The Republican journal., 1917-09-13
The Waldo County Veterans
Meet at North Belfast.

Meet at North Belfast.
Thursday morning, Sept 9th, promised
rainy day, but most of the members
and their friends were on the way to
North Belfast before the downpour came,
which was repeated in showers all day.
The comfortable and attractive church
was decorated with red, white and blue
bunting and flags and large bouquets of
cut flowers A furnace fire was found
to be very comfortable by all, especially
those who came from distance by auto.
The meeting was called to order by presi-
dent j. G. Trask and the records of the
August meeting in Winterport were
read by secretary Alfred Stinson. There
were three urgent invitations for the
October meeting. Pres. Trask read a
letter from Martha E. Butler inviting the
veterans to Victor Grange hall, Sears
mont. Comrade j. S. Crockett of Brooks
urged that they meet in that town, as he
had promised the Grange and the Pyth-
ian Sisters that he would use his in
fluence to have the October meeting
with them. Secretary Stinson, respect
ing the wishes of these parties, urged
that they meet at his home in North
Searsport, and gave his special reason
for asking this favor that he wanted the
comrades to help him celebrate his 18th
birthday and 50th wedding anniversary
Oct. 4th. r. c. Whitcomb of Waldo, j.
H. Stinson of East Belfast and Frederick
l.. Palmer of Monroe were made COM
mittee to decide the place of the next
meeting and they later reported in favor
of Sec. Stinson's invitation. Comrade
James Libby of Unity was reported ill,
having recently fractured his hip. Only
one death was reported by secretary
Stinson, that of Comrade Lorenzo D.
Jones of Brooks, former president,
chaplain, secretary and active member
of the association, who passed away re-
Gently at his home. He was brave SOL
dier, trusted comrade, and his death is
mourned by all who knew him He was
a member of the First Massachusetts,
Heavy Artillery and was wounded at
High Bridge, mortally it WIS thought at
the time, a rebel bullet fracturing his
skull. He was sent home, it was thought
to die, but he lived to be 80 years of age
Comrade Crockett also paid tribute to
Mr.. Jones, who was one of the most
patient of sufferers, and to his daughter,
Mrs Emma Jones Small, who had given
him constant devotion and care.
Then dinner was announced and the
line Of march to the vestry was led by
Chaplain George l.. Merrill of Searsport.
Here the people of North Belfast dis
pensed genuine hospitality in serving
over 200 with a delicious and abundant
dinner from attractively laid tables.
rectly opposite the church, gave material
assistance to the ladies at this hour
After short social session, when the
comrades were enjoying their cigars and
many of the ladies were knitting on Red
Cross work, etc, the afternoon meeting
was called to order by President Trask
with a few remarks on the present war
conditions and the prophecy that America
will dictate the terms of peace at its close.
The program was opened by the audi
ence singing America with Miss Frances
Davis at the piano. An eloquent prayer
was offered by Chaplain Merrill; all join
ing in the Lords Prayer at the close.
When the comrades stood as usual to be
counted it was found the unusually large
number of AZ were present. Mrs. Small
of Brooks addressed the Association
thanking the comrades for the many
courtesies extended her father, the late
Comrade Jones, and for the kndnesses
shown her during his illness and at his
death Walter G. Hatch gave an address
of welcome that combined optimism, good
cheer and patriotism. He referred to the
Revolutionary War as remote but not
forgotten. The Civil War is vividly with
lis in the presence of the men of the G.
A. R.. most of them less than 2l years of
age in that period of '61-'65. We are
again sending to the front the boys and
Young men of the present day into more
dreadful conflict and brutal warfare
caused by greed. His closing words were
| from the heart and met a response from
| the veterans present in the few appro-
pirate words in Comrade Crockett's re-
sponse. Remarks were made by Comrade
Merrill, Rev. and Mrs. Fred Morgan,
| Comrade Fred S. Walls, Secretary Stin-
son, Mrs. D. o. Bowen, Mrs. Julia G.
| McKeen, Rev. Michael Andrews and
Comrade E. w Ellis. Mrs. Mckeen and
Mr.. Ellis spoke entertainingly of the re-
cent G. A. r. meetings in Boston and of
the Massachusetts, training camps
The remaining numbers of the program
were given after rising vote of thanks
had been extended to the people of North
Belfast for their royal entertainment:
/ Song, Our Country and Our Flag, Ruth
and Eva Tibado; recitation, Your Flag
and My Flag, Elizabeth Morgan; drum
solos. The Assembly, The Locomotive,