USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Reading > History of Reading, Pennsylvania, and the anniversary proceedings of the sesqui-centennial, June 5-12, 1898 > Part 22
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Evening .- During the evening there was no special feature, but general enjoyment pervaded throughout the city. Penn street was crowded from Third to Eleventh, and so was Penn Common. The great attractions were the electric illumination
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of the street by about 2,000 lights, stretched around the Square and across the thoroughfare below Fourth and above Sixth, at many places. The search lights exhibited from the top of the Prison tower and the Grand Opera House, the Eddy kites raised above Penn Common, and the numerous Japanese lanterns in the Common and Reservoir, nearly 1,000, the latter not so brilliant as the former but nevertheless very interesting and attractive.
Waynesboro Delegation .- The Committee who had in charge the celebration of the centennial of Waynesboro, Pa., in 1897, by invitation of the Executive Committee, visited Reading upon the occasion of its Sesqui-Centennial. They arrived Wednes- day evening, and the Executive Committee, led by the Ring- gold Band, received them at the P. & R. R. Union station, and escorted them to the Mansion House. The following persons comprised the delegation :- J. H. Stoner, president; W. T. Om- wake, vice president; J. J. Miller, treasurer; E. W. Gardner, secretary; A. W. Stocker, D. M. Good, Jr., W. J. C. Jacobs, I. E. Yost, J. H. Deardoff, J. B. Raby, A. H. Stricker, G. A. Anderson, J. C. Criswell, J. M. Wolff, T. B. Smith, J. R. Ruthrauff, Samuel Haeflich and George B. Beaver. On Thurs- day they called at the headquarters and registered their names, and during the day rode over the mountain railways, observed the Industrial Parade and the general decoration of the City, and left in the evening much pleased with the trip.
THURSDAY, JUNE 9TH.
Morning .- At the Court House, from II o'clock to I o'clock, the Reception Committee received a number of prominent indi- viduals from different parts of the State, including judges, national and state officials. The Governor of Pennsylvania had accepted the invitation to visit Reading to-day, but he was obliged to send his regrets on account of important engage- ments in connection with supplying and forwarding troops from the State for the war with Spain. The President of the United States was obliged to decline the invitation owing to the war and many important matters that required his constant presence at Washington.
INDUSTRIAL PARADE.
Afternoon .- This was "Industrial Day," and great prepara- tions had been made for many weeks by numerous manufactur-
INDUSTRIAL PARADE, JUNE 9, 1898.
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ers, merchants and business men for its proper observance. The parade took place in the afternoon from 2 to 5 o'clock, and persons along the route expressed great admiration over the different displays, more especially that of Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart who made the greatest exhibition, expending more than several thousand dollars in its preparation.
The route of the parade was up Penn street, from Fourth to Eleventh, thence along Perkiomen avenue to Franklin street, thence to Tenth, to Penn, to Fifth, thence along east side of Fifth to Pine and countermarch on west side to Franklin, thence to Fourth, to Penn square and dismissed. The Executive Com- mittee halted on south side of Penn square above Fifth, and re- viewed the parade as it passed.
LINE OF PARADE.
Chief Marshal, John E. Harbster.
Chief of Staff, James R. Kenney; aids, Matthan Harbster, H. C. England, A. Thalheimer, W. Harry Orr, Geo. W. Beard, W H. Mohn, John G. Mohn, Charles L. Hoff, H. M. Sternberg, Clarence H. Sem- bower, Wm. H. Shick, Thos. D. Bausher, John R. Miller. Albert A. Gery, Charles S. Prizer, Harry Wilhelm, Fred. W. Lauer, J. S. Klees, Hiram K. Getz, Henry J. Zabel.
Executive Committee and invited guests in carriages, preceded by the Germania band and drum corps.
FIRST DIVISION.
The first division comprised the displays and employees of three of the most prominent establishments at Reading. Marshal, Isaac .G. Treat; aids, E. E. Moore, John Kissinger, G. N. Jacobi, Geo. Schaffer, John D. Van Reed, W. B. Gross, Jos. Roeser, Calvin Boyer.
Reading Hardware Company had two floats, 1047 men and boys, and four bands of music in line, one float representing "Progress" with a small bell showing how the 50 employees were called to work when they started in 1852, and a large steam whistle to call their present employees, . I200 in number, and the other representing a screw machine in operation.
Penn Hardware Co. had 500 men and boys in line with a band of music and large float bearing an inscription with the autograph of WVm. Penn, in the following words :- "I am much surprised at the progress Reading has made since 1748. But I am still more astonished at the growth of the Penn Hardware Co., named after me."
Reading Stove Works, Orr, Painter & Co., had a large decorated float with heating stoves and ranges, and a donkey cart with a stove and two employees dressed as negroes. They had in line 200 men and boys, and Sinking Spring Band.
As the division passed along, square after square, numerous expres-
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sions of surprise were made at the great number of persons employed by these three prosperous enterprises, and they presented the status of industrial affairs at Reading in 1898 in a most impressive manner. The first part of the division wore dark trousers, white coats and caps; the second, white caps, sweaters and trousers with canes; and the third, ordinary dress, attracting much attention, and constituting a fine intro- duction to the parade.
SECOND DIVISION.
The second division was the Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart Department Stores, and constituted the longest and most expensive division and most attractive display in the parade, the floats being the finest ever seen at Reading in a public demonstration. The marshal of the divis- ion was Jacob F. Custer, and his aids were Mahlon Seidel, Rolandus R. Snyder, Solon D. Bausher, John A. Burkey, E. Martin Neiswanger, and Harry E. Eisenberg. Then followed the Ringgold band, with 60 musi- cians; the United States flag, Reading flag, and D. P. &. S. banner; 6 carriages with the members of the firm, Josiah Dives and George M. Pomeroy, their cashier and confidential clerk for many years, John E. Lewis, and their representatives in the syndicate and the department stores at Harrisburg, Pottsville, Pottstown and Altoona; 75 male employ- ees, marching in sections of 4 abreast with banners between each sec- tion; 4 carriages and 4 Tally-Ho coaches with 100 employees; 6 floats; 6 mounted aids; Cadet band of 30 men; 54 stock boys (9 platoons, 6 abreast, ) drawing a fine chariot occupied by Alice Miller, daughter of Albert R. Miller, chief floor walker of the firm; and ending the division with 50 cash boys. The whole was over half a mile in length, and far surpassed everything attempted by any firm or individual in the history of parades in Reading. The floats, briefly described, were as follows: -- Ist float represented the "History of Reading" and consisted of four Corinthian columns with connecting capitals in white and gold, and a duplex revolving globe. 6 feet in diameter, on which were painted eight different views in the history of the city .- 2nd float had a similar design with a revolving globe 5 feet in diameter on which was painted the Read- ing store, and the four branch department stores. - 3rd float consisted of a large square revolving stretcher with paintings on both sides, contrast- ing the store when the firm started in 1875 with the present extensive establishment in 1898 -4th float presented a large painting of the U. S. Ship Maine .- 5th float was designed to attract the notice of the children particularly, consisting of an electric dancing doll operated by a strong battery underneath, and six large wax dolls, all handsomely dressed. - 6th float was composed of bicycles, wheels and paraphernalia about the entire frame work, beautifully decorated with U. S. flags and shields, and within the area were 5 riders on bicycles, 3 girls and 2 boys. The designs, paintings, decorations and arrangement of the several displays were highly artistic and very attractive, winning great applause along the entire route.
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INDUSTRIAL PARADE.
THIRD DIVISION.
William H. Luden, marshal of the division.
The third division included a number of attractive displays, as follows:
Gately & Britton, three walking letters, G. & B., representing the initials of the installment firm, being transparencies supported by boys; various kinds of furniture made and carried in the same manner; an engine, with emitting smoke and steam, propelled by concealed bicy- cle riders and accompanied by an engineer and fireman, with a freight car attached; and a float with a disappearing gun which threw explod- ing shells that scattered advertising matter. This display, requiring 42 men and boys, was unique, attracted great attention and excited much comment and applause.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. was represented by the local agent S S. Davies in a carriage decorated with flags, followed by 40 solicitors in ordinary dress with white canvas hats, canes and souvenir badges.
United States Express Co. had its superior wagon in line, which was exhibited at the World's Fair, drawn by four heavy gray horses and decorated with United States flags.
A. G. Christman, float with washing machines.
A. K. Deysher, furniture dealer, displayed a float topped by a canopy in pink and blue, with a fine parlor suit.
Henry Schofer, baker, had a float drawn by four white horses, on which were seated 25 employees who distributed on the way 15,000 small loaves of bread tied up in white paper; also a delivery wagon from which were given 3500 fans, one side being embellished with the picture of a little girl carrying a loaf of bread and the other with the Sesqui-Centennial Hymn.
Hercules Paper Bag Co. displayed a large wagon drawn by four horses and loaded with paper bags of various sizes.
Jacob V. R. Hunter displayed a beautifully painted wagon decorated with the national flag, on which were placed a fine kitchen range and cellar hot-air furnace.
Wm. H. Luden's candy factory was represented by two decorated floats, one showing candy rolling and from which stick candy was thrown to the crowds on the sidewalks, and the other a furnace with candy- makers at work, pulling chewing candy, cutting it up and distributing it along the route.
Lessig & Bro., farming implements, float with 2 reapers.
Charles Auer, flour dealer, large decorated wagon, with sheaf .of wheat and 13 little girls dressed in national colors.
Boyer & Co. float with storekeepers' supplies.
Penn Wagon Co., large patent coal dumping wagon, elevated 14 feet, and decorated.
G. A. Haage, plumber, two floats, one with hot-water boiler, and the other with. fine gas fixtures, handsomely decorated.
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J. B. Ganter, stove dealer, &c., two floats, one with a large Othello range, and the other with a Mt. Penn perfect hot-air heater.
Adams Express Co., superior delivery wagon weighing 4800 pounds, with dimensions 15 ft. long, 5 ft. wide, and 7 ft. high, the top, 10 ft. 9 in. from the ground, and capacity almost equal to a freight car. It was drawn by four fine bay horses and sent from Philadelphia expressly for the parade.
David Rosenbaum, clothier, large float with canopy decorated with smilax, drawn by four gray horses and occupied by employees repre- sented as measuring and fitting clothing.
Leinbach & Bro., clothiers, three wagons in line; one, a band wagon, drawn by four horses with IS employees who wore high silk hats and carried red, white and blue umbrellas; and the others were delivery wagons, attractively decorated. The horses were covered with cloth blankets, embroidered with "L. & B.," and "Leinbach."
Sellers, Medlar & Bachman, clothiers, displayed a barouche, drawn by four horses, and occupied by four employees who held a fine banner upright with the inscription: "Sellers, Medlar & Bachman, the pioneer clothing house in Reading, established in 1844." And a bugler was sea ed with the driver.
Hoff & Bro., hardware dealers, 3 wagons with 12 employees and old horse "Dick," in service for 20 years.
Common Sense Shoe Store, 2 decorated floats with 25 employees, dis- playing shoes.
Hoskin & Giles, florists, exhibited a beautiful float, decorated with palms, flowers and greens.
FOURTH DIVISION.
William Hutchison, marshal of the division; aids, Geo. Graeff, Harry J. Ball, Wm. O. Weidenhammer.
The fourth division was made up as follows:
Reading Bolt & Nut Works, J. H. Sternberg & Son, proprietors. Employees of this great establishment, numbering 547, marched in the parade. They wore white hats and coats, and dark trousers, and carried canes; and each was decorated with a badge, consisting of a nickel- plated nut or bolt. They presented a fine appearance and constituted an impressive introduction of this division. They marched under the lead of the Perseverance band of Lebanon, with 29 musicians.
Mt. Penn Stove Works displayed a large float which had four kitchen ranges and a large cannon; and this was followed by a number of deal- ers at Reading who handle the heaters and ranges of the firm, with wagons adorned with national flags and colors, greens, &c.
Fehr & O'Rourke, coal dealers, exhibited 3 coal wagons, 2 large wagons loaded with bituminous coal, and 3 garbage wagons such as are used for removing city garbage. The firm took part in the parade, rid- ing in a carriage.
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INDUSTRIAL PARADE.
FIFTH DIVISION.
Albert F. Smith, marshal of the division; aids, Custer S. Ammon, Reuben Sindel, W. Brueckmam, Jas. S Ammon, Geo. Straub, W. Miller, W. H. Matz.
Liberty Band of Reading, with 25 men, followed by the Retail Grocers' Association, 72 members on horseback, with officers, A S. Deeter, president, and E. J. Morris, secretary, in a carriage.
B. & J. Saylor, grocers, decorated float with provisions, 2 delivery wagons, and 12 employees.
Grand Union Tea Co., a float, consisting of a large tea pot, nearly 6 feet high, 10 wagons tastefully decorated and 25 employees.
Bon Ton Milliners, two floats, with 30 employees trimming hats, under canopies, with decorations in purple and white, and national colors; also a tandem team, drawing the firm's delivery wagon, and boy on horse back with banner.
C. W. Edwards, piano dealer, fine, large, improved, covered, latest style wagon for delivering pianos, painted green with large mirrors on sides and front.
Louis Heilbron, furniture dealer, three floats; one representing a bed- room suit with white-enameled furniture and brass trimmings, and canopy of red, white and blue; second, a delivery wagon loaded with carpets and rugs; and the third, employees at upholstering.
H. L. Johnson & Son, dentists, float with band of music from Free- mansville.
F. F. Seidel, undertaker, with six hearses, showing styles at different periods :- 1748, 1835, 1850, 1865, 1880, and 1898. The first was an old Conestoga wagon, drawn by four horses.
Hunter Henninger, undertaker, fine white embalming wagon, with trimmings in national colors.
Conrad Kaltenbach, brickmaker, float, showing operation on a brick yard with 30 men at work.
Charles W. Pennock, grain dealer, large wagon, loaded with grain, drawn by 3 horses.
Reading Installment Co., float with furniture, decorated.
John E. Steinel, brush manufacturer, wagon with brushes of all kinds, samples distributed on the route.
Jefferson M. Keller, ice dealer, float with large cake of ice, 4 by 8 feet, with wreath of roses and national flag frozen in the interior, and Io delivery wagons, each drawn by a pair of heavy black horses. The proprietor and his brother-in-law W. Benton Stoltz, clerk, led this dis- play in a carriage.
Lauer Brewing Co., decorated coach with John M. Killian, collector, Wm. Heberle, superintendent, and Harry J. Borell, clerk; 2 large floats, one representing King Gambrinus and Uncle Sam, and the other Wil-
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liam Penn and Indians; and a wagon showing the different signs of the company.
P. Barbey & Son, float representing Fort Barbey, being a large beer cask with Uncle Sam on top, and Admirals Dewey and Sampson in front; a carriage with superintendent and clerks; large beer wagon loaded with kegs, and another with employees, decorated with flags.
Reading Brewing Co., a large float comprising a hogshead with bags of hops and malt.
J. C. Stocker, brewer, 4-horse wagon loaded with quarter barrels.
Roehrich & Raab, brewers. 4-horse wagon loaded with half-barrels, and another with malt and hops, illustrating brewing in the old style.
F. X. Blessing, coffee roaster, riding in a carriage, with an employee. Alex. Koch riding after on horse-back.
A. N. Kissinger & Son, flour and grain, 2 decorated wagons, loaded with flour.
Kurtz & Mayers, wholesale grocers, 3 wagons, one with flour, another with jars of pickels, &c , and the third with employees.
S. H. Parke & Co., of Philadelphia, dealers in coffee, were represented, in line with a large delivery wagon, throwing out samples of coffee along the route.
SIXTH DIVISION.
Charles W. Shick, marshal of division; aids, Henry G. Hintz, W'm. F. Remppis, Clifford F. Klees.
This division included the following:
Joseph S. Bachman, baker, two gaily decorated delivery wagons, from which small buns were distributed; preceded by a drum corps.
Wm. S. Miller, baker, large float with employees dressed in white, distributing buns.
U. S. Bakery, two decorated wagons from which cakes and buns were thrown.
Union Transfer Co., 10 cabs, 2 busses and 2 express wagons, with 120 children from charitable institutions. decorated with national colors and streamers.
Postal Cab service, 5 new coupes and I old style, decorated.
Charles Haas, local express, 6 decorated wagons.
David L. Reber, local express, 5 decorated wagons.
Seibert & Co., 2 large wagons, drawn by four horses, with portable, upright engines and supplies
George W. Biehl, carriage manufacturer, decorated carriage driven by son Albert.
Sebastian Blimline, carriage manufacturer, carriage, decorated.
Acme Manufacturing Co., 2 floats, one consisting of bicycle operated by endless chain, and the other of bicycles. 100 employees were in line, in ordinary dress, carrying national flags.
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R.MERCER
CAVALCADE AND CORSO PARADE, JUNE 10, 1898.
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CAVALCADE AND CORSO PARADE.
Peoples' Laundry, delivery wagon decorated.
Boss Knitting Machine Works, float with knitting machines, and 36 employees. The manager, James L. Eck, rode in a carriage.
Jos. O. Flatt & Co., brush-makers, gaily decorated wagon; on the route they distributed 2,000 small hat brushes as souvenirs.
Reading Bottling Works, 2 wagons; followed by numerous single teams and business wagons, distributing advertisements.
Evening. - In the evening a concert was given on Penn square in front of the Mansion House by the Germania Band, from 8 to 9.30 o'clock, the selections being as follows :- March, "Sesqui-Centennial" Althouse
Overture, "William Tell" Rossini
Gavotte, "Royal" Moses
Selection, "Lady Slavey" Kerker
Potpourri, "El Capitan" Sousa
Selection, "Fackeltanz No. 4" . Meyerbeer March, "The Mystic Shrine" Althouse
All the pieces were admirably rendered and won the repeated applause of the great crowd of persons that had assembled. And this was done notwithstanding the prevailing excitement and the moving masses of people to and fro on both side-walks and in the street. The square under such conditions, together with the brilliant illumination and superb decorations, presented an indescribable picture and won unmeasured praise for the Executive Committee, especially from the many visiting strangers.
FRIDAY, JUNE IOTH.
Morning .- From II to I o'clock, at the Court House, the Reception Committee received a number of railroad officials, prominent among them being the President of the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Co., Joseph S. Harris. The Germania Band rendered a program of music on the balcony.
CAVALCADE AND CORSO PARADE.
Afternoon .- During the afternoon, the Cavalcade and Corso Parade was held, starting at two o'clock and going over the following route :- On Penn square from Fourth to Sixth, to Washington, to Eighth, to Penn, to Ninth, to Chestnut, to Eleventh, to Franklin, to Perkiomen Avenue, to Tenth, to Robeson, to Ninth, to Washington, to Second, to Penn, to Fourth, to Laurel, to Fifth, to Penn square, countermarch, and dismissed.
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LINE OF PARADE.
Wellington G. Woods, Chief Marshal, and staff, James M. Ammon, Harvey F. Heinly. George A. Peters, Henry B. Hintz.
Germania band on a large wagon with canopy beautifully decorated in national colors, and drawn by eight heavy gray horses.
Executive Committee in carriages. The officers occupied the first carriage, a barouche, drawn by four horses, the other members in car- riages drawn by two horses, all decorated in national and city colors.
FIRST DIVISION.
Marshal, E. A. Auerbach; aids, Ben. F. Austrian and Chas. H. Schick.
Tally-Ho, drawn by four gray horses, occupied by Fred. H. Witman, Samuel N. Potteiger, William McIlvain, William Clymer, William Scott, Edward E. Stetson, H. P. Keiser, Albert R. Bright, William Seyfert, George J. Gross.
Tally-Ho, the finest and largest in line, drawn by five gray horses and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel D. Dibert and daughter Blanche, and the following invited guests: George W. Ziegler, Esq., and wife, and William H. Denlinger, wife and son, of Phillipsburg, Pa .; E. Clayton Poorman, wife and daughter Myra, of Tyrone, Pa .; Mrs. J. W. Stofer and daughter Catharine, of Middletown, Pa .; Charles H Armour and wife, J. Harry Leippe and wife, George W. Krick and wife, Charles M. Evans and wife, Mrs. Eugene P. Stofer and Henry W. Snyder, of Read- ing. A fine silk national flag was waved from the top in recognition of the applause given the party while passing over the route.
Tally-Ho, drawn by four gray horses, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Walter G. Roland, son and daughter, and invited guests, Misses Lillie and Rose Kessler and Esther Wells, and James S. Roland and wife.
Tandem of fine brown horses in a new trap, beautifully decorated, by John M. Archer and wife, accompanied by Miss Reilly, of Washington, D. C., and Joseph Connard, of Reading.
Tandem of spirited sorrel horses in a decorated cart by Miss Caroline Archer, accompanied by her sister, Miss Mary Archer.
George M. Britton, wife and daughters, Leah and Mary, trap, with sorrels, driven tandem, white harness, decorated with wreaths and roses.
John Barbey, fine decorated trap and two horses, occupied by three daughters, Ida, Rose and Mary, and coachman.
J. H. Sternbergh, wife and three sons, two seated carriage, decorated with flowers.
John F. Boyer, double carriage, with bay horses, decorated with plumes and bunting, occupied by four children of Morris Boyer and driver.
William H. Luden, two handsome carriages, drawn by sorrel horses, one a trotting buggy occupied by Mr. Luden and wife, the other, a two- seated carriage occupied by Julia Ritter, Grace Frame and Miss Dewees. and driver.
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Calvin K. Whitner, Chairman Committee on History, drag, with wheels decorated with daisies, drawn by two superior black horses, oc- cupied by son George S. Whitner and William K. Eckert.
Louis Heilbron, two-seated carriage and pair of roan horses, accom- panied by daughter Rhea and niece Regina Heilbron, of Philadelphia, and driver.
Milton H. Schnader, trap, decorated with national flag and city colors, and pair of bay horses, accompanied by J. G. Xander, of Lebanon.
Howard F. Boyer, two-seated carriage and pair of black horses, with very attractive white harness, accompanied by Otto D. Noack, veteri- nary surgeon.
Henry C. England, trap, decorated with flowers and bunting, drawn by bay horses, accompanied by daughter Mary and Miss Helen Strohecker.
Charles J. Hoff, trap and bay horses, accompanied by E. W. James, G. W. Biehl and Wm. Quick, latter from Phoenixville.
Augustus S. Flicker, two-seated carriage, decorated with flags and bunting, and pair of bays, accompanied by W. Van Reed, Silas Ermen- trout, and Levi Weitzenkorn.
Edward Luigard, two-seated carriage with pair of gray horses, accom- panied by Fred. Neudorffer and driver.
Francis F. Seidel, two-seated carriage and pair of black horses, ac- companied by wife, daughter Florence and Ella E. Runyeon.
George F. Lance, two-seated carriage and pair of bay horses, accom- panied by Mrs. Lance, daughter Mrs. Buch, Ruth Kuehner and Eva Collins.
SECOND DIVISION.
Marshal, Harry W. Crooks; aids, Elmer W. Dietrich and William B. Eckert.
Athletic Band in a large wagon, decorated, drawn by four horses.
The division was composed of single teams, as follows:
Wm. L. Graul and father, with flag presented to him in 1888 by the 188th Reg't Penna. Vols., in top buggy.
John B. Raser, Chairman of Committee on Former Residents, Rugby trap, decorated, accompanied by Dr. G. Prentice Raser, of Philadelphia, and Dr. Wm. Weis, of New York, with driver.
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