USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > Lancaster > The one hundred & fiftieth anniversary of Lancaster, New Hampshire, 1764-1914; the official report of the celebration held in August, nineteen hundred and fourteen; > Part 4
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The members of the two active fire companies that are ever ready to keep conflagration a stranger to Lancaster were important elements of the parade, while the old "hand- tub" with the date "1857" and the hand-reel "Lafayette," drawn by the surviving members of the companies of that date, aroused interest along the line. As contrasted with the more modern appliances it well illustrated the progress made in the methods of fighting fire. The fire laddies of the period of the "hand-tub" in line were as follows: L. B. Porter, John Matthews, Christian Dietrich, Henry Young, Barney McGin- ley, Augustus Simenau, John Thomas, Anson Wesson, Edward Donahue, Nathan Ricker and Sylvanus Chessman.
The public schools and the welfare of the boys and girls are close to the hearts of Lancaster and on this occasion while she was looking back to the past she was not forgetting the future. Accordingly almost an entire division was reserved for the young, while many little children rode in some of the floats. The concluding feature of the fourth division, which was led by the Boys' Band, was the marching column of school children from the Town District, namely, Bertha Foss, Marion Foss, Raymond Foss, District Six; Roy Johnson,
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LANDINC OF COLL BUS 14 973
1914
Pythian Sisters Knights of Columbus Metallak Club
ANNIVE RSARY
Lester Johnson, Jennie Rines, District Eight; Esther Knight, Mina Webster, District Nine; Frank L. Hartford, District Ten; Harlie Howe, George Hickey, Willard Hickey, Grayden Hickey, District Eleven; and Alice Mills, Olive Peavey, Francis Peavey, Thomas Sheridan, Raymond Mooney, Bertha Emerson, Martin Bishop and Archie Bishop from District Fifteen.
The floats of the Eastern Star, Rebekahs, Pythian Sisters and Knights of Columbus were elaborate presentments of some distinctive features of the organizations, the idea to be conveyed being carried out regardless of the amount of work required. Louis G. Bailey and the Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution were the only ones to take their themes from the past. The attractive float of Unity Club was a representa- tion of the literary activities of the organization while, on the other hand, the unique float of the Metallak Club was to show adult-Lancaster at play, the Indian setting having no refer- ence to the time before Lancaster's settlement but was rather out of respect to the fictitious chief of the organization that gives Lancaster so much wholesome entertainment. The two local Granges ably presented to view an important part in Lancaster's life and progress-the agricultural interests. "Old Homestead," in depicting scenes from a rural drama, illustrated yet another form of local entertainment, the amateur drama, in which Lancaster takes high rank. The decorated carriage from Mt. Prospect Farm was the evidence that Lancaster and her summer colony have common interests. While the floats of the P. J. Noyes Company and Mrs. Harry B. Carpenter were notable for their artistic beauty they might be said to have represented Life and Youth. The Woman's Relief Corps emphasized a lesson of patriotism and the white float of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was to teach a similar lesson. The floats of the Camp Fires and of the Public Schools put stress upon a definite line of activity. Thus it was that back of each float was a purpose, something more than mere bunting and flowers in artistic
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arrangement. In the whole one found the reproduction of the varied activities of a prosperous and progressive people that wisely proportions its thought, time and talents. The commercial life found its spokesman in the stores themselves by which the procession passed upon this memorable day.
The column returned to its starting point without the slightest mishap, and later in the day, the judges, Pitt Fessend- ens Drew, Esquire, of Boston, Massachusetts; Ossian Ray, Esquire, of Boston; and Charles N. Kent of New York City, awarded the prizes: fifty dollars to Ruth Page Chapter; twenty-five dollars to Bradley Council; fifteen dollars to the Metallak Club, and the fourth prize to Mt. Prospect Grange and Olive Branch Chapter, ten dollars to each.
Lancaster had witnessed a parade in which each unit had an attraction. There was no tiresome repetition of marching soldiers, no similarity of design in floats. Hundreds had labored for many days in bringing about this event that was history within two hours from its start; but while the parading companies quickly broke rank and the floats were soon dis- mantled there yet remains in the minds of thousands this vivid picture of moving columns. One listened to the strains of martial music and saw the venerable boys in blue smile in satisfaction that they had preserved intact this land for their co-paraders, the little boys in white. One beheld the marching column of men sworn to foster the "brotherhood of man" and admired the truths of fraternity as shown in symbols and written in lines of beauty. One witnessed Lancaster devoted to her study of the arts and again taking her moment of recreation. One recognized that the Lancaster boy and girl were given their proper and deserved place in public mind and attention and then, as he wandered towards Centennial Park to witness the presentation of the Memorial, he recalled that the whole story had been told in a way to emphasize the originality and artistic taste of the Community.
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ANNIVERSARY
Part II-Description of the Floats
Olive Branch Chapter, No. 1, Order of the Eastern Star. A large star, each point trimmed in one of the colors of the order, namely, blue, yellow, white, green and red, lay upon the body of the float. From each point of the star an arch was erected, the five arches meeting at the center, and supporting a floral star. The arches were made of white chrysanthemums and the floral star at the top was made of chrysanthemums of the five colors. Five young misses, Dorothy Jacobs, Dorothy Cleaveland, Virginia Bass, Mary Blood and Lucia Bass, stood upon respective points of the horizontal star. They were dressed in white, the gowns being trimmed with gilt stars and they also wore gilt crowns. Each miss wore a sash of the color of the point upon which she stood.
To the front, upon a white throne representing the East, and facing the star, sat Miss Amalie Smith, with crown of gold and wearing a white robe trimmed with gilt stars. Four smaller arches of white chrysanthemums canopied the throne and the driver of the float, who wore a white cape and fez, trimmed with gold bands. The body of the float was covered with white. The wheels were trimmed in the five colors with large gilt stars over the hubs.
The float was drawn by four bay horses and every inch of the harness was covered with white chrysanthemum streamers. The horses wore white blankets, edged with white chrysan- themums and gold bands, and lettered in gold, "O. E. S." The plumes were white.
The float was preceded by a banner boy, Philip Crosman, bearing a banner in white and gold, distinctly lettered in gold, "OLIVE BRANCH CHAPTER, No. 1." Four boys acted as escorts, one opposite each horse. The boys held colored streamers, the ends of which were tied to the horses' bridles.
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The five boys were dressed as pages with white shoes, stock- ings, trousers and capes, and wore fezes. The capes had gold bands and each was lined with one of the five distinctive colors, with sash to match. The escorts were Newton Whit- comb, Hanson Twitchell, Marston Crosman and Morris Adams. The banner was made by Mrs. Charles Mckinnon. The float was designed by Worthy Matron Mrs. Walter H. Sargent, and was built by Herbert P. Whitcomb. It was trimmed by an efficient corps of officers and members.
Ruth Page Chapter, No. 31, Daughters of the American Revolution. An old thorough-brace Concord coach, probably more than one hundred years old, with passengers and equi- page representing a corresponding epoch. The old coach was drawn by four dapple grays, over which John Stalbird held the reins. Archie Barnett, at his side, used the lash, or rather was prepared to do so. Both men wore scarlet coats and tall hats of a style long obsolete. Natt R. Cummings acted as out- rider, wearing a scarlet coat and a sole leather cap that had seen service in the Revolutionary War. The saddle bags were used by Lancaster's pioneer physician. The passengers in the coach dressed as did the women when travel by stagecoach was in vogue. Mrs. James L. Dow, Mrs. Frank Spaulding and Mrs. John Stalbird rode on the top, while inside the coach were Mrs. Burleigh Roberts (Regent of the Chapter), Mrs. Lyman W. Blandin, Miss Lillian E. Rosebrook, Miss Julia R. White, Mrs. Rollin J. Brown, Mrs. Albert Congdon, Mrs. William Parker (Nashua), and Mrs. Kate Lockwood (Chicago, Illinois). All the costumes were fifty or more years old and one of the bonnets worn first saw service in 1849. The baggage was such as would be found on an old coach, including the old-fashioned carpet bags, baskets, band boxes and trunks. One trunk had the date "1683" marked on the top with brass nails, while the other trunks were hair, sole leather and bellows top. On either side of the coach, above the door, was a banner, "D. A. R.," in the blue and white of the organization.
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ANNIVERSARY
Col. E. E. Cross Woman's Relief Corps, No. 36. A double carriage drawn by a pair of horses; patriotism exemplified by the trimmings in red, white and blue. The banner of the organization was raised on a standard. In the carriage were Miss Sarah Carr (President), Mrs. George Congdon and Mrs. William H. Tripp.
Unity Club. Represented four departments of the Club's work. White and green, the two colors of Unity Club, were used exclusively in the decorations. Below the main platform was a wide border of white, trimmed with green. There were four supported arches, two on either side, uniform in size and design. Between the inside supporting columns of each pair of arches was lattice work of green vines. The arches proper were also filled in with lattice work of a similar character while the supports were covered with white, interwoven with green. Under each arch a member of the club, in classic draperies of white, posed one of the Club's activities. Mrs. George R. Lane, represented Sculpture; Mrs. Benjamin Tilton, Music; Mrs. Roger W. Rhodes, History; and Mrs. Ralph Sinclair, Art.
Calvin Blodgett, with white suit and hat, drove the four horses, which had full size white blankets, bordered with green; the letters "UNITY," and "CLUB" appeared also in green on first and second blankets respectively. Poles, harness and reins were in white and each horse had a white cockade.
Perseverance Lodge, No. 56, Daughters of Rebekah. The float was erected over an old-fashioned low-gear wagon. About the float was built a lattice work frame of pink and green with canopies of the same colors. At each corner was a standard from which banners waved, all of an appropriate design and pertaining to the order.
The inside of the float was trimmed with evergreen trees in profusion and the scene of "Rebekah at the Well" was de- picted by Miss Gladys Matson in costume. She stood beside the well in the centre of the float with the pitcher raised to
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her shoulder. The float was drawn by a pair of horses with pink and green blankets with tassels, marked by the Three Links and "D OF R" in silver. The whole was emblematic of the lodge. Charles Carr was the driver, in an old-style costume trimmed in pink and green. The committee of the organization in charge consisted of Mrs. E. R. Stuart, Mrs. W. H. Matson (Noble Grand), Mrs. C. E. Moses (Treasurer), Mrs. H. H. Sanderson (Vice Grand), Mrs. Irving Willoughby, Mrs. Fred Munn, William H. Matson and Herbert H. Sander- son.
Bradley Council, No. 1624, Knights of Columbus. Float depicted the landing of Columbus and the colors used were purple, gold and white. The platform was ten by twenty- five feet and white bunting was festooned about the whole, nearly reaching to the ground. Both sides of the float were open to view, disclosing a full size row-boat from which Co- lumbus (Edward Hurley), in full costume, was about to step to plant the cross on American soil. Painted canvas gave the water effect for the boat and at the front were moss, sand, grass and small trees to represent the shore, where two Indians (George Truland and Ralph Bennett) awaited the landing. In the boat were three sailors, one at guard (Barney McDon- ough, Charles Vashon, and Daniel Haley). All of the characters were fully costumed. Four uprights supported a frame for a second section, and the uprights were wound with white bunting. The sides of the frame were festooned with yellow bunting and the front with purple over yellow. Two large American flags and two Knights of Columbus ban- ners were draped at the rear end of the float. Seats were placed at each corner of the elevated section, where Misses Violet Praught, Geraldine Letter, Rena McKaig and Annie Robinson represented Charity, Fraternity, Unity and Patri- otism. The young ladies were dressed in white and wore white caps with gold stars. In the centre and surmounting the whole float was a large globe and above it a mammoth American eagle, from whose beak stretched streamers of red,
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THE OLD OAKEN BUCKET
THAT HUNG IN
THE WELL
"Old Homestead" (upper two) W. C. T. U. L. G. Bailey
ANNIVERSARY
white and blue, the other ends of which were held by the young ladies. The float was drawn by eight gray horses, with purple and white blankets, lettered "K. C." The pole of the wagon was trimmed with white. There were four out-riders dressed in the parade costume selected by Bradley Council for the day. The out-riders were :- P. J. Murphy, John O'Neil, Jr., Barney Travers and M. M. McNamara.
The float was designed by Past Grand Knight Martin J. Duff, and was built by Patrick Praught, assisted by James Robinson, John Carroll, Arthur McCaffrey, Michael Laugh- rey, James Murphy, Patrick Murphy, Theodore Vashon, Albert Kenney, Joseph Kenney, Joseph McGoldrick and John O'Neil.
Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The float was in white, symbolic of the organization. The body of the wagon was covered with white, with a railing, also so covered, run- ning on both sides. There was a standard in the centre to which white streamers from the four corners were festooned. There was also a large pompon at each corner. The wheels were covered with white with hub and rim bordered with evergreen. The letters "W. C. T. U." in evergreen stood in relief on both sides. The white ribbon emblem of the organ- ization was illustrated by the use of large white bows in the decorations. The float was drawn by a pair of horses covered with white blankets upon which were appropriate posters. The W. C. T. U. banner was suspended over the float which had Mrs. Charles A. Howe and Mrs. A. B. Crosman as guard- ians of the following children, who, dressed in white, filled the float: Kilbourn Nourse, Ethel Haley, Donald Haley, Francis Haley, Everett McIntire, Elizabeth Underwood, Helen Cong- don, Gaywold Bennett, Elizabeth Sayward, Wallace Sayward, Mona Nelson, Frank Taylor, Ernest Cummings, Florinda Maloney, Edson Conners and Frances Donnell.
Mrs. Harry B. Carpenter. This "Peek-a-boo" float was completely walled in by lattice work of red and white, trimmed with red chrysanthemums. There were a dozen "peek-a-boo"
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places arranged in the frame through each of which a maiden smiled at the passing crowd. Although the four walls were entirely of lattice work the float was large and the walls several feet high and artistically proportioned. Streamers from the ends met at a standard at the center. The peek-a-boo maid- ens were Helen Underwood, Katherine K. Underwood, Evelyn Moyle, Mildred Moyle, Elizabeth Ladd, Sally Hening, Marion Clark, Mildred Blood, Elizabeth Carpenter, Vivian Runey, Isabel Marshall and Madeline Temple. The float was drawn by four horses. It was designed by James L. Dow, who also furnished the material with which it was trimmed by the young ladies under the direction of Mrs. Carpenter.
Mt. Prospect Farm. A decorated runabout drawn by a pair of light bay roadsters driven by Miss Barbara Fernald, who was accompanied by Miss Rebecca Fernald. Goldenrod and yellow bunting were employed in the decorations. The dasher and other parts of the carriage were covered with goldenrod, while the bunting was wound about the lamps, spokes of wheels and pole. Yellow rosettes were attached to the horses' bridles and the whip was wound with yellow with a large bow of the same color. The young ladies were dressed in white, apart from yellow hat bands and streamer ties of the same color.
P. J. Noyes Company. This float was designed to repre- sent a mammoth basket with handle. The basket was made to cover completely the body of the truck, and the handle was a large arch over the centre. The four sides had a white back- ground with pink basketwork effect, the pink and white being the two delicate colors used throughout. The top of the basket was bordered with pink carnations and the handle was decorated with similar flowers. Children filled this floral basket, namely, Ruth Barnett, Parker Carpenter, Ernest Coates, Elzada Fiske, Barbara Langworthy, Lena Monahan, Annie McGinley, Richard Norcott (North Adams, Mass.), Ramona Praught, Linwood Prouty, Helen Starling, Esther Jean Smith, Herbert Whitcomb, Edward Whitcomb, Robert
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ANNIVERSARY
White, Francis White, Clinton L. White, Vernon Winslow, Arnold Wilder and Donald Willoughby, with Mrs. L. A. Starling, Mrs. Frank C. Smith and Mrs. D. M. White as guardians. L. A. Starling was in charge, and Fred W. Emer- son was driver. James L. Dow designed the float, which was decorated by Mrs. Dow, Mrs. F. D. Carpenter, Mrs. Louis A. Starling and Miss Grace Jones. No advertising of any character appeared upon the float.
White Mountain Temple, No. 9, Pythian Sisters. The float was built about a hayrack that had been first covered and then draped in red, white and blue. The upper rail was trimmed with red paper poppies. At the centre were large bunches of leaves in green and white. The wheels were decorated in red and white. "The Goddess of Liberty" in a robe of national colors, crowned with gold and carrying a pillar of fire, was impersonated by Miss Bertha Smith. From an upright in the middle of the float were hung nine colored streamers representing the nine officers of the Temple. The officers were impersonated by children, Helen Carr, Elizabeth Inger- son, Gladys Paschal, Laura Smith, Catherine Smith, Vera Morton, Olive Morton, Thelma Morancy, Velma Morancy; Dorothy Barber, alternate. The float was drawn by four horses with white blankets lettered in red "P. S." George A. Webster was driver.
Lancaster Grange, No. 48, Patrons of Husbandry. The float was built on an incline and was ten feet high at the back and seventeen feet long. The American flag was used profusely in the decorations and the national colors were emphasized throughout. A decorated railing was built about the float and the interior was filled with tiers of seats occupied by the following ladies dressed in white: Mrs. Nelson Merrow, Mrs. Patrick Praught, Mrs. William Merrow, Mrs. A. N. Moulton, Mrs. Frank Forbes, Mrs. Carl Seiders, Miss Addie Forbes, Mrs. Owen Gainor, Mrs. John Savage, Miss Ida Savage, Miss Lula Page, Miss Ethel Hartford, Miss Minnie Marshall, Miss Lottie Keysar, Miss Carrie Keysar, Miss
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Grace Keysar, Mrs. George Gray, Miss Gladys Gray, Mrs. Charles Marshall and Mrs. William Hall.
The float was drawn by six chestnut horses with red, white and blue blankets. Nelson Merrow was driver.
Mt. Prospect Grange, No. 242, Patrons of Husbandry. This float was to emphasize the object of the Grange and was trimmed in pink, yellow and green, the three colors of the organization. A large hayrack was covered with pink bunting and trimmed with a generous display of goldenrod and ferns. At the centre of the float was a raised platform and above it an arch made of evergreen and grain. Under the arch and upon the platform were the three Graces, posing their special functions: Ceres (Miss Olive J. Nourse) as Goddess of Cereals, Pomona (Mrs. Harry Merrow) as Goddess of Fruits, and Flora (Miss Jessie Osgood) as Goddess of Flowers. Each character was fully represented by costume and posing. The interior of the float was trimmed with cornstalks and flowers and filled with children. "P. OF H." was on each side of the float in letters of green. The float was drawn by four black horses, with Bert J. Howe, Master of the Grange, as driver. Ralph J. Thompson was his assistant. The children of Grangers in the float were dressed in white and included the following boys and girls: Mary Brown, Mary Clough, Blanche Carter, Lyle Carter, Mildred Howe, Helen Howe, Marion Howe, Pauline Howe, Hattie Ingalls, Ellen Ingalls, Mona Palmer, Earl Palmer, Mabel Sheltry, Evelyn Sheltry, Olive Snow, Howard Snow, Bernard Savage, George Savage and Ruth Sanderson.
Metallak Club. This exhibit was in three sections and rep- resented an Indian Village. To the front, mounted upon her Indian pony and dressed as a squaw, rode Miss Bertha McCar- ten. She was followed by the float proper with tepee and camp fire accurately represented. Many blankets and buffalo skins were spread over the floor of the float. Eri C. Oakes, Esquire, impersonated Chief Metallak and about him were gathered the warriors, squaws and children of the Indian
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ANNIVERSARY
Village, represented by Frank Chester Smith, Harold A. Bullard, William Porter Shurtleff, Fred C. Cleaveland, Esquire, Eaton Leith, Mrs. George F. Morris, Mrs. William W. Bass, Miss Ida May Page, Master Robert Hall Morris, James Black and Walter Reed, the two latter being the drivers. To the rear of the float were two Indians astride their ponies and dragging travois. Roger W. Rhodes and Harold W. Lane impersonated the Indians.
Four bay horses pulled the float and the horses wore blankets upon two of which was the inscription, "CHIEF METALLAK, 1764," and upon the other two, "METALLAK CLUB, 1914." All the characters in the representation were in complete Indian costume. Mr. Oakes, Fielding Smith, Abner Bailey, Roger W. Rhodes and William H. McCarten constituted the committee in charge.
L. G. Bailey. Float represented an old-fashioned tea room, with the women at tea. The float was trimmed with white and yellow bunting with a profusion of handmade garlands festooned about it. Upon the float was a complete reproduc- tion of the old-fashioned room with fireplace, flax wheel and antique rugs. Miss Helen Bailey, Miss Lillian Paul and Miss Bessie Johnson, in Colonial costume, were chatting over their tea. The bunting, festooned with garlands, was draped below the main platform, partially concealing the wheels. The space on either side above the platform was open, apart from the festoons of garlands, leaving an unobstructed view of the tea room, with the fireplace in the foreground. The float was drawn by six white horses, and the harness was trimmed with yellow.
Camp Fire Girls. The base of evergreen boughs, which also hung over the sides and nearly concealed the wheels, together with a fir tree at each of the rear corners and another centred at the front end, gave a woodland setting. Brilliant colored In- dian blankets were spread here and there over the boughs on the body of the float and upon them squatted the members of the four Camp Fires, Agiocochook, Coashaukee, Moose-Missic
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and Siwooganock. With them were Miss Elizabeth Lyon, Miss Charlotte Craibe and Mrs. Harold A. Bullard, representing the Guardians and Assistant Guardians of the respective Camp Fires. Upon the float was a smouldering fire steaming the kettle, over which watched Wabasso (Mrs. Harold A. Bullard). Upon the sides, near the front, hung the Camp Fire banners. At intervals during the progress of the parade the girls sang the "Wohelo Cheer"
"Wohelo for Age, Wohelo for Age, Wohelo, Wohelo, Wohelo for Age! Wohelo for Work, Wohelo for Health, Wohelo, Wohelo, Wohelo for Love!"
The Camp Fire girls were Louise Conner, Clarice Craigie, Edythe Carleton, Kathleen Carpenter, Katherine Costello, Edith Coates, Maude Coates, Ruth Farnham, Millie Fisher, Inez Gordon, Esther Hartford, Margaret Keir, Hortense Kingsley, Laura Keeler, Priscilla Moore, Edith Morton, Alice Monahan, Maude Monahan, Ada Marchant, Ruth Nesmith, Annie Paschal, Agnes Truland, Lucile Whipp and Eva Woods. The float was drawn by four horses.
Playground Float. A float for pupils of fourth grade. The color scheme was white, green and gold. The floor of the float was covered with white with an edging of twisted goldenrod. It was curtained with white and deep festoons of heavy hem- lock ropings. On either side of the driver's seat was an ever- green tree. The float represented a complete playground with swing, horizontal bar and see-saw. The woodwork was wound with white. Yellow ropings covered the posts, and festoons of similar material were suspended from the corners. The children were dressed in white, the boys wearing green ties, and the girls yellow hair ribbons. Ethel Dow sat in the swing, while Alton Lewis performed on the horizontal bar and Helen McCrea, Ida Harmon and Dorothy Kimball played in the sand. Armstead Carpenter shot at an imaginary target with his bow and arrow while Helen Donnelly and Ruth Libby used the see-saw. Miss Elizabeth Sweetzer and Miss Marion Wark
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