The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1895-08-29
w. II. c. at Camp Benson.

- anu lHeelSollDS pHe W. lbc peppic
came from far and near by train and on
foot and long special train brought 500
from points on the Maine Central. Il
was the day of the Maine Department Of
the National Relief Corps and it was
also the day set apart for the dedication
of the new home. Mrs. Mason of Bid
deford, who has from the first been en-
thusiastie and energetic in her efforts in
behalf of this new institution, was on
hand early in the day and was gladden.
ed this morning Y hen size received the
promise that several more rooms will be
furnished at once. Mrs. l.. Z. Pratt Of
Dover, Orono Corps and Ellsworth
Corps are the doners. That leaves only
one more room 10 be furnished.
Mrs. Masons story Of the way in
which the home has been supported is
an interesting one. Its only present
source of revenue is offerings it receives
from charitable people, but when its
friends have told how they hope To pro
vide a home for old soldiers and their
wives who must live ON the poor farms
if the husbands go to Togus, they have
never been refused contribution. The
running expenses have been paid, 500
has been laid out ON the house and 500
spent for the purchase of land known As
"The Annex Newport people giving
the other 500. There is left money
enough for present needs although the
supply must soon be renewed.
The property now consists of the brick
house, the big barn and the land given
by the Camp Benson Association. and
the strip recently purchased Which
makes 10 acres.
In the afternoon the pavilion wa,
crowded. Neither standing room nor
space on the piazza could be obtained
an hour before the appointed time,
Tie programme was as follows: Pres.
Mrs. Mllett delivered a pleasing address
of welcome; Chaplain Webster offered
prayer, remarks by Mrs. Mason; solo,
Miss Agnes Stafford. Mrs. Mason intro
dneed Mrs. Florence L. Baker. the first
National President of the W. l.. G, who
spoke in an enthusiastic manner Miss
Farnham sang "Jerusalem. Mrs. Tur
ner, who is known as the Mother Of the
Grand Army, WAS next introduced and
received a great ovation.
Corporal Tanner then addressed the
people. standing on the piazza OF the
Sprague cottage. The crowd stood
motionless, listening almost breathlessly
for half an hour, to the most eloquent
and imprisoned utterances.
Tie afternoon meeting was an inter-
esting gathering to which many people
added interest in many ways. Mrs
Mason, who besides being a passed de-
partment president, is clerk of the board
of managers of the home, presided. The
guests of the day addressed the large
audience and local talent furnished the
music. Very good talent it was too.
The Newport mixed quartette sang sew
eral war songs and Miss Agnes Stafford
of Skowhegan, and Miss Josie Farnham
of Dover, were the vocal soloists. That
ever popular instrument, the banjo, also
did its part, being played by Miss Cert
rude Boynton and Mr. Bigelow of Dover.
Miss Blethen of Dover, and Miss Young
of Newport, were accompanies.
Among those present from Skowhe-
gan were Geo. b. Stafford, President
of the Home Association, Mrs. Stafford
and Miss Agnes Stafford, Mrs. Clara B.
Leayitt, Mrs. Belle Small, Mr.. and Mrs.
\. A. Withee, Charles f. Jones.
SHEEp.