Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-10-07
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
GRAND REUNION OF THE SONS AND
DAUGHTERS OF WESTMINSTER.
Address Of Hon. Charles Hudson.

The inhabitants OF westminster ceteorSteu,
yesterday, the one hundredth anniversary OF
the incorporation of that town. The act Of
Incorporation bears date OF October 20, 1853.
1t was found advisable, for satisfactory rea-
sons, to anticipate the anniversary ofthat date
by few days, and to hold their centennial fes-
tivities before the season was farther advanced.
In response to the cordial invitation extended
60 all her absent sons and daughters, very
large number of them returned to participate
in the first formal commemoration of the birth
of the town, and to pay their tributes of filiaI
gratitude and affection to the homes of their
nativity and to the resting places of their best
and dearest friends.
The festivities commenced at daybreak with
the firing of one hundred guns. Early in the
day flags we're suspended across the highways
and from the church steeples, and the usually
quiet streets wore an appearance of life and an
imation unaccustomed to this rural town.
Among the early arrivals were the Cataract
Engine Company, No. /, of South Gardner,
numbering sixty-three men, under the COM
mand of Capt. Sam'l Bent. and accompanied by
Fiske's Cornet Band of Worcester; and Mag
ara Co. 8 of Gardner, 10 men, under the COM
mand of Capt Bowman Clark, and accompa-
MED by the Gardner Cornet Band. They pa
raded the streets, in connection with the
Westminster Co. No. l, 50 men, commanded
by Capt James Clark, and escorted by the
Fitchburg Cornet Band. The citizens of
Gardner were also present in very large num-
bers, the territory from which that town was
formed having been set off from Westminster,
and her people still claiming the benefits of
their relationship to the parent town.
1t had been arranged to have a trial of en-
gines at 81 o'clock. But before that hour ar
rived, high winds came down from the north,
filed with sharp and penetrating dust, and
compelled the postponement of the trial till
some other and perhaps more suitable occa-
sion brings them together. The wind contin-
ued to blow with great violence during the
forenoon, causing serious interruption to the
well-matured plans of the committee of ar
Engagements, and trying, to the utmost, the pa.
thence of the Iadies--and the gentlemen, who
The large tent of Capt, Fletcher, upon the
hill, under which the premonitory symptoms
of the dinner were beginning to appear, was
partially blown down, but no serious injuries
were sustained.
The procession was formed at the appointed
hour in front of the Town Hall, under the di-
rection of Mr.. John Minot, chief marshal, as
sisted by deputies Joel Merriam, Jr., Jos. w.
Forbush, J. r. Bruce, Major Page, ID. c.
Miles, Franklin Howe, ARENAS Merriam, P.
tiQg Err w vas. Wa s.fTSS.isssaa by Leyi
A. u ESQ, of that town. The engine
companies performed escort duty. Many
ladies Joined the procession, and many old
men, relics of former generations, did not hest
tate to give it the blessing and the encourage
ment of their presence. The procession march
ed to the speakers stand erected on the brow
of the hill, where the exercises of the day
were to take place. Among the aged men up
on the platform was the venerable Deacon
Whitney, 92 years of age, and among the an
cient relics was an arm chair which was an
heir loom in his family, 200 years old, brought
to Westminster LOG years ago by the mother
of Deacon Whitney, "she that was" Tabtha
Merriam of Lexington.
The following gentlemen were selected by
the committee of arrangements as the officers
of the day -
For President-Benjamin Wyman.
Vice Presidents-Wm. S. Bradbury, S. G. Ken
dali, Edward Bacon, George Miles. Dea Benjamin
+. Wood, Dea. Aaron Wood, Dea. Joel Merriam,
Stillman Brooks, NJ. S. Forbush. Franklin Wyman,
Arson Spalding, and Jonas Miller
Clerks-C d. Warner and C. H. stearns,
Toastmasters-D. c. Miles and Frederick Allen.
Reporter--Wilbur f. Whitney.
The exercises at the stand commenced with
spirited music by the bands, and singing by a
selected choir. Selected portions of Scripture
were read by Rev. Mr. Emerson of Westmin-
ster, and a fervent and impressive prayer was
offered by Rev. Marcus Ames of North Chel-
sea, and formerly of Westminster. The fol-
lowing original hymn, written for the occasion
by Lucy b. Whitney, the granddaughter of
the veteran alluded to above, was sung by the
choir
All hail the day we celebrate!
Let all the people throng,
And every voice with one accord,
Pour forth grateful song.
And while in the loud swelling strain
Are joining old and yonng,
Let every note our lips shall breathe,
TO thee, . God, be sung.
Here are the people thy right hand
Hath scattered DER our hills;
Pour 1r.t, o Lord on all our hearts,
The grace thy love instills.
So shall the gala day we spend
Find favor in thy sight,
And crown century's hoary head
coronet of light.
We trace to-day the hundred years
Our native town hath seen.
hundred times thy power, God,
Hath robed her hills in green.
And all the blessings that have dropped
Upon her sons like dew,
Have shown, through all the circling years.
Thy boundess love anew
And now unto Westminster soil
Her scattered sons repair;
Make all their hearts, q Lord of hosts,
Free as her mountain air.
For hundred years thy mighty arm
Hath made our town increase;
Upon the century yet to come,
Send forth, Lord, thy peace.
Hon. Charles Hudson of Lexington was in.
troduccd as the orator of the day. The bois-
ferrous wind carried his voice over the heads of
his listeners, who were soon compelled, by
their strong desire to hear the address, as well
us by the instinct of selfpreservation, to adj
journ to the church. The First Congregation.
al Church (Rev. Mr.. Emerson's) was thrown
open, and Immediately filled Mr.. Hudson
commenced anew, under more favorable cir.
cumstances, and delivered an able historical
address, prepared with great fidelity, and full
of local "reminiscences OF the most interesting