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

It's a favorite trick with Waterville
to have outdoor meetings. The sur
roundings are so beautiful and the
Monument park so suitable for these
that one is usually thrown in whenever
, there is opportunity So it was but
natural that one should be a part OF
the Centennial celebration. This was
held. Monday afternoon, and was in
keeping with the other delightful ser
vices that have been held. Governor
Hill and staff were present to lend dig
nifty and grace to the occasion, and on
being presented by DR.. Frederick c.
Thayer, the presiding officer were
heartily and enthusiastically applaud
ed. The Governor responded with a few
graceful words and was again ap-
pIauded. The presence of the Governor
and his staff has added great deal OF
pleasure to Waterville and her guests
in the celebration.
Music for the afternoon was fur
nished by Halls Band. A fine, roomy
speakers stand had been erected at the
north entrance to the Coburn building
and was gracefully decorated. The
platform bore a prOfusion of palms,
plants and flowers. The park itself had
also received attention from the deco
rators, a border of bunting and Japan
csc lanterns suspended by the trees go
ing around three sides. There was one
of the largest crowds ever seen on the
park, and there have been some bis
ones there. notably the Mckinley me-
mortal service. The weather was al
most perfect for such an event and ev-
eryone enjoyed it fully. OF course not
all could hear at one time, but a large
number heard some of the time and the
speakers did not suffer from any lack
Of attention.
The principal events of the afternoon
after the introduction of Governor Hill
were the historical address by Rev Ed
win Carey Whittemore, the poem by
Mrs. Mary Keely Taylor and the ora
ton by Hon. Warren G. Philbrook. The
historical address came first on the
program. Mr.. Whittemore has been
preparing a chapter for the Centennial
book on the history of the city and his
address was taken from that. 1t was
very fine effort. representing much hard
work and original research. 1t was
certainly worthy to be printed in full.
but that would take too much space
and only an abstract can be used here
The whole paper, however, with much
added. viii appear in the book
Ian abstract of the address will be
found on page 49,
The poem was certainly proof enough
that the committee had made a very
wise selection in the person Of Mrs.
Taylor as the writer. This was read
by Prof. A. j. Roberts of Colby. and
made one of the most pleasing features
of the afternoon.
1.-THE poem in full will be found on
page 1871
The last of the three principal liter
airy parts of the program was the ora
ton by Hon. Warren c. Philbrook. Mr.
Philbrook only consented to take this
part after Hon. J. Manchester Haynes
had been obliged to give it up on ac-
count of i'll health. and was handi-
capped by the lack of time for prepara-
ton But perhaps this shouldn't be
mentioned at all. for there was no evil
dence of any lack of preparation in the
Grafton itself. 1t was certainly an able
effort and the people who had the pleas
ure of hearing it were delighted.
1.-THE Grafton in full will be found on
page 12.l