The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-12-06
GORHAM'S BENEFACTORS.
Two Legal Meetings Of Citizens Take
Appropriate Action.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR ERECTING
THE LIBRARY BUILDING.

Mr.. Adams, the Donor, Will Also Fence
and Keep in Good Order, the Towns
Historic Burying Ground-Mr. Dana
Estes Expected to Provide Fund of
Ten Thousand Dollars.
The recent offer of Mr.. j. McGregor Adams
of Chicago, to build at his own expense free.
public library building in the village of.Gorham
has been the source of great satisfaction to
those interested and benefited thereby, and
every effort has been made by the citizens to
aid in the speedy accomplishment Of the pur-
pose of the generous donor. Two important
legal meetings were held on Saturday afternoon
in response to warrants issued by the town and
school district The town meeticg was held in
the town house at 2 O'Clock p. m. Stephen
Hinkley was unanimously elected moderator.
No 2, the important article of the warrant
was read as follows:
Article 2.-To consider the following offer
and proposition made by Mr.. j. McGregor.
Adams of Chicago, viz: If the free puDhe
old school house lot, Il offer to enclose tneSe'
two lots together with the cemetery lot with
suitable fence, neat uniform iron fence, on
the east and south sides, and have the cemete-
ry put in such condition as it will be an orna-
ment to the village. and place sufficient sum
of money in the hands OF the library associa-
ton to forever maintain and preserve it (the
cemetery In such condition, provided, the
school house lot Is conveyed by q, good and
sufficient deed of warranty to the library asso-
ciation." and take such action in reference
thereto as the town thinks best.
Ex-Gov. Robe offered the following preamble
and motion with appropriate remarks:
In consideration of the muni6cent gifts of
Mr.. J. Gregor Adams of Chicago for the pur-
pese of erecting suitable free public library
building for the use of the inhabitants of the
town of Gorham. also, providing for the proper
and perpetual care OF the old cemetery In SAID
town, the voters of GOrham in town meeting
assembled do return unanimous expression
of sincere thanks to our former townSman, the
distinguished donor for these public testimonl-
ais to his hOnOred parents. the late John II.
Adams d. D. and his worthy and accomplished
mother, Mrs. Mary Ann McGregOr Adams,
whose sacred memories are held by every citi
zen of the town i'll the highest veneration and
esteem, therefore, voted:
That the town accept the offer made by Mr..
J. MeGrsggor Adams sl;,I and grant to MN o sncn
plated by him in his offer to- take care OF the
cemetery.
The action of the town was unanimous and
enthusiastic on the above proposition
The town voted to release and convey to the
Gorham Library Association its interest in any
part OF the school house lot and instructed its
selectmen to do whatever is necessary to carry
out the votes passed at the meeting Interest
Ing remarks were made by Judge John A. Wat
erman, Geo. B. Emery, Esq, and Lewis Nc
Lelian, which fully set forth the gratitude, re-
sponsibilty and duty of the citizens. and the
lessons which such acts of generosity teach.
The District School Meeting
was well attended. Hon. Frederick ROBBIE was
elected moderator, and j. A. Hinkley, clerk. 1t
was unanimously voted on motion of Mr.. Lewis
Mcclellan, shat the agent, Mr.. Stephen Hink-
ley be authorized and directed to sell the old
school house lot and buildings thereon for such
consideration as he may deem sufficient land
just, for the purpose of having erected thereon
free public library building, according to the
plans and gift made by Hon. j. McGreggor
Adams of Chicago"
On motion of Judge Waterman, an appropri-
ate vote of thanks to the donor was enthusiast
tically passed, similar to those passed by the
town. Earnest and acceptable speeches were
made by Judge Waterman, Geo, B. Emery,
Lewis Mcclellan. Prof. Lucien Hunt, Rev. Mr..
Reynolds Stephen Hinkley and others, mani
Testing high degree of satisfaction in the GER
tainty of securing a library building worthy of
the donor and blessing and honor to the
town.
The cemetery which Mr.. Adams proposes to
beautify and perpetually keep in good condi-
ton is the first public cemetery used for burial
purposes and contains the mortal remains of
the earliest and many of the
Distinguished Inhabitants of the Town.
1t was the generous gift to the town of Mr..
Jacob Hamlen made in the year ITO. Many
of his descendants are among the most respec-
ted and prosperous business men of the state.
and it is understood that Mr.. j. H. Hamlen of
Portland contemplates erecting a suitable
monument In the old cemetery to the memory
of his distinguished ancestor, Jacob Hamlen,
who was buried there.
The library building will be erected on the
old school house lot which has been enlarged by
the purchase of an adjoining lot of land. 1t is
just south of the old cemetery and opposite the
High school building. When completed the
building and surroundings will present fine
appearance and will add much to the character
and dignity of an ancient and historic town. 1t
is understood that Hon. Dana Estes of Boston,
native Of Gorham contemplates presenting
the Library Association with a fund of $4,000
the interest of the same to be expended an.
nually for the purchase of books. The farther
wants and future demands of tie library will
be provided for as its necessities become
known by the natives and citizens of Gorham.
Excellent smelt Fishing the High