The history below is from the 2011 “History of Chester, Vermont” published by the Chester Historical Society. This particular history was written by Dorothy McPeck, probably in the 1930s. “Simeon Ide” by Dr. Flanders was published in 1931. I found a digital copy online. This book includes additional Chester history, so I will look for a copy to buy.
Dorothy McPeck
Here I am going to show you how they celebrated the Fourth of July in Chester back in the 1870s and ‘80s by telling the description which Dr. Louis W. Flanders gives in his book “Simeon Ide.”
On the third of July of eighteen seventy-seven, Simeon Ide walked from Claremont to Chester for the Fourth of July celebration to be held the next day. Mr. Ide was welcomed by his daughter who was the wife of the Rev. Alonzo B Flanders, the Episcopal Doctor. They were much surprised to see him because he was a rather old man and not expected to take such long walks, but he said that he was determined to see the celebration and perhaps take part in it.
The great celebration started at midnight with the firing of many cannons and fire crackers. At daybreak people began pouring into town from all directions and in all manner of vehicles. A platform had been erected in front of the old academy for the speakers and some long tables for the people to sit on.
The parade was scheduled to start at ten o’clock from the top of Depot Hill. Charles Locke, the village constable, was the marshall, and he wore a gorgeous sash and huge gauntlets that nearly covered his elbows. Behind him the parade came in the following order: First the band, which was made up of all kinds of instruments and Dr. Flanders says that “what they lacked in harmony they made up in enthusiasm.”
Behind the band came the Antiques and Horribles, and Dr. Flanders describes them in the following manner, “They were led by Jim Cram. Over his shoulder he carried a tin sword more than six feet long. He wore an enormous artificial nose, and had a ‘fair ground belly’ stuffed with straw, and he was sweating profusely.’”
Behind him came every conceivable kind of hobo. Next came a full float of school children singing “America.” In the midst of them stood the school-marm on a sort of pedestal which was rather teetery.
Behind the float was the Popple Dungeon Fife and Drum Corps. Dr. Flanders describes this so well that I am going to quote it directly from the book:
“The musicians were carried in a hay rack. Uncle David Gould and Azro Edson were the fifers. Quincey Salter played an old-fashioned bass drum, shaped like a flour barrel and beaten at both ends. Lewis Howard played the snare drum, lifting his sticks high and making a great deal of noise. As they passed the reviewing stand, they played ‘Hull’s Victory,’ Uncle David playing hard and beating time with his and blowing so fiercely that his instrument dripped like a sap spout in the springtime.”
After the fife and drum corps came 20 Civil War veterans with a real cannon which, after the parade, they took upon a nearby hill and fired, with a great deal of racket, at intervals during the day. After the parade came lunch at the long tables stretched up and down the sidewalk. After dinner the speaking began. Mr. Ide gave a long oration about the War of 1812 which he had taken part in. This was a fine speech but it was interrupted at regular intervals by the cannon on the hill.
This week’s old saying is from Simeon Ide. “Never say ‘Fourth of July,’ say ‘Independence Day.’”