Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-10-20
STREETS OF VILLAGE THR0NGED
Descendants Of signers Of the De-
claration of independence, Soldiers
and Sailors Participate in Event
DR.. Morris, Or. Riddick, Col. Thigh
man, Congressman Moore. Speakers.
(Ry Associated Pressl


cid Yorktown. for the second time
within the period of its national fame,
today commemorated with fitting cere-
monies that glorious event in Ameri-
can history with which its name Is
Identified. Here was laid one hun
dred and twenty eight years ago to
Il day the cornerstone of liberty upon
which great nation has been built
Lord CORVALLIS is taken," These
simple words sent broadcast from
here this date three years more than
q century anu quarter ago meant
that the burdensome yoke of British
rule had been cast off by the long
suffering American colonists, and that
a new republic, destined to become
powerful had been borne. One hun
dred years elapsed before this message
again echoed through the land. Then.
the young nation. safe beyond the
period of lettering infanthood and
grown almost beyond recognition, paid
pilgrimage to the historic spot where
the beloved Washington supported by
French troops and warships under
Hochambeau and Grasse, forced the
flower of Britian's army TO capitulate.
American stock that celebrated the
famous surrender today, twenty eight
years after the Yorktown centennial
Again the magic message went forth.
On the first occasion ii took four days
for it to travel to philadelphia, less
than half the length of what were
then the United States. Today, in the
age of progress and quick communica-
ton, it would have been possible for
il to have gone to the Pacific coast.
the western boundary of the nation,
IN less than five minutes,
The Yorktown Of Today.
The Yorktown of today Is a village
CT less than one hundred people. IL
is as though the stage setting for that
final drama of the revolutionary war
had been preserved as the actors left
IL, relic of antiquity as well as a
monument to American patriotism.
More human beings trod those his
toric streets today than have been
there since 1881. The Descendants of
the Signers of the Declaration of Inde-
redence and an offspring of that organ
iZation, the Yorktown Historical So
ciety of the United states, recently
decided to hold an annual celebration
here henceforth on October 10 and
probably five thousand people re-
sponded to their first appeal. When
the fact that Yorktown is still without
railroad communication with the out
side world. is taken into considers.
ton, the attendance today was nothing
short Of remarkable.
Situated high on hill overlooking
the beautiful York river. broad wind
ing ribbon of still blue water. this
peaceful village is one of most pic
turesoue spots in America as well as
the most historic. Usually the bosom
Of the river is as barren O. boats as
the hillside IS of houses. but today
there rode at anchor thereon the Unit
cd States torpedo boats Strigham. Du-
pont, Shubrick and Biddle and the tor
Tedo boat Summers. attached TO the
Maryland Naval Reserves. The lone
dock at the foot Ct the hill swarmed
with sol6iery. five companies OF artil-
lery having been sent up from For
tress Monroe to help TO do honor to
the occasion. Inc narrow streets.
ankledecp in sand and grownup with
wiregrass. presented an homogeneous
sight. Automobiles threaded their
way carefully through the crowds.
almost forcing pedestrians to the
walls Of crambling houses when two
Of them attempted to pass in the
same street Upon every road for
miles around was to be seen ox-cart
and auto all bound in the same d.
rcciion and all loaded to capacity. the
former containing usually bTight-faced
farmers children. resplendent in new
gicham frccks
Least part % Ceiebrztiot.
To most people present. the cxer-
Cises we're the least part 81 the ccle-
bration, although there was parade
Of mounted horScmcn and hofsewo-
men. led By the Fort Monroe bard and
the soldiers and sailors. then a parade
81 the school children ana afterwards
public spcak.@- from a grand stand
erected IN front o. the historic old
Nelson mansion.
Moreover little enthusiasm appeared
on the surface. but much % u iurk-
II In every hear. The crowd was not
there 10 listen % sDccchmakinE. nut
rather % tread the sacred soil. 20
CONTINUED On Fourth pare1