New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-12
OLD HOMES REVISITED.
FRIENDS LONG SEPARATED MEET ONCE
MORE.
INTRODUCTION OF PICTURESQUE FES-
TIVAL IN MAINE RESULTS IN
MUCH MERRYMAKING-

Lewiston. Ne, Aug. II CspeclaD-some re-
markable romances have been brought to light
by Names Old Home Week observances Fam
lies have welcomed back members who had long
peen mourned as dead. Wives and children have
received tidings of husbands and fathers who
went away to seek fortunes and shattered by adj
Verslties or weaned from their loves of their
early lives by other attractions many years
ago dropped communication with those left be-
hind in Maine
The invitation plan of Old Home Week has
pretty effectually secured the country. First
state Association was formed and its Of
hcers arranged to have each of the three
hundred towns in the State form a local
local branch. The duty of the local branch was
not only to arrange for celebrations and wei
comes home" but also to secure the names and
probable addresses Of all those who had gone
into the outer world from that community
More than one hundred thousand invitations
were sent out over the Nation to addresses fur
nished in this manner. Each invitation was
signed by the Governor Hundreds Of people
who had steadfastly declined TO make reply to
any other communication have somehow been
impressed by this call from the Old Home State
Thousands have written back to ask about the
old homes and the folks who are still here in
Maine. Thousands accepted the States invi-
tation, and for the last six days have been
streaming through the State. from Kittery to
Quoddy Head
STARTED AT PORTLAND.
The State Day" at Portland introduced the
week Portland is in the southwestern corner
Of the State. and all railroads entering Maine
from the West pass through it, Therefore
Portland asked all the returning wanderers to
stop for day there and see the fun
The Governor, his staff and most Of the State
ez,H-T
took part in what ranks as the most ambitious
nerrymaking Maine has ever witnessed. John
D. Long, Secretary Of the Navy Maine man.
ordered the North Atlantic squadron to Port
land for the celebration and was there him
SELF Several thousands of the buejackets
marched in line. There was also a parade OF
the States military, municipal and civic bodies,
witnessed by throngs that packed Portland from
end TO end.
An especial feature of the day was the arrival
Of two special trains loaded with several thou
sands Of Maine-born Massachusetts citizens, all
members Of Pine Tree clubs that have been
formed in their respective communities All
the way from Seattle came a party in a special
car. many of them persons who have been alb
sent from the State for years
In the afternoon at City Hall Governor
Powers welcomed the people. and Governor Roll
Inns of New-Hampshire. the originator Of the
Old Home Week idea, explained to the great
scheme of getting the folks back home again.
He told how it had worked in the sister State
Of New Hampshire And then Thomas B. Reed
appeared and received an ovation that exceeded
IN fervOr any reception that ever before greete
him in this State even when he was at the
height of his political fame. His speech was
whimstcally humorous, and has been the Joke
OF the week in Maine. In the audience were
hundreds representing all the States Of the
Union, and comprising scores whose success in
life has helped 10 make other States famous
only few OF Names famous men were born
out Of the State. But so many hundreds of
Maine-born men have grown to fame in other
States that comparison is striking.
COVERED THE ENTIRE STATE.
As soon as the Portland celebration was over
the homecomers scattered 10 all parts Of the
State 10 revisit the old homes and the old farms.
Then the really interesting and picturesque feat
ures Of Old Home Week came TO light
The city Of ROckland was astonished by the
return Of Captain John T. c. Nash. of Medford
Ore. He had not been heard from in his town
for thirty-etght years. and he returned to meet
two brothers who have been keeping the old
home. He had been supposed to be dead for
many years, and he in his turn believed that
his brothers had been lost at sea. During the
time that he has been in the West he has rOved
through all the gold producing States and is
now said to be the wealtIliest man in his town
He owns the principal blocks and controls large
interests. Now that he has found his people
again he will spend most Of the summer at the
old home.
The famous Washburns Of Minneapolis were.