News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1904-07-06
THE FOURTH AT JOHNSON.
a Very Successful Celebration.

One OF the largest, if not the largest
crowds, congregated here Monday TO
help celebrate the glorious FOURTH
And glorious it certainly ives as lar
as weather was concerned, the rain OF
Saturday having laid the dust ana
cooled the air so it was perfect lot
out door amusements.
At four o'clock began the firing OF
the one hundred guns. At nine the
procession of Ancients and Horribles
started from B. A. Hunts corner and
proceeded to the station to welcome
the guests who should come by train.
They were really the most grotesgue
figures ever seen on the streets OF any
town and each was take OIL on some
of the Industries or interests OF tne
town. Our Lieutenant Governor was
represented by an automobile OF in
genious construction curtalned by
burlap, which was supposed to run
by gas but was strongly susplcloned
of having other forces beneath It's
curtains. The rummage sale, which
has been a feature of the town Tor
several years was carricatured IN a
manner perfectly ludicrous. The de-
livery teams of the merchants, the
meat market, barber shop, dentist Of
flee and billiard tables were all repre-
sented. There was one team load
ed with little boys in costume, called
the "Rough Riders" which was very
pretty, also one of forty-eight little
girls representing the states with
Columbia in the center. This load
was drawn by four white horses and
was very attractive. The first prize
for the best looking rig was awarded
to Pearl and Leland, who drove a
very pretty horse, harnessed with
white, drawing a light carriage COW
cred entirely with maiden hair ferns,
and the wheels wound with daises,
the spokes alternating yellow and
white. The second prize In this class
was equalled divided between the
"auto," Clarence Darrell Chauffeur
and the team representing "My Old
Kentucky Home" gotten up by JED
Perkins and Frank Dodge. The
dancing and singing of plantation
melodies on this outfit was worth
travelling a good way to see.
The firstprize for the worst looking
rig was given to John West, who
drove an ox'and a horse together and
no two wheels of his wagon CORES
ponded In size, giving bis outfit 6
very uniqhe and uncertain aspect
The second prize was given to the
mule team gotten up by the Patter
son boys and the third to the rum
mage SALE" which was gotten up by
Rollin Balch and Allen Bradley, anG
was really remarkable work of art
After this parade came the exhibition
drill of the Morrisville Fire company
which was performed in a very credit
able manner. After dinner the CROWD
collected again on the grounds
where the athletic contests were held
The 100 yard dash was won by L. b
Davis, first; Gaylord Mum, second
and Ned Smith, third. In the run
ming high jump there was tie lie
tween l. B. Davis and Gaylord
Mum and first and second money
was divided equally between them
George Bedell won third. In the
broad Jump l.. B. Davis was first and
Glen Raymond second and M. o.
Heath third. In the potato race
George West was first, Will Ploo
second and Cleon Mum third. Oh
stacle race, Clarence Darrell first, Ned
Smith second and Will ,Ploof third
Wheelharrow race George West first
Cleon Mum second and Will Ploo
third. This closed that line of sport
and at three O'Clock the ball game
was played, the Jacksonville boys
winning the game by score of 3 tc
s. After supper the band gave ar
out of doors concert, which was
much enjoyed. At eight O'Clock the
crowd adjourned to the Opera House
which, for the first time, was founC
to be too small for it's requirements
Over 500 tickets were sold and there
were more than a hundred outside
who could not get seats. The play
"Valley Farm was we'll given anC
seemed to be enjoyed by all. Aunt
Alvira Holcomb appeared to be thu
favorite of the audience, with Aza
riah Keep close second. A small
shower at the close Of the play neces
STATED the hurrying of the fire works
but, as it was already past eleven
no one felt disposed to complain
The celebration began early anC
lasted late and the most remarkable
thing about it was the extreme gooC
nature and good behavior of tn
crowd, which was estimated at be
tween $500 and 5000. No arrests
were necessary and no one was seel
who showed liquor to any extent
This was a very desirable feature %
the day, one of which we feel prouC
and congratulate ourselves and be
lieve that it is due to the fact tina
we are prohibition town.