The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-04-19
BIG PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION. FLAG
RAISING AND MASS MEETING
Fifteen Recruits Added to Already Long List as
Result of Stirring Speeches

America patriotism was we'll dem
onstrated last Friday evening when
the town OF Skowhcgan held a flag
raising and mass meeting at the
Municipal Building for the boys of
Company + who have, for the second
time within year, been called to
fight for their country Despite the
storm. there were crowds upon the
streets and after the parade and flag
raising were over. the seating ca
pacity OF the Opera House was taxed
to the utmost with citizens who
gathered there to express their ap-
probation and loyalty to their coun-
try. their President, and the boys of
Company f
Headed by the First Regiment
Band the Maccabees. the parade
formed at the Armory where the
band Was joined by members of Com
pany +, the Boy Scouts and school
boys carrying American flags The
line of march was down Russell
street and up Water to Madison
avenue where they were stationed
during the speech making which took
place just in front of the Charles F
Ward store.
Forrest Cross, chairman of the COM
mittee. introduced the speakers who
were Rev. George Merriam, Judge
Fred f. Lawrence and third and last
Selectman Clyde H. Smith All three
gave splendidly enthusiastic speech
es and were cheered and applauded
by the multitude. Just at the last
words of Selectman Smiths speech
Old Glory was raised and flung to the
breeze while the band played The
Star Spangled Banner" Three
cheers were given for the flag. three
for President Wilson and three for
Company =. Thea, again headed
= t ID. to- pr dc formed and
marched to City Hall Captain
Marston was the general parade
The stage was brightly decorated
with American flags, three large ones
forming the background while the
small table at the front of the rostrum
was draped with bunting Carleton
p. Merrill, chairman of the Somerset
County Public Safety committee pre-
sided, and gave short talk, explain
ing the plans and methods of the pub
lie safety committee and closing with
vivid description of the terrible
suffering in the countries devastated
by war His talk, in part, was as
follows:
The first number on the program
was a band selection and this was
followed by prayer by DR.. o. II
Tracy. After Mr. Merrills talk. he
introduced Captain Roy L. Marston
who gave a stirring talk on his views
of the situation and the patriotism
manifested during the past two weeks
by Somerset County boys closing
with an appeal for more enlistments
Hon Samuel w. Gould was the next
speaker. Mr. Gould declared that
he believed himself as fit for army
service as any of the younger men
and said that he was willing, then
and there. 10 enlist and serve where
ever and whenever ii might be. His
speech was applauded to the echo.
During the evening the National
anthem was sung, the audience stand
ing, and other patriotic songs. The
band played several selections and
many recruits were enrolled
The last speaker was Mayor Han
son of Belfast. one of Names most
prominent Democrats. and editor md
one of the owners of the Waldo
County Herald Mayor Hanson. who
has commanding stage presence and
an excellent voice, gave a splendid
talk and was listened to most atten-
lively He has been thru enumer-
able political campaigns and has had
an altogether remarkable career lie
has recently returned from the We@t
where he has completed political
tour
In response TO the appeals made
by the various speakers fifteen men
enlisted During Captain Marston 5
talk he stated that one young man. a
member of Company f. missing his
train. walked thirty-four miles 10
Skowhegan in order to arrive at the
recruiting office the same day on
which the order to mobilize was
given
Engagement Announced