The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-01-22
NE w S
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
MAINE.

THE FAT MEMS CONVENTION AT LEWISTON
Especial Dispatch to the Daily Pres ST.
LEWISTON, Jan. 21-Your correspondent
who measures 1913 pounds in his stockings, feels
in slim health to-day in the presence of the 400
fat men that have gathered on the banks of the
Androsco@gin for "chin-chin." It is true
that he is supported by many citizens and
strangers of moderate aspirations, but he feels
too weak to do the subject for which he was
sent here justice He is torpid as West Pitch
in drouth. Did you ever see four hundred
fat men squeezed, with sweating brows, into a
hall 40 by 60? with the windows open and
scarcity in the fan market. That was the as
pect of Auburn Hall this morning; and there
was scarcely chance for a man in the last
stages of consumption to squeeze his body in.
Not only Maine, but Massachusetts, and other
States were represented III this array of solid
dignity, and it was difficult for Mr.. j. B. Ham,
an eX-Mayor of Lewiston, man of no small
proportions, to assert his rights and call the as
sembly to order. Hon. NJ. 7. Ludden, who
formerly filled whole seat in the Maine SEN
ate, was chosen temporary chairman, and
committee on permanent organization was Sc
lected, who nominated Enoch Littlefeld, Esq,
of Auburn, as President esquire Muck" was
scarcely eligible. as his weight has shrunk to
800 pounds within the last dozen years, but the
assemblage was as good natured as Jack Fal-
staff, and waived ceremony. The list of Vice
Presidents was filed by the following substan-
tial gentlemen: Willard Small, Auburn; Thos.
Coombs, Durham; Ezekiel Treat, East Liver
more; Luther Lombard, Webster; Lucius
Dresser, Tarner; Leander Moore, Greene;
Horace Leadbetter, Leeds; j. f. Waterman,
Poland; J. r. Blanchard, Lewiston; Charles
Rogers, Lisbon; Fl. B. Leach, l4ivermore; John
Parsons, Minot. The Secretaries were Chas
Walker, J. S. Sanborn and W. 81. Rounds.
The scales and tape were then brought out
and two hours of earnest strife began. Each
man swung his heaviest on the former and
threw out his chest to its EXTREMIST dimensions
when the latter was applied. A. q. Haven, OF
Chelsea, Mass pony of 10, was declared to
be the heavy weight, as he tipped 354 pounds
and fraction, and received the silver pitcher
and goblet; but if female suffrage had prevail
ed as it ought, Sylvia Hardy, fair daughter
of Franklin County, would have carried off
the household utensils easily, for she stands 6
feet 10 1-2 inches in height and kicks the beam
at $3.50 pounds. Your reporter weakly protests
against such injustice.
After the big fellows had had their weigh,
DR.. Shattuck, of Waterford, read an essay,
showing by his own physique, just how fat a
man may get who persists in a cold water diet;
and a poem was read by a but not the Fat Con-
tributor.
The exhausting literary exercises completed,
a procession was formed for the dinner table,
spread at the De Witt House, headed by john
sons Band. 1t was solid phalapx of limb
and muscle, with wind enough to set up doz-
en- regimental bands; not like Falstaff starve-
lings, but men of might that would have cheer
ed the doughty Shakesperian Knight, and
dispersed the men in Kendall green in trice;
and the earth shook with mirth as they trod
their heavy way along The bridge was closed
to children while the procession passed.
Waterhouse, who is e1 o1tcio an honorary
member Of the Convention, furnished the bak-
ed meats, assisted by his Melancholy little
partner The old hosterie never enclosed heay-
Ter eaters; and the after-dinner exercises were
fearful melange of puns and perspiration,
handkerchiefs and humorous speeches. with
thick attempt at occasional songs. 1t was big
time for the spindle city of Maine, and drew
crowd of the largest spectators of any event in
its history. u.