Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-14
BUCKFIELD'S BIG DAY.
THE OLD TOWNS OBSERVANCE or
OLD HOME WEEK.

OLD HOME WEEK.
AN IMMENSE REUNION AND AN TN
QUALIFIED UCCEss.-ovArIoN TO
SECRETARY LONG.
II there exists doubt In the mind OF
any person 20 70 the success OF Names
Old Home Week, that person did not
attend upon Buckneld's Observance Of
the occasion. Buckfield had the advan-
tage and inspiration Of the presence OF
q most distinguished son, and she added
to that the tireless efforts OF ~ executive
committee who left no stone unturned
to make the occasion success. Ii Was
more than successful; Il Was greeting
that warmed the hearts Of her returning
sons and daughters and made them say
with one accord, at 10 good for us TO be
here"
1.-THE Old Church on the Hillr-a most
historic landmark and an inspiration Ia
itself, WAS the scene Of Buckfeld's great
family reunion. The interior was most
beautifully decorated, and when the
hour arrived the old church WAS filled TO
overlooking with the sons and daughters
Of Old Buckfield, and the late corners
were gathered around the open doors
aud windows.
The arrival OF Secretary Long was the
/ scene Of perfect ovation TO that distin-
| guished son OF Buckfeld, and during the
afternoon every reference to his services
was met with prolonged applause.
The program, issued from the Demo
crat press, and containing upon Its cover
q very fine likeness Of Secretary Long,
WAS AS follows:
Home Memories, Overture. Orchestra
Invocation.
Old Home scng, Orchestra aud Audience
Address OF welcome .: bndfnam
The Old 0aken Bucket, Orchestra and Audience
Poem, by Mrs. Clara Aarcelle Greene.
Arielia n. Prince
Vocal Solo, Mrs. Flora Z. Barry
short speeche: by Buckneid's Sons and DanEh
Reading. "0id Oxford" George N. Atwood
| Trombone Solo, Luther NJ. Irish
Short spceche. by Buckneid's Sons and Daugh
America, Orchestra and Audience
The invocation WAS pronounced by
Rev. B. r. Lawrence OF Holliston, Mass.
former beloved pastor Of the Baptist
church here.
The address by Secretary Long was
one OF those modest, clear cut gems OF
speech, appropriate to the occasion and
entertaining throughout. He asked the
audience not to think Of him as having
performed any service In the state or
nation, but as one of your own towns
men--,he boy who played with you In
the street, the schOolmste Of many OF
you, and one who ever remembers his
old home. The secretary expressed the
belief that Old Home Week would be-
come an institution-and In his able and
polished manner asked and answered the
question, "What IL homer bringing on,
In very effective manner the pure de
mocrscy that pervades the rural com.
munities.
The vocal solo by Mrs. Flora K. Barry
took the audience by storm, and the
singer was obliged TO respond to M
encore.
Under the head Of short speeches By
Buckheld's sons and daughters by birth
WAS witty speech by Hon. Edward l.
Paris OF New York, an eloquent ORATOR
by Judge Charles +. Whitman Of Nor
way, and q very appropriate origins
poem by Mrs. Rebecca Hussey Merri
field Of Franklin, Mass. Miss Ardeli,
II. Prince made hit by emphaticslly
branding some OF the newspaper gush
such 40 the report that all the Buckfielt
people called the secretary johnnie,
etc rs lies.
Luther N. Irish, who rendered diff
cult trombone solo In most able man
ner, Il the grandson Of that longtime
distinguished musical composer and In
structor-Professor Luther Whiting
Mason.
Under short speeches by Buckfield'i
sons and daughters by adoption, very
effective speeches were made by Hon
George ID. Blsbee OF Rumford Falls, DR.
o. X. Hall of Buckfeld and Mrs. vii
liam c. Spaulding Of Caribou. Mrs
Spaulding, by the way, Ii one OF the
pioneers and most earnest workers In
installing Old Home Week In Maine
and an officer In the state organization
"Uncle" Scion Chase Of Chase's Mill:
WAS the last speaker and gave the su
dience genuine observation-disclosures
by informing the genial Secretary of the
Navy that we didn't want him for the
tail Of the ticket this time because re'r'
saring him for the head Of the ticket ner
time!
A most unique part Of Buckfeld's OBJ
servance, and one worthy Of adoption
by other towns, WAS originated by Post
master Aired Cole. Mr.. Cole collected
and very artistically arranged about
seventy pictures Of Buckfeld's former
residents--now passed to their eterna
rest-snd converted his Office into Z
picture gallery. The collection included
photographs OF the following vel
remembered citizens OF the town:
Zadoc Long and Wife Elder Frederick Foster