The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-01-15


few were at the hall at the opening of
master of the Pomona, called to order at
the appointed time, with Anon Baker,
overseer; Eva K. Gage, lecturer; W. d.
Bradbury, stew.rd; A. H. Ellis, assist
ant steward; s. F. Emerson, chaplain !;
L. L. Smith, secretary; d. G. Spofford,
gate keeper Mrs. u. A. Sylvester, Pc.
mona Mrs. e. C. Dunton, Ceres; Mrs.
|. C. Dorothy, Flora; Mrs. o.: A. Sally,
lady assistant steward; committee on
appointments, G. Z. Savage. W. d.
Bradbury and Mrs. j. E. Buker. Worthy
Master Whittier gave report of the
last session of the State Grange at Port
land and remarks were off 3red by several
members which occupied the morning
s. ssion.
There was a marked increase In men,
bers at the opening Of the afternoon
session, SO much 80 that the business of
the annual meeting could be carried for
ward without break. Mrs. Eva K
Gage cordially welcomed the Pomona to
Skowhegan aud spoke we'll and truth
fully of the prosperity that has attended
the order during the past year, touching
also upon the general prosperous coAdi
ton of our state and the county at large
We have every reason to be grateful for
it all. F. l., Brown of Palmyra grange
was called upon to respond to the wei
come that was replete with words fitting
for the occasion that called them forth
The election of officers for the year
1903 WAS next in order and resulted as
follows: Master, w. B. Whittier, Skow.
hogan; overseer, Anon Baker, Bingham :;
steward, L. l.. Smith, Cornville; assist
ant steward, G. B. Gardner, Canaan :;
chaplain, S. F. Emerson, Skowhegan !;
treasurer, G.. T. Tibbetts, Fairfield !;
secretary, E. II. Foley Norridgewock !;
gate keeper, G. B. Walker, Arson; Pc.
mona, Mrs. w. b. Whittier, Skowhegan :;
Flora, Mrs. Anon Baker, Bingham :;
Ceres, Mrs. f. l.. Brown, Palmyra; lady
assistant steward, Mrs. G. B. Gardner,
Canaan; executive committee, X. A.
Withee, L. +. Butler, L. F. Brown. A
committee was chosen to arrange for the
meetings of the year with the authority
to call officers of subordinate oranges to
their assistance, consisting of G. K.
Savage of Arson, Z. A. Spear of Madi-
son, Mrs. l.. II. Moulton OF New Port
land. The election occupied the entire
time of the afternoon. The officers re-
elected were the master, chaplain, treas
urer and Pomona.
The first business Of the evening SEES
sion was the installation Of the officers
elect and Past State Master Wiggin, as
sisted by l. l. Carter and Nellie Leavitt
duly installed the officers present, after
which Bro. Wiggin read notice of the
death of John Thmble, secretary of the
national grange which recently occurred
at Washington, comments on his life
were also read and r Emerson, l. f
Butler and Mrs. l. II Moulton were APP
pointed as committee to draft resolu-
lions on his death and report at this SEES
sion. Remarks in the interest of the
order We're given by G H Foster, l. +
Butler, n Cannon, Anon Baker, Mrs.
Edward WiggiD, Past State Master,
Wiggin and C E Ball. Then came the
instruction of class OF eight fourth de.
gree members in the mysteries OF the
fifth degree and their admittance into
the Pomona which closed the evening
exercises.
A crisp bright morning awaited the
patrons as they gathered in increased
numbers for the work Of Wednesday,
The committee to arrange for the meet
ings of the year reported aud the meet
ings arranged as follows; Jan, Skow-
hogan; Feb, kennebec Valley, Madison !;
March, Pittsfeld; May, Ansou; June,
Canaan; Aug, Bingham; Sept, East
Madison; Oct, Athens; Nov, st Adams :;
Dec. Norridgewock; all regular meetings
and to be the second Tuesday in the
month.
After splendid music by the choir.
Past State Master Edward Wiggin was
called on To address the meeting, Bro.
Wiggin always received a warm welcome
from the patrons Of Somerset and ex.
pre- ssed his interest in the prosperity of
the grange and grange work in all sec
lions. His remarks were along the line
of building up and helping the farm
homes In our State and he rightly be-
leved that the grange is the great factor
in doing this. We rest our future prosper
ity and happiness on the homes of our
State and nation. The work of the
grange tends to elevate and make better
our farm life and the advancement of
today over years ago, when the grange
did not exist, is a positive proof of this.
The true object and aim in this life is
to do good and to help others and the
knowledge that we are doing this will
not fail of bringing happiness.
Another thing the grange stands for
is in the work Of education and we need
to awaken to the full responsibilities
resting upon us in that direction. Bro.
Wiggin expressed himself clearly and
forcibly and gave us new thoughts on
subject. The speaker next referred to
the work developing on the grange in
relation to legislation. While the grange
is entirely non-poltical and non partisan
it has right and it is absolutely its duty
to ask and insist on a just and equal as
sessment of all taxable property. This
is needed legislation and should as soon
as possible be enacted. There are other
matters that constantly demand and no
doubt will receive the attention of the
grange and it will be a benefit to the
order to carefully consider them.
c + Turner of Athens favored the
grange with one of his noted songs that
was loudly applauded and encored. This
closed the morning session.
1t WAS estimated that upward of 200
men seated at the .ables during the din
ner hour accepted the hospitality of the
sisters of Skowhegsn grange. The hall
was well filled at the opening Of the
afternoon session and the program was
taken up with duet by A
+ Sanford and Mrs. K ii Dunton follow