When The Liberty Bell Traveled Through The Valley - 1893

 

The Liberty Bell at Park Station, in Williamsport, 1893

On Tuesday April 25, 1893, the Liberty Bell made it's way through the Central Susquehanna Valley, on it's way to the Chicago expedition.   It was the first of 5 tours the bell would make, the last being in 1915. Crowds lined the railroad tracks in our local towns of Sunbury, Milton, Williamsport, and Lock Haven, with many kissing the bell, or running trinkets against the relic to keep as souvenirs of the occasion.

The bell being driven to the train station in Philadelphia for the 1915 tour

"PHILADELPHIA, April 25 [1893].—The train bearing Liberty Bell left the Broad Street station of the Pennsylvania Railroad at 10 o’clock this morning for Chicago.  A party of forty, including Mayor Stuart, the Joint World’s Fair Committee of councils were on board.  The train consisted of the bell car, a combination car, three sleepers, and a dining car."

SUNBURY

"The first stop was made at Sunbury, and here the gathering was a large one.  The military, volunteer firemen, and cadets were drawn up in front of the statue of Col James Cameron, who fell in the first battle of Bull Run.  The people had evidently come from miles around and demanded a speech from Mayor Stuart, who, after being introduced by Solicitor Chapman, made a few happy patriotic remarks that pleased the crowd.

The mayor was followed by Councilman Miles & Smithers.  At Sunbury the great desire seemed to be to touch the bell, and two were allowed on, an old man of 80 and a blonde of 4 years.  They both kissed the bell and Councilmen Finletter kissed the child.  Sunbury was alive for ten minutes and the town folds enjoyed themselves while it lasted." - The Philadelphia Times

MONTANDON

The Lewisburg Journal reported that the bell arrived at Sunbury at 4:30 pm.  "A large number of people gathered at the station at Montandon to see it.  It passed by Montandon about 5:10 o'clock. The train did not stop, but it moved so slowly that all had a good view of the famous bell."

The Liberty Bell in Allentown 1893

MILTON

"The patriotism of our people was once more attested on Tuesday last, when the Liberty Bell passed through this place. [Milton, Pa] The railroad track was lined on both sides from the southern limit of the town to the hills on the extreme north with a waiting expectant mass of humanity.  

The train stopped at the depot on schedule time - and scarcely had the drivers ceased to revolve when there arose such a cheer as could be heard for miles.

The Liberty Bell on the train in 1893 (town unknown)

The bell occupied a car built especially for the occasion, and four sturdy blue coats - one at each corner of the car - guarded with jealous care the precious legacy.

The train, aside from the car mentioned, was a telescope and was filled with distinguished people from Phila, Lancaster, Harrisburg, and other points east."

The Liberty Bell at Park Station, in Williamsport, 1893

WILLIAMSPORT

"At Williamsport it seemed as if all Lycoming County had turned out to honor the bell.  Addresses were made by Mayor Elliot of Williamsport, Mayor Stuart, Director Beitler, and Common Councilman Anderson.  The greatest enthusiasm prevailed."

In Williamsport a procession was to meet at the court house at 5:45pm, where carriages would be waiting.  Two large "shoo flies" were tendered for the use of small school children, and President Roonds of the Williamsport Passenger Railway CO proffered the use of several cars in case the number of little ones should be more than the vehicles could accommodate.   The Fisk Band was to lead the procession, followed by a platoon of police (clad in their new uniforms) followed by children and citizens in carriages. All patriotic citizens who owned a carriage were encouraged to turn out "so that a credible display can be made" The special train was expected to arrive at Park Station between 6:15 and 6:30 pm.

The Liberty Bell in Chicago

LOCK HAVEN

The train arrived in Lock Haven at 7:17, eight minutes ahead of schedule.  "The reception of the Liberty Bell in Lock Haven rivaled that tendered in this city" reported the Williamsport Sun Gazette.  "Although in point numbers they fell behind, they made it up in genuine enthusiasm."

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Liberty Bell: Journey to Chicago New York Times, April 26, 1893

LIBERTY BELL ON THE WAY.

PHILADELPHIA, April 25.—The train bearing Liberty Bell left the Broad Street station of the Pennsylvania Railroad at 10 o’clock this morning for Chicago.  A party of forty, including Mayor Stuart, the Joint World’s Fair Committee of councils were on board.  The train consisted of the bell car, a combination car, three sleepers, and a dining car.

As the train drew out of Harrisburg, parents handed their children over the rails to kiss the bell, while others got the four reserve policemen to rub metals or trinkets against the relic to obtain souvenirs of the occasion.

At Sunbury, Borough Solicitor Chipman briefly introduced Mayor Stuart, who made a short address.  Chairman Smithers and President Miles of the Select Council also spoke.

At Williamsport it seemed as if all Lycoming County had turned out to honor the bell.  Addresses were made by Mayor Elliot of Williamsport, Mayor Stuart, Director Beitler, and Common Councilman Anderson.  The greatest enthusiasm prevailed.

At Lancaster the fire engines were all at the  station blowing their whistles, and a brass band played.

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The Liberty Bell went on tours in  1893, 1895, 1902, 1904, 1915.

Time Line Of The Liberty Bell

Photos from the last tour, in 1915 - 

https://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/photos.html

The Miltonian, April 28 1893

Sun Gazette, April 24 1893

Mount Caramel Daily News, Apr 1893

Sun Gazette, April 26 1893

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For $500 more, this march probably would have been named “The Devil’s Deputy.” Sousa was composing music for an operetta of that name at the request of the celebrated comedian Francis Wilson. Sousa asked $1,500 for the work, but Wilson offered $1,000. When they could not come to an agreement, Sousa withdrew with his partially completed manuscript, which included a lively march.

Sousa and George Frederick Hinton, one of the band’s managers, were in Chicago witnessing a spectacle called America when a backdrop, with a huge painting of the Liberty Bell, was lowered. Hinton suggested that “The Liberty Bell” would be a good title for Sousa’s new march. By coincidence, the next morning Sousa received a letter from his wife in which she told how their son had marched in his first parade in Philadelphia–a parade honoring the return of the Liberty Bell, which had been on tour. The new march was then christened “The Liberty Bell.” It was one of the first marches Sousa sold to the John Church Company and was the first composition to bring Sousa a substantial financial reward.

According to a story told by the Sousa Band’s first soprano, Marcella Lindh, she contributed one of the themes of the march. Sousa had heard her whistling a catchy tune of her own and had asked her permission to incorporate it into one of his marches. Several years later she heard “The Liberty Bell” march being performed by a band in Europe and recognized her own melody in the march. 

Paul E. Bierley, The Works of John Philip Sousa (Westerville, Ohio: Integrity Press, 1984), 43