The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1909-09-16

81. Headed by Co. E. band, the line
was reformed, passing up Water
street to the hall. There were over
125 men in line of march. After
lunch at the hall, local automobile
owners volunteered the use of their
machines and for an hour o, more
the visitors were shown the points of
interest about the town. Early in the
afternoon cars we're token to Fair
view Park where the Cavalry Asso
citation became the guests of the
Agricultural Society for the balance
of the day.
The members of the First Maine
Cav airy met at the campfire in the
Opera House, Sept. 10, at 7.30 p. m.
Old Glory was draped above the stage
and two shelter tents with the smoul-
dering logs of a dying camp fire be-
fore one, were at the back. Com
mander Charles Smith mustered upon
the platform the comrades and friends
who were to speak. Washburn' s
Military band played a medley of pa
triotic pieces and the address of well
come was given by L. l.. Walton. He
said, in effect, that we paid honor to
our soldiers not because they had
reached the Pole, a deed making lit
tie difference to humanity, but be-
cause they had established and en-
phasized as a fact, the equality of OPP
portunity for every man.
Mrs. Agnes Steward sang "The Star
Spangled Banner" most beautifully
and responded to an encore with
Way Down Upon the Swanee River"
E. N. Merrill then said: "The his
tory of the world is largely a history
of war. Much of our civilization has
been purchased by the blood of heroic
men. The First Maine was one of the
bravest, most patriotic and daring
body of men that ever faced an
enemy" Both he and Mr.. Walton
referred to the fact that many Som
erset County boys were in this regi-
ment, and many from Skowhegan in
Co. H. "The history of the world,
said Mr.. Merrill, has milestones all
along the way. Our Revolutionary
fathers gave us liberty of thought,
speech and religion, but there was a
blot upon the Constitution they adopt
ed. The recognition of Slavery was
a compromise with wrong which cost
more suffering and treasure than the
treasure of the old Thirteen Colonies
could have paid. To your brave sacri-
fee, we owe the richest blessings en-
joyed by any union under the sun.
Miss Florence Wyman sang Tent
ing Tonight on the Old Camp
Ground in manner very pleasing to
her hearers Being called back she
gave song whose refrain was
There is no North or South Today.
S. ]. Walton said: whenever there
were men needed for a forlorn hope
the First Maine volunteered" He
spoke of Andersonville. Out of two
hundred and fifty Maine prisoners
who died there, forty-six were of the
First Maine.
Prof Webster Keyes sang Just AT
the Break of Day." and responded to
the delighted applause, by repeating
the chorus.
Geo. w. Cover, being called upon
responded with kind words and then
added, 81 couldn't help thinking
when l heard them speaking OF
your gray hairs and landing you all
in glory that you were the youngest
looking lot of kids l had seen, lately
and we expect you here in twenty
years from now, for your annual re-
union"
Col A. c. Drinkwater spoke of the
regiments leaders. Il miss tonight the
leaders who went out with the regi-
ment and made It, Col c. H. Smith
and Col. J. P. Cilley." He then read
a letter from Gen. Cilley, who was
kept from the meeting by illness
Comrade E. T. Getchell of Brunswick,
told a story of the First Maine and
referred to his days experience in an
automobile with a good driver who
paid no attention to corners" Com
rade Milton F. Kicker of Auburn,
said the praise given the First Maine
made him think of Gen. Sheridan's
little daughters comment on his
stories, Papa didn't you have any
one to help you put down the rebel
lion? Now" added Mr.. Kicker, I'VE
didn't do 1t all but we did what we
could"
With the singing of America" the
program was finished and this re-
union of the First Maine Cavalry was
an accomplished fact.
At the business meeting of this, the
thirty-ninth reunion of the First
Maine Cavalry Association, the fol-
lowing business was transacted:
The meeting. was called to order by
President Llewellyn Goodwin, at IL
o'clock a. m. The committee chosen