Norwich bulletin., 1912-08-21
5000 Hibernians Rally In Bridgeport
Norwich Sent Down 400 Members and Friends to the Big State Parade-Much Favorable Comment the Local Mems Appearance and Chances For Prize Are Bright.

Norwich was represented by a del egation of about four hundred people at the big state parade of the Ancient Order of Hiberians held Tuesday at Bridgeport. The local members of the order, about 14O in number, gathered at Cadillac hall and gave a short street parade before leaving on the special train at S.20 o'clock. The line of march extended up Water street to Washington square and thence back through Main street to the station. Mayor Murphy, with County director F'innegan and his aides led the col umn. The excursion train formed at Norwich, gathering in the New Lon don, Mystic and Stonington Hiberni- ans at New London, and arrived in Bridgeport shortly before II o'clock.
 New London sent about 200 mem- bers and about 40 members of the la dies auxiliary
 From every part of the state the Hibernians gathered at Bridgeport and the city gave the visitors a royal vel come. The weather conditions were a disappointment. but nevertheless did not interfere to any appreciable extent with the festivities of the day.
 More Than 25,oo0 Visitors.
 It is estimated that there were more than 25,000 visitors in the city, with more than 5000 in the parade. which was one of the finest pageants in re- cent years. Governor Baldwin and his staff reviewed the parade.
 The New London county division was led by the president, James E. Sullivan, State Vice President William T. May and Mayor T. c. Murphy of Norwich. with several aides. The members from the Whaling town were appropriately attired in dark suits, with white gloves and green banded straw hats. and all carried canes.
 Compliments for Norwich Men.
 After the New Londoners came the men from Norwich, with Tubbs' Mill l tary band in the lead. There were two | divisions of Norwich members, all clad in dark trousers, cream colored | shirts with green ties, white gloves, i carrying white parasols, which came | in very hand when 1t began to rain l just after the procession started. F. J. Murtha. president of Division No. of Norwich, and Daniel O'Neill, were in the lead. State Vice President May, who Is also president of Division No. of New London, Thomas Gragan, president of Division No. 2. and M. J.
 
 marched at the head of the delegation from the Whaling town.
 The Norwich men put one over on the boys from the other cities with their small white parasols, which served to keep the drizzling rain from the white shirts. Everyone along the line of march remarked upon the ex- cellent appearance of the Norwich men and predicted that a high prize would fall to them. Norwich folks seemed to especially plentiful along State street, as there the marchers re- ceived unstinted applause.
 1 Applause All Along the Line.
 At the head of the New London county division there was an auto 1T which were Mayor Murphy, Rev Hugf Treanor, Rev. J. H. Fitzmaurice, Rev William A. Keefe of Plainheld, Rev Timothy M. Crowley of New Londor and Mayor Daniel P. Dunn of Will. mantle. Ex-State President Gel, Johr P. Murphy, d well known figure ii connection with ths state gathering of many years, rode in an automobili at the head of the entire column ant was greeted by loud applause all alonl the line.
 Practically every merchant in tn, center of the city decorated lavishl, ? for the days of the convention ant |, every business building was fest6enei [ with flags of both Ireland and tn United States. The city hall was dec orated with draped American flags ol f all sides. Flags. banners, bunting . and decorations of all kinds grace i the buildings all along ths line @