The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-07-08
auncIe SANS Natal Day.
One Hundred and Fifteenth Ami
versary OF Our Independence Fit
tIngly Celebrated.

One Hundred and Fifteenth Ami
| versary OF Our independence Fit
tIngly Celebrated.
| The members Of Iriquois Council Jr o.
L. 4. Il. are TO be congratulated They
had not only perfect day for their celebIa-
ton. bus every arrangement was perfect.
The display tLey made and the patriotic en-
thusiasm they created viii not soon be for
gotten by the thousands Of people who par
ticipated in the festivities. The two or three
days preceding the Fourth were devoted TO
decorating the public square and court house
square. When the sun came up Saturday
morning it shone forth on the brightest spec
tacle that ever graeed this mountain town.
Beautiful evergreen arches, adorned With
dozens of flags. spanned the streets leading
into the public square, while from bril-
liantly covered pole in the centre long stream
ers Of red, white and blue bunting hoated
out TO the arches, where they were caught
up.
All the business houses in town were gai-
ly decorated with flags, bright-colored ma
teriaIs, and eyergreens. The stars and stripes
huttered from every residence The court
house square, where the eagle shrieked, pre-
sented a particularly pretty effect. Flags
hoated from the white beifry of the temple
of justice Clouds of bunting were gathered
in graceful festoons between the stately
lspillars of the portico. The jail, next door,
looked nothing Ike a cold prison house be-
meath the brilliant decorations that covered
the walls and hid the iron bars at its win
dows- The bronzed and stately soldier, with
a wreath OF flowers swung around his shoul-
ders, looked benignly down from the mon
ument in the southwest corner of the
lawn upon the excited people, who were
cheering the birthday OF the country he had
fought TO preserve Hundreds of bright Chi
nese lanterns danced among the green leaves
of the silver naples, and over the heads Of
the men and women who had assembled to
hear patriotic oratory.
The festivities were commenced st an early
hour Friday evening, when heavens artil-
lery thundered fourth peal after peal, illu-
minating the skies and dampening the earth.
For a time the hearts of the young Ameri-
cans were filed with despair but the rain
clouds had all rolled by before nine O'Clock
and the stars winked kindly at the boys
whose pockets were bulging out With fire
crackers and torpedoes.
All the church bells in town rang forth at
8 O'Clock, prOclaiming liberty and happiness
to all men in tones that must have been
gratifying to the shade OF John Adams but
which called forth eKclamatiOns of wrath
from the older citizens thus harshly aroused
from peaceful slumber Sleep was entirely
out of the question-not only were the
bells ringing in wild confusion but hun
dreds Of horns were belching forth unheard
Of noises. Every one concluded that if he
was to take part in celebrating Uncle Sans
ll5th anniversary he might as well begin
early, and when jOcund day stood tip toe on
the misty mountain top our streets were
swarming with men and boys. Delegations
from the out laying districts arrived every
few minutes until 9 O'Clock when the main
streets were 50 densely crowded that one
found il hard work lsboring his way be-
tween the people. Marshall music filed
such portions Of the air as had not already
been pre-occupied by the report of fire crack
ers and other explosives.
At 8 O'Clock Iroquois Council j.. o. L.
4. NJ. formed in line and, headed By the
Somerset Cornet Band, marched to the s.a-
ton, where they awaited the arrival of the
excursion train bearing the Councils from
JohnstoWn, Dayidsville, Hooversyille and
Stoyestown. On the srriTal Of the train at
9.25 the line was reformed, and after escort |
ing Hon J. D. Hicks, who was accompanied |
by his accomplished wife and who rode in
a carriage at the head OF the procession, to
the Somerset House, the visiting Councils |
we're escorted to the lodge room in the Baer
Block. where they were cordially welcomed.
The procession formed shortly after noon
and paraded through the principal streets Of |
town Il was headed by platoon of mount
ed police and officers Of the Jr. o. L. A. NJ,
followed by distinguished visitors and citi-
zens in carriages, Somerset cOrnet band, |
visiting Councils Jr. o. L. A. NJ, bands of
music and drum corps. All of the aides
were also mounted. After the route of pro- 1
cessiou had been traversed all members Of
the Jr o l. A. NJ filed into the Court
House yard, where they were served with
an excellent dinner by the ladies Of SOmer
set When dinner was despatched all Joined |
the crowd in front Of the speakers stand, |
where Assistant Postmaster Frank Sanner
read the Declaration of Independence in |
clear and distinct tones. J. A. Berkey, Esq, |
master of ceremonies, introduced A J. |
Colborn, Jr., Of Scranton. Mr.. Colborn /
bowed his acknowledgment of the enthu- |
siastic reception rendered him and said:
q love Somerset, not because l was born |
here, but because here was implanted in my |
breast a love for freedom and patriotism, |
and l am honored to address you, my |
friends, on this occasion" Mr.. Colborn
then delivered one Of the most eloquent and |
patriotic halfhour addresses ever listened TO |
BY an assembly Of Somerset county people, |
and most of whom were surprised to learn |
that our ''young Jack" is an orator Of such |
power and ability. In his brief talk be COW |
cred the history Of our country's glory so
completely that little was left TO be said by
the eloquent speakers who followed him.
He was frequently interrupted by the hearty
applause Of the vast crowd.
After a selection Of music had been rem
dered Hon J. D. Hicks, of Altoona was in
troduced and delivered short address. He
was well received and warmly applauded.
He was followed by VIM. H. Koontz, Esq.
A large supply Of fire works were shot Oft
in the public square in the evening, and at
tracted almost the entire population of town
to that point The display was very credit
able
MOTHS OF THE DAY.
The most attractive feature Of the parade
was the drum major. 1t was Master Her
manus Baer's first appearance in that role,
and as he marched in front Of the Somerset
Cornet Band and dexterously tossed
highly-polished brass baton into the air and
skiIlfuily caught It, twirled it between his
fingers and performed many graceful ma
n@uvres, be called forth the admiration Of
all who saw him.
The crowd was variously estimated az
/ -. nol - IN Qoo and vras ba.-ou1 lo.,bs