The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-05-05
CAPT. GHaRLES E. clark.
The Famous Commander of the
Oregon Visits the Scenes of His
Boyhood, and Is Greatly Pleased
With His Cordial Reception.
His Cordial Receptfon.

Bradford has received a visit from
one whom it has long desired to honor
one who has won enViable fame anC
given prominence to his native town
A long list of distinguished sons be
longs to Bradford but there is no dis
pute about who shall be placed at The
head. A true hero of the late war be
longs and is unanimously placeC
there. He is hero in every sense OF
the word, one who has not sought the
prominence he has attained. 1t has
come to him through the faithful, eff
ticient ana patriotic performance OF
his duties. The American people re,
spect and honor him for what he has
done. Like Dewey he has talked little
and acted much. This marks the true
hero and such a one is Capt. Charles
Edgar Clark, the commander of that
magnificent batrleship. the Oregon,
during the recent war with Spain.
Capt. Clark arrived in Montpelier
last Sunday morning, spending the day
there and going to Mortified Monday
Montpelier gave him warm welcome
as soon as it was known he was there,
for his father was resident of the
Capital City after leaving Bradford.
Mrs. Clark was with him. They spent
the day at the Pavilion where many
people called upon them. They at
tended divine worship at the Bethany
church. Monday was spent at North
field, where the Captain assisted in the
Dewey Day exercises of Norwich Uni
versity, breaking the ground for Dew
ey Hall. Returning to Montpelier
Monday evening large reception was
given in his honor at the Armory.
Late Monday evening it became
known that Capt. and Mrs. Clark
would come to Bradford on the morn
ing mail from Wells River Tuesday,
and how to give the famous command
er a fitting reception to his native
town was the chief question in the
minds of all. They wanted to show
in some way their appreciation of what
he had done, and how glad they were
to have him visit his native town.
Bradford people went about the plans
in an enthusiastic manner and it was
a surprise to the genial Captain that
SO much was done on so short a notice
In short time Tuesday morning the
business blocks and a number of resi-
dences were in Fourth of July attire.
A meeting of the citizens was held in
Gov. Farnham's office and arrange
ments made for meeting him at the
depot with teams, at the hotel, etc.
Capt. and Mrs. Clark came from Mont
pelier to Wells River in a special car,
and were accompanied by delegation
of gentlemen and ladies from that
city. At Wells River they were met
by Col. H. E. Parker. Rev. H. T. Bar
nard and DR.. Frederick Fletcher. who
extended them the first welcome to
the Captains native town. At this
station a large crowd had assembled.
The schools had closed. The children
all marched to the station, lined up on
the platform, and when Capt. and
Mrs. Clark stepped from the train they
were greeted with three rousing cheers.
Carriages were in waiting and the
party was at once driven to Hotel Low.
Here a number of ladies were assem-
bled to extend a. cordial welcome to
Mrs. Clark, and the parlors were quick
ly filled with people. So anxious was
the crowd to shake hands with the
famous Captain and his charming wife
that they were compelled to hold an
informal reception for nearly an hour.
Capt. Clark was surprised and de-
lighted at the enthusiasm with which
the people of his native town received
him. He had long looked forward to