The Somerset reporter., 1903-06-18
Able Speaker and Pine Poems and
Grand Parade

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Harmony celebrated the l09h ami
ger.sry of its Incorporation on Monday
June 18th, and In spite Of the rain q
Iarge crowd was IN ATTENDANCE and the
entire program a. published in the RE-
PORTER @as carried out. except the fire
works, which it was impossible 10 use
Oh account Of the heavy rain, tut :
social dance was held In the hall ia
which some - couples took part
At an early hour the streets began 70
take Oh festive appearance and az 10 a
NJ. the street parade made its appearance
led by K. ). Pratt and Mrs. T. B. Reed
on horseback followed by the Dexter
band and twenty teams representing the
various occupations, traders, earliest
settlers etc. Some Of the most notice
able were single carriage driven By
Mrs. George Chadbourne, representing
June; four horse team Of Boys of 81;
Harmony Grange, team drawn by four
white horses; the Goddess Of Liberty
and the Harmony Daisies, carriage
yellow.
The rain which began 10 fall at about
this time gave some Of them rather
wilted appearance by the time they had
made the rounds but all seemed happy
and good nature prevailed.
The band discoursed some fine music.
and at noon dinner was served in the
hall over Mrs. F. O. Turner's store, to
which all did ample Justice and the beans
baked IN the ground were highly relish
ed. The rain and wet grass made il
impracticable to use the stand which had
been arranged for the speakers, so the
exercises were resumed from a platform
IN front Of r. Fl. Marbles house. After
prayer by Rev. J. f. LON bard, Hon. E.
\. Merrill spoke very forcibly on the pro-
gress OF not only our little town, but Of
the state, nation and the world during
the past century and gave some very
good advice to the young men of today.
Mr.. Merrill is proud of his native town
and her people, and he did them a great
service by securing pledges in a few
moments from present and former citi-
z'ns Of about 5000 toward building 4
parsonage here.
Mr.. Merrill was followed by Mr.. Amos
Head with poem, which unfortunately
was not heard by many Of the audience
owing TO the wind and rain which began
TO fall about this time. The rain was so
copious that it was deemed best to ad-
journ to the hall, where the remainder
OF the program was carried out, consist
ing Of the history of the town, written
BY Mrs. Florence Marble and read By
her husband, W. E. Marble; solo, Mas
Celia Hurd poem, Mrs. Ella Bean Traf-
ton; paper the Natural Resources aud
Possibilities of Harmony, by III. ]. Mer-
rill; poem, Mrs. y. NJ. Bemis prophecy,
(. A. Pattee; the band then rendered
America" and sill went home feeling
that Harmony had at least tried to do
herself credit.
During the afternoon letters were read
from former residents expressing their
love for the old town and desire to be
with US on that day. Many former resi-
dents from adjoining towns were present,
among whom we noticed, DR.. j. N.
Merrill aud daughter, D. Ii. Bartlett and
wife, F P Pencil and wife. W A Bailey
and wife, Skowhegan; G. W. Badger and
wife, Bingham Wifred Hurd and wife,
Fairfield; Mrs Ruth Merrill and Miss
Catherine Merrill. Waterville; Loire
Chadbourne and wife, Moscow; Z. A.
Bailey, Boston; Herbert Chsdbourn aud
wife, Guilford; John Church and wife,
Shirley; Heoert Clement, Sidney and
many others. II was day of kindly
feeling and pleasant associations ard
despite the rain which fell at intervals
during the whole day, one long TO be
remembered.
The fireworks were given Oh Tuesday
evening and were witnessed by large
crowd, who seemed highly pleased with
them. n. r. B.