Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-07-06
THE CELEBRATION.
Parade Early in the Morning, Followed
by Exercises.

DIR. w. y, Leonard Orator OF the DRy---
Athletic Events and Two Closely Con-
tested Base Ball Games In the Arter-
noon.
The celebration of the Fourth was begun
on Tuesday afternoon by the swapping of
firecrackers by the small boys, which was
faithfully kept up until late Wednesday
evening. The regular program was be-
gun by the ringing of bells at midnight,
which was repeated at sunrise and sunset.
The firing of the cannon was omitted, be-
cause of the serious illness of some of our
people.
At z o'clock A. NJ. the antiques and hor-
ribles assembled in the paper mill yard of
G. A. Robertson * Co. and marched
through Canal and Main streets, over High
street. back to the post-office square. The
parade was well worth seeing, Geo. Estey
and W. D. Stearns were marshals. The
procession was headed by the Hinsdale
brass band whose music was much enjoyed
throughout the day.
Among the noticeable rigs in the parade
was a large cage, with w. O. Amidon in
clowns attire, as "conquering hero A
bear, seal, monkeys, dogs, etc, were the
inhabitants of the cage DR.. Worthing,
with a big head, and team with driver
came next. A pretty float, had small boys
as jolly tars, dressed in white complete.
Then came the High school sophomores; a
fortune teller's grotto; Hinsdale livery;
unique and antique single teams. A large
team with au apt hit on local characters,
with the grotesque make-ups OF the pedes-
trians, kept spectators busy watching and
guessing. Hotel Ashuelot was represented
by an antiquated hack drawn by a super
animated horse. The drum corps of Is
men Gained their share of attention.
After the parade an immense crowd con-
gregated in post-ofiice square. Hon. G.
J. Amidon, from platform on the post-of-
flee piazza, made brief speech and intro
duced the orator of the day, DR.. w. S.
Leonard, who kent his record good, and
the audience good natured, by a pithy
speech in which he recounted the errors,
losses and gains of the town since like
occasion six years ago.
1.-The Ashuelot valley had not had much
fun in these years, but had been kept busy
with death and taxes, trying to avoid the
one, and meet the other" This patriotic
demonstration should help us to get back
to our old position, that of lone of the
pluckiest little towns in New Hampshire.
AS the doctors speech will be printed
later, so that all who wish may read, We
will not attempt to report it to any extent
We trust he made a mistake when he sale
this was positively the last appearance Of
himself and the worthy chairman, as the
curtain would be rung down for the las
time at the close of the ceremonies.
After the athletic and ball games, in'
display of fireworks was witnessed in tn,
evening by the crowds who were sta
toned at all points where the fireworks
could be seen to advantage. The display
was on the fiat, across the Ashuelot rive
from Canal street. The band was ais,
stationed over there, and added much t,
the enjoyment of the multitude Will
the playing of America by the band, tn
exercises of the day closed, and the effort
of the citizens, which resulted in a mos
successful celebration, became a matter o
the past.
The athletic events began at 1870 p. Nj
The judges were 7. Mullen, DR.. Worthin
and Dr. Richards for the running events
and Fred Buckley for the pole vault.
In the hose races the time obtained fror
an average of the three watches was as fol
lows.