USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > The centennial of Susquehanna County > Part 4
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AT THE RINK.
This odd-looking structure, situated on Main street, is the prop- erty of W. D. Lusk, G. W. Capwell, and E. R. Mason. For years it has been the mecca of the roller skater and a place of public entertainments. It now became a busy spot. The contract for ar-
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ranging the rink for the reception of the relics was given to L. B. Crook. He agreed that it should be in proper condition by Thurs- day preceding the Centennial week. By the assistance of J. B. John- ston, William Humphries, Lewis Wilmot, C. E. Bennett, and James Adams it was ready on the evening of that day, and, standing in the entrance of the now historic building and looking over the long reaches of tables, covered with wire-netting to protect the relics, one could see how well the work had been done. As the carpenters went out the Committee on Decoration came in, composed of C. J. Lang- ley, chairman, C. W. Bankes, L. B. Crook, Richard Phillips, Mrs. A. G. Young, Mrs. F. D. Lamb, Miss Jennie Barnes, and Miss Theo. Mckinney, all of Hallstead; Miss Knapp, of Montrose, also as- sisted. In a few hours the bare rafters and unsightly ceilings were buried beneath evergreen, colored paper festooning, and a sea of flags making the interior a charming picture. The decorators had scarcely finished their work when the relics began to arrive, the first being a queer-looking spinning-wheel, with complete paraphernalia, and a wonderful old hunting-horn covered with fine carvings. It bore the date 1750, and was carried by a soldier at the time Braddock was ambushed and killed near Fort Du Quesne. These were the property of Jacob McCloud, of New Milford Township. Soon after these arrived, M. J. Harrington came from Bridgewater with a fine collection, and from this time on wagon loads of relics on the streets of Hallstead were common things.
The work of the Relic Committee now became arduous, and until the close of the Centennial the following members of that excellent committee displayed untiring zeal and devotion in securing and caring for the flood of curios which poured in upon them from every cor- ner of the county : Mrs. S. B. Chase, chairman ; Mrs. G. W. Cap- well, secretary; Mrs. W. K. Hatch, Mrs. M. J. Larabee, Mrs. Olive McIntosh, Mrs. J. H. Cook, Mrs. James T. Du Bois, Mrs. S. P. More, Mrs. Theodore Hays, Mrs. Fred. Smith, Miss Celia De Forest, Miss Kitty Hayden, and Miss Agnes Pope. To these ladies the entire county owes a debt of gratitude which not even the sheriff can collect, for nothing can liquidate it. They received and superbly arranged the most remarkable collection of relics ever seen in the Northern Tier, or probably in the State, and returned them to their respective owners without loss or injury.
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As soon as the relics began to arrive four responsible and faithful men, Frank Decker. Orrie Terboss, Richard Terboss, and P. H. Smith, were engaged to police the rink, and they were at times assisted in this work by Archie Conklin, L. S. Lowe, P. R. Eldred, and Ed - ward Powell. Several large tanks of water were placed about the building to be used in case of fire, and every precaution was taken to protect the priceless treasures which had been consigned by the patriotic people of the county to the care of the committee. By Saturday night nearly all of the relics were received, catalogued, la- beled, and placed in their allotted sections, ready for the formal opening on Centennial Monday.
AROUND TOWN.
During Saturday preceding the Centennial week Du Bois Grove became the scene of great activity. Contractor W. S. Barnes had a force of men engaged in building the grand stand on the grounds of Mrs Joseph Du Bois, adjoining the grove ; also a kitchen for the banquet tent and several small eating-houses. He was assisted by Fred. Terboss, Peter Osterhout. and Charles Williams. Early in the morning the banquet tent, 60x90 feet, and a number of smaller tents arrived. and at noon Mr. Sherman, of Montrose, aided by a large force of men, commenced raising them on the broad reach of flat land lying just west of Salt Lick Creek. As soon as they were 11|> Philo McDonald, Jr., and Frank Sackett were put on duty as police, and I. B. Crook arranged to construct 600 feet of table for the famous dinner. The southern approach to the bridge was gaily dressed with green bows. The splendid arches which W. S. Barnes had sprung across Main street, Susquehanna avenue, and Harmony road were being handsomely decorated under the supervision of C. J. Langley. The arch on Main street bore the inscription, "Hall- stead greets you :" the one spanning Susquehanna avenue, " Wel- come to our Governor ." and the one across the Harmony road leading to the banquet tent. " Welcome, ye oll settlers." while near the log cabin an immense portrait of W. F. Hallstead, drawn by J. Clark, Jr., was swung across the street and gracefully trimmed with evergreen. The review stand was just opposite the residence of the Rev. James B. McCreary, which is the oldest house now standing in the county. It was upon the exact spot where the review stand was
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located that the following incident (furnished by the Rev. D. F. Leach, of Newark Valley), occurred near the beginning of the pres- ent century : Col Baker was keeping a store in the building, and a man driving an ox-team attached to a cart stopped in front of the place, and, with an oath, cried out to the cattle, "Whoah-back !" A tame crow, that had been taught to speak, flew upon the fore- board of the cart as soon as the man entered the store and repeated with an oath, "Whoah-back !" The oxen commenced backing across the road, and soon both were dashed down the steep bank where the review stand stood and were instantly killed.
One brilliant feature in the decoration of Main street was the Ross block, in which J. Clark, Jr., had located the headquarters of the Susquehanna Transcript, the only daily newspaper in the county. The large building was fairly buried beneath flags and bunting, and the mammoth picture of the log cabin drawn by Mr. Clark attracted universal attention. Mr. Clark, assisted by Frank Sands and Slater Lamb, produced all of the inscriptions used during the Centennial by the Decorating Committee, and for this and much other valuable service deserve special praise.
On the border of the river, in the grove, the Great Bend and Hall- stead Drum Corps erected a fine dancing pavilion, and a large num- ber of booths and eating places sprang into notice on all sides. The new iron bridge across Salt Lick Creek received finishing touches under the supervision of Commissioner John Osterhout and Byron Smith. The big guns from Montrose arrived and were planted near the tents. John Maynard had wheeled his famous anvil to the banks bordering Salt Lick Creek, and had carefully placed the noisy roarer ready to salute the dawning of Centennial Monday. The various committees had done their work well ; all was ready. The sun sank below the western horizon with the thermometer at 652. Not a cloud could be seen in the heavens. The day had been warm and beauti- ful ; the evening was quiet and serene. The Indian summer had ap parently come, and all greeted it as it had rarely been welcomed be- fore.
A SLIP BETWEEN CUP AND LIP. The hollow winds begin to blow, The clouds look black, the glass falls low, The soot falls down, the spaniels sleep, And spiders from their cobwebs creep;
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The squalid toads are often seen Crawling o'er the village green, Loud quack the ducks, the peacocks cry, The distant hills are looking nigh ; How restless are the snorting swine ! The lingering flies disturb the kine ; Puss on the hearth, with velvet paws, Sits wiping o'er her whiskered jaws ; 'Twill surely rain, we see with sorrow, Our hopes are blasted for to morrow.
As the sun rose over the pine tops that crown Mount Manotonome on Sunday morning he quickly gathered a gray covering to the clear sky, and the day was given over forthwith to the clamy influences of a dismal rain. But the sturdy hope of the true patriot did not wither as an autumn leaf, for, " like a glimmering taper's light, it illumed and cheered his way, and still, as darker grew the sky, emitted a brighter ray." It may be said, however, that the ray was not a grand burst of glittering glory, but simply a ray, that was all ; a ray with a doubtful glimmer. The outlook was certainly inauspicious. A few weak patriots muttered grim prophecies of a total failure of the Centennial and then wandered gloomily off to bed.
THE PROGRAMME.
MONDAY, October 10.
The day will be ushered in by firing of cannon and unfurling of flags. At I o'clock p. m. the Ladies' Special Relic Committee and all members of committees then present at Hallstead will meet at the log cabin, and, preceded by the Hallstead Cornet Band, march to the Relic Hall, which will be formally opened to the public by an address by Hon. S. B. Chase. The day will close with an illumina- tion of the town and fireworks.
TUESDAY, October II.
The booming of cannon will announce the opening of the second day of the Centennial.
The forenoon of the second day will be devoted to amusements and sports.
At 2 p. m. the Reception Committee, with the band, will escort the speakers and invited guests to the grand stand.
The literary exercises at grand stand will be as follows : I. Music by the band. 2. Prayer. 3. Music. 4. Historical address by Hon. J. B. McCollom, Montrose, Pa. 5. Music. 6. Centennial poem, written by Edith May. 7. Address by Hon. Martin A. Fo- ran, of Ohio. 8. Benediction.
Grand display of firework and special illumination in the evening ..
WEDNESDAY, October 12.
The Governor will arrive at 10 o'clock and be escorted to the log cabin.
The parade will form promptly at 1 1 o'clock and division marshals will report at Log Cabin not later than 10.30.
The parade will cross the bridge and move up Main street, in Great Bend, to the M. E. Church, when it will countermarch, recross the bridge, and, after passing in review, will be dismissed.
The Governor will give a reception to the old settlers at the log. cabin immediately after the parade.
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A Centennial tree will be planted by Governor Beaver on the banks of the Susquehanna near the log cabin.
The banquet to the old settlers and invited guests will follow.
At 2.30 the literary exercises at the grand stand will take place. Music. Prayer. Music by Centennial Chorus, under leadership of Dr. A. K. Harroun. Addresses of welcome by Hon. James T. Du Bois, followed by addresses from Gov. James A. Beaver, Hon. Ga- lusha A. Grow, and Judge Henry W. Williams. Centennial hymn. Long meter doxology by assemblage. Benediction.
Grand naval battle on the river in the evening with pyrotech- nics and illumination.
CENTENNIAL MONDAY.
At five o'clock on the morning of the roth day of October John Maynard's famous anvil awoke the echoes in the mountains and filled the valleys with the rumble of its voice.
As day broke a bitter wind came driving in from the northward strong enough to blow a land bird to sea, and it hurled along a mass of storm-clouds which shed real damp showers that fluctuated be- tween hailstones and rain-drops. and yet the pretty village looked gay in its holiday attire. The high arches, sprung gracefully across the principal streets, were bright and fresh with flags and bunting, and all the thoroughfares seemed walled on either side by solid fronts of emblems and evergreens. The mountains which shape the splendid amphitheater, in the center of which Hallstead is situated, stood out in bold relief against the cold, gray horizon, and the river, rough with wind-driven wavelets, moved majestically on toward the sea. It was not a good day for a celebration ; but it was the best we had, and therein rested our consolation.
About ten o'clock the Hon. George A. Post, Hon. M. J. Larabee, Oliver HI. Perry, L. D. Benson, W. P. Crandall, and other promi- nent gentlemen connected with the Centennial arrived for the pur- pose of participating in the formal opening of the Relic Exhibition. The Hallstead Band, comprising the following members, furnished capital music from early morn till rainy eve: George Lamb, leader ; Ira Preston, drum major : G. W. Capwell, Jerry Mahoney. Daniel
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Ring, George B. Brown, John Coddington, W. E. Barnes, M. J. Shannon, W. H. McCreary, E. F. Wilmot, James Simrell, Lew. Wilmot, W. F. Simrell, Slater Lamb, Charles Barnes, R. A. Phillips, Frank Thomas, and Sylvester Barnes. At 3 o'clock members of the different committees met at the Log Cabin, and, headed by this band, marched to the Relic Hall, which was crowded with visitors, and took positions in the east end of the building, where the ceremonies of formally opening the wonderful exhibition were to occur. The Hon. George A. Post, as chairman of the Man- aging Committee, presided. The Rev. L. W. Church offered the opening prayer, which was as follows:
Thou blessed and eternal God, the God of our fathers and mothers, our God and Father, we ask for Thy Fatherly blessing now to rest upon us in this assembly. We thank Thee, Father, for the hundred years of prosperity now come and gone since the first settle- ment of this county. To day we gather together to give Thee thanks for present mercies and blessings. Let our hearts' gratitude go out to Thee in words and acts of true thanksgiving. We revere the fra- grant memory of our noble ancestors, who, in the front of mighty difficulties and exposed to many dangers and hardships, cut a way for liberty and prosperity through the forest wilderness. Give to us all a true appreciation of the noble work they wrought both for them- selves and their posterity. Bless, O Lord, this County Exhibition ; and as our eyes look upon the relics of a past generation of men and women make us grateful for our many and superior advantages. Keep us, O Lord, as a nation and people from all evil; defend thou us from our enemies, and make us loyal to our heritage, and thine shall be the glory forever. Amen.
At the close of the prayer Mr. Post announced that Hon. S. B. Chase, who was to deliver the opening address, had been unexpect- edly called to Easton by telegraph, and that Hon. M. J. Larabee, with but a moment's notice, had kindly consented to take his place. Mr. Larabee spoke as follows :
It was only a few months ago that the people decided by the com- mittees sent out through townships in the county to hold the Centen- nial. Although the time has been very short we are surprised to see such an exhibition as is gathered in the hall. This is due primarily to the interest taken in the matter by the county, but it is principally due to the devotion of the ladies. These decorations and the gath- ering of the relics are the work of their hands. Here we see things
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we never dreamed of. We become through these relics somewhat acquainted with our ancestors, and while we do not see their faces now we can see what they wore and the implements they used in husbandry. It is a good thing for this county that we are called to- gether in this capacity, and we hope that in the one hundred years to come we may make as much improvement as we have in the past.
We boast of our intelligence and our progress, and we may well do so. We have a right to be proud of what has been achieved in the arts and sciences and in the improvement of the county at large.
We thank the men and women of Hallstead for what they have done. They have done more than their share, and to them belongs a great portion of the credit of the success of the undertaking.
With these few remarks we now declare the Centennial Exhibit open in due form.
Chairman Post then delivered a short and patriotic appeal to the people for good-fellowship during the Centennial. He said :
I feel impelled to add a few words to those already spoken. To me the greatest feature of all this Centennial Exhibition is that from all the townships there will come thousands of citizens, gathered to stand on a common platform. We do not come here to celebrate any victories achieved in war, but we come here to celebrate the re- sults of the pursuits of peace. One great trouble with humanity to- day is that we do not have enough of such gatherings as these. We are divided in politics and in religion, and we do not meet and commingle as we ought outside of these petty differences.
Let us forget every difference in this celebration, remembering that we are citizens of Susquehanna County, and that we have met here for a grand neighborhood visit. On this occasion let us be friends. I hope that where there have been differences there will be harmony, and that this meeting will be fruitful in beating down barriers of pre- judice and bringing us into more cordial and neighborly relations with each other.
At the conclusion of this address Rev. Mr. Church pronounced a benediction and the Hallstead Band rendered "Auld Lang Syne" in an artistic manner. The Relic Hall was then formally opened to the public.
THE RELIC HALL.
Standing at the entrance of this quaint depository of the antiqui- ties of our people, and taking in the picture by one comprehensive view, the bosom of any well-regulated citizen of the county must have big-swoln with patriotic pride. Passing from one group of
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curios to another, until the entire collection had been seen, the wis- dom of those who first proposed the exhibition and the skill of those who arranged it could no longer be questioned.
As a representation of those things which surrounded our forefathers in their frugal homes it surpassed the most sanguine expectations. A great volume would not suffice to describe in detail the use and his- tory of each article. Never before in the time of any people had such a golden opportunity been offered to view the ancient treasures of a county. Here the lovers of ornithology could gaze upon some of the rarest specimens of taxidermy art, among which the fine col- lection of Dr H. A. Tingley was conspicuous. Here the geologi- cal student caught glimpses of the mineral kingdom that must have charmed his mind. Here he who has a predilection for old andirons, odd spinning-wheels, and curious gridirons must have revelled with delight. Here precious stones and pieces of rare old china abounded, each piece possessing an interesting history of its own. Here the vast array of truly remarkable old books must have touched the heart of the bibliomaniac as it had never been moved before. Ce- ramics in endless variety, fabrics of every conceivable texture and pat- tern belonging to the close of the last century ; implements of war used in the French and Indian struggle, in the Revolution, and in 1812 ; implements of peace used in the piping times that followed ; ancient cooking utensils in countless forms ; a wonderful display of old pictures ; in short, a wonder-house that made all wonder.
In the southeast corner the energetic Harford committee had placed a complete and curious set of ancient furniture, while in the north - east corner, as a contrast, had been arranged a modern sleeping apartment. On the south wall hung a mysterious skin, called the " What is it?" a prize of one dollar being offered to the person who first guessed its true character. (It was a skin of a Shetiand colt, furnished by Mr. Morris, of Montrose.) At the west end of the building the Hon. Galusha A. Grow hung a quaint old metal lamp, and called it the "electric light of a hundred years ago." It was the property of C. W. Conrad, of Lenox. In front of the long cen- ter-table, just at the entrance to the rink, Mrs. John Hayden and Mrs. L. A. Smith, of New Milford, swung a handsome "liberty bell" in a graceful arch of evergreen. Near this was a section of a wheel belonging to the first grist-mill ever built in the county. It
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was recently discovered on the old site of the mill near Brooklyn and brought to the exhibition by W. P. Crandall, of Hopbottom. Among the old books was a very ancient Bible, which was once the property of Judge Thomson, one of the earliest settlers on the Great Bend side of the river. In the Hallstead display was a solid silver tea-set which was presented to Mina Du Bois and bride at their wed- ding. The wonderful natural curiosity, called the " beech head," belonging to Dr. H. A. Tingley, attracted universal attention. The only reasonable explanation of this striking freak of nature is that a beech-nut must have fallen into a human skull, and developing, took the place of the brain and spinal marrow. It was found some twenty-five years ago by Dea. A. Meyers on the Starrucca Creek, and was so firmly rooted that it took two men to pull it loose from the earth. A piece of the rail split by Abraham Lincoln in 1830 was among the Auburn collection. Clifford, among a host of interest- ing articles, furnished the brass buckle which repelled a saber's stroke that might have ended the life of the Rev. Elnathan Baker in the Revolution. And as for things, and rare things, too, that came over in the May Flower, there were no end to them. It seemed that the entire population of Susquehanna County must have had a good friend or relative on that famous old ship. The favorite chair that Martha Washington used while sojourning at Newburgh was sat upon by a great many people during the exhibition, and a pocket-book with a piece of paper money in it, which was given to Simeon Gould by George Washington, was among the innumerable array of inter- esting articles.
But who can adequately describe, in detail, this remarkable collec- tion of the county's curios. It was a wonderful muster of our wealth of ancient keepsakes and trophies, displayed in countless shapes and myriad numbers. Members of the Relic Committee who devoted a week to their careful arrangement confessed that they had seen but little of the exhibition. The thousands who visited the hall went away with words of surprise and admiration on their lips. It proved to them that Susquehanna County is really a store-house of choice mementoes of by-gone days as well as a young giant in modern progress. It showed the wonderful advancement we have made since the days of our forefathers and taught us more and more to appre- ciate what we owe to those brave pioneers. While the Centennial
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itself gave an opportunity for the people to meet and exchange fra- ternal greetings, the exhibition offered them a chance to display a generous rivalry. It imparted a knowledge concerning the earlier days of our county, which no other source of information could supply. It kindled among our people a kindlier and more patriotic feeling. It proved, in reality. a blessing to us all.
To the thousands who attended the celebration, but owing to the vast crowds were unable to see the exhibits, the following complete list of relics will be of interest. To the thousands whose privilege it was to view the rare collection, it will prove useful as a reminder of what they saw. To that body of patriotic citizens who loaned their tokens of other days to the exhibition it will recall their generous act. and to those who a hundred years hence shall celebrate our Bi- Centennial, it will prove an invaluable record of the ancient treasures of Susquehanna County.
LIST OF RELICS ON EXHIBITION.
This list was prepared by Mrs. Gould W. Capwell, the efficient secretary of the Relic Committee. The work of compiling it proved a very difficult task, owing to the mass of relics which arrived at the rink, and to correctly list them became almost an impossibility. We know that the work has been conscientiously done, and feel sure that all interested will fully appreciate the manner in which the secretary has met the task. To those energetic and patriotic persons who col- lected and transported these treasures to Relic Hall belong the highest terms of praise :
ARARAT.
Mrs. Mary R. Tyler: Diploma of Ebenezer Kingsbury from Yale College; date, 1786; three sermons, by Rev. Ebenezer Kingsbury, 1786; book, "Life of Cotton Mather," 1729; bible printed in Edinburgh, 1766; book written by Mrs. Hannah Williston, 1759: book printed in Dublin, 1791; sermons by Rev. Peter Thatcher, 1798 : Harford Selection of Hymns, 1810 ; Sermons to Young People, 1760. Mrs. Tyler who loaned these books is aged 92 years and 9 months. Mrs. Carry Brooks: Bible, date, 1794; bed spread, 1820. James C. Bushnell: Linen curtain, 1785; needlework wallet, 1778; wheel-head, 1810; candle-stick, 1785; pocket- lantern, chaffing-dish, warming-pan, conch-shell, 1780. Books- Expository of New Testament, 1708; Pulpit Bible, 1765; Pil- grim's Progress, 1704; Military Regulations, 1782; Sermons, 1767 ;
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Perry's Dictionary. 1795: Sermons, 1744: Religious Courtship. Pamphlets-Sermon, 1740 : Catechism, 1788 ; Half-century Sermon, 1768: Anniversary Sermon. 1792: Counsels, by E. Wales, 1774 ; Luzerne Association. 1774 : Our Country, 1771 : Soul's Health : Ora- tion, 1778 ; Sea Journal, 1804 : Black Book, &c., 1742: MSS. Let- ter. by E. Bushnell, 1800: Poetry. 1783: First Paper in America, 1704: Almanac. 1771 : Ulster Gazette in mourning for General Washington, 1800.
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