Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-09
Of ths Carnegie Library
at Wateryi|Ie Is Laid.
Citizens, College and School
People All Participate.
Dennis Bowman Represents Mayor
p.xis-HiAtorieaI Address by Rev. e.
C.. whittensore-':oem by Mrs. Matte
Baker Dunn


ing gave way to the bright sun and
blue sky Ioolsed down on the great
crowd which attended the exercises Of
the LAYING of the cot ner stone Of the
Carnegie library, "Wednesday. The ex-
ercises were simplc and impressive and
the large number OF people remained
until the very last wold Of the denedic-
ton had been spoken
The platform was occupied DX tns
members Of the city government. the
trustees OF the Watert lille Free library
and the Carnegie library, the officers
ana ex-officers Of the 15oard Oh Irade,
the clergymen, and many members oI
the faculty of Colby college and CO.
burn Classical Institute and the teach
ers ofethe public schools Or the plat
form Also were about 800 school chill
dren who marched to their seats led by
Halls Military Band. Hhe children
took an active part in the exercises and
sang with a will, though their voices
were somewhat subdued by the music
of the band.
Every available space on the platform
and piles of lumber sun founding the
building was occupied aInd a great
crowd watched the proc eedings from
the vantage point of carriages and steps
of nearby houses.
The exercises were opened with the
singing Of America" by the school
children, accompanied by the band.
Prayer was offered by Rev. FIR. Narcisse
Charland, pastor Of the church of St.
Francis de Sales, who spoke in his GUS
tomary impressive manner.
Following a selection by the band the
implements Of construction were de-
Iivered to Dennis Bowman by S. S.
Brown, president of the Carnegie Ii
brary trustees. In delivering the imple-
ments to Mr.. Bowman. Mr.. Brown
spoke as follows:
Mr.. Bowman-T am Informed that
on this occasion in the absence Of the
mayor, you appear here to represent
the city of Waterville, and it affords
me great pleasure at the representative
of the trustees of the Library Associa-
ton to call to your attention in Il few
brief sentences the duties and respon-
sibilities which the city is about to as
sumo.
To-day, in the history of our NUM-
Cipality, we reach an important mile
stone. On this occasion we give pub
lie Acknowledgement of our apprecia-
ton of the generosity of Mr.. Carnegie
and its value to the people OF the city.
The building whose corner stone is to
be placed in position for us, today. is
to he the storehouse of books on whose
pages are written the history, the wis
dom and the thought of ages since hu-
man life began.
"As an assurance that the city Will
construct this building in accordance
with its purpose, 1 ask you to accept
this Implement, and lay the corner
stone in the presence Of those witnesses
here assembled.
In behalf of Mayor Davis. who is alb
sent from the city, Mr.. Bowman re-
spOnded as follows:
"Mr Chairman-By the aid of the
Instruments of construction of which
this trowel is a symbol and these spec
ifications we shall erect building
which will be perpetual memorial to
this fair city"
The speaker then outlined the efforts
made by the nations of the past to pre-
serve their literature, and continued:
This library building is to be hab-
itation and a home where may come
and dwell the great minds of all the
ages and live among us. where the
humblest OF our citizens may meet and
converse with them"
He summarized the reasons for the
erection of the library-''It is a Divine
thing to share ones things in common"
he said. quoting Horace.
I'm the name Of His Honor, Cyrus w.
Davis, mayor of Waterville. and in the
name of the city and it's people accept
these specifications and symbols and
will lay the corner stone in this pres
ence."
Then the block of granite was raised
and taking the trowel Mr.. Bowman
spread the mortar beneath the stone.
the box containing the souvenirs of the
occasion was placed beneath. and the
stone lowered into the position which
it is expected for it to occupy for ages.
Mr.. Bowman then placed the imple-
ments in the hands of Horace Purin-
ton, the contractor in charge of the
building of the library.
Mr.. Purinton gave a list of the ar
ticles placed beneath the stone which
were as follows: Copies OF the Water
Kennebec Journal, copies of the adj
dresses of Rev. E. c. Whittemore. Prof.
A. ]. Roberts, s. S. Brown. and Dennis
Bowman. copy of poem by Mrs. Dunn.
copy Of program Of the exercises,
names OF trustees Of the Waterville
Free Library and Carnegie library. and
the prices Of materials and labor and
items Of interest to builders. Among
these items was one Of particular inter-
est, 1t being that this is the first build
ing constructed in the city where the
men employed have worked but eight
hours q day.
Then to the strains Of 'The Star
Spangled Banner" large American
flag was unfuried to the breeze by Phil
ip Foster. and three hearty cheers were
given for the Stars and Stripes.
Mrs. F. w. johnson then read the
original poem written 'by.Mrs. Martha
Baker Dunn expressly for the q casion.
The historical address by Rev.,E c.
whittemore was very interesting and
was attentively listened to throughout.
Prof. A. J. Roberts also had very
interesting address which he delivered