The independent-reporter., 1918-03-14
Meeting Of Somerset Veterans Asse
citation at Oakland

The Association accepted cordial
invitation from the members of the G.
A. r. at Oakland to hold the March
session at that place and the affair
came off in Memorial Hall on Friday.
March s. The morning was cold and
stormy which prevented many of the
old ex-soldiers from venturing out to
meet the elements in what was sup
posed would be an all days conflict.
About thirty of the veterans, with
their wives and guests, were present
and enjoyed a fine meeting and a most
program. The officers
present were Col e. E. Gould. Lieut..
Chas. Folsom Jones; Chaplain, Cephas
Walker and Adjutant, S. F. Emerson.
One comrade present was SO years
old. After singing by the audience,
the chaplain led In repeating the
Lords prayer
f. II. Leech, past department COM
mander of the Sons of Veterans, gave
the welcome address, calling attention
to the great events so closely con-
nected with events of the. Civil War
and OF the great struggle of today
Col. Gould responded to the welcome
followed with singing Tramp. Tramp,
Tramp, the Boys Are Marching. Com
rade s. F, Emerson offered remarks
and referred to his being one of two
hundred soldiers, who in May, 1861,
were drilling in Waterville, and came
over to Oakland. then West Water
vile, on a picnic excursion and how
splendidly and patriotically they were
received and entertained by the citi-
zens of this village. Probably not
one in twelve of that body of soldiers
are alive today.
The following comrades were an
nounced as having passed away since
the December meeting: Alonzo Bur-
rill, f. w Wilson, S. W. Turner. Eli
Hoyt, Francis Chamberlain and Luth-
er Williamson, and Comrades G. W.
Patten, ~ p. Beverage and J. +.
.Woodsum were appointed to prepare
the accustomed resolutions.
Col Gould presented statistics and
events connected with the history Of
the organization. Remarks were in
order and the following comrades re-
sponded; n. p. Beverage. G. W. Pat
ten, W H. Mckenney. o. L. Soule, A.
w. Webb. John Murphy, Retire Web
.ber, Cephas Walker and e f. Gould.
Marching Through Georgia was
rendered which closed the morning
session. A bountiful dinner Was
served by the Ladies of the Relief
Corps.
At one o'clock Col Could called to
order. II Need Thee Every Hour
was sung and Rev. p. A. A. kellaim,
Baptist of Oakland, offered prayer.
After some routine business the ex-
ercises were continued with piano
solo by Florence Gilman and a read
ing BY Clara Leech Next an ad
dress by Rev. p A. A. Kellaim who
spoke along the lines of Liberty,
Equality. Opportunity, Sacrifice and
Fraternity, all of which connects the
past with the present, giving special
honor to the veteran soldiers of the
Republic; solos were given by Fern
Bickford and f. r. Leech; reading by
Lydia Longley and then the address
by Rev f. II, Sleeves, Methodist of
Oakland. He called attention to
present conditions and future results.
urging the utmost loyalty and patrio-
tism and commencing the veterans of
the Civil War for the great service,
Readings were given by Louise Ben
son on THE Flag and by comrade
G. H. Bryant; solo by Mildred Boyn-
ton and songs by Col. Gould entitled
Hold the Fort" and THE Boys in
Blue. Reading and remarks by
.comrade s. F. Emerson and song
"Over the Top" by Clara Leech.
The place for the regular June
meeting was left in the hands of the
Colonel and Adjutant to decide, and
one of the most enjoyable meetings
of the Association closed with bene-
diction by Rev Mr. Kellaim.