Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1892-07-06

The Day We Celebrated.

The spirit of patriotism took possession
Of Charles-Town on Monday, that day be-
ing the 10th anniversary of the declaration
of independence, and our citizens generally
together with the two or three thousand
temporarily added to our population from
the county and neighboring towns, united
heartily with the fire companies to make
the celebration a success The arrival Of
invited organizations Was a matter Of inte-
rest during the early part Of the day, and
there was much music and marching thro'
the streets. The decoration of residences
and business houses was attended TO at an
early hour; aud along Washington street,
especially, doors and balconies were draped
with the national colors and the Stars and
Stripes auttered everywhere. The weather
was superb-with clouds enough to soften
the hca, Of the sun but not to threaten
drenching rain. About o'clock the pro-
cession formed, under command of Fire
Marshal @. NJ. Hough, whose aid was w.
". johnson, both we'll mounted; the
Friendship and Union bands, Sarah Zane
Fire Company, and Friendship Fire Com
panv with their beautiful hose carriage
all Of Wincbester,-about 100 men, the
Citizens and Independent Steam Fire Com
panies Of This place with the steamer Of the
.a.t.., and the Charles-Town Cornei Band,
all in snowy uniforms, were in line. The
procession moved through some Of the p-in-
cipal streets, taking nearly the length aud
breadth Of the town in its line of march,
and arrived finally at the Hotel Powhatan,
where hundreds of people were waiting for
the further ceremonies. After music by
the bands, an eloquent address of welcome,
with stirring allusion to the patriotic assO-
Citations Of the day was delivered by For
rest w. Brown, E,q. Later in the after
noon, the vicinity Of the courthouse square
was thronged for the japanese fireworks a
part of Mr.. Charles b. Rouss' contribution
to the general enjoyment. The "bombs
bursting 10 air. the unfolding of strange
shapes over the heads Of the crowd, and
the stately ascent Of indescribable animals,
filed the cup of infant delight to overflow
ing and we're not without interest to chill
dren of larger growth. The flame of pa
triotic emotion was further fed by a regular
Fourth Of July, atter-dark pyroteehnic dis
play, aud very good One,-also the gift Of
Mr. Rouss This night performance took
place on Fairfax Boulevard, near the har-
ness factory, and the spectators spread
themselves. amphitheatre fashion, over the
broad and rising ground Of the annex, and
the bills in the northern part Of the old
town. A better spot for q display Of the
kind could scarcely have been selected
The beauty Of the scene was enhanced by
the brilliancy of the Hotel Powhatan, in
full view and lighted from ground to tower
with gas and electricity. An important
feature of the days exercises was the fair
a, Washington Hall for the benefit Of the
Independent company, proceeds OF
which. we are informed, amounted to 5000.
Mr.. Charles Broadway Rouss was in town
f1r an hour or so-long enough to greet
some Of his friends and 70 look for awhile
1t the pleasure afforded by his generosity.
He takes peculiar interest in the affairs OF
he fire computes Of the Valley, from
20 Lexington, and the boys
IRE under multiplied obligations to him.