Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-21
NEAL DOW'S DAY.
The World Unites In Honoring
the Noble Man.
He Receives Thousands Of Congratu-
: Iations and Many Visitors.
A Day and An Event that Will 0sceme Part Of
national History.

PORTLAND, March 20.-Tuesday morn
ing Gen. Neal Dow arose at an early hour
and ate, a hearty breakfast on his Goth
birthday. During the forenoon he held an
informal reception in bis parlor to many Of
his friends and neighbors, who called to
present congratulations. He vas In high
spirits, evidently being greatly elated over
the congratulations and messages which
began to pour in on him by mail and tele-
graph.
Among the letters received by Gen. Dow
ara those from Senators Chandler, Hale
aud Frye, Congressman Reed, Milliken and
Dingley, the Portland city government,
Secretary of State Fessenden, Gen. George
L. Beal, Hon. Charles Littlefeld, Hon. WIG.
Davis, Labor Ccmmis' ioner Matthews, Rev.
Joseph Cook, Congressman BlsirS ex-Gov-
ernor Frederick Robe, Payson Tucker, ex-
Governor Sidney Perham, Canon Basil
Wilberforce Of Southampton, Eng, Hon.
Mr.. Talco,t, the English Labor leader. Rev.
Theo. Cuylor, Mrs. s. F. Chaplin OF Charles
ton, s c., ex-Gov. Long of Massachusetts,
Lillian NJ. Phelps Of St. Catherine, Ont,
Rev. C. C. McCabe, President j. w. Bach
ford, Frances willard, Sir Leonard Tilly
of St. John. Sir Wilfred Lawson Of Eng
land, Mrs L. Ormston Chsnte, ex-Gov. St.
John of Kansas, Hon. Henry Carter Of
HaveIhill and ex-Gov. Burleigb.
A congratulatOry message was received
from comrades of Gen. Dow confined 18th
him in Libby prison, these are Capt. Ander-
son of Indiana, Lieut.. Mckee OF West Viz
giria, Capt. w. N. Paxton of Pennsy lvania,
Mai. williams of Indiana, Major Haake Of
New York and James 2. Perley of Michi-
gan.
During the forenoon Gen. Dow's house
has been crowded with people calling to ex-
tend congratulations.
During the day there has been constant
stream of visitors at Gen. DOw's residence.
The rooms were handsomely decorated with
flowers. Gen. Dow was assisted in receiv-
ing by his son, Col. F. N. Dow, and daush-
ter, Miss Cornelia Dow. Everything was
informal, the general shaking hands with
his visitors and being in vigorous health and
buoyant spirits.
Tuesday afternoon at 2 80 o'clock dele
CATION from the veteran firemen called,
Gen. Dow being the Oldest living ex-cbief
of the fire department. A delegation from
the city government called at the same
hour Gen. Dow being the Oldest living ex-
msyor of Portland. Gen. Dow received
large number of birthday presents, mostly
from relatives who do not wish their names
made public.
City hall was packed to the doors, to-
night, in celebration of Gen. Neal Dow's
birthday. The Women's Christion Tenn
perance Union arranged the meeting and
decorated the hall for the occasion, Mrs.
L. NJ. N. Stevens having charge of the
work as chairman Of the committee OF ar
rangements. Back of the stage 10 large
letters was the motto Of the union: "For
God and Home and Every Land" and
other appropriate floral decorations. Con-
spicuou5 over the platform were draped the
battle flsgs OF the 18th Miane.. Portraits Of
Gen. Cow, Frances + Willard and pict-
ure of the w. C. T. U. Temple stood on
essels. Banners were hung on the pillars
and the whole effect was charming.
At s O'Clock, amid applause which was at
first ripple but speedily became a roar,
Gen. Dow appeared on the platform. He
stepped briskly to the front, and his won
derful elasticity, and looking younger than
many . man Of 10, was powerful and
striking appeal, and the scene was very
picturesque.
As the applause dleo away, Mrs. Il. M.
n. Stevens Of the W. G. T. u, called the
meeting to order and very briefly presented
Msyor Baxter as chairman, while the chill
dren singing broke into Mrs. Howe's bat
tie Hymn Of the Republic" Rev. DR.. c.
+. Allen, chaplain Of the Legislature in
1850, offered prayer.
Mayor Baxter spoke briefly and well in
praise Of the man whom the gathering was
held to honor. He then presented Gen.
Selden Connor, who was suffering from .
severe cold, but made polished address.
Mrs. Lucia Kimball then read an original
poem by Caroline Dana Howe, entitled
sNeal Dow, His Life Work." The read
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