The Glorious Fourth
At North Norwich
Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, July 6, 1878
The formal celebration of the Fourth at North Norwich, was a success and gave a day of pleasure and patriotism to a large number of people. Notwithstanidng the excessive heat, from ten to twelve hundred people assembled and enjoyed the program spread out for them. During the preceding day the cannon had been placed in position on a commanding eminence upon the lands of Deacon Cook, ready to usher the day in with the accustomed salutes, but when the gun squad arrived upon the ground the night before, the gun was nowhere to be found, some unpatriotic persons having rolled it down hill into a potato patch. However a short search developed its whereabouts and it was soon again in position so that the midnight salute announced the approach of the glorious day. A national salute at sunrise awoke the patriotic people of North Norwich to the realization of the duty that was laid upon them that day to celebrate.
During the entire morning the people assembled from all directions, and at half past ten o'clock the procession formed and marched to the southern bounds of the village and escorted the speaker to the hotel, headed by the North Norwich band, and under the direction of Marshall W.S. Peck, and his Assistant Edwin J. Guile. In a short time the regular exercises of the day were entered upon at the new and elegant pagoda which had been erected during the preceding days. The assemblage was called to order by Dr. J.V. Lewis the President of the day, and Rev. C.C. Williams eloquently invoked the Divine blessing. After a patriotic piece from the band, J.W. Sturges Esq., read the Declaration of Independence, in a clear ringing voice, and in such a manner as to bring out its beauty and give a clear understanding of what its framers intended. After another piece by the band,, John W. Church Esq., of this village was introduced as the Orator of the day. We wish we were able to give an extended abstract of Mr. C's speech but as we have no room for it we must content ourselves with saying it was a model in its way, the matter of which was clear, concise, appropriate, and beautifully expressed. For three quarters of an hour he held his audience in close attention. His peroration was beautiful in the extreme and drew fourth decided applause at its close. After the "Star Spangled Banner" by the band, the audience dispersed for dinner. This was abundantly served by the new proprietor of the Carpenter House, who spared no pains to make his guests feel at home.
After dinner the sports of the day commenced. A splendid little black porker was brought to the public square having previously been thoroughly "oiled." He was let out of the box with the assurance to the crowd that the catcher of porkey should be entitled to bear him home as its owner. Poor piggy seemed surprised at so much attention and but for the imperious demand for a Norwichite that the pig should "have a chance" he would not have been allowed to run at all. He however, finally got a fair start, but the odds were too great against him and two minutes sufficed for one, Larry, to bring him squealing to the starting point. Then came sack races. Four young men enlisted and after four trials, Col. Loomis the Umpire, decided that C. Graves was entitled to the first prize and one Esterbrook of this village the second. Then came the parade of fantastics which pleased the crowd and displayed much ingenuity in the make up of the performers. Then came the ball play between the South Plymouth and North Norwich boys. Three innings only were played, which however showed many of the boys to be adepts at the business; resulting in South Plymouth being declared the victors, Score, 22 to 7.
The crowd then returned to the pagoda, where the North Norwich band played several pieces exceedingly well. This is a new organization and they have already shown that they appreciate the musical art and show good proficiency. Between the intervals of music Deacon Alson Adams, of Second Advent notoriety was introduced and favored the audience with several ringing speeches, in which he of course prophesized that Fourth of July and all other things would cease about 1880. The remainder of the afternoon was occupied in a free and easy manner, and the day was closed with an appropriate display of fireworks. On the whole the celebration was a fine success and reflected credit upon the committee of arrangements, of whom Mr. G.S. Tanner we believe was chairman. But for his energy we should have no old fashioned celebration in the valley within the limits of Chenango County.
No comments:
Post a Comment