St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-06-07

technically grand and realistic, when
you saw the Spanish ships all ablaze
with fire and light and gradually
consuming into ashes; then followed
the rifle FIRE between the two con-
tending forces, followed by the
shouts of victory and the sullen with
drawal of the Spanish prisoners; the
American flag run up on the fort and
the band played "The Star Spangled
Banner" closed the scene and was
followed by a grand display of fire.
works later. 1t was quite difficult
to get soldiers to personate Spanish
prisoners and it was said that Payne,
who had charge of the fireworks, in
order to make it realistic, had more
soldiers carried of on stretchers as
among the wounded than occurred
in the original battle.
The civic parade upon the second
day was an excellent one and fine
representation of the tradesmen of
the city and of the public schools.
The latter were closed for the day,
but it bore similar resemblance to
that given in other cities of the same
kind. The President shook hands
with over four thousand people that
night at the public reception at the
White House.
The elimination of the jubilee was
on Thursday, the third day. The
day was a typical May day and the
weather was superb with fine moon
in the evening. There were 13 floats
in the procession and what added
much to the beauty and dignity of
the historic pageant were the heralds,
aids and escorts who acco mpanied
and preceded them, dressed in har-
mony with the historic scenes
and times which they represented.
The different colored horses, black,
white, bay and sorrel, and the sashes
of varied hues, blue, crimson and
white, worn by the marshals and
aids added much to the dramatic
effect. The floats represented the
important periods in the history of
the country: History" had four
ladies, two were Egyptian astrolo.
gers and two were muses.. Then
followed columbus at the court of
Spain" "The Landing of Columbus"
and "The Birth of the Flag, "-Betsey
Ross acted the part Washing
ton crossing the Delaware" Wash
ington lowered above his soldiers
and sailors in the boat, who were
struggling and straining to pillow
through the icy river, followed by
Continental soldiers and sailors in
sleeveless jackets, ragged trousers,
wigs and curious make-ups, while
the artillery of 80 men wore cooked
hats, blue coats faced with red, buff
vests and leggins. After the band
came the float THE Thirteen Origi
nal States" which evoked applause
Uncle Sam looked very happy sitting
beside Miss Columbia and the Other
maidens in white (selected by the D
A. r. committee The Prov Of the
vessel had a swans head with gar
lands Of flowers. A great eagle ant
flags adorned the arch OF Columbia:
throne and on the back "The Spirit
of '76" every one recognized. "Th'
War of 1912" came next. Genera
Jackson and staff with buff suits an(
Emmett guard in blue coats and whit
trousers were excellent. Perry OF
Lake Erie" copied from the painting
in the Capitol, was admirable
Perry wrapped in flag, stood will
arm raised, pointing to where the.
were going and the seamen wer
obeying his orders. The crimson
bandage on one sailors head toll,
the story of the naval conflict, 1915
General Scott and staff were the mex
to appear, in sky.bue jackets an,
trousers came the soldiers and
tableaux of the Mexican war. The
the soldiers of 81 and the float 9TH
North and South" This seen
= touched the hearts of all, when Ger
eral Grant and General Lee rode i
front side by side in uniforms, unde
; the flag on each side stood Admire
: Porter and Buchanan and when tn
. Union and Confederate soldiers en-
u braced and waved the flag, it brough
= out great applause. War, gunboa
u with Roman soldiers then "a trif
8 embarrassed" was highly amusing
'e Uncle Sam and Columbia locke
% down into a basket with four chi
!. dren; Hawaii, Cuba, Porto Ric