The morning journal-courier., 1908-04-28
GREAT OCCASION
 FOR FOOT GUARD
Re Enactment of Thrilling In cident of One Hundred and Thirty three
 Years Ago.
CAPT. BEECHER DETAILED
Mayor Martin Induced by Him to Give Up Two Rig Brass Keys to Unloose the Ex-
 ploslvcs.

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 The annual re-enactment of the scene which took place In this city In 1775 when Benjamin Arnold In command of the Governors Foot Guard, demanded of the selectmen of tho town the keys of the local powder house on the news of the skirmish at | Lexington, was given in full military | splendor in front of City hall yester- day afternoon, The occasion was the | lS3d anniversary of the actual scene | and as on the first occasion the keys | were handed over after dispute by | the custodian of them on behalf of the | city. The Second company. headed | by its new military band and brave | in the brilliant scarlet uniforms and heavy beaver shakkos of the regula- tion dress attire of the company made a very imposing and thrilling gpecta- cle, Accompanied by representatives of the Ancient and Honorahles of Boston and of the Richmond Blues of Richmond, Virginia, and the Old Guard of New York. the company set forth on its march 10 the city hall to utnluU the keys.
 The march began at 2 o'clock, un- der the command of Major Frederick w. Brown, headed by a platoon of police, started up Meadow street from Whiting street toward the green With Major Brown was his staff and guests from the Blues of Richmond and tho Ancient and Hon l Fp ha new military band which tho Foot , Guard Is planning to engage for ts own, and after that the guard itself, Governor Rollin $. Woodruff, with Adjutant General Cole, rode In a car : riage immediately behind the guard and then came members of his staff and guests. The procession stopped at the green where photographs of tho company and the guests were ta- ken.
 Leaving the green the company pro ceeded to the Church of the Redeemer for the annual historical address Along the line of march the houses and public buildings had been decor a.el with flags and there were crowds of people in the streets. Outside the |, church the guns were stacked and the company entered, the audience stand ing. After the singing of 100 school children under the direction of Pro- lessor Benjamin Jepson, who is him self Foot Guard, and a prayer by the Rev. Mir. Mcserve of Danbury, Rev Dr. Phillips, the chaplain, de- 2 liyered an historical address on the life of Amos Doolittle, one of the first :, of the Foot Guard At the call of 2 the battle of Lexington he went to Cambridge and took part in some of the battles around there. Returning to New Haven he helped defend the a city and when the British came here o was saved only by hiding under his q bed.
 He was a sSilful engraver and as : soon as the fighting was over engrav- cd plates with pictures of the battles upon them Three of these plates arc now in the possession of the Historical society Doolittle combined yankee thrift with patriotism He was q a maa of the people, and 1t is men like :" him that have made New England what 1t is.
 Tho church meeting closed with tht singing of America by the entire aud fence and then with the audience standing the Foot Guard marched out for the parade.
 Leaving the church the company reformed and under threatening skie' took up the march for the hall. Foi over an hour throngs had been gath ering to witness the spectacle ant when finally the strains of militar, music were heard Church street 1T - front of the hall was blocked. Thor the column swung into Temple stree from Chapel and marched boldly ont the green headed by platoon of pa trclmen that were a veritable Cold stream Guards, not one of the mel being under six feet and ranging ul to six feet six inches
 As the head of the column passe' the center of the green the cannol boomed the salute of thirteen gun while the mounted policemen curvet ted about like cavalry on a real bat tlefeld. The column crossed the gree and came into Church street with q
 eager thousand strainng their eye and cranng necks to see the brilliant ly uniformed men. The head of tn procession passed the hall and halted Then Maior Brown dashed up to Ad
 iutant Mora and in determined Noic commanded him to detail Captain Ed ward C. Beecher to demand in his be half the keys to the powder house The adiutant pranced up to Captal , Beccher and gave the word to tha
 guard as he stood tense with excite st ment and acting the part of the ma commissioned to do stirring duty. Car 'd tain Beecher left his place in the ran
 to the tune of the fife and the drur corps and nervously approached May
 or Martin who, in high hat stoo
 drawn up to full height and with
 look of important dignity upon hi !, countcnance to receive the demand ( the captain. peered at by the cage crowd that occupied the steps Of tn
 hall and lined the sidewalk, the car
 tain in tense tones As-ied in beha
 of the major the keys of the powde
 house. Mayor Martin played the pal
 of the u1gnllleQ ScfNdHl ol lhe htH
 in fine fashion and coldly declined - surrender the keys of his majesty
 property without the further consider
 alton of the matter Then the captai
 grew bold and demanded the keys ms the major would order the destructio he of the powder house so as to get tf JUS powder. Then tho keys, two bra
 instruments of huge size, were hant
 cd over by the mayor and Captai es3 Beeoher marched back to his majo
 dangling the big keys in triumr
 most realistic, Salutins the mato
 Captain Beecher took his place in tf