The Portland daily press., 1896-08-28
ESPECIAL TO THE pREss.l

ESPECIAL TO THE PRESS.l
Bowdoinham, Aug. 26.-The staid old
town of Bowdeinham never looked
gayer than on this pleasant August day
of 1896.
AS she welcomes the surviving mem
bers of the gallant Nineteenth Main
Regiment, the heroes of little Round
Top" the "Wildar Gettysburg and
many others of the largest engagements
of the war.
A more perfect day could not have been
had, and the towns people united with
the committee in displaying their well
come.
Every business block on Main street
displayed the Red, White and Blue in a
variety of designs.
The most elaborate decorations were on
the blocks occupied by Fl. r. Hin1ley
andSG. A. r. hall, the <. of 2. hall
and W. d. Hutohins, j. E. Cornish q
Co., J. B. Pratt & Son, g. L. Huxley.
These buildings were resplendent with
bunting and flags and notices Of "Wel-
come"
Also many residences were decorated
with flags.
BY the early morning trains the
"Boys" of '61-'65 began to arrive aud
our streets soon began to put on a
lively appearance with the tadges and
blue suits of the veterans.
One could hear words of greeting on
every side from the "Boys" who perhaps
had not met comrades since the last re-
union, or perhaps for years. and many
were the hearty hand shakes and jolly
greetings from the veterans. The COM
rades were met in the morning on the
arrival of the train and escorted to Hink-
ley hall, which had been made the head
quarters of the day.
And here old friendships W ere renewed
and the time passed in pleasant memoir
les Of the past.
| On the arrival of the 1890 train about
fifty from the east were met and line OF
march fol- med under the leadership OF
Capt. Geo. Whitmore OF Bowdoinham
| to the hall.
. At II 80 the comrades proceed to the
G. A. r. hall where dinner was served.
This is one of the largest gatherings
| since the Fassociation was formed said
Capt. Silas Adams Of Waterville when
interviewed by the PRESS and all the
"Boys' are having good time. And
| judging from their appearance they GER
tainly did. Many were the words of
praise Of the towns people for the liberal
way in which they had cooperated to
make the occasion of interest
| At p. m. the annual business meet
ing of the association was held at the
headq uarters where the regular business
was tre nsacted and officers elected tor
| tine year.
Meeting was called to order by Capt.
| Whitmore, reading of minutes OF last
meeting by the secretary.
| Z In the evening public meeting was
held at the Town hall. Attended by a
large number Address Of Welcome by
Rev. @. e. Springer and reply by Col
Sewall, after which speeches from mem
bers OF the regiment were made, EEsome OF
the remarks being of interest and very
pleasing to the audience.
| All voted it one of the best reunions
ever held by them.
The following were the officers elected:
| Presidential. J. Billings, Freedom
Vice President-P. J. Merriok,
Waterville; Second Vice President-J.
| Colson, Searsport; Chaplain-J. d.
Emerson; Seoretary-Silas Adams, Wat
erville. The roll call read showed
over 100 present.
The following were among
the members: Geo. L. Whit
more. Bowdoinham; J. S. Herrick
Waterville; g. A. Osborn, Waterville,
N. D. Hoxey, Lewiston; Elphonzo
Nichols, Lewiston; Mayo Bickmore,
Gray; Sewall Bagley, Lewiston; q o.
Bsssey, Shawmut; j. d. Emerson,
Skowhegan; L. Percy, Bath; Henry