St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-16
The Fourth at Newport.
Correspondence of the CALIFORNIAN.

't,Ob 20 "Ohs ~ "ttShhpl BredL tHlDRS
at times, and is generally successful in
what it undertakes. Its celebration a
year ago, though carefully planned for,
was spoiled by the rain. Nevertheless,
with the recurring season this year, the
citizens resolved their friends should have
another chance to see what Newport
could do in honor of our Independence
day. A meeting was called and an execu-
tive committee chosen consisting of
G. Fl. Prouty, l.. F. Kay, j. R. Kirk
patrick, 0. c. Miller and G. F. Root.
With characteristic energy, funds were
secured and programme of unrivaled
interest prepared. In spite of many fore
bodings from the weather prophets, the
preparations went forward, and Satur-
day, July 3, dawned as fair and bright
as could be wished.
The grand procession was the first
event of the day, and formed at the
upper end Of Main street early in the
forenoon. Considerable delay was
experienced, but it was felt that, as this
was one of the chief attractions of the
day, it would hardly be fair to those
coming on the special train and boat to
start it before they arrived. The boat
brought about 500 people, and the train
from White River Junction between 500
and 1000. With our own people and the
many who drove in from the surround
ing country there were probably 5000
to 10000 ready to view the procession
when it started. c. N. Brady was chief
marshal, and he was ably assisted by
H. F. Hamilton, A. H. Grout, F. H.
Clark, P. w. Cowles, S. c. Johnson and
G. F. Root.
The procession was headed by "The
Pioneer of Pickerel Point" This was a
diminutive steer, driven by Carl Hinman
Of West Derby, hitched to an old
fashioned cart Inappropriate size suita-
bly, decorated to represent 1907. The
Hyde Park fife and drum corps came
next, giving forth stirring music which
set the blood a tingling in the veins Of
the old soldier boys. Six young ladies
on horseback came next. They had on
golden helmets and two had red cos
TUNES. two white and two blue. A car
riage followed in which were the Cover
nor Of Vermont and his wife and then a
long line of carriages gorgeous in decora-
ton. superb in all their appointments.
The one taking first prize, 500, was Gil
man & Co.'S. This was a barouche
banked at the sides and back with red
roses; the wheels were covered with
them as were also the harnesses upon the
white horses. Two black outriders in
white costumes were also profusely deco.
rated with roses. DR.. Gould's carriage
took second prize, SIS, the decorations
being buttercups. Mrs. Homer ThrasheI
took third prize, $40, her decorations
being roses of different colors, twined
with smilax and the harness wound
with white ribbon. Virnie Hamilton
team was decorated with daisies, Ethe
Paquin's dog cart with buttercups, Dr.
Hamiton's team and Mrs. c. A. Prouty'
showed profusion of wild roses, W. E
Tuck, daisies and ferns, W. O. Stetson':
matched pair of bays were exceedingly
attractive, though the red roses were
not as proiuse as upon some other teams
T. Grout, Carl Grimes, Benjamin Hin
man, c. H. Green, A. ]. White, Mis-.
Wallace and others were in the line will
teams attractively decorated, and, moi
least, the big hotel coach from Derby
Line. While not as many teams APP
peared probably as are in the mountain
coaching parades, we venture the claim
that what we had were as attractive a.
any anywhere. The cheering of tn,
crowd attested it's pleasure.
The trades procession was very credit
able to the enterprising business firms o
Newport, most of them being represented
True & Blanchard Co. had the most
elaborate float, representing their sport.
ing goods department. 1t was hunters
camp including tent, kettle over the fire
etc, and upon it were men in hunting
fishing and base ball, costumes, with a
Robinson Crusoe dressed individual who
occasionally discharged fowling piece,
H. S. Root & Son had float decorated
in green and white. showing some OF
their fine furniture S. G. Scott had a
reaping machine in operation. Frank
Wheelock had separator and churr
running by goat power. c. F. Ranney
had printing press running with power
from the wheels of the float. ]. M. Haze
g. Co. had men working on granite and
their whole force of so men or more
marching in line. c. F. Bigelow had a
circus rider mounted on horse. Davis
& Cook had beautiful little rig adver
Using their Carnation cream; Lane &
Davis, load OF trunks, valises, etc.
Lorimer & Macdiarmid, load Of their
White Satin -four. Balls fruit store had
a load of little girls, and Mr.. Cory q
boat likewise filed with them, making
the prettiest decoration of all. Frost