Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-22
MAINE ESTATE GRANGE
Opening Day Of Its Twenty
Fourth Annual Session.
Address Of Grand Master Wiggin and
Other Reports.
The Largest Attendance Present in the History
Of the Order.

Tic A4tH annual SeSSloH Oh the Mdiiit
State Grange, and it proved the largest
attended and most successful opening
day that the order has ever known IN
Maine. After the rousing public re-
ception of the evening before the dele
gates and visiting members had no
doubt of Augustus hospitality, and
were all ready to begin the active work
found it showing they all rejoiced and
the weather was the chief topic of con-
versation. No subject, except the
grange itself, is dearer to the Grangers
heart than the weather, and they all
realize the need of snow at this time
So the storm brought only pleasure 10
ALL and they braved it's rough fury
with cheerful smile.
But storm or no storm it was a great
day for the hundreds of loyal Changers
assembled in the Capital city, and Ill
directly for the q 900 whom they rep
resent in Maine. If you want to get
an idea of what great organization
the grange is and what a grand work
it is doing, just read the able address
of Master Wiggin, delivered, yester
day, and the interesting reports of Sec
rotary Libby and Treasurer Hunt
which are given in full in another
column. The whole day and every
and so will be the sessions of today and
tomorrow.
forenoon, and many had difficulty in
securing quarters, but the LEGAL con-
mittee was on the alert and saw that
none went hungry or without shelter.
G. NJ. Twitchell, C. F. Fletcher and
John II. Yeaton, all of Capital Grange.
make up the committee of arrange
ments, and have shown themselves en-
ceedngly energetic and efficient. Of
course the main business of the visit
ing Patrons is within City hall. but
several side trips to Togus and other
points of interest are already planned.
A large party will go to the National
Home, Thursday morning. on special
cars leaving here at o'clock
A pleasant feature of the session is
the presence of Changers from Yer
mont and New York r. S. Post of
East Palmyra, N. Y. member of
Newark Grange. No. 366, and A. A.
Edison of Chester, VT, of South Brook
Grange, No. 129, were at the sessions,
yesterday, greeting their Maine broth
ers and sisters. They were given {
hearty welcome. Both are at the
North
Ten O'Clock was the hour announced
for the opening session, but over an
hour before that time a stream of dele
gates was pouring over the bridge to
the City hall. The portly form of
Steward r. H. Libby of Newport. filled
the door at the head of the stairs and
each person had to have whispered
with him before they
could pass the gates. Those who had
defective memories had to do some tall
thinking, but most had no difficulty
with the passwords. By 10 o'clock over
500 Changers were on the floor of the
hall and it was well settled in the !
minds of all who had not previously |
made up their minds that it was to ba
the largest and most enthusiastic |
meeting of the Pine Tree Patrons of |
ever held. All had a good |
word to say for the pretty decorations
If the hall. These were in charge of |
committee consisting of Mr.. and Mrs.
Geo. l.. Weeks and Mr.. and Mrs. E. c.
Getchell of Riverside. and Mr.. and
Mrs Chas. Sylvester of Augusta. The
bank of palms and ferns at the back
If the stage with the Hastily arranged |
flowers is the thoughtful act of the
Maine Farmer Publishing Company.
FORENOON SESSION
Promptly at 10 A. NJ, Grand Master
Niggin brought down his heavy gavel
md the cath annual session of the
Maine State Grange was formally
opened. The opening was in the fifth
legree, according to the beautiful and
Impressive ritual of the order Then
he grange was at once closed in the
fifth degree without form, and opened
n the fourth, in which all the business
# the order is transacted.
The following officers We're in their
places: Master Edward Wiggin of
CONTINUED on page 81
A bottle of DIR. Woods Norwav Pine