Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-06-16
MAXIM xaH IAvHH1oa


Especial to The KxssEBEc JouRxAL
WArsE, June l5s--Aftes the exhibition
Of the machine su1 by in renowned in
vensor On Friday last the citizens Of this
town felt fhss il would be not oaiy their
duty and pleasure, but : weil-deseryed
herof, 70 tendsr pahlic reception to Mr..
Mssim and his charmisg wife. As Ms.
Maxim had arranged to iezse tom on
Monday. Preparations were necessarily
harried, but wiling helpers we're net lack.
ing. and when the large su Hence gsthered
in Wasse Hall On Saturday evening, they
found IL handsemeiy decorated with ever
greens, ilsvsrs and potred plants.
On 'front.' Of the stsge was tas Maxim sun
Before the honr OF commencing srriysa the
hall wsa flied and many were Standing,
and al halt pas. eight when Mr. and Mrs
Maxim entered, attended By J. Clark
Sitnchfsd and wife, I'D OF hsarsv sp-
plause greeted them, much like til. fising
of the eelsbsated qua, lacking only the
element Of danger, t. which Mr.. Maxim
bowed smiling sckno ~ledgement. They
were conducted 10 their seats by the chair
MAJ Hr. Geo. Besse ~ho welcomed them
..
Messrs. Smith, MsstermAn AID jenkins in
the order named, each OF whom in we'll
chosen words expressed their own pleasure
and that OF the audience In the meeting.
Following this wss song by Miss Esselle
Swift. Then came ihs most interesting
moment of the evening, when Mr.. Besse
introduced the gentleman whom cur nylish
iieightors call ''Our man from Maine
He stepped brisklY to the front Of the
stage, man Of erect. portiy figure with s
fine head with silvered hair and hesrd
and face and eyes so full Of keen
ness aud thought that you no longer won
der that he is born inventor. lie began
By expiaining the motive of bis visit to our
town. His eyed. feeble mother lives not
far from this village and that che might
see this wonderful gun which he has shown
and explained to crowned heads ard the
mobility Of the cid world, WAS his obi ect in
coming here. He then explained the COM
position Of his smokeiess powder and ig
nited small quantity and gave brief but
interesting account Of his varied expert
enees. He is coed talker, speaking iu in
earnest, direct manner. In speaking Of
bis gun he inumated that. even this inven-
ton might be superseded and bee ,me use
less in the future should the prob.
lem Ct navigating the sir, in which
be, with other scientists are
now deeply Interested, become an assured
success, IS il woull do away with the
necessity for armed cruisers, forts, and all
the dread armament of war on the earth.
by dealing sviis and inevitable des.ructis On
from serisl machines. At the conclusion
of his remarks the audience were iLtro-
duced to Mr.. and Mrs. Maxim by DIR.
Stiaehisid, and all had an opportunity to
take the hand that had been honored by
royalty, but this grssp was rs warm snd
hearty IS if he had pever left his native
State. A vote of tbsnks was then extended
to him, which closed the exercises. A COL
lstion of ice cream, cake and fruit vas
served, and the com osny dispersed. For
the benefit of the ladies we would say that
Mrs. Msxim is very graceful and sgree-
able lsd7. ard was bceomingly dressed in
rose-pink silk with diamonds.