The Portland daily press., 1886-08-07
HELD IN HIGH RECORD.
The Postal Clerks Testimonial to
Chief Clerk Jefferds on His Re-
tirement From Service.
Especial to the Press.l


AUGUSTA, Aug. 6.-Last evening a party
of thirty eight postal clerks assembled at the
Ceney House, Augusta, to pay their respects
to their retiring chief clerk, j. f. Jefferds.
Among the party as invited guests were ".
H. Bigelow, the former superintendent and
B. Fower, postmaster at Augusta; after a
beuntiful supper had been discussed tables
were cleared for speeches. Mr.. Elmer H..
Waterhouse oficiated most acceptably as
POSTMASTER and his witty illusions to some
of the peculiariiies of the boys elicitedl great
applause.
Mr.. r. c. Hale of the Portland and Boston
r. P. o., was called upon and in a very ac-
ceptable manner presented Mr.. Jetferds with
a very heavy gold ring with the letters "R.
NJ 81 inscribed on the top in Old English.
To this Mr.. ,Jefferds responded in a very
touching speech alluding to his past connec-
ton with the boys. Right upon this Mr.. II
E. Graves, the new chief clerk in fitting
speech presented two one hundred dollar
bills as testimonial of the high esteem in
which the clerks hold Mr. Jefferds.
At this juncture the ex-chief was complete
ly prostrated and words failed him in which
to express his feelings. Then most anus
ing letter was read from John S. Beck, a
clerk who was unable to be present, but who
attempted and evidently succeeded in MAX
ing the boys understand his thoughts.
Supt. Geo. E. Dame being unable to be pre-
sent, sent the following letter:
BOSTON, Mass, Aug. 8, 1886,
I am very much disappointed in not being able
to be present at your banquet SO appropriately az
ranged for Friday evening Mn gdrd Of nns week III nolof
Mr. Jefferds' long term of service and assocla-
ton with you must have created respect ana az
lection which | will not undertake to describe; J;
In the short time that l have been connected
with him in business could not help n0tlclng IN
him from the first that indispensable quality
which makes every man so valuable, ana Wnlcn
should be recognized and appreciated at all tleS,
l. e. unselfsh devotion to his duties IN tne Kall-
way Mail Service. 1 desire to say to Mr. Jeherds
that my wish is that his future may be as prospe
Gus and happy as the past has been use1ul ana
should he regain his health and wish 10 MAKE d
change in his business and return to the KaliWay
Mail Service, he will find the latch string OF the
front door on the outside.
Allow me to express to you my Acknowledge
ments for your kind invitation.
remain very truly yours,
GEO. Z. DAME, Supt.
After this, brief speeches were listened to
from Messrs. w. II. Bigelow, the former be-
loved superintendent; NJ. S. Hurd, OF the
Portland and Boston R. P. o.; NJ. G. Prem
tiss, of the Vanceboro and Bangor r. P. o.;
Loren Beals, of the Portland and Island
Pond R. P. O., W. o. Carney, of the Bangor
and Boston r. P. o.; VIM. G. Rowse. of the
Skowhegan and Portland R. P. o.; and sew
eral others. Before leaving the table vote
of thanks was rendered to General Manager
Payson Tucker of the M. G. r. r., for cour-
tesies extended.
At IL D. M the party broke up richer in
the friendships of each other, and wishing
Mr., Jefferds all of the bounties this earth
can give.