The Somerset reporter., 1904-08-18
SOMERSET GRANGE.
Held Annual Field Day at
Lakewood, Tuesday.
Bright Skies, Large Attendance and
Interesting Exercises.

hon. Aaron Jones OF south benuy IL
diana, Master of the National Grange,
arrived 10 town, Monday afternoon, to
attend the annual meet of Somerset
Oranges, and took rooms at Hotel Co.
burn. Mr.. E. A. Morse of Paris, Me-,
accompanied him.
In the evening, upon invitation ex-
tended by Mr.. Ansel Holway, an infor-
NAL reception was rendered the National
Master at Hotel Coburn parlors, attend.
ed by members of the grange and ladies',
and a good number OF citizens. Mr..
Morse is an elocutionist, popular with
Maine oranges, and favored the gather
| ing with several humorous selections,
and Messrs. Smiley and Sanford with a
vocal duet.
| Mr.. Jones is very entertaining gen.
tleman, possessing an OVERT wing fund
of information of the agricultural, bust
ness and general aft airs of the country
and our people were delighted with his
geniality. He has good opinion of
Maine as a state and especially of its
climate at the seashore and interior dur
ing the heated season. His theory Ia
that residents of the middle west should
| spend three months each year on Maine
matchless sea coast, and thus add years
to their lives. This theory is a favora-
bic one for Maine and has the virtue of
being correct.
| The annual field meeting of Somerset
Pomona Grange came off at Lakewood
on Tuesday, the public exercises begin
ming at about II O'Clock q. M, Anon
| Baker, master of the county grange,
presiding. Msccabee Cornet Band of
Skowhegan furnished the music for the
occasion with credit to the organic ltion
and satisfaction to the assembled COM
pany.
Hon. S. j. Walton In behalf of citizens
of Skowhegan warmly welcomed the
visitors, and F. P. Pennell in behalf of
Somerset Pomona flttingly responded.
In the afternoon speaking was by
National Master Jones, National Lect-
urer N. ]. Bachelor, Governor of New
Hampshire, and r. D. Leavitt of Howes
Corner, Maine. Mr.. A. E. Morse, elocu-
| ZIONIST of Paris, Me-, gave several hu-
morous Rotations, and the Harmony
Ladies' @ Iartette, consisting of Mrs. R
Il. Reed, Mrs. Ellis Bullen, Mrs. G. II.
Rhodes and Mrs. F. o. Turner rendered
several selections in an artistic manner
highly entertaining to the hearers.
The day was an ideal day for outdoor
assemblies, the temperature being just
right for comfort. The attendance WAS
large and the occasion seemed to be one
of rare enjoyment.
Mr.. Jones in his address of little
more than an hour, first complimented
Maine, Maine people and the grange
membership in the state. The United
States he said, stood head and shoulders
above any other nation upon the earth.
He referred to the achievements of the
American people, to their schools,
churches, great fraternities and inf =
/ ences instrumental In making men bet
re-. No organic ton Is doing more and
better work today for the nation than
the Patrons of Husbandry. 1t wages no
warfare against any other organization
or interest. Agriculture underlies all
other industries and its prosperity is i'm
portaut to all Of them. Agriculture pro-
duces 70 per cent Of the wealth of the
country. Manufactures, commerce,
transportation, ETC., depend upon this
basic industry. Farmers must possess
knowledge, intelligence, education.
Legislation is an important part of the
| work of the grunge today and much
good work has been done in legislatures
and congress in this direction.
Gov. Bachelor was glad to again
greet Maine grangera. There is great
| necessity for New England farmers to
do more to promote their own interests.
II farmers do not take interest In their
| own aft lirs they are likely TO be neg
lected. Much has been done in securing
legislation but more remains to be done.
A great work for the grange Is the pro-
| motion of education. The boy or girl
on the farm should have just as good
schools and just as many weeks in the
| year of them as the city boy or girl.
Another great obj ct is to secure laws
in congress and seate legislatures for the
building Of better highways. He would
arouse oranges in this important matter.
| In bis own state there was no agency
that does so much for the benefit of the
people in so may ways as thise great,
grand, farmers organization.
Mr.. Leavitt spoke briefly of the fra
ternal and social influence of the grange.
He said he was proud of our state, It's
rivers, lakes, seacoast, fine farms, horses,
cattle, ETC., and was prouder of the pee
pie OF the grand State of Maine.
The public exercises concluded about
3 80 p. M, when the crowd began to
dispense but many remained to enjoy N
| sail on the lake and attend the theater
in the evening, and to enjoy the ball
| later.
The attendance exceeded that of any
former year. The fares received on the
| cars from SkowhegaD and Madison and
on the boat from East Madison indicate
that at least 1900 people reached Lake =
wood by these means of public coaves-
ance. Teams flied up all the available
stable room and large numbers were
| hitched TO fences, trees, etc.
Thus closed one OF the most successful
field days ever held by Somerset Patrons
of Husbandry.