Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-08-18

GLAD EVENT WHEN TOWN OBSERVES
ITS HUSDREDTH ANNIVERSARY.

+ IGLAD EVENT WHEN TOWN oBsERvI
ITS HUSDREDTH ANNIVERSARY.
II HIRAM, MAINE, Aug. IL.
II This was au historic day for Hiram
, such a. the town had never seen In ],
hundred years OF existence. To-day th
town celebrated the one hundredth ann
versary Of Its incorporation.
i The day was favorable, and earl
crowds began to assemble from Hirai
and surrounding towns; and New Ham,
shire, Massachusetts,, Pennsylvania, Ca
ifornia, Colorado, and perhaps othe
states helped to line the streets with
vast throng.
Let 1t stand to the credit OF the gran
old town that We can not learn that fror
dawn till 10 P. N. there was heard dir
cordant word, or an unsteady footste
seen, or an evidence of int0xication o
drink. Indeed, 1t is fact that with GU
population OF 915, We do not average on
criminal case in two years.
During the past week Mr.. Elme
Brown OF Portland, the decorator, hat
painted the town red, and the stores
shops, mills, public buildings and resi-
dences were decorated with fine effect.
The parade was success, rejecting
great credit on the firms and societie
represented. Among the notable float
were:
One containing veterans of the civi
war, including Chadbourne Rand OF Den
mark, a native of Hiram, aged 90, ant
others, with Ephraim E. Hanson ant
James Evans, Esq., Of Hiram, wh'
played in band in the funeral process
sion of President Lincoln.
A large flag was carried, held up q
the corners and sides by ten Boy Scout
of Hiram.
The Methodist church, organized in
1910.
The Congregational church, organized
in 1926.
The Univsrsalist church, organized il
1884.
The Young Peoples Union and thu
Christian Endeavor.
The K. of P. team, rank of knight.
Mt. Cutler Grange, P. Of a., drawn by
eighteen oxen, some of them girthine
s feet.
Saco Valley Temple, Pythian Sisters
The Ladies' NJ. c. and Y. Club.
Town officers and centennial commit
tee.
Aged men.
Seth C. Clemens.
Twitchell. Champlin Co.
The procession marched through the
villages from the old Union church to
the town house and back.
There was afterward long procession
of automobiles, gaily decorated. 1t ii
understood that first, second aud third
prizes for best decorated automobile
we're awarded to James Williams, Miss
Grace Dyke, and Mr.. Hunt, all OF Sebago
A large crowd assembled on the river
bank below the bridge and witnessed
various water sports. A base ball game
resulted In the defeat of the Bridgton
team by Kezar Falls.
Clarence Kimball served efficiently az
chief marshal, with several aids, some OF
them ladies on horseback, making fine
appearance. Governor Haines was un-
able to be present, but was we'll repre-
sented by Maj E. Z. Philbrook and Maj
Charles G. Keene of his staff, and Hon,
Fred Kinsman, chairman of the council
Floyd w. Burnell presided at the exer.
cises of the day with his usual grace,
tact and dignity. Rev. Ezra B. Pike Of
Exeter, N. h, aged 81 years, a native OF
Hiram, offered prayer. A fine address
of welcome was given by Rev. Hervey
q. Hoyt, pastor of the Universslis'
church.
Ex-Congressman Hon. Samuel W.
Gould of Skowhegan, who was reared In
Hiram, was introduced with few neat,
felicitous remarks, and delivered an
Grafton that held the vast throng with
his eloquence. His pathetic tribute to
the motherhood of Hiram was doubtless
inspired by the presence on the stand Of
his venerable mother, Mrs. Ruth Gould,
aged nearly 81. -,
Mr.. Gould, during his grafton, to II,
lustrate the home instinct of the wander
ing sons of Hiram, read poem, entitled
"Coming Home" written 10 distant
state fifty years ago by Llewellyn A.
Wadsworth.
Mr.. Kinsman of Augusta addressed
the assembly briefly. =.
An ode, entitled: "Dear Native Tow" u
composed by Mrs. Minnie II. Hoyt,
wife of Rev. Hervey 81. Hoyt, was then
sung to the tune America.
An historical paper, entitled, "Glean.
ings from the Early History of Hiram,' u
written by Llewellyn A. Wadsworth.
also centennial poem by him, addressed
"To the Returning Sons and Daughters
of Hiram" were not read, but were
printed with the program in pamphlet
form.
In the afternoon an invitation was
given to visit the old historic mansion OF
Gen. Peleg Wadsworth, more than q
century old, and especially the "Long.
fellow ROOM" which his grandson, the
poet Longfellow, used to occupy when
spending his vacation there. The quaint,
old fashioned furnishings, canopy bed,
walls, and ceilings of pine boards two
feet wide, never painted, make 1t an
object of interest to visitors.
Some visited Geo. T. Osgood's museum
of old firearms, swords, cutlasses, and
other relics, and minerals.
During day and evening Kezar Falls
Band furnished fine music. Three guns
were fred at morning, noon and night,
The fireworks in the evening were very
fine.
1t was day never to be forgotten
Hands were clasped that had been
separated by thousands Of miles, OF
scores of years. Aud its pleasant scenes
and words will linger long in the picture
halls of memory. :.
The Centennial Committee, Everett
Stuart, Gardner II. Rankin, Esq, and
Charles K Bean, and Mrs. Annette K
Richardson, corresponding secretary
have worked faithfully, and success hat
crowned their labors.
Reunion of Colby Family.
In honor of the sixty second birthday
of Charles II. Colby of Paris, family
reunion was held at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Colby on Friday, the 14th
There we're present five children, twenty.
four grandchildren, and other relatives,
making party of fifty, of whom only
one, W. w. Maxim, a neighbor, was not
connected with the Colby family. -Four
generations were represented.
n. Ia hoor inland od m hava the din