USA > Ohio > Butler County > Hamilton in Butler County > The centennial anniversary of the city of Hamilton, Ohio, September 17-19, 1891 > Part 3
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18th. Ascensions of rockets, shells, mines of sancissions and tourbil- lions.
19th. Exhibition pieae-The Beauty of Night-consisting of a center star with radiating streamers of light, two rotating wheels, one on each side, and cascades fired from four smaller stars, covering a space 15x20 feet.
20th. Ascension of exhibition rockets and exhibition batteries, illumi- nating the space with 720 colored balls.
2Ist. Firing of 4-pound rockets, large bouquet bombshels, and mines of sancirsions.
22nd. Exhibition piece -The Emblem of Egypt.
23d. Flight of tourbillions and magnesium shells, colored stars and mines of sancissions.
24th. Exhibition piece .- Forest in Autumn. This very brilliant piece is especially beautiful on account of the large number of large and small re- volving wheels placed in symmetrical order, interwoven by large exhibition candles, which, in firing produce graceful curving lines and imitating in color the variegated brilliancy of our Forest in Autumn. Size 20x35 feet.
DR. WILLIAM Z. KUMLER.
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
25th. Ascension of rockets and tourbillions.
26th. Exhibition piece .-- A Cross of Diamonds, showing in variegated lance work the geometrical form of diamonds, with attached cascades, firing and forming diamonds with revolving wheels, running in opposite directions. Size 28x28 feet.
27th. An ascension of 30 inch bouquet bombshels and mines of sancis- sions.
28th. Exhibition piece .- The Sun Flowers-representing a number of sun flowers. Size 12×18 feet.
29th. Ascension of 4-pound rockets of fine variegated colors.
30th. Exhibition piece-Jewel Cluster-consisting of a large central star surrounded by a scintillating cluster of jewels. Size 30x30 feet.
3Ist. Ascension of 4-pound rockets and tourbillions.
32nd. Exhibition piece-Flowery Almond .- Size, 30 feet in diameter; showing two large rotating wheels turning on one shaft in opposite directions, producing brilliant and ever-changing combinations of form and blending of colors.
33rd. Flight of bouquet bombshels with golden rain and in brilliant transparent colors.
34th. Exhibition piece .- Suuset at Sea .- Size 30 feet in diameter. This piece is most elegant, imitating in color and brilliant tinted rays of light a sunset at sea, cascades firing in all directions. Eight stars appear in lance- work while. a large fire wheel representing the sun, is rotating.
35th. Flight of 4-pound rockets and 4 pound tourbillions.
36th. Exhibition piece-Silver Cross .- Fire, size 40x40 feet. This piece consists of five lance scroll wheels of large dimensions, with yarbs firing from four sides of each wheel, crossing the line of fire in every direc- tion.
37th. Ascension of bouquet bombshels and mines of Sancissions.
38th. Exhibition piece .- Young America's Delight .- Size 30x30 feet. Consisting of a number of excentric rotating wheels in lancework and yarbs.
39th. Flight of heavy rockets with gold rain and colors, tourbillions and mines of sancissions.
40th. Exhibition piece .- Niagara Falls .- Size 75x40 feet. A monster painting of the Falls in fire paint.
4Ist. Ascension of sodium and magnesium rockets and shells.
42nd. Exhibition piece .- Monster Fiery Phoenix .- Size 50 feet of solid fire, consisting of steel fire wheels of large proportions with brilliant yarbs and golden streamer batteries. A special set piece not surpassed by any ex- hibition in America.
43rd. Rockets of large calibre in golden rain and gorgeous colors
44th. Flight of rockets of various size and color effects.
THE NONPAREIL
DICKINSON PHOTO
BILGINNATI FT
ROBERT M. ELLIOTT.
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
45th. Exhibition piece. Dedicated to the various industries of Hamil- ton .- Imperial Mechanical Combination .- Size 40 feet of solid fire, showing a closed fan, opening automatically while burning, colored cascades with fine pointed stars and brilliant scroll-wheel at the bottom, rotating jeweled stars at the top in colored lance-work and brilliant fire.
46th. Ascension of four pound tourbillions, mines of sancission and rockets.
47th. Exhibition piece. Dedicated to the agricultural interests of But- ler County by the citizens of Hamilton .- Mammoth Tropical Sun .- Consist- ing of two of the largest wheels ever seen in America, elaborated with four small revolving wheels, with side effect of thousands of Roman candles, stars of brilliant colored transparent lights and a simultaneous flight of 150 rockets with magnesium fire and various other colors, covering the whole horizon.
48th. Special ascension of extra large and brilliant eight pound rockets and thirty-inch bombshells in variagated colors and golden rain.
49th. Exhibition piece. Specially arranged and designed extra large Allegorical Exhibition of pyrotechnical skill never surpassed in size or bril- liancy in America. Dedicated to our forefathers of the past centennial, the present and coming generations of the second century of our existence. The design was a tribunal arch in colored lance-work with "HAMILTON CEN- TENNIAL" in double colored letters, with 1791-1891 on the sides. Large revolving globes and side wings of brilliant fires, magnesium and sodium wheels, abundance of shells and profuse flight of colored batteries and san- cissions, finishing with a flight of 300 rockets of golden rain and colors.
50th. Concluding exhibition piece. Dedicated by general committee. of the Hamilton Centennial Celebration to the audience.
GOOD NIGHT.
Size 28x28 feet, shown in letters of double lance-work 24 inches in height, with yarbs firing from all sides and a display of colored stars in a brilliant flight.
The citizens of Hamilton and surrounding country entered into the spirit of the occasion in a manner worthy of a great and free people. For. weeks prior to the date of the celebration, the different committees met almost daily. Business was but a secondary consideration and during the. week of the celebration was almost entirely suspended. The city was deco- rated in the most profuse manner with bunting, flags, flowers and every- thing that would add to its gala appearance or that would please the eye or excite patriotic emotions.
The programme was fully carried out in all its details. That of Thurs- day evening was one of the most unique and intensely interesting, particu- larly for the youth of the city, that ever was seen.
Promptly at 7:30 o'clock the bugle called together in front of the court house, the Hamilton batallion, whichi was to do guard duty. Soon the ward representations, which had formed in their respective wards arrived and were
SON PHOTO
NonTER NONPAREIL
WILLIAM C. FRECHTLING.
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
arranged into one grand procession. A short line of march was gone over and every youthful heart throbbed with enthusiastic patriotism as about him and above him, with the band playing inspiring national music, waved the red white and blue in every imaginable form. Little flags and big flags,- not a child but about him were the colors symbolical of freedom and patriot- ism.
After going over the line of march the procession was reviewed in front of the court house by Mrs. Campbell, wife of Governor Campbell, who was grand marshal, and by the grand marshals of each division.
First came a detail of police making way for the little ones; and then the Hamilton Light Infantry as the guard of honor. The grand marshals fol- lowed in carriages.
Then came a delegation with its numerous floats and may-pole with streaming ribbons, it truly was a representation of which to be proud.
The first float of consequence was a beautiful representation of that fasci- nating fairy-tale "Schna Witchen," or Snow White. The little dwarfs in their mountain home were happy with their beautiful queen and surrounded her with all the comforts and pleasure that dwarfdom could produce.
The prince and his attendants followed and then came a guard of mina- ture revolutionary soldiers with their sheep skin band.
The may-pole surrounded by a bevy of girls dressed in every color of the rainbow was a beautiful sight and reminded many a heart, whose. youth- ful throb had become chilled, of the merry times of long ago.
Next came Cinderella, sitting before her god-mother, waiting to be inade ready for the ball. This float was complete in every detail; even the rats were there.
After this, was the float containing the prince with the glass slipper, the step-sisters, their maids and others.
Georgia jubilee singers chanted the old plantation songs, and dressed in the garb of slavery days, was a vivid representation of the progress freedom has made in one short century.
In all her simple beauty, resting upon a throne of bunting and with all her surroundings profuse with the national colors came the Goddess of Lib- erty. At her feet crouched the tyrannical nations of Europe and Asia, while standing at her side, ready to do her bidding, was Uncle Sam.
"Little Sleeping Beauty," with her eyes closed to all about her, with her curly hair streaming over her shoulders, canopied by green boughs from the sturdy oak, and with a myraid of funny little dwarfs surrounding her, was the recipient of much applause.
Columbus, accompanied by several Indians, before Ferdinand and Issabella came next. The spanish court in all its splendor, presented a scene that will not soon be forgotten.
Then followed the Rip Van Winkle float and Little Red Riding Hood.
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CLARK LANE.
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
The feast of the watermelons reminded many a colored man from the south of the happy days in that sunny land.
The last float of this division was "The Old Woman that Lived in a Shoe." There was the old lady with her antiquainted bonnet and dress to match. About her were her numerous family, playing and fighting and get- ting into all the mischief that any child could discover.
The next division was headed by some little lords on horseback, and were followed by a massive swan-boat filled with happy excursionists to Woodsdale Island park.
Then there was the noisy, merry, tripping school children, with song and shouts of joy and waving over their heads the flag dear to every Ameri- can heart.
One hundred years ago tricycles and bicycles were scarcely known, but here they were, decked in the beautiful red, white and blue, and ridden by little boys and girls, the pride of many a mother's heart.
Another swan-boat, with its merry crowd of picnicers with their shouts of joy, as with banners waving, they go forth for a day's outing, recalled many a happy day in the summer just past.
Then came an innumerable bevy of children, with chinese lanterns and flags. Shout after shout went up as these future patriots, some of them scarcely able to walk, marched along as if already men and women and fully able to appreciate what all this celebration meant.
Another float of this division was that of John Lodder and son. A. beautiful queen, surrounded by her attendants, was lost amid a forest of flowers and plants, through the branches of which beamed the three colors so dear to us all.
The next division headed by several hundred Chinese children in their funny littie costumes of every color imaginable. Some were little, some were big, some had long cues some short cues, but all were good representatives of our moon-eyed antipodes.
Then came the girls with their spears, drilled in true-soldier style and in uniforms of red, white and blue, with red Turkish fez. These were well drilled, reflecting credit upon whoever taught them the military maneuvers and were one of the greatest attractions of the parade
There were school children without end. Every little toddler was in line with his flag and a shout for his country. The forty-four states were each represented by a stanch little patriot.
Led by a band of whistlers came the Japanese with their peculiar crazy- quilt dress and parasols. There could not have been a better representation of the people of the other side of the globe than was this.
The next division was headed by a drum corps of little fellows scarcely big enough to hold their drums, followed by a band of young revolutionary soldiers in full uniform.
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MARK C. MCMAKEN,
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
Then came the little queens, some hauled in wagons, some walking under canopies carried by obedient servants.
Then there was the butterfly queen surrounded by a body guard of butterflies with their wings spread, ready to waft their flight to the upper world. This was one of the most beautiful sights in the whole procession and elicited praise from everyone.
The dwarfs and their queen came in for praise as did the shepherds and shepherdesses, with their peculiar dress and long bended crooks.
Another May-pole was surrounded by a happy band of girls and was fol- lowed by another queen with her youthful subjects. She was escorted by a guard of brave little soldiers who, in their imagination, could whip the world.
The school children, some in red, some in white and some in blue, fol- lowed, waving their flags and shouting for America and her banner of freedom.
The first float in the last division was a beautiful queen with innumerable attendants which was followed by another queen with her subjects kneeling at her feet in humble devotion to her majesty.
One of the best representations in this division was that of a half water- melon, on wheels and filled with little girls.
Another May-pole was added to the festivities, followed by groups of school children of all sizes and ages.
The procession closed with a grand representation of the travels of that old fellow so dear to every youthful heart and for whom every child will soon be looking -- Santa Claus. With his reindeer drawing a sleigh filled with. good things, he made many a little one's eyes gleam with delight.
After the procession had all passed the reviewing stand and Hamilton battalion had cleared the street, a May-pole dance was given in front of the court house. After the grand march the pole was wound with great ceremo- nies and when the ends of the ribbons were reached and the last one platted about the pole, the end of the first day's celebration of our centennial was reached.
The "Feast of Flowers and Youth" far surpassed the fondest anticipa- tions of every one. It was grand and words cannot describe it. Every little fellow held in his hand an Ameaican flag and patriotism is the only thing that that nights festivities could have taught. About this feast will cling many of the fondest recollections of our Centennial in the hearts of those who participated in it.
It was for the youth and truly the youth enjoyed it. Nothing like it was ever seen before in Ohio, and another hundred years must pass away before such a sight can again be seen on the streets of Hamilton.
The program for Friday evening was carried out to the letter and was one of the greatest successes of the celebration. For weeks previously, the different wards were busily engaged in preparation, and a pleasant rivalry arose between them as to which should be esteemed the greatest. It was
CAPTAIN HENRY P. DEUSCHER.
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
expected therefore, that many beautiful, entertaining and instructive features would be the result and the public was not disappointed. These different ward celebrations took place in the public halls and parks of the city. But a mere reference to each can be made here, as a complete description would require a volume. They consisted of musical and dramatic exhibitions ; recitations, addresses and comical presentations of various kinds.
The First Ward program was instructive, etertaining and amusing.
The following was the program rendered : "Overture, Orchestra, Rag Baby ; Ball, twenty young misses danced to the air, "Down went McGinty ;" Recitation, Miss Josephine Slater ; Maypole Dance twenty young ladies, led by Miss Kate Kennedy ; Vocal solo, Miss Maud Miller; Recitation Miss Pearl Murphy ; Selection, orchestra ; Spinning and Husking Bee, ten young ladies and ten gentlemen ; "Piano Solo," Sidney Durst; Vocal Solo, Miss Kate Kennedy ; Selection, orchestra ; The First Ward Minstrels gave one of their inimitable performances which brought down the house, and Mrs. Mar- gedant concluded the program by reading a poem written by W. S. Warwick, of the First ward, especially for this occasion, The music furnished was from Middletown and deserved special notice for the pieces selected and rendered.
The hall was beautifully decorated with festooning, graceful plants, and everywhere was seen the glorious red, white and blue.
As an opening, Mayer's orchestra gave a concert. Dr. Dan Millikin was the speaker of the evening. In his own inimitable style he delivered an address full of patriotism, interspersed with many laughable stories and those of a different nature, about which he wove lessons of love, duty, honor and devotion to liberty and mother country. The whole was a fine effort.
Following this a quartette sang, "The Sea has Its Perils." Henry Wil- mer sang a tenor solo, Miss Tillie Brinker and John Stephan sang a duet, and Miss Bertha Sheehan, one of Second ward's leading belles, added to the festivities of the evening by rendering a solo in her most approved style.
The last number of the first part of the program was a solo by Henry Brinker.
The second part of the program was commenced by another rendition by the quartette. "Sweet and Low" was sung. Three solos followed, the first by Miss Tillie Brinker, the second by Henry Brinker and the last by Miss Ada Fye. All were good. The closing number was a duet by Henry Brinker and daughter, Miss Tillie.
Second ward may well be proud of its celebration, because it was one of the best in the city.
The residents of the Third Ward held an informal reception at Beckett's hall. The Martha Washington Zuaves entertained those present with an ex- hibition drill which was fine. The company was in command of Captain Jennie Holiday who was warmlypraised for her cool manner in drilling the company. At 8:30 o'clock the young ladies left the hall and marched down
DR. C. I. KEELY,
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
·on High street, where they gave a fine exhibition of their drilling before a large crowd of spectators
In Ludlow Park the residents of the Fourth ward clearly demonstrated that they are possessed with a genuine spirit of patriotism. The promenade concert which took place in beautiful Ludlow park was a glorious success and those who had the project in charge deserve the highest praise. It is but just to state that Mrs. Josephine Weiler is entitled to no small share of the credit in making the promenade concert a brilliant and memorable suc- cess. It was through her indefatigable and unceasing efforts that the Fourth ward that pre-eminently stood out as the ward having attempted a great undertaking and likewise was grandly successful in carrying out the project to a brilliant ending. To describe the illumination and in any way do it justice would be utterly beyond the meager descriptive powers of the writer. To say that the park was literally ablaze with countless lights would not in the least be extravagant nor an exageration of facts. Great lines of lanterns of unique and pretty design, hung profusely and dazzlingly from the sturdy oak to the delicately lighted glass globes below. The overpowering volume of light and dancing colors formed a most beautiful spectacle.
It was 7:30 before the Apollo band arrived, and after they favored the vast audience with some charming music, M. O. Burns, master of ceremonies, introduced Mayor Larsh.
In a few well chosen remarks the mayor introduced Governor Campbell to the assemblage.
The governor, of course, devoted himself wholly to the early history of the city. His remarks were listened to with marked attention. Hon. J. J. McMaken and John F. Neilan also made briet historical speeches, referring to the Indians, the wild turkeys and the desolate forests of a hundred years ago which surrounded Fort Hamilton. At the conclusion of the speech making a triple quartette rendered several sweet songs which were loudly applauded by the enthusiastic crowd. The Maypole dance which concluded the evening's festivities was very pretty. To the sweet strains of music the picturesquely attired and attractive little maidens gracefully plaited about the pole the nation's colors, red, white and blue, and then in reverse motion unwound it much to the delight of the crowd.
The Fifth ward had no special program but participated in the great centennial meeting at the Court House, to which all the other meetings ad- journed upon the conclusion of their own programs.
The meeting at the Court House was grand in size, enthusiasm, elo- quence and music.
The musical program was a magnificent production and great credit is due to Professor Mayer and Director Schweinfest for its success. The whole city this evening was one splendid combination of decorations, brilliancy and enthusiasm which was wrought to the highest, by the eloquent and patriotic
THE NONFARKIN
ROBERT C. MCKINNEY.
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
addresses of the distinguished speakers. Great as was the previous portion of the celebration, it was eclipsed by the monster parade of Saturday. The booming of the cannon in the early morning awoke the echoes, brought the thonsands front their homes, prepared to crown the festivities with the great- est display ever witnessed in this country.
The day's proceedings began at the Court House. After invoking the divineb lessing by Father Varelman, the Chaplain, followed the grand vocal concert, in which five hundred trained voices participated, accompanied by an orchestra of one hundred pieces.
Professor Mayer had spent weeks in preparation for this great musical event and the result was worthy of his efforts. It was one of the greatest musical successes ever witnessed in this part of the country, and for this Prof. Mayer and all who participated, are entitled to great praise.
The singing of the great National Anthem, "My Country" participated in by the school children under the leadership of Prof. Gottschalk and thousands of the audience, with the regular chorus, was one of the most inspiring scenes ever listened to and wrought up the immense multitude to . a high pitch of enthusiasm.
The musical program being completed, letters were read from distin- guished persons, who were unable to be present, after which followed the addresses.
These addresses will be found in another place in this volume, and need not be referred to here further than to say that they were worthy the occa- sion and the learning and well-known ability of the gentlemen who made them.
Next came the mammoth parade composed of four grand divisions. No language can describe the great spectacle presented by this vast moving mass, which contained within itself the best evidence, not only of the wonder- ful progress of the hundred years preceeding, but also of the magnificent manufactories and business enterprises of our city, No such parade was ever before seen in this city and it will doubtless be many years before such another will be manifested.
Promptly at 2 o'clock, with the grand marshal Capt. W. C. Margedant at the lead, the long procession started from the head of Main street, and in turn moved over the line previously designated.
The grand marshal and his staff were as follows :
Grand marshal, Capt. W. C. Margedant ; Chief of Staff, Thomas Millikin ; Adjutant General, F. D. Bristley ; Majors, J. F. Neilan, H. L. Morey, L. M. Larsh; Assistant Grand Marshals, Rev. E. W. Abbey, S. L. Beeler, H. C. Gray, Peter Schwab, Rev. F. F. Varelman, Lazard Kahn, Robert Allstatter, Christ Pabst, Jos. H. Long, Thomas V. Howell, Joseph J. Pater, Fred C. Mayer, Dr. W. Z. Kumler, Prof. Alston Ellis, Geo. W. Stace, H. P. Deuscher, Chris Benninghofen, Dr. Dan Millikin, Homer Gard, Chas. D. McBeth,.
JOSEPH J. PATER.
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
W. C. Frechtling, W. L. Huber, Albert Dix, J. M. Long, Isaac Rogers, J. M. Downey ; aids-de camp, Allen Andrews, Dr. C. I, Keely.
The parade consisted of four grand divisions as follows :
FIRST DIVISION-Military. Col. George H. Phillips, grand division commander.
This division consisted of the military and uniformed bodies. Grand division commander and staff, 6th U. S. regular troops preceded by U. S. band, Ohio National guares and cadets, G. A. R. and soldiers of the late war and war with Mexico and uniformed and civic organizations.
SECOND DIVISION-Historical. Capt. Adolph Metzner, grand division commander ; Dr. Geo. C. Skinner, chief of staff; Max Reutti, assistant ad- jutant general; Gustave Steffe, F. W. Soehner, Albert Hossfeld, G. A. Lam- bert, W. W. Larue, Wm. E. Bender, John Robertson, John C. Rochelle, Chas. Diefenbach, James Tully, Phillip Conboy, I. N. Slayback, W. N. Gray, W. B. Brown, Chas. Sohngen, John Doellman, Henry Sohn, C. D. Mathes, assistant division marshals ; A. Schultz, Wm. Ritchie, Sam. D. Fitton, aids-de- camp.
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