Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-09-01
Reunion and Campfire.

| West PARIS, Aug. 20.
| The annual reunion and campfire Of
veterans of Co. F, 9th Maine, and Co. c.
! 9Th Maine Regiment, In the Civil Wa
was held with Comrade Freeman L.
Wyman Wednesday, Aug. 10. This or
ganizati0n was formed at West Sumner
about twenty-five years ago by Co. +,
] and short time after Co. G was invited
to unite with them. For good many
years the yearly meetings we're held In
the vestry of the church at Sumner, but
preparation OF dinner was found to be
arduous labor, taking much valuable
time, 80 in recent years the campfire has
been held in succession at the various
homes Of the veterans, each host taking
upon himself the needful care of arrange
ments. Food is brought by the ladies
of the families who attend, and baked
beans and brown bread come from the
bakery. Any necessary expense Is met
by a voluntary contribution from the
men, over s7.00 being received this
year.
The weather was good, and large
number of teams drove to Pleasant Val
ley Farm, perhaps the greatest number
coming from West Sumner and West
Paris. The company numbered about
$50, including friends, neighbors and
relatives of the soldiers families. The
bright little faces of several children
also eniivened the scene. Thirteen Of
the old veterans belonging to the two
companies were present. One of these,
Mr.. Almon Tobie of California, had been
in this section about two weeks on a
business trip, and remained especially to
attend this reunion. Another comrade
present was Mr.. Israel P. Davis OF Me-
chanic Falls. Beside these some men,
bers of other companies were present,
including Capt. c. Fl. Prince of Buck
field, who came in his automobile bring
ing three with him, and Mr.. o. A.
Maxim of Paris.
In the forenoon business meeting
was held by the Veterans Association,
with President Frank j. Brown of Sum-
ner in charge. Mr.. Wyman as secretary
and treasurer read the report which
was accepted. 1t was voted to hold the
reunion next year on Wednesday nearest
the goth of August, with Comrade W.
w. Durham of North Paris.
Officers were then elected for the CON-
ing year as follows:
President-W. W. Durham.
e-Presidents-Israel p. Davis, &. H. Bill
lings.
Secretary and Treasurer. L. Wyman.
Three honorary members were voted in
to the association. A recess was then
taken for dinner.
A table was set under the spreading
tree in front of the house for the vet
Grams and two more in the large dining
room. Divine blessing was invoked by
Rev. Seth Benson. After the bountiful
repast P. NJ. Wyman furnished quite
variety of good selections on the
after which the pro-
gramme was as follows:
l. Singing.
2. Address Of Welcome.
8. Remarks by F. L. wyman, Comrade Joseph
A. Noyes. Rev. Seth Benson. Com
rades Alpheus Fuller and Israel p.
Davis.
L. Singing.
s. Reading, The Dandy Fifth,
6. Remarks, II. G. Brown, Esq,
COmrade w. W. Durham.
Z. Singing.
s. Remarks by Mr.. o: A. Maxim and
biukluS VI thtStOetihS oiu Wal oou6
O. Remarks, Luther C. Abbott.
10. Singing Of America.
The entire programme was in charge of
Comrade F. j. Brown. Several other
were called upon but refused
to make a speech. The remarks made
to the hardships and privations
Of the soldiers, and included many in
teresting illusions to scenes and in
cidents of the war, also of appreciation
the country. II. G. Brown spoke of
his special interest in the veterans and
felt that their services could not be too
highly appreciated. They marched away
in the prime of young manhood and re-
turned but a broken and shatterd rem
nant; but they bravely resumed their
duties as citizens, made homes and
helped build up the country they had
given so much to defend.
In this connection it might be of in
terest to note that in Co. F not over
twenty Of the original enlisted men re-
turned at the close of the war. A ma
iority Of the company were either killed
DR. disabled while in active service.
Mr.. F. D. Welcome of Waltham,
Mass, had charge of the music and the
familiar old war songs were sung by |
chorus choir. The reading by Mrs. W.
n. Lurvey. who is the only daughter of
Wyman, was excellent and was
heartily encored.
One member Of Company c who was
present was Comrade Israel P. Davis of
Mechanic Falls. Mr.. Alpheus Fuller of
Iowa and Comrades Joseph Durham of
North Paris and Levi Shedd of West
Paris were members of other Maine !
This veterans association met fifteen
years ago with Comrade Wyman, aud
since its organization has been source
If much pleasure to its members. The
promoters and first original members
we're G. II. Ryerson, Isaiah Cushman,
Vim. G. Abbott, F. L. Wyman, Frank j.
Brown, Harlan c. Barrows, David An
lrews, Ira F. Murch, A. G. Parlin, VIM.
L. Chase, VIM. Berry. Out of this num-
Der, eleven in all, five have died, Com
.ades Ryerson, Abbott, Cushman, Parlin
Ind Berry. Comrade q. C. Barrows of
Sumner was one of four brothers who
vent to the war, two of them being kill
ID in the service. Mr. Barrows had one
loot shot off, but lived to return home.
The other brother, Mr.. Fred Barrows,
BY trade, Is still a resident OF
south Paris.
Before the departure for home the
company was given treat of candy and
peanuts, and all present united in ex-
pressing deep appreciation to Mr.. and
Mrs. Wyman for their courtesy and
on this occasion.
County Fair In Two Weeks.
Only two weeks to county fair, the
lates of which are Tuesday, Wednesday |
and Thursday, Sept. Is, 10 and II. All
present indications are that the fair will
be one of the most successful that the
society has ever held. The officers who