Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-11-11
SKOWHECAN


hogan people gathered at the State
Reformatory for Women, Friday at
ternoon to be present at the flag rais-
ing at the Lillian NJ. N. Stevens cot
tage. The administration room on
the east was occupied by the audi
ence end here speech making was
in order with the superintendent.
Mrs. Gertrude Wight, presiding. She
explained that the inmates had
planned to obtain a flag and earn
money for the same but instead they
had been presented with the Stars
and Stripes by Mrs. Mary Burnham
of Portland. who is greatly interest
cd in the institution. Mrs. Burnham
was invited to be present but being
unable to come she forwarded
lengthy telegram which embodied al
so charming little poem, the same
being read by Mrs. Wight. Clyde II.
Smith Of SkOwhegan, chairman of the
board of trustees, was called upon
for the opening address and he eX-
pressed his delight at seeing so many
of the citizens present on this occa-
sion, adding that the feeling of an
tagonism felt by some. in the begin
ming, that the institution was to come
TO Skowhegan had entirely died out.
He especially addressed the women
OF the institution, trusting that they
might gain 4 better understanding
for more satisfactory life and then
referred to the American flag which
xr-ac In h. hi ~-4
tage. Mrs. EfIie M. Lawrence of
Rockland. another trustee, was then
called upon and she very charming
ly admitted that while she at first
thought Skowhegan was not the place
at all for the state institution she
had grown to see that this was not
the case. She gave a very patriotic
address voicing special sentiments to
the women, a large number Of whom
were grouped at the rear of the room
to listen to the exercises. Mrs.
Lawrence also added that in her
opinion many Of the women would
not now be inmates of the reform
atory had it not been for the war,
the changes and the bewilderment
resulting therefrom being largely re-
sponsible for their mistakes Mrs
Frances e. Damon Of Dexter. a third
member Of the board addressed her
remarks almost entirely to the wo-
men in which expressions from
Longfellow. motherly advice and pa
triotism were intermingled with sim
cere fervency. Other Speakers who
responded with kind and eloquent
remarks when called upon were r. T.
Patten. Edward F. Merrill. Rev. 0.
Fl. Tracy. Rev. George Merriam and
Rev. Charles II. Mckinney. The
final speaker ON the afternoon was
FIR. Kelley Of Lewiston of the board
of commissioners. Patriotism might
we'll DC considered the keynote Of this
address, particularly fitted to the
prime motive Of the meeting, the
raising Of the Stars and Stripes. He
urged with great earnestness that we
follow. the dictates of our con-
science and worship Almighty God"
Like his predecessors he gave special
attention to the inmates. "the girls
who came there to improve them
selves"
At this point in the program Supt
Wight announced that drill would
be executed by some Of the girls and
the big folding doors which divide
the administration room were thrown
open and some thirty young women
executed a difficult. drill in which the
various nations were represented.
Each girl wore an elaborate gown
made of crepe paper by the inmates
and their assistants and national an
thems of various countries were
sung. The drill was unusually in
tricate but not one false move was
made and it is schooner a handsomer
group Of young women may be found
together at one time. At the end of
the drill dainty young lady
crowned as the goddess Of Liberty
appeared and, escorted by the re-
naming members Of the cast, bore
the nag to the outside Of the build
ing. where she assisted Chairman
Clyde H. Smith Of the 3eformatory
Board in hoisting the emblem Of
liberty. The girls pledged allegiance
to the nag after it had been raised
and one Of their number stepped to
tho front and charmingIy recited .
tribute to the nag.
AT the, conclusion Of the exercises
The. visitors were. allowed to inspect
the bdilding ana the remainder Of