The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-05-27
coRHAM's l5oth ANNIVERSARY
Yesterdays Celebration of the Inn
portant Event.
Five Thousand People Enjoy the
Festivities.
Governor Robbie Delivers the Address
Of Welcome.

OF Welcome.
An Eloquent Grafton by the Rev.
Elijah Kellogg.
The Procession and Other Matters
of interest.
The booming of the cannon yesterday morn
ing firing salute of 100 guns from the sum-
nit of Fort Hill ushered in the 150th ami
versary of the settlement of the town of Cor
ham in 1876. The rain was falling and the
weather was at that hour decidedly unpropi-
tious for the out door exercises but the salute
must have had good effect for before the
throngs of people commenced to arrive the
clouds had rolled away and the sun was
shining brightly while a cool breeze was
rapidly drying the muddy streets. Prepara-
tions were speedily finished and by eight
o'clock flags were flying and the public build
ings and many stores and residences on the
route of the procession were gaily decora-
ted. The streets presented an animated ap-
pearance. People from the surrounding
country were constantly coming into town in
carriages and on foot. Many of the horse
were already in the saddle and the sidewalks
were thronged with people waiting the for
nation of the procession.
The Decorations and Historic Sites.
Besides the many profusely decorated
buildings and houses, the statue of an Indian
had been erected at the corner of Main and
School streets near the triumphal arch.
The figure was lifelike in posture
with tomahawk, bow and arrow. The base,
made in imitation of marble and granite
stood about ten feet in height and the figure
of the Indian was of life size. Upon the
base was the inscription:
NARRAGANsETr, No. 7, 1876.
The old monument erected in 1905 and re-
cording the settlement of the town has been
moved to the head of Church street and in
addition to the record of the centennial cele-
bration of 1886 upon one of its faces, the
date of the present celebration has been ad-
ded. The monument is in the form of a
shaft, raised panel on each side bearing the
iuSCIlpllOuS. lb Is COulpUo6u VI UiOWu
stone. The inscriptions are as follows:
"Gorham is one of the seven townships granted
by Gen. Court in the year 1882, to the Nara
gansett settlers On a division of the property
among the original granters, this town was as,
signed to Capt. John Gorham and 119 others and
Scapt John Phinney commenesd the first settle
brated, May 26, 1886, May 26, 1852
"This monument was erected by direction and
at the expense of this town, May 6. 1906.
pIappd re 122G -
"This town was Incorporated by the name OF
Gorham, Oct 80, 1764."
Many of the oldest houses in the village
were marked with tablets bearing the date OF
their erection. The cemetery on South
street,given to the town by Mr. Jacob Hamb-
len in ITO for a burying ground contains
the graves of many of the towns prominent
citizens. Here the graves of interest were
marked by flags.
Among the buildings decorated were the
hall of Harmony Lodge, which was hand
somely trimmed with flags and bunting. The
front of the High School building was dec
grated with long streamers hanging in grace
full folds, and in the centre was a large shield
bearing in gold letters upon a hlne- grnnnd
&C. III. S., 1680-1SS6."
The Academy erected in 1906, besides the
interior decoration for the reception, had a
flag flying from the tower and bore tablet
with the name of the building and the date
of its erection. The present town house.
built as free union meeting house in 1921,
and occupied as such until about 1S45 ..was
similarly marked. A flag was also displayed
from the tower of the Normal school build
ing. R. G. Harding's store, used as a hotel
as early as 1900 also bore appropriate tab.
lets.
The residence of Gov. Robie presented a
handsome appearance draped with a profus-
ion of bunting and flags. Over the porch
was the State shield and other designs were
used in the decorations. Among the many
other houses tastily decked for the occasion
were those of Judge Waterman Mrs. Hink-
ley. Messrs. Stephen Hinkley, Geo. B. Emery
Theodore Shackford, Mrs. W. b. Irish, Col.
Millett and Rev. H. S. Huntington.
The Parade.
The Portland Cadets, 80 strong, arrived
from Portland at about eight o'clock, accom-
panied by Chandler's band. The train also
brought large number of sightseers and
former residents of the town. The compa-
lfJ tb OIlCC luillCQ dlIu ludlCACu w OOfCllUl
Robes residence where ranks were broken
while the band played a number of delight
full selections in their accustomed excellent
manner. A later train brought large dele
CATION and when the procession was ready to
start at about ten o'clock, crowd of people
numbering nearly 5000 were waiting along
the line of march. Among those who wit
messed the procession were, E. III. Elwell, W.
S. Eaton, w. O. Fox, B. f. Whitney, c. j.
Walker, Rev. Mr.. Bayley, graduate of Cor
ham Academy, Rev. Mr.. Daniels, H.W. Swa-
sey and many other Portland people. The
Governors staff, members of the council and
prominent visitors had places in the process.
ion.
The line was formed and moved in the
following order:
Chief Marshal-Col. H. R. Millett
Aids-Edward Harding, j. A. Hinkley, DR.. w. p
Watson, b. W. Feeney, George I. Pratt.
Platoon of Police.
Chandler's Band, D. H. Chandler, leader, 81
Portland Cadets, Capt. Harry Eastman, COM
John r. Adams Post, No. 101, Department oi
Maine, G. A. R., Theodore Shackford,
commanding, 40 men
C. A. Warren Post No. 73, Department of Maine
G. A. r., 4. r. Wingate commander, 60 men.
Carriages containing:
Governor Robie, Rev. DR.. Geo. Prentiss of New
York.
Gen. S. j. Gallagher, Col f. W. Guptill, Lieut. Col
w. A: II. Boothby, Lieut. Col A. B. Neatly,
II. T. Mcclellan Major Geo. Z.
Dole, of the Governors staff
| Geo. b. Emery, Judge j. A. Waterman, Mr. Estes
of Estes & Lariat, Boston, Rev.
Edward Robie.
| Gen. S. J. Anderson, Col. John NJ Adams Stephen
L. Stephenson, Esq, VIM b. Freeman.
| Mayor Chapman of Portland, III. j. Libby, Esq,
NJ. 2. Emery, Esq, Councillor
SilaS Hatch.
| Mrs. Martha G. Wentworth of Saccarappa DIR. j
p. Wentworth, Master Harold N. Wntworth.
| Edward Gould, Esq., 5. II. Clement, Rev. H. S
Huntington, Rev. Geo. Lewis.
| Albion Little Esq, Councillor j. A. Locke.
| N. J. Rust of Boston, Major Hewes.
| Harmony Lodge, No. 50, +. and A. NJ, Fred w
Harding, w. NJ, 80 men.
| Dirigo Lodge, No. 81, X. of p, G. A. Brack
EFT, G. c., so men,
Carriages and Picnic Wagons containing Presen
and Former Residents, School
Committee.