The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-01

The streets of the city were pretty well
| filled with people at midnight. while
| thousands OF others were in the several
| churches and halls. all bent on celebrat-
| ing the incoming OF the new century. and
| the first year of the goth century was
certainly given a new start I'm Providence.
1t was withal an orderly crowd that
thronged the streets, for the police had
| very little 10 do, beyond checking the too
| manifest exuberance from time 10 time.
There was great changing OF bells,
| some private serenading. and a little
musketry fire by a few enthusiastic indi-
Viduals, but, taken as WhOle thefe
! seems TO be little that the departed CEN
, tury could complain OF.
One OF the most enjoyable watch meet
ings held was that OF the First Light In
fantry Veteran Association at the armory
on South Main street. Prior 10 the meet
ing; there was a parade or ne ,actives,
under the command OF Col. Matteson,
Stones Military Band marching at the
head OF the line.
regiment made an unusually brilliant ap,
pearance,, wearing the handsome full
dress uniform.
THE VETERANS CELEBRATED.
Gen. Sackett, drove TO the armory soon
after 3 o'clock. Beginning at $3.50 and
continuing until IL O'clock there was an
informal reception i'm the pleasant quar-
ters OF the veteran association.
There were present besides the governor
and adiutant general, Lieut. GOV. Charles
w. Taft, Col. Frank w. Tillinghast. A. ID.
G.; Col. Harold j. Gross. A. ID. c.; Col.
IA o. Potter, A. u, C.. and Col, Felix
nor's staff: Executive Secretary Charles
III, Rowland and many others as guests
OF the organization.
The guests were received bv j. Mason
Gross, colonel commanding the Veteran
Association. and the members Of his
staff Lieut.. Col. Walter Comstock. Maj
Leander G. Befcher Quartermaster Rath-
bun and Commissary Delano.
Then visit was received from Col
matteson OF the First Light Infantry
Regiment and his regimental officers, who
called to pay their respects In a formal
way.
Later this visit was returned by Col.
Gross and staf the governor and STAFF,
the guests and members of the Veteran
cbee%s party being hn & seffyed S Sar MIN
the men OF the regiment were having
watch meeting of their own.
An excellent supper was served. and
Gregory, Lieut.. Gov. Kimball, ,'Adit. Gen.
Sackett, Executive Secretary Rowland,
Henry j. Spooner. Daniel r. Baliou and
others.
Just a few minutes before the hour of
midnight Col Gross presented the asso-
The timepiece was started and then
those present formed in a circle around
the srr roSm STDe joining hands and sang Aud
ushering In the new year and the new
century.
HAD A GOOD CHowDER.
In the meantime the First Light Infan-
try Regiment was making merry in the
drill hall. An appetizing chowder WAS
served In the supper room. All Joined
I'm great chorus In singing Aud Lang
Syne' as the hour OF IL was sounded.
A few minutes after midnight the COM
| panies were again formed and the regi-
ment escorted Its colonel to his home.
BATTERY WAS VERY JOLLY.
In the old armory on Benefit street
Battery A had pleasant watcR meet
ing. the entire absence of formaltY con-
tributing TO the joy Of the occasion.
Moving pictures were shown by Joseph
Wlegand, and George Kenyon sang In
excellent voice several songs. There
was an exceedingly interesting fencing
match between maitre darms A. B. See
OF the local fencing club, and George
Cruickshank, and lively boxing bout
between Lee and 'Jim Mack" and an
other between Il. Casey and W. Heb
ditch.
The entertainment concluded with a
clever variety turn by Richard and
| Thomas Doran. Chowder and refresh
| ments were served during the evening.
At - o'clock all joined IN singing Aud
| Lang Syne." and the meeting broke up.
MACHINE GUN SALUTED
| The celebration Of the Machine Gun
| Battery began with the regular Monday
| night drill az \ o'clock. after which there
was an entertainment and n general good
time. including a collation. aud the dis
tribution OF Christmas gifts.
The latter affair was I'm the way OF a
burlesque and contained n number of
personal hits on capt. Bixby. Scrgt oak
| ~. Cannoneer Stebbins. Leuts. Wood
worth. Lincoln and Harris. ana. i'm fact,
about every member of the company.
The principal part OF the entertainment
| was given by the Temple Banjo, Bnnicu-
rine and Guitar club. with a number OF
| quintets and solo selections. as well as
songs and other numbers by members
4 OF the company.
The Machine Gum Battery ushorcd I'm
| the new century with a salute from the
! Gatling gun aud three one-pounders.
DINNER AND SPEECHES.
The Rhode Island society of Colonial
| Wars had y grand time az the University
| club. and the gathering was a very large
| and enthusiastic one
The governor. Gen. Hunter g. White.
| presided at the business meeting az
| which the following officers Tor the cnsu-
| inc year were chosen: Governor George
| Corliss Nightingale. Providence; deputy
| goyernor--Horatio Robinson Storcr. New
/ port. lieutenant Rovcrnor-icNis Fair
| brother Burrough. Providence. secretary
Henry Brayton Rose Providence:
treasurer--Theodorc y Bogert provi-
4 dence. registfar-R Hammett Tlllsy.
Newport hlstorisn-John Austin stevens.
Newport. chancellor Hamilton Bullock
! Tompklns New York city, chaplain
l Roswell Randall Hoes, L. :. y, surgeon