The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-03-14
OLD MEMORIES OF
WAR RECALLED
Somerset Veterans Meet
in Skowhegan
Sixty Veterans Present Largely At
tended-Next Meeting in June at
Norridgewock

The largest and livliest session the
Somerset Veterans Association has
ever held in its six years history oc-
Cured at the Court room, Municipal
Building Skowhegan, Thursday, March
:. opening at 1918 a. m. the following
officers present. Colonel, E. L. Gould,
Lieut.. Col. Sewell W. Smith; Chaplain,
Cephas Walker; Adjutant, Samuel f.
Emerson; Toastmaster Saml Nose.
Absent. Major w. H. Mckinney. There
were also present, Department-Com-
mander, Edward Riley of Augusta; ;
Abundant General, John F. Lamb of
Livermore Falls; Chief of Staff, J. l..
Merrick of Watervile; Aid de Camp,
Chas. E. Wing, of Wayne and Patriotic
Instructor, Silas Adams of Waterville.
These Department officers were es-
corted to the hall by Comrades w. H..
Weston, Chas Smith and Abel Rowell,
and on their arrival, received three
cheers a. sonly veterans of many we'll
fought field, know how to give. Our be-
loved and honored Comrade, Gen.
Isaac Dyer was given a grand ovation
as he came to the hall. The audience
sang Showers of blessings; Mrs. En-
ma H. Dunton at the piano, and Chap
lain Walker offered prayer The Ad-
jutant and Quartermaster submitted
their quarterly reports, which were
adopted.
The following comrades were reprt-
ed as having passed away since the
December session: John Wentworth,
Michael Clair, R. H. Eldridge, S. P.
Baker, Thos. Kelley, Lewis Vigue,
John Thompson, Thos. Mullen, Frank
Crommet, Frank j. White, James
Crosby, George Kicker, Ansel T. Nye,
and Levi Foster, and comrades w. H.
Weston, ]. F. Woodsum and Abel Row
ell were appointed to draft resolutions
in their memory.
| The audience rendered Tramp,
| tramp tramp, the boys are marching,
and w H. Hawes, Esq, gave a fine
address of welcome, eloquently and ap-
propriately touching upon some of the
questions closely connected with the
civil war. His tribute to Lincoln, as
we'll as other points in the address,
was loudly applauded. Col. Gould fit
tingly responded to the welcome.
Department. Commander Riley and
Adgt-Gen1 Lamb responded to their
names with well received remarks
which closed the morning session.
The comrades and ladies' of the AuXi-
liary formed and marched to G. A. R.
hall, where a bountiful dinner was ser
we'd by the ladies' of Russell Relief
Corps.
At the opening Of the afternoon ses-
sion, the audience sang Blessed be
the tie that binds Comrade Silas
Adams. Department Patriotic Instruct
or, was called upon and responded
with war "reminiscences. Chief Of
Staff, J. l.. Merriek, was the next
speaker followed by Gen. Isaac Dyer
The committee ON resolutions report
ed and the resolutions read; the choir
rendered an appropriate selection and
all bowed their heads in memory Of
the departed comrades. Next came a
solo from Elmer Z. Harris, which stir
red the hearts OF all present Mr.
Harris responded TO an encore by sing
ing "Tenting on the old camp ground >
Department-Instruetor Chas e. Wing
was the next speaker and then Col
Gould mentioned a communication re-
ceiyed from Comrade James Weston,
now in Florida. describing splendid
time comrades had down there cele-
brating Lincolns birthday. Mrs j. r.
Bieknel gave a recitation on Abraham
Lincoln. Addresses were given by De-
partment Commander Riley and Adjt.
Gen. Lamb. followed with a song by
Col. Gould. entitled Just before the
battle, mother. Comrade S. W.
Smith spoke of the first flag raised in
Somerset county on the island near
where the school building now stands
Speaking by Comrades W. II Emery
H. II. Steward. 5 +. Emerson, ". IL.
Weston. The losses sustained by the
different regiments and batteries from
Maine In the civil war WAS given by
Comrade Alonzo Smith and duet by
Mrs. Dunton and Mrs Bragg, Mrs
Lambert accompanist, closed the eN-
ercises. Comrade S. F Emerson eX-
hibited a hunters horn he found in
the leaves under an oak tree in front
of Yorktown. Virginia, April 1862, so
years ago, next month.
The customary vote of thanks was
extended to all who contributed to the
success of this session, and the 60
veterans present with the ladies of the
Auxiliary, broke ranks to form again
in Norridgewock in June.
II. NJ. Jellson of T. NJ. Nicholson &
Co., salt and picked fish dealers, of