The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-04-09
PARs0NsFIELD's CENTENNIAL.
Some Information Concerning the Under.
taking.

PARscNsFIELp, April 6.
To the Editor of the Press:
There have already been quite extended no.
tees given OF the fact that Parsonsfisld is to
celebrate her centennial. The affair is receiv-
ipgconsiderable attention, and expressions OF
gratitude and pleasure are pouring In from
those who have long been absent from the
good old town, cheering as onward in our work
and pledging their hearty cooperation and re-
cuniary aid to push forward the enterprise. The
town is quite large in extent of territory, aud
1t has record of which it may well be proud
No less than four men who have been honored
members of Congress, have been natives or
citizens of Observation-Disclosures McIntire,
James W. Bradbury, Amos Tuck and L. D.
NJ. Sweat. The last two are living, and one of
them will deliver the Grafton on the occasion
mentioned.
Prof. L. o. Emerson, the world renowned
music composer, is native Of this town. and
grandson of the original proprietor. Prof G.
f. Bracket, of Princeton, one of the most
brilliant men of our times, was reared here. 1t
boasts too, OF host OF lawyers, clergymeD,
physicians and teachers The town has fur
nished men for almost every department of
science and industry; not only those who have
won fame, but those who have amassed for
tunes. And she is justly proud of her sons
and daughters, and on this occasion extends
cordial invitation to all the absent ones to re-
turn and cheer rs with their presence and
strengthen us with their aid.
A feature OF the celebration will be COM
pany of 100 horsemen. Chambers Band is
expected TO discourse music. Prof. Emerson,
with the aid of DR.. John T. Wedgwood, will
drill large chorus and render both ancient
and modern music beitting the time and
rxInr NA~v tpat.5. s1 n%n1 to h.~
with his presence. 1t is expected that DR..
James M. Buzzell, the Rev. DIR. James Rickes,
Prof. Q. f. Bracket, Prof L. o. Emerson,
Hon. L. ID. M. Sweat, Horace Piper, A. M,
Prof. Geo. 81. Kicker, and others will present
papers OF interest on separate topics. Rev. r.
81. Conwell of Philadelphis, the great traveller,
writer and lecturer, whose wife was one of our
fair daughters. will be heard on the occasion,
and taken all in all, we purpose to have
grand celebration. Efforts will be made to
obtain reduced fare on the railroad, and we
shall prepare for and expect large gathering.
The town voted $500 to aid in defraying ex-
pen SEES, but the committee will be obliged to
assume much larger sum and rely upon the
generosity of those whom fortune has favored
for donations to reimburse them. A strict
account of every dollar expended is to be re-
turned to the town, and early contributions
will aid the committee much in perfecting the
arrangements. Money should be forwarded to
the corresponding secretaries, Rev. L. I.
Staples or John Bennett, ESQ.,, Parsonsfeld,
either of whom will promptly acknowledge
and pass the same at once to the hands Of the
treasurer.
When the committee was appointed the
magnitude OF the enterprise was not compre-
hended, and thus early We find the committee,
although entirely harmonious, far too small,
and it will be necessary to largely increase it
numerically aud thus add far greater to it's
power and eficiency-for as at present or
gsnzsd many of the first families are unrepre-
sented upon it; and many OF those, first In in
floence and ability to add strength and render
efficient service were, 10 the haste OF making
up the COMMITTEES and in consequence of the
small number of which it was composed,
omitted from its ranks-sueh as the Does, the
Siinborns, the Ames, the Churchills, the
Blazoe, the Randalls the Bnrnhams and many
others.
This will without doubt receive attention
and correction soon.
A list OF contributions and contributors will
be kept and with other matters OF interest pre-
served for the inspection of future genera
tions.
Relying confidently upon the generosity of
the many who are abandantly able and We be-
lieve anxious to assist in pushing TO sue
cessful termination this praiseworthy enter
prise, the committee will move forward regard
less OF the expense necessary thereto
When they have completed the arrange.
ments exteDde' notices will be given. As yet
even the place Of holding the celebration Is not
located. We think at this writing, however,
that IL Will o6 on the spot where the frst town
meeting was held-the farm formerly of the
original proprietor, later of Capt. Luther Em-
erson, later still of the lame nted Joseph p.
Emerson, and now owned by James w. Cook
of Boston, who having expended largely in re-
fitting and building has generously rendered
the hospitality of houses, barns aud grounds
for the use of the citiz 4us If desired. This
place or North Parsonsisld seem to offer the
most Inducements, although favorable mention
has been made OF Middle Road Village None
s capiious, the only desire is for the best loca-
ton. ID.