Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-16
CALLiOPEAN SOCIETY.
At kent's Hill Is Oldest Of Its Kind in
Maine Preparatory School.

Kents Hill, Me, June 15.-(SpeciaD.
Eighty years ago this fall the
Calliopean Society, the oldest society
of it's kind in a preparatory school in
this State, was organized. The Maine
Wesleyan Seminary in itself the old
est Methodist school of it's kind, had
been founded in 1920 by Luther Samp-
son, and opened for students in 1894. 1t
was not long before these students felt
the need of a good library, and partly
in this interest and partially because
of the call which always draws young
folks together, some of the boys united
to form this little society, that they
might obtain mere books, and share
their use; SO in 1929 this Calliopean So
ciety was formally instituted.
In the record book which was imme-
diately opened. we find on the weather.
beaten, dimly traced pages, this pre-
amble; Having no other object in
view than the advancement of science
and morality. we hereby band our
selves into society and draw our
membership from society already
formed by individuals taking interest
in the students of the Maine Wesleyan
Seminary"
In the articles which make up the
Bylaws of this society, we read that
ANY person possessed of good moral
character and the reputation of a good
scholar" may become a member.
This society first organized with Mer-
rift Caldwell, president; II. Winson
vice president; G.; Clark, secretary: A.
S. Lever. treasurer; J. Palmer, libra
| rian. The first year there were rs mem
bers and the society was named the
Calliopean. Meetings were held week
ly and literary themes were read, and
discussed.
For so years this society has existed,
and today Aourshes. For years they
possessed the only library of the Semi
| nary. but when real library was
opened in Kicker Hall, the Calliopeans
donated their books to the common Ii
| brary, and have since maintained none
of their own. Among the notable peo-
pie who have been presidents of this
society is Chancellor ]. r. Day of SYRIA
cuse. N. Y, and Hudson Maxim, in
ventor of smokeless powder. President
Wilbur F. Berry, now at the head of
the Seminary, was president of the Cal
| liopeans when in his boyhood days a
student there, and was also the first
president of the Literari, the second
secret society to be organized by the
boys of Kent's Hill. This was in the
year 1876
The CalliopeanS are finely housed in
their hall on the fourth floor of Bearcc
In1I rho ;s,
with steel ceilings. dark green velvet
| carpet and hanging draperics at the
extremely high long windows. From
! these windows a magnificent view is
spread. the White Mountains being
plainly visible in the distance. There
is a fine piano, with a piano lamp do
mated by a member of the class of 'O5.
| In a glass case at the rear of the hall
is carefully stored the records of the
society, from it's first meetings; also
bound volumes containing manuscript
of the papers read at the meetings, for
| many wears. OF late years these have
not been preserved
| While a secret society, the Callope-
ans today are under slightly different
management than in early years. The
meetings are open to the male mem
bers of the faculty, who are honorary
members The meetings also are de-
voted to debate, rather than to writ
ten essays, rs formerly. and more par
lamentary forms are observed than in
| earlier years. 1t is classed a great
honor to be invited to join this society,
and such invitations are eagerly craved
by the students.
In 1904 the society observed it's seven
| cyffth anniversary with great eclat,
and a large number of former members
| We're present 1t was a specially i'm
pressve occasion.
| A citizen of Hubbard Peter I,oer hac