The Republican journal., 1901-10-10
SOUTH MonrvnLE CLUB OF 60.


ing the largest attendance ever known
since its organization. The growing in.
terest in these meetings from year to
year is the subject of general re.
mark and congratulation. By the peo.
pie at South Montville and those who
formerly made their home there it is
regarded as fitting close of the week
of old home visiting and renewing old.
time associations The weather was
perfect, with cool breezes sweeping
over the hills and dales, fresh and green
with plenteous summer rain. Mr.,
Charles F. Conner, whose title in the
quaint Dale organization is that of the
Duke of South Ridge, notified his
cousin, F. F. Phillips, the official head
OF the Club, sojourning with his family
at Bayville, Me-, of the date fixed fol
the meeting by the committee of ar
rangements and Mr.. Phillips promptly
forsook his boating and fishing on the
beautiful bay and fastened to the call
via Damariscotta and Union to Sears
mont, his native town, becoming the
guest OF his uncle, John @. Adams, an
old soldier of the Civil War. Presently
Charles S. Adams, the Duke of Wood
mans Mills, (son Of John O. and his
brother-in-law, Rev. E. A. Dinslow, pas
tor of the F. B. church at South Mont
vile, presented themselves in readiness
for the meeting, having been fishing
with no luck for week in the waters
of Penobscot bay, off Long Island, re-
luctantly having been forced to the
conclusion that the fish were too busy
with old home visitors to pay any atten-
ton to the baited hooks of strangers
and novices at the canny art. Indeed
they caught the inspiration of the
meeting on their return, and took it in
without "a gatf" The occasion was
favored also by the presence of David
E. Conner and wife from Tryon, North
Carolina, delightful mountain city in
the Blue Ridge, where winter SHOWS
are unknown, where the mountain
holly and the mistletoe are in perpetual
green, where the leaf and bloom and
songs of birds make glad the whole
round year. David is brother of Duke
Charles, and being his senior in age,
was not to be over-ranked in title, so
the Dale conclave conferred on him the
distinction of Prince of the Southland.
He bore his honors with royal grace.
The good old-time people were out,
VIM. Pottle and wife, the widows, Mrs.
Eben Colby and Mrs. Soloman Gilman,
Miss Emeline Brooks, Chas. and John
Gilman and wives from Providence,
Mrs. Daggett, Sewall Colby and VIM.
Prescott and wife. Mr.. and Mrs. Gar
land from Massachusetts, Messrs. Ed
win and Simeon Cram, Mr.. Ralph
Knowles, Ross and Clarence Howes,
besides the local residents, who consti-
tute the working force of the club, and
a troop of merry young folks, natives
of the Dale.
The gavel fell at 7.3O sharp, and the
clansmen got right down to business.
making the annual choice of officers as
soon as the records were read. The
president, F. F. Philips, having served
ten years in succession modestly an
nOunded that he was not a candidate
for reelection, supplementing the an
nouncement, however, with the state
ment that he had not declined to serve,
should he be reelected, adding that in
that event, it was impossible for him to
foretell just what his disposition in the
matter would be. Vice President
Conner and Secretary Knowles were
less guarded in their position, openly
announcing themselves as candidates
for reelection. A committee fixed up
the slate. The secretary cast one vote,
which was counted, and the old regime
were given another lease of power (elec-
trlcaD and accepted with the usual COM
pllmentary remarks and mutual con-
gratulaUions. Some day-how the blood
bolls-this dynastic ring will break on
the anvil and under the hammer of
long-suffering people. Arbitrary sway
is becoming more and more limited,
and the conditions of representative
management of the club are accepted
by the said officers; SO is their day pro-
longed, but they are good men and
true, and pity it would be to lose
their experience. All new visitors were
then made honorary members of the
club. Charles F. Conner extended a
welcome in a neat speech, seconded by
VIM. Ripley and Rev. E. A. Dinslow,
and responded to in fitting words by
David E. Conner, William Pottle and
Ex-Rep. Martin. America was sung
with zeal. Edmund Adams, Earl of
Lakeland, was strictly enjoined to sing
a song, for which part his name ap-
peared on the program, but he declined
on the ground that he was not prepared
and that he was too hungry for supper
to be able to sing. Supper was then de-
clared next in order, and was served at
first and second tables on account of the
large number present. The ladies had
been eniOined not to he "Marthas " Int