1897 Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence celebrations

Mecklenburg Time 5/19/1897 p.1

CHARLOTTE EN FETE

Gala Week Festivities Opened By Brilliant Parade Steamer Contests Held This Morning. Hook and Ladder and Hose Wagon Contests and Military parade This Afternoon. Today marked the beginning of what promises to be the most imposing ceremonies that people have ever witnessed in commemoration of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. The day dawned bright and with just enough breeze to make it pleasant. The crowd began coming in at an early hour, and even before city people had finished their morning meal, the streets were lined with sightseers. All along Tryon Street, from Fourth to the Episcopal Church, crowds were banked on either sidewalk patiently waiting the time for the parade to start. At the hour named, 10 o’clock, the grand pageant of military, firemen and civilians started on the line of march. The course was as follows: Down North Tryon to Ninth Street; East Ninth to Brevard Street; south to East Avenue; west to Mint Street; south to Fourth Street; East to Tryon; south on Tryon to Morehead Street, and return to Independence Square, where parade was dismissed. The military formed the front of the parade and came in the following order:

• Chief of Police Orr and staff
• Governor’s staff, Adjutant General Cowles, Maj. E. M. Hayes, U. S. A.
• Col. E. G. Harrell, C. M. G.
• Fourth Regiment and other military organizations, Col. J. F. Armfield and staff
• Second Regiment band
• Drum Corps, Fourth Regiment
• First Battalion, Fourth Regiment, W. G. Smith, commanding; Company F, Capt. Burkhart; Company C, Capt. Gardner
• Second Battalion, Maj. George F. Rutzler, commanding; Company G, Second Regiment, Capt. Robertson; Company C, Fourth Regiment, Capt. Flannigan; Company E, Fourth Regiment, Lieut. Erwin; Company G, Fourth Regiment, Capt. Hill; Howitzer Battery, Lieut. W. F. Moody
• The battalions assembled on North Tryon, the First battalion resting on Seventh.
• The uniformed rank of Knights of Pythias formed the background of the militia.
• The following companies were in line: Asheville, 54 men strong, Capt. C. R. Burkhead in charge. Cabarrus Black Boys, 37 strong, with Captain A. D. Hill in command. Richland rifle of Waynesville, 40 in number with Capt. W. J. Hanner in command. Iredell Blues, 45 strong, Capt. R. S. Flanigan commanding. Cleveland Guards, 40 strong, commanded by Capt. T. S. Gardiner. Hornet’s Nest Riflemen, 60 strong, commanded by Capt. R.T. R. Robertson. Queen City Guards, 47 strong, commanded by Capt. T. S. Franklin.
• Following these came the Anthony Drum Corps of Concord, 25 strong.

Then came the firemen in the following order:

• Phoenix Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 of Columbia
• South Side Reel Team No. 4 of Greensboro
• Pioneer Reel Team of Anderson
• Rescue Hook and Ladder Company of Asheville
• Asheville Hose Company No. 1
• The Monoghan and Delgars Hook and Ladder of Sumter
• The “R. E. Lee” Hook and Ladder of Greenville
• The Steam Fire Engine Company of Greensboro
• The Palmetto Steam Fire Company of Columbia
• Besides these the Charlotte Hook and Ladder Company joined in making one of the best firemen’s parade that has ever taken place in the State.