The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-02
Centennial Celebration at Mason, N. H.

III Ut NAuSOHg Ne He
The citizens of Mason, N. H., celebrated the
one hundredth anniversary of the organiza-
tion of their town ON the 26th instant. The
town is situated on the southern border of
New Hampshire, at the present terminus OF
the Peterboro' and Shirley Railroad, which
branches from the Fitchburg at Groton juno
tion. Iu territory it is about six miles square,
and it is divided substantially into two com
munities or settlements, known as the Centre
and the village.
The orator of the day, John B. Hill, one of
the venerable citizens of the town, seventy
two years of age, and favOrably known as the
author of the History Of MasoD," commenced
his address with the statement that just one
hundred years ago Obadiah Parker left the
town of Mason for journey to Portsmouth,
being instructed by a vote of the citizens to
procure in their behalf from the Provincial
Governor, John Wentworth, an act of ncorpo-
ration as a town. The circumstances under
which the journey was made through the then
all surrounding wilderness, and the formali-
ties necessary in the conduct of the affair with
his Majesty's august representative were de-
picted, and the cost Of obtaining the franchise
as recorded on the town books, was stated 10
be 4l2 6s 6ad. 1t had been voted to have
the town called Sharon, but it was decided by
the Governor, and agreed to by the delegate
to name it Mason, in honor of Captain John
Mason, the original grantee OF lands in
New Hampshire. The orator then exhibited
and read the document which Parker brought
back, which is in good state OF preservation,
and bears the date OF August 26, 1868.
The town of Mason, he said, had been the
birthplace of two men OF worldwide celebrity
in the inventive arts-Jonas Chckeriug, the
piano manufacturer, and Walter A. Wood, in
veptor of moving machine, for which he
had received the grand prize, and had been
decorated with the emblem of the Legion of
Honor at the Paris Exhibition. In conclusion
he denied the decadence of New England in
which some profess to believe, and stated the
reasons for thu view he took. He affirmed the
belief in her future prosperity in agricultural
interests, and took occasion incidentally to
advocate the growth of forest trees upon the
rocky hillsides. One-thiTd of the territory
should be devoted in this way he thought,
and it would prove to yield return which
would be satisfactory to the most greedy
ey-lender.
At the close of the Grafton the "Song of
Jubilee" was suBg to the tune of Champagne
Charley" the solo being finely rendered by
Mrs. Lucien p. Field, of New York native
of Mason. She was accompanied by Miss
Lila LaIkin, of Townsend Centre. A we'll
written poem of an historical character was then
read by Rev. L. r. Hodman, which was fol-
lowed by series of chronicles also of a local
historical character, and conceived in sport
i've vein. These were read by Charles L.
Hill, an undergraduate of Dartmouth, and
their character will be indicated by the clos
ing invitation to the now awaiting dinner at
the tent, as follows:-"Lo, the meat offerings
and drink offerings are ready, and the royal
Chamberlain waits to hasten you to the ban
quet. This day is Scripture revealed unto
you. He that hath purse let him take it,
likewise his scrip, for the money-changers
await your coming. Stay yourselves with
III l. -s.tx
your tents, Israel !" Accordingly Mr..
Chamberlain, Marshal conducted the party
to the tent, where Mr.. G. w. Scripture,
caterer, had provided an abundant collation.