The Republican journal., 1914-08-13
The Searsmont Centennial.

Iue OedISInOnt Centennial.
The town of Searsmont in Waldo coprtv nh
served the one-hundredth anniversary of it's
incorporation Tuesday. August llth. and il
was made gala occasion. The decorations
were practically all in the patriotic colors. red
white and blue. Over the bridges on Georges
river and the Quantabacook stream were red
arches with the word Welcome. Manv Of the
houses in the village and in the outskirts were
decorated with bunting, etc., and nearly all
displayed the Stars and Stripes. Private resi-
dences attracting attention we're those Of
Ernest Wing and True +. Moody. Victor
Grange hall was attractively decorated with
flags and pennants; Cobb & PAine's store was in
yellow and green. The building including
Masonic hall. .Dirigo hall, the post Office and the
two stores of v. A. Simmons & Co was adorn.
ed with strips of bunting. fans of the Stars
and Stripes and runs of pennants Across the
streets in every direction large flags and runs
of pennants were suspended. Tn e decorations
were arranged by Orrin ]. Dickey of Belfast
and were m ost effective
On the arrival of the Belfast Band. j. l..
Patterson leader and M. C. Murch major, the
street parade was formed and led by A, P.
French, marshal of the day, in the following
order: A dozen or more autos decorated, in
cluding DR.. o. S. Vickery's with red, white and
blue bunting, the Scamp Quantabacook" sign
on both sides and the college pennants of the
officers of the camp. The car was filled with
the "boys." The marshal of the day mounted
The Belfast Band.
Victor Grange in most attractive canopy
float with decorations of their colors and up
their regalias rode. Riding beside this float was
Erma, the little daughter of Mr.. and Mrs Fred
E. Miller She was dressed in red, white and
slue and the trappings of the horse were in the
National colors. She was very much admired.
Another float to attract attention was one in
which was the Goddess of Liberty, Mrs
Matte Hook, with her attendant young ladies,
we'll represented-V. A. Simmons & Co. by
their bargain team and Cobb & Paine by float
decorated with golden rod The "Mountain
School" was represented by float with floral
decorations. Other floats carried reminders Of
early days, the spinning wheel, carding, reel
ing and knitting and the weaving machines in
operation Then came the "Horribles," with
banner bearing the words "Votes for Women"
and large number of citizens in carriages
followed.
The speakers stand, next the Simmons store,
was decorated with yellow bunting and with
pennants spelling "W ecome" across the front.
The seats were occupied by the band and those
taking part in the program. In front of the
stand were people on settees, standing, in
teams and in autos. A conservative estimate
placed the number of people in town at 5000
or more.
Charles S. Adams, chairman of the literary
program, in calling the assemblage to order
said: 1--WE have gathered here today from our
homes and different vocations in life to cele-
brate the one hundredth anniversary of the
town of Searsmort and we extend to you a
most hearty and cordial welcome. We give to
you this day the town for your benefit and en-
joyment, with the beautiful lake, the green
fields. and our quiet little village on the banks
of the Georges river. We will entertain you
largely with home talent, by those born or
who have lived in Searsmont-possibly some
only long enough to court and wed some of the
daughters of our grand old town."
The historical address by Prof. F. F. Phillips
consumed the time allotted for the morning,
and is printed in full in other columns. At
the dinner hour the hospitality and good work
of the men and women of the town were man
ifested. The Ladies' Aid of the M. E. church
furnished dinner in the vestry, the hotel serv-
ed patrons, and there were lunch counters,
refreshment booths and entertainment in pr-
vate homes
When Chairman Adams called the audience
together at o'clock the crowd had increased
and it was impossible to hear distinctly what
was said even at the ends of the speakers
stand. The program included solos by Misses
Helen E. and Mary F. Cobb of Searsmont and
by Prof A. W. Keene of Camden; readings by
Misses Sabra B. Dyer and Alice E. Simmons of
Belfast. The "Dunton boys of Belfast" were
listened to with close attention. speaking main
ly on "reminiscences of the early days in their
home town but also outlining the possibilities
before her.
DR., Clarence Simmons, who was to have had
charge of the sports and games was ill at
home The Quantabacook Camp furnished
their water stunts from the Georges banks
and bridge. Don Burleigh. as an attractive
summer CIR, ,and DR.. Herbert Ramsey ,canoeist,
caused great excitement in their premeditated
accidental upsetting of the canoe, the girl
floundering in the water and the young man
disappearing. Several of the young men
started to the rescue when the joke was seen.
Warren Fahy won the 100 foot dash against
Don Burleigh. The ball game between Cam
den and Appleton was called late and was not
finished. The last on the program was the ad-
dress of Prof. L. C. Bateman of Auburn, who
spoke on the "Rise and Fall of Nations" and
also prophesied the outcome of'the present
war and the future of the nations of today.
There was dancing in Dirigo hall all the
afternoon and ball in the evening with music
by Keyes orchestra of Belfast
The executive committee, C. S. Adams. Dr.
Clarence Simmons, A. P. French, L. S. Marri-
4 Al 1INS