Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-04-18

More than year ago the plan was con
ceived by the employees of the old Portland
T. kennebec Railroad of remembering, il
some appropriate and substantial manner
their faithful and accomplished Superintend
ent, Mr.. Levi L. Lincoln, and one or two
other officers of the road who had made them
selves general favorites with all in any way
connected with the corporation. And Their
all hands wanted to get together for socia
set-down," for the revival of pleasant mem.
! cries and incidents in railroad life. The
| changes incident on consolidation and the
strange list of casualties have delayed the
elimination of the project.
But last evening the promised re- union took
place at Granite Hall, and was we'll worth
waiting for. 1t was accompanied with ban
quoting, music, speech making, dancing, pre-
sensations Of gifts, and a jolly social time
generally.
We should judge that there were one hund.
red and fifty present, formerly in the employ
of the company, some of whom have done du-
ty in all the various capacities, rising step by
a
gravel, construction or freight train, or from
the most unmechanical part of the machine
shop or blacksmith shop, to the highest and
most responsible places on the road. Others
are now in other departments Of active life.
Those who were fortunate enough to have
wives brought along their better halves, and
these with quite number Of invited guests,
whose only experience in ralroadins consist
ed in taking comfortable ride on the cars,
made up large and attractive company OF
about three hundred.
The good taste and skill of Mr. J. Hill, Jr.,
the foreman of the paint shop, and his assist
ants, were displayed in the decoration Of the
hall. The front of the stage was quite elab-
orately decorated with flags and evergreen.
Two large American flags depended from the
ceiling in front of the stage, and were Topped
up on the sides. Where these flags came to-
gether hung large portrait of Washington.
Beneath these dropping flags was an ever
green arch, about twelve feet between the
supporting pillars, bearing the words in gilt
portland & Kennebec-ls64." In the GEN.
tire of the arch was fine picture of Judge
Rice, on the left one of the late Walter Hatch,
and on the right that of Hon. Reuel Williams.
From the centre of the ceiling red, white and
blue bunting ran to the four corners of the
hall. Framed pictures of noted railroad per-
sonages, locomotives and cars Of the Portland
6 kennebec and Maine Central. various To-
calities on the line of the road, illustrations
showing the machines manufactured by the
were arranged around the front of the CALLER
les. A large locomotive headlight, placed on
the gallery opposite the stage, added "mofe
light" to the already brilliantly lighted hail.
The provisions for the wants of the inner
man we're of the most ample dimensions. Six
tables run the entire length of the floor with
accommodations for at least three hundred
persons to sit down and partake of the most
elaborate supper we ever saw spread on ar
occasion of the kind in the city. The table.
presented a most inviting appearance and
fairly groaned beneath their burdens. All
the substantials and delicacies were furnished
by the employees along the line of the road
all had a hand in the work. A small table al
the head of the long tables, and in front of the
stage, was assigned to the officers of the road
and their ladies.
At about quarter to nine o'clock, the COM
pany filed into the hall and were politely
received by the attentive reception commit.
tee,-B. A. Neal, II. T. Morse, John Jewett
John Ellis, II. Y. Crockett, Chas. Small.
John S. Gushing, Esq, the President Of
the evening, called the company to order
previous to the supper, and advancing to the
stand in the rear of the table, on which
was placed magnificent silver tea service
called the attention of Supt Lincoln to few
| words from Col. A. w. Wildes, who said
that we had met on this occasion On one
of the side tracks of life, to ex-
anime the time table not on tracks
of iron, but on those Of sympathy and human
kindness. lie alluded in feeling terms to
those who had passed on, and were lost from
sight in this world. Desiring to testify to the
kind and faithful Superintendent their respect
| and esteem, the employees of the old Portland
& Kennebec Railroad, have procured this
beautiful testimonial, which he then had the
honor of presenting to Mr.. Lincoln in their
behalf.
The tea service is Of solid coin silver, and
cost $780,
Mr.. Lincoln was much surprised and great
ly affected, and in responding said he was nc
speechmaker, but would accept the magnif
cent gift, not for its intrinsic yalfe alone, bu
| as token ofthe respect of his old friends ant
brothers.
Roadmaster Colby, was next called to the
| stand, and addressed by Mr.. Gushing, who
| said that the friends of the retiring roadmastel
desired to express in some slight manner theil
| respect for the man who was one of the pio
neers in the railroad enterprise in this State
The success of the road was due in grea
degree to his watchfulncss and fidelity. Re
! wards for faithful services do not always ap