Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-10
HAMPTON'S TERCENTENNIAL

, uf an opportunity TO eniiven Things
and 10 advertise the place.
II has been the expressed opinion oil
those who have shown the most III
| terest in the matter, that the ceIeDra
| ton should not be on very eNten
| siye or elaborate scale, but early III
| September TO have about one week
| given up to IL, when the city would
| be decorated and illuminated, when
| .he sons and daughters OF Hampton
now living at n distance could re-
urn for a while TO their old home; re-
unions OF families, old schoolmates
could gather and go over old times.
A street carnival 10 have fun sway
from the cross streets TO the wharf
on King street, one day to be given
| up TO a monster parade and pubic
meeting. with a carnival ON the water
at night.
Il is thought that there would be
little trouble in getting the carnival
attractions for the entire week, ana
as for the parade, plenty OF materiai
would be forthcoming. All of the or
ganizat lions of the city and county, the
school children, the troops at For
tress Monroe could probably be pro
cured. also one of the regiments OF
state troops; should any OF the battle
ships be in the Roads and the proper
effort made, their crews might also
take part. This would make a SPLEEN
did marching pageant. Added TO this
could be commemorative and business
floats prepared by our people, such
as:
The first visit by Captain Smith"
1.-The battle for food
THE first settlers
THE founding of the public
schools
The defeat of the British in Octo
Der l775."
The retreat of the British in 1872.
THE burning of Hampton in lS6l-
Then the various business interests
might be represented appropriately
as follows:
"A gigantic oyster.
"A monster crab"
"A very large fish,
One night TO be given up To pa
rade on the water participated in by
all the small crafts in these waters,
all brilliantly lighted to form Just
outside the river and move up to the
wharf and bridge, with all buildings
on both sides of the river illuminated
and a display of fireworks along the
shores as they pass, this would I'M
doubtedly be a feature of the celebra-
ton, and if any u. S. vessels were
off Old Point it might be possible TO
get their small boats to take part.
The public meeting referred toj
would be abut the centre of the ami
versary, and prominent men in both
state and national affairs would be in
vited to make addresses.
All of this could be accomplished
it the proper effort was put forth, and
would attract a large crowd to the
city; of course we could not accOmo-
date a very large number. but with
Newport News, Phoebus and Old Point
near by, all could be taken care of.
The question of money is a most
important one, but it is not thought
very large sum will be necessary,
if the people will take hold of the
matter enthusiastically, the money
will be raised; a few days ago a
gentleman prominent in city affairs
stated that he had fifty dollars ready
whenever it was needed, showing his
interest in the affair.
1t might be of interest to give few
historical items in connection with the
city:
I6O7-visited by Captain Smith
prior to settlement at jamestown.
IG07-Oate falD Kecoughtan again
vistted by Capt Smith to obtain corn,
obtained after fight with natives.
160s-Captain Smith and party
caught at Kecoughtan in a severe
storm. cordially received by natives.
16I0-Hampton settled by parties
from jamestown.
1635-42-Thos. Eaton and Benz.
Symes died leaving property to be
used for free education, 1.-THE fund aris-
ing from sale o: said property about
s10 10000, is still invested and the
schools use the INTEREST,"
160S-It was enacted by the House
OF Burgesses that fifty acres Of land
un the West side of Hampton river be