Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-04-19
Daily Kennebec Journal.
AUGUSTA LOCALS.
OLD HOME WEEK.
How New Hampshire Honored Her Sons and
Daughters.

The great topic of conversation at
the present time is the observance of
the Old Home week. Governor Powers
has been receiving many letters asking
that he appoint time for observing
the event, but he has felt that the
matter is one that the people and not
the State should decide Now the
week beginning August 6 has been
settled upon. on the street cars. at
the railroad station and even around
the stoves Of the country stores, the
matter is discussed with a great deal
of interest. SO that there is general
desire that the men who have attained
prominence. not only in Il business
way but also in state and national
affairs, should return and honor with
their presence the old State which
gave them birth. \ great deal of
interest has been manifested in what
New Hampshire has done in this line
and many questions have been asked
regarding the matter.
At the State House in particular
there has been 4 great deal of talk
on that subject. The opinion of these
men is of value from the fact that they
represent all sections of the State and
have been in correspondence with
people from their own homes and thus
represent the opinions Of people living
in both the cities ana towns. They
are universal in saying that Maine
should celebrate Old Home week in
most general manner and make it an
annual event.
What New Hampshire did last year,
in the matter, has caused a great deal
Of comment and lately there has been
received by Il. Walker McKcen, of the
the State Board Of Agriculture. a re
port Of what was done last year by
our sister state.
one Of the first things was to form
an association, with the purposes Of
carrying out the idea Of honoring her
sons ana daughters The association
in that state was formed with the pur-
poses Of Increasing their interest in
their native state. Any person born in
the state was eligible to membership.
According to the constitution local
associations might be formed which
We're to he governed by the rules Of
the state association. Maine has fol-
lowed this example by the forming Of
the State organization at Portland.
Tuesday.
Under the bylaws in New Hamp-
shire the membership fee was 81. Thu
organizing committee in the cities was
made up Of the mayor. the president of
the board Of trade and the master Of
the subordinate oranges. In the towns
the chairman of the selectmcn and the
master Of the subordinate grange con-
stituted that committee. The cXecu-
tive committee of the local association
prepared list of the former residents
of that place who now are living in
other states and forwarded a copy of
the list to the secretary of the state
association.
With such an organization formed
the people of the state went to work.
over 20 towns and cities in the state
entered into the spirit Of the affair.
one Of the signal events Of the opening
night of the old Home week was the
building of honiires, and Mt Washing
ton blaZed with greater brllilncy than
she did 4 few years ago when it was
rumurcd from one end If Maine to tho
other that there was a search light on
the top of the mountain that could be
seen even to PASSPORT.
Another feature Of the celebration
was the attendance at church ana
many Of the sermons in the simple
country churches were delivered by
mon who have made thcir fame by
preaching the Gospel in other places
in the United States That was but
the beginning OF the week If rcccp-
lions NV Hampshire gave t. her sons
and daughters. The local reunions in
each city ana town We're the features.
with one big celebration at Concord.
AS vet no such elaborate prcpara-
lions have been made in this State.
but everywhere there is call that
something be done Augusta has fur
nishcd many illustrious men, who have
not only made names in the business
world but also in national affairs. and
it is these men whom the old State
and city wishes to honor, ana by
whose return it wishes to be honorcl.
AS yct nothing has boon done locally
about observing the week. But it is
the intention Of the board of trade to
hold meeting in 4 short time when
ARRANGEMENTS will be talked over for
carrying out the plans which tn"
members rs individuals have in their
minds. Z. s. Hichhorn has been made
vicc-presidCnt of the State organiZa-
ton for Kcnncbec county.