The Portland daily press., 1900-06-26
Celebrated With Appropriate Cert-
monieS
Grafton Of Day by Min
lister Thomas.
Gov. Powers Also Addressed the
Colony.

New Sweden, Me-, June 25.-Maine 3
Swedish settlement celebrated the Both
anniversary of its existence today. More
than 5000 persons, including Swedes and
Americans, took part in the celebration,
AMI the founder of the colony. Hon. VIII
liam W. Thomas, Jr., accompanied by
Gov. Powers, William Engei, Col. w. g.
plummer and other distinguished guests,
were present. These gentlemen were
received by procession OF Swedes and
band, on the borders OF New Sweden,
and escorted under a triumphal arch,
decorated with flags and flowers and
life size portrait OF Mr.. Thomas, to n
grove on Capitol hill, where the entire
colony and their friends were assembled
Pastor O. ii. Fogelin presided and an
address of welcome was delivered by pas
tor A. j. Okerblom. Mr.. Thomas was
greeted with a grand ovation "a he
stepped forward to deliver the Grafton of
the day. He told the story of New Swe-
den from the time the first colony of 81
Swedes followed him over the ocean into
the woods of Maine. The early tolls,
sacrifices and struggles during the first
four years in which he lived with them
in the woods, were recounted. The
notable growth and prosperity that has
ever attended the colony was pointed out
In the fact that the 81 souls whom Mr.
Thomas he'd into the Maine woods In 1870
have become 1900, and from valuation
of $500 in 1870, their property has in
creased to q value of 81, las, 500, and the
colony is happy, contented and model
community with fertile farms, pleasant
homes, schools and churches.
MIR. Thomas today presented to the
Swedes y magnificent signed photograph
Of King Oscar and an autograph letter of
congratulations and best wishes from
the King. He also presented splendid
signed photograph of President Mckinley
with his kindly greetings. Both portraits
were received with four royal cheers and
three times three American hurrahs.
Gov. Powers also addressed the colony,
extending the thanks of the State of
Maine for the great work they had
wrought and the high standing they had
ever maintained as American citizens.
Music and songs were given between
the speeches. A collation. was served In
| the grove after which, headed by the
band, the guests drove through some six
miles of the colony inspecting the neat
houses, large barns, well cultivated fields
and evidences Of thrift, which were to
he seen ON every hand
Following the spesch of Gov. Powers
came interesting addresses by Hon. viii
liam Engel, Col. w. c. Plummer, DIR.
G. l.. Thomas and others. Letters were
read from President Mckinley. Senators
Hale and Frye, congressman Allen, Lit
tIefield and Burleigh and Hon. Joseph
Manley, expressing their regrets at not
being present at the celebration and ex-
tending their good wishes for the future
prosperity Of the colony.
Resolutions were adopted and given to
Mr.. Thomas for transmission to King
Oscar OF Sweden and President McKin-
ley, thanking them for their autograph,
portraits and greetings.
The exercises closed by the audience
rising and singing America to the accom-
paniment of two bands Of music, after
which the entire colony filed by Mr..
Thomas and Gov. Powers and shook
hands with each.
A sumputous banquet closed the days
festivities.