Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-06-07
PAGEANT BEAUTIFUL AND IMPOSING
Historic Episodes Of Beboo Reproduced with Striking and
Realistic Effect
EXCELLENT WORK BY CAST OF 700 PERSONS
Revival Of 1.-The Contrast Interesting Featue-Enthusiastic
Welcome for Mary Howe Burton-Two Performances Will Be
Given Today-Program in Detail

Delineating the conspicuous features
and incidents in the history Of William
Brattles borough from the wilderness
days, when the Indian was supreme,
down to the Civil war, Brattleboro's his
torical pageant which has been in prep
aration several weeks is being presented
on the Island park grounds by a cast of
about 700 persons, and the public per-
formances thus far given have received
the enthusiastic plaudits and unquali-
fled endorsement of hundreds of delight
ed spectators. Handicapped by unfavor-
able weather conditions, which at one
time threatened to necessitate a post
ponement, many of the participants ex-
pressed doubt early in the week as to
their ability to give a satisfactory pro-
duction by Wednesday night, the first
date scheduled. All difficulties were
overcome, however, and the pageant will
remain in the memory of many as the
most beautiful spectacle the town ever
produced. Although not desigend as an
anniversary affair, it happens that these
festivities are occurring on the 150th an
niversary of the coming of the first set
tiers to this town in 1852. Its educa-
tional value also makes 1t decidedly
worth while, as it brings out more force
fully than could be done in any other
way events in the making of the town
which should be impressed indelibly up
on the minds of the children and the
townspeople. The financial results can
not be estimated at this time, as sew
eral performances remain to be given,
but whatever is netted will be put ASIDE
as a nucleus for fund for providing
equipment for Brattleboro's contemplated
playground
The director and responsible head of
the pageant Is Miss Margaret MacLaren
Eager Of Deerfield, Mass, a woman OF
experience, energy and resourcefulness,
to whom is due great credit for the sue
cessful outcome of weeks Of active en-
deavor. But the pageant would have
been impossible without the constant, 10y
al and efficient service of the army OF
assistants whom Miss Eager gathered
about her, and this applies as much to
those taking part in the various numbers
as to the members of the numerous COM
mittees. Cooperation all along the line
is what has made the pageant a pro-
nounced success.
A distinctive feature OF the program
is the singing by Mrs. Mary Howe Bur-
ton of Clinton, Mass. 1t is a great pleas
ure for Brattleboro to welcome its IA
nous daughter of song, as evinced by
the continued applause whenever she APP
pears. and it Is a source of satisfaction
to Mrs. Burton to come back to her home
town to assist in this commemorative
event. She is first seen at the close Of
the allegorical dance representing music,
when she sings Voices of Spring by
Strauss. The piece has many vocal beau
ties and Mrs. Burton brings tho =. out in
a particularly pleasing way, her clear and
distinct tones carrying to all parts of the
grounds She appears again in the last
episode, singing Home, Sweet Home
in way that stirs ones emotions. In
the afternoon performances she is sur
rounded by a large group of school chill
dren, and the scene Is very touching and
beautiful.
The pageant grounds are admira bly,
suited to the episodes, lying under the
shadow of Wantastiquet mountain, the
field being smooth and the grandstand
affording excellent seating accommoda :
tons. Extra seats to accommodate 600
persons were built in front of the grand
stand. In addition to the natural set
ting evergreen trees extend across the
south end, which serve both to increa Sc
the beauty of the place and to screen
the actors from view when they are not
on the field. Underground also is pro-
vided for concealment of the Indian
scouts and for other purposes. At night
the grounds are lighted by several large
calcium lights operated by the New
York & Boston Calcium company.
Every person taking part appears in a
special costume, and the effect is beau
tiful. Many of them were made for the
occasion, but a very large number came
from Herman Buchholz of Springfield
Mass. Leitsngers orchestra does ex-
cellent work at every performance. Much
of the muse Is especially arranged by
E. e. Bagley. The instrumental accom-.
paniment adds much to the impressive
ness of the pageant The dances are In
charge Of Miss Elsa Eager, niece of the
director. A dress rehearsal was giver
Tuesday evening. to which outsiders were
admitted on payment Of rs cents each
and more than 1000 persons bought tick.
cts. few Of the properties were not
on hand and Mrs. Burton did not sing
but the rehearsal otherwise was prac.
tically complete performance. After,
wards the Indians, soldiers and horsemer
and some Of the vehicles paraded through
Main street and were seen by hundreds
Especially commendable Is the worl
done by the Indians. Deerfield captive
and soldiers I'M the first three episodes
The camp, with its fire and teepees, tn
excellent acting of the band of Indians
the scouts, the captives and the soldier
meets repeated outbursts OF applause
Dignity and merrymaking are combine,
in the Boston street scene, and the show
ing Of fine COSTUMES Is noticeab BILE. 1t |
well executed throughout The seen
showing the first settlers and the frs
wedding also is decidedly well done an
receives merited applause Wholesom
regard is felt for Ethan Allen and tn
Green Mountain Boys for the enforcement
Of the laws of Vermont, enhanced pos
sibly by the vigorous language of Etha
Allen. and the other participants in thi
episode carry out their parts effectively
The stage coach scene Is a reproduc
ton OF what took place here before tn
coming OF the railroad, and the variou
vehicles and old-time costumes make a
interesting sight. The hospitality OF tn
people of those times Is we'll exempifie
by those taking part. The young wome
in the allegorical dances make strils
ing picture. Grace and beauty are com
bined In the various evolutions, whic
command the close attention of the au
dence. The dignified courtesy shown l
the watercure ball scene and the elabo
rate but old -time costumes make ths
episode one of particular interest. 1t
very cordially received
Patriotism is aroused in the Civil wa
scene, the march of soldiers, the ratt
OF musketry and the re-uniting OF tic
of love appealing to the on-lookers wit
marked force. Not only are the return
ing soldiers received with enthusiasm
but the remnant of actual CIVIL war We
Grams participating in this episode al
applauded to the echo One OF the ei
pecially pleasweable scenes Is the Swee
ish wedding dance in the episode show
ing the coming of the foreigner to Bra
tleboro In this scene a large gale
moves up the river and when this
lighted at night the effect Is beautiful