Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-20
A. Ganeston Park.

The visitors guests of the company,
comfnittae on arrangements and re-
centisn COMMITTEES with their ladies, at
the close eff the exercises boarded cleo
trio cars i'm front of City hall and were
taken 10 Ganeston Park, Western av-
enue, the beautiful home of Hon. ana
Mrs W II. Gannett. where they were
splendidly entertained until time Tor
the departure.
The guests on arrival at about 11.30 A.
NJ. PASSED down the walk through the
beautifully kept gardens to Howard
hall, which was decorated with flags
and patriotic colors in keeping with
the occasion. They were first ushered
to the upper nall, where they were met
by a receiving line, including Mr.. and
Mrs. William II. Gannett, MIR. and Mrs
Guy p Gannett, Mrs. Donald b. Crag-
in, Watervile: Miss Florence Gannett
and Governor and Mrs. Plaisted.
The receiving line was at the far
Their end of the hall, while at the OPP
posite end. displayed upon a raised
pla torn and with an American flag
as background were the famous
Fort Western punch bowl and a table
and chair of the old Fort Western
furniture.
The Old Punch Bowl.
The punch bowl was source of
great surprise for one reason, a.
least Those who had only heard of it
bus never seen it confidently expected
to behold one of pewter. at least half
as big as washtub. and We're greatly
surprised to behold a modest china
bowl, about Is inches In diameter and
b,,lJ RI
The punch bowl was loaned for tho
occasion by Mrs. Martha B. Pidgin OF
Lewiston, who is the last one living
of the Howard family who was born
in The old fort and to whom the punch
bowl descended as an heirloom. The ta-
BILE and chair shown are the property
of Miss Mary A. Little of Lewiston.
Both Mrs. Pidgin and her husband.
William A. Pidgin. for many years
business manager of the Lewiston
Journal, were present among the in
vited guests. The many other wonder
fui curies with which Howard hall Is
filled called forth many expressions OF
admiration from the visitors who
would gladly have passed longer
time in their inspection had not the
dinner call been so urgent
The Clam Bake.
It was a most satisfactory repart
that Mr.. Gannett had spread for his
guests upon the lawn Plates were
laid for 400 people, who were served
with a clam bake which included
clans. Holsters, roast corn, watermel-
ON and all the fxings. a clam bake
which as one of the "Feeters" said
put completely into the shade the
hitherto famous clam bakes of Com
neoticut ana Rhode Island" Landlord
Wilbur Il, Emerson of the Augusta
House was the caterer while the clam
bake itself was under the especial df-
rectiop Of c. #. Names of Lewiston.
When the repast was completed Ma
Jof Hewlett in behalf of the visitors.
extedded their praises to MIR. and Mrs
Gannett for their beautiful entertain
ment. He had never seen a farm be-
fore like that of Mr.. Gannett, where
clans and Holsters and watermelons
grew in profusion One hundred and
thirty-seven Years ago Mr.. Gannett's
great gra ndtather entertained as
sumptously as his opportunity would
permit Benedict Arnold and the men
of It's. but he had nothing on his
great grandson declared Major Hew-
lett amid great applause. Then he led
the ''Feeters' in the query, And Who
are Mr.. and Mrs Gannett?" and the
Continued on Page Twelve.)