The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1909-09-23
BATES POST, G.. A. r.
Veterans Enjoy Themselves In Two
Outings.

Editor of Independent-Repor
l wish to report some of the doings
of Bates Post, G. A. R., of Norridge-
wock. We are getting reduced In
numbers and quite number are past
three score and ten. We have no
Post room or G. A. K. hall IN which
to hold our meetings, nor much mon
ey in the treasury, but we have good
times just the same.
Our regular meetings are supposed
to be held the first Tuesday of each
month, but we do not always hold
them upon that day. Commander
Woodsome invited us to meet at his
farm home in August, and some
twelve or fifteen went. Commander
Woodsome had erected a commodious
tent in the yard in which we held
our Post meeting and after transact
ing our business there, we were in
vited to watch the old flag as it took
| its place at the top of the mast erect
ed for that purpose, while the Post
rendered that piece, so beautiful to
! the old soldier, The Star Spangled
Banner and there was more music
and more speeches were made, for
most all had something to tell of
their own experience. Then came
the ice cream and cake and, before
we hardly realized that it was get
ting late, we saw the sun setting in
the west, and we had to start upon
our homeward way, regretfully, after
expressing our thanks to Commander
Woodsome and family for the gener-
Gus entertainment.
Commander X. A Withee was pres
ent and he intimated that perhaps we
shdnld have another invitation to
dine out, before long, so Friday. Sept.
10. the invitation came to visit him
the next day at his home; and we
were there, thirteen of us, at one
o'clock sharp. Some of us never Wis
tied him at his home before and |,
for one, was surprised to see such a
fine looking place. l always supposed
Comrade Withee had a good farm but
such plums as are found upon 1t
and pears and apples and doughnuts
and cake and pie and coffee! Tables
loaded with everything that heart
could wish, were out under those
beautiful trees. And such music
from that wonderful talking machine'
We had nothing more intoxicating
upon the occasion, for we all profess
to be the essence of Temperance. We
represented every arm of the service,
three from the navy, number from
the artillery, cavalry andinfantry, and
some who were prisoners for long
time. To hear the talk, you would
think that the one talking was in the
best organization in the service and
did their part, as probably they did.
There was some sharp hitting but the
best part of it was, it was all taken
| in good part, even when one said that
he thought he could shin up the flag
pole which Is seventy feet in height,
and another that he could cut down
that big elm in two hours, though it
is over four feet through, and an
other that he could beat anyone there
in a foot race, over Tarbel Hill to
this village. | suppose we never had
much better time in one day, than
we did at Comrade Withees and
Woodsome's, and we all would like to
return the compliment, but some of
US feel that we could not do as we
have been done by.
Those present were: Mr.. and Mrs.
Fred Woodsome, Mr.. and Mrs. Chas.
Longley, Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Long
ley, William Hobbs, Herbert E. Hale,
B. b. Wells, Eben Doyen, Henry
Stevens, Augustus Tobey, H. X. Saw
yer, Steward Wing and P. H. Butler.
p w. Butler, Chap.
Bates Post, G. A. R.,
Norridgewock, Me.