The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-05-24
Was Fittingly Observed = d
Honor Was Done t
Men in Service Z
SEVEN GOLD STARSI
TELL OF SACRIF Z
Honor Roll Was INV
Last Night in Fine
Observance


and organized Clan Gordon, No. u, o. S.
c. The anniversary of that event was
fittingly observed in the clan rooms last
evening by large assembly of clans
men with their wives, guests and mem
bers of the Ladies' Auxiliary. The af-
fair was two-fold in its purpose, in that
besides commemorating the work of
those first thirty-six men, charter mem
bers OF the society, it also did honor to
those who made the supreme sacrifice in
the cause Of liberty and also those who
went through the big struggle and re-
turned.
| An honor roll that has come in for
much praise and commentator bearing
80 names Of clansmen, also the name Of
Miss Marguerite Sherrilfs, member of
the Ladies' Auxiliary, and who is doing
Red Cross work abroad was unveiled
While the audience stood and sang "The
Star Spangled Banner" Violet Milne,
in the garb of Red Cross nurse, drew
aside the Stars and Stripes, while Doro-
| thy Barclay in Highland costume, with
drew the Union Jack, both Of which were
used to veil the roll. William Duff, a
1 iONFii - cpollslDlt lOI JUe ueC-
orative work and the placing Of the
names to the approval of the order
| Many viewed at close range during the
evening an everlasting tribute to men in
uniform. There are seven names on the
roll, opposite which are gold stars, de.
noting that the supreme price had been
paid. They are: John Coburn, Arthur
Manson, William J. Mcdonald. Ronald
Mcmillan, James Mcintosh, Walter S.
Milne and Robert Webster.
! A musical program that found ready
favor with the audience consisted of
piano solo by Gilbert Robertson, vocal
solo by Miss Leona Lamb, selections on
| stringed instruments by Laviolette and
LABEL vocal solo by Douglas Inglis and
an exhibition in highland dancing by,
Marie and Rosie Clubb Frances Ritchie
and Dorothy Barclay, accompanied on
the bagpipe by Fordyce Richie. Ae-
companists, who added to the program,
were Ruth Nelson, Ethel Inglis and. Ha-,
eel Mackay.
The most interesting and enjoyable
part of the evenings entertainment was
the address by William Barclay, son of
| the first chief of Clan Gordon. In an in
| formal and reminiscent way he related
incident after incident which took place
| during the early days and which are
remembered only by the older clansmen.
Mr.. Barclay places all credit for the or
ganizing of Clan Gordon on the late
John bowers, who was working here at
| the time, and who, being a member of
Clan McGregor of Quincy, Mass, in
| terested enough Scotchmen to secure
charter and later transferred to the new
I ly organized branch. The following first
is names appear on the official charter,
although the list was kept open several
nights, with the result that 80 really
! constituted the number of charter mem
| bers: William Barclay, sr,, Alex. Ash
er, James Even, Thomas Marr, John Les
| lie, William Emslie, James Duncan (lstl,
| Donald Mcleod, Robert p Cordiner,
James Imlah, William p Mortimer, Alex
Buchan, John f. Mckenzie, James II.
Cordiner, John Park, Alex Murray,
George Mcleod, Alex Common, John Con-
non, Thomas Gable, William Dunbar,
Charles Young, James Duncan (2d), Rev.
Peter Mcmillan, Alex. +. Bruce, Nal
colin Gamble, John Scott, Alex. Ross,
William Paul, James Chalmers, James
Glennie and James X. Pirie.
Mr.. Barclay communicated with many
of the surviving charter members and re-
ceived replies from seven, all sending
best wishes and expressing their desire
if possible, to attend the gathering The
first officers, and who deserve much cred
it for furthering the project, in spite of
opposition and reverses, were: William
Barclay, chief; James Duncan (lst) tan.
ist; Alex Asher, corresponding secretary;
Donald Mcleod, financial secretary:
Alex Common, treasurer Messrs Far
quharson, Grant and Terry of Clan Far
quharson, South Ryregate, conducted the
first initiation here
A coincidence of last nights celebra-
tion was that it fell on Friday night,
the same night of the original meeting
and the third time of such an occurrence
during the 35 years. Another peculiar
feature was that Chief Sister Cecilia
bowers, daughter of the instigator of
Clan Gordon, and William Barclay, son
of the first chief, took part last evening.
Mr.. Barclay had with him program
of the first concert ever given by the
clan, dated Oct. 20, 1884 Local talent,
well known in those days, contributed
heartily. Among some OF the artists
were: Mrs b. w. Bralev, Florence How
ard, Miss Becllley and Miss Batchelder
It was also recalled that the first bag
pipe was heard at that time, the piper
spending much of his spare time off in
the woods rehearsing for the concert
Many humorous anecdotes of this con-
cert were told by Mr.. Barclay The first
picnic was held in 1886 at the trotting
park. They soon became an annual fix
ture and to this day are observed
Second Largest Clan in Country.
Under the leadership of wise and en-
ergetic chieftains the clan has gradually
and steadily increased in membership un-
til to-day there are nearly $50 mem
bers, easily holding second place as the
largest clan in the country. During the
35 years, $233000 have been disbursed
through the local organization for be-
queathment claims and sick benefits,
sum that perhaps would not nave 9TH
erwise been saved or used for such no.
bic purpose. The speaker strongly urged
taking the limit in insurance.
In closing the speaker eulogized those
81 honor roll members as combining the
finest characteristics of the clansmen Of
old, with devotion and loyalty TO our