Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-24

Waterville, Me, June c3.-(SpeciaD.-
Waterville's tooth birthday anniversary
was as fair as the city itself-a cool de
lightful June day as good as any one
could ask for and Just right for a big
holiday. The decorations foated lazily
in the breeze that was just strong
enough to keep every one comfortable
and in the best of spirits. The rain of
Saturday had made the streets muddy
but the sun Of Sunday and of Monday
morning had dried them just to the
proper degree No dust, no heat, blue
sky feCked with fleecy clouds and
cool, refreshing breeze-such was the
weather combination that Old Prob
sent in answer to the pleadings Of the
city in days past.
With such conditions the day could
hardly fail to be a great success and it
didn't The morning trains rolled into
the city, packed to the doors with Wa
terNille'S ncighborS, happy in the privi-
lego of helping her celebrate the great
event. There was a warm welcome for
them all, and something to keep them
occupied all the time. For those who
had not seen them, the decorations
Were enough to hold their attention all
the time while the barking hawkers
strove as best they could and to the full
power of their leathery lungs to get
some crumbs of attention and incident
ally 4 few nickels.
A great day, a great crowd, 4 great
was as happy as a
queen of the May and as delighted as a
spry old grandmother welcoming home
a big family to a. good old New Eng
land Thanksgiving. 1t was in the air
and you couldn't help catching it-just
Il happy-go-lucky, jolly good time.
The day was ushered in by the firing
Of the salute of 100 guns, one for each
happy, prosperous year seen by the old
town. The special event of the fore
noon was the dedication of the new City
hall, the splendid home of the munich
pal officers Of future years. This, to
the citizens of the city, was one of the
most pleasing events of the whole cele-
bration as the building has been obtain
ed in all its present beauty only after
wears Of struggles and the hardest of
hard work. Happy indeed was the CO.
coincidence that it should be dedicated
during the ceiebra ton of the compile
ton Of the first century of municipal
life.
The exercises commenced at ~
o'clock in the forenoon Frank Reding-
ton presiding. Those who attended the
religious mass meeting, Sunday even
ing. thought, perhaps, that it would be
some time before the new hall would
again be crowded as it was then, but ii
was the very next morning and more 50
if anything. Looking out from the
stage it was II scene long to be remem-
hered The pretty summer dresses OF
the ladies mingled with the darker col
ors of the mems more sombre garb. rose
| in solid banks, tier on tier, on every
side. Back in the rear of the back gall
lery the faces were but a blur, so far
away they seemed. From there down
to the very feet of the speakers there
was scarcely break in the mingling OF
faces and bright colors.
! And the stage itself had its own pref
| ty picture as seen from the seats. Or
EITHER side there were banks of palm:
and magnificent cut flowers, graceful
| fragrant profusion. In the rear of tn.
big platform was grouped the member:
lof the Cecilia Club with the orchestr;
!. at their feet and the big piano in tn
midst of all. Near the front of tn
stage were the speakers, scattered In ;
thin semi-circle to the front. Peopl
everywhere-al happy and expectan'
u And the music that was so much i
!. keeping with the rest of the scene-tila
! was a never ending delight. Water
, ville's famous sons and daughters j
2 solo. Waterville's own famous compos
er. conductor and soloist, r, B. Ha