The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-03-29
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF BRIDGTON
Recall Pleasant Days Spent in That
Lovely Maine Village.
The Second Annual Dinner of
Their Association Last Evening.
What Was Said OF the Old Town by
the Speechmakers.

WHot was Sdtu OF the Old Town py
the Speechmakers.
The meeting of the Bridgtonians last even
ing,-the second since the organization of
the assoctation-though the number of
attendants was not so large as last year was,
still cordial and pleasant reunion. These
occasional hand-shakings of former
residents of the town whose fine qualities
are known so widely have been thus far
quite worthy of the enterprise of those sons
of Bridgton who conceived the idea.
Seven thirty, the hour appointed, found
considerable number of ladies and gentle
men seated upon the sofas or standing about
the parlors of the Preble, all seeming deter
mined that old acquaintance should not be
forgot. And many were the pleasant
anecdotes Of their youth with which the
young men and madens RECALLED each other
while waiting for the resonant voice of Mr..
j. F. Chute to announce, AZ it did shortly,
that dinner was ready.
Then it was that each aud every person
present showed :his loyalty to his n alive
town by attacking the yiands, varied in
number and excellently cooked in true
Bridgton style. The following ladies and
gentlemen occupied seats at the tables:
Mr. and Mrs. s. G. strout, Miss Strout, c. A.
Str0ut, Mr.. and Mrs b. G. Stone, Nathan Cleaves,
Miss Mary s. Cleaves, Mr.. and Mrs. C. A. Ken
nard, Mrs. Helen NJ. Edes, Rev. and Mrs e. z.
Wilson. Woodfords; Mr.. and Mrs. II; W, Gage,
| Miss Louise Gage, Mr.. aud Mrs. J. II. Chute, Mr.
Webb, Mr. and MRS. T. & Mten. Mr. MIS- and sa MRS.
Miss +. 1. Alien. Miss T. S. Allen, Mr. and Mrs.
w. ~. Burnham. Miss Lizzie j. Burnham Mr.
and Mrs; G. D, Dresser. me-; and Mrs. VIZ
| Small, Miss Small, Mrs. W. II. Jewett, Miss
Minnie I. Rice, Mrs; A. E, Quinn, Miss Clara H.
Eva Chase, Mr.; and MRS. A: J. Conary, Miss
Carrie p. Smith, Mr.. and Mrs George W. Merrill,
James I. Dyer and lady Mr.; and Mrs. Lorenzo F.
G. Talbot, Mr.. and Mrs j. Eastman, Capt James
T. yenner Mr. and nd Mrs J: r Cole, Mr. y and Mrs
| Kilborn Mrs. K. l.. o. Adams, Miss May Adams,
Sarah E. Webb. Miss Caddie Webb; Mr.. and Mrs.
| Nathan F. Sawyer, II. A. Sylvester, George W.
Norton, ": R; Bqrlegh' Grace Grace ( Merrill, Miss
Stone, Miss Hattie V. Elder.
The menu card contained on the outside
an excellent cut of the village of Bridgton
which was greatly appreciated by those
present as suggesting many of the points Of
interest In and about the town.
An hour was spent in dinner and then the
piCoiQOnb Vi bu6 dSSUcldLlO0. -, u.
strout, ESQ.,, raped for order and called
upon the secretary, B. G. Stone to read
the records of the last annual meeting, Mr..
Stone said that the best report of that
meeting had been found the following day
In the PRESS and he had therefore incorpo-
rated that in his report of the meeting
The report was approved and Mr. J. f.
Chute. the treasurer, then read the state of
the finances, which showed that there
was at present a balance in his hands of
$30.25. This report was received with APP
plause and accepted. Mr.. Strout then said
"As you are all aware ladies and gentlemen,
last summer the association made an excur-
sion to our old homestead of Bridgton. We
were entertained, as you know, most royalty
by the citizens, but up to this time there has
been no formal recognition of the courtesy
by the association because this is the first
meeting since. At meeting of the Direc-
tors held week or two ago. committee
was chosen to report resolutions in regard
to the reception accorded us by the citizens
Of Bridgton last year. now read the reso-
buttons:
Whereas, The citizens of Bridgton, with their
and hearty welcome TO the "Bridgtonians'' of this
city apd vicinity, upon their first annual excur-
bountiful dinner, and 10 various other ways gener-
ously providing for their recreation; therefore,
Resolved, That the thanks of this association
OF Bridgton for the grand reception given, and
to the committee Of arrangements for their admit
rable entertainment upon that occasion.
Resolved. That the members of this association
fully appreciating this kindness, as well as many
other fayors received from the citizens aforesaid
still cherishing fond affection for and pleasant
memories OF the associations connected with
their former residence in that town. and desiring
In sCme degree to reciprocate therefor do hereby
extend to the citizens OF Bridgton a cordial nyf-
tation to become the guests of this association
upon its next annual excursion, to be at some
| time in the future 10 he mutually
most convenient TO all. and TO consist of such en-
tertainments as the committee may decide,
carry into effect the purpose of the second reso-
furnished to the Bridgton News for publication.
F f. s !; 5s s #ssSi
Committee on Resolutions.
Mr.. Chute moved that the resolutions be
amended so that the committee referred to
should be the directors instead of commit
tee of seven as stated. The resolution as
amended was unanimously adopted.
A committee was then appointed to pre-
pare list OF officers for the ensuing year.
While the committee was out the chair said
that he had not neglected to call upon the
Rev. Mr.. Wilson to say grace at the COM
mencement OF the dinner on account of for
getfulness but because he did not believe in
It as matter OF principle. He had always
thought that grace should follow a dinner
generally nothing to be thankful for, as al
though they might get it it was not positive
ly sure and If it were they were net sure it
would be worth eating, but now that both
these points had been settled he would call
upon the Rev. Mr.. Wilson to entertain the
people present.
Mr.. Wilson said he hardly knew what was
expected of him. He had heard recently of
a boy whose mother undertook to lecture
him for having told an untruth and the boy
replied that he had been asked so suddenly
that he could not think of the truth and SO
told a lie. Continuing he said: "You have
called upon. me so unexpectedly that will
not vouch for my own vesacty upon this
occasion. ! am very happy to be mere to-
night and look at these faces. 1t is just
nineteen years ago last summer since went
to preach as pastor Of the church at Bridg-
ton. Invent there fresh from theological
seminary and remember very vividly the
kindness with which ! was treated. re-
member great many promising young men
who were there at that time and used to at
tend my church occasionally One of them,
position at the head of the table. Another
was young clerk in the post Office and now
sits at my right, Mr.. Chute. Another was
our friend 3. 9. Stone aud still another was
Mr.. A. t. Hill who was then in the clothing
business at Bridgton."
AT this point the committee on officers re |
turned, and Mr.: Wilson gave way to hear |
their report. which was as follows:
For Presdent-Sewal c. Strout.
Vice Presidents-HOn. Nathan Ceaves, Isaiah |
s. Webb, Chas. A. Kennard
Secretary Benz. Q. Stone.
Treasurer-J0seph Il. Chute.
Execu i've Committee Capt. James T. Jenuer, |
Almon F: Hin, w. Ii. Stone, EaWin c. Milliken |
William f. Dresser, Mrs. William II. Jewett, Mrs
Enoch Martin.
The report was accepted and the officers
declared elected.
The President then called upon Captain
James i. Jenner for remarks. He however
excused himself, merely expressing his |
friends. ~ many oiu
~ Isaiah ,: Webb, ESQ.,. followed in brief
put interesting and witty speech.
Inere was an endeavor to get some re-
Bailey declined to make speech.
The next gentleman called upon was Mr.
j. +. Chute. He said: Il did not intend or
expect to have anything to say here tonight.
but 1t is pleasure for me to meet SO many |
of my old friends. over half Of |
whom Iknew In Bridgton. / went to that |
town twenty years ago last September, and
since then have been very intimately con-
nected with large part of the people ia
BridgtOn. and for the last fifteen years ii has |