Daily Kennebec journal., 1913-08-07
Anniversary and
Reunion at Eaton.

Norridgewock, Me-, Aug. 6.-fSpeciaD.
"Wednesday marked the 4Sth ahhiVetSa-
nv observance of the founding of the
Eaton school in Norridgewock and a re-
onion WAS held, many of the alumni be-
ing present Nathan Dole of Jamaica
Plain, Mass. president of the reunion,
was there and presided over the meet
ing. The business meeting was held IN
the High school building at O'Clock. In
the afternoon reunion was held i'll
Grange hall and i'll the evening mu-
steal program was carried out In charge
of Miss Hattie Longley. a banquet was
held. at $50 p NJ, in the dining room of
the hall.
The Eaton school has its graduates in
nearly every state in the union and
among them are men of national fame
Hamlin f Eaton WAS the founder OF
this school which bears his name.
About 60 years ago Mr. Eaton, a boy
of 16, applied for chance to teach
district school in Somerset county. lie
was engaged to keep school which
has an unenviable reputation for not
keeping its teachers. Mr.. Eaton was
born a disciplinarian and within week
he had the most orderly school in the
State. a few years later he connected
himself with Kents Hill Academy.
Though almost a boy among boys he was
a leader He sold his interest in the
academy and went to Dakota. He re-
eeived many letters from the parents
and came back to Maine to Norridge-
tl.. 10 far >
day school which for nearly II score of
years enjoyed remarkable prosperity. A
fine school building was offered to him
as u gift but he declined it, although he
used it until the early SOS when he
linquished the enterprise when it became
the town High school. He went to Dako-
ta and bought land. The land which he
bought at an average of 81 an acre at
last became valuable and now in his old
age he is free to live in California or
Europe
A reunion is now held each year and
Mr.. Eaton occasionally comes from the
West to enjoy them. AT recent reunion
of the school he stated that he came to
Nerridgewoek. July 4, 1865, and was so
struck with the natural beauty of the
place and its many advantages that he
concluded that very day to start
school at this point.
TIE business meeting was held at 3
p. NJ in the High school building. the
following officers being elected by the
Eaton School Reunion Association;
President, Nathan Haskell Doel of Ja-
maiCa Plains, Mass; vice president, w.
S. kidder, Boston. second vice presi-
dent Clarence Weston. Portland. sec
retary and treasurer Miss Hattie
Longley, Norridgewock: executive com
mittee, +. \. Hilton, NorridgeWock;
Henry Newton. New York; Edward
Whiting, New York Miss Nina Hus-
sey, Norridgewock; Mrs. M. r. Wood
comb, Iarone Miss May Ward, Skow-
hogan, and Mrs. Hattie Johnson, Mad
son.
The banquet was held in Grange han,
at $50, Nathan II. Doel presiding.
About 100 participated in the banquet
ana then program was given, in
charge cf Miss Florence Jewett, con-
sisting of music by Towne's Orchestra;
solos. Mrs Arlen MeKenny, Madison;
reading, Miss Hazel Lovett. Skowhe-
nan: selos. Miss Alice Weston; ad-
dresses by Hon. l.. l.. Walton, Skowhe-
gan; Nathan Doel, Jamaica Plains;
Rev. Albert Smith. Milton, Mass; Clar-
ence Weston, Portland; Charles Davis,
Waterville, and NJ. Louise Carr,
Wellesley. Mass Mrs. Caroline Doel.
| the towns oldest woman, now 96 years
| old, gave an address. Telegrams were
read from the founder of the school,
Hamlin Eaton of Dakota, and George
Jewott of London. a ball took place
| following the program.