The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1909-09-16
VETERANS MEET At
FAIRFIELD
Address By DR.. Leitch,
of Skowhegan
Honor Paid TO the Boys Who Fought
I'm Blue.


splendidly decorated in honor of the
veterans and their wives who gath
cred there to hold their regular Sep
TENDER session, while from business
blocks and private residences Old
Glory waved a glad welcome to the
surviving heroes of the Civil war. 1t
was, in deed and spirit, a gala day for
Fairfield, and warmed the hearts of
the old boys in blue towards the good
citizens of this patriotic town who
gave them such marked honor and re-
spect
The exercises opened at 10 o'clock
a. M, Sept 10, the following officers
responding to the call of their names:
Col. E. E. Gould, Arson; Lieut.. Col.
X. A. Withee, Norridgewock; Ad-
jutant S. F. Emerson, Skowhegan;
quartermaster, Samuel Vose, Madison.
Fifty-three veterans were present
with a large representation from the
Ladies' auxiliary and friends.
After the opening song, Comrade J..
d. Emerson offered prayer. The ad-
jutant and quartermaster submitted
their reports which were adopted.
Rev. J. H. Roberts, in behalf of the
citizens of Fairfield, gave a cordial
welcome to the veterans and ladies
of the auxiliary, and Comrade c. F.
Jones in fitting terms, responded to
the welcome.
Col. Gould announced that Com
rade James Weston had a gavel made
from the wood of a Florida orange
tree and presented it to the Associa-
ton. A vote of thanks was rendered
Comrade Weston for the gift. The
audience sang Marching Through
Georgia" and Ccmrade B. F. Lancas-
ter was called upon and offered re-
marks, touching upon the life of
President Lincoln. Comrades Amasa
Gregory. L. G. Brown and William
Valentine, each of whom are COM
manders of G. A. r. Posts, responded
to their names with remarks which
closed the morning session.
At the noon hour the comrades and
ladies of the Auxiliary lined up and
drew the fire of camera which was
aimed at them from the opposite side
of the street. Then they moved in
solid column upon the dining rooms
of the Universalist church, capturing
the splendid dinner that the ladies of
the Relief Corps had prepared, APP
propriating the same to the satisfac-
ton of all
The session of the afternoon con-
sisted of welcome remarks by Col
Gould; prayer by Rev. DR.. T. A.
Leitch; violin solo by Willie Robbins
eight years old; a recitation by Com
rade S. F. Emerson, entitled An
tietam;" singing THE Battle Cry OF
| Freedom" by the audience; cornet
solo by Victor Robbins; select reading
by Mrs. E. E. Could recitation, Pa
trick Henrys famous speech by Com
rade j. r. Bicknal; recitation, sub
ject "Women's Rights by Mrs. J. R.
Bicknal; recitation by Mrs. James
Weston, subject, Jim Bloodso.' Rev
Dr. F. A. Leitch was then introduced
and favored the audience with a pa
triotic and intensely interesting ad-
dress, beginning with the Pilgrim
Fathers who brought to the wilder
hess of New England the great prin-
ciples of righteousness, justice and
liberty thus laying, deep and lasting,
the foundations of the future Re-
public.
He traced the mighty workings of
these principles down through the
Revolution, declaring that because of
these principles, founded upon the bed
rock of true Christianity, great char
| acters had continually come to the
front and moulded and shaped our
countrys history The speaker eu-
logized the veterans present who gave
their young manhood to their coun-
try's service and when he referred to
the flag and said that it was good
enough for us ALL that there was
room for only one flag in this coun-
try, and that any foreigner who might
attempt to bring to America and wave
a French flag or a German flag or any
other flag, may stay away. We don t
want him. The audience was deeply
stirred and loudly applaunded. At
the close of his eloquent and force
able address three hearty cheers
were given him. DR.. Leitch's address
closed the exercises.
Col. Gould called upon the veterans
present who were wounded in the
war, to stand up, and Ia responded to
the call. The secretary Of the Ladies'
Auxiliary reported that As new mem
bers had been added at this meeting
and the adjutant announced IL new
members to the Association.
A vote of thanks was rendered the
railroads, the Somerset Traction Co.,
Mr.. Gerald, proprietor of the Opera
house, and the citizens of Fairfield,
for courtesies received, and the COM
rades broke ranks to form again at
Skowhegan for the annual meeting.
Below is list of the veterans pres
emit: