Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-13

the observance IN the Capital City
OF the signing of the Armistice
brought out community gayness of
spirit that echoed back to that mem
orable November 18th five years ago.
Sedate Augustans, like mere kids
ed play. forgot weightier tasks and
entered into the essence of the cele-
bration with whole hearted co-opera-
ton. Yet under the laughter and joy
BUSINESS a greater respect for the flag
was strikingly manifest. as IL the les
son Of the World war had implanted
into every heart a new and reverent
understanding of "the colors"
Fully 1900 to 1000 participants
marched in the early morning parade.
Civic, educational. military. religious.
and industrial organizations were
represented in the big Subdivision
of march flags were flying; people
choking the curbstones: children
wonderingly gasping; automobiles
crammed with onlookers.
A great crowd surged onto Will
liams Field after the parade had dis
banded, and thrilled to the football
tussle between Coburn Classical In
stitute and Lynn Engineering School.
Perhaps the most impressive moment
Of the day came during the game.
At IL o'clock, as previously arranged.
the blast of the fire siren was heard.
and Immediately the healthily yelling
crowd, reaching completely around
the field from the pines on the south
ern end to Cony street on the north.
fell silent, while over the city the
tolling church bells could be heard.
Two minutes of complete silence was
observed, a remembrance and a me-
mortal to those of the great war who
had paid the supreme sacrifice.
The big Armistice Ball held in City
hall in the evening came as a fitting
elimination Of day of celebrating.
The hall was pleasingly decorated
for the occasion and several hundred
people enjoyed the specialties that
were offered between dances.
1t seemed as if designing Provi-
dence had created a perfect day in
which to commemorate the cessation
of the hostilities of five years ago.
The Monster Parade
One of the largest parades ever
held in Augusta for an event of this
kind, wendell its way through Water
street shortly after 0 o'clock Monday
morning. Headed by a platoon of
police and by the marshal of the
parade and his aides. this line of over
1900 people together with Is floats
and about % automobiles formed a
very impressive sight, and 1t seemed
fitting that the people of the city
should thus unite in celebrating the
anniversary of the signing of the
Armistice and in hOnoring the mem
Dry of those who went Vest during
the Great War.
1Nbo In
and neighboring streets shortly be-
fore 9 o'clock and contrary to the
usual procedure in matters of this
kind, left the starting point on time.
The line of march was down State
street to Grove street, down Grove
street to Water street. along Water
street to Bridge street, across the
bridge and up Cony hill 1t then dis
banded at Cony square.
Marshal and Aides Mounted
Leading the parade were City Mar
shall William j. Skehan and a pla-
| toon Of Augusta police. Immediately
behind came Marshal Emery o..
| Beane and his aides, John S. Everett,
Charles E. Pelletier. Louis A. Bur-
leigh. Jr., and J. Fuller Ingraham.
mounted and in this connection it is
interesting to note that the saddle
! used by Marshal Beane was the one
| used throughout the Civil war by
General c. w. Tilden of Hallowell.
| This saddle was loaned especially
! for this Armistice Day observance
The first division was headed by
the Augusta Cadet Band of "a pieces
| Behind the band came Co. F, 103rd
| Infantry, Maine National Guard,
commanded by Capt. Frank Sprague,
and the Headquarters Company. seth
Infantry Brigade, Maine National
Guard, commanded. by Capt. Lester
NJ. Hart. Immediately behind this
armed escort, the colors of James
Fitzgerald Post. No. 2, American Lee
gion, were borne by Ned Bigelow and
Stanley Croker. They We're escort
ed by a color guard of members of
the Legion commanded by Sergeant
alarms Fred Cummings. Behind the
Legion stand of colors, the members
of the local post of the American Lee
gion numbering 100 marched, most of
them wearing the uniforms which
they had worn while in the service of
their country during the war, and
with their Victory medals and other
| decorations proudly pinned upon
their breasts. Those who did not
wear the uniform marched in civil
ian clothes each wearing a red, white
and blue Legion paper hat, bearing