Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-05-27

tion or similar family homes made enr town
anu nave made the State and nation. One
hundred and fifty years ago this morning the
Family Bible was read for the frat time in
our town, the first prayer was offered the
nrst song of thanksgiving aseended 10 the
tnrone of God, and the appearance of the
fhlnney family and the blows of the wood.
mans axe were the forces that commenced
10 roll oack the mysteries of the past for a
ne" departure, to make room for the begin
hing OF the real historic life which we now
see ana Know We are proud of our ances-
tor' ana the first families who settled our
lo"h' Inc noble characteristics of the pio-
heer FAMILY permeated the locality, and there
was unity OF loval brotherhood and Chris
.,an iellowship among our early ancestors
'hat IS worthy the emulation of their descend
ants. We come as Pilgrims and view with
unmeasured delight the spot where the 6rst
christian family home was concecrated. We
tread here and there upon ground made sac.
req by historical memories. we recall he
rolc deeds that inspire our verv nature and
excite our pride that we are the descendants
OF race of men, who by sacrifice laid the
foundation of the homes and institutions we
now ENJOY On yOnder hill the rude log cab
IN was built the first little clearing was m ade.
the tort and block house erected within which
the entire population of the town was shell.
tered Tor four long years. In the fort was
the garrison, the only defence of the family
nome, and there the parish pastor and the
school teacher found employment and securi-
ty. The early history Of our town tells Us
OF many sad story of savage cruelty, and
within half mile from here are the stones
and earthen floors which were once wet with
the blood of four dear children, but the dark
clouds that then lowered so near had their
silver lining. The power of endurance,
loyalty, true religion and every
other manly and womanly virtue of the
Phinneys, McLellans, Moshers, Watsons,
hardings, Cresseys, Files, Irish, Hambens
and other representative pioneer families were
sufficient for every sacrifice and danger, and
the solid material to establish the institutions
OF justice freedom and safety which we now
ENJOY. In our Older cemeteries lie buried in
unknown graves many of the brave men of
those early days, but we find very few
sleeping beneath leaning and crumblina
stones, whose honored names have been near.
ly effaced by the ruthless touch of time. To-
day wcsay the choicest flowers of spring
upon their graves, and recounting their heroic
deeds pay just tribute to their noble dust.
"Gone are the living, but the dead remain,
And not neglected; for . hand unseen,
Scattering its bounty like summer rain,
Still keeps their graves and their remembrance
green" o.
The relationship which the present inhabi.
tants of Gorham hold with the past can be
divided into three exact periods; for three
separate links of fifty years each connect VI
with that historic and memorable day when
our town had its birth, day ever worthy
to be cOmmemorated as the most important
n mi htsfn all
member, (and this is the case with but very
few others Of my fellow citizens, the stirring
events of the centennial celebration of our
tswn which occurred fifty years ago. l recall
the occasion and the venerable and distin-
guished men of that period. Among the mum.
Der in the procession were Col. Nathaniel
Frost, the oldest man in town, and other revo-
lutionarv heroes. On an historic eminence
around q centennial banner, which received
the cheers of all the people, stood venerable
mon whose shoulders then touched those fol-
younger men, but whose hands had clasped the
hands of some Of the noble men and womer
who first settled this town. The old men of to-
day are the living connecting link with our frs
centennial, and likewise are moving on in ad.
vance of generation who in turn are soon tC
fill their places. Thus looking back we bring
near ourselves by continuity of the same eX
tended chain the personal presence Of those
who lived and acted one hundred and fifty year.
ago, and although long, long years separate
US, We are still united by such connection.
that the early history and traditions of oul
town and its glorious people seem to be a neal
part of ourselves. Future generations by
similar divisions of periods of time, will be
the near representatives of this great ances
try. The experiences and acts of the first
fty nf nf
the most eventful pages of its history. Ir
the year 1856 on lite sem-centennal anniver-
sary it was said, ''there are those living
among us who felled the first trees, planted
the first kernel of corn, helped build the first
house. and aided in driving the savages into
distant forests" Even then block houses
and rude cabins had been partially abandoned
and in their place cultivated cearings and
comfortable homes had made their appear.
ance The constitutional liberty of great
nation hau then been secured by the aid Of
the brave men and women who first founded
this town. Glorious cycle of time we bend
over its wonderful revelations and pay just
tribute of lofty cheers to the memory Of our
early ancestors. The second link of fifty
years brings US down to the year 1886, and
within that period we find a continual prog
ress in the population, wealth. and material re.
sources of our town, and among the conspic.
uous land marks which more than anything
else, marks the character of its people. is our
venerable academy, which was built iu
1906 Education and educated men and wo.
men were among the choicest offerings OF the
period. The war of 1912, in which many Of
our soldiers participated, with its rights and
its wrongs, was vindicated by the triumph of
the stars and stripes, and free ocean fol
American commerce was secured. We now
leave this important link, and in 1886 look
back upon another period of fifty years, which
to-day we complete, and add the third link tC
the heightened chain connecting US with the
fixed and written register of the past. The
last fifty years are better knowi to us than
the record of any previous period. Religion
education and loyalty have been recognized
by special landmarks which will forever dis
tinguish this generation, but which, like
others, are passing away for others to sue
ceed The faith which our forefsthers had il
God, which led them IN the midnight Of pow
erty and dependence, among their first acts tt
consecrate place for public worship, ha
inspired the present generation in th'
sunlight of prosperity, to erect commodioui
and beautiful churches in keeping with thei
enlarged means, and meeting houses of thi
character everywhere 'nestle in our valley
and crown our swelling hills" The Gorhan
Female Seminary was dedicated in 1887, ant
has accomplished much for the town anC
State The Normal School building wa
erected in 1873, much to our credit, bu
much more to our educational advantage
We point with pride to the willing enlist
ments of three hundred and eighty six of ou
sons in the war tor the Union, and feel tn