The Portland daily press., 1898-06-25
q PORTLAND MECHANIC BLUES.
Ninety-first Anniversary of Organization
Celebrated Yesterday.

SNAtS |1p4 AZ . Nc1y AOfsA w ctS AA3oi4AS-
ries Of the past members of the Portland
Mechanic Blues, for 1t comnemorates the
organization, ninty one years ago, of a
company which has figured oonspiouously
in the history of the city, state and ma
ton. 9Q
Accordingly, yesterday was not allowed
to pass without fitting observance and
la goodly number Of Che old members
boarded the Island Belle and proceeded to
Peaks island where headquarters were
established In the Coranado and the an
nual election Of officers was held.
The company took slight departure In
the titles OF its officers, and adopting the
names in vague among Grand Army
posts chose the following for the ensuing
term: Past commander. jeremiah Ilsley;
commander, r. P. Jewett; senior vice
commander, n. S. Blondheim of Boston,
Mass. junior vice, j. p. Jason; sergeant
and clerk, G. N. E. Kimball; quarter
master and treasurer, W. P. Osborne;
sentinel. P. Fl. Silva.
After the business of the evening was
| finished lins was formed and the march
was taken up for the Peaks Island house,
where good old fashioned shore supper
was awaiting the party. The folIowin g
were at the tables: jeremiah Ilsley, j.
NJ. Parker, 8. D. Rumery: T. III. Glen
denning, G. N. Tarbox, Albert S.
Spaulding, J. B. Dunbar, Corp A.
Hawes, j. Fl. Bauhein, Chester W.
Libby, r. P. Jewett, E. N. McIntosh,
+. r. Fay, f. H. Murch. W. e. Ross,
G. S. Campbell. Redmond O'Darker,
Phillip Fl. Sousa. j. M. Bell, H. L.
Blondhiem of Boston, B. e. Cobb of
Mattop, G. B. Todd, G. D. Thomes, j.
T. Mason, Fl. K. Colesworthy and G.
N. E. Kimball.
The savory diRhes were enjoyed and at
the conclusion of the supper Mr.. G. N. E.
Kimball entered upon. the duties of toast
master and first introduced Commodore
Ilsley, who graciously welcomed the
party. Letters were read from Captain
George A. Dow and Quartermasser Muroh
of the First Maine Volunteers, U. S. A.,
which were received with oheers and the
names of Captain Butler and Sergeant
Aerrio ok of the signal corps were also ap-
plauded.
Captain G. D. Thomes was introduced
as one Of the Oldest members, who joined
in 1889. MIR. Thomes referred to the fact
that he never misseds street parade of
| the Blues nor one Of its anniversaries
and accounted himself the oldest man
present. "Don't tell that to the girls, :"
said the listeners. He referred to the
June riots years ago in the old City hall
and to JEFF Davis's visit to the city in
| 1862 when all the ammunition of the
company was spirited away by him.
| z. P. Jewett recalled very feelingly the
memories Of the past and dwelt upon the
military record of the company from 1912
down to the operations OF the rebellion.
He paid glowing tribute to the
sBlues," and said they furnished during
the sixties more officers and men than
any company in the state. 1-
The Roll of Honor was called by Cor
poraI Albert Hawes, who joined the Blues
in 1868 and in his opinion every veteran
of the organization was worthy an hon.
ored mention-"Yo You are right go ahead
again." came from one near by.
Mr.. H. L. Bloondheim expressed the
opinion that if the company should be
called into service, not an enrolled man
would fail to respond.
| Capatin James NJ. Black recalled the
names of many officers who had gone
from 1.-THE company to the different regi'
ments of the state during the war Of the
rebellion and dwelt with pleasure on
that memorable anniversary which was
observed June "a, 1851, near Columbia
College, Washington, D. 9.
"A handsome tribute to the memory OF
Joseph Boyle was paid by Mr.. Kimball,
which touched responsive chord in
every one at the table. A vote of thanks
was extended to the caterer Mr. Sawyer,
ann the very satisfactory service of the
mattresses was fttingly acknowledged.
1he speeohes1were very happily given,
ana received with marks of greatest salts
fact'o" and but one opinion was heard
touching the observance of the day-it
! was SUCCESS.