Back of this was started Jim Harris, better known as “Jim Pan,” the last of the Pequots, and the only full-blooded Indian left in the Schaghticoke Reservation. Having filled up with firewater before the parade started, he soon left the Colonial section, marched most of the route with the fire companies, and ended up among the Governor’s Foot Guards. He lost only his wig in the shuffle, the rest of his Indian suit being securely strapped upon him.
Next came Mrs. R. S. Todd and her daughter, Parthenia, in an old-fashioned chaise, with a dignified colored footman on the rumble—all attired in Colonial costume, the ladies wearing sun-bonnets and dimity gowns.
Next, Andrew Humeston, on horseback, with his sister, Athalia, on a pillion, attired as a Quaker and Quakeress. Mr. Humeston’s real white fur Quaker hat, which he went far afield to get for this occasion, was a relic well worth seeing.
Next, Samuel Porter and Charles Donnelly, also on horseback, as a bride and groom of Colonial times. The saddle and pillion used by this happy pair were very interesting.
Next, a float with six young ladies in old-time costume operating different spinning and flax wheels. This float was decorated with dark green and bore the inscription, “Homespun Days.” The young ladies were Miss Florence Merwin, Miss Elsie Hall, Miss Julie Barker, Virginia Stevens (Miss Barker’s little niece, three years old), Miss Flora Stilson, and Miss Minnie Toussaint. The float was drawn by oxen.
Dr. Griswold Bragaw, in Colonial costume, rode a horse following this float.
Next came a carriage, said to be one hundred years old, brought from Merryall and driven by two boys in Indian costume.
The last float represented the different styles of dress of periods fifty years apart in New Milford history. Mr. Frederick N. Fowler and Mrs. William Percy wore the costume of 1707; Willis Barton and Miss Hattie Bassett, that of 1757; Merrit Merwin and Miss Grace Merwin, that of 1807; Mr. and Mrs. Frederick E. Starr, that of 1857, and Arthur Brown and Miss Bessie Brown, that of 1907. This float was canopied with yellow and bore the inscription, “Times and Costumes Change.”
Wm. W. Stilson impersonated the “Town Crier” and, ringing a huge bell, was typical in every way of that old-time character.
The yellow and dark green draperies which concealed the base of all these Colonial floats gave them a highly finished appearance.