The Washington herald., 1909-07-06

NorNlcns conn., july o.-N orWicns the
Rose OF New England" as the natives
enthusiastically call Il. has had num-
Der Of notable days In its long history.
but there are three which stand out more
than the rest. One Of these days was 80
years ago. when a sturdy band settled
here and founded the town OF Norwich.
The next was lZ5 ysars ago when the
town was incorporated. and the third was
to-day, when the other two were glori-
ously celebrated.
President Taft came to town to help
the So.Oo0 natives and the 20.oo9 visitors
make the occasion a success. The Presi-
dent did well and worked hard. He Wit
messed an interesting pageant where he
saw a mimic Indian eat part Of another
mimic Indian. the one portraying Uncas.
Of the Mohieans. and the other Mianto-
nOmoh. Of the Narragansetts
He attended a reception. then a lunch
con, headed tremendous parade. and
then reviewed it. afterward making a
speech in which he called Norwich Nor
ich' in the quick snappy way Of the
native; laid claim TO New England ances-
torship. and told the people gathered
around the reviewing stand in Broadway
what a wonderful little town they had.
and what wonderful people had 10 do
with its existence
Talks of Religious Freedom.
The President devoted a good deal OF
his speech. which was frequently inter
rupted by applause. 10 religion and the
growth OF its freedom. He sat IN the
reviewing stand for an hour This after
noon, and watched very interesting pa
rade, IN which there appeared a great
conglomeration OF characters. uationan-
ties. colors. and music. There were uni
forms OF scarlet, bun. and blue. OF scar
let. white. and black. OF red. green. and
gray, and OF solid greens. blues. khakis,
and reds Il was a spectacle, and the
President enjoyed II hugely.
Tonight they are having fireworks on
Rogers Hin. above the banks OF the
shetucket River, directly opposite the
says that this IS The grandest display
OF fireworks ever seen in Eastern Con-
necticut."
Mixed I'm HIS Geography.
The President arrived from Boston at
10 o'clock in the morning. He had an
uneventfuI trip from Boston. except that
some quick witted Yankee caught him up
on his geography al Putnam. where he
made a speech. The President remarked
about Massachusetts beautiful weather.
and some one in the crowd cried. This
Is Connecticut" I guess I will have 10
study geography" said the President a
little later on. There was another shock
at Putnam when a postmaster named
Letters" appeared on a recktion com
mittee. consisting OF himself md Mayor
McGarry.
Upon his arrival here. the President was
greeted by a local reception committee.
presided over by Winslow Tracy Williams.
whose guest he is al Rock Cline. Mr.
Williams home; Gov Weeks, OF this
State, and several others. Mr.. Williams
pinned q silk embroidered badge on the
President. II was a pretty piece OF work
and came from England. 1t contained an
ode 10 Norwich written in 1853. Il is
not very old. as most things go here. but
II Is a pretty ode. ending
Norwich. thee I love-"
and the people Of the town Ike t.
On the way to Rock Clife the Presi-
dent stopped TO zee the pageant portray
ing series Of historical events.
Plants IA Tree.
Then he went on 70 a small reception
and luncheon. returning 70 the city after
lunch TO see the parade. At Rock CIine
he planted a tree. He came back in an
automobile with his aid. Capt Butt: NIr
Williams, Gov. Weeks. and Adjt- Gen
George NJ. Cole. of the Connecticut Ma
tional Guard.
The party went to the head Of the pa
rade, which had formed down town. and
entered a carriage His escort changed
bit, and when he came back to the re-
viewing stand Gov Weeks and Gen. Cole
were not with him. The others followed
in other carriages
after the parade had passed. the Presi-
dent started on toward the residence of
Mr.. Williams. He had a long drive
through the country and saw q number
Of historical spots. At the home OF Mr..
Williams he had luncheon and shook
hands with A couple Of hundred people.
The President. late this afternoon at
tended a reception at the Buckingham Ne
moriaL the former home Of Gov. Buck
ingham, the war governor OF Connecticut
which is now used for the HEADQUARTERS
of the G. A R. He went to dinner at
Rock Cline and later watched the FIRE