Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-02-26

member, Mrs Susan Chandler, is now
101 years old.
The following officers were elected;
Master, Joseph r. Nelson; overseer,
Daniel w. White; lecturer, Ezra H.
Norcross: steward, Geo. E. Crane: as
sistant steward, Lloyd II. Smell; chap
lain, Nathan Kimball: treasurer, AL
bert C. Carr: secretary, J. Henry
Moore; gate keeper. l.. X. Litchfield;
Ceres, Mrs. a. w. Bachelor: Pomona,
Mrs. D. w. White: Flora. Miss F. Ida
Nelson: lady assistant steward. Mrs.
Lydia NJ. Cook.
The regalia at this time consisted
of white apron trimmed with red,
also a sash for the sisters trimmed
with red, and sash of buff color trim
med with red, also pouch of the same
color trimmed with red for the broth
ers.
On March II the officers-elect were
installed by County Deputy James NJ.
Garland assisted by Bro. Gilman of
Sidney Grange. The Grange now was
in working order, the regular meetings
being held on Tuesdays, or subject to
the call of the master. At this time
the great object for which the Grange
was organized was trade-to cooper
ate in buying and selling. On March
81, 1876, a committee was chosen to
purchase goods and hire a hall. The
Davis hall on Union street was hired
and the Town hall given up. April
IS the Grange held its first meeting in
the new location.
A store was hired in the building
now owned by Ernest Cram. j. r.
Nelson was chosen purchasing and
selling agent. Notes were issue in the
sum of S., interest at per cent, and
the sum of S165 was raised as a capital
stock. The store was opened on
Wednesday afternoons and Saturday
afternoons and evenings. In a short
time after the store was opened for
business -four dropped in price 81 per
barrel and corn Is cents per bag in the
stores in town. The store was run for
some time and then given up, and The
store under the Davis hall was hired.
Elliot Wood was hired as agent and
the store was open every day and eve
ming in the week. 1t was run for some
time successfully. Mr.. Wood resign
ed and d. M. Cover was hired and the
business was conducted successfully
until it was finally sold and the affairs
closed.
This business was conducted
through body of Grange stockholders
but was never incorporated. The cap
ftal stock was So per share and the to-
tai amount of capital was S765, and 6
per cent. interest was paid annually
on the stock. At the time of settle
ment 81 was paid for every 81 of cap
ital stock. This closes the history of
the Winthrop Grange store.
Meetings were held regularlary but
no additions We're made to our men,
bership. The fees for joining were
SIS for men and So for the women.
On October 81, 1876, Brother
George Crane moved that the
Grange have a supper on November
Sth., and invite such parties as
would make good members of the
order. That supper was a good one
and in short time 81 applications
for membership were received, and
at about every meeting, more appli-
cations were received. When the
Third and Fourth degrees were con-
ferred, 81 members were taken into
the Grange.
On March Is, 1877, the Grange
celebrated its first birthday, and an
oyster supper was served. We had
members Of fine musical and liter
airy abilities, and Brother John E.
Brainard, on December 4, 1877, de-
livered. an address, subject 1.-The
Lights and Shadows of farmers
Life" This was an address of re-
markable merit, and was published
in several of our Agricultural Jour-
nails.
From the time we were organized
till 1873, the Grange was without a
musical instrument. On special oc-
casions, a melodian was brought in
to the hall. Brother Samuel Crane
made this proposition; that he
would purchase an organ for the
Grange and they could pay him as
funds accumulated In the treasury.