Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-08-17
The Sixteenth.

day for bennington, and heartily has she
always welcomed visitors on that day,
and extended to them the Inequalities
of the grand old historic town.
1t has been the custom of a century OF
more, in one form or another, for Ben
nington on the 10th of August to cele-
brate the victory won by the gallant
Stark over the Hessians under Bur-
goyae, in TIT. In the past celebrations
historic and festive have been the feat
ures of the occasion-the most celebra-
ted and eloquent speakers haYe recited
the story of the battle and its anterior
causes, and applauded the heroes who
SO valiantly fought, that molly Stark"
might rot a be widow.
Although not as largely attended as in
| former years, the picnic and field day
given in honor of the day by the local
f. M. T. A. B., was complete success.
Ever since its organization this society
has kept in mind that
The 18th Of August is Bennington's day.
How proudly we honor her right;
And make this triumphant display
To keep up our Bennington fight,
and their gatherings have always been a
success in the past and will be in the flu
ture, if past successes are anything to
go by.
Thursday was day admirably adapt
ed for a picnic, and in the afternoon
fully 1000 people were on the grounds,
all apparently enjoying themselves.
The first of the list of attractions secured
by the general committee, was a game
of base ball between a nine from the
North Adams, Mass, Father Matthew
Society and one from Hoosick Falls, N.
Y. This game was not very interesting
and was easily won by the Hoosick Falls
nine, the score standing II to 5. Robert
Guiltinan was umpire. At three o'clock
the bicycle race, open to riders in Bed
nington county, was called. The dis
lance was 300 yards; first prize, a gold
badge; second, lantern. There were
four entries, viz. George Donnelly, Lo-
ring Bingham, II. D. Madison S. w.
Worthington. The race was won by
young Bingham in fine shape, Mattison,
second.
In the slow bicycle race there were
also four entries, viz: George Donnelly,
VIM. LOOMS, Loring Bingham and II.
D. Madison. There was considerable
amusement over this race. Madison
was the first to leave his wheel, followed
soon after by Loomis, neither of them
getting but few feet from the start.
Bingham soon after fell out, leaving the
race to Donnelly, who got the prize, a
silver cup,
For the one hundred yard running
race there were four entries, as follows:
Thomas Cooney of North Adams, Mass,
James Manning of West Troy, n Y,
David Wright of North Bennington, and
James Kelly of Bennington. The race
was won by Manning of West Troy, and
had to be run twice, The first time
Cooney came in at the finish first, but a
strong protest was made against him
which the judges allowed. The starter
for all the occasions was John II. Ayres;
the judges, Frank Nolan, D. w. Hyde,
Jr., and Joseph Watson.
The four round sparripg matches be-
tween Larry Burns of Cohoes, N. Y,
champion feather weight of New York,
and Jack Watts of Troy, n. Y, was the
principal attraction. The affair was well
carried out and afforded much amuse-
ment to the large crowd that was near
the platform. Preceding that came a
match of four rounds between Johnny
Vaughn of Cohoes, N. Y, and Young
English of Albany. N. Y. AS their an
nouncement read: ''they are very clever
Bantam weights They did good work,
displayed considerable skill, and were
heartily applauded
There was also dancing platform
which was well patronized, Goldsmith S
orchestra furnishing music. Ice cream,
and refreshment tables, the 'always
present. pop corn, peanut and banana
man were early on the grounds and late
off, so that no one had to suffer for any
lack of their commodities.
Everything passed off pleasantly and
all seemed to enjoyed themselves, and
the festivities of the day closed with a
hop in Library Hall, which was as usual
well attended.