The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-07-08
INDEPENDENCE DAY.
A BIG TINE IN BnOOMs3URG.
THOUSANDS or VISITORS THRONG THE
sTREETs--A FINE PARADE.

THOUSANDS or VISITORS THRoNG THE
srREETs--A FINE PARADE.
The Fourth Of July. 1892 will long
be remembered in Bloomsbury. 1t is
sixteen years since the day has been
observed by any public demonstration.
Once in that time, Grand Army Day,
has the town been gaily decorated,
but never more profusely than on
Monday. An arch representing gran
ite and marble, decorated with flags,
portraits, eagles, banners &c. spanned
the intersection of Market and Main
streets, erected by the p. O. 5. of A.
Another one was erected by the
Knights of the Golden Eagle across
Main at Odd Fellows Hall. 1t was
covered with the colors Of the, order,
black, orange and blue, and the pill.
lars were surmounted by large century
plants. Two figures, one a high priest
and the other Knight of old stood
on brackets on each pillar. An eagle
surmounted the centre, and across the
arch were the words "Welcome Sir
Knights. Both were greatly admired.
Evergreen arches were sprung across
the street at Main and Iron, and at
Main and West. With the arrival of
the first morning trains the crowd be
gan to come, and by noon the town
was lively scene. The arrival of the
visiting bands kept up the excitement
during the morning and the booming
of big fire crackers everywhere made
the day smack Of an old.time Fourth.
All the places of business and residen-
ces along the line of march were hand
somely decorated with the national
colors.
At 1890 the Court House bell rang,
and the different bodies assembled at
Market Square to form for the parade.
Col A. d. Seely of Berwick, Chief
Marshall, performed his duties admira-
bly,, and the procession was quickly
formed in proper military style. The
assistant marshals were c. P. Sloan,
c. B. Ent, T. M. Dawson, d. r.
Coffman, r. c. Fisher, H. NJ. Grotz.
The procession was formed as follows:
Berwick Band,
G.. A. R. of Berwick,
Ent Post G.. A. R.
Drum Corps.
Milton Commandery, P. o. S. A.
Knights Of the Golden Eagle,
Catawissa Band.
P. O. S. A. of Catawissa,
Lightstreet Band,
Espy P. o. S. A.,
Wapwallopen Band,
P. o. S. A. Wapwallopen,
Shickshinny Band,
Shickshinny P, o. S. A.
Lime Ridge Drum Corps,
P. o. S. A. Lime Ridge,
Gilmore's Band,
Bloomsburg, P. o. S. A,
Washingtonville Camp,
Bloomsburg Band,
o. U. A. M. Bloomsburg.
Citizens Drum Corps,
Junior American Mechanics,
Rescue Hook & Ladder Co.,
The weather was all that could have
been wished for, and the streets were
not dusty, SO that the march though
long, was comparatively an easy one.
After the march, the crowd gathered
at the speakers stand on Market
square, and listened to eloquent ad-
dresses by Fred keller, Esq, of Blooms
burg, and Walter Shipman, Esq, Of
Sunbury.
Prizes were awarded as follows:
For the best drilled commandery
twenty-five dollars, to Milton; second
best to Wapwallopen, prize being a
parade flag for the largest number Of
men in line the prize, which was an
officers chair, went to the Camp at
Catawissa. The judges were Hon. E.
X. keller, J. c. Brown and I. Z Ged-
dis.
Notwithstanding the great crowd,
there was but little disorder, and but
few drunken men were seen on the
streets. Only one arrest was made.
Altogether it was success, and
those having the management Of it
are to be congratulated.
A SLIGHT FIRE.