Events Of The 1895 Lycoming Centennial Event, July 2-4th
As recorded in the Centennial Report, edited by Meginness
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TUESDAY JULY 2nd 1895
Opening Day
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"Tuesday, July 2d, opened auspiciously. The sun shone bright and clear. The salute of nineteen guns awoke the echoes of the hills and as the sound reverberated through the valley it proclaimed the beginning of a celebration that was to mark the commencement of a new epoch in the history of the county. Not a cloud obscured the sky as the sun peeped over Bald Eagle Mountain and shone with undimmed splendor, as it majestically commenced its journey through the heavens.
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The sounds of the morning guns had scarcely died away before the population of the city was astir and began preparations to bid a joyous welcome to all who should arrive to take part in the exercises, or witness the same as spectators. During the evening and night before, the incoming trains brought hundreds of strangers who intended to remain during the entire three days, and as the morning trains rolled in they added hundreds more to the swelling throng. Travel by vehicle from the country was also great. A steady current came from every point of the compass. The vales were almost depopulated and the dwellers on the mountain slopes quickly joined the enthusiastic multitude.
Long before the time for the procession to move the streets in the central part of the city were filled with thousands of people, and notwithstanding the full complement of all the Sunday Schools was not represented, the number perhaps reached four thousand, and the
spectacle of the "little men and women," appropriately dressed, as they trudged on the line of march, was as impressive as it was grand, beautiful and inspiring."
It was almost 2:30 o'clock when the civic exercises opened at. the court house. On the platform were H. T. Ames, Esq., president of the meeting; Frank P. Cummings, Esq., Rev. Julius A. Herold, and C. LaRue Munson, Esq.
The Distin band opened the exercises with an overture, entitled "Crown all Victory," and was followed in prayer by Rev. J. A. Herold, whose fervent appeal to the throne of grace was earnest and touching. Two verses of the popular and ever-stirring ode, "America," was then sung by Rev. Charles F. Green and the audience.
President Ames followed with a short but interesting address, in which he referred to the progress that Lycoming County had made during the past hundred years, and how her sons had ever stood ready and willing to battle for country and flag. In these things she has assisted in making Pennsylvania the Keystone arch of the nation — a matter of pride to her citizens.
At the conclusion of Mr. Ames' address the band rendered a selection, when he introduced C. M. Clement, Esq., of Sunbury, orator of the day, who spoke..."
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The Aeronaut
[Hot Air Balloon]
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Note - the above balloon photo is undated, and I had originally thought it must have been taken before City Hall was constructed in 1893. However, now I wonder if this could possibly have been during the 1895 centennial - perhaps taken from a window in the new city hall? if so, it would have been on July 2nd. The ascensions on the 3rd and 4th took place at the Old Fairgrounds.
"Owing to an unexpected delay the aeronaut did not make his balloon ascension and parachute leap on schedule time. Instead of getting started at 4 o'clock, he did not make the venture until nearly 5:30. This resulted in considerable complaint on the part of the people who had stood for an hour or more before the specified time awaiting the ascension. Many becoming weary of waiting went home without witnessing the event. When the signal to "cut loose" was finally given the immense air ship quickly leaped skyward, and in a very short space of time had conveyed its cargo of human freight a distance of 2,000 feet above the earth, veering in a southerly direction. At the above point the aeronaut pulled the cord which released him from his balloon, causing him and his parachute to shoot downward with the speed of the wind toward terra firma He was in the air one minute and forty- five seconds, and the leap was successfully accomplished. "
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From the late 1800s through the first quarter of the 20th century, Demorest Mfg [Lycoming Engines] produced the “New York Style Bicycle” in Williamsport, Pa.
Illuminated Bicycle Parade
"The illuminated bicycle parade in the evening, through the principal thoroughfares of the city, was a complete success, and thousands of people lined the streets to witness it. The parade started at 8:30 o'clock with the Newberry F. O. S. of A. band in the lead. The
Montgomery Wheel Club, with twenty men, lead the 'cyclists, followed by the Keystone and Williamsport Wheel clubs. A large number of unattached riders brought up the rear. The wheels were handsomely decorated with Japanese lanterns and bunting. The Keystone Wheel Club had a large float announcing the circuit meet, to take place July 23. Ned Lyons and
"Able," dressed as Indians, attracted attention. The visiting wheelmen were tendered a reception after the parade of the Williamsport Wheel Club. "
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WEDNESDAY JULY 3rd 1895
SECOND DAY.
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"The official program of the exercises for Wednesday,
July 3d, as issued by the Director General, was as
follows :
A salute of nineteen guns will be fired from Brandon Park, near the intersection of Market and Hepburn Streets, at 6 o'clock A. M.
Military and civic parade at 11 o'clock A. M. — Mounted platoon of police, Chief Marshal Col. James B. Coryell and staff, Repasz band. "
[The line up and details of the parade are included in the Centennial Report]
Exercises to be held at the court house at 2 P. M. Music by the Fisk band. Prayer by Rev. Arthur E. Woods. Introductory remarks by J. B. Duble, chairman of committee. Patriotic song by singing section Williamsport Turn Verein. Recitation by Miss Augusta Helen Gilmore,
poem, entitled "Lycoming." Address by H. C. Parsons, Esq. Historical address by Hon. Charles Tubbs, of Tioga County. Song by Turn Verein choir. Benediction by Rev. Elliott C. Armstrong.
Balloon ascension and parachute leap will take place at 4 o'clock from the old fair grounds. Prof. Frank H. Kepner, of Sturgess, Michigan, is the aeronaut, and he will ascend not less than three thousand feet before cutting loose with his parachute.
Antiquarian exhibition open from 7 o'clock A. M. until 10 P. M.
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"The morning of the second day dawned clear and beautiful, and the committee on salute made the welkin ring as they fired the nineteen guns assigned them. The people were early astir and the incoming trains brought hundreds of visitors, while all roads leading to the city were lined with vehicles.
The parade, while not so large as was expected, owing to friction between some of the societies, was very respectable, and made a handsome showing. The number of spectators was greater, perhaps, than on the opening day, the streets being lined with people throughout the entire line of march.
Aside from the military, the only societies that took part were the Jr. O. IT. M., Ancient Order of Hibernians, three divisions; the Father Matthew Total Abstinence Society, St. Patrick's Benevolent Society, St. Boniface, Young Men's Sodality Society and Father Matthew Cadets.
The parade formed on Market Square at 11:20, preceded by Capt. Evan Russell and four mounted patrolmen; Colonel Coryell and staff, consisting of Major Focht, Adjutant Snyder, chief of staff; Inspector of Rifle Practice DuFour, Lieutenant Hull and Military Cadet Collins.
Repasz band, Major King and Adjutant Russell; Twelfth Regiment drum corps; companies B, D and G of the National Guard; Baptist Cadets, commanded by Captain McCausland; detachment of artillery, two pieces.
A carriage in line bore four veterans of the Mexican war, as follows: John B. Shadle, Watsontown, Pa., aged 73; Samuel McOollum, High town, White Deer Valley, aged 72; Peter Scott, Allenwood, aged 72; John F. Meginness, Williamsport, aged 68. The veterans looked hale and hearty and attracted much attention.
The Jr. O. U. A. M. band of Muncy, followed by the Williamsport and Muncy councils, completed the first division.
Second Division — This division fell into line on West Third Street and was assigned a position in the rear of the parade. The officers were: Marshal, Frank P. Cummings, Esq. Aids, W. P. Bradley, Esq., Eobert J. White, M. J. Costello, Thomas J. Keidy, Jr., Charles
J. Reilly, Esq., M. J. Dunbar, Louis E. Whiteman, P. M. Malloy, Charles Krimm, Fred Beiter, James Burrows, John Stopper and Jerry McEnery, and the following Irish and German Catholic societies composed the division, being headed by the Fisk military band: Sections one, two and three A. O. H., mustering about 400 men; two delegations of the German Sodality Society, with 100 in line; Distin band; St. Boniface Benevolent Society, 175 strong; St. Patrick's Society, 75 men; the Father Matthew Total Abstinence Society, 100 men, and Father Matthew Temperance Cadets, numbering 51 boys. The division made a very fine appearance and called forth much favorable comment from the spectators.
AT THE COURT HOUSE.
The program of exercises was successfully carried out at the court house. The auditorium was well filled, and the attendance of ladies was large. The exercises were opened with an overture, "American Republic," by the Fisk military band, followed with prayer by Rev. E. A. Woods, D. D.
Chairman Duble introduced Hon. H. C. Parsons, who, when he arose, was greeted with applause. Mr. Parsons congratulated the people of Lycoming County on their centennial celebration and its success, and said that it was a most happy occasion that the people and
their neighbors could gather and that the results of such a meeting could not help but be beneficial. He briefly reviewed the progress of the county for the past hundred years, touching the various epochs in the county's history, and closed with a recital of the natural wealth with which the county is blessed, its lumber, coal, iron and marble, its productive hills and val-
leys, its peoples, who have attained high positions in the professions, who have sent representatives to Congress, and Governors and high officials to Harrisburg, and finally in a glowing tribute praised the patriotism of the people who supplied warriors for the conflicts of
1812 and 1861.
Mr. Parsons was followed by the singing section of the Williamsport Turn Verein, which rendered the Star Spangled Banner in a patriotic manner.
"At the conclusion of the address the Turn Verein sang a German selection entitled "Gott Gruesze Dich," which was followed by the benediction by Rev. Elliott C Armstrong.
The exercises of the day closed with the balloon ascension and parachute drop in the evening and the display of fire-works at night, when there was a rush to Antiquarian Hall, to view the wonderful collection on exhibition there. "
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THURSDAY JULY 4th1895
THIRD & LAST DAY
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"As Thursday, July 4th, was to be the last day of the series of celebrations, extraordinary efforts had been made by all concerned to make the demonstration a success. Inspired by the patriotic sentiments which cluster around the memories of this day, every man, woman and child felt it to be their duty to lend their aid and influence towards making the celebration as
great a success as possible. And their sympathy and influence were not expended in vain.
The following elaborate program for the exercises of the day was issued by the Director General:
Salute of nineteen guns at 6 A. M. from Brandon Park, near the
intersection of Market and Hepburn streets.
Bells to be rung- and whistles blown at 7 A. M.
Industrial parade at 10 A. M. [a long and detailed description of the parade line up and route is included in the Centennial Report]
Civic exercises at the court house at 2 P. M. — Music by Repasz band ; prayer by Rev. T. S. Wilcox; introductory address, J. A. Beeber, president; reading of Declaration of Independence, John G. Reading; singing by Harmonia society; historical address by C. LaRue Munson, Esq.;
music by the band; centennial ode, Charles K. Geddes, Esq.; patriotic address by Hon. Emerson' Collins; singing by Harmonia society benediction by Rev. W. F. Rick.
Balloon ascension and parachute leap will take place at 4 o'clock from the old fair grounds. Prof. Frank H. Kepner, of Sturgess, Michigan, as the aeronaut, and he will ascend not less than three thousand feet before cutting loose with his parachute.
Antiquarian exhibition open from 7 A. M. until 10 P. M.
Fire-works display, 8:30 P. M., at Vallamont.
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THE GREAT DAY.
The opening could not have been more propitious. Not a cloud obscured the sky. The morning salute was fired with the precision of clock-work, and as the reverberation of the guns rolled back from the wooded hills, the sound filled the valley and inspired the populace with patriotic emotions. Everybody was astir at an early hour. The day was to be the greatest in the history of the county and city. The people outside of the city entered into the spirit of the occasion and made the industrial parade a great success. The display came up to expectations. No greater demonstration was ever witnessed in the city since Michael Ross had his ox roast and Fourth of July celebration on Market Square a century before. People came not only from every township and borough in the county, but they came from every place within a radius of a hundred miles. To give an exact estimate of the number of strangers in the city was almost impossible, but competent judges believe that it reached fully fifty thousand; which number added to the resident population, swelled the total to seventy-five or eighty thousand. In a word, "it was a tremendous throng," to use a popular expression of the day, and was noted for the good order which prevailed and the freedom from casualties.
The [Industrial Parade] divisions having been formed soon after 10 o'clock, the parade moved over the route laid down in the program.
AT THE COURT HOUSE.
At the hour assigned for the meeting in the court house the auditorium was filled with a large audience. President Beeber and the committee having charge of the exercises were on the stand. The Repasz band furnished excellent music as a prelude to the entertainment. Rev. T. S. Wilcox delivered an appropriate prayer, when President Beeber made a pleasing introductory address, in which he alluded to our wonderful advancement during the century and paid a handsome tribute to the people of the county for what, they had accomplished.
At the close of Mr. Beeber's address John G. Reading, Esq., read the Declaration of Independence, when the Gesang Verein Harmonia Society sang a few patriotic songs in handsome style.
President Beeber then introduced C. LaRue Munson, Esq., who delivered the fol-
lowing historical oration on the past of Lycoming County:
At the conclusion of Mr. Munson's oration, President Beeber introduced Charles K. Geddes, Esq., who read the following: CENTENNIAL ODE
Hon. Emerson Collins followed the reading of the Ode with the following eloquent address: APOSTROPHE TO OUR PROGRESS.
THE CLOSE.
The meeting closed with another song by the Harmonia Society and the benediction by the Kev. W. F. Rick.
The last balloon ascension and parachute leap by Prof. Frank Kepner, at the old fair grounds, was witnessed by fully eight thousand people, who crowded the hillsides and the fields of Vallamont to gaze on the novel spectacle. Like the previous ascensions it was a success, only the aeronaut started fifteen minutes before the advertised time, which caused many people to
miss the beginning of the exhibition.
The ascension of the second day (Wednesday) almost resulted in the death of the aeronaut. The assembled thousands watched him gracefully sail upwards with his parachute attached to the balloon — saw him successfully start to descend, but when he neared the ground, above Rural Avenue, he was unable to make the street, because his parachute caught on a chimney and
hurled him against the roof, bruising him badly. He slid over the eaves of the roof, breaking as he fell, the eave trough, and hung in this dangerous position a minute or two, when a man reached out from the second story window and rescued him.
During the evening the display of lire-works was witnessed by fully twenty-five thousand people, who spread out in a great mass over the fields and on the hill-tops. The display, while small in variety, was very good, and the spectators were generally well pleased.
The set pieces, "1795 — Lycoming County Centennial — 1895," and the "Water Fall," were good, and called forth loud shouts of approbation.
Pain's exhibition of the fall of Herculaneum, which was given during the week, was an additional attraction, and caused many to visit the city who might not otherwise have come. On the occasion of the last exhibition of fire-works this great entertainment did not open until they were over, which enabled those who wished to see and enjoy both.
With the parades, balloon ascensions, parachute descents, fire-works, the exhibition of the destruction of Herculaneum, and the wonderful display of curios in Antiquarian Hall, those
who loved novelty, variety and excitement had all they could desire, and the immense number of people who viewed these attractions from day to day showed that the management had succeeded in formulating and carrying out a program that was satisfactory to the populace. And those who had the good fortune to see these varied attractions as they passed before their mental vision like the ever changing scenes of an immense kaleidoscope, will not soon forget them.
The fete days of the Lycoming County Centennial made an impression on the minds of the people that will not fade as long as memory lasts, for they closed in a blaze of glory so resplendent as to almost dazzle the vision and bewilder the senses.
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The Lewisburg Journal Reported:
"During the three days of the coming Centennial celebration at Williamsport, July 2nd, third, and 4th, the people will listen to three well known and eloquent orators, who will arouse the patriotism of the people and make the welkin ring - Captain Clement, of Sunbury: Hon. Charles Tubbs, Of Oscola, and C. La Rue Munson, Esq, of Williamsport, We'll address the people upon the days named. Balloon assumptions each day and a grand display of fireworks on the evening of the fourth will be among the novel features for the entertainment of the hosts that will lay aside the cares of business and join the patriotic throng which will congregate within the confines of this city, so famed for its hospitality and so widely known as the “City of Conventions.”
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