4th of July Celebration, Southwest Harbor, July 3, 1895
Identifier:
15360 
Title:
4th of July Celebration, Southwest Harbor, July 3, 1895
Type:
Subject:
Description:
"The Southwest Harbor Band boys are very busy over their preparations for the celebrations of the Fourth, eagerly watching the signs of the weather clerk, hoping Gen Fog will be given leave to withdraw." - The Bar Harbor Record, July 3, 1895
“The Fourth – How it was Celebrated by the Band at Southwest Harbor – Another milestone in the onward march of the greatest nation on earth has been passed. It was a beautiful day and a great relief after the almost incessant stormy weather. Fire, powder, smoke and noises of every sort were prevalent; the small boy, with unbridled license to make all the noise he possibly could, regardless of anybody or anything, was in his glory. Most of the older ones looked on approvingly and the most sedate could scarcely restrain from relaxing and entering into the spirit of the occasion.
The Southwest Harbor band had made ample preparation for the entertainment and there was not a moment when time hung heavily on anyone’s hands. This was the first celebration they had planned and great pains were taken to make it one long to be remembered. The early morning was filled with the clanging of bells and the exploding of fire-arms.
Many of the towns in the county celebrated, so the influx from out of town was not as large as it would otherwise have been. Still there was a fair representation from many of the towns near by, and they all seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. The crowd was as orderly and well behaved as one could find that had gathered to celebrate a like occasion. The customary roisterer and the number who violate decency by getting drunk, were conspicuous by their absence.
The first feature of the day was the band concert given the Southwest Harbor band, assisted by Lindall’s band of Boston and Bar Harbor, at the rustic little band stand that had been erected for the occasion.
The boat race with three entries was the first to attract the crowd. The boats started from the line at the head of the cove and rowed around the stake boat about half a mile distant. Lewis Robinson and Harry Gilley came in a length ahead, Bert Robinson and Eben Richardson second, and John Ralph and John McKay last. The witnesses were quite enthusiastic over the winner as she is a new boat.
In the tub race the following entered: Bennie Allen, Sylvester Brown, John McKay and John Ralph. It was soon plain to be seen that the race was between Allen and Brown, and the other two dropped out. The race was quite exciting and was won by Allen, who came in a short distance ahead. Prize, $1.00.
In the bicycle race the entries were Stephen Harman, Clarence Gray and Moses Ralph, the distance three-fourths of a mile. Harman was the first to complete the distance, although having been thrown from his wheel. Ralph was about three hundred yards ahead when he was thrown from his wheel and slightly bruised, in consequence of which he came in third. Prize, $1.50.
The foot race of 200 yards, for which there were four entries, was won by Charles Murphy, who was closely followed by Alvin Norwood. Prize, 1.50.
This finished the races for the forenoon and a general rush was made for the large tent which had been pitched near the hall, in which tables had been arranged to accommodate about 100 guests. A fine dinner was served consisting of chicken, roast beef and clam chowder and a general array of good things. The band boys waited on the tables and the only fault to be found that so few were able to assist in serving. The tables were filled three times and a number were then turned away.
In the afternoon after the band concert the ball game between Northeast Harbor and Bar Harbor nines was called, in the field near the Union church. The game was very close and the crowd very enthusiastic, especially the Northeast Harbor nine. Prize, bat and ball.
The running race took place while the ball game was still being played and was very interesting. The horses entered were as follows: Gypsy, ridden by John Latty; Tom, ridden by Jesse Demmon, both owned by A.I. Holmes, and Gilchrist, ridden by Eben Hodgkins and owned by J.T.R. Freeman. Gypsy won the prize of $5.00 and Gilchrist came in second.
The bicycle race, which was to have been five miles around the sea wall, was changed to spin around Clark’s Point, and was won by Moses Ralph, the only other entry being Clarence Gray. Prize, $5.00.
Then followed one of the most amusing features of the day. About ten men and boys tried to catch the greased pig, which weighed 125 pounds and was loosed in the large pasture near the band stand. In five minutes Bennie Allen had caught him by his hind legs, and the pig valued at $10.00 was his.
Next to attract the attention was the climbing of the greased pole by Willie Kelly and Bennie Allen. The boys climbed up about half way when they were called to the sack race, after which they returned and finished the feat. Kelly won the prize of $2.00.
In the sack race the following boys entered: Moses Ralph, Harry Gilley, Alfred Mayo, Willie Kelly and Bennie Allen. With legs confined in a sack they started on a race of twenty-five yards. In trying to be a little quicker than possible two of them fell. The prize of $2.00 was won by Moses Ralph, Harry Gilley coming next.
Dancers then retired to Tremont Hall and passed the remaining afternoon tripping the light fantastic toe to the strains of the band, assisted by Lindall’s orchestra of five pieces. At 6:30 supper was announced and the crowd again filled the tent and partook of as fine a supper as one could wish for. Dancing was again indulged in and continued until midnight, the hall being crowded all evening. A brilliant display of fireworks was much enjoyed.
The entire program as advertised was carried out and much credit is due the band boys for the success of the affair. The boys commenced their preparations early in the spring and have worked hard and spared no pains to make this a very enjoyable occasion and they were indeed successful. The Southwest Harbor band need not fear that whatever they undertake in the future will be well patronized. The enjoyment of the day was enhanced not a little by a visit from the fantastics, from Manset. They were well got up and created no end of fun. They stopped in front of Holmes’ store and have a band concert. To the Bar Harbor people there was nothing pleasanter for the day than the sail back and forth on the [steamer] Golden Rod. Capt. Crosby was extremely courteous to his passengers.” – The Bar Harbor Record, July 6, 1895.
“The Fourth – How it was Celebrated by the Band at Southwest Harbor – Another milestone in the onward march of the greatest nation on earth has been passed. It was a beautiful day and a great relief after the almost incessant stormy weather. Fire, powder, smoke and noises of every sort were prevalent; the small boy, with unbridled license to make all the noise he possibly could, regardless of anybody or anything, was in his glory. Most of the older ones looked on approvingly and the most sedate could scarcely restrain from relaxing and entering into the spirit of the occasion.
The Southwest Harbor band had made ample preparation for the entertainment and there was not a moment when time hung heavily on anyone’s hands. This was the first celebration they had planned and great pains were taken to make it one long to be remembered. The early morning was filled with the clanging of bells and the exploding of fire-arms.
Many of the towns in the county celebrated, so the influx from out of town was not as large as it would otherwise have been. Still there was a fair representation from many of the towns near by, and they all seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. The crowd was as orderly and well behaved as one could find that had gathered to celebrate a like occasion. The customary roisterer and the number who violate decency by getting drunk, were conspicuous by their absence.
The first feature of the day was the band concert given the Southwest Harbor band, assisted by Lindall’s band of Boston and Bar Harbor, at the rustic little band stand that had been erected for the occasion.
The boat race with three entries was the first to attract the crowd. The boats started from the line at the head of the cove and rowed around the stake boat about half a mile distant. Lewis Robinson and Harry Gilley came in a length ahead, Bert Robinson and Eben Richardson second, and John Ralph and John McKay last. The witnesses were quite enthusiastic over the winner as she is a new boat.
In the tub race the following entered: Bennie Allen, Sylvester Brown, John McKay and John Ralph. It was soon plain to be seen that the race was between Allen and Brown, and the other two dropped out. The race was quite exciting and was won by Allen, who came in a short distance ahead. Prize, $1.00.
In the bicycle race the entries were Stephen Harman, Clarence Gray and Moses Ralph, the distance three-fourths of a mile. Harman was the first to complete the distance, although having been thrown from his wheel. Ralph was about three hundred yards ahead when he was thrown from his wheel and slightly bruised, in consequence of which he came in third. Prize, $1.50.
The foot race of 200 yards, for which there were four entries, was won by Charles Murphy, who was closely followed by Alvin Norwood. Prize, 1.50.
This finished the races for the forenoon and a general rush was made for the large tent which had been pitched near the hall, in which tables had been arranged to accommodate about 100 guests. A fine dinner was served consisting of chicken, roast beef and clam chowder and a general array of good things. The band boys waited on the tables and the only fault to be found that so few were able to assist in serving. The tables were filled three times and a number were then turned away.
In the afternoon after the band concert the ball game between Northeast Harbor and Bar Harbor nines was called, in the field near the Union church. The game was very close and the crowd very enthusiastic, especially the Northeast Harbor nine. Prize, bat and ball.
The running race took place while the ball game was still being played and was very interesting. The horses entered were as follows: Gypsy, ridden by John Latty; Tom, ridden by Jesse Demmon, both owned by A.I. Holmes, and Gilchrist, ridden by Eben Hodgkins and owned by J.T.R. Freeman. Gypsy won the prize of $5.00 and Gilchrist came in second.
The bicycle race, which was to have been five miles around the sea wall, was changed to spin around Clark’s Point, and was won by Moses Ralph, the only other entry being Clarence Gray. Prize, $5.00.
Then followed one of the most amusing features of the day. About ten men and boys tried to catch the greased pig, which weighed 125 pounds and was loosed in the large pasture near the band stand. In five minutes Bennie Allen had caught him by his hind legs, and the pig valued at $10.00 was his.
Next to attract the attention was the climbing of the greased pole by Willie Kelly and Bennie Allen. The boys climbed up about half way when they were called to the sack race, after which they returned and finished the feat. Kelly won the prize of $2.00.
In the sack race the following boys entered: Moses Ralph, Harry Gilley, Alfred Mayo, Willie Kelly and Bennie Allen. With legs confined in a sack they started on a race of twenty-five yards. In trying to be a little quicker than possible two of them fell. The prize of $2.00 was won by Moses Ralph, Harry Gilley coming next.
Dancers then retired to Tremont Hall and passed the remaining afternoon tripping the light fantastic toe to the strains of the band, assisted by Lindall’s orchestra of five pieces. At 6:30 supper was announced and the crowd again filled the tent and partook of as fine a supper as one could wish for. Dancing was again indulged in and continued until midnight, the hall being crowded all evening. A brilliant display of fireworks was much enjoyed.
The entire program as advertised was carried out and much credit is due the band boys for the success of the affair. The boys commenced their preparations early in the spring and have worked hard and spared no pains to make this a very enjoyable occasion and they were indeed successful. The Southwest Harbor band need not fear that whatever they undertake in the future will be well patronized. The enjoyment of the day was enhanced not a little by a visit from the fantastics, from Manset. They were well got up and created no end of fun. They stopped in front of Holmes’ store and have a band concert. To the Bar Harbor people there was nothing pleasanter for the day than the sail back and forth on the [steamer] Golden Rod. Capt. Crosby was extremely courteous to his passengers.” – The Bar Harbor Record, July 6, 1895.
Citation
“4th of July Celebration, Southwest Harbor, July 3, 1895,” Southwest Harbor Public Library, accessed April 25, 2024, https://swhpl.digitalarchive.us/items/show/11419.Item 15360