USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Barnstable > Report of proceedings of the tercentenary anniversary of the town of Barnstable, Massachusetts > Part 15
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A large delegation of girls representing the Falmouth Community Center was entered by John Tulis, director of the organization, and took the majority of the honors in the girls' events.
EXHIBITS OF ANIMALS-PET SHOW
In view of the fact we had no buildings to house cattle we could not have a cattle show. However, Hilding Hord of the Mystic Lake Farm had a large exhibit of cattle. Sheriff Lauchlan M. Crocker's prize cattle from the farm at the County Jail were also on display. The cattle were housed in
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rustic and corn stalk shelters which added greatly to the appearance of the Fair. A large tractor and farm imple- ment display arranged by G. A. Stackhouse occupied space next to the cattle exhibit, adding considerable interest for farmers.
The pet show held the first afternoon of the Fair in the Banquet tent brought all sorts of four-legged pets together in competition. Harold G. Andrews, district officer for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, had charge of the show. He was assisted by Francis R. Hart of Dennis, as judge of dogs; Dr. Daniel F. Leach of the Cape Cod Animal Hospital, as judge of cats; and Nathaniel P. Coleman and Walter Sherman, as judges of miscellaneous entries.
Miss Gertrude Lawrence, prominent English actress ap- pearing at the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, attended and awarded the special prizes. This show was a very popular feature enjoyed by old and young alike, and Mr. Andrews and his committee are to be congratulated on its success.
FLOWER SHOW
The Tercentenary Flower Show was held in a large tent under the auspices of the Garden Club of Hyannis. Mrs. Frank G. Thacher was chairman. Judges for the show were : Dr. Harriet Hyde of East Dennis, Mrs. F. H. Loveland of North Chatham, and Miss Margaretta Fort of South Dennis. The Tercentenary colors of blue and gold were carried out in many attractive displays. Flowers were arranged in five classes : miniature arrangements, best bouquets grown by the exhibitor, trailing foliage, tussie mussies, and arrange- ment of flowers in Tercentenary colors. In addition to the competitive displays, which were most attractive, special mention should be given the entrance garden, woods gar- den, shore garden, and display from the Sheriff's garden at the county jail. We are greatly indebted to the Garden Club for this most attractive show.
Also housed in this tent were the vegetable show, of which Thomas Milne was chairman ; the egg show, of which Arthur Curtis was chairman, and the fruit show, of which Andrew Kerr was chairman. These exhibits added greatly to the at- tractions and the atmosphere of the Tercentenary Fair.
DISPLAYS IN THE EXHIBITION TENT
The Exhibition tent was erected on the west side of the fairgrounds. It was a large tent, 360 feet long. Within it
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A PILGRIM KITCHEN-Faithful in every detail is this. replica of a Colonial kitchen displayed by Hyannis Woman's Club in the Exhibition tent. Dame Margaret Baxter placidly knitting completes the picture of domestic bliss three centuries ago.
were housed a wide variety of carefully prepared exhibits illustrating the industrial, educational, cultural and philan- thropical life of the Town of Barnstable, and of Cape Cod, as well as exhibits showing modern improvements and in- ventions important in our lives.
The art exhibit arranged so expertly by Mrs. John Barn- ard of Centerville occupied a large section at the south end of the tent. It was an unusual collection, wide in range, show- ing the very fine professional and amateur work done and being done in Barnstable. There were about fifty works on show, including oils, water colors, sketches, sculpture, and wood carving. The art show was a new feature for a Barn- stable Fair, and Mrs. Barnard received deservedly wide acclaim for her efforts.
The New England Telephone and Telegraph Company had on display a fascinating instrument called the "Voice Mir- ror" in which one spoke briefly and heard one's own voice talk back. This was enjoyed by many.
The Barnstable Woman's Club sponsored "The Old Curi- osity Shop." In this shop could be purchased many fine
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pieces of Sandwich glass, souvenirs, stationery, and attrac- tive cast aluminum skillets and plates from Leonard's Foun- dry in Osterville.
The Cape and Vineyard Electric Company had a most interesting display illustrating the history of lighting, from the clay bowl lamps of ancient days to the new fluorescent tubes of today.
The Cape Cod Extension Service had a very instructive booth showing the wide range of their educational work be- ing done on the Cape.
The Barnstable Girl Scouts had an interesting booth show- ing their work and service.
. The Barnstable County Public Health Association and the State Public Health Department had fine displays with movies and bulletins graphically explaining their work.
The Cape Cod Hospital reproduced a modern hospital room with a dummy patient in bed with a broken leg-a very realistic scene.
The Hyannis Woman's Club, in cooperation with the Cape and Vineyard Electric Company, faithfully reproduced a kitchen of Pilgrim days with open fire, pot hooks, and iron kitchenware, and in contrast, a new electric kitchen with modern labor-saving equipment.
The Matrons' Club of the Hyannis Federated Church sponsored the exhibit by the Colonial Candle Campany of Hyannis, where a colonial maiden hand-dipped candles which could be purchased as attractive souvenirs of this im- portant industry in the Town of Barnstable.
The Cape Cod Fish Net Industries, of North Truro, spon- sored a colorful booth of fish net scarfs, dresses, Peter Hunt's attractive hand painted bowls, and other articles of Cape Cod flavor.
The Auxiliary of St. Mary's Church sponsored an exhibit and sale of Cape Cod Miniature Reproductions-tiny ships and novelties.
The Cape Cod Photographic Society exhibited about one hundred enlarged prints selected from a large entry list, to- gether with the Tercentenary Committee's collection of old Barnstable photographs. This was a very fine show, in a field new to the Fair.
A fascinating educational exhibit for young and old was that of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, showing a varied collection of marine life.
The Barnstable Parent-Teachers Association offered an
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attractive booth where choice foods were on sale for the benefit of the association's activities.
The largest, and one of the best exhibits of the Fair was that of the work of the Barnstable public schools in all its variety and scope. There was displayed work of children of all ages in the arts and crafts, drawing, art work, wood work, metal work, educational work and many other branches of school work. It was a marvelous exhibit show- ing the extensive training of our public school system.
The Sandy Neck Camp's exhibit of shore life on Sandy Neck was interesting and attractive.
The Barnstable Sportsmen's Club's exhibit of wild life, with live birds and hunting dogs, was enjoyed by all.
The Hyannis Community Center exhibited samples of work done in its classes, and also had a short-wave radio station in operation talking with far distant stations.
The Flower Guild Alliance had an attractive apron and novelty booth.
Swift and Company had an exhibit of its meat products.
FIRE PROTECTION AND APPARATUS DISPLAY
The Barnstable Fire Department's apparatus was on dis- play in a tent near the Midway. The Department also had two museum pieces of fire apparatus. One, an old hand pumper from Taunton, was said to be the oldest piece of apparatus still preserved. It was used in 1803 and pumps by horizontal moving bars. The other piece, a dashing old horse drawn pumper from Provincetown, dated 1889, was still in working condition.
THE LIBRARY EXHIBIT
The seven public libraries of Barnstable joined in prepar- ing an educational exhibit in the attractive small building built especially for them. It contained old documents, old books and papers of interest in connection with the history of our schools and of our town. A more detailed account of the work done by the libraries during the Tercentenary cele- bration will be found elsewhere in this report.
OTHER BOOTHS AND EXHIBITS
The District Nursing Society sponsored a booth for for- tune telling and hand writing analysis. The following or- ganizations sponsored food, tonic, candy, and ice cream
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AT THE TERCENTENARY FAIR-The Mayor of Barnstaple shakes hands with an original American, Chief Black Hawk, while the Mayoress and Black Hawk's small son look on.
stands, and received all the profits for their organizations :
Barnstable Post, American Legion Kiwanis Club
Barnstable Fire Department Rotary Club
Barnstable Junior Woman's Club
The Compass Club
Centerville Men's Club
The Friendship Guild
Hyannis Lodge of Elks Barnstable Girl Scouts
The Barnstable Alliance Hyannis Woman's Club
Wide Awake Club
The Red Men sponsored Chief Black Hawk and his Indian village, and the sale of Indian novelties.
The Fellowship of St. Mary's Church sponsored the sale of balloons.
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The Barnstable Comedy Club sponsored pony rides.
The Hyannis Grange sponsored the sale of Cape Cod Cranberry Products.
The Osterville Community Club sponsored sale of products of the Cape Cod Farms, Inc.
Of course we had a midway with merry-go-round, ferris wheel, chair-plane rides, auto rides, and all the side shows and fun that one would want.
CLOSING REMARKS
I am sorry this report of the Fair had to be so long, but we had a large and varied Fair and I thought it should be pictured in some detail.
Of course there were many funny things that happened, such as the day the Governor came. We had a gun salute all ready, with Boy Scouts and signals planned from the main road to the fireworks man in the center of the race track. Something went wrong-the salute started to go off before the Governor arrived! Then we were in a dither for fear we didn't have enough guns left for the proper salute. A parade with the High School Band was waiting on the main road to escort the Governor into the reviewing stand. His car passed the parade at top speed and entered without escort. But we did have enough guns, and the parade did catch up with the dignitaries at the reviewing stand. Except for this and a few other exasperating moments everything went o.k.
And then the night before our Fair opened, I fought a battle with two armies of men who had permission to sell food and wished to sell tonic at cut prices, infringing on another's concession. It was exciting while it lasted, but peace came finally and I think all were satisfied.
Then, in the middle of the Tercentenary banquet, we had a vistor-Johnnie of Phillip Morris cigarettes, a little three- foot man. He visited the head table, shook hands with Mayor Dart, turned to the guests and shouted-"Call for Phillip Morris !" Where but in America in 1939 would this have happened ?
To the members of my Committee-
Mr. Crocker for taking such good care of the monies.
Mr. Trayser for taking charge of advertising.
Mr. Mclaughlin for his many hours of consultation. Many thanks.
And to Mr. Clifford Belknap for his generosity in donating the land and for his cooperation throughout; and to all who
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VILL TEX
BRARIES
THE LIBRARY BUILDING-In, this cottage on the Fairgrounds, the seven libraries of Barnstable displayed an interesting collection of old books, newspapers, and documents on the history of their town.
helped to make the Barnstable Fair the success it was, I wish to express my sincere thanks and appreciation.
To my employees at the Fair Grounds I can only say "Thanks a million" for the long hard hours we worked together.
The Fair was a success because of our wish to serve the Town of Barnstable and our desire to make the Barnstable Tercentenary Fair one to be long remembered.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. GLADYS P. SWIFT, Fair Chairman.
PART VII
The Tercentenary Banquet
THE LIGHT DRIZZLE of rain early on the morning of Sat- urday, August 26th, ceased by mid-morning. By noon the skies had begun to clear, blue showed, and soon a welcome sun burst through gray clouds. Once again the fair weather everyone had come to expect for each Tercentenary exercise prevailed. The banquet was held in a large tent erected especially for the purpose just off the southeast turn of the race track. The speakers' table ran with the long axis of the tent on a raised platform. Arranged in right angles to this long dais were smaller tables for the audience. Behind the central section of the speakers' table were the flags of the United States and Great Britain. Approximately 800 men and women sat down to the banquet at 1 p.m. In the north end of the long tent the Tercentenary band, directed by Benjamin F. Teel, played during the serving of the food.
THE MENU
Cranberry Juice Cocktail
Clam Chowder
Crackers
Pickles Olives
Radishes
Hot Roast Tenderloin
Fresh Mushroom Sauce
Delmonico Potatoes
Fresh String Beans
Ice Creams
Vanilla
Frozen Pudding Chocolate
Orange Parfait
Raspberry Parfait
Assorted Cakes Coffee
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THE PROGRAM
TOASTMASTER, MR. CHESTER A. CROCKER
Chairman, Board of Selectmen
INVOCATION, THE REV. JOHN A. DOUGLAS
Pastor, West Barnstable and Centerville Congregational Churches
The Toastmaster called on the following, in this order: MR. CHARLES L. GIFFORD
Representative in Congress, 15th Massachusetts District
MR. FRED T. FIELD
Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Massachusetts
MR. GEORGE LYMAN KITTREDGE
Gurney Professor of English, Harvard College (Retired)
MR. HENRY C. KITTREDGE Vice-rector, St. Paul's School; author
DR. THOMAS SOVEREIGN GATES
President, University of Pennsylvania
DR. A. LAWRENCE LOWELL
President-emeritus, Harvard College
MR. JOSEPH HENRY BEALE Royall Professor of Law, Harvard College (Retired)
MR. FREDERIC HATHAWAY CHASE
Formerly Justice, Massachusetts Superior Court; biographer of Lem- uel Shaw
MR. DANIEL T. O'CONNELL
Justice, Superior Court of Massachusetts
DR. JOHN EDGAR PARK
President, Wheaton College
DR. ZEBARNEY THORNE PHILLIPS
Rector, Church of the Epiphany, Washington, D. C .; Chaplain, The United States Senate
MR. JOSEPH C. LINCOLN Author
MR. JOHN C. MAKEPEACE
Banker; cranberry grower
HIS WORSHIP, MR. CHARLES F. DART Mayor of Barnstaple, England
SAYING OF GRACE - THE REV. MORTIMER DOWNING Pastor, St. Francis Xavier Church, Hyannis Playing of God Save the King, by the band.
Playing of The Star Spangled Banner, by the band.
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TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS AT THE TERCENTENARY BANQUET
Following is a transcript of proceedings at the ban- quet :
The TOASTMASTER, Mr. Crocker, rapped for order -- The Rev. Mr. Douglas will now give the Invocation.
The REV. MR. DOUGLAS. O God, the eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Grant unto us thy peace and thy blessing. Amen.
The TOASTMASTER. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen : To serve Barnstable, Massachusetts, in this ca- pacity is a great honor which I appreciate very keenly. This honor has fallen to me more by blind chance than by any qualifications which I possess. When the Chairman of the Tercentenary Committee informed me that I was to be Toast- master I protested. I pointed out to him that my colleagues on the Board of Selectmen of the Town were both better qualified than I for this undertaking, but the Chairman advised me that it was my duty inasmuch as I was the Chair- man of the present Board of Selectmen, also its senior member. So I accepted the mandate of "the King." I might say that I have, throughout the Tercentenary celebration of the Town, been subservient to the chairman, as well as to all other members of the Tercentenary Committee.
I once heard a venerable and respected gentleman of the cloth, who is now sitting not very far away from me on my right relate that when he came to Cape Cod many years ago, a visiting friend asked him what the people did to make a living, as there was no evidence of manufacturing or com- merce and very little agriculture. He replied, "Cape Cod people have nothing to do and they do it."
I anticipate that when future generations read the rec- ord of this Tercentenary banquet, they may well remark, "Old Mr. Crocker seemed to have nothing to say and he said it."
But enough of this, these distinguished gentlemen on my right, and on my left, and you folks out front did not come here to hear me speak in the capacity of Toastmaster, but to partake of a real intellectual feast provided by dis- tinguished gentlemen who will shortly address you. But time
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AT THE BANQUET-A small section of the head table showing, left to right, Mr. Makepeace, the Mayoress, the Mayor, Toastmaster Crocker, and Chief Justice Field. In front of Mr. Crocker is the walnut box con- taining gifts from Governor Edward Everett, 1840. To the right of the Union Jack in the background hung the Stars and Stripes.
is fleeting and I must up and at my real task of introducing them to you. But first there is one thing I feel impelled to do. I have here before me a beautiful black walnut cabinet upon which is inscribed on a silver plate "To the Town of Barnstable from Edward Everett, May 1st, 1840."
This cabinet and its contents have been carefully preserv- ed by the Selectmen of Barnstable for 100 years and will continue to be so preserved for centuries to come. I show it to you. [Mr. Crocker held up the cabinet for the assembly to see.] Edward Everett, the donor of this cabinet, was born in 1794 and died in 1865. He was one of Massachusetts' il- lustrious sons and his life was so full of public activity, great deeds, and scholarly attainments, that to attempt to review them, even briefly would be impossible now for lack of time.
When the Town of Barnstable celebrated its 200th anni- versary in grand style in 1839, Edward Everett was Gov- ernor of the Commonwealth. (And I want to tell you folks that in 1839 not far from here some 1265 souls sat down at a banquet such as this.) He manifested great interest in the town and being a man of considerable financial means, he gave freely towards the expenses of the 200th anniversary celebration.
I am going to outline briefly to you the contents of this box :
--
T
-.
An imaginative reconstruction by Louisa F. Cobb of a scene at Coggins Pond showing the town's second meetinghouse, 1681- 1718. From the pageant program in this volume.
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THE TERCENTENARY BANQUET
Here is a book entitled "Barnstable Bi-Centennial Cele- bration 1839." I find inscribed in the book the following : "To the Town of Barnstable from Edward Everett, May 1st, 1840." This beautifully bound volume contains a recital of all the events which transpired at this bi-centennial celebra- tion. This other handsomely bound volume is entitled "Plymouth Colony Charter and By-Laws, " and was printed in 1836. I call your attention to the excellent condition of this and the other contents of this box.
This portfolio contains a chart titled "The original chart on a scale of 1/5280 or 12 inches to one mile, submitted to Lieutenant Colonel J. J. Abert, Chief of the Corps, of Topo- graphical Engineers, with a report dated December 21st, 1835." This volume is titled "Chart of Cape Cod."
I am sure you all join me in honoring today the memory of this great man-Edward Everett. As an illustration of his real greatness and his magnanimity, we recall his master- ly oration at the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, a few weeks after that great battle in 1863. He was then 69 years of age, but the speech was one of his best and at the end of more than two hours of a most bril- liant and scholarly oration, Abraham Lincoln arose slowly and in few simple words delivered what later proved to be an immortal address. A few hours later when editors of great metropolitan newspapers were ridiculing Mr. Lincoln's speech, Edward Everett said, "I would rather be the author of those twenty lines than to have all the fame my oration of today will give me." Is it any wonder that the people of Barnstable revere the memory of this great man and that the Selectmen feel a keen sense of duty to zealously guard his gift?
I feel that it will be most fitting and proper at this time to give mute expression of our gratitude, and reverence to the memory of Edward Everett. When I strike the gavel, let us pause in silence for a moment. [The assembly bowed in silence for one minute.]
CONGRESSMAN CHARLES L. GIFFORD
The TOASTMASTER. Our first speaker is a Cape Cod- der who for nearly two decades has represented our district in the Congress of the United States. We of Cape Cod all know that he will continue to represent us as long as he wishes. I could say a great deal more about this distinguish- ed son of Barnstable but I shall not. You know him as well as I do. May I present Congressman Charles L. Gifford.
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Mr. GIFFORD. Mr. Toastmaster and all in attendance at this notable occasion. We will write the significance of this day in large letters for those who will celebrate on a similar occasion one hundred years from today. We marvel at the record of those who celebrated one hundred years ago, inasmuch as 1265 souls did sit down at a banquet and listen to one oration of three hours, together with many other addresses.
It is a very great honor to mention the birthplace of our nation in the House of Representatives, and often during the course of debate, with this in mind, I have been able to explain my position by reminding my colleagues of the acts and traditional viewpoints of the pioneers who were the very founders of our government and our industries. They thought that thrift, economy and provision for the future were necessary for existence. They followed many old fash- ioned precepts, and I would like to quote some of them. Sit- ting beside me are the Judges of the Commonwealth, and while they make numerous decisions, so many laws are en- acted and so many rules and regulations made that one needs a lawyer or a judge to interpret our whole procedure. Consider some of these old precepts. "Conscience is the best law. Honesty is the best policy. Temperance is the best physique. "
They taught us many other things in simple language. They taught us thrift, but has not that lesson practically departed ? Speaking of thrift, I will attempt a pleasantry : A young fellow wanted to get married, but said to his fiancee, "I can't marry you because I can't make expenses." She said : "Marry me and I will make you plenty of expenses."' I don't wonder that you feel something like that is happen- ing in Washington. For myself, I can state a defense. If we make plenty of expense for you, and especially for your children that come after you, I can generally plead, "Not guilty." It seems only a few months ago that liberty hung in the balance and that we shook on the foundation which our fathers built for the preservation of freedom from the lust and will of dictatorship. Coming as I do from the very cradle of the nation, I can stand firm as your local represent- ative, and say, "We will cheerfully endure restraint of free- dom of action such as our representative government limits by laws necessary to meet conditions, but any infringement on the bill of rights we will emphatically resist."
Barnstable is a grand old town. We may well be proud of its contribution to the nation. We have carefully pre-
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served those things taught by our ancestors. We have every cause to rejoice over the past and present. Our great con- cern today is, perhaps, that a gathering will be free and able to celebrate in this manner one hundred years from today. May our present happy recital be in such form that posterity will rejoice to read. Let us see to it that there will be no lack of full and complete appreciation of the signifi- cance of this occasion handed down for the benefit of those who come after us. And may I conclude by suggesting, that although times have changed, we still have freedom of speech, and a large freedom of action. Let us preserve these ; let us not stray far from the paths of our forefathers. I sug- gest a toast-"Long live Barnstable."
CHIEF JUSTICE FRED T. FIELD
The TOASTMASTER. At Barnstable's second centennial celebration one hundred years ago one of the most dis- tinguished men present and speaking was Barnstable's own native son-the Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court-Lemuel Shaw. This year, while we do not have pres- ent one embodying both of those virtues-nativity and that highest judicial office-we do have the honor of having as our guest the presiding Chief Justice of our Supreme Court. Springfield, Vermont, has the honor of being his birthplace. He has been distinguished in many public capacities, such as seven years service as an assistant attorney general, mem- bership on many state commissions and boards, as well as long private practice of law. In 1929 he was appointed to the Supreme Judicial Court, and in 1938 he was advanced to the Chief Justiceship. We are pleased and honored to have him here with us today. I present to you Chief Jus- tice Fred Tarbell Field.
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