Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-25
Readfeld Grange Hall

Especial to Kennebec JournaD
Readfield, Me-. Mar. 24-Readfield
Grange fittingly observed it's Fiftieth
anniversary, Wednesday, in an all
day meeting held in the Grange hall
Attractive programs were an attrac-
tive feature of the occasion. The
forenoon session opened with singing
by the grange followed by the Ad-
dress of Welcome extended by Wor-
thy Master Charles w. Crosby. re-
sponded to by Frank H. Taylor, mas
ter of Winthrop Grange. Music: Ex-
emplifying the Degree of Laborer:
Brothers a. T. Clifford, w. S. Hun
toon, W. T. Mace. G. A. Russell and
Sister Mary Nickerson gave very in
terestlng "reminiscences of the early
Gays OF the Grange. At this time a
recess was taken for dinner. The
grange again came to order at 100.
the opening song being the Anniyer,
sary Ode composed by Mrs. Minnie
HathaWay, lecturer of the grange.
Musical reading by Minnie Hathaway
after which Mrs. Edna Fish read an
interesting paper on the history of
Readfield Grange. This was followed
by an address given by State Master
John r. Abbott. Music: Phophesv
by Helen Hartman. Visitors and
members gave interesting short talks
after which a playette was put on by
a cast fom East Readfield. Reading
and music by Mrs. .Lottfe York and
Master York completed a very pleas
ing program.
History of ReadfieId Grange
Readheld Grange, No. PIT, was Or
ganlzed March "a, 1875. by Deputy j.
M. Garland with So charter members.
as follows: L. c. Luce, Mrs. Laura F.
Luce. II. c. Nickerson, Mrs. Georgia
Z. Nlckerson, S. S. Gilman, Mrs. Lu-
cinda Gilman, ]. o. Butman, Mrs. Ell
len Butman, John Frink, Mrs. John
Frink, Bailey Jacobs, Mrs. Bailey
Jacobs, Gustavus Smith, Mrs. lydia
Smith. Nathaniel Jordan, Mrs. Han
nah Jordan, S. NJ. Cove, Mrs. Ellen
Luce, George A. Russell, Lydia A.
Russell, w. S. o. Elliott, Mrs. w. S.
o. Elliott, j. w. Williams, Mrs. Miles
Williams, John Henderson, Mrs. Lo-
rinda Henderson, George l.. Arm
strong. Mrs. George L. Arm
strong, j. B. Gordon, Mrs. Mary E.
Gordon, David Dudley, David Austin,
Mrs. Mary A. Austin, Charles Gilkey,
Mrs Charles Gilkey, George S Nor
r1ll. Miss Ada Jacobs, F. L. Gordon.
They were large in courage. strong
in purpose, and ready to make sacri-
fees to carry out the noble principles
of our order They represented the
progressive element of the farming
community.
The first board of officers was in
stalled on May 5, 1876, by Deputy J.
NJ. Garland. and We're:
Master, j. o. Butman; Overseer,
L. c. Luce; Lecturer, H. o. Nicker-
son; Steward, David Austin; Asst.
Steward, George L. Armstrong;
Chaplain, F. L. Gordon: Treasurer,
Gustavus Smith: Secretary, George
A. Russell; Gatekeeper, J.. W. Will
liams. Ceres, Mrs. Fl. o. Nickerson;
Pomona, Mrs. David Austin: Flora,
Mrs. George A. Russell; Lady Asst.
Steward, Mrs. J. o. Butman.
During the first year there were
only six meetings held, the last one
occurring on August 8. There is no
record of a meeting after this until
March %, 1877. Meetings were con-
tinued with more or less regularity
for the first eight or ten years. The
longest lapse in the meetings was
from March s, 1881, to April IA, 1888.
Perhaps grange interest reached it's
lowest ebb from 1881 to 1888. During
these first six or seven years it was
rare that there were ten members be-
side officers present. Many times in
those early days, the few loyal MEM
bers were obliged to go home with
out holding meeting because of a
lack Of quorum.
On April IA, 1888, a meeting was
held in the Town Hall. Called to
order by County Deputy ]. B. Ripley
Of Pittston, with Hon, D. H. Thing
secretary pro tenn. A board of officers
was elected and installed by State
Deputy D. TT. Thing. After this the
grange held it's meetings at residences
for a while, but during the year 1888
it was voted to hire the hall of E. O.
Bean. Suitable badges . were first
procured in, June, 1887. The charter
was framed and hung in the hall in
1888. At a meeting on Sept. 10, 1896,
it was decided that 1t be the general
understanding to hold our meetings
"rain or shine unless the storm be
too severe. During the first ten years.
only about 40 members were initiated
and during the next decade, 80 were
added, so at the end of the first 20
years, the membership of Readfield
Grange stood at about 100.
We can but admire the courage
and loyalty of the few who held on
and kept the grange alive through
these discouraging years. with small
membership, no settled place for
meetings, and meager equipment.
Besides, these members were scat
tered and with the means of travel of
those days, it required much more
of an effort to get together than it
does now. Still they persevered, and
wonderful harmony seems to have
prevailed.
The good seeds of loyalty and fidel-
ity had been well planted and care
fully nurtured during the early years,
and were now bearing their fruit in
stronger fraternal ties, and increased