The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-03-08
JudsOn and Lester

iJy Il. dllthl
had a very pleasant acquaintance
with the late Judson Packard extend
ing over many years. The last op-
portunity we had for friendly chat
was one Sunday morning before the
beginning of the services at the Me-
thodst church. 1t was not pleas
ant Sunday Nothing in the weather
that would stop any one from going TO
the moving pictures or perhaps even
for an auto ride for just enough
clouds and threatening skies to give
one an excuse for not going to Sun
day worship The attendance was
light. In the splendid auditorium OF
the Centenary Church each could have
had a separate pew. had that been
desirable. Mr.. Packard invited me
to sit with him.
Looking around in the quiet of the
place and moment, the memory OF
many previous Sabbath mornings evil
dently came good and strong. Mr..
Packard said Roland, they don't t
come like as they used to- Then
he went on to tell me the names OF
many families, prominent i'll the his
tory and important in the life or
Skowhegan, each formerly represent
ed in those pews by from three to
seven, not present that Sunday morn
ing. They were the names of fam
lilies who had left town or of good
people who had gone to their reward.
There had been none come to find
church home in the pews thus vacated.
Jndson Packard was good man
and good citizen in all that these
simple but very expressive words I'M
ply. No doubt he felt one ought to
go to church and ought to belong to
q church organization. Perhaps he
believed that one was more secure
with regard to the next world Tor.
church membership and church at
tendance. In both of these beliefs
he very likely was right. But any
one who could smile as easily as Jud-
son Packard and any one whose laugh
was as hearty and sincere could,
know, never close the door OF hope
to anybody.
Mr.. Packards contribution to good
citizenship included service on the
board of selectmen for many years.
This, in fact, all of the above, comes
strongly to my mind at the present
time because his son, Lester H., has
announced his Willingness to serve III
the place once occupied by his res
pected and beloved father, Judson w.
Mark Twain once said for wrote)
that one should select his ancestors
with great care. Lester is a very
fortunate boy to have had father
who left such commendable record
as townsman and official. 1ntegri-
tv and efficiency in the parent Is hard
lv guarantee of the same quality in
the next generation and yet as |
know these two men, father and son,
| recognize in the memory of one and
a present day knowledge of the other,
desirable qualities which are similar
to an unusual degree. The same
typical good old New England type
OF countenance, the same ever ready
smile, the same slow, somewhat rural
sfvle of speech, the same big heart,
the same general impression as to
integrity, deliberate common sense
and practical knowledge Of every day
affairs.
And So | shall vote for Lester Pack
ard next Monday ami | hope he won't
he displeased to read that fact IN
these lines. They are written and
published as simple but well de
served tribute 10 a man of admirable
character in whom | know | should
have entire confidence as a town olll-
cial.