Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-05

Citizens turned out en- masse We'd
nesday for the entertainment for SOL
diers and sailors, and without any
exceptions one of the most enjoyable
days in the history of the city was
passed. everything going along just
according to the program. Had the
might have been more comfortable,
but aside from that fact, no one
could omplain on a single thing con-
nected with the entertainment.
Things began moving early in the
morning, and on the streets, which
were deserted as far as the stores
were concerned, soldiers and sailors
in uniform were seen, getting their
shoes shined, shaves and hair cuts.
to be in their best appearance 1t the
parade and banquet. At promptly
1870 the parade was formed on Get
chell street and College avenue. At
the sound of the fire whistle at II
o'clock everything started moving,
and down College avenue to Main
street, down Main to Silver and down
Silver % Western avenue to the Fair
Grounds came the parade, mar
shaded : Edgar ]. Brown and staff;
platoon of police; Waterville Military
Rand, with w. d. Haines as leader;
Company G. with Captain Irving T..
Thorn as leader; Drews Waterville
Eand Harry T. Drew as leader; spe-
cial escor. to the returned men, who
were members of the Grand Army Of
the Republic. in automobiles; re-
turned service men, both sailors and
soldiers; Spanish War Veterans; and
Boy Scouts; Modern WoCdnen, and
citizens in automobiles. Tbs re-
maindCr O.. tie morning was passed
in a social way. AT 80. when the
call for mess was sounded, the boys
marched into the coliseum, where
the banquet was served. The menu
consisted of celery, olives. radishes,
grapefruit maraschino cherries,
roast turkey, cranberry jelly, hot
chicken pie, haddock outlets, tomato
sauce, mashed potatoes. boiled
onions, sliced tomatoes, sleek Gu
cumbers, French dressing, hot rolls,
assorted cakes, ice cream, coffee and
spring water.
In spite of the most unbearably hot
day, everyone seemed to relish their
dinner and the caterer, A. L. Grant
of Lewiston, is certainly to be con-
graduated for his efficient serN .se
and excellent food.
Following the banquet few minutes
were devoted TO addresses which were
much enjoyed. DR.. j. F. Hill as toast
master introduced the first speaker,
Mayor L. c. Wardwell. who made a
lew remarks to welcome the boys home.
First of all l want to apologize for
this hot day. l ordered good day but
forgot to say that 1 wanted it COOL
were his opening words, and everyone
was on his side, for he could not have
chosen a better day aside from the eX-
IRENE heat. when Company II went
away l was not mayor. and did not help
to send that away; but later. after be-
ing elected mayor, l had the privilege
OF sending many of the boys from the
city away. and those occasions were
sad for me. because l knew a great
many of the boys would hemain on the
other side, and had it not been for the
signing of the arnistice at that time q
great many more would have remained
on the other side never to return" In
closing he said that it was now up to
the soldiers and sailors who have re-
turned to see that the work of the boys
OF 81 is faithfully carried out in years
to come.
Judge Charles F. Johnson of Port
land, who was to he the next speaker
had sent words of regret for not being
able to be present, owing to important
business engagements, and in his alb
sence President Arthur j. Roberts of
Colby college, whom the boys all know
I'D love, spoke a few words to them
He said that this is the greatest coun-
try in the world. and especially for
opportunities, and if one did not achieve
their opportunities which are in store
for them it is their loss.
American citizenship gives us privi-
leges and you who fought for American
citizenship realize it more than ever
before. 1t is always worth while to you
who have fought for all. and now you
have done your duty" he said. "Ev-
eryone helped win the war; whether
they went across or not, and every boy
did his full duty whether he is wear
ing the gold or silver bar, for they are
I'll the same. The boys who remained at
camps helped win the war. for when
the Kaiser learned that there were g.
100000 boys i'll camp it took the crimp
out Of him. You have all come back bet
ter citizens than when you went away,
both to yourselves and to your coun-
try
The next speaker. Lieut.. Col. Ar
thur Ashworth. former captain of
the 10sd Machine Gun Co. of Ban
gor. was introduced and three hearty
cheers were given by the boys as he
took his place on the platform, for
there were many of them there who
were IN his company, and several
others who had been closely con-
nected with him over there. T am
mighty glad to be here-some Of you
fellows know me'-were his opening
words. Il find that there is some
thing in the gold and silver bar. as
Pres. Roberts mentioned, and the
four million men in uniform the last
two years is the backbone of our ma
tional politics and nationally we will
be looked up to to re-ad1ust ALL" He
referred to the many boys who were
now receiving the glad hand, and
lie said that the best thing he knew
Tor the boys to do was to hurry and
get through with the haudshakin1