The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-10-10

SeluOm IL ever before nave lueIe
been in Skowhegan more impressive
ceremonies than those of Friday last
when the Benedict Arnold Memorial
was dedicated and unveiled under the
direction of Eunice Farnsworth Chap
ter Daughters of the American Reyo-
luton.
This event was of more than pass
ing interest to the residents of Skow-
hegan as it was on this historical
island that Benedict Arnold landed on
his memorable trip to Quebec, the tab
let being set near the supposed spot
of his landing. In itself the memori-
al is a large granite boulder the
gift. of Levi Weston, which the ladies
of the Eunice Farnsworth Chapter
have had removed from the Weston
farm to the east corner of the
High School grounds and inscribed as
follows:
September 29-October 4, 1875
Eleven hundred Revolutionary sold
iers commanded by Col Benedict Ar
mold passed across this island carry
ing bateaux and supplies on their way
to Quebec. To commemorate theil
daring and ill-fated expedition this
tablet is placed by Eunice Farnsworth
Chapter Daughters of the American
Revolution, 1912.
The Revolutionary trail across the
Island was marked by small flags and
the exercises were held in the Congre
gational church which had been beau
tifully decorated for the occasion. The
program follows; Prayer, Rev. II. G.
McGlauflin; violin solo, Prof. Abbott
Kendall; address, Work of the Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution, Mrs.
John Alden Morse, state regent; ad-
dress, A Deferred Appreciation, Mrs
Evie II. G, Robinson, state vice re-
gent; soprano solo, Omaha Tribal
Melodies, arranged by Charles Wake
field Cadman, Miss Harriet Marble;
The passage of the Arnold Expedition
through Skowhegan, Miss Louise H.
Coburn; Poem, Q912) On the March
to Quebec. 1775), Mrs. Elizabeth
Powers Merrill; song, Kelly's Ameri-
can Hymn, school children directed
by Prof. E. E. Towne.
Following these exercises of rare
interest the Civil War veterans, the
visiting Chapters, the local Chapter,
the school children and the audience
adjourned to the grounds surrounding
the tablet which was draped with the
American flag The school children
sang, Hail to the Birthday of Free
dom, then Mrs. w b Steward, regent
of the local chapter made the present
alton as follows:
This Memorial Tablet has been
erected in memory of 100 Revolution
airy soldiers commanded by Col. Bene-
dict Arnold on their way to Quebec
We ask the pupils of the High School
and lower grades to care for it, that
it may be kept as it is today. May
the tablet prove means of stimulat-
ing patriotism. May the inscription
it bears excite the curiosity of the
young to learn something as to who
these men were, and what they did,
and learning of their deeds of valor,
their self-sacrifce, their steadfastness
of purpose, may they strive to live up
to their noble ancestry,
As Regent of Eunice Farnsworth
Chapter, Daughters of the American
Revolution, present this tablet to the
town of Skowhegan for care and pro-
lection.
The tablet was then gracefully un-
veiled by the Misses Margaret Goff
Patten, Mary Victoria Blunt, Helen
Coburn Smith and Lois Mead Patten.
The acceptance of the tablet was given
by First Selectman, r. Francis Parker,
briefly but appreciatively with the
following remarks:
1t has been a great pleasure for me
10 listen 10 IneSe DeduIllul e2eIClSco
this afternoon, and to note that every
speaker has brought some tribute OF
love and duty performed by those
brave men of the Revolution to re-
fresh our memories and instill into
our hearts that great love of freedom
and independence that fills the breast
of every true American citizen.
In listening to the presentation OF
this beautiful monument by the
Daughters of the American Revolu-
ton, | am confident that | voice the
sentiment of every citizen in our town
when | accept in the same kindly
spirit in which it is given, and assure
you that this beautiful monument Will
be cherished by our town and may its
silent vigils speak eloquently of those
brave men who laid down their lives
that we might enjoy the blessings OF
a great and free country"
The exercises were then closed
most fittingly by the singing of Amer
lea by the school children.
Much credit is due the local chapter
for the excellence in which the day'e
nropram was carried out as we'll as