Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-02
DEDICATION OF
fine new HALL OF
MT, vernon GRANGE

Mount vernon, Me-, Jan. 1-\opS
ciaD-Thursday was a great day for
the people of Mount Vernon, especial
ly the members Of Mt. Vernon Grange
No. 42s. indeed, Red Letter day in
their history, it being the time when
their fine new hall was dedicated.
This Grange has never had a home
of it's own. having had its quarters in
the I. O. o. F. hall which was burned
and in which the Grange lost their
piano and paraphernalia-the records
alone being saved.
The new hall was built under con-
tract by Frank l. Bishop of Winthrop,
the contract price being $4,000. Tine
hall is very pleasantly located on n
lot 225 by 1876 feet, said lot adjoining
the Baptist church lot on Church
street. Work was begun Oct. IS and
finished Dec. 10. The building is Sc
by 20 feet with 20 feet post and has
three floors. The street floor, the pub
lie hall, has hard wood floor, a stage
SO by Is, with ante rooms, steel CELL
ing and side walls to wainscoteing,
electric lights, have been installed
new piano, Brewster, purchased Of
c. S. Downing Of Augusta has been
placed on this floor. The second room
is to be used later as lodge room.
but at this time has not been finished
and furnished. The basement has con-
crete floor and contains dining room,
kitchen and storage room. The fur
mace is Monitor, No. so, installed b.
McLeary of Pennington. The walls Of
the basement are of concrete, the
other stories of clapboards painted
white.
This Grange was organized 10 years
ago, having it's quarters then and al
ways in l. o. o. F. hall. Its member
ship at that time was Sc; 26 men and
26 women, rather an odd fact. Its first
master was Charles Elton Weber.
This briefly is the early history of
this present Grange, No. 429. Some 40
years ago, about 1874 a Grange was
organized here with about so members.
The first master of that Grange was
the late Hon. D. H. Thing, who at one
| time was State master. Mr.. Thing
was the master of that Grange during
the greater part of it's eXistance. Its
secretary the first four years was II.
w Weber, the present chaplain Of
this later Grange. This Grange held
it's meetings in leagues" hall so
called. During two years Of it's exist
| ance Grange store was run, one year
by Eben Leighton, who by the way.
is still alive and we'll preserved at 81
years Of age. Elbridge Tracy had
charge of the store the second year.
After several years this Grange was
consolidated with Startling Grange, No.
15G.
The officers for the ensuing year are
are as follows: Master, Moses Gordon;
overseer, Chas. Weber; lecturer,
Blanche Bent: steward, Georgia Hall;
| assistant steward, Fred w. Foss;
chaplain, H w. Weber; secretary,
Emma Wells; treasurer, Sophia Rund
lette; gatekeeper, Russell Berry;
Ceres, Ellen Carson: Pomona, Nina
Webber: Flora, Leah Cole; lady as
sistant steward, Maud Foss; choris-
ter, Carrie Beals. Fred w. Foss is
the retiring master.
The day and evening program for
the dedcatory services follows:
10 o'clock A. M.-Regular Grange
meeting. State Master c. S. Stetson
exemplified the Third and Fourth de-
grees on class Of over 30, one Of the
largest classes ever taken in in the
State. State Secretary E. H. Libby
was present at all the exercises; u
NJ. Grange dinner; P. NJ, dedicatory
services; to 7.30 P. NJ, banquet; 8
p. NJ, concert. An entertaining pro-
gram rendered, including selections by
Knapps Orchestra Of 10 pieces; $50
p. NJ, Grange ball: II, Midnight sup
per.