Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-08
THE LAST DAY
nasssle and Hillary Bodies March le Inc Music 0f ibe
 Bssls spd Drum Corps.
HARTFORD ALL ABLAZE

HARTFORD ALL ABLAZC
 Hartford, Oct S.-Climax pie lures, stately. inspiring and grand are being presented here to-day in connection with the formal dedica- tory ceremonies of the $3,000,000 bridge spanning the placid Connec- ticut. It is questionable If for spec tacular effect. in the line of animat- ed ensembles, the living portrait that wound itself in serpentine form ation over space of seven miles extending into two towns-has ever been surpassed in New England. It was dual pageant, Masonic and military. that the great throngs of people came here to witness from all sections of the state and from many cities and towns beyond it's borders. Tonight in blaze of pyrotechnic glory the curtain will fall, but the memories of 1t all will be vivid for years.
 With imposing Masonic ceremonies in which 6,000 members of that or- ganization took part the last stone of the bridge was laid under the direc- tion of the Grand lodge at 10:30 this morning. After parading through the center of the city the body, escorted by Knight Templars, formed about the north approach to the bridge and in accordance with their ritual sealed the five ton stone which completes the structure. The honor of these duties fell to Grand Master E. E. Fuller of Holland, who was assisted by Deputy Grand Mas ter w. c. Granniss of Litchfield, Grand Senior Warden F. Overplanck of Manchester, Grand Junior Warden Randolph P. Chapman of Water bury and Grand Chaplain Harris E. Starr. Following the ceremony oc- cured the unveiling of the tablet which holds for posterity the names of the officials who made the bridge possible.
 At the unveiling of the bridge tablet lamented Bishop Tierney was to have offered the opening prayer. His place was taken by the Rev Dr Francis Goodwin. Hon Lewis Sperry of South Windsor made the address and the actual un- yelling was performed by Houghton Bulkeley, son of United States Sen. ator Morgan c. Bulkeley, who is recognized, here as the master mind of the ceremonial pageants.
 The box placed in the corner stone l .tp-day. contains records of the4<legis- fation which led to the freeing of the old toll bridge. the accounts of the litigation that followed, copies of the current publications, coins of 1908 and other historical data that will be of interest to those who may open the receptacle century or two hence.
 While the attendance of the open ing days was large 1t was eclipsed by that of to-day. All lines of travel were taxed during the early morn ing, bringing in the excursion'sts Blue skies smiled on the gala scene cooling breezes swept the river front and the bright uniforms of the sol. diers and regalias of the other or. ganizations, coupled with the aquatic panorama, gave Mardi Gras effect to the whole. Taking all in all it became early evident that tho public had selected this as the big day of the celebration. They fol. lowed the soldiers from all over Con. netcicut Wives and mothers, sisters and sweethearts of the boys behind the guns" are among the cheering thousands who line the grand stands and route of procession to view the pageant.
 There were approximately 5000 uniformed men in line in the military parade this afternoon. The entire National Guard, with Governor Woodruff and staff, were in line. ant the other organizations included dc tachments of regulars from New London.
 Adjutant General George M. Cole was grand marshal of the occasion and he handled his forces splendidly It was the largest military display Hartford has ever seen, and the pic ture 1t made as 1t swept around thu broad boulevard will long be remem bered. Magnificent was the animated scene that was enacted in front of tn, immense grand stand. The cheering thousands arose and waved flags a the soldiers filed past to the music O a score of bands. As the pagean swept over the gaily decorated bridg, and along the eastern approach il East Hartford the spectators stoot
 ten deep along the walks for a dis ltance of three miles.
 Mounted police did escort duty ant the flying squadron" from New Ha ven, which was brought here by tn
 city to assist in policing, won higl
 concentrations. There was not
 hitch in the merest detail of the pa
 rade. It was carried through witt
 military precision and officers an men alike were frequently accorde, plauditory recognition for thei
 clockwork maneuverings. The Put
 nam Phalanx and Governors Foo 4 Guards gave both colonial and pic
 turesque coloring to the parade an
 the wagon train and other embellish
 ments lent completeness to tn
 whole.