The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-19
AT PEABODY.
Hundredth Anniversary of
His Birth Celebrated.
His Native Town Dresses Up and
Pays Tribute.

PEABODY, Mass, Feb 19-The selebra
tion of the centennial anniversary of the
birthday Of George Peabody, the London
banker, philanthropist, benefactor and
memorable citizen, was observed in this,
his native town, with appropriate cere-
monies. 1t was not however, strictly
local observance, for cablegrams from
Queen Victoria and the Duke of Devon
shire, chairman OF the Peabody donation
fund, to which Mr.. Peabody contributed
e., 800, 600 for the establishment OF homes
for the deserving poor Of London, gave 1t
touch of international character.
Thelbusiness part OF the town was ap-
propriately decorated, and several private
residences were also adorned for the occa-
sioa. Flags and bunting foated from all
the public buildings, and business was
suspended. Bells were rung for an hour,
beginning at sunrise.
Early in the day guests began to arrive,
and when the afternoon meeting was
called to order distinguished citizens from
many sections Of Massachusetts and else
where were present. President Cleve-
land was represented by Collector War
rem Of the port of Boston, while among
the civic dignitaries were Governor Green
halge and staff, Lieutenant Governor
Wolcott, f. +. Southwick of the govern
or's council; Professor Marsh. Yale uni.
versity; Professor Osborne, Massachusetts,
Institute of Technology, and Mr.. Meyer.
speaker of the Massachusetts house OF rep
resentatlves.
Tho Dav's Doings.
The forenoon's exercises in which about
1000 school children took part, were held
In the Peabody institute, and addresses
were delivered by Rev. j. w. Hudson Of
the Unitarian church and Rev. o. S.
Butler of Georgetown.
In tho afternoon exercises OF more
elaborate nature were held In the town
hall Music and addresses comprised the
program. The hall was deliberately deco
rated with bunting English and Ameri-
can seals, and other state and town coats
of arms. Francis II. Appleton, chairman
of the celebration committee, presided,
and opened the exercises with an eloquent
address. He was followed by Lieutenant
Governor Wolcott, the orator Of the day.
The original poem. "One. Hundred Years."
was read by its author, Rev. Minot j.
Savage OF Boston. The exercises were In
terspersed with vocal and instrumental
music.
The celebration was closed with BAN
Quet and ball in the town hall. Francis
Appleton sat at the head Of the table, with
guests at either hand. In opening the
post prandial exercises, Mr.. Appleton ro-
fcrred to the widespread influence OF the
man In whose memory the occasion was
observed, and read the following cable
grams received from Queen Victoria and
the Duke of Devonshirc:
London: On this the Tooth anniversary Of
the birth Of George Peabody, the grateful re.
membrance of HIM and his noble, beneacent
deeds Of charity 90 this country Is fresh In my
heart and in that of my people VICTORIA.
London. The chairman of the managers and
trustees Of the Peabody donation fund desire
a. associate themselves with the committee
formed 30 commemorate the birth % George
Peabody and offer their sincere tributes of
grateful respect on tho occasion.
DEvoSsHIRE.
Addresses were made by several Of the
guests and appropriate messages wero
read from the faculty and 800 students OF
che Peabody normal college, Nashville;
Daniel G. Gilman, president of the Pea
body institute, Baltimore. and the Jobus