Connecticut western news., 1890-07-09
The Fourth at Great Harrington

Never slnce the centennial year of 1876, have the people of this village and the rural districts witnessed so grand . celebration of our national independence as that which was ob- served last Friday, July 4th.
 At sunrise the alum bering inhabitants were awakened by 8 salute of 13 guns, and everyone not on the sick list were early astir, preparing for the grand observance of the day. The trains from north and south brought hose compa- nies, musicians, deputy sheriffs and various delegations, not forgetting the promiscous crowd of humanity, of all colors and conditions, so that by 1O:3O .. m. the streets were alive with people. There was 8 delay of half an hour in the formation of the grand parade, but about 1l0O a. m. 1t began to march from the town hall down Maiu street, under the command of chief marshal John A. Brewer and his staff. Consplcu- ous in the parade from out of town, was the Germania band, Morton hose company and Greylock hook and ladder company, of Pittsfield Dalton. hose company, and the Union hose, of Winsted. Because of the muddy con- dition of the streets High Sheriff John Crosby and his deputies did not partici- pate in the march. The car of state was the most beautiful feature, as on a raised dias WAS seated the Goddess of Liberty surrounded by 13 young ladies, all dressed in white, with red sashes, representing the 13 original states. Tho antiques and horribles, with the representation of various trades were 8 unioue uart of the display
 At the grand stand, which extended f5O feet along Main street opposite the town hall, the chairman of the recep- ton committed, Andrew L. Hubbell, welcomed the invited guests and exten. ded to them a most cordial greeting. At the stand Judge Shores read the Declaration of Independence, and ad dresses were made by Rev Ezra Tinker Rev G. A. Given and Senator w. L. Brown. George B. Roys, of the New York Home Journal, read 8 poem entitled "California's 10th Birthday At the conclusion of the literary exer cises bountiful dinner was served ir the town hall.
 In the afternoon came the hose races which were witnessed by the guest. from the grand stand, and the people 0lOOR 68cu Slu0 OL mAlu SCT60b. u0 ruT was down Main street, 50 rods to tho llydrant in front of the city store connect, lay 300 feet of hose and ge water. The Union Hose of Winsted ra1 first, making the distance in one minut. III seconds. Next came the S. w Morton of Pittsfield, and more like rac. hor.es than men they dashed down tn. street. and as soon as the last end O their hose had spun from the cart thei pipeman connected the nozzle, tn, water dashed out and time was given a one minute seconds. Housatoni s Hose made the run in one minute seconds, but the water came before tn, nozzle was attached. Dalton Hose mad . good run, but lost three seconds b, slow water Their time was one minut 93-5 seconds and they were awarded the third prize money. The prizes wer 31OO, $50 and $25.
 The one mile bicycle race was vol by James Strevell in minutes, 4 seconds; Frank Strevell second an' Stillman third. Prizes, $15. $1O and $5 The half-mile race for boys was won b, Robert Logan. No time given. Ton Tobey second. Alfred Brainard tool the balf-mile race for men; Jame Streveu second.
 The game of ball between the Hope and Lees was broken up by the rail after one inning.