The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-05-30
PATRIOTIC EXERCISES IN
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Under Auspices of the Grand Army
of the Republic

OI the hepnDnc
The custom of visiting the publi
schools under the auspices of the G. A
r. occurred in the village last Fri
day. The arrangements made by tn,
several teachers and their scholar,
directed by the superintendent, l.. w
Gerrish, were highly creditable ant
greatly appreciated by the faithful
veterans who took part. 1t is to BIZ
regretted that so few of the member.
of the G. A. r. came to the front a
this critical time and failed to tax.
the places assigned them. 1t was no
only disappointment to the comrades
who did attend but also to the teach
ers and pupils of the schools. 1t il
very certain that this custom institut
ed by the Grand Army of the Republic
| will have to be abandoned if our com
rades refuse to comply with the re.
| Quirements and fulfill the duties de
volying upon them. In two instances
|
where at least five were assigned. Al
| the Academy Comrades Sullivan Rus.
| sell and j. p. Thompson assisted by
| Rev. J. G. Osborne. High, up stairs
| Comrades J. w. Fogler, Alonzo Smith
and X. A. Withee. High, down stairs
Comrade J. d. Emerson. Park Com
rades w II. Weston F. NJ Mills, S. F
Emerson, Rev H. G. McGlauflin and
Rev. George Merriam. The above
schools were attended in the forenoon
In the afternoon the attendance was
Weston hail. Comrade Sullivan Rus
sell and Rev. J. G. Osborne; Garfield
Comrades J. w Fogler Y. A. Withee
Alonzo Smith and Rev George Mer-
RAM; Lincoln, Comrades !. p. Thomp-
son and S. f. Emerson; Jewett street,
Comrade J. ID. Emerson Mrs. Sand
ford's school on the Canaan road Com
rades W. II. Weston, f. NJ. Mills and
Rev. II. G. McGlauf1in.
The teachers at the Park school out
did the others by sending an escort
of boys with drums and flags who in
fine military style led the veterans
from the G. A. K. Hall to the school.
Here the guests received splendid
ovation by the teachers and scholars.
The four schools combined in one
room that was splendidly decorated
for the occasion, flowers and flags
and pictures in rich profuson adorn-
ing the walls. The exercises given
by the children under the direction
of their teachers were worthy of the
highest praise, consisting of flag drills,
patriotic songs and sentiments, all of
an inspiring nature. Mrs. Mitchell,
Mrs Holbrook Miss Higgins and Miss
Blaisdeil are congratulated for -the
splendid work accomplished.
At the Lincoln school the exercises
were similar although on not quite so
elaborate a scale. The small chill
dren at this school did finely with
their drills, and patriotic songs and
rendered the veterans a fine reception
with waving flags and beautiful flowers
and smiling faces. Mrs. Turner, Miss
Townsend, Miss Simpson and Miss
Hoyt did all possible to make the ex-
ercises pleasant and interesting.
The writer was unable to get cor
rect returns from the other schools
but understands that the Garfield
school, decorated the rooms where the
exercises were held and gave patrio-
tic reception to the veterans.
Unless the members of Russell Post
make a greater effort to take a part
in the future we shall have to abandon
these interesting and patriotic exer-
cises in the future. 1t is unfair to
expect a faithful few to do it all, and
more than this, it is rendering injus-
tice to our teachers and scholars to
put in so much time in making ar
rangements for the coming of the vet
Grams and then have only one or two
put in an appearance.
All honor to the nine comrades who
did their part and did it well on this
occasion and also to Reys. II. G. Me
Glaudin, Geo Merriam and J. G. Os-
borne for the splendid assistance they
so freely gave