Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-08-24
Published by request.
The Rockville CentenniaI.
Rockville, Md. September 6, 1875.

Sir: am quite sure you would have
enjoyed. as did. a pleasant day had you
been one of our party to witness the cele-
bration at the fair grounds. Rockville,
to-day. We have been promising ourselves
a picnic, and condescendinely called it
Centennial ceremonies" but we now ad-
init that we had an intellectual treat, and
when we give the names of those who con-
tributed to the feast of reason" you will
not be surprised that we acknowledged
being the small stars in that bright firma-
ment The day was suspicious. and by 8
O'Clock (the ceremonies did not commence
until I'D the village was one mass of people
and the usual accompaniment. perfect
cloud of dust. The stores were closed, and
oil were out in holiday attire. 1t was
+ Ockvilles gala day Oh the hospitality
OF dear old Maryland. Before we got through
with our congratulations the hearty invi-
tations to lunch poured in from every side,
and the lunch formed no small part of
the days enjoyment. The trains from
Washington did not forget to be behind
time. as is usual on such occasions, and we
found oursef half hour later than we
should have been. The grounds were well
filled from all the adjoining counties and
some from Washington. who preferred 90
ing in vehicles and carrying their dinners
with them. The stand was covered with
everereens and beautiful flowers, the ar
tistic work Of the fair ones of Rockville. The
motto in everereens over the stage was
the familiar one. IN God we trust" with
the figures l776 and 1875 on each side
The main building was devoted to the col
lection of antiquities. which were requested
of all those who could testify to their age
and use. | shall 10 my letter mention the
most conspicuous the number was very
great and antique There were some 80
int resting we fear we will have to select
in their favor.
The Holy Hill band furnished the music
and opened the days enjoyment. in order
to signal to the crowd that the exercises
had commenced. The prayer was offered
by Rev. Basil Barry who is now eighty-five
years of age and who seemed TO feel every
word he uttered. We were then treated
to the hymn America, sung in quartette.
Mr. Charles Albert then read some very in
teresling letters of regret by persons who
were too aged TO attend. Judge Allan
Bowie Davis then followed with some well
chosen introductory remarks. IL was his
pleasant task to introduce the speakers.
After the band had played some suitable
piece. Mr.. Thomas Anderson gave US the
statistical record of the county. We had
promised ourselves a treat and we most
certainly were gratified. The manner in
which he made his predatory remarks and
the arrangement Of his statistics. to read as
a history, was truly interesting. regret
not being able sufficiently to remember
many of his remarks. which were so well
pointed, but as it would be impossible for
me to attempt to do him justice will
satisfy myself by calling your attention to
the stream from which Rockville received
its name. II was surprise to me, and is
no other than our much admired Rock
Creek. which sends branch through there
Williamsburg was the first chosen name !;
then desire arose TO name it after Watts
creek, but, as the stream was 50 small, they
decided to call it after Rock Creek, hence
the more euphonious name of Rockville.
He dwell with much spirit on the remark
able events of l776. mentioning the three
most important as the Declaration of In
dependence of the United States. the for
Rockville. He was most enthusiastically
received and retired with bewidering
cheers. The good old tune of Maryland,
my Maryland. was then played. A Cen
tennal Ode. which was composed and de
livered by II. C. HallOwell, deserves par
ticular mention. We were treated to the
familiar but still welcome air, "Dixie's
Land" Judge Bowie then arose and hardly
had he made his appearance when. as by
common consent. every voice was stilled
all knew him, all were proud OF him On
that occasion. as always heretofore. the
dignifed judge distinguished himself The
Star Spaneled Banner" was then played.
when an intermissiOn was suggested, so
that we could take our lunch and give our
undivided attention to the concluding
ceremonies.
After lunch Judge .Pearre; native Of
Montgomery county, but now IA resident OF
Cumberland. who had travelled the distance
to be present. was imp0rtuned to make
few remarks, which, as they were i'm
promptu. fell with stunning effect. His
happy manner and well-timed references
were heartily received He proved himself
well worthy OF the task which his admirng
friends forced upon him. The dOxology and
benedicton concluded the interesting cere-
monies. They will compare more than favor
ably with other celebrations Of like char
acter
We will now give you a slight descIip-
ton Of the curiOsities. The first that
attracted my attention was a doll wonder
II the little ones of our day will listen and
save uOl lot tne future generations 10
exhibit How amusing it would be TO see
Miss l.ettia Penn" who was presented
by William Penn. one hundred and seventy
seven years ago. to little girl. the doll
being dressed in the court dress of that
time-immense ctinoline and as hard fea-
tured aud i'll shaped as one could imagine.
alongside of one Of our beautiful Ameri-
can dolls exquisitely formed dressed in
pin back and prOfuson of blonde curls.
/ Next we are attracted to rough brick taken
from the house in which Franklin was
born. That illustrious name reminds me
of one instance which was narrated on the
occasion Of which am writing. at seems.
in the old hall in which they were deciding
! ....... .oaol,,iono which IJaFa IN ha noaaad