Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-11
JOLLY PATRlARCHS
Pay No Attention to the
Rain at Skowhegan.
Have Consolation Dance il Coburn
Hall in Place Of Parade.
Cantons Ridsely. Augusta and Halifax Winners
in Competitive Drill.

it was found that the heavens were
weeping copiously. In fact the rain
came down in spiteful fits and deluges,
drenching everything far and near, and
from the several hundred of breasts
that had hoped for good day and
good time. The offices and corridors of
the hotels We're thronged with bright
uniforms worn by as jovial a crew as
one could wish to see. The rain was
bound to spoil everything in the way of
outdoor exercises but the managers at
once set about making arrangements
for consolation hop" in Mlburn hall.
The Patriarchs were disconsolate one
way, but happy another. They put in
the time getting acquainted with them
selves BY the way, these annual field
days are a great thing for the cheva-
liers. Lots of them meet for the first
time and many pleasant acquaintance
are formed.
Landlord Haines, with the largest
crowd of his experience on his hands,
Just turned the handsome house over
to his jolly guests but kept things NOV
ing smoothly. nobody missing even an
umbrella. You can't phase Bob" with
Il crowd.
Down at the Heselton, Mine Host
Chandler, the rotundity of whose fig
ure makes him a typical boniface, said:
How are We boys" and opened up
every nook and corner of his magnif
cent hotel to the wet and weary pill
grms.
The Skowhegan house was loaded to
the brim with fun loving and mirth
making Patriarchs, and when George
Washburne doesn't take a hand in the
fun there is a funeral going on some
where in which he is interested. There
was no funeral in Georges family, to-
day.
The regular train at 1910 A. NJ,
brought along number of chevaliers
and Lieut.. Roydon, of the United
States army, who had been secured as
one of the judges of the competitive
drill.
When the special train from Portland
rolled into the station at 1859 \. NJ, the
Portland chevaliers accompanied by
Chambers band disembarked, set their
teeth. faced the driving rain and pro-
ceeded TO headquarters to the inspiring
strains of ''Oh dear, what can the mat
ter be?'
AT the Coburn. the crowd was enter
tanned by a concert by Chambers
band and the Watervile Military band,
two of the best bands in the State. alter
mating in programme numbers
Down at l. o. o. +. hall. in the fore
noon. there was d meeting of the mill
tant council and drill of the officers
under Gen. II. G.. Foster
In spite of the bad weather the atten-
dance is large. indicating a growing in
terest in the militant department of odd
fellowship 1t is common expression,
the Journal finds. among the visitors.
that the interest in the department is
stronger than ever before and that the
field days are as necessary to the Can
tons welfare as the grand lodge is to
subordinate lodges.
In the afternoon Canton Somerset es-
rorted the visitors to the Milburn block
on Water street This block contains two
good sized halls and with an orchestra
the size of which was never seen in this
town before, that of Halls of Water
vile, re-enforced by the carinets from
Chambers, several hundred couples en-
joyed very much the consolation hop"
They could not all dance at the same
time, so they courteously gave way TO
each other. '.tcok turns as it were and
had an elegant time
At the banquet in Coburn hall this eve
ming. the covers were laid for 400. Ca
terer Delano had a bountifu supply of
blue points on the half shell with Bent
water crackers, roast stuffed young tur-
key with cranberry jelly. lobster salad.
domestic ham, domestic tongue. French
fried potatoes, Vienna rolls, all kinds of
cake and few other kinds. frozen pud-
ding, strawberry and vanilla ice cream.
coffee and cigars and all that. And Ezra
knows how to put 1t on the table too.
Talk about table decorations. well there.
Skowhegan. being the flower garden of
the world of course You would expect
that the floral display would be simply
immense. 1t was more than that.
Col c. A. Marston. as POSTMASTER
smiled benignly from behind a beautiful
harvest of pinks and hydrangeas; Gen H.
G. Foster. was buried IN llacs and pinks; |
Col "A. B. Nealy of Lewiston one of the |
youngest of the boys at the board in
spite of his 60 odd years of experience
among men and things, was the centre |
of attraction; Major f. l.. Pond of Au-
snsta the versatile and genial militant |
enthusiast and promoter was in the hap
piest mood. for he sat where things come |
his way easier, dividing honors with Col |
Nealy as far as the attention of the |
handsome young ladies went.
Col. Marston. POSTMASTER. in introduce |
ing the speakers was eloquent i'm his APP |
probation of the honor conferred upon
him and the manner in which Canton |
Somerset. assisted very materially by the
ladies. had planned and provided for their
guests Col Marston had happy pleas
ant word for each of the speakers that |
he introduced.
The address of welcome was given by
e. N. Merrill in his happiest vein
Mr.. Merrill said: 1t gives me great sat
isfaction to see so many here today
Maine is the first State in the Union 1t
has good opportunities for progress. It's
large forests, its shops and mills in pro-
ducing order make 1t the best State in
the Union. Somerset county with its
pleasant lakes, its attractive streams, aid
in making it a banner county Skowhe-
gan. situated on the placid Kennebec.
with all its broad and enjoyable drives
its natural scenery and attractive site.
leads one to call it the garden spot of
America. In the name of Skowhegan
welcome you here.
The response was by Gen. j. L. Small
of Bddeford, who said:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen of
Skowhegan:
1t is very pleasant duty which has
been assigned me this evening to ac-
cept your courteous hospitality and well
come in behalf of nearly 1900 chevaiers
Of the department of Maine We accept |
in the same spirit in which 1t IS given:
we accept it first as citizens of the old
Pine Tree State.
1t has been said. Names greatest
Continued on page 81