The Portland daily press., 1896-08-12
The ". G. 7. U. Anniversary at
Old Orchard.
TWENTYONE YEABS AGO MAINE
BRANCH STARTED,
Wonderful Progress of the Work-From
20 to 1000 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Exer-
cises and Eloquent Addresses on the
Camp Ground.
ESPECIAL TO THE pREss.I


Camp Ground.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.J
Old Orchard, August 1.-THE thick
grove Of the Old Orchard Camp Ground
furnished a refreshingly cool retreat to-
day fromsthe scorching heat of the sun.
1t is W. G. T. u. week on the camp
ground, and the members of the organi.
cation are gathering in large numbers.
This is the twenty-first anniversary of
the organization of the Maine Branch of
the Union, wEioh was organized twenty
one years ago here at o Id Orchard.
There were about twenty ladies en-
rolled as original members Of this state
union, but they made up in enthusiasm
for the work what was lacking in num-
bers, and the membership has come In
the reach of time until now enrolled
the books of the state union one more
than two hundred local unions, oompris-
ing membership rising 5000.
Mrs. Rev. DR.. Charles e. Allen WINS
the first presidents and is still living at a
ripe old age has been ever since constant
ly employed in the work Of the union
and has lived to see glorious fruits of
the small beginning. She was necessarily
absent today on account of her husbands
Illness
The second president was Mrs. Maria
Cover, the mother of the famous
Frederick Cover, the husband of Lillian
Norton Cover (Nordioa) the famous
prima donna, and whose tragic death is
well remembered. She served two years
and was loyal member till her death
five years ago.
AT the original organization Mis-. L.
NJ. N. Stevens, was made treasurer and
followed Mrs. Cover as president and the
estimation in which Mrs Stevens Is held
by the members is best attested from the
fact that for seventeen years she has. been
unanimously reelected. The warmth of
her greeting today was great tribute to
the herculean labors of this untiring
woman for the cause she loves SO well.
Mrs. Stevens has organized every
county union and majority of ths local
unions Of the state.
The present board Of officers beside the
president Mrs. Stevens are: Correspond
ing secretary, Mira. Sarah Lord Gram,
Biddeford; recording secretary, Miss
CLARA Farwell, Rockland; treasurer, Mrs.
Adelaide Johnson, Fort Fairfield.
The grave presented beautiful ssight
today, when the rays of the sun
struggling through the leaves of the trees
ca st rays of light over the assembled
company of loyal women enrolled under
the banner of the army that is toiling
For God and Home and Every Land"
The above declaration, the motto of the
worlds organization, was emblazoned on
large banner at the rear of the plat
form. AT the front were flags and bau-
ners bearing the mottoes and inscriptions
of the state unions, national flags and
bunting, adding to the effectiveness of
the decorations. There was good at
tendance at the opening exercises at 10
o. 'clock.
Rev. Israel Luce extended a hearty
welcome in behalf of the camp ground
assoc iation.
was present aud made touo hing ad-
dress, paying the highest tribute to the
glorious work done for humanity by the
W. g. 7. U. of Maine. The great age of
the speaker, over ninety years, made his
remarks al the more impressive.
Father Randall, said: 81 want to
speak and have a right to speak, as l
drafted the first constitution, l am not
sure you have been able to read it, as it
is in my hand writing You have done
good work. In my day many temperance
organizations have flourished for time,
but they have all gone down, while you
continue. The fate of Temperance in
Maine rests with you in the future as it
has in the past God bless you, do not be
discouraged. Go ON, God ia with you,
and He will crown your efforts with
victory
Mrs. Sanderson of Lubeo, Canada,
treasurer of Waldo W. G. I. u, Miss
Dougal, daughter of Editor Dougal OF
the Montreal Witness; Mrs. DR.. Todd
of Boston, Rev. DR.. Hunter, of Toronto,
made brief and appropriate addresses.
Mrs. Gertrude Stevens Leavitt, Miss
Colnelia Dow, Mrs. Helen Coffin Beedy,
Bennington, also spoke briefly.
Mrs. Charlotte Edeholme Of the
Crittenden mission made the noon day
prayer.
A very large audience assembled at 5
O'Clock and Mrs Sanderson conducted
the devotional exercises
The Ceoilian Ladies' Quartette. sung
with splendid affect "The Star Spangled
Banner" They received hearty encore
and responded wit "God Save the
Queen.' And when they began it the
Canadian contingent in the audience rose