St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-07-07
HARDWICK'S GREAT DAY.
The Towns Centennial Most FiffineIy
Celebrated.

ully OOOO ptOplS GU lhSi' I'll
the glorious Fourth to help Hardwick
celebrate it's centennial. The day
was a perfect one and the town pre-
sented most festive appearance from
sunrise until long after sunset. The
decorations were very creditable and
flags and bunting were seen on every
side. Opposite the grounds where
the exercises were held was the CEN
tennial arch covered with flags, bunt
ing and evergreen and bearing the
dates 1892 and 1892.
Sunrise was ushered in by salute
of 100 guns, the ringing OF bells and
blowing of steam whistles. The
crowd began to arrive early and by
the time the parades began the
usually quiet streets presented every
appearance of a big city.
At 9 o'clock came the parade of
the original settlers; next the ex-
hibition drill and parade by the hose
company, and at 1870 the grand
procession The latter was a great
success and reflected much credit on
the enterprisipg people of Hard wick.
In the procession were the mount
ed escort of the Ellsworth Post, G..
A. R., visiting posts from Green's
boro and Calais, Sherman's Military
band of Burlington. the St. Johns
bury and Hardwick bands, Compan-
al Guard, the Uniformed Ranks of
the Knights of Pythias from St.
JOhnsbury and Hardwick, Granite
Hose Co., No. 1. and barges repre-
senting the thirteen original colonies,
the Goddess of Liberty and the four
ty-four states, the states being repre-
sented by young ladies. The mer-
chants made good display of their
wares in the trades procession, while
among unique features of the parade
were log cabin on wheels and sew
eral local hits Each of the II school
districts was represented by a barge.
The literary exercises were held in
the big tent at 100 p. m. ]. H. Nc
Loud was the president of the day
and made an excellent presiding Off
Ger. After music by Sherman's band
PRAYER was offered by Rev. George
P. Byington of East Hardwick. AT
ter more music Mr.. McLoud gave a
cordial address of welcome. The
Declaration of Independence was
then read.
The historical address was given
bv Hon. Walter P. Smith ofSt. Johns
bury, a native of Hardwick. 1t was
scholarly effort, Astounding in
patriotic ideas, though largely his
torical. 1t was a valua BILE contribu-
ton to the towns history and ought
to be printed for general distribution.
The address was eloquently delivered
and Judge Smith received close at
tention from all. This is an abstract
of the address:
The settlement of Hardwick was be-
gun upon the heel of those discordant
scenasia which Vermont was Graded
those days in which these mountains and
valleys formed the ampitheatre for the con
tention ofgreed and cupidity-days when
a continental congress, looking on with,
out pity and with more than indifference
saw New Hampshire on the east, New
York on the west and Massachusetts, or
the south, strive to dismember and de
YOUR what was soon intended to be-
come no mean addition to the confedera
ton of states. Single-handed and alone
Vermont stood up in her might, for hel
rights and independence, and hurled from
these mountain temples of her gods the
tables of her money-changing neighbors
Without presidents to guide, they
created them; without rules for socia
and political conduct, they formulated
wisely such as were best adapted to
their condition; without aid from Others
they helped themselves, and thus upon E
self-established and independent basis o
action they met the eXacting demands o
the times and developed that rugged
manhood which has given enduring fam,
to Vermont.
The early settlers of Hardwick livet
too near those trying and stormy time:
to be wanting IN their fostering energy
and courage. With a hardwood born o
poverty and a determination rendered
bold and resolute by inspiring memories
they entered the inhospitable forest tt
carve out Christian homes for themselve
and their children"
The town of Hardwick was granted
November 7, 1850, and chartered Aug
10, 1871. In 1879 General Hazen con
structed military road through Hard
wick to be used in case of military OF
perations in Canada. This thorough
fare is known to this day as the Haze
road. Peter Pagefrom Swansey, N. H
and a man named Stafford, were the frs
settlers and felled the first trees on wha
is known as the Samuel French farm
They soon departed to await bette
DAYS Later Mark Norris came an
left this record: Il moved into HARD
wick, the first that ever moved in to SET
tie the town. on the 18th day of March