The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1919-08-26
.eThe Making Of Mount Holly

The pageant given at Fountain Square
The grounds back of the court house were SO
wet that at the last moment the was
shifted to Fountain Square. A background of
evergreen trees built from either side of
the fountain to the curb, ''the stage extend
ing from that forty feet forward. On all
sides of the stage, extending as far down the
street as people could see, great crowd,
eager to witness the performance. Store win
dows, up and down. were filled with eager
spectators. So dense was the crowd that il
with much difficulty that the performers
could get and off the stage. The heavy
shower at 6 o'clock delayed the opening of
the play, and another later hustled the cpl
sodes through and cut off the grand finale.
Music was furnished by the Metropolitan Band
seated in front of Saltzman's store.
Every one witnessing the pageant was
greatly pleased with the different episodes de-
picting town events, with the brilliant cos
TUNES, the dances, and the various figures.
1t was the biggest thing of its kind ever at
tempted in the town and the one regret was
the hasty and imperfect manner in which it
had to be presented. The Boy Scouts, Red
Men, Mount Holly Friends, Farmerettes, the
local Post of the American Legion, Parent
Teacher Association, the Baptist, Methodist
and Presbyterian churches, all had groups par
ticipating. Altogether, 1T persons took part.
The Boy Scouts, represented the old stone
men, with their shaggy black hair, leafy cos
tune and painted skins bearing the old-time
stone weapons and their enemies scalps, put
on the ceremony of burning their enemies
weapons. The Indian scene followed with the
brilliant uniforms of the local Red Men,
augmented by eight Indian squaws. This cpl
sode was ended with the storm dance-most
appropriate for the evening. Then followed
a large group of Early English Quaker Set
tiers" in their old time, quaint costumes, bear
ing with them an old spinning loom, before
which sat Mrs. Hannah Hatton, in her 88th
year, and also mateUal for bridge suggest
ing the early name "Bridgetown." The large
number in this episode, together with their
old-time costumes contrasted with the In
dams who finally mingled with the group,
made this episode very telling. Next came the
merry Cavaliers, dancing their minuet. Very
quickly appeared the Hessians in their hired
red coats and tall hats, rollicking and pillag-
ing the country, finally driven off by a group
of Revolutionary soldiers. but not before Major
Stewart had secured his kiss from Mrs. Gil
rard. who thereupon was dragged from Mount
Holly by the indignant Stephen. 1t a
pity that the Spirit of the Church; the
Spirit of Methodsm" with its three Incl
dents, representing John Wesley, Bishop AS
ing to the Indians; "A Friends Meeting
with its quaint Quaker Wedding" and 1.-THE
Spirit of the Library" had to be either omit
ted or rushed through in procession form.
for the lovely "Weavers Dance" the Shoe
makers Dance and the Water Nymphs' Dance
Then came the rain and the grand scramble
for cover But the many hundreds of persons
who were able to the performance were
highly pleased and already are asking that the
pageant be repeated under favorable
conditions.
C. P. Wellman, under whose general direc.
ton the pageant was produced; Mrs. Eliza
beth H. Hanley, organizer of Girls Worl
VICES and writer of the pageant; Mrs. May
P. Harris, who had direct supervision of it
production, and Mrs. Robert r. Forbes, chair
man of the general pageant committee desire
publicly to extend their thanks to all who
took part in the production. They feel tina
the interest and constant loyalty of partici
pants remarkable. The record of 113 PEG
pie at a dress rehearsal in spite of the rag
ing of the severest storm of the season i
something to be proud Of Very few com
munities can boast of more splendid co-opera
ton than Mount Holly gave in this regard
They also wish to thank those who helped il
preparing Fountain Square at the last mo
ment for the performance and congratulate
the great crowd upon breaking up quietl!
| and happily when the storm broke. 1t woul'
have been very easy to produce many acct
dents and unfortunate happenings, but thes
were prevented solely by the splendid be
| havior and good judgment of citizens. Man,
people have asked for a repetition of the pa
geant when it can be seen to advantage an
| done under happier circumstances. 1t
hoped later on, as community enterprise, +
| repeat THE Making of Mount Holly" or +
offer some other performance. The VICE
would like to state also that they hope
will be possible before great while to offe
some entertainment, a mark of our az
probation, to all those who took part in thi
pageant. Several articlE of costumes whic
were hired are still missing. Anyone havin
such articles will please return them immed
ately to the Soldiers Club. They were hire
| at considerable expense and must be returne
Immediately.
| Invites and no dance attempted, tn
crowd having without bathing suit
| What started out to be evening of pleasul
ended in disappointment solely on account
the weather. Two bands were on hand
furnish music and dance once started woul
have been continuous performance