Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-25
BASEBALL, BALLOON ASCENSION and ILLUMNATIONS.

Watervlle, Me, June 24.-(SpeciaD.--
If anyone ever says word against Old
Prob in Waterville again he will be
promptly run out of town. OF all of
the days of the year Waterville wanted
Tuesday to be pleasant, for on that day
was scheduled the big Centennial pa
rade-a feature that rain would spoil
as quickly as anything. But it didn't
rain-at least not much. To be sure
there was little shower just after the
line was in motion, just to call atten-
ton to the fact that the apparatus was
in order but it didn't amount to any,
thing.
The morning dawned as fair as a
June-day bride and fairly pulled the
people away-from their homes to help
the Queen of the Kennebec to cele-
brate. The morning trains were crowd
ed to the doors. The special trains that
came later were also crowded, while
the people came in by team for miles
around. 1t was by all odds the largest
crowd ever seen in the city. OF course
there are ell sorts Of estimates afioat
but conservative one would be we'll
up in the thousands. The crowd was
not only the largest but the most or
Derby. there being no disturbances of
any Importance during the day. Mar
shall Harrington and his men deserve
the most hearty thanks for the man
ner in which they handled the crowd.
The big parade was the event of the
forenoon and of the celebration with the
largest number At an early hour the
different divisions were seen forming
on the streets assigned to them. Mount
ed aids were dashing here and there
with written orders, as if a battle was
about to be fought. The headquarters
of Marshal Thayer was a very busy
place for an hour or two and to the
average person it seemed to be confu-
sion most confused. A float could be
seen here and a secret society away
over yonder. The different parts of the
parade seemed to be scattered all over
the city-to be so scattered. in fact,
that they could never be brought to-
Eether. But there was a system in it
all and the tone OF the starting bell was
still to be heard when DR.. Thayer's
voice rang out with the order to move
at just 1905. the appointed time. Then
the thoroughness and symmetry Of the
plan could be seen at its best. Street
after street emptied its quota into the
line. everything being on the move and
without confusion. The huge parade
formed like a well-drilled army ana
moved as promptly as death sentence.
You'd laugh" said Dr. Thayer in
speaking of the parade several days
ago, IF I should move it promptly at
10
And the people did laugh-with delight
and appreciation of the thoroughness
of the preparation. There was no tire
some wait with this event. The people
knew as well as the marshal what was
going to happen. and 1t happened just
according to schedule. And the lineup
was just as advertised, everything hav-
sng the place assigned. 1t was splendid
work, and added 100 per cent. to the
pleasure of the occasion.
Then the conditions were almost
ideal for such an event. Waterville
has certainly been splendidly favored
in this line in her celebration, but
never more so than on Tuesday. There
was no dust. the air was cool and re-
freshing. the sun was bright and not
too warm. the streets were smooth and
clean and in fact everything was just
right for the big event
The makeup of the parade was as fol-
lows:
Platoon of Police.
DR. Frederick c. Thayer, marshal, and
Dana P. Foster, adjutant.
Aides.
Dr. A. Jolly. Lowell C. Salisbury, Ernest
E. Decker, Cyrus w Davis, Horation
d. Bates DIR. J. Frederick Hill. Elwood
r wyman Hascall S. Hall, DR.. E. Z.
Goodrich.
Elm City Guards (mounted).
FIRST DIVISION.
waterville Military Band Professor R.
B. Hail. leader.
DIR. L. G. Bunker chief of division.
Co. H. I'd Regt.. n. G. S. NJ, Captain
Shurtliff.
Battalion ID. Regt. Patriarchs Militant,
E. fitzpatrick, major.