Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1890-02-27
FLYING COLORS.
A GRAND DENOMINATION ON
SATURDAY..
Jr. ID. u. A. Nj. and q. A. II. Raise
AIOft the American
Flag.

The 158th anniversary of the birth of
Washington had more real and gen
eral celebration ia Bridgeton than ever
before. The people seemed to catch
the spirit of the occasion, and all day
long bunting foated to the breeze.
The decorations were beautiful and
general. Scarcely a business house in
the centre of the city failed to show
display of the red, white and blue. 1t
was distinctively patriotic day, and
had the great anniversary fallen upon
any other day, merchants would have
closed their stores in honor of the
event.
The members of Hope Council, No. 3,
and Welcome Council, No. As, Jr. o.
U. A. M. had made all the arrange
ments for the day. and there was not a
disappointment during the entire
afternoon. and the Juniors were COM
plimented upon every hand. 1t was
grand work-that of raising flags over
the public school buildings. Five
American flags fiuttered in the sharp
wind as the sun was setting at night.
which had not fiuttered when the sun
arose in the morning. In fact, they
had never swung from pole before,
and the rope which held them in posi-
ton ratified against the poles as
naturally, as if they had been doing it
all their lives instead of for the first
time.
Shortly before one O'Clock the streets
down town were blocked with hum
dreds of people who were gathered to
see the participants in the days exer-
cises. At one o'clock Charles Harris,
in Continental costume, appeared upon
a handsome gray horse, as Marshal,
while on either side of him rode his
aids, William Mickle and Frank j.
Lore. A few moments later and the
line was in shape. The committees
from each Council, with white gloves,
and wearing upon their overcoats their
| Council and white badges, together
with small union flag. Following
came two color bearers and the indie
pendent Cornet Band. Next in line
were members of A. L. Robeson Post,
No. AZ, g. A. R. under command of
Richard Morris, Members of Hope
Council came next, and directly behind
them were visiting delegations under
the guidance of Harry F. Evan. Wei
come Council, No. As followed under
command of Capt. Harry Mcintyre.
Capt. Owens, with the armed cadets
of the South Jersey Institute, followed
Welcome Council, and bringing up in
the rear were carriages, festooned with
red, white and blue, in which rode vet
Grams, Mayor Dubois, members of City
Council and Board of Education. and
the representatives of the clergy. The
Eureka and g. A. R. drum corps also
furnished music for the occasion.
This long line marched out Laurel
street to North, through that thorough
fare to Pearl, halting in front of the
Pearl St. school building, which was
more prettily decorated than any Of
the others visited. Across the front of
the building were the words 'Jr. o..
U. A. NJ, Feb. 22d, 1890" Red, white
and blue were everywhere, and the
open Bible was in the front window,
decorated with small flags. The march
ing organization tianked in front OF
the school, and as the word Halt"
was given the scholars of the school
were heard singing my Country 'Tis
of Thee" Miss NJ. E. Foster, principal,
surrounded by her teachers, was near
the open gateway. The committee
and ministers, together with the city
officials, were near by, while VIM. J..
MCGOWAN, of Hope Council, No. 3,
with bright new flag in his hand,
stood before Miss Foster, and in a
most eloquent presentation speech,
particularly appropriate, presented
the colors to the school. Miss Foster
accepted the trust in a few words, and
Rev. VIM. R. Mcneil began a short, yet
decisive and wholly American address,
which created the greatest enthu-
siasm. The flag was run up to the
top of the pole, and the band played,
while the people cheered themselves
hoarse. Each school child was pre-
sented with pretty little flag, as a
souvenir of the OCCASION
The line re-assembled, and soon the
Bank street school building was
reached. There was perfect crush
of people, the streets being solidly
filed with humanity. while every avail
able nick of space was taken in the
school yard. A small platform had
been erected in front of the school, and
upon this, the flag was presented to
Prof. Prince, who received it in his
most happy manner, and he told how
he and the school appreciated the
int al, do