The Somerset reporter., 1898-07-07
SkOwhegan's celebration.


thronged the streets of Skowhegan on
that day enjoying the grand celebration
provided for their entertainment by the
several committees In charge of the
affair, will long have pleasant recollec-
tons Of the days festivities and its
grand success. The weather was all
that could be wished and the crowd the
largest and most orderly that we ever
welcomed TO cur town. OF the celebra-
ton itself it seems to be the general
verdict that nothing more could have
been desired. Ii was a rare miDgling of
events of pleasing nature, mapped out
to cover the entire day, and the best of
it all was the fact of their all transpiring
at the several times scheduled and with
out "hitch" in the entire affair from
start to finish.
The events of the night previous when
the small boy-and some not so small
got in their work, did not differ material
ly from previous years, although not a
part of the celebration proper, that be-
ginning at a. NJ. with the blowing of
whistles, ringing of bells, etc. The
crowds began to assembly by private
conveyance as early rs 30 a. m. and the
first trips of the electrics over the sever
al roads brought all that could hang to
them. By 8 a. m. the streets were well
filled, yet they came. At 9.45 the special
train from Belfast brought the band and
five car loads of people, and from that
time to s p. N. there was something
moving constantly. When we take into
gers attending all such celebrations it
seems really remarkable that the Re-
PORTER has DO casualty to chronicle.
General Sports.
The general sports came off soon after
8 O'Clock on Madison Avenue. A large
crowd was in attendance and the sport
caused much interest and more amuse-
ment. l.. A. Anderson acted as starter,
and daddy Leach as Judge of the
several foot races, which resulted as
follows:
Obstacle race, in which the obstacles
were a load of hay, barrels, etc.-,joseph
Vigue, LIST; Wallace McPheters, I'd; f.
W. Thomas, Sd.
Sack race--L. V. Thomas, LIST; +. w.
Thomas, ID; Wallace McPheters, Sd.
Three legged race--Ihomas brothers,
1st; McPheters aud Ayerill, ID.
The Parade.
The civic and industrial parade was a
grand one and most creditabe feature
of the program. The industrial and
trades exhibitions were very good as far
as they went, but was not representative
of our town in number and variety. In
this no reflection is cast upon the able
committee who had this matter in charge
for we can call to mind that no one can
make person or company exhibit
against their will. The committee served
most faithfully and the result was very
gratifying. The order of the parade
was as follows and the route was the
same as given in our last issue.
FIRST DIVISION
Four Mounted Police under command of Chief
of Police Thompson
General Isaac Dyer, veteran of the civil war
and famous in the Red river expedition,
marshal.
Thomas II. Anderson and Amos X. Butler aids
Belfast Naval Band, "A pieces.
Skowhegan Board of Trade
Seiectmen and As essors of Skowhegan.
Clergy of the town
Co. T. I'd Rnpimpn n q n Cantain Wallace
McPheters
Fifty members of the Uniformed Rank A. 0. u.
w. of Waterville, Co. A, Captain Edwin
Towne, commanding.
TWO floats containing 30 girls ornamented with
the national colors.
Skowhegan Fire Department, Chief Nutting
Assistants Rochester and Murphy Steamer
No. l, Union Hose, J Vosmus Hook and
Ladder Co.. each with full compli-
ment of men in line.
SECOND DIVISION.
Dewey Drum Corps of Athen, Simon Fox. Drum
Major.
Six teams displaying 0sborne's farming i'm
pements, b. II. Bartlett agent
Novelty Mil Display.
j. T. Thibadeau, baker
wentworth & Oak, furniture dealers.
j. ID. Rawles x CO., hardware dealers
{. W. Day, the popular grocer and fruit dealer.
A. G. Blunt, hardware dealer.
Joseph Murray, local agent for the Headlight
Oil Co.
Crosby x Co.. printers
Walter L, Ordway, dry and fancy goods.
Charles f. Ward, clother.
The Skowhegan Cash Grocery
Lewis Anderson Il Co, proprietors of the Co
burn Wooden Mills.
Skowhegan Pulp Co.
Standard Oil Co.
Richards Pulp Co.
steward Bros, milers, and also agents for the
Deering harvesting machinery.
THIRD DIVISION.
Historical and fantastic display.
George Washington and other Revolutionary
leaders.
Float of school children.
"Scene in Coon Town"
"Rastus on Parade"
"Gong to de klondke,n
Country Breakdown"
"Bill Dows Stock Farm"
Followed by Bixby,& Bucks brigade" COM
posed of large company of school boys
carrying banners, etc
From l0:30 to II :45 a. m. the Somer-
set Choral society, assisted by the Nor
ridgewock Chorus and other voices, rem
dered the following national airs from
the verandas of Hotel Coburn:
american Hymn
"Red, White and Blue"
"Star Spangled Banner"
battle Hymn of the Republic"
Prof. George Pratt Maxim of Water
vile, conductor of the Somerset Choral
society, acted as leader of the chorus.
The entire space between the junction of
the streets that ntersect each other at
this point was completely filled with
people thoroughly enjoying this inspir-
ing music, but AS one passed down