Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-11-22
Exercises in Honor of the
New Bean Schoolhouse At
tended by Townpeople.
INTERESTING SKETCH
OF The OLD SCHOOL
Told by James F. Blunt of
San Francisco, a Former
Resident of Mt. Vernon,
Greatly Appreciated.

The Ietlcdtlbn OF ItF INV i''oi
schoolhouse occurred Tuesday evening,
: Nov -. The exercises consisted OF
singing of America by choir; Scripture
reading. Rev. II. NJ burlington,
prayer, Rev. w. ii. Atkinson; reclta-
tons by the children who are under the
instruction of Miss Evangeline Ire
fethen of ktnt's Hill. Introductory
remarks were made by the superin-
tcndent of schools, Fl. w. Weber and
happilv responded to by Charles r.
Weber of the board of sclectmen. In
tercsting addresses given by Rev. w.
II. Atkinson and Rev. H. M. burlington
were well calculated to stimulate young
people to more earnest endeaVor In
qualifying themselves for the duties of
life Music by Vernon Hall with the
harnonica and Mrs. Nina Weber at
the organ was much enjoyed. The
choir gave several selections. Pleas
ing rt marks were made by Miss
Faustina Bean and Mrs. Mcdora Gill
man, former students of the school
An historical sketch of the old Bean
schonlhOuse by James F. Blunt, ESD
of Los Angeles, Cal, a former resident
of the town, was read by II. w. Web
Der, and was greatly appreciated. 1t
was as follows:
1i3 Kern ST., Los Angeles. Cal.
Oct. IL, A. ID. 1906.
II. w Wcbber, Esq,
Dear Sir
1t was with sensations of deep re-
greet that | learned of the destruction
of the Bean School-IIousc. 1t was not
as an educational institution that
first became acquainted with the place,
+b1.r. nf h,
rounding ncighborhood and some
times it seemed from the regions he
yond" were accustomed to resort for
religious worship. They were Their"
from distant parts of the town, and
frequently from Ecadcld. Belgrade.
Mercer. New Sharon, Rome and Wen
ma 1t seemed almost incredible how
so many could find seats. But there
were three aisleS which were in con-
slant use for seating the people. And
although the ;LiSlcS were of different
widths, there was no confusion IN
seating the congregation. Nice. smooth
boards had been prepared and num-
bcrcd to correspond with the width of
each aisle, and when not in use each
set was carefully kept in it's own par
ticlIlar place. And SO when an extra
seat was required for either aisle,
there was no delay in finding board
of the correct length. a popularity re-
speeding the boards was small notrh
in the back corner of each end. Thus
when adjusted there was no liability
of the boards slipping back from either
side and causing Il fall. The houS''
would become completely packed. but
there way no crowding. There was a
beautiful exhibition of kindly feeling
in the meetings. in harmony with what
prt vailed in the community.
All seemed to he more anxious Ior
I the comfort of other than for their
4 own convenience An ilustra ton in
/ point. was when AN old gentleman.
after every seat had become occupied.
Arose and gave his seat to a small boy,
Swho was standing. The incongruity of
This transaction occaSoncd slight de-
gree of nirth for a few moments, bus
the gentleman was soon supplied with
another scat. This occurrence was
only Il slight indication of what pre-
vailed throughout that good n"iShh0r-
hood. II was a beautiful condition of
affairs. and almost withut a parallel
| am not able to give the date 81
the erection of the house; hut perhaps
you will be able to ascertain that lac'
by consulting the early records OF the
town. The Christian Church was or
ganzed there on March a. 1918. INC
house was built previous to that Time
Its general appearance did not chaiiS'
very much during my acuuail'"l',
with it. 1t did not become dllapltate'l
like most buildings of its age ano
never looked like an old building.
had known it 50 long that 1T Sc"mc|
to me as almost belonging to TN" ~
triarchial Age. And where may we y
To find better representatives Z" ,l''
Ancient Patriarchs. than among th'
members of that church: Among TN
early preachers there. were JnS'di
Bradley, Jonathan Bradley Peter
Mocrs, Jrdediah Il. Prescott lhcreaS'
S. EidridGe. Levi EldridSo' Jai'i'S
Pearl. William NJ Ingham. Ed. Frost
Ed Moshcr. Ed. Prescott from M"o'
mouth. Jacob Tihbetts, James TipheltS
Isaiah TibbettS, Rodger Ella. Mrs h"S
ger Ella. Benjamin F. Reed Henui''i
Manter, ED. staples, Ed. Huxley
John Han,nons. and others. ANON.
the dea nns at various times were bc",
Pearl, Simeon Leighton. Isaac 1toiiiiis'
Benz. F. Philbrick. and DR.. Sai'iuc
Quimhy. Neal Bean was for f''ai''
years Church Clerk and treasurer
and was succeeded in the same OFFICES
by Benjamin Franklin Brown.
None of the people seemed to DC di
flicted with what was later known d
Sunday Sickness" There were usual
ly three Sunday meetings-one III ,i'
forenoon, one in the afternoon. ana ti'
third was announced to commence d
early-candle-lighting." sickness ui'
not often prevent attendance at ti
evening meeting. The house was We
filled at all the services. The almost III
variable rule of the preachers was
the close of the sermon. to give oppor
tunity for remarks.
And there were generally enous'