The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-11-09
A Joyous Time on Howard Street
Last Evening.
One of Oldest Shipmast-
ers Now on Coast.
Friends Of Capt. and Mrs. Abner
Randall Greet Them.

Hours rolled merrily on at the home of
Capt. Abncr Randall and wife, At 10
Howard street, last evening. and congrat-
ulations poured In by the basketful. il
was the occasion of their golden wedding
anniversary and this significant milestone
wss httingly observed.
The genial captain. though now In his
18th year. Is yet vigorous and full Of spit
1t, and no young person entered into the
festivities with more zest than the host
himself. 1t has been 30 years Of unbrok-
en- matrimonial joy, and last evening
they seemed nearer than ever In their
affections, their wishes. desirts and asp'-
rationa 49,.
There were gathered on the scene the
three children, Mrs. John E. Lindsay and
Mrs. W. II. Adams OF Portland and Mrs.
John u. Coffin of East Boston, and one
son-in-law. Gilbert II. Diusmore, keeper
of the Munjoy Hin observatory, also
sister, Mira. John Brackett Of Peaks ISL
and. The three grand children present
were Mrs. Maude K. Philbrook and Misses
Emma K. CONN and Hazel b. Coffin.
1utf6 WhB Ono kToHt ohtAd thcfS
iu the person of Hazel A. Philbrook.
Mrs. Randall has ole aister living, Mrs.
Ben jamin Coffin Of Harrington, but she
was unable to be present. Both MT. and
Mrs. Randall were born on the same spot
In Harrington, the captain In q log cabin,
and Mrs. Randall In frame house later
on the same spot. Just 30 years ago last
night Elder Robert Cole Of the Methodist
church, tied the lptial knot. Last eve
ming the ceremony was again gone
through with, Rev. S. F. Pearson per-
forming the service. 1t seemed particu
larry impressive last evening, rivetinx
two happy lives more indissoluhly than
ever. Those present greatly enjoyed the
ceremony. Later In tho evening finely
prepared supper was served, and then
came several hours Of sociability In
which the host and hostess OF the evening
were the entertainers There are only
two persons now living who were present
ss spectators at the original wedding,
Mira Benjamin Coffin and Mrs. Rebecoa
Leighton OF Millbridge.
Capt. Randall Ia remarkable as q sea-
faring man. He has been to sea oontinu
ously since he was 10 years Of age and
now at the advanced age Of 75 Is still
actively engaged in the ooassing trade.
The nearest approach to his long term
of service In Portland, 10 Capt. Daniel
Willard. now In command Of the schoon-
er Nellie Sawyer. The first man that the
captain ever sailed with, Capt. Bailey
Mitchell Of Hsrring ton, is still living.
And the first foreign port that he eve
touohed at was Santiago In 1914. Since
he was 10 years Of age he has had an In
terest in all the crafts he has sailed, and
they have been many. Only month
ago he sold the schooner General Banks,
and is now negotiating for another YES
sci, the captain almost feeling as though
he would like to take new lease Of lie.
He thoroughly enjoys the ssa, and,
judging from his prime physical condi-
ton. the sea likes him. Bor years he has
been subjected to the fairy of the waves
and the buffetlngs of the storms, paced
the deck or vessels many q long night,
and was once shipwrecked of Nantucket
Shoals. and yet today the captain look S
for all the world as though he has resid-
ed all these years In the serenity of the
home.
When of the Shoals he saw IA men 90
down IN n little less than an hour but he