The Portland daily press., 1875-04-30
A Gala Day in BiddefOrd.
The Military ReceptiOn-Warm Welcome
TO Governor DingIey-The Street Parade
and the Dress Reception.

Two years ago when muster was held in
Portland the Biddeford Light Infantry, then an
undetached company, attracted general atten-
ton by their soldier-like bearing and courteous
manners. The reputation then earned certainly
did not suffer in the military reception extended
to Governor Dingley at Biddeford yesterday.
The Blddeford company exerted itself TO the
utmost to make the reception as striking as the
welcome was hearty. The city was fairly over
hung with bunting. Flags were flung out from
every public and many private buildings, while
tri-colored streamers foated from every con-
spicuous point along the route of procession.
City Hall was draped under the supervision of
Capt. George Brown of Portland. decorator
whose taste and fertility in expedient are we'll
known in Portland. The hall, fire looking
room, of which the people of Biddeford are
justly proud, was hung with bunting, with
national emblems, and with other appropriate
insignia.
At half-past nine yesterday morning the
festivities began. In response to invitation the
Portland Mechanic Blues thrty-eight strong,
Capt. Charles Pencil, came out from Portland
on the train. The Infantry, accompanied by
the excellent Band of the French Institute,
marched to the railway station, and there re-
ceived the Blues. The Portland company was
accompanied by Chandler's Ba nd, whose
striking uniform and fine music attracted uni
versal attention.
The procession reformed at the depot, and
took up it's line of march down Main street, up
Alfred street, etc., and after brief parade
arrived at the armory, Great crowds gathered
on the sidewalks to witness the display.
Exchange block, in which the armory is
situated, was made gay withafags and stream
ers, Messrs. Leighton & Ford, f. J. Goodwin
and N. w. Kendall making good displays
The Infantry had large numbers of small flags
thrown from their windows fronting Main
street, while the tri-colors were ranged around
the interior walls of their dril-room.
At 70 o'clock the Blues and Infantry sat
down to a we'll spread board in the drill-room,
where meats, pastry. coffee, ETC., were literally
supplied.
At noon Chambers Band gave serenade in
front of the Biddeford House, which was
listened to by large concourse of people.
During incoming" many of the visitors were
taken about town in carriages. The Blues are
profuse in their recogntions of the courteses
extended to them by Capt j. M. Andrews and
L;eutenants G. P. Berry and N. b. Osgood and
their men. The Blues attracted general atten-
ton by their soiderly bearing and gentlemanly
conduct, and Capt. Charles Pencil and his
officers were the recipients of many flattering
compliments.
About half past 3 o'clock the military COM
panies, with the reception committee in car
riages took up the line of march for the
Eastern depot, where Gov Dingley and staff
and Gen. Chamberlain and staff were received.
The reception of Governor Dingley by the
great crowd assembled at the railway station
was very warm and of marked significance.
The procession took mp the line of march in the
following order: AS escort, the Biddeford
Light Infantry; Governor sDingley ard staff,
consisting of Adiutant General Murray,
Colonel c. S. Murray of Portland, and Mayor
Warren of BiddeforG ). in the second carriage,
Gen. chamberlain, Gen. G. L. Beale, and Col
Benson. A platoon of police and the two
bands headed. the procession. In the third
carriage were the reception committee, invited
guests, AMI representatives of the press.
The following was the route.of march: Down
Main street to Elm, from Elm to North street,
Saco; thence through North to Main street,
through Main to South street, Biddeford ;
| through South, Elm and Main to the Biddeford