Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-10
The Close Of Its First Century Of Corporate
Life is Fitting|y Celebrated.
Grafton by Chief Justice Fuller Poem by Mrs. Nason Speeches
by Governor Powers and Others.
The City Gala Attire Enjoys Grand HodyThe Full Story Of the
Afternoon and Evening Exercises.

Wednesday was the day OF days for
Augusta. One hundred years before to
day it had begun corporate life under
the name it now bears, and its birth
day anniversary was celebrated in a
looked forward to, for which 50 many
plans had been made, and for which so
many sons and daughters of the city
hadeJnurneyed to their old homes.
1t was grand celebration, well con-
ceived and well carried out in every
respect The observance OF the occa-
sion was not great popular demons
sstrtion of the Fourth of July order
with fantasies and fireworks, but 1t
servance. 1t was not so dignified and
formal. however. as to fail in being
popular demonstration. The city was
in gaia attire, the decorations being
beautiful and elaborate. At morning.
noon and night there was ringing of all
the church bells, and the salute of the
arsenal cannon. 1t was general holt
day. all places of business being closed
in the afternoon Two ball games at
the park drew a large crowd, morning
and afternoon, to see the home team
win well contested victories. In addi-
ton to the hundreds from long distances
who had returned to their native city
to enjoy the occasion, there was a
crowd from the neighboring towns.
The great feature of the occasion was
the presence of the chief justice of the
United States,an Augusta boy born and
reared, and the son of parents born
here. His loyalty to his native city
and readiness to participate in the cele-
bration of a century of corporate exis-
tence was an inspiration to ALL His
presence as orator with Mrs. Mason as
poet, and the Togus orchestra and the
Augusta chorus to provide feast of
music drew to the City hall in the
d tlpNd u o'Vu pStPiN WIN
many hundreds turned away.
Such a literary and musical pro-
gramme as that presented at the City
hall in the afternoon and evening was
never before presented in Augusta.
The occasion was notable in having as
president of the day that grand old
gentleman ex-senator Bradbury, whose
50 years cover him as beautiful man
tie. "
The committee in charge of decora
tions did it's work well. City hall. out
side and inside. was profusely deco
rated with bunting and banners. Old
Fort Weston nearby. erected in 1754,
the first building of the settlement, was
covered with bunting and flags. and
seemed to take on an added dignity
and to reassure the importance 1t had
when it was a frowning fortress, long
ago. The bridge lent itself readily to
the work of the decorator and its iron
framework was so covered that the
teams and foot passengers passed be-
meath a gorgeous canopy of the ma
tionaI colors. In letters formed by
electric lights the devices 1877 1897,
at the west end, and Centennial" at
the east end, won words of admiration
from all. The public buildings Of the
city. the State House and county build
ings Joined in the work of decorating
with pleasing results, also many places
of business and private residences.
Augusta was especially favored in
the weather. The. clouds that have
covered the sky most of the time for
the past month or more were still there,
but the rain did. not fall. The day was
cool and delightful. 1t must not be
omitted in speaking of the Centennial
celebration that the Journals supple
ment was received with much enthusi-
asm as an important part of the cele-
bration, and that many kind words
were said about it on all sides. The
rush for extra copies was great, and
great number of orders were
received for the pamphlet form
in which it is to be issued, containing
in addition to all the supplement con-
tanned the full report of the days pro-
ceedings.