Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-10-10

lnllauelpnla, where 1lJ years ago III
proclaimed to all the world that the
American colonies were free and indie
pendent, and transported to the special
car which bore it down into the
cotton fields Of Georgia. Although but
little open enthusiasm was evoked dur
ing the bells triumphal passage
through Philadelphia that the principle
which it represents is dear to che
hearts OF all people was shown by the
silent alteration Of thousands who
thronged Independence Hall Thursday
morning to get last look at the prec-
ious relic.
Until the hour of it's departure a
steady stream of visitors passed by it
as it stood in state in the old meeting
chamber. They were disturbed at last,
however, by the arrival OF the truck
which was to bear it in the procession.
This was most gayly decorated. An
ornamental yoke twined with bunting
and chrysanthemums surmounted the
bell, while the whole truck was covered
with bunting and flowers Six horses
drew it, their harness made resplend-
ent by tri -colored pompons
The members OF the Atlanta commit
tee and the other members Of Councils
took carriages at the City Hall about
O'Clock and drove down Chestnut street
to Independence Hail. The City Troop
in their beautiful full dress uniforms
was there to act as guard of honor, and
as soon as the bell was moved from the
hall to the truck the line of march was
taken up. A squad of mounted police
cleared the way, and the bell was taken
down Fifth to Walnut, out Walnut to
Eleventh, up Eleventh to Spring Gar
den, out Spring Garden to Broad, and
up Broad to Montgomery avenue. Tho
bell was greeted by thousands all along
the line.
The parade which followed the bell
was composed Of many military and
civic organizations Of the Quaker City.
The line was reviewed at the Union
League BY Mayor Warwick and other
city officials.
The bell left Philadelphia at s
O'Clock Friday morning. The special
train pulled out of Broad street station
amid great applause. At Chester,
where the first stop was made, public
reception was given to the bell and &C
companying party.
The train was made up of five Pull
mans, a combination and fat car,
upon which the bell rests, and was in
charge of Thomas Purdy, tourist agent
Of the Pennsylvania railroad
Besides the committee of % Council
men the official escort was composed Of
the following:
Mayor Charles F. Warwick, Presi-
dent Judge Thayer, w. j. Latta, gen
'eral agent of the Pennsylvania rail
road George Boyd, assistant general
passenger agent OF the Pennsylvania
railroads Director of Public Works
Thomas M. Thompson; Director of
Pub ic Safety A. NJ. BETTER, Presi-
dent Department Charities and Correc.
tion William II. Lambert, City Con-
troller John M. Walton, City Solicitor
j. l.. Kinsey, Register of Wills Elias
p. Smithers, City Commissioner
Jacob Wildemore, Chief of Bureau of
city Property and Custodian OF State
House and Bell A., S. Eisenhower and
Police Surgeon Thomas II. Andrews,
NJ. d.
At Chester there was a great recep-
tion, which was participated in by at
least 5000 people. The cadets of the
Pennsylvania Military Academy assem-
'blcd at the railroad station and fired
salute of ID guns. Speeches were made
by Chairman Smith of the bell COM
mittee, Mayor Warwick Of Philadel-
phia and Mayor Hinckson of Chester.
After stop of about five minutes the
journey was resumed, the members of
the Chester committee named above
accompanying the delegation to this
city.
y At 902 O'Clock the gaily decorated
bell car was seen entering the car shed
at French street station. 1t was drawn
by p, w. e. b. engine No. oil, and
besides tho flat car on which the bell
stood there were five Pullman coaches.
The crowds who had gathered at the
station rushed toward the track, and
when the train came to standstill
there were probably 1000 people, in
Guiding many women, pressing up
against the cars, all eager to get good
look at the bell, which was rugged up
to good height above tho car.
When the train stopped it was board
ed by the local reception committee,
which included Mayor Jelferis, Presi,
dent of City Council Baylis, Council
tor Isaac G. Pyle, City Treasurer
Moore, City Engineer Wilson, Deputy
Collector of Port Comegys, ex-Councii-
man Thomas johnson, DIR. Joseph r.
Jefferis, A. Gilbert Robinson, Fl. q.
Robinson and several others. They
were welcomed to the bell car by
Mayor Warwick OF Philadelphia and
the itinerary committee.
After greetings between the local
committee and the itinerary commit
tee, Chairman Smith of the Philadel-
phia delegation introduced Mayor War
wick of PHILADELPHIA, who made n
brief address, in which he gave brief
history of the bell. He also referred
to the peaceful mission on which the
bell is now going.
Immediately after Mayor Warwick
had concluded Mayor Jelferis shook
hands with him and offered congrat-
ualtions. This was followed by gem
,eral handshaking. Mayor Warwick had
scarcely finished speaking when little
Merritt p. Hastings, the 2 years and 6
months old son of Merritt p. Hastings
of this city was lifted up from the
crowd and placed by Mayor Warwick
on top of the bell, where he sat for
few seconds, steadied by the hands of
Philadelphia's, jolly mayor, who com
plimented the little fellow on doing
something that no foreign nation was
able to do. AS soon as the little fellow
was lifted down little Elmira Parks,
the 22-months-old daughter Of George
@. Parks, was also lifted up on the bell
for few minutes by Mayor Warwick.
On the way down from Philadelphia
1T was ascertained that the bracing
about the bell was too stiff. When the
train came to standstill several work
men from the p, W. & B. shops boarded
the car and put pieces of rubber under
the bell. At about o. II o'clock, after
stay of Is minutes, the journey to
tho Atlantaa EYnnaitinn WAS reailnad