Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-07-05
NV Hebron Visit and its Sad Ending.

Ny Hebron Visit and its Sad Ending.
1t. was suggested during centennial
week that should publish the leading
incidents in connection with myself, and
one lady in another county subscribed
for the Democrat, partly for the sake of
getting them. But although there were
no promises made to that affect, perhaps
the relating of few of the principal oc-
currences might be of local interest at
least. The details of the celebration
have already been given, and conse-
quently shall confine myself to personal
matters, in doing which it will be neces-
sary to use considerable egotism. So
much then by way of preface.
On learning from the program that
the celebration would commence on
Sunday, June II, by sermon from Rev.
G. Z. Horn, ID. D., of Boston, resolved
to start in season to take that in together
with the rest; so, starting from home
Friday afternoon and making several
calls on the road | reached Norway vii
lage in time to take supper at the par
sonage with Rev. c. A. Brooks; stopped
in the place over night, and the next
day, after calling on half dozen fami-
lies, turned my face toward Hebron stop
ping the next night with friend who
lives three miles eaSt.of South Paris.
Sunday morning, feeling much re-
frcshed and rested, set out once more
for my objective point and soon found
myself travelling along near that beauti-
full sheet of water, called Hall Pond.
Here the academy and some of the citi-
zens get full supply of water, the fall
being about forty feet. Arriving at the
church about eight o'clock in the morn
ing found ample time to inspect the
promises, and was surprised to see what
money and hard work had accomplished
since attending school there forty seven
years ago.
The grounds had all been leveled off
and beautihed like city park, and not
vestige of the old academy was to be
seen except the granite doorstep, which
occupies the centre of the spot where
the old building stood, and only few
of the elms that we students planted in
the academy yard in The spring of 1857
now wave in the breeze, many of them
having died and rock naples now occu-
Ply their places.
The Baptist church also had been re-
paired inside and out, large annex
built, and the whole painted different
color, so that there was really nothing
by which to recognize it. On large
stained window in the rear of the pulpit
is an open silver leaf book, containing
these words in large capital letters: SIN
memoriam, John Tripp."
1t will be remembered that he was
pastor Of that church for nearly fifty
years, and his memory is still cherished
by all the older people. His dust and
ashes, together with those of his wife,
lie within about rod of the church in
which he blew the gospel trumpet so
and well.
At about ten o'clock the people began |
to gather at the church, and an hour later |
the meeting commenced. The music
was fine and also the sermon, the subject |
being Nicodemus' mighty interview with
Christ.
1t was not until after the close of the
meeting that became aware there was
D person present who ever knew me or
that ever knew except Dea. Crockett
Of South Paris. Then lady came along
calling me by name and introducing /
herself as Florence Bryant, formerly of
Woodstock. She had been to school
here and worked in the place several
1ears, and, as the sailors say, knew every
'ope in the ship. Being informed that
vas about the same as stranger in a
strange land, she became interested at
,nce in my welfare, showed me through
he principal apartments of the new
buildings, and later on introduced me to
everal persons and families living in the
'illage.
During the afternoon Greenwood Hill
vas pointed out, only two miles away,
Vhere the state sanitariam is to be erect
d, and as the next morning was fair and
DOL, I resolved to take walk out there
nd see how the place looked at close
uarters, having no idea of going any
arther. It is said the company looked
be state over and then selected that To-