Oxford Democrat., 1904-08-16

Il
singers who took part in the exercises
and several invited guests and Older
citizens. The programme of the fore
noon was carried out as follows:
| Mu.ic-Band.
| School Children
Reading Scripture, sOth Psalm. Rev. Mr.. MI er
Prayer, ........--..-.-.....---Rev Rev. Mr. Ohio
idd'ess Of Welcome, .-.-..---Pres %. u. Poor
| Sin.!ng-HOme, Sweet Home. Chorus
Historical Address, ". V. pOOr
(Read by Alfred stone.)
The principal portion of the time OF
the forenoon session was taken up by
the historical address, written by Hon.
Henry V. Poor, and read by Alfred Stone.
The selection of Mr.. Poor as the writer
of this address was almost matter OF
course. Ninety-two years of age, he is
now the oldest as well as the most dis
tinguished citizen of the town. Only
his summers are now spent in Andover,
when he occupies the Merrill house, the
oldest house in town, built in 179l by
Ezekiel Merrill, the first settler. En-
gagged in literary pursuits during much
of his life, and always greatly interested
in local history, with his mental powers
unaffected by his years, he is fitted to do
this work as few local historians are,
| and the town of Andover is extremely
| fortunate in having his services.
1t is unfortunate to leave that portion
of the exercises without giving the ad-
dress in full. 1t would be not only of
great interest to citizens of the town, but
entertaining to every one even who had
never known anything of Andover.
1t is in fact brief but complete history
of the town, and its length precludes the
possibility of publishing it. Neither is
it possible to give any summary of it, as
it covers so much ground. The printed
programme of the day contains brief
list of important historical facts, and
with the reproduction of that the matter
of Andover's history must be left:
Purchase of township. 17ss.
Settled by Ezekiel Merrill from West New.
bury, l1s9.
Merrill house built, 1891.
| Second settler, EnOch Adams, l79l.
Followed by Abbotts, Braggs, Poors, ETC.,
from AndOver. Mass.
Incorporated as East Andover. (Mass.), 1904.
Name changed on Maine becoming state,
lS20.
Church founded. 1900.
First meeting house built, 1901.
First settled minister, Rev. John Strickland,
1906.
THE DINNER.
The most cordial hospitality of the
people of Andover was extended to the
visitors in the dinner, for which tables
seating several hundred we're set on the
common. Beans baked in the ground
formed the staple, with an unlimited
supply of coffee, and pastry and other
accessories in great variety. Notwith-
standing that it was free to every one,
and the tables were several times filled,
the provision was so ample that quanti-
ties of food were left, after the thousands
had been speedily and we'll fed. In addi-
tion to the dinner, lemonade was dis
pensed free to all who came.
The afternoon exercises opened with a
band concert. The programme which
followed included the singing of
"America'' and 1.-THE Old Oaken Bucket" !"
and the centennial ode written for the
occasion, the reading of poem written
by Mrs. Helen NJ. Poor Hoffman of Den
yer, and poem by Mrs. T. II. Rich of
Lewiston, and the reading of letters and
brief remarks by guests and older resi-
dents.
Mrs. Hoffman's poem, and the ode,
were as follows:
There often comes to me a song,
AS sung by signing breeze.
Its plaintive strains are sweet anu long,
They echo 'mOng the trees,
And tell to me r wondrous tale,
Which sets my heart aglow!
When forest llled this lovely vale,
One hundred years ago.
- When beast and bird, and thrilling leaves-
Sent forth majestic song,
In rapturous tones, we'll made to please
The soul of man, ere long.
With heart attuned to rhythmic sound
One sought the rugged way,
And here at least Elysium found;
His name revere to-day
For we'll we know. not all was song
Which met his tuneful ear.
Hard trials quickly round him throng,
But Love was ever near.
A helpmeet true. she knew no fail,
Our great. grandmother dear,
list with thrilling heart. the tale
OF life for many year.
With winning words and smile she gave
Him strength to clear the way,
Through prayer to God Away
And thus she made that forest home
place of heavenly cheer.
All through her life her wisdom shone,
The redman held her dear,
And swiftly ran with seeming joy.
When tldings he could bring,
Or lend hand to hep her boy
In want or hardship's sting
Her Roger was her chief delight.
He was so brave and true!
His lonely vigi,s. kept at nig't
Natallock shared them too.
More mystic tale was never sung
Than this by sighing breeze.
When fckle echoes, lightly flung,
Entranced the old pine trees.
would some fitting tribnte pay
The noble. saiDted dead.
Who tOing wrought 80 that to day,
Wewalk In paths they made.
A century since-yet echo still
Doth sling those victories won!
Our grateful hearts will ever thrill
The while we follow on
In happy faith. till echoes ring
Refrains Of praise and love
From those dear hearts who walt to bring
Us children home above.
ODE.
Air: Auld Lang Syne.
From where the prairie stretches wide,
Or city spires look down,
We come as children to thy side
To crown thee. other Town.
No spot on all the tempting earth
Can turn our love from thee,
For thine the toll that gave us birth,
| The blood that made US free.
From those brave days of Marathon,
Yea, since the world began,
| The sons Of rugged land have won
For man. the rights Of man.
And though ye boast no wealth OF gold,
| Nor boundless fertile plain,
i Thine is the soil that makes the mould,
| For men Of heart and brain.
| Live on. fair Town, thy children bless.
Thy inspiration flls
| Their lives with truth and steadfastness,
Eternal as thy hills.
Live on, until their voices reach
| Beyond the farthest sea.
Till all men have their right OF speech
And all, like them, are free.
| THOMAS A. Fox.