Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-07-10
QUIET GLORIOUS FOURTH.
CHURCH BELLS SILENT, FEW ARRESTS,
NO FIRES, ADEcoRous CELEBRATION.

Good Order Prevailed Throughout-Bu One
Serious Accident reported d-Wsathsr Per-
feet for the Days Observance : Evening
Fire Works We'd With Noon.
Folks who anticipated that every
thing would break loose on the Glori-
Gus Fourth, especially owing to the
presence OF the open saloon for the
first time here in so years, were most
agreeably disappointed. Old residents
agree that the celebration entire was
the quietest affair they have seen in
decade, and they cannot understand
how it came about that all was so or
derly and free from the regulation
excitement and commotion Of the day.
Chief of Police Hall is witness to
the record of good order. He states
uDhesitatingly that he was surprised
at the smooth way in which everything
passed off.
The sputtering Of fire-crackers and
torpedoes began week in advance Of
Independence Day, but save for one
runaway on Elliot street there was no
damage done. On the eve of the
Fourth, about p. m, the rising gen.
GRAFTON got into line and began noisy
but not impertinent demonstration.
This was kept up till say a. M,
when the zip of the thing appeared to
exhaust itself and the tired lads went
home and to bed to gain renewed en-
ergy for the duties OF the coming day.
On the night of the third, which is
always the big time here, there was
fusilade of cannon crackers up and
down the street, the car tracks were
literally sprinkled with torpedoes,
which snapped to the evident enjoy
ment of the passengers and the small
children whose fond and patriotic pa
rents had taken them out for an extra
treat, in the early evening hours, to
give them taste of the annual rum
pus and let them hear some noise close
by, got all they wanted.
The sidewalks were remarkably free
from intoxicated persons. There were
a score of special policemen on duty
but on the night of the third, when
the excitement and freedom of spirit
was at its limit, not a single arrest
was made. This speaks we'll of the
good judgment of the officers and as
well for the behavior of the people.
They did make a lot of noise and Gre
ated much disturbance, to be sure, but
there was none of "chip on your shoul-
der'' business observed anywhere. The
whole thing was SO decently conduct
ed that not bit of friction resulted,
which speaks volumes for the chief
and his lieutenants. All was very
creditable to all concerned.
When midnight came everybody ex-
pected the usual hurrah, boys, the
ringing of church bells and building
Of huge bonfires. but there was disap-
pointment The bells we're silent for
the first time in more than 10 years,
and but one bonfire Of any size was
started That one was located near
,he Brattleboro House and furnished
'un for hundreds until it died natur-
Il death two hours after lighting. 1t
S remarked. by the way, that no val
liable property was consigned to the
lanes, no wagons we're wheeled across
he embers to be scorched or con-
umed, no small buildings were thrown
n to brighten things up. There have
,een few if any complaints from mer-
hants of property destroyed. There
7ere no brawls, no shooting affairs,
ither accidental or malicious. The
,hole spirit of the celebration brim-
ned with good nature and enjoyment.
t was quite ideal, all things consid-
red.
There was but one serious accident
ecorded during the night Towards
,idnight John Francis Smith of No.
4, Vernon street, lighted a cannon
racker and tossed it into Main street.
'hen it failed to explode he picked it
p to investigate. That settled it and
ne fash that followed instantly rip
ed the thumb of his left hand nearly
ito shreds. He was taken home and
ne doctors believe that amputation
ill not be necessary.
The Fourth, proper, opened noisily
an early hour and went along grace
lily, with the swapping of crackers
nd the shouts of small boys. By 2p.
!. the town was fairly quiet and re-
aimed so until dark, when the air was
Ill of rockets, balloons, sparkling
ombs and general illumination, in
hich the moon played fascinating
art There were many handsome pri
,te displays of fireworks at many res
ences about town and these enter
ined big crowds. Neighborhood calls
ere the order of the evening and the
ours were spent delightfully."-. By
idnight all was serene and tired hu-
anity had sought repose.
The only local attractions of the day
ere the two ball games on the island,
hich drew crowds. as the weather
as especially propitious. Hundreds
tended the celebration at keene and
turned bone late, tired and hungry,
ozens Of family picnics were held and
lndreds of people went out of town to
end the day and Sunday with rela-
yes and friends.