The Somerset reporter., 1907-09-19
Somerset Veterans Association
Meets at Norridgewock.

A beautiful September morning
gave glad welcome to the veterans
of Somerset and their many friends as
they left their homes for the purpose
of mastering their forces at the classic
village of NorridgewocK to hold the
regular September session of the asso-
citation which had been appointed for
Friday, Sept. ID.
The patriotic citizens of Norridge-
wock, under the auspices of Bates Post,
G. A. R., wed with the splendid ideal
day to give the veterans and the
Ladies' Auxiliary royal welcome.
Old Glory waved from many of the
/ buildings while at Grange hall, where
the exercises were held, the eye was
attracted by the artistic taste that
had been displayed in draping the
large stage with the American flag SO
dear to those who marched under its
fair folds in the tumult of battle.
At $50 a. M, Col. E. E. Gould called
to order with Maj. P. H. Butler, Chap
lain S. F. Emerson, Adjutant Cephas
Walker and Quartermaster Samuel
/ Vose answering to the call OF the offi-
GERS. Lieut.. Col. Isaac Dyer came
soon after and was heartily welcomed
as he came upon the stage. l.. K.
j Folsom, ESQ.,, in behalf of the vete-
rams and citizens of NorridgeWoek
welcomed the association to Norridge-
wock and Col. Gould responded to the
welcome.
The report of the last meeting at
Athens was read by Adjt. Walker and
was adopted. Col. Gould sang
marching through Georgia." with
chorus by the audience, Mrs. Emma
H. Dunton at the piano. Quartermas-
ter Vose submitted his report for the
last quarter which was also adopted.
Number of veterans from the different
Posts was called for, making total of
as at the morning session. After
some discussion of the place of hold
ing the annual meeting in December,
it was voted to come to Skowhegan
on Wednesday, Dec. IS. Mrs. Emma
H. Dunton rendered the "Star Span
gled Banner" which was heartily ap-
plauded. Comrade F. H. Wing gave
a recitation and Col. Gould sang 1.-THE
Vacant Chair" Then came another
recitation by Comrade S. F. Emerson,
subject, "Bingen on the Rhine" Re-
marks by Comrade Cephas Walker
and Comrade H. H. Hartwell. Rev.
Mr.. Haywood and Rev. Mr.. Davis,
both of Norridgewock were also called
upon for short addresses. Rev. Mr..
Leitch of Skowhegan closed the
speaking of the morning session.
A dinner was in waiting in the ban
queU hall for the veterans and visitors
furnished by Somerset Grange.
At Las p. M, the members of the
association fell into line in front of
the hall and marched under command
of Comrade F. H. Wing to the Rail
road station to meet the Lakewood
band, Prof. E. E. Towne, leader, under
which escort the members with Ladies
of the Auxiliary returned to the hall
for the exercises of the afternoon,
which opened with selection by the
band. Prayer was offered by Rev. F
A. Leitch who is an honorary member
of the association. Another selection
by Mrs. Dunton, also a song by Miss
Hazel Leavitt, recitation by Miss Lin
ME Brown, solo by Miss Neva john
son, selection by the band and reci-
tation by Mrs. James Weston on the
"Death of Ellsworth" Col. E. E.
Milliken, pension agent at Augusta,
was then introduced who faced large
and enthusiastic audience as he
opened brilliant and highly appreci-
ated address. Graphically and elo-
9uently did the speaker refer to some
of the startling events of the war of
the rebellion. He also called atten-
tion to the rapid decrease by death of
the old veterans, and how rapidly
that decrease will go on until the last
veteran of The civil war shall have
been mustered out and the Grand Ar
my of the Republic shall cease to ex-
list. The speaker urged the veterans
to so live and exert an influence that
shall teach the young generation of
today the spirit of patriotism of love
of country and our free institutions.
Burning words were spoken against
treason whether 1t existed at the time
of the war or today. The motion late
ly started in the south to erect mon
ument to the william and murderer
Wing, was severely denounced, which
met the approval of the old soldiers.
A grand and touching tribute was
made to the national flag which raised
the enthusiasm of the audience to a
high degree. Owing to the want of
time the practical, eloquent and ap-
preciated address had to be brought
to close against the wishes of the
comrades.
A vote of thanks was rendered Bates
Post and the citizens of Norridge
wock, three cheers for Col. Milliken
and all those who had taken part in
the days exercises, benediction by
Rev. DR.. Leitch and the meeting
closed.
S. F. E.