The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-08-10
AUGUST SIXTEENTH
TO Be OBSERVED
IN DUE FORM
F. M. 7. A. B. Society Has Com
pleted Plans For Celebration
SHORT HISTORY OF SOCIETY
Aerial Artists Among Performers
Engaged-Many Attractions Sche
duled for Day.

One week from Tuesday Benning-
tons own peculiar holiday August
10th, again comes due. The ami
versary of the Battle of Bennington
has been variosuly celebrated from
time to time, but the day has been
annually observed with such faithful
mes and success by the f. NJ. T. A. b.
society of Bennington for many years
past, that the day has come to be con-
sidered as essentially theirs.
The Father Mathew Total Abstin-
ence and Benevolent Society Of Ben
nlngton, VT, was organized December
y, 1878 by fifteen Catholic young
men. Besides the one great cause of
Temperance these young men had in
view two other most worthy objects.
To provide relief for members in
case of sickness or accident" and
TO elevate morally their character
as men and Christians"
With these aims ever in mind and
with the kindly help and guidance of
Rev. John O'Dwyer, then pastor of st.
Francis de Sales Parish, the society
prospered from the start. Member
snip gradually increased until the
rooms on Main street had to be va
Gated for larger ones and the society
moved into the third floor of the
brick building on the corner of North
and River streets. Here the increase
OF membership continued and in 1895
over one hundred and twenty-five
young men, firm and jealous In the
cause of Temperance, were active
members OF the organization. So
prosperous and enthusiastic we're
they that 1t was proposed to erect a
building that would give the society
a permanent home one that would
stand as a constant reminder of the
great cause of Temperance and of
Father Mathew, its Apostle.
To make this possible the society
petitioned the legislature and ON De
cember 81, 1896, were Incorporated
under the laws of the State of Yer
mont. Several fine sites were then
Under consideration, but with the
erection OF St Francis de Sales Acad-
envy the project was given up and
rooms especially designed for the So
clety secured in this building. This
forms the present home of the society
which Is today in thriving condi-
ion.
Shortly after its organization the
society, feeling that something should
be done in observation of the ami
versary OF the Battle of Bennington.
arranged for and held Picnic and
Field Day at Hunts Upper Grove.
August l6, 1879. This met with so
much approval and success that IL
was made an annual affair. Since
1879 the society has every year held
its Picnic and Field Day on the 10th
OF August and the financial condition
ot the society has come to depend TO
a great extent upon the success of
that day, August, 16, 1910 will make
the S2d consecutive anniversary Of
the Battle OF Bennington, which the
r. NJ. 1. A. b. Society has observed
IN this manner.
During the thirty-two years of IFS
existence the society has done an
immense amount of good among the
young men of the community by lis
persuasion and example. Many are
the instances in which sobriety and
peace have been introduced into var.
ious homes through the influence of
the society.
The plans for the celebration Aug
lst 10th are more extensive this wear
than formerly. The committee I'm
charge has been fortunate in securing
a pair OF aeronauts OF repute and dar.
ing, Prof. and Mrs. A. Il. Berry. "the
iovereigns OF the Clouds" These dar.
ing performers will make balloon
ascension and triple parachute drop
feat never before attempted. Other
features make up an attractive bill
The annual inspection OF fire com.
lanies Will be held the morning OF
he sixteenth.