Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-08-19
IA. 0. H. PARADE
Over 5000 Men in Line-FiDe Music and Gaily Decorated
 FIosls Pleased 0nlooEers.
SPORTSAT SAVIN ROCK

DTeeZe III all ulTecLioHS to-udy WHcu the Ancient Order of Hibernians held their state parade and field day pre- liminary to the state convention which will be in session tomorrow. It was one of the greatest outpourings of men and women of Irish birth or of Irish ancestry ever seen in Con- necticut, the number of persons in line being upwards of 5000. The city was in gala attire for the occasion. arches of flags and bunting having been put up over night from the rail- road station to the New Haven house and down Chapel street and to Grand avenue, embracing the business sec tion through which the uniformed bodies marched Scores of buildings were draped in bunting, city hall was a mass of color and on the cen tral green was a court of Hibernia in which was statue of the maid of Erin. This court was the central point from which the parade started and tonight it will be blaze of light enhancing the grand illumination of the green made by the city in honor of the occasion.
 In the general scheme of the city's gala attire the Irish flag was draped or flowed alongside of the stars and stripes. Irish airs added inspiration to the scene for these melodies were launched on the breeze either in uni- son or in musical riot from some twenty bands and fifteen drum corps.
 The early arrivals among the hosts of Hibernians came last night and found the clubs wide open for their reception and hospitality being dis pensed in good measure. The first uniformed bodies were landed at the railroad station at S:30 and from that time until II o'clock the divis- ions of Hibernian companies of Hi- bernian Knights and boys societies were making continuous procession up meadow street to the green where the column was being marshalled. h. coming delegations were met at the station by members of local divis- ions who wore all white uniforms trimmed with green, white visor caps and carried canes on which were bows of green ribbon, Many of the visitors were in natty uniforms, many of them wearing green caps. The ladies auxiliaries in their sum mer gowns gave the most pleasing touches to the scene, and their floats lent picturesqueness and historical significance to the parade. All New Haven turned out to see the Hiber- nians and the sidewalks were damned with people. Street car traffic was turned aside from the streets over which the column marched so as to give full sway to the societies.
 The grand marshal of the day was State President Philip J. Sullivan. with NJ. J. Connolly. chief of staff. and James A. Haggerty, assistant.
 In forming the column the police led on with double platoon of 24 men. Then followed the aides to the grand marsnal headed by Mayor Dunn of Willimantic to the number of 30, all mounted, representing the larger towns of the state. Next came the national officers of the Hibernians, Governor Woodruff and Mayor Martin. state officers, and others who were guests of the day in carriages. The Second Regiment band heading the Sarsfield guards (Company C, Second regiment, c. N. CD A
 The Hibernian Rifles of the state, five companies. under Colonel Mur- phy of Bridgeport, came next. Then eA AA fv. xs Att.fofnne
 New Haven doing escort duty and being followed in order by Middlesex county. Fairfield county, New Lon don county, Windham county, Litch- field county. Holland county and Hartford county, the last named hav- ing the greatest number of societies in line. Each division had it's own marshal and the county officers in each instance rode in carriages.
 The feature of the New Haven di- vision was the juvenile section made up of some 400 boys and headed by St Francis's Orphan Asylum band. Then came divisions from Ansonia. Naugatuek, Meriden. Branford, Wal lingford. Derby and Waterbury, each having their own music. Middle town, Portland and East Haven Ill., bernians made up the Middlesex di- vision. Bridgeport had the right of | line among the Fairfield delegation followed by Danbury, Stamford, Norwalk and Greenwich men. From New London county came the divis- ions of the order from New London. Norwich, Stonington. Taftville and Jevett City. Putnam. Dayville, Pomfret and Willimantic divisions made up the representation from Windham county. From the hills of Litehfield county came the winsted and TorTington societies Holland county was ably upheld by Rockville and Stafford Springs divisions The Hartford division stretched out for half a mile, the splendid evidence of enthusiasm in the occasion which Is the first one of state proportions in which hartford has participated in for five years. James T. Leeney of New Britain was marshal of the division and the bodies in line were ! from Hartford five divisions. of the A. O. H. the Windsor Locks dfvis- ion. ThompsonvilIe divisions. and the A. O. H. In order from Manchester South Glastonbury, Bristol. Union viIle. Southington. East Hartford. Wethershelds SimsbEry and New Britain.
 There were many features In the parade. not the least Of which were the floats and the drum corps. IL took one hour and one-half for the column to pass in review making it the largest parade ever seen ia thIs