The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-03-09
Old Folks Dance.

The Grand March Led by a Man of 80 Years.
An Orchestra Leader of Half a Century's
| Experience.
| Fred W. Pote's second annual old folks
dance was even more successful than the first
! and nothing was left undone to ensure the
complete enjoyment OF those who participant
ed. AS one OF them remarked, 1T was So
time for ST." Mr.. Pote is steward Of the B &
B.S.S. Co.'S steamer City of Bangor, and soon
| after his return home, having been relieved
of his duties for the winter, he circulated
paper for signers for second old folks
dance, to be given in the Belfast Opera
House, Friday evening, March Sd. He Sc
cured 1876 signatures and nearly all were
present at the ball, with ladies, in addition
to number of visitors from out of town.
The hall was very neatly decorated, the
lighting, drapery, flags, etc, being retained
as at the Knights of Pythas ball. with the
addition of Illuminated lettering on the cur
tain, "Old Folks Dance, '99''
Promptly at s o'clock the grand march
started, led by Mr.. Ephriam Allen Pitcher,
who will be "a years old on March cd. He
is not only the oldest man in Belfast, but he
born in the town within few rods of
where the Opera House now stands. He was
| accompanied by his daughter, Mrs. Frederick
A. Griffin.
Next in the procession came Charles Read.
who is so years old, accompanied by Mrs
John G. Damon. Both the old men are
strong aud active, and they headed the
march with the grace and vigor of much
younger men.
Others in the march We're Capt and Mrs.
ID. II. Libby, both over 10 years old Frank
NJ. Lancaster, 81; Alden D. Chase, II; Jones
S Davis and VIM. B. Swan, 49, Asa F
Riggs, u; VIM. G. Marshall, H. John H
Quimby, Joseph Williamson, Mr.. and Mrs
Geo. G. Wells, and many Others closely
verging on the three score years and ten.
Most of the older ones were on the floor in
nearly every dance, and their graceful move
ments We're a revelation to many of the
younger dancers.
Among the visiting dancers We're Oscar
Hills of Northport, w. S, Pendleton, W. G.
Small, +. S. Pendleton and John p Bragg.
IslesOoro; F. Mudgett, Bangor Loren Cross,
Mr. Merrill and Mrs. Clarence Billings, Bos-
ton Mrs j. w. Pitcher, Beverly, Mass,
Mr.. and Mrs. H P. G. Wright, Camden.
| The orchestra was composed OF eight
| pieces, led by the veteran dancing master
| and orchestra leader, Jeremiah G. Written.
| Although this was distinctively an old folks
dance there We're dancers in it of all
ages, from the gray-haired leaders to the
High school girls. Nearly all have at some
time in their lives been pupils of Prof Whit
ten, and all are agreed that he plays and
prompts with as much strength and vgor as
of yore, not outstanding his more than fifty
years consecutive service as an orchestra
leader. His players were all wel-kuown
Waldo county musicans-Eben NJ. Sanborn,
Belfast 81 violin Chas. Fl. Crosby. Belfast,
| flute and piccolo Atwood G Cilly, Lincoln
Vile, cornet Nathan Bennett, Searsmont
clarinet; Fred Mason, North Belfast, cello;
Mrs. Ned Mason, North Belfast, pianist.
Not only were the great majority of the
dancers well advanced in years, but the
card of dances was one familiar to the dane
ing public many years ago, as follows
March and Circle.
Quad1ille.
Spanish and Hop.
Boston Fancy.
Quadrlle Lanciers.
Lady of the Lake.
Waltz Quadrille.
Waltz.
Quadrille.
Portland Fancy.
Spanish and Hop
Hui's Victory.
Quadrille.
George A. Quimby was floor director,
with F. W. Pote, Fl. J. Locke, J. S. Harri-
man and Geo. I, Read as aids.
The title page of the dance orders con
tanned the motto: Gone Year Older but
still we can dance" Each dancer was fur
nished with boutonniere and each lady
with fan with a flag and verse from
THE Star Spangled Banner" upon one side,
| and the dance order on the other.
| Refreshments were served throughout the
evening on the stage, behind the curtain,
with Mrs. A. s. Fahy caterer. The bill
of fare included sandwiches, cake, ice cream
and coffee. The number of sandwiches con-
sumed was 40, and other viands in proper
| ton
The dance broke up at one O'clock and
many of the older persons remained until
the close.
After paying the bills Mr.. Pote disposed
of the proceeds as he did last year. in assist
anc for worthy families