The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-01-01
WITH DIN And UPROAR
AMID THE sHRIEKING OF wHIs-
TIES AND CHANGING OF BELLS
NEW YEAR WAS USHERED IN.
ITS ADVENT MARKED BY SER
VICES IN THE CHURCHES.

Sleeping Savannah Was Awakened
shortly Before Midnight-DemOn-
strntion Was short But Uproari-
ous-FireNvorks and Firearms Add
ed to the Timely Tumult-Streets
Were AgIOw with Red Lights and
PyrOtech Tripped the
Light Fantastic as the Old Year
Waned-On Every side Midnight
Watchers hid Each other n Happy
Near Year.
By a demonstration, which awak-
ened the sleeping portion of Savannahs
population, the old year. 1902 was bid
den farewell, and 1908 was ushered in.
The demonstration began, in a de-
sultory sort of way. several minutes
before midnight, increasing in its in
tensity, until when the clock on the
City Exchange with characteristic
unconcern told the midnight hour. the
city was in an uproar. Then it died
away, as it had begun.
The sound of hoarse factory whistles,
accustomed to scream the song of in
dustry, the resonant echo of the steam
ships lying along the still waterfront.
the shrieking of locomotive whistles,
and the dangerous notes emitted from
pie, all combined to tell of the
advent of the glad new year and the
death of the old one.
Above the uproar occasioned by the
noise and blow was the frequent BOOM
ing of cannon crackers and firearms
and those who had saved their fire.
works for the seasonable moment, lill-
ed the air with their pyrotechnical
manifestations of welcome and good
cheer. In many places colored lights
gave the streets an aspect not dis
similar to Barnum and Bailey's Burn
ing of Rome
Those who, wishing to see the New
Year in, set their alarms before re-
firing that they might be awake, OBJ
served an unnecessary precaution. The
whole city was awakened by the clam
or and din, which, though it lasted
scarcely more than ten minutes was
| as intense as IL was brief. In some
| localities, the chickens, aroused from
| their Slumbers, evidently mistook the
hour, the cocks Growing their clarion
notes as cheerily as if they observed
the spirit of the hour.
Many there were who remained uI
| to see the passing of the old year
| With eagerness they consulted the
clock until the momentous minute
came, and then gladly babe farewell
| to the old year which so short a time
| ago had been welcomed with a glad
ness equal to that with which the new
was even then being received. Be.
| low the roar of whistles and bells, ir
many places the pop of corks told Of
a health to the New Year. and health
and wealth to those who sat round
| about
Still others chased the glowing hour.
with flying feet. some at the Bal
| Masque and others in uniforms ar
| rayed-all enjoying the good chez
which the midnight hour bespoke. an,
contributing to the welcome whicl
every one accorded the new and prom
Useful year. On every hand it was -
Happy New Year." and Same L
you"
The advent of the new era was OBJ
served in more sacred, and, perhaps
more fitting style, by those who chost
! to welcome it with song and prayer
Services were held in several of thS
| churches, and In some the celebration
| of the holy communion was had as the
| Old Year waned ana the New Yeai
doomed in. Shortly after midnight the
| quiet streets were awakened by church
| goers, returning to their homes, with
new promises and hopeful hearts.