The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-08-31
The Veterans at Windermere.

The third annual meeting of the Clough
Veteran Charitable Association was held
at their grounds and building, Winder
mere Park, Unity, Monday, Aug. 9TH.
There was a large gathering of veterans
and their families and friends from a
radius of Is miles, and many came from
a much longer distance. 1t was esti-
mated that there were four thousand
people on the grounds. The building
was packed to its utmost capacity and all
out of doors appeared to be full of peo-
pie and teams. Those who came late,
and wished to have their horses cared for,
found it impossible to secure good stabling
within mile of the grounds. The Troy
band, under the direction of Drum Major
Gordon of Brooks, discoursed fine music
during the day. The meeting was called
to order by DR.. A. J. Billings of Freedom,
President of the Association, at 10 A. NJ.
L. c. Morse of Liberty was made secre.
tary. After prayer by the chaplain, Rev.
A. ?. Hatch of Troy, the president in
troduced the orator of the day, Forrest
Goodwin, Esq, of Skowhegan, who gave
very able patriotic and eloquent address,
which was we'll received and highly ap-
plauded. The boy orator of the henne
bee valley certainly scored one, and a
good one.
This closed the exercises for the fore
noon, and the meeting was adjourned until
:. p. NJ. The interim was spent in eating
dinner traternal greetings by the old
comrades, and a friendly shake of the
hand to all who were in sympathy with
them. Many a Renaissance of hard
\ fought battles and of sutferings in hos
pitfalls and prison pens were uttered that
| had lain dormant in the breasts of brave
veterans for many years. For, be it re-
membered, the brave soldier only tells his
deeds of daring to comrades who know of
his exploits, while the braggart who put
down the Rebellion single handed gets in
his talk when there are no comrades pres
ent to modest or make afraid.
At : p. m. the president raped to OF
der for the campfire. Comrade Stanley
Plummer of Dexter was the first speaker
and he held the strict attention of the vast
audience for more than an hour. We of
the G. a. r. feel highly gratified that we
have such material as Stanley Plummer,
and many others, upon whom we can call
in an emergency and be always sure of a
good speech, such as all people of good
sense ale delighted to listen to. DR..
Billings made few extempore remarks
and told good stony in such happy
manner that it brought down the house.
Remarks were made by Comrades Stinson
of North Searsport, Adams of Waterville,
and johnson of Liberty. Gordon of
Brooks, an adopted son of the Association,
made some happy remarks. A solo and
chorus was sung, entitled ''Who will tell
the world the story when the boys are
gomez 1t affected the old comrades not
| a little. The solo was sung by j. 0. John
son of Liberty, and the chorus was rend-
cred by young lady from Texas (who is
spendi ng the summer at the Park sopra-
no; Prof. Rollins and wife of Unity bass
and alto, respectively; Rev. Mr.. Luce OF
Uni y, tenor; Mis-. Abbie Fogg, Unity,
pianist. The meeting closed at 4.3O, all
feeling pleased with their days outing and
expressing the mselves as follows: Toe
much praise cannot be accorded to DR..
Billings for his selection of speakers fol
| this occasion, and for the great interest he
has manifested in the Association from its
conception,
1t was announced from the platform
that through the generosity of Mrs.
Clough, widow of the man for whom the
Association was named, every debt has
been paid, and the Starry Banner now
waves above building and grounds thai
are free from all membranes.