The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-06-07


Time at WilIard-Those Who Were
There. Ex8
Sunday is the 9th anniversary of the
organization of the Portland Light In
fantry. As the anniversary fell on Sun
day it was celebrated Saturday and the
festivities were held at Willard
For the first time in seventeen years the
Portland Light Infantry, its honorary
association and the ''White Coats or vet
eran association, celebrated the anniver-
sary together and notwithstanding the
very disagreeable weather a party Of over
100 gathered at the charming resort of
the Cape Elizabeth electric road to COM
memorate the birth of the oldest military
organization in Maine and one of the
three Oldest in New England.
The Portland Light Infantry, as every
one knows, was organized in this city
June 6, 1903. 1t has lived through three
wars and any number of riots and public
disturbances. Its history is q most hon
orable one and Portland is very proud of
the companys record and its fine con-
dition today. When the light infantry
was first formed its members wore white
coats and thus did the veteran associa-
ttion obtain its name. In days gone by
the f'White Coats" were very numerous
and the gatherings Of the association so
called were largely attended. Of late
years the 'tWhite Coats" have been drop
ping off rapidly and on Saturday much
smaller number than usual assembled to
do honor to the company's anniversary.
AS guests of honor the ''White Coats"
had Prof. D. II. Chandler, Captain Nc
Donald of Bath, ex-Lieutenant Holmes
of New York and T. r. Fay of the
Boston Globe.
The committee in charge of the cele-
bration consisted of Charles d. Plum
mer, John D. Williams and David Drink
water on the part of the White Coats, and
Second Lieutenant Harry H. Sawyer,
Sergeant Charles II. Harvey land Privates
George B. Sawyer, Harry Crockett and
Fred E. Knight. So well did these gen
tlemen perform their duties that Satur-
days celebration was universally pro-
nounced one of the pleasantest the active
and veteran members ever enjoyed.
The most of the members left Portland
for the scene of the festivities at O'Clock
in the morning. On their arrival at
Willard lunch was served after which
the younger members scattered about the
resort in search of amusement while the
White Coats assembled over Wizards
restaurant for their annual meeting.
Vice President Plaisted presided in the
absence of Gen. Anderson, the president
of the White Coats association.
Secretary Plummer read the minutes of
the last meeting and announced the death
during the year of J. E. Emery, aged rs,
George W. Merrill, aged s., John T.
Winslow, aged 70, and Daniel Glazier
aged rs.
Before his death Mr.. Emery, as chair
man of the committee on resolutions, had
drawn up resolutions of respect to the
memory of the members of the association
who had died during the year previous to
the meeting in 1896 and this report was
ordered incorporated in the minutes of
1896.
Messrs. Harmon, Furlong and LUIS
comb were appointed a committee to
nominate officers for the ensuing year and
they reported as follows:
President-Gen. Samuel J. Anderson
Vice Presidents-James W. Plaisted,
Samuel Rolfe, George E. Luscomb and
James Tenney.
secretary-C. f. Plummer.
Treasurer George w. Furlong.
Charles Odion cast the vote for the
above list of officers for the association
and they were declared elected. Messrs
Harmon, Luscomb and Harlow were APP
pointed a committee to draft resolutions
of respect in memory of those veterans
who had died during the past year.
Secretary Plummer referred briefly and
in an affecting manner to the death of
Mr.. Emery and the other members of the
association who have passed away since
the last meeting.
Gen. Charles P. Mattocks was called
upon to speak and told of his connection
with the Portland Light Infantry which
had begun after the war when he accepted
the command of the company at the re-
quest of Gen. Anderson David G. Drink
water and Captain Thomas P. Beals also
spoke briefly.
At two O'Clock the White Coats together
with the active members of,the company
marched to dinner. The following were
present at the tables: George A. Dow,
captain, j. W. Plaisted, Charles P. Mat
tocks, Frank B. W. WEIGH, first lieuten-
ant, Harry FL. Sawyer, second lieutenant
George W. Furlong, P. L. v, Charles
f. Plummer, p. L. v, Charles Collins,
major First Infantry, Joseph H. Collins,
James G. Winch, P. L. L, Benz F. Nor
ton, Boyle 7. Roberts, Henry A. Nc
Donald, Bath, Charles H. Harvey, Chas.
S. Dresser, John T. burlington, George