Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-06-21

THE BrooEsr DAT IN THE HISTORY
OF THE TOWN.

AoVcy tssc ItuHtuB Va Vciss soo esso WYNN
Ing Of cannon proclaimed to all the peo-
pie OF Sumner that they would celebrate
the centennial OF the town.
All tho houses In tho beautiful village
OF West Sumner were gaily trimmed with
6ags, giving holiday and patriotic APP
pearance 20 the town.
Though the morning Was somewhat
lowery, the teams from every quarter
came pouring in, telling us that all roads
lead 10 Sumner. Before noon fully two
thousand people we're In the village.
All Sumner was there. The neighb0r-
Ing towns were we'll represented, and
many Of the sons and daughters OF old
Sumner that had found homes 10 other
states had come back to the old homes
TO grasp the hands Of those they knew so
well In their childhood days.
At the proper time large and beauti-
fol fsg was unfurled to the breeze, and
100 little fisgs dropped from lie ample
folds. The crowd cheered, the baud
played, the sun shone out 10 oil It's bright
ness, promising what Il proved TO be, the
grandest gala day that Sumner ever knew
since II was incorporated one hundred
years ago.
The i,g vas gracefully presented BY
Mr.. John Turner and accepted Ia behalf
Of the town by DR.. J. Blake Robinson.
After the raising Of the Dag the presi-
dent Of the day, Capt. q. N. Small, In
vited them all to 60 TO the grand stand.
Here was large platform erected, GOV.
cred bv an awning, tastefully trimmed
with flags and bunting. In front sub
stantial seats were provided to sccommo-
date all who wished TO be seated. The
program was we'll carried out by oil who
took part.
First. An appropriate prayer by Rev.
A. g. Murray.
Chorus, "Praise Ye the Father"
Address of welcome, Mrs. Alkaline II.
Stetson. Mrs. Stetson Il one Of Summers
most gifted daughters. Her address OF
welcome was delivered In an able man.
ner, aud her clear voice held the closest
attention Of all the people present.
Response, Mr.. w. f Pulsifer. As Mr..
Pulsifer was unable TO be present, he
sent his manuscript to Mr.. j. w. Stetsou
Of Weymouth, Mass, who read Il.
| Singing Of Centennial Ode, written by
w. Stanwood Field.
Poem by Mrs. Helen 8. Robertson
Mr.. Robertson's poem Was written FOL
the OCCASION. Her fine appearance upon
the platform, and her clear voice com
manded the closest attention OF the su'
dience.
The readings of Mr.. Walter Chandler
and lion V. Walker were we'll received
The Star spangled Banner was suns
by the choir.
DINNER.
The 20 ID people Of Sumner made gres
preparations to feed the vast multitude
The invited guests were furnished with
a bountiful dinner Ia the vestry Of TIT
church. After enjoying first-class fre'
dinner beautiful centennial cake re
msined on one Of the tables, which wa
presented by Rev. p. X. Miller In fittinl
words to the oldest man In town, Mr.
Abel Fletcher.
Out OF doors just south Of the church
long rows Of tables were erected. Bsk
ed beans, brown bread and coffee wer'
furnished by the town. The visitor
opened their boxes and baskets snt
spread their contents upon the table
giving them very inviting appearance
Everybody was well cared for.
The music by the Buckfeld Bras
Band sgsin called every one to the CRANE
stand. The president Of the day callet
Mr.. ". II. Eastman TO act Ne toastmss
ter, who filed his place 10 q most &C
ceptable manner.
Capt. Lewis Bisbee responded to thu
fret toast. Capt. Bisbee Ia well pre-
served gentleman OF ninety years, re
Numbering with great clearness msn,
things that happened during the town.
first history. Capt. Bisbee's wife, who
WINS seated upon the stand beside hel
husband, Is also ninety years old. They
have been married seventy-One years, q
longer time than any other couple ever
lived together as husband and wife 10
the town Of Sumne-.
Historical address by Rev. Lucien NJ
Robinson. The address Of Mr.. Robin.
son was we'll written and well delivered
and held the close attention OF the large
audience from beginning to close. He
commenced his address by going back 10
ancient history rs We learn IL from the
pyramids and monuments that exist to-
day on the banks OF the Nile, telling Us
more plainly than words what Egypt
was four thousand years ago.
Coming down through the various
"pochs OF history to the settlement OF
New England, to the time when the
tosn of Sumner was Incorporated one
hundred years ago, he gave the names OF
the founders OF the town and praised
their good qualities.
After paying q fitting tribute Of praise
to those who h ID managed the sffairs OF
the town for the last 100 years he closed
by asking what OF the future.
A song by Rollin Stetson was well re-
crived.
sharon Robinson DIETER known IS
''Slocum') responded TO the second toast
"The Schools Of Sumner" He spoke Of
the early modes Of discipline, and prov
ed To be- the wit Of the day. Other tOasts
followed that were responded TO 40 fol-
lows:
The Teacher, J. Is. Chanin.
our next Centennial. prophecy Of what IL will
our Ancestors, Henry b Hersey.
The Church, Rev. p. Y. Miller.
summers arst Sunday School, Josiah stetson.
The Pine Tree State, Judge Woodbury..
The Sons OF sumner Nahum Moore.
The Daughters OF sumner. A. ID. Park.
Music by the band.
Uncle Sam was well personstcd by
Wilson Ryerson who Was sttired In full
regulation costume as we see him In all
his pictures, and attracted much stten-
ton. DR.. Andrews little daughter was
Hastily dressed In red, white and blue,
representing Cuba, under the fostering
care OF Uncle Sam.
Oiher speakers were to follow, but
your correspondent WAS Obliged to leave.
Thus ended day long to be remember
ed by all the people assembled here to
celebrate Summers centennial. A day
that the old people of the town have
looked forward to, hoping that they
might live TO see the full hundred years
OF their town rounded out and another
century so hopefully begun. A day
that the young will look back to with
the most pleasant recollections. And
perhaps the little child 10 les mothers
arms here to-day may live to celebrate
Summers next centennial.
HENRY E. HAMMOND.
THE CENTENNIAL POEN.
(By Mrs. Helen 8. Robertson. Of Harrington,
Maine)
Hall Sumner! proudly we hail thee to-day.
Thou hast reached milestone on thy way.
And for once from care and toll we are free;
We consecrate this day 70 God and thee.
Then hail we'll make the Welkin ring with cheers,