Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-30
R0TAR|ANS HOLD MEMORIAL
SERVICE FOR 0. c. SPRINGFIELD

A memorial service to the late Os-
car G. Springfield was held at the
Elmwood hotel at noon yesterday by
the Waterville Rotaians. There were
four speakers and each addressed the
members on a phase of the life Of
the deceased During the last year
the Rotary club has lost four of the
leading and most influential mem
bers, Father Narcisse Charland, Col.
F. e. Boothby, Frank Redington and
Oscar G. Springfield. These men are
not only missed but leave a serious
vacancy which can never be filled.
Resolutions on the death of Mr..
Springfield were read and placed on
the records. The first speaker was
President Ralph Jewell of Faifield.
who spoke of Mr.. Springfield as a
Rotarian. Mr.. Jewell told of the
wonderful character that he possess
sed and Of the loss to this club by his
death.
Herbert Emery then gave the fol-
lowing address on Mr.. Springfield as
a merchant:
oscar Springfield left school and
entered the employ of Arnold &
Meader 50 years ago, when he was
II years of age. At that time Oscar
had no financial backing, and no pull
in any way, except the pull OF u
kindly disposition, and a desire to
give honest, faithful and continuous
service to his employers. Upon these
principles as a foundation he had
risen from an errand boy to one of
the leading merchants of our city.
He had at the same time risen as
a citizen in the estimation of all of
our people, until he stood with those
who had reached the ton.
1.-TWO years ago there occurred in
our Rotary club a very fortunate
event when the Rotary club in CO.
operation with the w. f. Arnold
Company, celebrated the 50th ami
versary of Oscars entrance into the
employ of that company. at which
time he was presented with a beau
tiful watch, and perhaps what he
priced more. he was told of the very
high estina ton in which he was held
by the w. B. Arnold Company and its
employees and by his many friends in
the community.
Il venture to say that this event
was one of the happieSt occa Sions in
his life, an event which he mentioned
occa sionally to his nearest friends,
with expressions of great satisfac-
ton. Not of course in any boastful
sense, because he did not know how
to do that. but with expressions of
that kindly sense of appreciation
which he knew how to give so well.
Il wonder Rotarians, if we in the
rush and anxiety of business, stop as
often as we should, to express to
some worthy man, the appreciation in
which he is held in the community, or
whether we wait too often until after
he has gone, to say the kind words
which might have given him a great
sense Of encouragement and inspira-
ton. while he was still alive.
when I was asked to speak for the
business men in regard to Oscars life
work, I thought it wise to inquire of
a number of business men and en-
ployees of his firm, of the esteem in
which he was held by them. I asked
the question-What in your opinion
was Oscars outstanding characters
tic? The almost unanimous answer
was. II think his outstanding charac-
teristic as 1 knew him was his kindli-
ness" 1 ask you what finer epitaph
could be given to any man, who had
spent So years in the hard work.
anxieties and difficulties of a COM
merciall life. We would do we'll to
ask ourselves,-If I should step out
today would the people who knew
me, say tomorrow, HE was a busy,
Woodworking man, but his outstand-
ing characteristic was kindness 2"
If we think this might not be the
unanimous verdict. should we not be-
gin now to make this answer possible.
Besides his kindly spirit to his
business associates, employees and
the many customers of the store, he
showed outside of business a most
friendly spirit toward young people
and young men. as well as those of
his own age. We hardly dare speak