Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-07-08
THE FOURTH AT PAULSBORO

cessfuI day Paulsboro ever had from
every point Of view was last Monday.
The weather in the first place was ex-
ceptionally fine, and the day started
off with a laundering salute of dyna-
mite, early in the morning. At S
o'clock three fife and drum corps, and
two brass bands with the gaurds of
the Jr. O. U. A. NJ. and P. o. S. of A
assembled at the school house where
the children, under corps of teachers
assisted in the flag presentation and
raising. Mr.. Joseph R. Moreland
made the presentation speech and on
behalf of Hon. H C. Loudenslager,
gave to the school beautiful U. S.
standard flag. 1t was received by
Mr.. Ezekiel English on behalf of the
Board of Education, and as his daugh-
ter, Miss Frances English, raised the
flag to the masthead, the guards fired
the National salute of twenty-one guns
and the assembled school children
sang Salute to the Flag" After the
flag raising the interest centered in
the parade which was very magni-
ficent spectacle. The procession was
headed by an automobile containing
Mayor Adamson, Councilmen Slime,
Jester and Stiles, and Mr.. L. A. Reeves
of the Publicity committee. The sec
ond automobile, containing Council
men Doolittle, Lodge, English and
Chairman Cowgirl, of the Committee
of Arrangements. This was followed
by the Chief Marshal, w. H. Lamson,
Billingsport Fire Company, Paulsboro
Fire Company and the Civil War vet
Grams. The float OF Camp 80, P. O. S.
of A., Betsy Ross making the first
flag was in the judgement of a big
majority of people, the best and most
realistic float in the line, but the
judges gave it a special mention, the
prize going to the Daughters of Lib
erty. The other organizations of the
town, Jr. o. U. A. NJ. from Bridgeport,
and Clarksboro Red Men, Foresters,
Business Mems Association, floats and
bands were very attractive features,
and what this years parade lacked IN
numbers was made UP in the quality
of the display.
After the dismissal of the parade,
the literary exercises were held on
the music stand erected on the lawn
at the residence of Mr.. W. G.. Cowgirl.
The exercises opened with prayer by
Rev. J. Ward Clark The Declaration
of Independence was read by Mr.. j. r..
Moreland after an address of welcome
by the Mayor. Revs. j. Davis of
Clarksboro, and j. E. Shaw, of HAM
monitor, were the speakers, and Rev.
F. H. Purcell, of Bridgeport, pro-
nounced the benediction.
The sham battle attracted crowd
of people estimated to have been six
thousand, and was very attractive
feature of the day. The boys of the
two orders which provided that part
of the days entertainment are to be
congratulated for the efforts put forth.
The base ball game was also a draw
ing card, and the interest shown in
the athletic events has started desire
to form an athletic club in Paulsboro.
Renewed interest in athletics seems
to be the order of the day now and
some of our young athletes are in ac-
tive training for the events at Penns-
grove on Aug.-7. The races run were
100 yds for boys under Is years, 100
yds open, 220 yds. open, II mile bicy-
Gle, 440 yds. dash, three-legged race,
sack race, ] mile bicycle, 5 mile run
ming race, which was won by Harry
Herder of Germantown, and running
broad jump. The athletes from Phila
for these events took away seven first
and second prizes.
The fireworks display was one of
the most beautiful sights the people
of this neighborhood have ever seen.
The set pieces were gorgeous and the
q q ciy nj all ~
could be desired The day closed
with band concert by the Glaspey
band, from Hancock's Bridge.
The numerous committees having
in charge the events of the day are to
be congratulated on the perfect suc-
cess with which the program was car
ried out.
Chairman w. G. Cowgirl and Secre-
tary Jos. r. Moreland of the Borough
Committee of Arrangements have dem
onstrated their ability to plan and
carry into effect any kind of festival,
from a Sunday school picnic to manag
ing circus. They seemed to be
everywhere at all times and when
ever wanted.
Chairman H. B. Smed1ey, of the Pa
rade committee, hopes that before next
year rolls around the streets will be
in better shape for his work, which by
the way, surpassed last years parade
by far. 1t was well arranged, got
started on time and pleased every one
who saw it.
1t is said that the P. o. S. of A.
float received more applause along the
route Of the parade than any other.
This was particularly the case in
Blliingsport, where large number of
Philadelphians paid their compliments
to Betsy Ross"
The spinning wheel on the Betsy
Ross float was an heirloom of the
Moreland family and is IT'S years old
Next year it should be Memorial
Day. Paulsboro has demonstrated its
patriotism to the world and next year
we should pay the homage and respect
due to that surviving body of men who
left home and family to go to the front
in the early Sixties to preserve this
Union of States. There are not many
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