Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1908-07-07
THOUSANDS
THRONG The
WATER FRONT
Board Of Trades Fireworks and
Band Concert Cheered by
Vast Crowd.
WAS A BANNER EVENT
Hundreds In Boats and on Op-
pOSite Shore Viewed the
PyTOteChniCS.


Thousands of people Of all ages
and from every part of the city
f1ocked to the Bluff to enjoy the
band concert and fireworks under the
auspices OF the Board of Trade last
night. 1t was deemed fortunate by
many, who could not be present Sat
urday night, that the celebration
was postponed until last night, and
it was possible to Judge whether the
populace would turn out If band con-
certs were held at stated intervals
in the good old summer time.
The march to the sea" commenc-
ed even before o'clock, and the
sidewalks on both sides of the streets
leading to the water front contained
steady streams of people for over an
hour.
Scores witnessed the display from
boats and fully 500 people lined the
shore on Staten Island, some coming
from Pleasant Plains and other
points.
The fireworks, which had been
purchased by public subscription,
were set off from a float furnished
by George r. Bunten. 1t was sta
toned just south of Cooper's dock.
On the west side of Water street, on
A. M. Johnson's lawn, under double
triangle of electric lights, was situat-
ed Bollschweiler's Union band
v. p. Christofferson, q member of
the Board of Trade, and w. Van
Pelt, representative of the Nord-
linger-Charlton Company, from
whom the pyrotechLics were bought,
were on the float and set the display
off. They started about 8 O'Clock
with several salutes. Soon after s
o'clock, mines and candles were dis
played. Judging from the cheers
that arose occasionally, it was evil
dent that the vast throng Of people
was well pleased. The display of
a kicking donkey, in white lights, at
about the middle of the program,
caused laughter. A huge pin wheel
and other novelties were produced
and the program closed about 10
o'clock with the display Of an illunn-
mated "Good Night" in red and
green.
An incident which came near mar
ring the event occurred about the
middle of the display, and had it not
been for the timely work of Mr..
Christofferson, the remainder of the
fireworks would have gone off at
once and perhaps caused damage of
property and loss of life. Several
dozen port fires, used to ignite the
fireworks, were accidentally set on
fire in the centre Of the scow. The
cries of the throng attracted the at
tention of Mr.. Christofferson who
had crawled under a canvas for
some rockets. He quickly seized
the burning port fires and threw
them overheard, his hands and
clothes being scorched. After that
the remainder of the display had to
be lit with matches, cigars and the
like.
The entire celebration cost In the
neighborhood of $500. The Perth
Amboy Dry Dock Company towed the
float to its destination. v. P. Chris
Jefferson wired up the electric lights
on Mr.. Johnson's lawn for the band
and the Public Service Corporation
furnished the current. Ferd Garrett
son furnished the chairs and carted
them to the lawn for the use of the
band.
The committee of officers and mem
bers of the Board of Trade in charge
were: George F. Reynolds, presi-
dent; D. p Olmstead, vice president;
Albert Leon, secretary; Louis Kreiel-
sheimer, l. 9. Moore and " P. Chris
Jefferson.
1t was Mr.. Christoiferson's idea to
have the Board of Trade hold such a
celebration this year, and 1t was
largely due to his efforts that the af-
fair was carried out in such sue
cessful manner.
A number of ships rockets were
sent up from the Raritan Yacht
Club float.