Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-02-27

A ninstieth birthday Observance 10 not
= common event; and when Silas r.
maxim, Who 70 the oldest man In Paris,
arrived at his ninetieth milestone on the
xlst OF February, 10 was fitting that mo-
toe should Do taken Of the occasion.
Grand Army Hall was the scene Of tho
function, and Il IVES In charge Of the
ladies OF the Seneca Club, Who had made
preparations for the event. Special
Furnishings added to the appearance of
the hall, and the shades were drawn and
the lights turned on.
A good number Of friends, neighbors
and citizens had gathered in the ball at
the time when the exercises began, Q
few minutes after three O'Clock. Mrs.
Agnes Z. Norton, vice-president Of the
Seneca Club, presided during tho pro-
gram.
Entertainment numbers on the pro-
gram included piano solo by Miss
Marion Gray, vocal solo by Miss Mario
Newton, with violin obligato by Miss
Grace Dean, piano duet BY Mrs. Cora
5. Briggs and Mrs.. Agnes L. Morton,
violin solo BY Miss Dean and vocal solo
by Mrs. Alton c. Wheeler. Mrs. Walter
L. Gray read poem, birthday Greet
ing" addressed to Mr.. Maxim by his
cousin, Miss Mary Maxim Of Cambridge,
Mass. Miss Aaxim's poem was a. fol-
lows:
The youngest. born Of the youngest son.
Sends greetings Of love and good cheer
To the eldest born Of the eldest son,
OF our grandsire, the pioneer
Who from Wareham In Massachusetts
To the town Of Paris came,
And carved from the trackless wilderness
A homo and an h0nored name.
And you. his namesake, We greet with pride
On this glad day Of your birth.
Rejoicing that your days and years
Have been long upon the earth,
And ~ our greatgrandmother's were
For history tells rs "She jumped the fence
Atthe age of one hundred and three.
Interpreted with the rest of tho pro-
gram we're brief remarks BY William j.
Wheeler, Albert D. Park, Geo. B. Crock
EFT, Rev. G. I. Spear, Arthur E. Forbes,
Rev. C. G. Miller, Hon. James 8. Wright,
Rev. A. T. McWhorter. II 10 not pos
sible to give In detail tho words Of the
several speakers. In general they refer.
red to the great changes and the tremen-
dous progress which Mr.. Maxim has
Witnessed during his ninety years; they
noted the abiding youth Of his spirit In
spite Of his advanced years; they paid
tribute to the activity Of his life and the
great amount Of work he has accom-
plished; to bis sterling integrity; to his
work in favor Of all moral reforms; to
the service he has rendered the town
through his connection With the pub
lished history Of Paris; to his general
worth a. man and Citizen, without
stain upon his record. 1t was all what
any man should be proud to have spoken
by the men who have known him and
lived In the community with him.
After this part of the program Miss
Eva E. Walker entered the room bearing
q large birthday cake with ninety light
ed candles, which with . few graceful
words she presented to Mr.. Maxim. Fol
lowing this j. A. Kenney, In behalf OF
Paris Grange, presented Mr.. Maxim with
. bouquet Of ninety pinks.
In response Mr.. Maxim said only
little, but that In heartfelt manner. he
said it was difficult to find words with
which to express his gratitude for tho
testimonial. He addressed bis audience
IS "all brothers, even to the suffra-
gettes, "'who are soon to have the ballot;
referred to bis busy life, which had been
the subject Of testimonial by some OF the
speakers; and closed by saying that that
life had been sown thick with friend
ships.
Mr.. Maxim is still in full possession Of
bis mental faculties, and the only sign
he gave Of any physical aging WAS bis
request that the speakers should stand
close beside him, because he said my
ears don't hear"
After the program punch and crackers
were served by the ladies Of the club,
and Mr.. Maxim cut the birthday cake,
which was served to those present, and.
congratulations were extended to the
honOred guest of the club.
In appreciation of the courtesy OF the
club in giving the reception, Mr.. Maxim
made q generous contribution to the
public library fund which the club has
started.