Creditable to Medford.
On Patriots Day, fortunately aided in weather conditions, a modern
Paul Revere rode over the historic route to
Lexington as a part of Boston's patriotic observance of the day. For conveniencea sake this ride was at midday instead of midnight, as was the original.
Invitations having been extended to the four cities and towns to co-operate, a committee therefor was appointed by
Medford's mayor.
His selection was
Alderman Dowell of the city government,
Superintendent Nickerson of the
School Department,
Comrade Oscar Allen of the
Grand [p. 44] Army,
President Curtin of the Board of Trade, and the
President of the Historical Society as chairman.
This committee met with that of Boston, and later arranged a simple but effective program for the
Medford portion, and to
Comrade Allen, over eighty years young, and
Superintendent Nickerson, who mustered his numerous forces, its success is mainly due.
James H. Phelan of the
Boston Committee personated
Revere and started from the patriot's house in Boston, instead of from ‘
Charlestown shore,’ and at the top of
Winter hill stopped for a brief time.
There the Somerville exercises took place, in which former
President Taft had a part.
The rider was timed to come ‘over the bridge into Medford town’ at 1.30 A. M. ‘by the village clock,’ and just as he galloped over, a bugler in the square gave sound of warning to the assembled crowd, which was in the thousands.
His continental dress was in marked contrast to everything worn today, whether the. modern khaki, Grand Army of the Republic uniform, school uniform or civilian dress, and was very noticeable.
High street was packed solid on either side, but the way was kept open by a squad of
Medford's police.
A detachment of cavalry attended him, and as he turned the corner into High street there arose a mighty shout and the singing of
America.
The Boy Scouts were out in troops from all over the city; the High School Battalion and a detachment of the Light Guard occupied places assigned them.
The central point of interest was, of course, the
Capt.
Isaac Hall house, where, on either side of the flag-draped entrance, were assembled the veterans of 1861-65—the
Grand Army men, the
Women's Relief Corps and the other affiliated organizations, all bearing their respective colors.
Massed on the opposite sidewalk, fully a thousand of them, were the school children, in charge of their teachers.
Badges of
red,
white and
blue, and flags everywhere were in evidence.
Arriving at the house, ‘
Revere’ was welcomed by His Honor the
Mayor and the members of committee,
[p. 45] and invited to enter for refreshment.
The present resident,
Edward Gaffey, deemed it an honor to open the historic mansion for the occasion and dispense the hospitality
Captain Hall had no time for so long ago. During this interval
Arthur Joyce of the high school, standing on the door-steps, recited in a clear and carrying voice
Longfellow's well-known poem;
Mayor Haines, standing on the car-track, spoke of the lessons of the day, citing various historic events and incidents of American patriotism, and expressing the firm belief that
America will not fail in the present crisis and in coming days.
As the mayor ceased speaking Cornetist Milton Rich and Sub-master Gilkey led in the singing of the ‘Star Spangled Banner,’ and the modern
Revere mounted his horse and with his attendants started for
Lexington.
His Honor and the committee soon followed in the city automobile, the city messenger bearing the mace and the street commissioner at the steering wheel.
At
Arlington a similar scene was enacted.
That the event was a success goes without saying, nevertheless we quote from the
Boston committee's letter, as written by its secretary:—
The Boston Committee were much impressed with the excellent manner in which the Medford arrangements were carried out. It seems to be the unanimous opinion of all those who followed the entire day's celebration through all cities and towns, that in Medford there was less confusion and better results than in any other place.
The police seemed to have an intelligent conception of how to handle the situation.
The exercises at the Capt.
Hall house were carried out in a manner to indicate good foresight and equally good execution.
The whole impression was, as I have stated, very complimentary to Mayor Haines, to Medford, to you and to your Committee.
The moving picture men were on hand along the entire route, and on a subsequent date the
Medford committee witnessed the results of their work shown in Boston.
The thought has been expressed, and very likely will take form, of something even better on another Patriots Day.
