Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-07-19
THE DINNER.

After the arrival of the II o'clock train,
a procession was formed, and led by the
band, following which were the school
children in charge of their teachers,
citizens and visitors, the short march
was made to Hastings Grove, most
delightful place, where among the pines
seats and tables had been arranged.
Here little later dinner was served free
to all corners, with true country hos
pitality. Baked beans, cold meats, bread
and butter, doughnuts, pastry, coffee,
etc., were furnished in overfiowing
abundance by the housewives of the
town. Every one was filled and literally
bushels of food was left untouched.
At l:30 p. NJ. the assembly was called
to order by the chairman of the day, d.
r. Hastings, who, though he is now
resident of Auburn, was formerly oil
Gilead and now spends his summers
there. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.
Farrar, and selection was given by a
chorus under direction of Professor
w. S. Wight.
Chairman Hastings then very neatly
introduced Professor A. j. Roberts OF
Colby College, who gave the historical
address. AS originally planned, the ad.
dress was to have been given by Judge
II. C. Peabody of Portland, but as Other
engagements prevented him from under
taking it, the work was entrusted tC
Professor Roberts, who may be called
son of Gilead by marriage, as, while moi
a native of the town, he married into the
Peabody family. Professor Roberts was
fortunate in securing important docu
ments from the archives, and his addres!
was a most excellent summary of thu
history of the town, especially of 1T
early days. Unfortunately lack of space
prevents the publication of it in full, ant
a brief abstract only is given below.
Following the address reminiscen
letter from Abraham Burbank Coffin
one of the oldest of the former residents
of the town, was read by his nephew
MIR. Rowe, and the exercises closed wit
solo by Professor Wight.
Much interest was manifested in tn
next feature, which was a game OF bal
between Gilead and the winners of tn
forenoon game. The game went rattle
more slowly than the forenoon game
and seemed to be something ike cas-
for Shelburne, the score ut the end of tn
eighth inning standing 10 to 5 in thei
favor. Shelburne added a cipher to II
score in the ninth, and then the wanin
Interest recovered to the point of grea
excitement as Gilead in the last half b'
gan to pound the ball, and ran in fou
scores, the third out being made wit
men left ON second and third, and til
final score being 10 to o in favor
Gilead.
i A creased pig was next turned loose
but the chase could not be considered
artistic success, as the pig failed to rul
, and didn't get more than rod or tw
, from his pen before he was captured.
The day. programme closed with
band concerts the evening.
HISTORICAL FACTS FROM THE ADDREs
In l772 Oliver Peabody and John Pc
body, Jr., of Andover, Mass, and Joi
Bodwell and Samuel Bodwell OF Methu'
petitioned the legislature of the provin
I of Massachusetts, for permission
purchase at fair price and upon reaso
D able conditions tract Of land on u
Androscoggin River west OF Sudbur
' Canada { Bethel.) One of these petitio
3 ers, Capt. John Peabody, fought
!. Louisbarg and Ticonderoga, and q
others may have served in the provincl