St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1891-07-09
Ubc Californian
LYNDON'S GREAT DAY.

FiffineIy Celebrated.
The morning of the Fourth dawn
ed wet and cloudy and the day from
the outset looked inauspicious for
the centennial celebration of the
formation of the town of Lyndon.
Notwithstanding, the event was Gel
ebrated by the patriotic citizens of
Lyndon and vicinity in a most fitting
manner and it drew one of the
largest crowds ever seen in the town.
The village of Lyndonville had a
holiday appearance. The streets
were neat and clean, the lawns and
parks nicely moved and all rubbish
removed from sight. The decora-
lions were elaborate. Flags and
banners were suspended over the
principal streets, the hotels and
public buildings were gay with fes-
toons of flags and evergreen, and the
private residences seemed to vie with
each other in the display of flags,
bunting, banners, emblems, etc. Over
Main street was an arch bearing the
words WELCOME to Lyndonville,
1791-1S91."
Music for the occasion was furnish
ed by the Sherman Military band of
Burlington, the St. Johnsbury Cornet
band and the Barton Landing Cornet
band.
The centennial observances began
on the evening of July Sd, with a
concert in Music hall by Sherman S
Military band, assisted by the Cecil
an quartet of St. Johnsbury. 1t was
a rare musical treat and was listened
to by a large number Of people.
The morning of the Fourth was
ushered in by a salute of Is guns,
emblematic of the IS original states.
At $50 a. m. came the procession
of antiques and horribles. Itproceed-
ed through the principal streets Of
the village, then to Lyndon Center,
Lyndon and finally back to the start
ing point in the Vile.
The other exercises of the forenoon
were interrupted by the rain. The
grand parade made an attempt to
start at 10 O'Clock, but the process
sion was overtaken by the hardest
4shower of the day and the different
organizati tons broke ranks un-
tremendously and fled for the near
est shelter Another start was made
at 100 p. m and this time it was a
success. Captain Henry E. Randall
of Island Pond was chief marshal
and led the procession, which con-
sisted of three divisions and was over
three-quarters of mile in length.
The divisions were made up as fol-
lows:
First division-Drum corps; %
original voters in continental cos
TUNES; Floodwood company of an
Gent militia ancient trades and rep
resenta tives; three log cabins, in
which were representatives Of the
manufacture of linen and wooden,
and the interior of a West India
goods store; descendants of original
settlers and other residents
Second division-Sherman Militia
ry band, Company D, Vermont Ma
tional Guard of st. .Johnsbury escort
ing Gov Page, Hon. H. H. Powers,
orator of the day, Hon. w. w. Grout,
Senator Albro F. Nichols and other
distinguished guests; Newport COM
pany of Vermont National Guard :;
veterans of the Grand Army.
III 1. n
band; Palestine Commandery
Knights Templar of St. Johnsbury
Canton Crescent of Odd Fellows
Knights of Pythias; centennial COM
mittee; civil officers of the town
modern trades; Lyndonville fire COM
panv, citizens in carriages and on
foot.
A great deal of time and money
had been expended on this feature of
the celebration and the result was
gratifying to all. Some of the dis
plays were really unique. Chase's
Lumber company had a large cir
cular saw fixed upon an arbor and a
man was filing it as the procession
moved along. The boot and shoe
business was represented by a large
shoe drawn upon a two horse wagon,
the driver sitting inside the shoe.
The Lyndon Carriage company had a
fine displaT ofcarriages upon large,
low wagon. A dealer in clocks and
watches had the wheels of large
wagon converted into clock faces,
with the two hands and all the hour
marks. The Lyndon Union had a
compositor setting type at a case,
and the Lvndonville Journal was
represented by small printing press
and a case of type. Nearly every
business in town was represented in
one way or another.
The procession came to a stop in
front of the grove and the literary
exercises of the day were then held.
William L. Quimby of St. Johnsbury
read from Vermont declarations OF
independence and rights. The his