CHAPTER VIII. THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. The completion of the first hundred years from the founding of Johnstown was in reality November 3, 1900, but endeavoring to have pleasant weather during the festivities, October 5, 6 and 7 were selected. They were ideal days of a beautiful mountain autumn. The temperature was moderate and no rain fell to mar either the decorations or the exercises. Early in the summer preparations were commenced and a perfect organization was ready and willing to carry the programme to a successful conclusion, as below: PROGRAMME. Friday, Oct. 5th-Saturday, Oct. 6th. Laying Cornerstone Municipal Building-Parade-Historical Address-Fireworks Sunday, Oct. 7th, 1900, Thanksgiving Service. At nine o'clock on Friday morning a fantastic parade opened the celebration and in the afternoon an immense gathering at Main and Market streets, over which Mayor L. D. Woodruff presided, assisted in laying the corner stone of the City Hall. Thousands of invitations had been sent to former residents of the town and prominent citizens to join with the people in their exultation of the progress of the community. Among the guests of the city were Governor William A. Stone, Ex-Governor Daniel II. Hastings and President Judge A. V. Barker, all of whom made appropriate addresses. While Herman Theil, the Master Mason, was lowering the stone, Gov. Stone spread the cement to receive it and when it was properly set, the Governor sealing it with a stroke of the hammer, said: "As Governor of Pennsylvania I declare this stone which is to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of Johnstown, now in place." In a copper box laid in the center of the stone were placed a copy of the Johns' charter of the town, the current newspapers, a list of the victims of the flood of May 31, 1889, and rare coins and souvenirs. While the stone was being lowered a chorus of seven hundred boys and girls, under the leadership of Professor S. A. Ferrell sang "The March of the Men of Columbia." It was one of the artistic features of the occasion, with the children well arranged in the form of a flag. Dr. C. C. Hays pronounced the opening offering of gratefulness and the Rev. Father John Boyle the benediction. In the evening the Ellis Opera House, which stood on the corner of Franklin and Locust streets, was filled with an enthusiastic people for a period of music and oratory, Mayor Woodruff again presiding. The instrumental music was under the leadership of Edward E. Hohmann and a chorus of 275 voices was conducted by Thomas E. Morgan. A valuable historical address was made by William Horace Rose, which has since been published. Cyrus Elder spoke on "Johnstown as a Result of Environment," and J. M. Berkey, the superintendent of the common schools, on "The Progress of Education." Dr. W. A. Shipman made the opening prayer, and the Rev. E. E. Haskins closed with the benediction. On Saturday afternoon the largest and most magnificent pageant ever seen in Johnstown marched through a throng of 70,000 happy people. The parade was assembled on Broad street by Col. H. H. Kuhn, the chief marshal, with an ample staff. About 7,500 men were formed in line in twelve divisions. The parade was about five miles in length and required one hour and forty minutes to pass a given point. Adjutant General Thomas J. Stewart with his staff was present, as were also the companies of National Guard from Hollidaysburg, Blairsville and Indiana, and Company H, of the Fifth Regiment of Johnstown. At dusk an elaborate and brilliant display of fireworks gave pleasure to the 25,000 people who had assembled on "The Point" and vicinity. The set pieces were arranged on the Mill mine roadway on the Westmont side of the river, and from there myriads of rockets, bombs, colored lights and sparks were continually flying through the balmy air. The pieces of local interest were the portraits of George S. King, the honorary chairman, who although in his ninety-first year was a participant, Daniel J. Morrell, the Joseph Johns' Log Cabin, the Falls of Niagara and "Good Night." The foliage on Westmont hill was an ideal setting for the exhibition. There were about 30,000 visitors on Saturday, who with our own people made a crowd of 75,000 bent on enjoyment. There was no accident and every one retired with an expression of praise. The Thanksgiving praise meeting was held on Sunday at 3:30 p. m., at the corner of Main and Market streets, where 3,500 people had gathered. Mr. Morgan's chorus of 275 voices were present and joined in the beautiful services. The ministers who were present were William Lynch and J. W. Schwartz, who were residents here many years ago, besides J. I. L. Ressler, S. J. Kyle, Owen James and D. M. Kinter of Indiana. This happy event closed the three days' celebration and Johnstown was ushered into the second century of its existence. One of the very attractive places during the celebration was the "Loan Exhibition," which occupied the Young Men's Christian Association hall. It was opened on Tuesday morning, the third, and remained so until the festivities had closed. There were 819 interesting exhibits neatly catalogued, consisting of a variety of household and farming utensils of the very early days, plate and dishes, garments, pictures, documents, books, Indian relics, clocks, old guns and swords and war trophies. Also the ax, auger and adze of Joseph Johns which he had used in clearing the forest for the town of Johnstown. |