Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-03-06
BELFAST
Waldo Co. Veterans Association
Has Largest Meeting of the
Year-Fine Program
Including Speeches
COL. CHARLES E. WILLIAMS
GUEST OF HONOR


the year in which the Waldo County
Veterans Association was entertain
cd Thursday by Thomas H. Marshall
Circle, Ladies of the G. A. R.
The sad announcement that six
comrades had answered the last great
bugle call and that taps had been
played for them for the last time, for
few moments cast a shade Of gloom
over the comrades but with their ac-
customed bravery Of heart they soon
rallied. The departed ones are: Joshua
Wilson Black of Searsport, Of Co. K,
26th Maine: George Harding also Of
the goth, and Samuel Morse of the
2oth; John jackson. D. A. Bowers and
Frank Rowe, all Of the 4th Maine.
The committee on time and place
reported that the invitation to meet
or the first Thursday in May with
Frederick Ritchie Grange at Waldo
lad been accepted. There will be no
April meeting owing to the usual bad
travelling at that season.
At noon q delicious dinner was serv-
ca by the Ladies Of the Grand Army
OF the Republic. assisted by Emma
White darker Tent. and Ladies Aux
iliary Of Camp A. E. Clark. S. Of v,
and its members. About 200 partook
Of the dinner The guest of honor Of
the day. Colonel Charles E. Williams.
the former Confederate officer, who at
the last meeting was made an honor
airy member of the association.
r Following dinner, and the usual
smoke talk, came the formal afternoon
program when many who were not
present earlier in the day joined the
assembly. Prayer was offered by Rev.
David Bracket: address Of welcome
by Mayor Robert F. Dunton of Bel
fnst. He spoke in the most cordial
terms to the veterans, saying that no
other organization in the country was
as worthy of a welcome as they. He
called attention to the fact that it was
just 30 years ago to a day that Lin
coin was inaugurated for the second
time and read Lincoln Gettysburg
address. Comrade George Merrill Of
ScaTSport made the response in q
feeling manner and thanked the La
dies Circle for their generous hospi-
t2lity, stating that the veterans al
ways look forward to the Belfast meet
lng with unusual pleasure.
Col. Williams then took the floor
and was greeted with loud applause.
He stated that he had been polished
with & Yankee" polish and was a
citizen Of the State of Maine. although
born 9 Nireinian. He had laid down
his arms 1T Arpoma,tox and if he
ever took them up again it would be
for the Union which now recognized
ne North and no South. He stated that
&c surrendered TO Gen. Joshua Cham
b5riain Of Maine. In closing he said
if there is another war Il shall be too
Old 10 40 active service but l can at
least 30 in the commissary depart
,nent and shall still be doing service
for the old flag
! Noca! duet, The Little Bronze
Luton" was rendered by Mrs. FRS
hoe and Mrs. Macdonald. and a pia-
70 solo by Miss Helen Ellis Brief ad-
dresses We're made by Rev. Horace B.
Sellers Of the Methodist church and
ley. =. a. Blair Of the Jniversalist
church. George L. Whule, tenor, sang
''Massa's il de Cold, Cold Ground, =
and when encored responded with
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
again in which the audience joined.
headings Were given by Mrs S. A.
Iarke- and Miss Alice !. Simmons.
During the reading Of story of a
slave boy by Mrs. Parker. the kindly
feelings Of the old veterans for the
black man were plainly SHOWN for
har u
Ct them seemed ashamed to produce
their handkerchiefs and wipe their
eyes. The slaves for whom they gave
the best of their lives are still an OBJ
iect CT pity and love.