Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-03-25

Following the singing OF tho national
hymns, Rev. 81. A. Markley spoke briefly
Of America and her soldiers, not emitting
those who did their bit ct the necessary
home tasks. He told of the plans that
bad been In mind among citizens since
early winter for the "Welcome home"
to the soldiers from the entire commu.
nifty. Without formal introduction he
then presented DR.. Wheeler to bis old
friends and nejghbors to tell little Of
the story of his experiences In the war.
In prose and verse, both grave and gay,
Capt. Wheeler told the story, from Paris
to Paris, (uot In Franoe) and made rs
feel how good 1t was to be at home
again after dangers and disoomforts of
camp, ocean passage, and military life In
France. At Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia,
he received intensive training, IL weeks
work in eight, and In June was sent over.
seas, though he had supposed he would
be kept In medical service in camps In
America. In France be saw varied SER
vice az sanitary inspector of large camps,
chief surgeon Of q hospital, where there
were German prisoners of the Prussian
Guard, the organization that led the ad-
vance invasion of Belgium. Almost bis
first experience was to help care for the
wounded, and in one day eighteen hun
dred, as they we're brought from Cha
tesu-T hierry. At later date he fell iii
of dysentery, due to poor sanitation, and
carrying of disease by flies. Christmas
was home-sick time for the boys, all
SO eager to get hack to the land of sun
shine, but Santa Claus found them In
France, and DR.. Wheeler immortalized
the occasion by writing his parody of
"Twas the Night Before Christmas"
At last he was on the ocean again, In
small and crowded steamer, and discom.
forts and humors of seasickness were
the occasion for another poem In which
the poet told Us he resigns his dream of
writing great poem, and gave himself
to watching land helping as he mighty
those who were feeding the fishes. His
love for native land and rapture upon
reaching home is strongly depicted in
his splendid and touching poem, "Amer-
ica," which he then read. He closed
with few words about the souvenirs on
the table, various foreign coins, an
American bsyonet and tin hat, a German
helmet, q gas mask, the intrenchment
shovel, German shoes, osnteens, candle
labrum built of French rs and three
bayonets coiled to form legs, this shell
and bsyonets having all been in actual
fighting. Map, photographs, papers and
postcards were displayed on the wall.
A large and interesting collection. At
10 O'Clock the company began to gather
in the lower room, where Mrs. Briggs,
Msrgery McAlister and q large group
joined in the singing of popular war
songs. Ice cream and cake were served
and social hour much enjoyed.
Rev. b. A. Marley exchanged with
Rev. George G. Boorn of the Woodfords
Universalist church. Mr.. Boorn also
supplied at South Woodstock instead of
Rev. j. q. Little of Bethel as previously
announced, as Mr.. Markley goes from
Portland to Boston az the authorized
representative OF the Universalist
churches Of Maine to attend the sessions
of the New England Home Mission
Council and the Regional Conference Of
the World Inter church Movement. The
purpose of the conference, one of twelve
held throughout the United States, is to
present the stupendous problems of
reconstruction which challenge the
churches of North America, q task which
only the whole strength of the churches
coordinsted and combined, can accom-.
plish. The Inter.church World Move.
ment OF North America, as Q whole, 10
undertaken In response to wide spread
feeling which has manifested itself In
partial movements in sections of the
country, In federal council of the
churches, and in mission boards, home
and foreign, that the combined churches
should undertake program which
would include nothing less than com.
plete evangslization of all of life.
The Jolly Twelve whist club held q
m ost enjoyable st. Patrick's party at
Centennial Hall Monday evening. 1t
was gentleman's night and guests were
invited, nine tables of whist being filed.
Those from out of the village were Mr..
and Mrs. Clarence E. Stearns of Stearns
Hill, BENZ. R. Billings Of Bryant's Pond,
Mr.. and Mrs. Luther Irish of BuckfieId,
Mrs. d. s. Mann of Mechanic Falls.
Dr.. and Mrs. Wheeler were also with
the club, of which Mrs. Wheeler Is q
the first time for 10 months.
Dancing was enjoyed after the " hist until
a late hour. The hall was prettily deco.
rated with green; and refreshments OF
sandwiches, hot coffee, pickles. olives,
cakes, crackers, harlequin ice
cream and punch were served.
Mr.. and Mrs. Elmer Harmon have
from Lewiston, where Mr..
Harmon has been at the Central Maine
General Hospital for an operation. Mr..
Hsmmon is as comfortable as can be
expected.
The remains of Sewall A. Millett were
brought here from South Paris Monday,
aud funeral services were held in the
Univsrsalist church. Rev. j. a. Little
Of Bethel officiated, assisted by Rev. b.
A. Msrkley. His FIVE sons, Percy and
Harold Of South Paris, Alger of Auburn,
Roy and Monte of Greenwood; and two
Fred and Bert Of South Paris; |
ind two sisters, Mrs. John Robinson and
Mrs. Carroll Curtis, Of Oxford, attended
be funeral.
Mrs. Will r. Durham of Lynn, Mass,
8 the guest OF her parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
i. G. Brown.
Miss Marie Willis OF Norway Is the
,uest OF her sister, Mrs. r. L. Wyman,
t Pleasant Valley Fruit Farm.
Miss Laura Barden is in Portland.
Ter mother, Mrs. C. F. Barden, has re-
emily undergone slight operation at
he Eye and Ear Ipfirmary, Portland.
iiss Alice Bsrden is also in Portland,
7here she has undergone an operation
70 her throat.
March "a 81 has been designated as
Id clothing week, owing to the press
~ need abroad for clothing and textiles.
he local Red Cross will solicit and tho
10y Scouts will collect. Garments of
very kind are needed and piece goods
{ all sorts. Clothing need not be In
erfect condition but care should be
,ken not to select garments of textiles
{ too fimsy q material to be Of use.
he need Of clothing abroad Is tremen-
Gus.
News has been received here of the
Ife arrival in New York OF Alfred An.
rews from overseas. He will 20 to
ew Jersey to be discharged and then
'turn home. His parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
!. D. Andrews, of North Paris are both
; the Central Maine General Hospital,
ewiston, but reported doing we'll.
Mrs. Mabel Putnam of Diokvale has :
Ben the guest of her grandparents, Mr..
I'd Mrs. D. G. Churchill.
Agnes L. Gray went Monday morning I
DR.. Files private hospital, Portland,
Il