The Portland daily press., 1874-06-08
sevonty.First Anniversary Of the Portland
Light Infuufr

Light lnfautry.
Saturday being the seventy first anniversary
of the organization of tho Portland Light In
fantry, the company decided to celebrate the
occasion in the old style by ''going to the
islands" Accordingly, at o'clock tho COM
pany were in line and marched directly to the
Boston depot where they met their invited
guests, tho Biddeford Light Infantry. Captain
Andrews, accompanied by the Institute Band.
The visiting company were received and the
two companies marched to the Preble House,
where the honorary members and other guests
Joined them under command of Captain Mat
ocks. They then narched directly to Custom
House wharf whore they embarked on the Ex-
press under sealed orders for some one of the
islands. As the boat left the wharf salute
was fred from small cannon which was on
board.
Little Chebeague soon proved to be the OBJ
jective point, and the wharf at the island was
soon reached The companies formed into
line and marched to the grove. The sky, which
had been overcast all the morning just then
began to blacken and the rain to fall. But
this state Of affairs did not daunt the gay ex-
cursonsts, and when the roll was called for
breakfast the ranks were full. The breakfast,
which was furnished by Messrs jerks and
Boardman, was excellent and all hands ap-
peared to enjoy it.
After breakfast the company DIVIDED up into
squads and began playing different games.
Base ball, foot ball, target shooting and look
ing over the island all received proper atten-
ton. After some time spent in this manner
the roll call was sounded and the companies
formed into line and marched to the scene of
the contest at target shooting, for the prizes.
There were three targets arranged; one for
the actives of tho Infantry, ono for the honor
aries, and = third for the visiting company.
The hriug lasted for some time and resulted
as follows:
Honorary msmbers-frst prize, . ring, 81. 7.
Cook. Second prize. silver cup, Charles E.
Somerby. The prize for the poorest shot was .
leather medal and was won BY Joseph Stick
ney, Esq.
Active members-frst prize, ring, Private
d. A. Avery. Second prize, gold ring, Cor
poral Herbert Jackson The third prize was
awarded to Private J. A. Day for the poorest
shot. five feet and eight inches from the tar
get.
Blddeford Light Infantry-frst prize, gold
badge, to Corporal Henry j. Land. Second
prize to Sargent j. Locke. and the leather
medal to Albert G. Manson. The prizes for
this company are at McDufee's where they
will be inscribed, and then presented. The
others were presented on board the boat COM
ing up.
After the target shooting dinner was served
As at the breakfast table the ranks were full
and the food disappeared rapidly.
After dinner the men roamed about the
island until four o'clock when the bands struck
up tune and air and started for the steamer,
which was putting and blowing 1t the wharf.
Tho sail up the harbor was short and pleasant.
The Biddeford Company returned home by the
6 o'clock train
The best feature Of the whole affair was the
fact that there was no one present who wanted
to bore the company with long dry speeches,
about "our Anniversary" etc., but on the con-
trary all did just As they pleased and all enjoy
ed themselves hugely.
This island, Little Chebeague, as has already
been stated, has been sold to Messrs. jerks and
Boardman, and there has been fitted up first
class boarding house. Many Of the rooms
have already been engaged for the season to
parties from New York, Washington, and
Providence. The steamer "Lttle Chebeague,"
which is building, will run from the city four
trips . day, to accommodate visitors. The
island is free for any ono to use for pic mic
parties at all times without charge. A pleas
ant feature Of the establishment il that there
is to be no bar kept in the house. The formal
opening occurs next week.