Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-27

The meeting was opened in the
GERS present:
Master--Orrin +. Farnham.
Overseer-Charles f. CroWeI.
Lecturer--Mrs. John Toothaker.
Steward--D. U. Helms.
Assistant Steward-T. NJ j. Enright
Chapla n-Miss Lena Hanson.
Treasurer-W. w. Jackson.
Secretary--Mrs. Annie Rollins.
Gatekeeper-Melvill Cole.
Ceres-Mrs. Orrin f. Farnham
PomOna-Mrs. Hattie CrOcker.
Flora-Mrs. Will p. Taber.
Lady assistant steward-Miss Hazel
Dennis.
Pianist-Mrs. Lawrence Colgan.
ChOriSter-Mrs. S. G. c. Ward
After the meeting had been duly
opened it was closed and an open SEES
sion declared, after which followed the
program of the evening. which proved
Very interesting. Opening with music
by the orchestra, the selection was fol-
loved by reading by Mrs. Z. w.
Thorpe, history of the Grange, by
Major G. J. House, remarks by State
Master Stetson and Rev. H. +. Dun
mack; solo by Mrs. Lawrence J. Col
gan; reading of Gertrude Toothaker's
will by Annie r. Field. and remarks
by State Lecturer Thompson and 9TH
erE.
The program was concluded by the
service Of refreshments of ice cream,
cake, coffee, sandwiches, fruit and
other good things, which We're much
enjoyed by all. and the hour was late
when the meeting was finally adjourn
ed and the members and guests de-
parted for their homes.
The history of the Grange, which
proved one of the most interesting
features of the program is given be-
low:
To Charles F. Fletcher, one of the
few charter members still with us, I'M
doubtedly belongs the credit of the
existence of Capital Grange; for he it
was who first preached the idea OF
forming a grange of the Patrons of
Husbandry in the city of Augusta to
James E. Chandler. Together they
called on Samuel L. Boardman, former
ly secretary OF the Maine Board of
Agriculture and who was then one of
the publishers of the Home Farm. The
three talked the matter over and soon
enlisted others in the movement, and
the result was that on April 8, 1889,
Worthy State Master Frederick
ROBBIE, signed the charter under au-
thority of which we have worked for
quarter of d century
Prior to the date of the signing OF
the charter, the grange had perfected
re iva
The charter members We're William p
Anterior and wife, Sadie J. Bailey
Samuel L. Boardman and wife, John
r. Boardman, Columbus Cottle and
wife, James f. Chandler and wife,
Horace B. Cony, Charles F. Fletcher,
Mrs. Henry A. Hall, Mrs. Marilla j.
Hall, DR.. William 3. Lapham, Minnie
c. Lapham, Willard Longfellow, JOS
eph Fl. Manley. Minnie D. Meserve,
Walter A. Newcomb George F. Patch,
George A. Russell and wife, D. Byron
Savage, Rucl w. Soule and wife, and
Charles Sylvester and wife. OF the
above named charter members only
seven are now connected with Capital
Grange, namely, Brothers Atherton.
S. l.. Boardman. Fletcher, Newcomb,
Savage and Sylvester, and Sister Syl-
vester.
The first meeting for organization
was held at Grand Army Hall on
March 6, 1883 An application for a
charter was there signed and all were
given tine obligation by Worthy State
Deputy L. E. parllhurst of Maysville,
now PrCsqu Isle. DR.. Lapham was
secretary of the meeting. The follow
ing named officers were elected:
Master, William B. Lapham; over
seer. Samuel L. Boardman; lecturer.
William p. Atherton; steward, Horace
3. Cony; assistant steward, Charles +.
Fletcher; chaplain, Ruel w. Soule;
secretary, George F. Patch; treasurer
James f. Chandler; gate keeper, D.
Byron Savage; Ceres, Mrs William r
Atherton; Pomona, Minnie d. Meserve;
Flora. MIS- Charles Sylvester; lady as
sistant steward, Mrs. James E. Chang
Ter. sd la 7sf q a'-.,- Il
On the. 18th day of March, the above