The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-06-16
COUNTY VETERANS
ASSOCIATION
Together With Members
of Ladies' Auxiliary
Hold the Regular June Meeting In the
Patriotic Village of NOrrldgeWOek.

QlBpldyeQ nlSn Spirlt OF enthusiasm
and patriotism on Wednesday, June s.
as her citizens gave a glad welcome
helpful women who compose the Aux
Hilary. Old Glory waved from stores
and public buildings and private resi-
dences. Grange hall, where the exer-
cises were held was the center of at
traction and had been fitted up in
splendid style for this special occa-
sion. A large national flag hung
from the wall in front while inside
flags of different sizes graced the
walls and ceiling while evergreen
trees in rich profusion were on the
stage. Rifles were stacked on each
side the stage precisely as they were
stacked so many millions of times af-
ter hard march in the long ago.
The Ladies Auxiliary occupied the
time from 900 to 1000 a m, in the
routine of business and arranging for
future work and promptly at the lat
ter hour Col. E. e. Gould called to
order with the following officers re-
spending to their names Col +. +.
Gould. Lieut.Col. F. H. Wing. Chap
lain Cephas Walker Adjutant S. F.
Emerson, Quartermaster Samuel Nose.
After the opening song. prayer was
offered by the Chaplain, Comrade Ce-
phas Walker. The Adjutant, Comrade
S. F. Emerson, submitted his report
of the regular March meeting at Madi-
son which was adopted. The Quarter
master, Comrade Samuel Nose, sub
mitted his report for the last quarter
which was also adopted. Comrade
William Longley, in appropriate
words, welcomed the Association to
Norridgewock, and Col. Gould re-
sponded to the welcome. Col Gould
read list of % names who enlisted
from Norridgewock in the First
Maine Cavalry, only eight of whom are
now living. Then came the familiar
song Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the
Boys are Marching" by Mrs. Emma
ri. Dunton, the audience joining in the
chorus Comrades F. r. Buck and G.
A. Flye were reported as having died
during the last quarter and Comrades
j. F. Woodsum. Cephas Walker
and B. V. Wells were appointed to
draw up resolutions of respect to
their memories. An invitation was
received from North Arson for the
Association to hold the regular Sep
TENDER meeting at that place which
was accepted
The question was taken up for dis
cussion. Has the Somerset Veterans
Association been help or a him
drance to the work and interests OF
the G. A. R. Posts in Somerset Coun-
typ Speakers on this question were
Comrades J. F. Woodsum S. F. EN-
erson. Amasa Gregory H. &. Hale. f.
n. Wing, d. NJ. Norton, T. S. Bige
low, Lester Holway, c. F. Jones and
II. Fl. Steward. There seemed to be a
unanimous agreement that the meet
ings of the Association were giving
an increased interest in the work for
which the G.. A. r. Posts stand and
are the direct means of infusing an
exalted spirit of patriotism among the
people. The Association is working
in harmony with the G.. A r. Posts
in everything that relates to love of
country and to keeping up the patriotic
memories of the past among the vet
Grams of Somerset County.
That the Association is firmly or
ganized and doing splendid work in
the interest for which it was formed
/
was singing John Browns body goes
marching on the accustomed collec-
ton was taken to defray the neces-
sary expenses of the Association.
At intermission a much appreciated
dinner was served by the members
of Somerset Grange in the dining hall
| followed by an hour of social inter
course and enjoyment.
The afternoon session was opened
with piano solo by Mrs. Emma II.
Dunton of Skowhegan. Col. Gould
called the officers of the Association
and Commanders of Posts to the
stage. The 23rd psalm was repeated
by many present and Rev. c. NJ Balm
ton, pastor of the Congregational
church, offered prayer. The commit
tee to draw up resolutions reported
| by reading the same, which were
adopted and selection was
rendered in harmony with the mem
orial exercises.
Rev. Wyle H. Smith, pastor of the
Baptist church, spoke feelingly and
patSioticly in the interest of the vet
Grams and auxiliary. Comrade G. f.
Jones read an interesting description
of the battle between the kearsarge
and the confederate privateer Alaba-
ma, written by Comrade S. w. Smith
who was unable to be present. Com
rade Jones also read an original poem
written by Miss Lillian Clayton Smith
entitled Our Heroes"
There was a solo by Mrs. Dunton,
recitations by Naomi Fales and Fran
ces Jones. Comrade F. H. Wing
spoke interestingly of incidents con-
nected with wearing the Grand Army
button, closing with a recitation.
Col E. c. Milliken of Portland, was
the principal speaker of the after
noon. Comrade Milliken saw hard
service in the Civil war and referred
to some of the desperate battles in
which he participated and of the great
sacrifices made by the veterans of the
Grand Army. Among other things he
mentioned the kind treatment he re-
ceived from veterans of the Confed
crate Army while on recent visit in
the South He also spoke of going
over some of the battle fields of the
war and the changes noted during the
years that have passed by since that
great central event In our nations
history The closing ode America"
was sung with a patriotic will and
ranks were broken to form again at
North Arson in September
SYX