The Republican journal., 1903-07-09
THE FOURTH IN BELFAST.

It could hardly be called a quiet day
There was nothing doing in tne way OF a
public celebration and many OF our citizens
had taken to the woods or the shoie ene uay
before to avoid the racket that usners ~
Independence day. Young America maae
the usual amount of noise, beginning early
Friday evening, and at night the customary
bon fire was lighted in post office square;
hut it was a small affair and we dld not
hear of the depredations upon private prop
ertv which heretofore have been feature
of the occasion. Only one church oeil was
rung, the Universalist, but tnat was kept
in motion all Friday night and most OF the
day Saturday, when it was reinforced at
times by the bell on the High school Dulld-
ing. Many wondered what fun there could
be pulling a bell all day long In dark yes
try when the weather was so delightful and
everything to tempt one out VI doors anu
Policeman Fri sbee is entitled 10 vote OF
thanks for stopping the performance aoout
5p. m. Indeed most of the "fun' seemed
to consist in annoying others. The fire
crackers and other explosives were used to
startle unwary pedestrians or to frlghten
horses. and the same motive apparently ac-
tuated the bell-ringing.
All the places of business, factories, etc.,
were closed during the day The vessels Ill
the harbor displayed their bunting, and
some of the stores and dwellings, had hagS
or other decorations. About $40 went to
Camden on the steamer Castine and schoon-
er Polly. the Belfast Band, which had an
engagement in Camden, furnishing music
en- route. The steamer Golden Rod on the
Bucksport and Camden route also took
large number, both from Belfast and the
up-river ports. The steamers returned with
the excursionists after the evening displays
at Camden. The Merryconeag went to
islesboro in addition to her regular route
and had a large excursion; but few passen-
gers Joined her here. Many OF our people
preferred more quiet way OF spending the
dav. and picnicked on the shore, or went
riding or sailing.
There were three slight accidents during
the day. A son of T. L. Shute had hand
burned by cracker; a son of the late Capt.
f. J. Rolerson nearly lost a thumb from
had a finger burned by a torpedo. One boy
lighted large cracker and put it in his
mouth, but bystander knocked it out in
time to save a probably fatal accident
There was a narrow escape from serious
ire. Wm. Haugh, while waiting for the
Merryconeag, saw a small fire under Shales
q Follett's hay storehouse, and summoned
help in time to put it out without an alarm,
by the use of buckets from vessels. Men
on board one of the vessels said some small
boys had been firing crackers on the wharf
short time before
A fantastic parade in hay racks and other
vehicles came to the city from the East Side
in the morning and drove around the foot
Of the square, They created considerable
amusement.
One of tie pleasantest gatherings of the
day was clambake and picnic by the Shore
Road Sunday school on the grounds OF Rev.
William Vaughan. Sixty persons, young
and old, were present. Tables were spread
in a grove near the shore, baked CLANS were
served under the shade of the trees, and
lemonade, coffee and tea were served IN ad-
ditiOn to the substantialS and delicacleS
with which the tables were laden. Later
in the afternoon some ice cream was mys-
terOuSly produced and all were amply re-
galed. The afternoon was passed in games
OF ball, running, wrestling, tug OF war, etc.