The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-06-12
LOCAL POSTSCRIPT.
MONUMENT AND CENTENNLAL.
The Stair-w0y commemorative BaD-
quet-The Procession, civic SOeie-
ties, aud OIher Particulars

IRE. The iron-work is from the G. W. |
md F. Smith Iron Company of Boston.
Nearly dozen stOne-cutters are engaged |
upon the task of putting in the extra
made necessary because of the
change in the plans of the stairs. 1t is
not our purpose here to give history of
the stairs, or the discussions that have
led up to the selection of the present
plan. Our readers are familiar with the
details-the compromise between an in
clmed plane and the ordinary stairs of
the architects plan. These stairs will
weigh sixty tons, and the work is com
pleted so that nothing remains but TO
place the stairway in position. Briefly
stated, the stairway will stand s inches
clear of the walls-treads, three feet
three inches in length. The rise is five
inches each step, the treads being l53
inches wide. There will be 343 steps to
the first lookout. This room will be 80
feet high, and up to the principal look
out will be flight of winding stairway.
Above this will be so feet of winding
ladder, then floor, and 20 feet of
straight ladder above that. 1t is not in
tended now to admit the general public
to any place above the principal lookout.
The stairs will be furnished with banis-
tiers on both inner and outer edge, with
2t inch iron piping for top rail; the in
ner banister will be 4 feet high, the outer
8 feet. All will be fastened with Rinch
rivets. The floors along the route are
all to be built in the strongest and most
compact style. The steps are all ribbed
diagonally, so as to afford a most sure
and solid foothold. There are three
panels in the side of the structure along
the first ascent, named for the three
States of Vermont, New Hampshire and
Massachusetts. Higher up are fOul
more panels, devoted to the Historical
Society of Vermont, the G.. A. r., Yer.
mont Masonic Fraternity, Order of odd
Fellows, each containing the names OF
the State bodies and dates of Organiza.
ton. Along with other furnishings OF
the stairway may be mentioned the brass,
work, which will set off the banisters
etc.. with good effect. This work is done
by the Murdoch ParlOr Crate Company
of Boston. Although there is a cOnsld
cradle elevation attained at the principal
outlOok-1SS feet-yet the expectation is
that the stairway will be so arranged that
the ascent will seem comparatively easy
and considering that the hill itself af'
lords fine view of the surf ounding
country. the outlook from this greater
"point of vantage will be well worth
the eXertiOn of reaching it.
The banquet is reputed to be popular
affair. We find an impression exists,
erroneous though it is, that the banquet
will be made an exclusive thing-prima.
rily for the State officials and invited
guests. Nothing could be further from
the truth. 1t is proposed to place the
price of the tickets at low figure, Sc
that all who wish may sit down, and al
so to place on sale these tickets in every
town in the State where responsible
man can be found to take charge of the
sale. Organizations expecting to take
larger or smaller blocks of these tickets
10 accommodate their numbers, should
order early, addressing Hon. John V.
Carney, chairman, stating the number
of seats at the table desired. This is i'm.
portant, because it is the intention to
provide for all who wish these tickets,
and the preparations will be made some
what according to the demand.
During the week several uniformed
bodies of men have decided to come and
swell the procession. Among these we
note the Grand Commandery of Vermont
Knights Templars. At Burlington, Tues
day, the State Grand body, after n full
and free discussion, and after listening
to the remarks of the Eminent Com
mander land others) present voted unan
imOusly to attend, and made provision
for transportation on the spot. Prob.
ably no part of the procession will be OF
greater attraction than that of this
Ancient Order of KnighthoOd.
Last week we gave the arrangements
made by the Patriarchs Militant
(Which, by the way, in this part of tho
State, was exclusive in the BANNER)
and we now learn that the outlook il
more and more promising for a larger
attendance of Odd Fellows than antici
pated. This is true of the militia as
well. Each day comes information OF
elegantly uniformed companies who de
SIRE to come here and participate.
The procession will be the largest and
by far the most imposing ever seen in
Vermont; indeed, few in the country
will go down in history as equalling it.
The formation is to be officially promul
gated as published by us two weeks
since.
The Montpelier Military Band has
been engaged as the regimental band fol
the muster. 1t will contain forty pieces
and will be substantially the same or.
ganization as that which went to the
Washington centennial at New York
The Brattleboro Regimental Band is also
engaged. This band is, as everybody
knows, the old-time regimental band OF
this region, and will probably march
over the mountains with all colors flying
andlat the he'd of the two batteries ex.
pected to come that way. Bennington
excellent Citizens Band is also engaged
and with all this musical talent, who
says we shall not have fine music on the
great day?
The grand stand will be placed neal
the creamery on West Main street. WheI
the head of the procession reaches this
place, the escort (the West Point Cadets
will form line opposite, the President
and guests Omitted to % persons) will
take the stand and the whole will pass il
review-three parts, military, carriages
civic societies. Those who occupy seats
on the stand in front Of the st. Franci.
de Sales church, will be in full view OF
these formalities. 1t is far-sighteC
proposal, therefore, of the Rev. j. S
Michaud to erect covered terrace OF
seats covering the whole front of thi,
church property.
At the Militia EnCampment during the
week of the Centennial there will bC
target practice, 200 yards range, for the
Centennial cup which is now held by the
Barre company. This range spoken o.
in another place, is just west of the
Soldiers Home buildings, and on the
State grounds beyond the railroad
tracks. By order of Maj. Wilson, super
intendent of rifle practice, the grounds
have been laid out, and the work undel
direction of Mr.. II. l.. Hover, is nearing
completion. The target arrived Monda,
and will be placed in position. The higl
bluff on the DR.. Clark property afford
the barrier desired for safety, but add
tional precautions will be taken so tina
no stray shot may Iniure anybody. Thii
cup is taken each year by the compan,
making the best record, and is to he KEEP
until some other company has the award
The proposed contest already begins +,
excite great anticipations and will be
come one of the events of the week 0
August 10th.
state Congregational Convention
The General Convention of Congrega