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Democratic Watchman June 9 1865, page 3
FOURTH OF JULY, 1865 - CENTRE COUNTY SOLDIERS' BANQUET
"In pursuance of a meeting called by the citizens of Centre county, for the purpose of making arrangements for the proper celebrating of the 4th of July, and the reception of our returning soldiers, the citizens assembled in the Court House on Tuesday, June 6th, at 7 1/2 o'clock, P.M. - On motion James Armor was chosen president, James Macmanus and George H. Weaver, Esqs. vice-presidents, and James H. Lipton and Delaune Gray secretaries. On motion H. N. McAllister addressed the meeting in a few -brief and appropriate remarks, and submitted the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That hailing with delight the restoration of peace, and turning with feelings of gratitude to the soldier as the honored instrument in the hands of God in effecting the happy result, we do hereby tender our returned and returning soldiers the hospitalities of the county, and most cordially invite them to a Centre County Soldiers' Banquet at Bellefonte, on the 4th day of July next.
Resolved, That a committee of arrangement be appointed, to consist of two or more members from every election district in the county, whose duty it shall be to select and prepare the place provide the entertainment, appoint the officers, prescribe rules and regulations, appoint committees for special service, and do and perform all other acts and things necessary or expedient in their judgment to be done and performed to add dignity to the occasion and promote peace and order.
In pursuance of the above resolutions a committee was appointed consisting of the president and vice-president, for the purpose of carrying out the resolutions, and appointing sub-committees of arrangement for the different townships and boroughs."
Democratic Watchman June 9 1865, page 3
Celebration of the Fourth of July - Welcome to the Soldiers
"Pursuant to notice the committee appointed to make arrangements for a proper celebration of the coming Anniversary of our National Independence, and to give a hearty welcome to our returned soldiers, met at the Court House in the Borough of Bellefonte, on Tuesday the 13th day of June, inst., when on motion the meeting was organized by the appointment of Wm. F. Reynolds, President, Edmund Blanchard, Vice President, and R. H. Duncan, J. D. Shugert and Jno. T. Johnson, Secretaries.
Upon calling over the names of the General Committee it was ascertained that nearly every township and borough in the county was represented.
The Borough of Howard being unintentionally omitted to the list of committees published last week, the following named gentlemen were appointed for that borough: Robert Cook, James Furey, Alexander Knoll, Balser Webber.
On motion Jesse L. Test, was added to the, committee of Rush township.
The following resolutions were offered by H. N. McAllister, Esq., and after some discussion, were unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee recommend that the citizens of the county place themselve immediately in communion with the respective township and borough committees, and through them contribute provisions for the Centre County Soldiers Banquet, in proportion to the number of people expected to attend from their respective districts, and through them to contribute money to defray their portion of the necessary cash expenditures.
Resolved, That whilst we honor the returned soldiers, it is meet and proper that we should remember the children of those who have fallen in our defense, and that as a token of gratitude for the services of their fathers, we do hereby appropriate all and whatever balance may be left of the cash subscriptions, after paying necessary expenses, for the clothing of the Centre county orphans now or hereafter placed at school, by direction of the State, at McAllisterville, or elsewhere.
The subject as to where the celebration should be held was then discussed, when T. M. Hall offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Soldiers Banquet of Centre county be held at or near the Borough of Milesburg.
H. N. McAllister, Esq., moved to amend the resolution by striking out Milesburg and inserting Bellefonte, when the resolution, as amended was adopted, and Bellefonte was fixed as the place for the celebration.
(In motion of Gen. Geo. Buchanan, Gen. James A. Beaver was appointed Chief Marshall, with power to appoint his assistants, and with instructions to prepare a programme for the occasion.
On motion of S. T. Shugert, Esq., the President, Vice President, the secretaries of the appointed as Executive Committee, with full power to appoint all sub-committees and make all the necessary arrangements.
On motion the meeting then adjourned
(signed by the officers)
At a meeting of the Executive Committee, held on the evening of the same day the following sub-committees were appointed:
Committee on Table, Stand, &c. G. W. Tate, Jos. Schnell, C. Strickland and D. McGinley.
Committee on Music, J. G. McMeen, F. P. Green, E. M. Blanchard
Committee of Fire Works, J. G. Kurtz, John Moran, W. W. Montgomery, Patrick McAffery, W. McClellan, and W. P. Macmanus.
Committee on Flags, Decorations, &c., E. C. Humes, Adma Hoy, Dr. J. B. Mitchell, G. M. Yocum, T. R. Reynolds, J. H. Lipton, W. P. Wilson, N. Hoover, G. Strickland, F. S. Wilson, Mrs. M. Harris, Miss Marion Petriken, Miss Sally Benner, Mrs. H. N. McAllister, Mrs. W. H. Humes, Mrs. Dr. Mitchell, Miss Mary Curtin, Miss Mary Shugert, Miss Lizzie Moran, Mrs. R. D. Cummings, Mrs. H. Brokerhoff, Miss Mary Brackbill, Miss Priscilla W. Hall, Miss Eleanor Shaler, Miss Margaret V. Harris, Miss Ella Macmanus.
Treasurer, A. O. Furst, to whom all monies received for the occasion will be paid.
Other sub-committees will be appointed as the necessity of the case requires.
A beautiful grove about one-fourth of a mile north of Bellefonte on the farm of Judge Linn, has been selected as the place for the Banquet.
The Executive Committee recommend to the town and township committees that they proceed at once to organize for the purpose of carrying out all the arrangements necessary to make this Soldiers Banquet of Centre County a grand success. It is expected that every patriot will be ready and willing to do honor to our brave defenders. The town and township committees will please report to the Executive Committee, as soon as possible, how arrangements are progressing in their respective districts.
As the Centre County Soldiers Banquet is desired as a testimonial to all who have born arms in defense of their country, all discharged soldiers, without regard to the time of their discharge, are cordially invited to attend. A special invitation is extended to those who have been discharged on account of wounds or disability. A position in the parade will be assigned all such by the Chief Marshal.
All communications on the subject of the celebration except those in relation to military matters should be addressed to W. F. Reynolds and Edmund Blanchard. All letters in relation to the organization of the military should be addressed to Gen. James A. Beaver, Chief Marshall.
An Order
1. To insure a thorough organization for the purpose of parade on the occasion of the celebration of our approaching Independence Day, all officers of volunteers who h ave served in the Ar-my of the United States during the civil war just terminated, and who have been honorably discharged, are requested to report their name, former rank and regiment, post office address, and the number of discharged soldiers in the township or borough in which they live, to the Chief Marshal at an early day.
2. Officers and soldiers are requested to appear in the uniform of their rank, with the corps and other badges designating their organization.
3. Gen. Geo. Buchanan is hereby appointed Chief Assistant Marshal with authority to appoint four aids. He will have charge of the civic portion of the parade.
4. Each Township Delegation will appoint a Marshal to report their arrival on the day of parade.
5. The route of the procession, the position of the several delegations and the aids of the Marshal will be announced hereafter.
JAMES A. BEAVER
Chief Marshal
Democratic Watchman June 28 1865, page 3
THE "FOURTH" IN BELLEFONTE
"Great preparations are now making for the celebration which tis to come on the 4th of July in this place. We sincerely hope it may be a success, and to this end we want our friends to turn out en masse. Some seem to be of the opinion that the farmers will be too busy on that day to come to town, but we trust they will try and make it suit to attend the celebrations. We would like to see at least six thousand people in town on that day, and we hope they will come from the mountains and the valleys with banners and flags. Extensive arrangements have been made by the Executive Committee for the reception of an immense crowd, and we are assured that ample accommodation will exist for all. Let us have a grand gala-day to commemorate the birth of Liberty on this continent, and in honor of the gallant heroes who, eighty-nine years ago, declared this country a free and independent republic; and who, through eight years of toil and hardship; sustained the honor of the American flag, carrying it, finally, to victory and renown, and achieving for us the liberties we have so long enjoyed. Let the memory of the Fathers of the Republic once more cement the hearts of their children in the bonds of fraternal love and union, and still the angry waves of passion and prejudice that have for so many years swept over the land, like a hurricane.
We have other cause, too, for rejoicing on the coming anniversary. The great war that for the last four years has desolated the country, and brought mourning and sorrow into all hearts, is ended. Peace, blessed Peace, has once more perched herself above cur Temple of Liberty, and caused the whole land to rejoice with unspeakable joy. The horrid din of war is heard no more. Our soldiers are returning home, with glad hearts, from the field of strife. The sword will ere long be converted into the ploughshare and the spear into the pruning hook, and quietness and joy and hope of better days to come will once more reign in every household.
For all this we should rejoice, as well for the sake of those at the South as for our own sake It matters not now what caused the war or how it ended; we rejoice over the return of peace, and bless the happy day that once again brought the sweet dove to our shores.
Let the people of Centre county turn out, then, to the "Soldier's Banquet." Let them come in buggies, in wagons, in carriages, on horseback, and on foot. We people here in Bellefonte expect to have a grand time, and want all our friends to enjoy it with us.
Though we are still suffering from the effects of war - though our glorious old Union is severed in twain in spirit - though we do not enjoy the same liberty, prosperity and happiness, as a people, that was handed down to us by our patriotic father, yet we have cause to rejoice over the fact that murder and butchery, an d blooded have ceased. Let us have a general turn out--a regular old fashioned jollifacation. Bellefonte and Milesburg are competitors for the honor of having the best celebration. We would like to see a great crowd at both places.
Democratic Watchman June 30 1865, page 3
A TRIUMPHAL ARCH
"A magnificent triumphal arch is being erected across Allegheny street, between the residence of Mrs. General Irvin, and Burnside's store. It will be beautifully decorated, and will attract much admiration on the "Fourth."
Democratic Watchman June 30 1865, page 3
THE "FOURTH"
"Next Tuesday will be the "Fourth of July," and on that day we expect to see our town jam full of visitors, citizens and soldiers. Great preparations have been made, and are still making, for the reception of a vast number of people, it is expected to be an occasion of pleasure long to be remembered. General Beaver, as Chief Marshall, has perfected his arrangements and it is hoped that everything will work harmoniously. The order of procession we publish below.
Let our farmers and all other citizens of the county turn out in their full strength and make the celebration a success. Tho the banquet is called the Soldiers Banquet, it is intended for all, and provisions and delicacies will be on the ground in abundance. There will be room enough and to spare. The hearts of our citizens will be open to all, and it is the intention to make everybody feel at home and comfortable upon that day.
The Declaration of Independence will be read, and an oration delivered by a gifted young orator, whose eloquence is already known to the public, so that we may all expect a "feast of reason and flow of soul" that will amply compensate for leaving our daily avocations to celebrate the natal day of American Independence.
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