Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-17
BENNINGTON's PREPARATIONS.
The Historic Vermont Town Ready for the
Dedication of the Monument.

When the Vermont legislature last fall passed
an act providing for the ceremonies attending
upon the dedication Of the Bennington Battle
monument and the centennial celebration Of
the admission to the Union of the state of YER
mont they probably realized in q small measure
the great proportions which the celebration
would assume. Bennington is decked from its
eastern boundary to the old Bennington on the
hill, and is one complete wave of bunting and
flags. Midway in this panorama stands the
triumphal arch, to be lighted with more than
two hundred electric lights. This arch bears
on Its eastern side the motto: "l79f-The Best
Legacy of Vermont's First Century is Her Sons
and Her Daughters-ls9l." On the opposite side
is the following: 'l777-You See the Red
Coats. They Are Ours or Molie Stark sleeps a
! Widow TOnight'-being the historic words
uttered by Gen. Stark he rallied his men to
tight on the field OF Bennington. The other
half Of the same side of tho arch has these
words: Peace Hath Her Victories, no Less
Renowned Than Nar-1S9l."
These are the notices that were used on the
arch OF 1877. This is living arch and will
represent on both sides the thirteen original
| states by young ladies in costume with ban
ners. The arch is built to represent the stone
OF the monument in coloring and general APP
pearance. As the President passes under this
arch In the great procession OF August 10 a
CHoir oI ZUO VOICES Will sing America, halI
Columbia," Star Spangled Banner and other
patriotic songs
Preparing for the great celebration, the YER
mont militia are now in camp. named Yer
mont" in honor of the finish Of the first CEN
| fury of sisterhood Prominent guests of the
| state are expected to begin TO arrive today.
Gov. Page and staff arrived yesterday and
went into camp with the Vermont National
Guard. 1t is expected that the guests Of the
state will number fully 500.
Vermont has never seen q celebration ar
ranged upon such a grand and magnificent
| scale. This celebration is the elimination of a
long series Of events covering century. The
18th of August, the anniversary of the battle of
Darlington, is to the people OF southern YER
mont what the Fourth Of July is to the nation
For nearly fifty years there has been more or
less preparation for the building of a suitable
monument, and the dedication Of this will take
place this week. The first organized effort was
| in 1853
The cost Of the monument and site has been.
| in round numbers. 100000. Massachusetts,
| contributed $4,000. New Hampshire $780,
| the national government $40. 900 and Vermont
$4,000. The balance has been raised by pri-
waite subscriptions. The monument stands on
! commanding site, 2S3 feet above the Wallosac
| river. The foundation of the monument is the
solid rock OF the mountain, on the top of
which was situated the Bennington of the revo-
| luton. The structure il an obelisk. built OF
native stone and faced with sand hill dolomite.
| The height from the base to the top Of the cap
stone is 30l feetl0}z inches. The monument at
the base is 81 feet inches by 81 feet inches,
running to point.