Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-10-28
ITS LOCAL OBSERVANCE.
The school and Citizens Cclc-
bratiOn in ISrattlcbOrO.
Interesting Exercises in the Other
Windham County Towns.


older heads have been busy also for weeks
with plans and preparations to make the
day all the success it should be, dawned
with gray skies and threats of unpleasant
weather: but as the day wore on the
clouds broke away and the blue sky appear
ed, though the sun kept behind the screen
ing clouds, only peering out at intervals to
assure the anxious watchers that the threats
need cause no alarm, as they meant only
wind and cold rather than rain.
Busy workers on Thursday were engaged
in decking in the most festive attire the
main street of the town, as well as many
private houses and places of business on
other streets, and the general effect was
holiday appearance of the entire village.
Americas red, white and blue and Spain's
red and yellow every where were united and
emphasized anew the meaning of the day.
Main street presented an especially hand
some appearance. At the town hall the
most elaborate decorations were noted. At
the top of the building, high over the door,
was significant globe, with the continents
drawn upon it. Below was pictured ship,
and long streamers were draped from top
to bottom of the building. Across the en-
tire front above the GOOr was a broad band
of yellow upon which appeared the legend
" 14q2--Christophe COlumbus--1S02.
The stone blocks about the doorway were
covered alternately with yellow and red,
and national flags draped the front win
dows, while across the street extended a
line of flags of all nations The Brooks
House balcony was handsomely trimmed
red, white and blue draperies filling the
spaces between the posts, while at each
window Of the house, as well as those Of
Crosby block below, small flags tluttercd
gayly. Across the way nearly every store
and block partook of the gala appearance
and displayed the colors of the day in pro-
fusion, many of the effects being very pleas
ing. WiliSion block showed great deal
of time spent in its adornment. AT the
High school building the draping of stream
ers across the front formed simple but eff
fective decoration, and at the corner of the
building near the flag staff was a tablet
with an appropriate inscription. On Canal
street the two school buildings showed the
national colOrs, the Old building bearing
the date 1892, and the handsome new struct-
IRE the figures 1892.
The School Celebration.
At a little past O'Clock people began to
gather at the High school grounds, and
half an hour later the grounds were throng-
ed - this hour the sound of fife and
urum announced the approach of the Grand
Army post; as they drew up in line at the
foot of the broad walk leading to the en-
trance, the color guard of the school, bear
ing two handsome flags, advanced to meet
them, and exchanging salutes, escorted
them to the flag staff, where they formed
in hollow square, the schools, by grades
and districts, taking their places outside.
At 9:40 all were in place and called to at
tention by Principal j. d. Horne of the
High school, who read the proclamations
of the President and the governor of the
state recommending the suitable observance
of the day. Then in accordance with these
proclamations he ordered the nfurling OF
the flag. 1t was a sight to inspire enthu
siasm in every heart, as the flag, followed
by the eyes of the veterans, the hundreds
of school children and the citizens assem-
bled. rose slowly, the brisk wind shaking
out every fold and the sun shining fortl
Just at that moment from behind the cloud,
as a benediction upon the whole. At a
call from Principal Horne, and led by the
veterans, three hearty cheers were giveI
for sold glory" Then the children, will
right hand raised toward the beautiful flag
saluted it in these words: 81 pledge allie
glance to my flag and the republic fo
which it stands, one nation indivisible, will
liberty and justice for all"
This was followed by the singing o
"America" by schools and audience, afte
which line of march was formed and al
proceeded to the town hall, where the eX
ercises were continued according to tn
program; led by the drum corps, the colo
guard, the Grand Army, clergy, school com
mittee and others, the line was made NJ
with the High school by classes, St. 10
seph's parochial school, Glenwood classica
seminary, followed by the schools from
outlying districts, and the lower grades o
the village schools. Upon reaching tn
hall the members of the Grand Army form
ed upon either side of the entrance, an,
the schools filed between their ranks an,
took their places within.
The hall was gay with streamers of red
white, blue and yellow stretched from cen
tire to sides, bunting festooned along tn
walls, and flags, and flags, and flags. Tn
most charming feature was the mass o
bright young faces, aglow with enthusi
asm and eager with expectation. The hal
was filled below with school children ant
the little folks of the primary grade mad
pretty sight in the gallery, which wa
devoted to them, and from which the
sung, in course of the program, song t.
the alag of the free" with good expires
sion, clearness of enunciation and a vim
and gusto which evidenced unmistakabl
their opinion of Columbus day and Column
bus day exercises. This was one of tn
most charming features of the day. Fou
distinguished persOnages who appeare
upon the platform were given a perfec
ovation as they entered and took their seat
of honor and again as they were pleasing
ly introduced by Principal Horne to tn
audience as Columbus (personated b
Ralph Pettee), Uncle Sam MARSHA
Noyes), Liberty (Gracie Harmony, an
Queen Isabella of Spain (Zetta Weld, a
from the Canal street school.
When the audience, which filled tn
standing room about the door and in tn
aisles and Overflowed into the hall, ha
been called to order, the formal exercise
opened with prayer by Rev. j. ii. Rabbit
of West BrattleborO, followed by the sing
ing of the "SOng of Columbus Day." b
the pupils and audience. Anthony Schwen
of the High school, introduced to give tn
address of the day, was received wit
warm applause as he came forward an
with dignity of manner, eloquence, an
graceful delivery spoke of "The meanin
of the four centuries" This was followe
by the ode, "Columbia's banner" by Allie
Willard, the song by the primary schools
and defamation especially prepared fO
him by Joseph Martin of the parochis