The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-04-04
GOTH. BIRTHDAY or MRS.
LOUISA STEVENS
Over Two Hundred Friends Extend
Their Congratulations In Person,
While Scores Send Remembrance
BY Mall and Telegraph-Lavish
Floral Decorations and Many Gifts.

The ninetieth birthday anniversary
of Mrs. Louisa j. Stevens was Oh
served by largely attended recep-
ton at the home OF her son. Dr. Ed
mund H. Stevens, 70 Raymond street.
friends were present 10 offer their
congratulations in person, and Mrs.
Stevens was the recipient Of a hun
dred letters of greeting from old
friends in Skowhegan, Me, as well as
kilograms and letters from other
friends, near and far. While the re-
ception was in progress, bright let
ter was received from Mr.. and Mrs.
Stillman F. Kelley, of this city, now
in California. The house was bow
er of ported plants and flowers sent
by loving friends, absent and pres
ent, all of them honoring the dear
lady ninety years young on this me-
mortal day.
Mrs. Stevens was assisted in re-
ceiving her friends by her daughter
Miss Luella B. Stevens, and by her
son, DR.. Stevens. Mrs. f. H. Stevens
who had planned the affair before
her departure, sent congratulations
from Porto Rico.
Among the guests were Mrs. Ly-
man Stevens and her son, William L.
Stevens, of Concord n. H.; Mrs. Man
ley Pooler of Skowhegan, and Mrs.
Stevens pastor, Rev. Vincent Raw,
of the North Congregational church,
and Mrs. Raw. Mrs. Stevens former
pastor, Rev. Prof. Daniel Evans, who
was out of town that evening, called
to pay his respects during the after
noon. Dr. Evans having attended
Mrs. Stevens eightieth birthday cele-
bration, and on that occasion inviting
himself to her ninetieth anniversary.
Mrs. Evans and her children attended
the evening reception. Another af-
ternoon caller was Mrs. Gregory, Of
Watertown an invalid, who made the
trip by carriage.
Beside the numberless letters and
kilograms and the profusion OF tx
auisite flowers, Mrs. Stevens was the
recipient OF many beautiful gifts in
cut glass and silver. Among these
was a slender and graceful silver
loving cup on an ebony pedestal,
bearing this inscription: Presented
to Lousia J. Stevens in honor OF her
goth birthday by ladies OF the North
CONGREGATIONAL Church. Cambridge.
Mass. March %, 1912" Anothc!
treasured remembrance was the fol
lowing poem, read on this occasion
and written by Mrs. Elizabeth Merrill,
an old friend in Skowhegan:
NINETY YEARS.
Ninety years OF the worlds rich life.
Ninety years of its sun and shade!
OF love and peace, Of toll and strife,
The wool of which all life is made,
Ninety years, o my gentle friend
And yet the skies are just as blue,
AS when lifes morning first began.
And with its smile drank up the
dew.
Ninety years And thy living soul
Knows the gladness of rich content,
And thou hast paid thy journeys toll
In golden coin of days well spent
Far DER the winding years you see
The dear old days when you were
young
The lilacs bloom, the apple tree
Meath which you sat and softly
sung.
You see the old home on the hill,
And those you loved in days gone
by
Beyond the golden stars they still
Await your coming by and by,
God has been good" you calmly say,
"He leads me where his mercics
flow,
And when deaths night falls on my
day
| take Christ's hand and gladly go"
o happy pilgrim of the years!
What wonderous changes you have
seen,
A nations glory and its tears
The blood that washed it white and
clean,
The mighty tide of wealth and power,
Light, speed, and glory of the
earth
You stay to greet the coming hour,
When greater wisdom shall have
birth.
Ninety long years God gives to you,
And He will even lead you on.
Unmoved his purpose, He is true,
Ancient OF days and latest born
Watch thou and wait, kneel thou and
pray,
That through life's darkness light
may shine
Day Star sheds its ray
To lead all souls to life divine.
Mrs Stevens was born in Randolph,
N. H., but spent her married life, I'M
til she came to this city, thirty years
ago, in Skowhegan, Me. Her husband
was DR.. Horace Stevens: her son, DR..
N