Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-07-06
the PARIS poRTeas.
A PLEASANT FAMILY REUNION ON THE
OLD PLACE.

| OLD PLACE.
A reunion OF an old New England
family. or some branch of Il, can hardly
fail TO be a pleasant occasion. Whatever
the programme Of the day, the essential
part of 1t is the meeting and intercourse
Of men and women ordinarily separated
by greater or less distance, but bound
together by ties Of relationship II moth.
ing more.
Such a reunion was planned for last
Wednesday, by the Porter family OF
Paris on the old Charles Porter place, at
the end Of the road In the Porter neigh
borhood, Paris. Ii would have been
carried out on that day, had not our
rainy June wound up Its career In such
blaze Of rainy glory, so to speak, that
no one ventured out save as matter OF
necessity, and the reunion was perforce
postponed until the next day.
Mr.. Charles Ii. Porter, now q meat
and provision dealer In Boston and q
grandson Of the original settler Charles,
was on hand Wednesday, and brought
with him TO assist In the celebration q
fine assortment of fruit and quantity
Of fireworks. Business matters Obliged
him to return to Boston that afternoon,
though he declared he would rather have
given fifty dollars than miss the occa-
sion.
Thursday, the first day Of July, was a
perfect day for the reunion--such one
as has been extremely rare so far In this
year OF grsce-and party OF between
sixty and seventy assembled, coming
mostly from Paris and Norway. The
old Charles Porter place, where re re-
union was held, Is now unoccuried, but
Franklin Porter and family, VINO live on
the John Porter place adjoining, acted as
hosts.
The guests Of honor on this occasion
were Mr.. and Mrs. ID. L. I.ufkin Of Sac
ramento, CAL, who are now on a some
what extended wedding tour. Mrs. l.uf-
kin, who Is a daughter of the old settler
Charles Porter, Is a. years OF age, and
her husband Is ~. Both are still
sprightly and active, aud bid fair to enjoy
many years OF happy marriedlife.
Dinner was served at noon, and the
tables we're loaded, not only with the
substantial articles of food which have
ALWAYS been the staples OF a New Eng
land farmers table, but as well with the
tropical fruits and delicacies which mod
ern methods OF transportation have made
possible. There was enough for ali, and
almost as much left. As one OF the
ladies remarked TO a late conner, who
confessed 10 having eaten a lunch be-
fore starting, "You didn't expect, did
YOU. that when the Porter family met
there would he any scarcity OF food:' W.
A. Porter OF South Paris furnished
quantity Of bananas and cigars TO top off
the feast.
After dinner the entire party gathered
In front Of the house, and number oil
group pictures were taken by stone OF
Norway. Some day fireworks and fire
balloons were sent up. aud more were
burned Up owing TO the high wind. Ice
cream was served, prepared by Mr.. and
Mrs. e.. II. Porter OF South Paris.
general social time was enjoyed, and
finally. before the party broke up. they
all went up on the ledge back OF the
house and looked upon the Kingdoms OF
the world and the glory thereof.
II is magnificent view from the top
of the hill. taking In mountains and val
leys. lakes and streams, farms and VII
lagos. You stand In the town OF Paris,
but within stones throw OF two other
towns, while the view to the south in-
cludes portions OF Androscoggin and
Counties. and 10 the west
takes In the New Hampshire hills and
John Porter came TO Paris from Var
mouth In 1918, and worked for Jairus
Shaw. on the ridge about hall mile
east OF the Porter farms. While work
ing there he got his eye on this land
sloping toward the south, and he induced
his brother Charles 10 come to Paris, and
together they bought OF Shaw something
more than hundred acres, which was
later increased BY additional purchases.
Both were then young unmarried men,
aud for two or three years they worked
together, clearing land and living in
primitive, pioneer fashion.
In January, 1916, both brothers were
and they decided 10 divide the
farm and build house for each brother.
They accordingly ran line through the
middle OF their lot from north TO south
hut 10 give two good building lots on
the same level the line was crooked, and
for other reasons II was crooked In other
places, so IL zigzags up and down the
hill.
Tradition saws that when il came TO
the point Of dividing, the two brothers,
having each Of them a secret preference,
were a little Jealous OF each other, and
finally decided 10 settle the question by
wrestling. They accordingly stood on
the line. and Charles being little the
Quicker, threw John, who as he fell to
the east OF the line shouted that he
claimed the land on which his hand
struck, while Charles, clearing himself
from the hold, claimed the land on
which he stood, on the west OF the line.
Aud both got just what they wanted:
Fortune seemed to favor the brothers
that season (lSl6), for on theirburnt land
they raised good crops in that year which
is known 10 history as 1.-The year without
a summer" Owing 10 the general
famine. they sold corn for seed for 50 w
a bushel, and other things in proportion.
This gave them a good start.
John Porter lived sll his life on the
old farm, and his son Franklin Porter
lives there now. Charles Porter after
some wears moved TO South Paris, and
his place, after going through several
hands, was a few years since bought oy
Franklin Porter and united with the
other place. =,
The party who assembled on the old
farm Thursday were direct descendants
OF John and Charles Porter and their
sister. Joan Stearns, with their families.
The list Of them is given below, and by
special request OF some Of those present,
the ages are also given:
Franklin Porter. Paris, -----------.------- e es
Mrs Franklin Porter, ------.--------------- o. o.