from the November 16, 1876 TUSKALOOSA WEEKLY TIMES
November 13 !
Grand Jollification!
Torch-Light Procession ! ! !
The Greatest Demonstration Ever Witnessed in Tuskaloosa
THE PEOPLE REJOICING!
Northport Represented!
City Ablaze with Transparencies
Orations--- Cheering !
The White- Winged Messenger Foreshadowed
The patriotic citizens of our little city determining to give vent to their feelings,and proclaim their joy at our freedom gained through the election of Tilden and Hendricks, and through them the triumph of truth over falsehood, of virtue over vice, celebrated their victory by the grandest and most enthusiastic demonstration ever witnessed in our city.
According to programme, the citizens of this city and Northport, and a large number from the country around, assembled at the flagstaff on Main and Greensboro Streets, and formed a procession, led by the Alabama Corps of Cadets and their drums and fife. At 7 and one half o'clock the column moved, the following being the line of march :
Up Main Street (west on University Boulevard) to the Alabama Central Female College (present-day Capitol Park @ Nick's Kids Avenue),south one block to Cotton Street (Gary Fitts Street, formerly 6th Street), east on Cotton Street to the residence of Dr. Jas. Guild, Jr.(this house was east of the intersection of Gary Fitts Street and Greensboro Avenue), south one block, west to Greensboro, out Greensboro to the Margin of the City (15th Street), east on Margin (15th Street) thence north on College Street (21st Avenue) to the residence of T. P. Lewis (this residence was at the intersection of 21st Avenue and a street south of 8th Street), east one block to York Street (20th Avenue), thence north to Pike Street (8th Street @ the Moody-Warner house), east one block to the Margin of the city (Queen City Avenue), and north to the stand (the 1800 block of University Boulevard), in front of the Tuskaloosa Female College.
The residences upon the entire route were beautifully illuminated, and appropriate mottos were seen upon every hand. As the procession marched, it was cheered by Tuskaloosa's fair daughters upon every square, and the most enthusiastic' demonstrations of delight were indulged in. Bonfires were scattered along the line of march. The City Hall and all the hotels were lighted from garret to cellar, as were the two female colleges. Very, very few private houses in the city were dark. Only three colored Democrats were in the procession, and they should be mentioned personally: Tom Camp, Bill Buck and Pete Rogers. Upon the arrival of the procession at the stand, eloquent and patriotic speeches were delivered by Hon. B. B. Lewis, Gen. S. A. M. Wood, Judge Newbern H. Brown and Capt. E. A. Powell, after which the immense throng dispersed and proceeded to their several homes, to sleep peacefully, truly grateful for the victory they had just been celebrating, and happy in the knowledge that good government will be established. No disturbance occurred, and the best feeling existed throughout Col. McCorvey and his efficient corps of assistants had charge of the procession, and to them is honor due for their efficient management Messrs. Fred. P. Turner, Robt Hatten, Patton Kennedy and others did good service in preparing transparencies, Many others, whose names we cannot recollect gave their time to preparations for the celebration. We must not neglect to mention that Northport was represented by the largest transparency in the procession, which was carried upon the shoulders of four stalwart young Democrats, and took the lead in the procession. Also, a large number of citizens of that patriotic and thriving little city joined in the march.
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