Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-07-25

'''sssV0uSSN tIdt lie Udu uS-
cided 10 build q library for the town
You can imagine how the ladies Of the
Fairfield hook Club felt when they
heard the news. Then they turned II
under the leadership OF Mr.. Lawrence
and the result Is the admiration or al
who see ii and one that will be a bless
ing to the town for many years tC
come. There Is long and pleasing
story behind Fairfield's library and
those who are familiar with it little
wondered at the rejoicing, manifested
on every side. Wednesday.
The dedication exercises were open
ed by F. l.. McFadden. chairman. The
first thing on the program was selec-
ton by Halls Orchestra which was en-
gagged for the day. This was followed
by few remarks by Mr.. McFadden
Prayer was then offered by Rev. J.
Frank Rhoades of the Universalist
church. The Introductory address was
made by w. +. Kenrick. principal of
the High school.
His address was short, clear cut and
interesting. He spoke in n general
way of the library and IS work and
then took up more specifically the three
points: The intrinsic value of books.
the place of the public library in the
democratic education and the mutual
helpfulness of education. Mr.. Kenrick
has a wide knowledge of English liter
allure and his quotations from many
authors were especially appropriate.
The address was full of goo1 thoughts
and a fine introduction to what was to
follow
When Mr.. Lawrence arose to make
the presentation address he was met
with storm of applause. He was the
typical business man before an audi
ence. and he made hit with his brief
speech. not only by its purport. but by
the neat way in which it was put. He
spoke of his school day experiences
with declaiming and told how n big
lump used to rise in his throat and
prevent him from uttering = word. He
found in latter years that he had to
be careful for the same old lump was
with him and it was sometimes dan
gerous.
He then went on to briefly describe
some of his earlier days in the town
and his business experience. He spoke
of the time when he was employed by
Mr.. Clarke as clerk and was taught
bookkeeping by Miss Rebecca Clarke
c"Sophie May. He mentioned the time
when his mill was equipped with but
one up and down saw-up today and
down tomorrow-and two hired men
did the work. The mills had been
burned twice and rebuilt and today
ha, Faa nc In In ,h.a,.
day with several carloads of short
lumber and there are 225 men on the
pay rolls.
Mr.. Lawrence stated that this had
not been his own work alone. but that
he had been greatly assisted by the citi-
zens. 1t had been n sort of copartner-
ship and he was now but delivering
the citizens share of the profits. He
then spoke of the assistance he had
received from the Fairfield Book Club,
F. f.. McFadden Of the building com
mittee. w. r. Miller the architect.
Horace Purinton X Co. the contractors
and others. He also commended in
highest terms the good work done for
the town by the Newhall family.
In closing he spoke of the pleasure
ii had been for him TO build the library
and stated that II the citizens derived
half as much pleasure in the use as he
had in the building he would be salts
fled. He then delivered the deed OF the
building TO Edbert Kelley. chairman of
the board of selectment. who accepted
the gilt in behalf of the town. This
act was also received with a burst of
applause.
In accepting the gift Mr.. Kelley spoke
briefly and in a pleasing manner
Mrs. f. p. kenrck then accepted
the gift in behalf of the Fairfield Ii
brary Association. After n selection
by the orchestra Mr.. McFadden intro
duced Hezekiah Butterworth. who de
lvered the address of the afternoon.
Mr.. Butterworth'S address was very in
teresting. He spoke in a general WAY OF
the general subject OF books and libra
ries, relating many pleasing anecdotes
and incidents. These related to famous
men ana their work and We're very inter
esting, especially as they were mostly
drawn from the speakers own experience
The speaker began by relating the story
of Peter Cooper Of New York. who came
Ia build the splendid Cooper institute He
passed from this to the givers of libra
ries. their motives and the influence OF
their gifts. He spoke in the warmesi
terms of New England, her authors ami
their work A Wales bard had once
prophesied that his country could never
fail for she had always been trie to tn.
cause of liberty.
New England. my beautiful New Eng
land. exclaimed the speaker. she. Xix
Wales. can never fail We were told not
long ago that New England had passed
They pointed to tae abandoned farms and
the abandoned churches and told us New
England had failed. But now the aban-
Goned farms and being reclaimed. the
churches are being filled and in another
there will not be an abandon
ed farm in the section. They told us oar
Industries were going South and prospect
ing South but there is still enough left
in New England.
The speaker then spoke of the influence
of the electric car in bringing the country
and the city in closer toJch with each
other The boy or girl now on the farm
can by aid of the trolley have all the adj
of the city with few of the dis
advantages. This will keep the young
pc ope on the farms.
Then the education had advanced from
that simply stored in the memory to that
which cultivates the imagination and de-
Vclops the whole man or woman.
The speaker then passed on the famous
authors OF New England, taking Long
fellow first He described most effective
ly the unwilling of the bust OF Names
loved poet in Westminster Abbey in Eng
land amid the dust of royalty and that
of some of the worlds most famous men,
He spoke of visit that he had once
briefly describing some of the curiOs
stored there which showed the love and
veneration their owner had for the great
men of the past