The Somerset reporter., 1897-08-19
Good VIII Farm.

10 tne Traveller IN central Maine, Few
towns present greater attractions or
more beautiful scenery than Fairfield
In fact, when our ancestors settled the
town over one hundred and twenty years
ago, delighted with the fine appearance
of the land surrounding their settle
ments, thinking not only of their tenn
porary satisfaction at its beauty, but also
bearing in mind the prospect of more
beautiful scenery displaying itself with
the fuller development of the town,
named it the Fair-ields, which became
later, Fairfield.
But of all the delightful drives and
lovely landscapes in which the town
abounds, probably no spot has more
charms for the average tourist than
Good Will Farm. Here, situated in the
eastern part of the town. bounded on
one side by the historic kennebec. is the
institution which has probably tended
above all else to make Fairfield famous.
Here is the home to which is gathered
from time to time, needy and imperiled
boys and girls from all over our land.
Here are situated the cottages aud school
building In which these boys and girls
are educated and trained under careful
and faithful supervision.
Directly across the kenuebec from the
cottages is that grand tract of land
known as THE Good viii Pines" This
magnificent cathedral of evergreen was
a gift to the farm, from Mr. Walter NJ.
Smith of Stamford, Conn. Here for
just one week in every year, occurs the
annual Good Will Farm Assembly. This
assembly has always been source of
great profit to all In attendance, at
which opportunity has been afforded
visitors to hear lectures and addresses
from not only Names most able speak
ers, but also from eminent lecturers
from other States, and even from natives
of foreign lands.
Among well known writer's NAV be
mentioned Kirk Monroe, Hezekiah But
terworth of the editorial staff of the
Youths Companion, James Otis, DR..
Orison SWEET Marden and w. Z. Chip.
man. Lectures in natural science have
been given by Rev. IL. w. Wnekley.
Rev. |. B. Mower, Dallas Lore Sharp,
Miss Susie j. Mantle aud Mrs. Olive
Thorne Miller. Sumner Ninton, Hon.
Timothy B. Hussey and Miss Charlotte
Thorndike Sibley have lectured on travels
in foreign lands, while Menander Den
nett and Miss A. Jennie Palmer have
given recitations and readings.
Among other well known workers are :
DIR. G. l.. Meylan of Boston Y. NJ. {. A..
w. w. BASTARD, ex-captain Brown uni
versty base ball nine. Clarence Guild of
Brown, and Fred d. Jordan of the Maine
Interscholastic Athletic association, in the
athletic department; l.. Wilder Messer,
Franklin d. Elmer, +. {. Herrck of
Colby, DR.. w. w. Clark of New York
city, Rev. w. F. Berry of Portland, Mr..
5. II. Hadley of the Jerry McAuley mis-
sion, New \ ork, and John K. Boardman
of Bangor, in religious work; Rev. f.
M. Lamb, Rev. j. NJ. Frost, Miss Marion
Monroe Rice, Miss Josie Wilmington
Smith, Mr.. Thatcher Guild ana Mr.
Cecil Daggett in the musical department ;
Prof. A. l.. Lane, Chap. ID. II. Trbou of
the L. S. N, and Hon. w w. Stetson,
State Supt. of schools, and Lecturer
Maine State Grange, in special addresses.
The first cottage was opened to boys,
Sept. |, 1889. 1t is still known as Good
Will cottage and like all the others ac-
commodities fifteen boys. One year later
Sunshine cottage was opened, but was
burned in '93. Golden Rule cottage was
opened in 81, and one year later Pros
pect cottage was dedicated. Bailey cot
tage was built in '93 10y {. NJ. Bailey,
and Fogg cottage was built in the same
year by II. II. Fogg. In 1894 the
Christian Endeavor cottage was dedicat-
ed, aud in 1895 Thos. W. Hall built the
Mary Louisa Hall cottage Que year
ago last January occurred the dedication
of the magnificent school building. the
gift of Misses Mary d. and Frances S.
Moody, and six months later the Eliza
beth Wilcox Smith cottage was opened
to girls. Situated between this latter
cottage and the boys home is the beauti-
full chapel dedicated only a short time
ago.
Every Patron in Maine should be in
terested in Good viii Farm, especially
since at the present time plan is pro-
crossing, which if perfected as it GER
tanly should be- and, unquestionably,
will be, will result in the erection of a
cottage at Good viii Farm to be known
as Grange cottage. 1t is a lamentable,
although indisputable fact, that there
are Patrons in our State who do not take
kindly to this worthy plan, but where
this is the case it is wholly due to a
misrepresentation of the facts in the case.
Rev. Geo. Croly once said:
when the sun pours the splendors of noon
on our eyes
Those splendors but veil the true pomp of
the skies;
It's but when he sinks in the surges OF even,
That we see in its grandeur, the star-studded
heaven,
This seems applicable in the case of
many persons in respect to their views
of Good Will Home A deep-seated and
oft-times prejudiced Ignorance in the
minds of these persons, obscures all idea
Of merit, and so firmly rooted and far
reaching is this ignorance, that it pre-
vents all possibility Of obtaining a favor
able opinion of the work of this institu-
ton. And not until this prejudicial mis-
unders landing is obliterated from the
minds of the persons in question, will
matters be any more encouraging But
when this deplorable ignorance is blotted
out of the minds of these persons, then
will they see in all its grandeur, the
worth of this truly grand institution /;
and after thorough and impartial in
vestigation of the workings of the Home,
that Patron must be skeptical indeed,
who could ever regret having done his
part toward the building OF Grange
cottage at Good viii Farm.
There is hardly a person who can
spend day at the Farm, and observe
iDgs of the Home, without developing a
profound respect and regard for the
institution. And upon leaving the Farm,
10 u, A.