Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-14
CAMP BENSON.
The q a n Mustsf sad Rsunion Visit
ed BIZ Journal Reporter.

lSpscisi - the Kesnsbec journal.
CAMP BEssos, Aug. l3-
As the masters Al tnls place are assuming
larger proportions each year = brief histofy
Of the association will be Of interest to the
Journal resViers. Camp B..nson is located
on the snores of Laxe Sebxsticook, one oi
the prettiest lxkss 10 central Maine, one mile
ffeJa Nespori village on the Dexter 4 Ne~-
port railsezi.. Ia 1855 Ccmra,ie r. s. Ben
| neu Of Newport invited quite a number Of
his old comrades for = days outing At bis
cottage, located Oh the present site of Cam,
| Benson. They were 90 taken with the sit
uation tbs through their efforts . three day.
| muster sas held on this spot the next season,
| in August, 1857. Later in the fall Of 1881
| they formed an organization TO be known a.
Camp Benson Association and purchased Ii
| acres OF land of the farm Of Geo. Robinson.
| This piece was about square and situated "
tina, ~s,er front was obtained along two
sides OF the square. This was enclosed by q
| high board fence on the tso sides not pro-
teetsi b., w,tt AMI road built around the
four sides about foo, rods inside the fence
and the iafne distance frsm the water. tn
lard included between the four sides making
fine parad- ground. The four rods out
siie The parade ground staked od into
lots aud sold ,o q A. X. men (none other
beiag allowed 10 purchase or hold these lots. }
bout 5000 was realized from this sale AMI
the proceeds were Ceyo'ed to improving the
grounds, building a pavilion fer association
headquarters, restaurant, cook house, wharf,
etc.
In isss weeks muster was held at
which these accommodations we're taxed to
their utmost. Last spring IS acres. adjoin-
ing their lot, were purchased and have been
iald out into streets and lots which they pro-
pose To sell at auction tomorrow. Theae
latter lots are to be sold To any who may de-
sire TO buy, whether G.. A. X men or other
wise. Next spring it is proposed 10 build
good sized hotel TO accommodate those VIII f,
prefer such such an institution. The ssso
citation has already laid out about six thou
sand dollars 10 improvements and as every
dollar received is to be put INTO improving
the place, this place is destined TO become
popular resort for excursion parties, ~
unions, etc., and bids fair to rival even the
famed Maranocook in this respect. There
are already dozen or more cottages erected,
costing from two to three hundred dollars
each.
Tuesday morning, the weather being fire
agd clear, everything is booming and there is
every prospect of there being large crowd
ard grand lime. G. A. r. men could be
seen on all sides grasping each other by the
hand. All have brought their tents and pro-
visions, intending to make these nine days
fine vacation from business cares. All the
privileges of the camp are free to u. A. X
men, but all others are required to pay ten
cents admission to the grounds which goss
to pay for the entertainmy Mt furnished.
The following Posts are already in camp:
II. +. Stafford Post Dexter; Stephen Davis
Post, Pttsfeld; Geo. Goodwin Post. St
albans, Doughty Post, Dover; 5. J. Oaks
Post, Oldtown; J. Knowles Post. Corinna;
Libby Post, Newport.
G. W. Hlilaker, of Newport, is president
of the association. and VIM. Harris, of North
Dixmont, Colonel, commanding
Music and entertainment is furnished by
Guy Bros Minstrel Band. Corinna Cornet
Band and veteran drum corps furnish
parade music.
The programme for Wednesday is sunrise
gun, ,reveille
700 Breakfast call.
500 Fatigue call.
$50 Surgeons call.
900 Guard mount; band concert.
1880 Walking creased pole cover the
water).
u 90 National salute, IL guns dinner call.
LOO Officers call
200 to 400. Dancing in pavilion.
i30 Dress parade.
80 Band concert
500 Entertainment in pavilion by Guy
Bros.
800 Tattoo.
800 to 1880. Dancing in pavilion.
1000 Taps.
Notes.
The Seventh Maine Battery hold their re-
union here tomorrow Wednesday,.
A photographer and barber are among the
at this camp.
The Governor has accepted an invitation to
be present one day, and has named next
Tuesday as the day.