Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-07-19
ollead One Hundred Years Old.
THE ANNIVERSARY SUITABLY CELE-
DRAFTED ON NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ADDRESS BY PROFESSOR ROBERTS.

| THE ANNIVERSARY SUITABLY CELE
DRAFTED ON THURsDAY.-HIsToRIc
ADDRESS BY PROFESSOR ROBERTS.
Nestled between the two lines o
mountains which stand on the sides o
the narrow valley of the Androscoggin
where that stream makes the first few
miles of its course in Maine, 10 the LITTLE
town of Gilead. That it is one of thu
most picturesque and beautiful spots II
Maine is known to nearly every one il
this part of the state. That 1t is ont
hundred years old was not known to sc
many until the announcement OF it,
coming centennial celebration brough'
the fact into common knowledge. IL
1894 the number of families in what was
then Peabody's Patent was twenty, and
in response to a petition from the in
habitants the Patent was incorporated as
the town of Gilead, June 23, 1904.
For convenience the observance of the
anniversary was held, not on the exact
date, but instead ON Thursday, the 18th
Of July. At a special town meeting a
small appropriation was made to start
the affair, and the rest of the expense
was made up by individual contributions.
A very interesting and creditable affair
was the celebration. And when 1t is
considered that the population of this
little town is less than $50, it is evident
that all must have taken hold with a
will to aid in the success of the under
taking.
The day was absolutely perfect. The
roads were free from dust, and never
was the sky bluer, the clouds more
fieecy, the woods greener or the tower
ing mountains grander. The visitors
began to assemble early in the day.
Many came by team in all directions,
and the trains in both directions dis
charged loads of people, until probably
1900 were present to hear the day.
exercises.
Soon after S o'clock in the morning
the Gilead Cornet Band opened the days
programme with concert in the village
square. This band is cause of pride to
the people. 1t was organized only about
two years ago, but has good set OF in
struments, the members wear neat uni
forms, and through all the changes of
population which the town has seen has
managed to keep it's numbers intact and
makes music which would do credit to
any country band.
ID. K. Hastings was marshal of the day,
and was well mounted and appropriately
attired in crimson sash and other
suitable equipments.
The committees having charge of the
several features were as follows:
Executive Committee-H. p. Wheeler, Albert
Bennett, Z r. Bennett, f. T. Peabody, Josiah
Hea' h. 4. D. Wight. A. A. Newell. s. A. Coffin,
Rev. l.. VI. Bosworth.
Committee on food-Mrs. John Newell, Mrs =.
Il Bennett, Mrs. John Richardson, Mrs q. III
Coffin. Mrs, F.: II. Coffin, Mrs. a. p Wheeler,
Miss Corne'ia Bennett, Mrs. A. D. Wight. Mrs,
L T. Peabody, Mrs. T. G Larry.
Hartman. r. l. PEABODY, Herbert Wheeler,
Cert Watson.
Reception committee-Rev L. NJ. Bosworth,
Mrs. l.. n. BoswoIth j. W. Bennett, Mrs, I. u.
Lazy.
Secretary of Executive Committee-F. b.
Colin
A parade of Indian rangers and cow
boys was made at 8 O'Clock, and while
the procession was not long the partic-
pants were abundantly fierce looking in
their war paint and Indian attire.
The most interesting event of the fore
noon was ball game between Shelburne
and West Bethel. These two teams had
already met three times before during
the season, with very close score for
each game. On this day the balance
was not so even, for Shelburne played
the sharper game and won by score of
u to2. West Bethel's two scores were
m, aSa IN tho ninth innipp
RELICS OF YE oLDEN TINE.
In the church was displayed col
lection of interesting relics of former
DAYS. Included in the lot were spin
ming wheel and two flax wheels. No
body ventured on the flax wheels, but
the spinning wheel @as supplied with
rolls and was in fair running condition,
and there were not lacking among the
visitors women who had been trained in
that branch of domestic art, and who
would occasionally illustrate the process
for the benefit of those born too late in
the century to know how it was done.
Among the other things exhibited
were several articles of furniture. includ-
ING the chair of Gen. James Burbank, a
chair 1873 years old, now the property OF
Mrs. Grace Bennett, and Mrs. Temples
great great grandmother's chair, about
l25 years old. pair of ancient balances,
with weights, complete. Saddle bags
owned by Jonathan Peabody, 40 years
old, and now owned by Ralph Peabody.
Sihouettes of Barker Burbank and Gen.
James Burbank and wife. Barker Bur-
bank was born in Bradford, Mass, in
1895, and his family came to Gilead in
1903. There was present among the visit
ors boy of IA, Paul Burbank of Berlin.
n. H., who is descendant in the fifth
generation from Barker Burbank. A
Cambridge Bible printed in 1863, owned
by Albert Bennett, and quite quanti-
ty of pewter and china dishes and other
small articles, owned by various Gilead
people, and varying in age from 10 to
$50 years.
THE DINNER.
| After the arrival of the IL o'clock train,