The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-22
Anniversary of His Birth
Observed Here,
Banks, Schools and Public
Offices are Closed.
ELI. Carried Out Time-Honorsd
Custom by Making a Parade.

The only apparatus oWneu sho co"
trolied by the city in active operation to-
day we're the city Gags which Mapped In
the n ort hesst breeze from ell tue poles In
town in honor of the father OF his conn
try, and proclsimed to every citizen that
this was the anniversary Of tho birth OF
George Washington. Private residences
also displayed the national colors and the
bells OF the city reminded every ore that
today was Feb. ~. There was no other
public display outside OF the annual
parade of the First Light Infantry Regi-
ment late in the afternoon.
The public schools were cl osed, the
banks stopped business, the post oiice
wasshut up except the lobby, the City
Hall was deserted, all the courts mad
recess, the United States Marshal and all
his assistants went home, all the govern
nent officials took O day of and many
private enterprises made holiday. Some
people worked, however, because they bac
10. One Of the features Of the day Was
the dinner given to the poor children by
the Salvation Army 10 the hall. 9s wey-
bossett street 1t was popular enter
prise and it was quite evident that con-
siderable part OF the Juvenile population
had received proper preliminary informa-
tion of the feed because they were In be-
wild.ring evidence from noon to 8
o'clocx. The street was blocked with the
"kids" who romped in the highway with
reckless disregard for the electric cars and
other psssing vehicles. Councilman Wind
scr and big policeman superintended
the filing up OF the upstairs ball from
the outside, and they showed . preference
for the girls in the crowd. They were ad-
mitted and then the boys Etook pot luck
v tn what was left. They ell had plenty to
eat and the poor children's dinner was a
success.
. The parade of the First Light Infsn.
try Regiment took place ct o'clock.
The command turned out with full ranks
indeed it was the largest parade that has
taken place on wsshington's birthday In
many years. Three regular companies
were in line and the provisional deiegs-
tion surprised old soldiers by it's generous
proportions. This increased interest in
the command was due to the recent con-
troversy with Company ID, and the old
mem bers turned out to demonstrate to
any disturbing element that the time
honoSsd organization 10 not in real dan
ger from this or any other cause. The
special company was commanded by Ex-
Colonel william II. ThorrSon, Frank W.
Pea body, frat lieutenant, and Walter j.
Comstock, second lieutenant. The ranks
were filled by the men who used to be
active and foremost in the affairs of this
regiment in tine years that have passed.
The regiment looked 5ne and Washington
If he had ueen living would have been
nearly ticklsd TO death over the whole
exhibition. Ibe route of march was
through south Msip, Crawford and South
Water streets to Market square. Westmin-
vier. through summer, down Broad,
Weybosset, Msrkst square, South Main
20 the srmory.
This evening there will be . collation.
and an entertainment by members Of the
Columbia Theater company, ana that
will eonpcluds the festivities In honor of
the day.