Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-07-08
CELEBRATED DESPITE RAIN
Swnnton Managed to Carry through
Most of It's Tcrcc ntcnnry Program
in Very Unfnvorablc Weather.

NcTs tnInNOTuDIC NeVtncr.
Swanton. July 4-Handlcapped with the
wettcst windiest. most dlsagreeable day
of the season, Swanton celebrated the
Champlain precautionary yesterday with
vim and enthusiasm aided by 500 pco-
pie from outside, who braved the elc-
ments.
During the early forenoon there was
heavy down7our of rain, followed by
partially clearing skies and then sharp
showers all through the day.
Impressive religious services were held
in the morning at the Church of the
Nativity. mass being celebrated by the
Ri. Rev. Mgr. ]. Cloarec. The Rev.
Father O'Sullivan's address planned for
delivery at tho unveilng of the granite
monument marking the site Of the first
building OF worship, on the banks of the
MisssQuoi. two miles below the village,
was delivered. in the church. after mass,
on account Of the rain. The church was
crowded. many distinguished persons be-
Ing present, among them being Gov.
Prouty and Congressman Plumley.
MARCH TO MONUMENT.
The exercises over. the clergy. dele
lions and citizens headed by the St Al
bans Brigade band. marched to the
monument the rain having ceased soon
after this procession started twenty In
dams IN full war toys and
feathers. padded down the river In
canoes. led by Chief Deep Sky" Follow
ing the Indians came the Swanton Canoe
club and then motor boats Of the
white Fang" About thirty boats were
in line, under command of T.. r. Wheelock
on the power boat "Mohawk" This
made very impressive and imposing
sight, everything being so timed that the
site Of the monument a. about the same
time.
THE TABLET UNVEILED.
The Rev. Father Aubin. who has been
very active In procuring the marker. I'M
veiled the monument In the presence Of
large number Of people. with the In
dams grouped back Of the monument. the
venerable acting bishop in his robes Of
of!ce. In the fore ground surrounded by
the clergy and flower girls and Governor
Pro,ry at his right. the scene was most
impressive. After the conservation. the
Rev. Father Aubin, made spirited.
fervent little address despite heavy
downpour OF rain that began Just as he
commenced speaking.
The granite monument. marking the site
Of the old Jesuit Church, stands seven
feet high and bears the following in
scrption.
Near this spot stood the first church
erected In Vermont about 100 by the
Jesuit Fathers TO the Glory of God Al
mighty Tor the mission Of the ST Fran
els Indians
Dedicated Tulv ;. 1912 on the occasion
OF tho tercentennial celebration of the
discovery OF Lake Ch,mplain.
Erected by tho people If Swanton.
A MOST STRIKING PARADE
Delayed by the rain. these exercises oc-
cupied all the forenoon. but clearing
weather permitted starting the most
striking and inspiring street parades
ever seen in Swanton. There was n long
line Of beautiful floats many Of the bust
ness concerns and societies being in
line. The parade was led by decorated
automobiles followed by the St Johns
band. Then came the Indian floats, the
St. Adams band. % pieces, horrbles and
citizens.
Just as the procession reached the pub
lie square at the finale. q band of mount
ed men led by a horseman. impersonat-
Ing General Bennett Young, the Con-
federate raider, dashed down the street
doing a lot of shooting, surrounded the
bank and then gclloped away lueging
bags and packages supposed to contain
several hundred thousand dollars. This
vsn .;.,.1
stunt.
GOVERNOR BRAVES RAiN.
In mid-afternoon, brief and interesting
exercises We're held In tho band stand.
opening with music by the s. Johns
band. The Hon. D. G.. Farman made
short and stirring speech of welcome
and introduced Governor Prouty. While
the crowd held umbrellas, the Governor,
bare Of head. under n pelting rain. gave
a patriotic spirited talk that greatly
pleased the crowd. Congressman
Plumley followed with one of his
characteristically forceful and elo-
ouent speeches. He was followed by
F. w. Swanton Of Washington. A de
scendant of Capt william Swanton.
after whom the town was named, who
read an historical sketch Of his ances-
tor
The field sports were cut out on
account OF the heavy rain. but later
there was an opportunity for an in
teresting game of ball between the
indian team and the home club.
II was great day for Swanton and
much credit is due T. T bradley.
chairman OF the celebration commit
Tee, and his various assistants for
carrying out an elaborate commomor-
ation program in the face of very UNI
favorable weather conditions.
There's nothing so ~ood for n sorc
tnroat as DIR. Thomas's Eclectric OIL.