The Republican journal., 1897-06-17
Augustus Centennial.
Maine's Capital was 100 Years Old June 81

Maine'S Capital was 100 Years Old June 9th
AUGUSTA, June g. This is centennial
day at the capital of the State, an occa-
sion when all Augusta people rejoice that
they live in the beautiful. pros porous city
at the head of navigation on the kenne-
bee. "reminiscences and bits Of history
are related and the past is more subject
of conversation than the present The
political centre Of the State, the native
place and home of many of the most dis
tlnguished men of Maine, the scene OF
numerous occurrences of Importance,
| there is plenty to talk about
Many sons and daughters of the city.
who have wandered away and made their
homes in other sections of the country
have returned to their native town and are
here to- day to join in this observance
Some have been absent 10, 20 and even 30
years and they find many marked changes
for the better The aspect of the city has
entirely changed Where few years AGO
was not much more than country village
they find well developed city Of H. 600
Inhabitants; with all the modern conven-
fences, and public and private buildings
second to those of no place of its size in
the country.
The observance of the day was not in
line with the usual practice on such occa-
sions and was confined almost wholly to
City Hall. Numerous residences and
places of business were decorated, among
them being the houses of Ex-Governor Ed
win c. Burleigh, Joseph H. Marley, ESQ.,,
Hon. Frederick Cony, Hon. VIM. H. Will
liams, Mayor w. S. Choate, B. f. Par
blocks of the First National. Granite Ma
tional and Augusta Savings Banks, Of the
Gas and Water Company, Haskell Bros.
F. G. Kinsman, Russell & Weston, Chas.
II. Mason, A. W. Brooks and Smith &
Reid. The city buildings were elaborate
ly arrayed, both exterior and interior,
while the kennebec bridge boomed in
colored bunting. The public library was
also in the list of decorated buildings.
Flags are flying from every tlagpole.
The citys most honored and eminent
guest is Melville Weston Fuller. chief
justice of the United States Supreme
Court, the orator Of the day. He came
from an old Augusta family, his father,
Frederic A. Fuller, and his mother, Cath
crime Weston, both having been natives of
this city. He was born here April :.
1881, the eldest of seven children. gradu-
ated from Bowdoin College in the class of
1888, ranking first in his class. and then
from the Harvard law school, He prac-
ticed law in Augusta, was for a time edi-
tor of the Age as we'll as taking an active
interest in politics. In 1856 he was presi-
dent of the common council and city So
licitor. The same year he removed to
Chicago, where he soon stood at the head
of his profession, having a large and
lucrative practice until appointed chief
justice by President Cleveland.
Another of Augustus sons who honors
the occasion with his presence is Rev.
Daniel Cony Weston, who is native of
this city, his father having been the late
Chief Justice Nathan Weston. MI. Wes-
ton is 81 years of age and for several years
past has spent the winter in Washington
and in the summer resided in Connecticut.
At sunrise a salvo of artillery and the
clang of all the bells in the city announc-
ed that the city had rounded out its hun
dredth year, and at noon there was a
further booming of cannon, which shook
the timbers of the cold Fort" the oldest
building in the city.
Places of business and manufactures
were generally closed in the afternoon,
and at p. m. city hall was packed with
the citizens and their guests to listen to
the principal exercises of the day. Upon
the platform was the Augusta Choral So
ciety, the president of the day and the
speakers. Chief Justice Fuller on his APP |
pearance received an enthusiastic well |
come of applause. The order of exercises
of the afternoon was as follows:
2 p. M, at City Hall, His Honor Mayor
Winfield Scott Choate introducing the
Hon. James Ware Bradbury, president of |
the day.
Invocation, Rev. Daniel Cony Weston.
Singing Augusta Choral Society.
introductory address,
Hon. James Ware Bradbury, President of
the day.
Grafton,
The Chief Justice, Melville Weston Fuller.
Poem, Emma Huntington Mason.
The celebration closed with literary
exercises in the City Hall this evening.
The speakers were GOV. Powers, Mayor
Choate. Rev. C. W. Doherty, Hon. H. NJ.
Heath, Hon. Lendall Titcomb, c. B. Bur
leigh, Howard Owen, T. w. Plaisted and
C. S. Hichborn.
When Chief Justice Fuller arose to
speak he was greeted with the warmest |
demonstrations. Applause followed APP
plause, and there was general waving of
handkerchiefs and small flags. After |
bowling his Acknowledgements to the right |
and left, Mr.. Fuller spoke in part as fol- |
lows:
''While the celebration of the founda-
ton of town to some extent evokes the
same considerations as the commemora-
ton of great events, or Of the birthdays
of eminent men, it possesses signifi-
canoe from perpetuated friendships and
kinship and Evolutionary connection, all
it's own.
''When Augustus century opened
Washington had just retired from the
presidency, leaving to his countrymen an
undying example of devotion to the public
veal, and an immortal legacy in the fare
well address, which delineated the path
of safety in the nations progress.
ssThe achievement of our own indie