Norwich bulletin., 1918-08-29
BILL LIBRARY FUND
 GROWS O s4.6a1. .e5


 The Bill Library association held it's fifty first annual meeting at Ledyard, I on Wednesday, for the choice of of feers for the ensuing year, and to hear reports of officers for the year past and to carry out a programme of mu s1cal and literary exercises appropri- ate to the oceasion;; and to enjoy din ner such as the cooks of Ledyard well know how to prepare.
 The trustees met at Il a. m. in the library building. President William I. Allyn in the chair.
 The secretary, F W. Burton. read the minutes of the last meeting, which were accepted and approved. The treasurer Billings T. Avery, read his report. which was accepted and approved. The report showed that the Henry Bill fund at present amounts to $4;631.95 There are thir ty shares of New York, New Haven l & Hartford railroad stock, one steel bond, $1000; accumulated dividends, 1 $SSS.71. All expenses are paid and a larger amount is in the treasury than a year ago.
 Mrs. B. T. Avery. librarian, read her report which showed the library to be 1 in a prosperous condition. She rec commended a change in the rules so as | two books to be taken out at time instead of one. On motion of the Rev. MT. Falmouth the change was voted.
 The election of S%.cers resulted as follows: President, William I Allyn; vice presidents, Isaac G.. Geer, and John M. Gray; secretary, Fred W. Burton; treasurer, Billings T. Avery; librarian. Mrs. B. T. Avery; executive committee. Isaac G. Geer, B. T. Avery, w. I. Allyn, Charles A. Gray; book committee, Frederick Bill, John M Gray, B. T. Avery, F. W. Burton.
 The board adjourned for the exer- cises in the church.
 | The exercises in the church com
 menced with a fine soprano solo by Miss Gladys Pettigrew, of New Lon don This was followed by an address
 of welcome by the Rev. A. E. Kin month in which he feelingly referred
 to facts in the history of the library
 saying that this was the twenty -fiftf anniversary of the public exercises il connection with the annual meetings o : the association. He mentioned the fac
 that not one of the original trustee
 is now living and only three of, thos
 who were on the board when he cam
 to the place. He alluded to presen
 conditions created by the great wa . in progress over the seas -cfa their in . . fuence upon the thoughts and feel ings of the people of the present tiES- Prayer was offered by tho Rev Oliv CT E. Newton of Gales Ferry. Maste , Philip Somers recited Lincoln . Gettysburg Address. A second sopra ' no solo was rendered by Miss Gladly | Pettigrew. The address of the da
 was delivered by the Rev. Allen Bush of Gales Ferry. In the course C = it he dwelt upon the influence of goo : literature upon character and the i'm , portance of following wise method 7. and correct habits in the process ( reading. He spoke of the cnorTnou :, output of the press at the preseH time and the effect it is having upo
 the minds of the people in genera
 He depreciated the habit which is S
 extensively formed at the present tim
 of scanning over newspaper columns
 getting a general idea of their content 5 by nothing but the headlines and ( : skipping the rest. It leads to a loose
 ness and vagueness of thought whic t is detrimental to the mind.
 s After the conclusion of the addres / Miss Pettigrew rendered another sol e When the Boys Go Home. The bene . diction was pronounced by the Re e G. F. Goodenough.
 The dinner which consisted chief f of. clam chowder, pies, cakes, fru = and coffee, was served under the ter h by the side of the church. It was pa1 ' taken with :he usual zest by a crow = numbering probably three hundred. f Weather conditions were as favor I able as could be desiSed and all pres r ent seemed to be satisfied wit l, themselves and all others, exceptin y the enemies who are making so muc t trouble across the water.
 e The friends of the rernarkab t Jeptha Bill of Griswold were lookin
 for him but he failed to appear.