The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-03-08


year ago the plan of holding reunion Of
the sons and daughters of Oxford county in this
vicinity, took form in the creation of an organ
ization, and giving dinner at the Falmouth
Hotel, which was attended by a very brilliant
party of ladies and gentlemen. So successful
did the affair prove that when the notice of
the second dinner was given there was cor
dial and hearty response The committee of
arrangements, consisting of Hon. S. G. An
drews, g. S. Osgood, Esq, Judge Bonney, G.
j. Chapman, Esq, DIR H. P. Merrill, Hon. j.
j. Perry, and J. A. King. Esq, had every
thing in shape SO that when the appointed
hour arrived yesterday, the ladies' parlor and
suite of rooms, at the Falmouth, prepared for
that purpose were filed with an assemblage of
many of the best known people in this section
of the State.
For two hours the hum of conversation arose
as the members of The party promenaded hith-
or and thither though the broad corridors, or
sought the comfortable fauteuis of the draw
ing room. In and out fitted the members Of
badges emblazoned with golden bear and the
Qale OF the reunion.
THE DINNER.
Precisely at S.15 p. m. the assemblage was
invited by Hon. S. G. Andrews, chairman Of
the committee, to visit the sale a ,nanqer
which presented an elegant appearance. Two
long tables ran, lengthwise of the hall, with a
third at right angles, and another running par
allel with the two first mentioned, bat extend
ing Only half way down the room. On this
last table, directly in front of the president,
stood stuffed bear, natural as life. All the
tables were beautifully decorated with flowers,
and set pieces, some of the latter exceedingly
appropriate and bearing derices suitable to the
occasion.
At the head of the centre table sat President
George f. Emery with Mayor Libby ON his
right and Hon. George Walker on his left.
After all the seats, some 175 in number, were
occupied, President Emery said:
MIR. EMERY REMARKS
Ladies and Gentlemen.-You will see on the
table q genuine represe ntative of Oxford coun-
ty. He cannot speak for himself and some
one must speak for him. / know of no one
more competent than the gentleman to whom
we are indebted for his presence.
He then read the following letter:
PROF. BARTLETT's LETTER.
MONTREAL, Feb. %, 1883.
10 George n. Emery, Esq, President of the
Oxford Bear AsSocidtaon.
Dear Sir-FiDding myself much to my re-
gret, unable TO attend the reunion of the o B.
A., take pleasure in forwarding "Son' of
Old Oxford as a proxy, and one whom 1 think
no one present will fail to recognize as ''na-
tive" and brother. This gentleman claims
our friendship; be is our representative; he has
roamed the same hills and valleys, aud has
partaken Of his mutton and blueberries from
the same pastures doubtless that we drew
sustenance from when youths and still further,
as true representative OF Old Oxford, he is
noted for his sagacity, his prudence in times OF
danger, his courage when cornered, his
strength and suppeness of limb, his love of
liberty and freedom. and lastly but not leastly
his unbounded appetite. Like ourselves in our
youthful days he did not scruple to climb the
farmers best apple tree when the fruit was just
right and the coast clear. The worst calumny
ever heaped upon the Oxford Bear was that he
stole sheep, but even in this base accusation
there are redeeming features-for whoever
knew a bear to fail to leave the pelt, when
obhged by the extgencies of the season to help
himself to the farmers flock? Would two
legged Oxford Bear be as magnanimous under
similar circumstances.
oxford county is truly the home of the bear
and even now the northern portions. more
especially Bethel and Newry, are thiekly popu.
lated with this "king of the forests" and dur
ing the past year they have been unusually
numerous. Mr.. Melvin Stowe, an old resident
OF North Newry, informs me that he has cap
tured no | IS than 175 bears during his resi-
dence in that town. Tie State pays bounty
OF So for each bear killed within its limits, fol
which the ears and nose must be presented tc
secure payment The skin when in good fur i,
valued at from $40 to $50, and often times the
meat is sold for half as much more. Owing t.
the sagacity and shrewdness of the bear his cap
ture is exceedingly difficult to accomplish, and
there is no danger of his soon becoming ex
tinct.
take pleasure in presenting this gentleman
to the society. Emulate his virtues, forgive hi
faults, forget not that he is far-beari1g and up
right in his dealings he never bears the maj ket
never runs when danger ia bruiil--hut mus
po'ss for fear Of encroaching upon time Whicl