The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1909-07-09
THE GLORIOUS FOURTH.

Saturday, the third, did not dawn
"brite and fairn as we had a right
to expect from the weather mans
promises, but the cloudy sky did
not discourage the people who had
plans already made to attend the
Bradford celebration, and the
morning trains and teams emptied
into town many pleasure seekers.
The attendance is estimated at
about $500.
Flags and bunting decorated the
business blocks in the square, and
many of the homes were decked
out in gala attire to welcome the
strangers within our gates. Tor
pedoes, fire crackers and toy pis-
tolls were heard on every side from
early morn until the fireworks of
the evening overshadowed them.
All in all, it was not hard to per-
suade ones self that the Fourth
of July had struck town a day
ahead of schedule.
The Lyndonville band of twenty
eight pieces arrived on the morn
ing train and furnished music dur
ing the day and the evening, which
included two concerts. This band
already has the reputation of be-
ing one of the best in the state.
and it maintained its reputation
for good music at this event. Lyn-
donville has reason to congratu-
late itself that it can send away
such a group of musicians to ad-
vertise its good name.
The one event of the morning,
except the arrival of the crowd,
was the Horribles, which were
managed by F. A. Lorette. There
were some clever hits, and the
procession, headed by the band,
excited laughter all along the
route. The first prize went to the
R. B. Edwards automobile outfit.
1t represented a Rambler, was
painted light green, had peculiar
high backed seat and a barrel for
an engine. 1t was pulled through
the streets by rope and horse
attachment. The four occupants
were compelled to alight every
few moments and blow up The tires
or otherwise tinker the machinery.
The second prize went to the Ma
omi Lodge float, which was all in
white with the Rebekah colors of
green and pink festooned upon it.
Inside five young children, dressed
in white, rode. The third prize
went to E. E. Grant, who drove
most ramshackled fish team, load
ed with all kinds of truck. On the
end of the team was a fish pole,
and by a contrivance on the front
wheel the driver reeled in his
catch, which proved to be a huge
lobster. The fourth prize went TO
Neal Sargent's rig, a gig loaded
with a fat woman, with the driver
for want of room. Other
take-offs included the band, Sar-
gents orchestra, Hale's furniture
store, a coffin being a prominent
part of the van load; Morse's milk
wagon, clowns on foot and horse
back. The bareback riding of a
''red devilo attracted a good deal
of attention. The Grange also had
an evergreen float trimmed with
flags.
Immediately after the band con-
cert in the afternoon the crowd
collected in the square to watch |
the sports. All races were held
the entries being numerous, and
there wasn't a dull moment dur
ing the whole afternoon. In the |
tug of war, Lufkin's team won
against the Bradford team, get
ting 1st prize. The wheelbarrow |
race, which caused shouts of
laughter as the contestants show
I'd a fondness for running into the
side lines, instead of for the stake.
was won by Bowen, who got first
prize, and Stevens second. The
race was naturally .
affair, and the Frank
Brainard and Lamb team won the
irst prize, while the Renfrew-
team came in second
,est and carried off second prize
The sack race, which was rather {
umping race than a running race
vas won by Harry Gould, of Pier
mont. Lamb came in second. In
he 100 yard dash, Ed. Peters out
listanced all the rest, and ear
led off the first prize, while
got second. The greas
ID pig race was a squeezing affair,
,ut it was very proper that San