Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-04
CANTON LA TOUR
Of St. John, N. B., Enjoyed the
Visit to Augusta.
Account Of Trip as Written by a
Member Of the Party.
Full Of Praise for Entertainment While
With Us.

The following description of the re-
cent visit Of Canton La Tour Of st.
John, N. b., TO Augusta is from the
st. John Globe of June %, and was
undoubtedly written by one of the la
dies of the party, as several local
references viii show. 1t shows beyond
question that the party thoroughly en-
joyed the trip.
Although the morning of the 18th
inst. dawned dark and disagreeaDle,
yet the members of Canton La Tour
Nc. l, with ladies early assembled at
the station and speedily arranged
themselves comfortably long before
the time of starting. Those who took
advantage CT the visit were Col Ber-
ton, Capt G. A. Guerney, Lieut.. F. A.
Wight, Ensign Miles Morrill,, Past
Com. n. W. Brennan, P. c. William
Watson, Chevs. Charles Segee, Albert
Clarke, Samuel Clarke, Robert McIn-
tosh, II. Z. Hobart Robert Staples.
The ladies We're: Mrs. Hobart, Mrs.
F. A. Wright, Miss Staples, Mrs. Al
bert Clarke, Mrs. Samuel Clarke, Mrs.
Watson. We soon outran the fog and
rain ana emerged into green fields and
sunny sky. At Vanceboro we had
luncheon and quite rest, and walk
1T Bangor, where other chevaliers, ac-
cOmpunied by n band, joined the party.
At 1926 p. NJ, we arrived in Augusta,
dusty and tired, but we soon forgot
our feelings in the very hospitable and
kind manner in which we We're re-
ceivcd by the ladies and gentlemen of
the lodges. Mrs. Johnson, one of those
in charge of the visiting ladies. ac-
companied the latter to the Augusta
House, where we were soon shown to
our rooms. Before having our tea we
were shown through the public library,
which is = very neat and pretty build
ing, surrounded by beautiful lawn.
The upper floor is devoted to cIrios
and our attention was called to some
very old weapons that had been used
in former wars, and also Indian in
struments of warfare, which had the
appearance Of working great havoc
when slkilfully used. After our sup
per we attended the ladies reception,
which was held in the parlor of the
hotel, the room being prettily decorated
with wild flowers, ferns and bunting,
while the stars and Stripes and the
British flag hung side by side, the
whole effect being very pleasing. a
very pleasant program OF music and
READINGS was rendered AMI was thor
oughly enjoyed by all present. Re-
freshments were then served and the
rest of the evening spent in 4 social
manner.
Next morning Gawned bright and
clear and we hurried - get out to see
thc grand parade of odd Fellows. At
ter the PROCESSION had started and We
MAD obtained good Wow the ladies
We're taken for drive in a large buck
board, drawn by three horses, prettily
decorated. We were taken to many
nlaces of interest, including the train
ing schools for soldiers ana the Asylum.
We followed The shores Of the Ken
nebec river for some distance and
over the bridge, where we viewed tho
pretty little falls. Special mention
must be made Of tho beautiful! green
meadows and hills, dotted with a pro-
fusion Of wild flowers and OF the mag
nificert trees, some Of immense height.
Maine surely is a great numbering
state, as the number Of logs ana mills
living along the banks of the river
testify. After arriving at tie hotel
we waited for the procession to re-
turn ard disband, which they did AZ
ter being presented t. the Governor
Of the state and staff al the State
House.
Dinner being over, the ladies and gen
tlemen enjoyed ride in the electric
ears to Togus, a suburb six miles from
Augusta. While here the visitors were
provided with reserved seats and we
were given fine opportunity to view
the march of the Chevaliers. some hum
dreds in number. and Of the veterans
who are inmates Of the Soldiers Home
in this place. Accompanied by three
bands they went through some very
pretty movements. After the march
concert was given on the grounds by
the National Band, called the finest IN
the New England states, the members
of which wore cream plumeS in their
helmets, and the leader Mr. Theme.
wearing q darker shade, almost an
orange. There are about 1900 soldiers
at the Home 500 being on furlough.
Some of them We're very soldierly look
ing. others verv feeble and manned IN
some way. but all looked very neat and
comforta BILE They have their pensions
and are also paid for any work they
may render at the Home. The build
incs cover a large space and the
grounds are immense and very pretty.
A concert is held there every afternoon
in summer, but one old soldier told us
it was very duh in winter. They ride
all over in the cars, as we found some
III them nearly every place we went.
We had not time to go through all the
buildings, for which we We're very sor-
nv. but we CHANGED to see the dining
room, the size of which one may inn
agine when l say it seats 1850 at one
time Everything looked exceedingly
neat and clean; tables were set for tea
and the soldiers were beginning to pour
their tea into bowls, from which they
drink 1 was told they did their own