The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-07-07
How Belfasters Spent the Fourth.

| AS There was no celebration in Belfast
this year many of our citizens spent the
| Fourth elsewhere. The places to which the
greater number went were Skowhegan, Ban.
| gor, Searsport and Mt. Percival The
weather was decidedly hot, and as the pre-
vious day was of the same nature everything
was thoroughly heated when the Fourth set
in. Sunday the mercury stood at 72o, 800
10 at a. m, and 6 p. M, respectively, ac-
cording to Mr.. Murch's record but ther
mometers in shady places down town
were above 90o all the afternoon reaching
96o at to o'clock. At l O'Clock Monday
morning the thermometer stood at 79o. and
throughout the day it ranged about as it did
| Sunday. There was, however,, brisk north
west wind, with slight squalls, a part of the
afternoon. which made it more comfortable
| especially on the water.
| AS usual Young America began his Fourth
promptly at midnight, Sunday night and an
occasional cracker or horn was heard before
that hour. While there was plenty of noise
| from midnight to morning, hut very little
| damage to property was done, The bows
confined their bonfire material to such loose
| boxes and barrels AS they found in the rear
| OF the stores. A few panes of glass We're
| broken by conclusion of the cannon crack
ers, but nothing has been reported that
could be charged to malicious mischief save
| the burning of camp owned by some small
| boys west of the city.
Those who went to Bangor got there by
various conveyances: the Boston steamer
the M. & M, via Bucksport branch, and by
| rail direct. They went Saturday and Sunday
| and returned at various times after the
| celebration.
| The greatest attraction was al Showhegan,
where the Belfast Band was engaged The
Band and other excursionists left by the reg
ular train at o'clock, with two extra cars.
and returned by a special train. Conductor
Sullivan ran back to Burnham after he got
in with the regular evening train and met
the special from Skowhegan, arriving here
at Las. The Band had two Drum Majors,
| VIM. ii. Sanborn, weight 263, and Don
| Orman Robbins. weight 43. Major Robbins
was dressed in blue navy suit, with the
word maine" on his cap. He presented
nobby appearance and attracted a great
deal of attention. He is without doubt the
smallest adult in the United States, while
Major Sauborn is one of the largest who at
| tempts to march or do military duty. The
| Band was quartered at the Hotel Heselton
and the members speak in the highest
| praise of their treatment by the people of
! Skowhegan and their fare at the hotel All
| who went report good celebration and
good time, except the discomforts from the
heat.
large number visited our neighbOrs at
Searsport, where a grand celebration was
held aud which is reported by our corre-
spendent in that village. The steamer Cas-
tine took over two full loads her capacity
being l15 passengers. She also took the
Lincolnvile Band and excursionists from
the Beach and Camden. They returned in
| the evening. A large number also went
| over by buckboar1s, private teams or bi
cycles. All report that Searsport entertain
ed the crowd handsomely and there was
crowd for d small village to entertain. The
fireworks in the evening We're very hand
some. Searsport did herself proud"
A company of a hundred or more Sons of
Veterans, Relief Corps and Grand Army
members and their friends spent the day at
Mt Percival in Northport, going by buck
boards and private teams. The tables were
! spread for picnic dinner III the grove. At
times during the day parties went to the sum-
NIT and obtained through field and spy
glasses the fne views ohtainable from that
point 1t was quiet and enjoyable way in
| which to spend the day.
Sc aside Grange had flag raising at their
hall in the evening. The flag was bought
by subscription by the members, and staff
presented by j. W. Wallace. The Grafton
was by Hugh D. Mcclellan, Esq, the Declara-
ton of Independence was read by DIR. A.
7. Stevens, patriotic songs were sung, etc.
A picnic supper was served, followed by
dance.
Armor Bearer Circle, Kings Daughters
and Sons, spent the Fourth at the cottage of
Mr.. and Mrs. W. j. Price at Northport
Campground, The cottage was dedicated
and named Armor Bearer cottage, flag
was raised and the circle was presented
with a handsome emblematic banner by
Miss Lora Maxcy and Tolman ii, Fernald.
A picnic dinner was served, supplemented
by beans from Willis '.hole in the ground. f"
In the evening nreWorkS were TO be seen
on all sides. Those who We're far enough
down the shore had a fine view of the fire.
works at Searsport. Many cottagers along
the shore made handsome displays, as did
also a number of families from their city res
licences. The displays ranged from some
quite elaborate and expensive ones to the
more modest showing of Roman candles, pin
| nlyato afa Tha ~
was more general than usual, every street
| having displays of greater or less magnitude.
The School Committee.