Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-07-07
Soldiers Alouumsnt Dedicated at
Dexter.

Special to the Kennebec Journal.
DExrKH. July 5.-An preparations had
been made for an elaborate celebration ai
Dexter last Friday, the leading event Of
which was to be the dedication Of the SOL
diers monument at Mt Pleasant Cemetery.
There would have been q fine street parade,
places Of business would have been deco
rated and a crowd Of people doubtless seen
in the streets, unequxiled. in point Of num-
bers, by any known to the history Of the
town. But the rain descended and the
foods came which completely upset all
plans that had been made for the outdoor
display, and kept the larger part Of
those who had planned to come in
from the outside at their homes.
When the train, which left Wat
ersiile at about d A. NJ, rolled into town,
bearing Gen. o. o. Howard and others in
sufficient number to ill . couple Of cars,
there was quite = crowd at the depot. The
band played lively piece ~ the passengers
were slishting, and Afterwards, with II. z.
Stafford Post. G.. A. r., escorted Gen.
Howard to his quarters at Merchants Ex.
change Hotel.
After consideration, 1t was announced
the address which was to have been given
in the cemetery, would be delivered at
Town Hall at 2 30 z. M, and that the ded-
ication and other features of the pro-
grsmme as originally planned, would be
carried out Saturday. weather permitting,
and that Gen. Howard consented to be
present on that occasion, and to make some
remarks.
Dinner was served at Grange Hall to
such of the neigbboring posts as were pres
ent, together with Gen. Howard and dis
tingnished citizens Of DE xter and neighbor-
ing towns, and considerably before the
hour appointed for the orstion. the people
began to pour into Town Hall, which wss
completely filed so that even standing
ing room was in demand. After music by
the Dexter Band, prayer by Rev. j. Il.
Clifford AMI singing of America" by male
quartette, A. +. Bradbury, Esq, intro.
duced the speaker in a few well chosen re-
marks, and Gen. Howard, as he arose, was
greeted with prolonged applause.
The subject of his address was "Our
Country" and in it be reviewed the cond-
tons under which our nation WAS born, the
peculiar difficulties met and overcome by
our forefathers. the cause which inevitably
resulted in the War of the Rebellion, what
was gained by that var, the superiority of
our form Of government over that of other
lands, etc. In the course Of his remarks
he made many references to soldier life
and incidents in the late war which we're
fully appreciated.
At the conclusion and after the band had
played its piece, the people, and about all,
improved the opportunity to take him by
the hand. He particularly requested that
all old soldiers should give their names with
the regiment in which they served. II was
noticeable that he was very careful to
shake hands with all the children who
went up with their parents and had very
pleasant word for each of them. The re-
ception was very enjoyable feature of
the afternoon for the people and appar-
rently for the General.
In the evening occurred the musical en-
tertslnment, by the Ladies' Orchestra, un-
der the direction Of Prof. II. Fales of Wat
erville, assisted by talent from Dexter and
neighbOring towns. Besides the orchestral
selections, which were all very artisticaily
rendered, and received with marked dem
onstrstions of favor, there were solos by
Mrs. W. l.. Simpson of Foxcroft, the IA
vorite contralto of Penobscot county. song
by Mr.. Walter Shaw of Dexter, and cor
net solos by Miss Louise Horn of Cam
bridge, who ". hardly larger than the
cornet which she played. This entertain
msnt was under the general management
of Messrs. II. G. Mower and Lewis Brids.
ham, ard the proceeds went for the benefit
of the G. A. X.