The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-08-11
Hose Contest, Parade and a
Picnic.
Correspondence of the PREss.)

Brunswick, August 10.
There is much satisfaction in town over
the Old Home Week exercises. Bruins
wick has reputation for doing things Of
that kind well, but this time she sur
prised even herself, The key note was
struck Sunday in the various churches,
where the meaning of the home life was
drawn out and illustrated. Especially
was this done by Rev. Newman Smythe
at the 'church on the HILL 1t was tit
ting indeed that he, representing a
family of the town, held in most reverent
memory, should speak on that day from
the old pulpit. He had not been back
for years. all his family having left the
town or being represented by graves in
the old cemetery. He addressed large
audience, and as he spoke of the abiding
influence of this earthly life, very many
of his hearers were thinking Of his own
father as the best possible exponent of his
ideas.
The celebration proper began Wednes-
day morning with a procession OF the
various organizations of the town and
representatives of the trades. This was
the great surprise of the week. Many had
visited Portland on Tuesday and seen
that magnificent parade, and were pre-
pared for something very different and
much smaller. And of course it was
different and smaller, but all admitted
that it did not suffer by comparison. 1t
was fully three-fourths of mile in ex-
TENT stretching in close order from the
''church on the hill'' to far below the
town hall, and the best thing OF all was
that with the exception of visiting en-
CINE company from Rhode Island it was
all local.
The four stalWart Brunswick police
men, uniformed and mounts ted, led the
way, followed by Co. x. of the Maine
National Guard, then by the honored
veterans of the G.. A. Il. and u. V. u.
The large French society of St. John
the Baptist In full regalia, led by their
president, Henry RagOt, followed on All
remarked on the martial bearing of Mr.
Ragot and the tine appearance of his
men. The fire laddies" followed, the
Niagara boys marching with an especial
ly proud swing after their great victory
in Portland the day before. The impress
sion many have of fire companies is that
they make their musters a scene of
drunkenness, and it would seem as
though, If this were true, Niagara would
have. been able to make but poor show
ing in a parade so soon after the Port
land meet. But here they were, appar-
entity as fresh and strong as the day be-
fore, looking well able to repeat their
performance at once if called upon.
Whatever may be true of other places
the Brunswick fire companies are gentle
men and bear themselves so both at home
and abroad.
Space win not allow of full particulars
of r.f- Of ho iho 10
brigade was very effective, and one could
not begin upon the represen tatiYes of the
various trades without describing them
all
The morning was not all that could be
desired in weather, and before the parade
was over rain began to fall. The parade
would have been well over before this had
there not been a half hours delay by the
railroad trains at the Maine street cross
ings Citizens were loud in their COM
plants at this, and are asking them
selves as to what rights the town has in
its own streets Brunswick is not easily
reused to wrath, but if this condition
continues it will be forced to see what it
can do to abate the nuisance.
In the afternoon two attractions were
provided, a hose company contest down
town and ladies' reception and lawn
party on the college grounds. But the
rain fell steadily until 3 p. M, and al
though this did not dampen the enthusi-
asm of the. fremen, it necessarily inter-
fered seriously with the lawn party.
And still quite a good number of ladies
met in Memorial hall, and the occasion
was very enjoyable.
The address in the Town hall in the
evening, by James McKeen, LII. D., of
New York, was most lifting one and
highly appreciated. He did what all
hoped he would do, spoke of his boyhood
days in Brunswick fifty years ago, Of the
of the mills and launchings of those days,
and through it all wove a thread of
poetry with that literary power and skill
OF which he is so complete master.
Following his address was an informal
reception arranged by the ladies of ssthe
Saturday club, and during this all were
invited to register their names. This
registration was made feature of the
weeks 1t was hope1 that all who attend