Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-08-22
LITCHF|ELD
Celebrates Its Centen-
niaI Anniversary.
Over Seven Thousand People
Attend the Exercises.
Gov CIeaves and Other Distin-
guished Guests Present.
Addresses by the Governor, Senator
Frye, Hon. Nelson DingIey
And Many Others Of Names Long
List Of Prominent Men.
The Largest Crowd Ever Gathered in Litchfeld
A Grand Success.


the town of Lltchfleld celebrated the cen
tennial anniversary of its organization.
Sons and daughters of the grand OLE
town from all parts of the country were
present to assist in this celebration which
could not have been more sucessfull al
things considered.
Centennials of Maine towns excite in
terest If for no other reason than theil
| rarity. But Litchficld seems bound t(
all its children and friends SO closely that
the response to the movement for cen
tennial celebration was inspiring, it was
beyond expectation, 1t exceeded even the
fondest hopes; the celebration was not
only an event IN the history of the town
but of the county and of the State.
How the skies smiled, Wednesday morn
ing. How the people came in throngs
and poured In on the fair grounds field at
the Plains, where the tents We're pitched
Their teams filled all stable accommoda-
tions full to overflowing, and the grove
surrounding the grounds was literally
swarming with teams of all kinds-somC
quaint. some curious; buggies, phaetons,
democrat wagons, hayraoks arched over
with evergreen, and all filled with gala
parties of merry makers bent on celebrat-
ing the greatest day of all In the history
of historic old Litchfield.
If only some of those who sleep beneath
the white shafts In the field opposite the
grounds could have participated in the
body
The good people of this town have not
in tn ri ric
Their forefathers priced daylight and
were ready to make the most of 1t from
the first glimmer of dawn to the last ray
of sunset. Their descendants have not
outgrown the habit. If they had, it would
have profted them little, for the firing of
salutes and ringing of bells at sunrise
banished every laggard wink of sleep. BY
9 A. NJ, on every road leading to the
Plains, one might see q procession of
teams
The grounds where the exercises were
held were thronged at an early hour, and
by noon it seemed as if over 1000 people
were present.
In tho centre of the fair ground was
erected the large circular tent where the
addresses were made. The interior was
elaborately and tastefully decorated, and
by the time the speaking began contained
between 5000 and 5000 people. The plat
form was very prettily decorated with
bunting, flags and flowers Along the
front was the sentiment in evergreen.
God BE with You Till We Meet Again )"
The speakers desk was draped in the
folds of the flag. On the platform was
Eternal Honor to Our Ancestors. In
the rear the decorations of bunting, tiny
flags, sheafs Of golden rod, surmounted
by the words, Honor to Our Fathers
Forever" lent charm to the scene. The
whole effect was every pleasing. AT the
entrances to the grounds, evergreen arches
were erected, and displayed in appropriate
places were words of welcome and fitting
notices.
The proceedings of the day began at 9
o'clock, when the parade was formed at
the church at the Plains. 1t was under
the direction of Marshal George w. Earle
and Assistant Marshal James Litchfied,
and comprised tho two bands, the Litch-
field Band and Peases Cadet Band, the
Grand Army Post, school children and
the Good Templars. They marched from
the church to the fair grounds, once
around the track and then to the tent
where the ranks were broken.
The Grand Army Post with the Cadet
Band then marched out on the road to-
ward Lewiston and met the Lewiston
delegation, escorting them to the grounds
They arrived at about 10 o'clock
About this time the Governors party
with the delegation from Gardiner ar
rived and were also escorted to the grounds
by the Grand Army post.
Among the distinguished guests that
had seats upon the platform were: Gov
ernor Cleaves, Senator Frye. Hon. J. H.
Manley, Congressman Dingley, ex-Gover-
nor Robie, Hon. A. NJ. Spear, Hon. O. B.
Clason, Rev Smith Baker, Hon Oraman-
dal Smith and the other speakers. Ex-
Governor Garcelon was a well-known
figure upon the platform. There were
present also. Judge True aud Judge
Stevens of Augusa. County Commission
ers Hamilton, Smith and Barrows, and
DIR B. T. Sanborn.
Distinguished Guests.
Following is the list of vice presidents.
nearly all of whom were present: Emlin
Springer, Frank Adams, G. A. Metcalf.