Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-06
Whole Village and Hillsides Illum-
mated to Celebrate Republi-
can Victory.
THOUSANDS IN ATTENDANCE.
The Jollificntion Planned and Executed
by Employees Of the Vermont Mar
BILE COmpnny-The Governor
elect Mingled with Crowd
but Made No Speech.

Proctor. sept 5.-All Proctor was a
blaze of light tonight while from the
mountains to the east and to west
giant bonfrcs conveyed to the sur
rounding country the satisfaction the
people felt at the choice of their chief
citizen to be governor Of Vermont. 1t
was a great celebration, conceived by
the young men employed by the Ver-
mont Marble company and carried by
them to a successful conclusion. Prac-
tically every person In Proctor was
out to pay a tribute to Fletcher ID.
Proctor, who won such a great repub-
lican victory Tuesday and the village
people were swelled by crowds from
all the surrounding towns so that
fully 1000 people were present.
The celebration had it's inception at
a meeting of young men yesterday
noon. At that time nothing had been
planned but q committee composed of
George z. Thompson. c. l. Hunter.
Charles Erlandson and j. E. Euno
took charge of the matter and with
many other young men to work with
them soon had things hustling. 1t is
nothing new for the young men OF
Proctor to get up celebration in "A
hurry. They have done 1t for three
different presidents, who have been
guests at Senator Redticld Proctor's.
This time they knew what to do and
how to do It, They soon had nearly
1000 japanese lanterns strung along
the road leading from the railway sta
tion to Mr.. Proctor's home and about
his house. In addition special electric
Of
We're erected. Practically every house
was also decorated with bunting and
lights, The Rutland and Proctor bands
were hurriedly engaged and rush
order for several hundred dollars
worth of fireworks was given.
Word that the celebration was on
passed quickly to the surrounding
towns and the people OF the nearby
places determined to help. They came
from all directions, by train by auto
mobiles and by teams. Rutland sent
Il crowded train load and in addition
six large touring cars carried the po-
litical leaders who made such n gallant
fight for Proctor in Rutland city and
county.
The lighted lanterns and special cleo
trio lights made Proctor look like A
wonderland. At the Y. NJ. c. A. build
ing II large picture of Mr.. Proctor had
been hung and about this We're strung
electric lights, so that the countenance
of Nermont's next governor could be
plainly seen from passing trains. A
short distance below Mr. Proctor's
home Il great arch was erected bearing
the following Illuminated words:
FLETCHER y. Proctor. Our Governor
Elect"
At about eight o'clock the two bands
were stationed on either side of Mr.
Proctor's house and for two hours play
ed while the people blew tin horns.
shouted. and watched fireworks. Mr.,
Proctor made no speech but he walked
among the people speaking to every
one, He apparently knew them all
calling them by their Christian names.
having a pleasant word for the ladies
and n gentle pat for the children. He
missed a face or two and asked for
them. In speaking OF that fact one
lady said:
Il believe Mr.. Proctor knows every
child In this town. If one of them goes
away he is sure to notice the fact and
inquire about it,"
Apparently every young person in the
crowd had a horn of some sort and even
the older people had q few. Whenever Mr.
Proctor appeared he was given an ovation
and his political friends from Rutland
were given a serenade as their cars puffed
up the incline to Mr. Proctor's house.