The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-01-02
ESPECIAL TO THE pREss.l

History.
ESPECIAL TO THE PRESs.l
Biddeford, January 1.-The Portland
Cadets had quit-claim deed Of the town
tonight, on this. their 26th anniversary,
which the Biddeford Light Infantry help
ed them to celebrate
A drill and pail, complimentary to
Col. L. H. Kendall and staff, were the
chief features which went to make up
the display lines on the big posters adver-
|tising this opening event Of the new
year; but in addition to these there were
parades, receptions, social sit-downs and
one of the best banquets the new proprie-
tor Of Hotel Thatcher has been ordered to
serve.
Forty y-six stalwart and good-looking
members of Capt. I. II. Bakers COM
pany, accompanied by dozen or more
veterans and 'honoraries,' took possess
sion of the rear car of the g. 80 passenger
train leaving the Union station over the
western division of the Boston & Maine.
Meanwhile Biddeford's soldiery and
the members of Painehand's band weru
stirring. in preparation for the reception
of the Portland contingent.
When the train reached Biddeford ap-
pearances indicated that about one-tenuh
of the city''s population had rallied at
the station to welcome the blue e-unifomed
guests.
Col. L. H. Kendall Of the First rogi-
ment and several members Of his staff
were In waiting III open carriages in the
rear OF the station, while the band and
the Biddeford com Dany were lined up on
Elm street, just above its junction with
Thornton street.
= lew minutes were consumed in get
ting ready for the parade, then the lines
moved through Elm and Main streets to
Saoo, counter marching in front Of the
SaGo house and then returning to Bid
aeford.
The first carriage@oontaine Col. L. II.
Kendall OF Biddeford, Maj. George W.
Bryant of BiddefoId, Adjt. Charles E.
Davis of Portland and Lieut.. George
Butler of Portland, commanding the
signal CORPS. In the next twoN. carriages
rode Lieut.. Frank B. Harris, quarter
master of the regiment; Lieut.. George A.
Anthoine, rife inspector; Lieut.. Charles
Baker of Company A, Portland; Lieut..
:
Sergt.' Maj. George Waldron of the First
regiment; Sergt. j. T. tagan, principal
musician; Musician Frank l.. Cornish,
Biddeford.
The band was in charge of it's veteran
leader, Peter L. Fainehand. In the ab-
sence of Capt. Timothy Elliott, who was
deferred from participation oy the fun
eral of a relative, the Biddeford Light
Infantry was commanded by 1st Lieut..
John M. Akerley. There were 46 uni
forms In each company. Behind the Ca
diets marched the memebrs Of the veteran
and honorary corps.
| The imposing parade was viewed by
hundreds of townspeople who lined the
sidewalks.
On the return to this city ranks were
broken in front of Hotel Thaoher the
officers entering there and the band and
companies filing into Light Infantry
hall. The upper parlors of the hotel SEW
ed as reception room for the officers.
AT 5. Is the dining room doors were
| thrown open and in double file the blue
coates marched in, till every seat was
occupied. Col. Kendall and staff and the
officers OF the companies occupied the
seats of houor. The menu was excellent.
An informal reception in the hotel
parlors and corridors followed the ban
quet. Then, at 7.30, carriages were tax
en-, lines eformed and the procession
wended it's way to Saco City hall, for the
event in which the fair sex was to partic-
ipate.
The hall was filled to overfowing.
A fter half hours concert by the full
band, as much of the floor as was possi-
BILE to be cleared. in view of the crowd
of spectators, was reserved for the drill
of the Cadets.
| Col. Kendall and the other dignitaries
of the occasion took their stand on the
| l.f+ ke,- t,D-i n Of +Io1 !, =.
| buglar's signal the Portland Cadets, in
command OF Capt. Baker. entered the
| main hall from the ante-room and pass
| ed in review before the regiment officers.
| A battalion drill was then executed in
excellent form. The crowded condition
of the hall could not fail in being a
hindranoe to the drill, yet the manosu-
vres were gone through with in pleas
| ing manner.
| After the drill came the dancing,
which delightful Dastime was dispensed
| in lavish quantity. There were on the
order six plain quadrilles, three waltz
quadrilles, three contras, two polkas, a
galop, a schottisohe and two waltzes, the
| festivities ending with Portland Fancy.
| During the intermission lunch was
served by the Biddeford company
| Sergt. E. Il. Holt and Lieut.. John M.
Akerley were floor directors, and their
chosen aids were Sergt. George Field,
Sergt. thomas Mullaly, Corp. Eugene
Whitney, Corp. George Willett, Privates
A. E. Parker A. W. Variel, Fred Jones,
| w. b. Brenton, Edward Martin. This
committee of arrangements comprised
Lieut. John M Akerley, Lieut.. c. e.
Soamman Sergt. G. E. Jeffrey, Sergt.
e. L. Holt, Priv. A. E. Parker, Priv.
A. W. Variel.
1t was a merry opening of the happy
New Year, and one whose pleasant mem
cries will tend to closely bind the soldier
boys of companies B and 6.
The visiting company will return home
on the first morning train, reaching
Portland at o'clock.
Morton's Candidacy.
New York, January 1.-Hon. Warner