The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-04-10
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
IN SKOWHEGAN
Enthusiastic and Friendly Crowd
Greets General Edwards

memory in the minds of thousands of
people, who had the opportunity to see
and hear this famous soldier. Rail
road Square and the station platform
we're filled with an interested throng
gu the arrival of the HE train.
The party were taken in three au-
tomobiles, by way of Russell, Madi-
son and Water streets to the city
building. The General, accompanied
by the entire party. proceeded to the
,tage in the Opera House, and here
he spoke very briefly to the school
hildrep, who were there in numbers
70 fill about every seat on the main
floor of the auditorium. They GER
tainly did their part in making Cen
eral Edwards welcome to Skowhegan
with cheering and flag waving, which
aust have lasted for several minutes.
General Edwards showed his wonder
tul adaptability to any circumstance
by making an address. commencing
With story and confined to subjects
af the keenest interest for young peo
ple, which was absolutely perfect for
he place.
Every minute was precious in the
Edwards Day program and the Gen
tral was hustled across to the Mason
&c Block, where dinner for the en-
IN, tfx,tr
IN charge of Mrs. Kate Simpson, and
its serving she was assisted by a
dozen of Skowhegans young women.
The party was increased by the pres
ence of five returned soldiers Of the
Yankee Division, and General Ed
wards employed few minutes, before
going to the table, in a brief chat
with them, The five SkOwhegan boys
II the Yankee Division We're: Lieut.
enant Roy Fitzmorris, Sergeant John
Weston. Corporal Karl Tobey, Priv
ate William Goff and Private James
Scott.
There were in General Edwards
party: Gov Carl E. Milliken, Lieut.
Col Roy L. Marston, Major M. Hyatt
Major Gst Blair. Capt. f. H. Cooper
Capt Lester M. Hart, Secretary to
Governor Milliken Adjt. Gen. George
Mel Presson, George w. Norton, edi-
tor OF the Portland Evening Express,
and members of the executive council
Of the state: Senator Guy P. Gannett
of Augusta; William l.. Walker of
Skowhegan, Harold NJ Sewall Of Bath,
f. K Owen, Charles X. Hall of the
L. s. Railroad administration, Major
George A. Buker and George Vose,
president of the Waterville Chamber
Of Commerce. Rev. G. w. Hinckley of
Good viii and Edwin c. Whittemore
of Waterville were also members of
his party.
Immediately following the dinner, a
reception was held In the Municipal
Court Room, where General Edwards
met many of the immediate relatives
of the boys who had followed him in
his French campaign. In the mean
time an audience which filled the
building to its capacity had assem-
bled in the auditorium. The first
event on the program was the singing
Of the Star Spangled Banner" by
Mrs Eta SWEET Bradley. Governor
Milliken was then introduced by
Chairman A. X Butler and there fol-
lowed a very friendly greeting. At
the conclusion of his brief address,
he in turn introduced General Ed
wards, and this was the signal for an
other ovation General Edwards spoke
for an hour, and, so far as 1t would
be possible, he took the audience with
him through every engagement in
which the Yankee Division participant
ed
His tribute to the rank and file un-
der his command was soulstirring
and his commentator OF two Show
hegan boys. Lieutenant-Colone
luWd9 anu SlOIt 6dFt lHt
ence and permits the entire commu-
nifty to take great pride for the share
which this section of Maine had in the
great conflict. General Edwards has
speaking voice of splendid quality
and a soldierly bearing which is not
ont of keeping with the needs of an
orator. or course, no man, here or
elswhere, ever came before an audi
ence better informed upon the sub
lect at hand. 1t was wonderful hour
In which impressions were made on
his hearers as to the war, now happi-
y ended, which will stay with them
10 their life's end.
The afternoon closed by the audi
ence joining in singing America" un-
der the leadership of Rev. C. II. Nc
Elhiney and the Edwards party hur-
rled to take their special train to keep
their appointments az Good VIII and
Waterville.