rev. Henry ZeIl,
 Music, Marsailles Hymn, by the Band,
 Address, by Rev George A. Bryan,
 Music, Star Spangled Banner, by the Band.
 We were not present, but we have heard the Grafton of Dr. Painter highly commended, and, indeed, every part of the programme, gave such satisfaction, that nothing was left to be desired.
 During the performances, an accident hap pened, which at first threatened to interrupt sadly the harmony and pleasure of the day. portion of the platform, crowded with ladies and children, suddenly broke down, and it looked as if great many were in dan ger of severe bruises; but an examination resulted in the gratifying discovery that all had escaped, except one young girl, whose back, or body, was apparently injured inter- nally She was conveyed to Dr. Painters residence, who paid her every possible at tention, and thinks she will not suffer seri- ously.
 Perhaps the most attractive sight of the day was the dinner on the green. The beautiful elms of the West Haven green cast almost as deep and cool shade, as those of our own green. Under them, tables were spread, each ninety feet in length. and, 1t is computed. that first and last, some two thousand persons sat down to dinner. The day was just the one which admitted of the enjoyment of this outdoor dinner, to the greatest possible extent, and verybody seem- ed delighted. It was especially remarked, that nothing like disappointment, attend ed the celebration. There was, we be- lieve, no spirituous liquors sold in the town, and no one on that account seemed pleased less with the celebration.
 William N Barnett, Esq, acted as Presi- dent of the Day; Rev. MT. Atwater asked a blessing at the table, and the good things were discussed with 8 good apetite.
 A series of regular toasts were followed by a pleasant discharge of valuntaries, accompa- nied by music by the brass band, and speech es from a number of gentlemen-among whom, were Mir. Zell, Col. Kelsey, MT. Barr nett, MT. Brown, and others.
 Among the toasts of the occasion were: s'The Atlantic cable and the West river bridge"- The to briige the Atlantic the other to bridge West river-problem to be solved this week. (Three cheers)
 ''The seminary in West Haven"-May the success with which their efforts have been crowned ever continue. Responded to by R. 9. Brown)
 By Mrs. George R. Kslsey-"This celebration of the Fourth in West Haven'-May it long be remem- bered as the promoter of harmony and unity among By w. N Barnett-"The venerable, quiet and pleasant village of West Haven''-She exhausted her energies on the bloody field of the revolution and in her fatigue fell into 8 moro than Rip Van Wrinkle sleep; at last she is aroused and is now as wide awake as when the British troops landed on yonder shore 79 years ago to-day.
 1.-The marshal of the day'-His energy and suc- this occasion recalls to mind the heroes that marshalled here Ss years ago.
 tion''-May their shadows in their daughter de- scendants never grow-nauch less.