The Roots of Bristol’s Independence Day Celebration: PART XV

Illegal Fireworks

1894. The Phoenix dated July 7, 1894, reported several incidents of reckless throwing of fireworks and discharge of firearms.

 A large cannon cracker was thrown behind the blinds of a front window at the residence of Mr. James Bowler of Franklin Street, and exploding, blew off the blinds, smashed the sash and broke up a number of potted plants standing on the window sill.

 Young America outdid itself the night before the Fourth and made the welkin (sic) ring with cannon and cracker, accompanied by the noisy horn. Well, we’ve all had our day, and as it comes only once a year, we shouldn’t begrudge the youth their pleasure at this period of the year.

 On Tuesday afternoon, the day before, Young America was alive to the promise of the coming day and got there with a vigor unexcelled in lung power on the noted horn, while the distant sound of the booming cannon cracker and that of smaller caliber could be heard in every part of town. They are forbid by town statute until after 12a.m., on the morning of the 4^th, but the boy of the period is not looking after town statutes, and many a mature growth are not backward in giving an impetus to the opening of the day commemorative of the nation’s history and even the girls caught the infection and aided in the coming event by firing of crackers and blowing the tin instrument with only one octave.

 At 10 0’clock all seemed quiet while the sober and the sedate wended their way homeward to gain a needed rest. If they got it they were lucky as the boys were promptly on hand at midnight and kept up the incessant din until the wee small hours, when a shower dampened their ardor and sent them to cover. The procession later that day was decided to be the neatest and best appearing of any previous anniversary.

 1967. Although the sale of fireworks has been illegal in Rhode Island for about ten years, there has been a well-known black market operating in Bristol. Bristol born and bred police officers, remembering the explosive 4^th of Julys of their youth, usually turned a blind-eye when salutes were exploded within their hearing.

 Upon investigating a complaint, Bristol Police raided two unoccupied Wood Street storefronts and arrested a man and woman for possession, storage, and selling illegal fireworks. Police confiscated an inventory with an estimated value of $5,000.

 On Thursday, June 29, carelessly thrown fireworks by Bristol boys caused fires that destroyed seven carnival tents and their contents setup on the common midway. The estimated cost of damage exceeded $3,150.00.

 1981. After a two-week investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, about $700 worth of Class C fireworks was seized from the back of a vehicle driven by Louis Fortin. Fortin was charged with possession of illegal fireworks with intent to sell; he was on his way to Fall River where he allegedly intended to sell the fireworks from the rear of his car.

 A search of Fortin’s car and his home on Reservoir Avenue uncovered a number of Roman candles, salutes, bottle rockets, fountain cones, parachute mortars, and other illegal pyrotechnics.

 1984. Bristol Police seized an estimated $15,000 worth of fireworks including rockets from the home of Anthony A. Balzano. Police charged Balzano with illegal possession of fireworks with intent to sell¾a felony.

 1988. A car being driven recklessly was stopped. The occupants, two men from nearby Massachusetts and one from Warren, RI were charged with possession of fireworks.

A 21-year-old local man was arrested on Hope Street and charged with disorderly conduct and possession of illegal fireworks. Another local man was arrested on the corner of Wood and Union Streets, he was charged with disorderly conduct and throwing fireworks at a police officer.

 NOTE: For an extended discussion on this subject see:
Independence Day: How the Day is Celebrated in Bristol, Rhode Island.
The book is available to purchase at several Bristol outlets including Rogers Library.

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