Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-13

and the store under the Davis hall
was hired and Elliott Wood chosen to
run it, Here it was open day and even
ing for some years. Davis Cover sue
ceeded Elliott Wood and run the store
till it was closed out, as the trade had
come to level with every store in
own.
On Nav ., 1876, the bylaws and con-
4titution of Center BucksDort Grange,
No. ISL, were adopted as ours. The first
move in getting addition to our MEM
bers was made by Brother George
Crane Oct. 81, 1876, when he motioncd
to give u supper and that each invite
such persons as they would like to
DIN the Grange.
Jan. 9. 1877 was a Red Letter day
for tnis Grange, 81 applications being
presented the first since our organiZa-
ton. This broke the spell and from
this time on new members We're added
TO our membership.
Feb. 10, 1871 we gave the First degree
o our oldest and honored members,
Frances Fuller and iOakes Howard
aged 6S and 70 years.
On Feb. H. 1877, we celebrated our an
niversary (our Grange hall being one year
old with an Oyster supper
May s, 1877, applications of c. II. Gale
and Daniel Lathrop were received. Gale
being our efficient road commissioner,
having held that position for more than
80 consecutive years. Uncle Daniel was a
veteran of the Civil War, having served
from the beginning to the close of the
war in the Sd and oath Maine Regiments.
He was severely wounded at Bull Run.
Among the bright talent of the men,
bership was Bro. John Brainerd. who on
Dec. 4, 1877, gave an address, Light and
Shadows of Farmers Life" Brother
Brainerd is alive today, his faculties I'M
shaken through so years and more of
honest Christian life.
In 1878 the organ that today stands in
the corner a silent monument of days
gone by, was purchased through the eff
forts of Brother George E. Crane. This
musical instrument if it could speak could
tell the story Of the prosperity and also
the Wane of Winthrop Grange. But its
music is no longer heard as the piano has
long since taken its place.
In June rs the hall was enlarged to ac-
commodate the Grange which had grown
to such proportions that the room was
much too small. June 24th was celebrated
the 50th birthday of Brother Robbins and
the nth anniversary of his marriage.
In this same year a reduction of join
ing fee was made, which for a time tend
ed to increase the membership, but the
new" Wore off and as there were no new
neids TO conquer the Grange was on the
"ane. AS years passed by meetings grew
less and less until in 1885 we held but 10
ana IN 1856 but seven meetings.
You all know what might have been
the most important question with things
at such condition: What shall we do
TO revive Winthrop Grange, No. 2O9?' The
interest in the Grange work had nearly
gone OUT, the members east of the village
railing to attend it was voted at a meet
ing held Dec. IA, 1886, to give up the hall
at the village and call the next stated
meeting at the schoolhouse in District No.
3, known as the Howard schoolhouse.
This was the same spot where the first
petition was made up II years before So
the orange came back to its 6decca after
soJourn of II years in a strange land
to live or die as the case might prove
How old 1t prove? I leave it to you who
hho" us history at that time. We lived
not only llved but grew. During the win
ter OF ~ the Grange had contest rers
sulting in large increase Of membership.
In TINS year the national flower question,
arose and the vote of this Grange was for
the golden roo. aa M sssu -