Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-08-24

Completion OF q hundred years OF the
life Of New England town Is an event
always worthy of observance, and rarely
allowed to 60 without suitable recogni-
ton. In this year 1915 the town OF
Woodstock reached the hundredth ami
versary of Its incorporation, and the &C.
casion was appropriately observed on
Wednesday, the 18th, at Bryants Pond
village, the business and social center OF
the town.
That the affair was one which reflects
credit not only upon the town of Wood
stock as a whole but also on it's individ-
ual citizens, all who were present on the
occasion will agree. A full organization
had been effected, and the several com.
mittees and individuals took hold OF
their respective parts of the work with
earnestness and enthusiasm. The re-
suit was a celebration we'll planned and
excellently carried out, providing not
only for attention to the history of the
towns hundred years and its varied &C.
tivities, but for the entertainment OF the
people as we'll.
The high wind which roared In the
trees all day, making outdoor speaking
especially difficult in addition to its gen.
eral disagreeableness, was the only un-
pleasant feature of the weather. For
once We had had twenty-four hours with
out rain, 80 that the surface OF the
ground bad had an opportunity to get
dry. The sun was bright, and the air
agreeably cool, so that the people could
be comfortable.
And the people were there. The
townspeople, me-comiDg natives OF the
town from other towns and states, sum-
mer residents and visitors, and hundreds
from neighboring towns, coming from all
directions and by all methods of convey
ance. A conservative estimate places
the number present at three thousand.
For some days previous to the celebra.
ton. Brown the decorator of Portland
bad been working in the village, and the
place was gay with flags, bunting and
banners. The larger part Of the houses
and business places, the speakers stand
in the village square, Dearborn Grove, In
which portion of the exercises were
held-even the town pump, had their
display of bright colors.
At nine O'Clock in the morning came
the first feature of the day, the parade,
to see which many of the visitors made
an early start from home; and while 1t
was not an immense affair, 1t was we'll
worth taking some trouble to see.
As marshal r. L. Cummings on a
white horse led the parade, followed by
platoon of officers, and next came Dix
field Band, twenty-four pieces and drum
major. Mount Christopher Co., Uni
form Rank, K. OF P, came next, on foot
They were followed by the veteran sol.
diers, riding in the old stage which used
to run between Bryant's Pond and Rum
ford, drawn by four horses and driven BY
George futile, an old driver on that
route.
A section of six decorated automo-
biles came next, carrying citizens of the
town. In one of the first was seated
Francis Hammond Of South Woodstock,
the oldest man in Woodstock, 90 years
OF age, who fought in twelve battles in
the civil war. Following were good
number of Boy Scouts and Camp Fire
Girls, marching around large Ameri-
can flag, and in charge Of Rev. w. G.
Curtis of Bethel.
A number of floats came next, includ-
ing: Fraternal Lodge, K. of p, with
rank team in full regalia; Patrons Of
Husbaudry; NJ. C. Allen, Department
Store; C. c. Dudley's store, with ban.
ner representing q. j. Libby's general
store; the Fire King hand engine; Dear
born Spool Co., with a machine making
spools, and distributing them to the
spectators; the Milton clothespin fac
tory of L. NJ. Mann & Son; Mrs. Crock
EFT, millinery; q. Alton Bacon, builder,
whose float was a miniature bungalow;
and the Little Jap Tea Room, the float
being a jinricksha, drawn by two Jap
boys and carrying Jap girl with para
sol.
A dozen or more automobiles made up
the rest of the procession, belonging to
citizens and visitors, all decorated in
variety and with excellent taste.
The committee of award on the parade
gave the first prize for automobiles to
Ray Crockett's car, carrying Father
Time, and the second to Arthur Stevens,
riding as Uncle Sam In car belonging
to s. L. Russ, with honorable mention
of the handsomely decorated cars of l..
A. Hall and DR.. A. W. Rogers.
On the floats the first prize was award
ed to the Patrons OF Husbandry, and the
second to the Little Jap Tea Room, with
honorable mention OF 81. Alton Bacon
and the Dearborn Spool Co.
After the parade had traversed the
principal streets Of the village and been
discharged, the public exercises of the
forenoon were held in the square, a stand
for the speakers having been erected on
the old hotel lot. DR.. A. w. Rogers
of Boston, one of the summer visitors,
was chairman of the day, and in opening
the exercises, after music by the band,
he spoke as follows:
This is the hundredth civic birthday
of the town of Woodstock. When New
England town celebrates it's centennial
anniversary, picture Immediately
springs to mind of hardy settlers moving
forward the line of pioneer life, subdu-
ing the forests, making clearings for
homes and farms, rough roads for COM
munication with other settlements, the
little schoolhouse for the meagre educa-
ton then possible for their children, soon
afterward the church for the worship OF
God, and then civic organization.
These noble bills, smiling lakes and
lovely valleys, which allure some here
year by year and hold others here by the
spell of natures charm, were, to the men
and women of a hundred years ago,
places less of beauty than of rugged en-
deavor; woodland and soil to subdue by
strong arms and steady brains; places In
which to develop new homes, new
social life, the beginning Of new local
history.
This celebration will be marked BY
happy reunions of families and friends, a
jovial day for all visitors; but In a deeper
sense, sense which makes celebration
worth while, 1t will awaken q new re-
gard for the bravery and strength oil
character OF those who endured the hard
ship and privation of the pioneer life Of
this region. 1t will be the occasion fol
study Of this rugged life, it's educational,
religious and civic development and Of
the rudimsnts of local history on which
the succeeding generations have buildec
and will continue to build.
Included in the program Of the fore
noon was the singing of an anniversary
hymn, written by Arthur F. Cushman
and sung by the congregation to the tune
of Duke Street. Prayer was offered BY
Rev. Z. q. Slower.
The address of welcome was given BY
10. W. O, Perham, who spoke particular