Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-09-16

GENERAL Coon TnME.-THE ONLY
COMPLETE REPORT OF DoNGs AND
SPEECHES.
Sunrise on Sept. llth. was announc-
ed by the firing of Paris centennial
gun. From this first announcement to
TO the close of daylight, the town was a
scene of constant activity. Citizens OF
Paris, and visitors from neighboring
towns began to arrive on "the Hill
shortly after six o'clock, a mo- and before
noon the crowd numbered about SIX
thousand persons.
The earliest visitors had the good for
tune to uote particularly the preparations
which had been so carefully made FOL
their reception. At the North end OF
the village, a streamer was drawn above
and across the street, from Mr.. Carter
TO the Paris stand. Above Madame
Carters gate was the following inscrip-
ton:
,sThe first frame house built in Paris.
III a IL
ever celebrated in Oxford County was upon
these grounds, in 1889.
Mr.. S. X. Carriers house bore the in
scription ''erected in 1908" Over the
entrance to the old grave yard, one read
Ancestors and friends, though dead, are
not forgotten
Streamers foated across the streets
from Miss c. c. Cummings 20 the resi-
dence of Elbridge Forbes, and from
Hawkes. & Garland's store to the cottage
of Mrs. Ann Brown. Mrs. Browns
house was elegantly decorated with flags
and national emblems. The Baptist
Church was decorated with flags. Mr..
l.. B. Smith of Portland, relative of
Mrs. VIM. Chase, brought large guam
titv of bunting to assist in decorating the
HamEn homestead, now the property of
Mrs. Chase. In one line he placed En-
glish. French, Spanish. and German en-
signs, which he had procured from yes
sels in Portland harbor. A large elm
tree. in front of the house, was entwlned
with red. white and blue This tree was
marked, The Hamlin Tree" Il was
planted by Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, IN
1920.
A large United States flag was hung
from the Union House to the old Bemls
stand. and another foated from the Ok
ford Democrat Office. The hotels were
both deliberately decorated, as were also
the buildings Of Mr.. J. H. Rawson, and
the Cour, House. Again, streamers
crossed the head Of Lincoln Street, from
DR.. Browns to the Croker homestead,
and from Hon. Alvah Blacks 10 Mr.. J.
T. Clark's.
Ex-Governor Perham's buildings dis
PLAYED large number Of beautiful flags,
and the patriotic colors were also e1hib-
tied here, by Examinations in the evening.
J. c. Marbles buildings were also finely
decorated. At the new cemetery was
the inscription, I'VE do not forget our
honored dead" The Common and the
tent were radiant with bright colored
streamers and flags, while such notices
as PARIS welcomes her sons and daugh-
ters, "l779. Paris. 1879, &c, were
to be seen in every appropriate nook and
corner. The decorations were very elab-
CRATE, and would have done credit to any
city
The Veterans and ancient Militia Com
many met the Portland Cadets and Rip
lev's Band, in accordance with the pro-
gramme which we published in our extra
Of Sept. 18th. Only a few citizens took
part in the village parade, save as militia
men. The Portland Cadets acted as a
guard Of honor 10 Gov. Perham, Presl-
dent of the day, and the distinguished
guests from out Of town. A march
around the square concluded the parade,
and the company gathered before the old
Yale Tent, for literary exercises.
Governor Perham called the assembly
TO order in the following brief and appro-
pirate address Of welcome
GOV. PEnHAN's wRLCoNB.
Ladies and GentlemeR, NGtire and adopted
sons and daughters ~ PARIS Brothers
and sisters Of common pdref.tdge:
In compliance with the request Of q com
mittee representing the citizens OF the
town, il becomes my pleasant duty 10 eX-
press their sentiments Of welcome and
cougratulation.
We turn aside from our ordinary vOca-
tiOnS today 10 mark an epoch in the hiSto-
~ of this grand old town. She has called
home her sons and daughters and invited
her friends 70 celebrate the one hundredth
anniversary OF her settlement. We have
come 10 recall the events Of the past. and
review the laborS and sacrifices, the heroic
virtue and the indomitable energy that
characterized the early settlers OF this
town; 10 pay a fitting tribute Of respect
and affection for their memory; 10 express
our gratitude for that firm, steady disci-
pine and guidance by which they sought
10 prepare Us for life's great duties, and
our obligations for the wisdom and intelli-
gent forethought that planted the institu-
tons under which we are blessed today.
In short, we come 70 recount the tolls and
achievements OF a hundred years.
The town Of Paris points with pride 70
4 long list OF sons and daughters who have
gone out from US, and who by virtuous
lives and noble deeds have hOnored the
town that gave them birth, and added i'm
perishable luStre 10 her name. Many OF
these have gone 10 their reward in the bet
ter land and TO many others we now have
the pleasure Of extending cordial greet
ing and most hearty welcome TO the scenes
Of their childhood, to our homes and our
hearts, and the festivities OF this occasion.
Welcome, one and all Thrice welcome
20 this joyous reunion Of kindred spirits.
And may the emotions that stir our hearts
today inspire US TO purer lives, 10 more