USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Oxford > History of the town of Oxford, Connecticut > Part 14
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2d. Regiment Heavy Artillery 11th. Regiment Infantry
11
Candee, Charles A.
29th Regiment Infantry
11
Doughtery, Edward
2d. Regiment Heavy Artillery
11
11
Downes, Chauncey S.
Downes, George
13th Regiment Infantry
11
Downs, Robert
15th Regiment, Infantry,
Dorman, David C.
20th Regiment, Infantry,
Downs, Albert W.
20th Regiment, Infantry, 11
Davis, Henry W.
20th Regiment, Infantry,
11
Dunn, Thomas
20th Regiment, Infantry, 1st Regiment, Cavalry 11
Eiler (or Euler), John 1st Regiment, Heavy Artillery 11
Foley, Michael Fox, Richard
3d Independent Light Battery, Conn. Volunteers 3d Independent Light Battery, Conn. Volunteers 11th Regiment, Infantry,
Fordham, David
20th Regiment, Infantry,
Gaines, Robert A.
3d Independent Light Battery,
Gillett, Leonard
15th Regiment, Infantry,
11
Gordon, John
5th Regiment, Infantry, 7th Regiment, Infantry,
Hawkins, John
11th Regiment, Infantry,
Harwood, Andrew
14th Regiment, Infantry,
Hubbell, Frederick W.20th Regiment, Infantry,
Hubbell, John P.
20th Regiment, Infantry, 1st Regiment, Cavalry
Holden, Henry
Jennings, Wales R.
Kelley, Charles
15th Regiment, Infantry, Connecticut Volunteers 3d Independent Light Battery 6th Regiment, Infantry,
Knost, John C. Kimberly, Albert A.
Killmartin, Thomas Lines, Marshall Lesure, Swan L.
13th Regiment, Infantry, 20th Regiment, Infantry, 2d Regiment Heavy Artillery 7th Regiment, Infantry,
11
Benham, George B. Baldwin Henry D. Buckingham, Joel Curtiss, Jasper L. Carmody, Michael
3d. Independent Light Battery 3d. Independent Light Battery 3d Independent Light Battery
1 1
Chase, Israel
7th Regiment Infantry 1
Dachs, Francois
15th Regiment, Infantry,
Davis, William C.
Fillins, George W.
Garvin, Edward
20th Regiment, Infantry,
Hartnet, James
158
LeRoy, Emile Lammest, Henry
11th Regiment, Infantry, Connecticut Volunteers
11th Regiment, Infantry - 1 1
Livingston, George
14th Regiment, Infantry
Lounsbury, George W.20th Regiment, Infantry
11
Munson, William C.
3d Independent Light Battery
-
Miller, Alfred Moriarty, Canary Martin, John
15th Regiment, Infantry, 15th Regiment, Infantry, 6th Regiment, Infantry,
Martin, George
McEwen, Wooster B.
20th Regiment, Infantry, 20th Regiment, Infantry, 1 1
McLaughlin, James
Mitchell, William H.
29th Regiment, Infantry,
Oothout, John
1st Regiment Heavy Artillery 10th Regiment, Infantry, Connecticut Volunteers
Osborn, Harvey T.
O'Reilly, Patrick
11th Regiment, Infantry,
Osborn, Ray F.
20th Regiment, Infantry
11
Pushee, Gilman W.
13th Regiment, Infantry
Platt, Orlando L.
20th Regiment, Infantry,
Powers, John
20th Regiment, Infantry,
Platt, George
23rd Regiment, Infantry,
Peterson, Arnold Peck, Elisha
1st Regiment, Cavalry
Ryan, Patrick F.
1st Regiment, Heavy Artillery " 11
Ross, Robert
Ramsey, James
1st Regiment, Heavy Artillery " 12th Regiment, Infantry, Connecticut Volunteers
Riggs, George S. Riggs Mark E.
11th Regiment, Infantry, Connecticut Volunteers Infantry,
Riggs, George W. Randon, August
20th Regiment, Infantry
11th Regiment, Infantry 20th 11 11
11
Stevens, Joseph
3d Independent Lt. Battery 6th Regiment, Infantry 1 1
11
Skiff, Walter
13th Regiment, Infantry
11
Scoville, Bennett
13th Regiment, Infantry
Scoville, Charles
13th Regiment, Infantry
11
Scoville, Charles
Sanford, George W.
Smith, Oscar
15th Regiment, Infantry
Stewart, Edwin W.
20th Regiment, Infantry
Smith, Dwight C.
20th Regiment, Infantry
11
Stuart, Horace
20th Regiment, Infantry
Sackett, Lucius
20th Regiment, Infantry
11
Tomlinson, Edmund B.10th Regiment, Infantry
Weyle, Gilbert
3d Independent Lt. Battery
1 1
Stevens, Edward
3d Independent Lt. Battery
Sears, Henry E.
Smith, John
11th Regiment, Infantry
1st Regiment, Cavalry 14th Regiment, Infantry
11
Ramsdell, Parker K.
29th Regiment, Infantry,
11
14th Regiment, Infantry, Connecticut Volunteers
159
Warner, Theodore F. Waters, Henry W. Waters, David R. Wheeler, Elbert E.
2d Regiment, Heavy Artillery 6th Regiment, Infantry 10th Regiment, Infantry 10th Regiment, Infantry
CHAPTER 23
A BLACKSMITH OF 1865
On the west side of Riggs Street, there stands a house which, from its architecture appears to have been built about 1830. In 1865, it was occupied by Everett Hubbell and his wife Jane. At that time, their eld- est son, Wales A. Hubbell was 22 years old and had learned the trade of blacksmith, and had set up a shop of his own on his father's place. Numerous horseshoes have been found on the place. He died in May, 1866 and left behind him an account book of his operations as a black- smith. He did work for Louis B. Perkins, Charles Perkins, Sylvester Platt, William Tucker, E. Wheeler, Burritt Davis, George Perry, Egbert Warner, Hiram Osborn, Lewis Barnes, A. Hinman, Abraham Smith, Enos Candee, Albert Towner, Nehemiah Andrews, H. Cables, Stiles Fairchild, W. O. Clark, W C. Church, S. P. Sanford and A. C. Buckingham.
His accounts show a wide variety of work done and modest charges therefor. Shoeing a horse varied from 50c to one dollar, depending probably on the number of shoes applied. Shoeing oxen ran from $1.74 to $3.00, the latter figure presumably being for a pair of oxen, completely reshod. Miscellaneous jobs included Mending spring, $1.00, Staple 30c, Iron wedges, 50c, banding boxes 62c, Fixing brake 50c, Iron Wagon $10.00, chains, $2.02, Chainhook, 30d, Pins 20c, Bolts, 30c, Fixing buggy wheel $2.00, Fixing buggy dash, 75c, sled, $3.00, Wagon shaft, $1.00, Irons for doors, 75c, Hinges, $5.00, Spikes, 15c Fixing crowbars and Picks, $10.37, Sharpening drills 20c. A black- smith was clearly an important factor in the economy of a town like Oxford, before the days of big business.
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CHAPTER 24
THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, AND THE GRANGE
THE OXFORD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AND ANNUAL FAIR
The earliest record of the Society and Fair which has been found is the Premium (or Prize) List dated October 13, 1875, which is there named "the Twelfth Annual Cattle Show", indicating that the first show was held in 1863. The 1875 Premium List gives the following officers:
President, Joel White
Vice Presidents, Burritt Davis, D. P. Johnson, Nathaniel Walker Recording Secretary, R. S. Hinman
Corresponding Secretary, N. J. Wilcoxson
Treasurer, C. H. Butler Marshal, D. P. Johnson
Directors, W. B. McEwen, George M. Hine, T. F. Warner, John Hawley, H. A. Lum, S. W. Buckingham
Prizes were given in amounts of two or three dollars for the best bulls and cows, working oxen and draught oxen. It must be understood that oxen were the tractors of that day. Horses were divided into several classes; Stallions, Breed Mares, Geldings, Roadsters, and Draught Horses. The highest prize, $12.00 was awarded to the best roadster, showing the popular demand for a horse which could step along lively drawing the family carriage from town to town. We may say in pass- ing that no boy was ever allowed to drive a horse until he had learned to harness the horse and how to drive him without injuring him. It was not all so simple as it may now appear. Prizes were also given for sheep, hogs, and poultry. Also for butter, cheese, honey and bread, vegetables, fruit, and flowers.
The women's hand work was not neglected in the awards, prizes be- ing offered for rag carpet, bed quilts, quilted counterpanes, comfort- ables, knit stockings, knit mittens or gloves. No one but the person who has slept under one of those patch-work quilts lined with the lightest and softest of lamb's fleece can realize how light and warm they were. Prizes were also awarded for silk embroidery, worsted embroidery, fancy work, tidies, crochet work, shell work, painting, wax flowers; showing the variety of hand work undertaken by the women of the town at this time.
In the Premium List for 1881, several advertisements were in- cluded, chiefly from concerns in Birmingham, Ansonia, Seymour, and
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.....
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Mr. Atwater C. Treat of Chestnut Hill, and his span of Oxen.
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Derby, but there is one from Oxford, which reads as follows:
CHAS. H. BUTLER
DEALER IN DRY GOODS, GROCERIES, BOOTS AND SHOES GENERAL MERCHANDISE WILL AS USUAL BE PREPARED TO FURNISH OYSTERS AND REFRESHMENTS ON FAIR DAY. POST OFFICE BUILDING OXFORD, CONN.
"Refreshments" was hard cider, this item appearing frequently in the books of the old store. Butler and Sanford were partners in the Gener- al Store and Post Office advertised above, which was located in Oxford Center, on the east side of the Oxford-Seymour Road ( Route 67) just north of Academy Road. It is thought that the fair was held on the Ox- ford Town Green.
In the Premium List of 1875, an advertisement of Robert B. Bradley of New Haven, Connecticut includes among other things, "Ice Tools". These were presumably for cutting ice from the ponds in winter and handling it for storage in their own "ice houses".
This is followed by the advertisement of J. Goodrich and Co. Manu- facturer of Light Carriages, Side and End Spring Buggies, Light Road wagons, Top and no-top phaetons, Platform phaetons, Two-seat phaetons, Basket and Panel Pony phaetons, Rockaways etc. There is some doubt whether the more fancy types of vehicle were in much use in Oxford, but the buggies and light Road Wagons were certainly fairly common. In this list of light carriages, a notable change in the names from the early 1800's appears; "chairs", "chaise", "chariot" all miss- ing. But these new "light carriages" were just that and they were a marvel of what we would now call "engineering" and "draftsmanship".
Bradley and Co. included another advertisement of "a large assort- ment of Fall and Winter Machinery such as Family wine and cider mills, cast iron apple grinders, and cast iron Cider mill screws. They do not include "stills", but no doubt they were available, or at least "the makings" were.
THE OXFORD GRANGE
The Grange movement in the United States started soon after the Civil War when President Johnson sent an employee of the Department of Agriculture to make a survey of the condition of farmers, especially in the Southern States. As a result, the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry was formed, December 4, 1867, the object being to or- ganize the farmers in all parts of the country. The term "grange" is an old English name used to designate a farm, usually one with a house set at some distance from its neighbors.
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The National Grange was divided into State and subordinate assem- blies or "granges". It was a semi-fraternal organization and developed a ritual of its own for its meetings. There were four degrees for men and four for women, whose membership was on an equal footing with that of the men. Its purposes were two; the industrial benefit and social improvement of its members.
By 1875, there were some 30,000 granges in existence and at its 25th anniversary in 1891, it was said to have brought about many not- able achievements tending to improve the condition of farmers, includ- ing the prevention of renewal of patents on sewing machines, thus sav- ing the people millions annually, it being a time when every household that could afford it, had a sweing machine; also the making of the Secretary of Agriculture a Cabinet Officer in 1862.
A "Declaration of Purposes" issued in 1874, included among many others the following significant ones:
"To develop a better and higher manhood and womanhood among ourselves, we propose meeting together, talking together, working together, buying together, selling together, and in general, acting together for our mutual protection and advancement."
Important questions which the National Grange took in hand were the rapid increase of insects through undue slaughter of birds, the exposure of attempted swindles to which the isolation of the farmer in those days rendered him particularly liable, and of combinations to extort money for the use of articles falsely claimed to be patented, such as "the swing gate, the driven well." Other achievements in- cluded free delivery of mail to rural population, and the promotion of interest in agricultural colleges and the creation of cooperative fire- insurance companies.
OXFORD GRANGE #194
The organization of a grange in Oxford was thought of by Charles W. Mix who became interested in grange work through Mrs. Mary Bice, a member of Seymour Grange #91, and at whose home he was living. This idea interested several townspeople in forming a grange, and a meeting was held Thursday evening, April 26, 1928, when about forty people assembled in Gabler's Hall. The work and benefits of the order were explained by Deputy Emerson J. Leonard of Wallingford and Walter Hine of Orange, a member of Woodbridge Grange #108.
Officers were elected that evening as follows, Atwater C. Treat, Master; Overseer, Edward P. Rowland; Lecturer, Mrs. Atwater C. Treat; Steward, Harold M. Cassidy; Asst. Steward, Allan J. Benson; Chaplain, Charles W. Mix; Treasurer, Nelson M. Cable; Secretary, Richard E. Nyberg; Gatekeeper, J. Nelson Harger; Ceres, Mrs.
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Nelson M. Cable; Pomona, Mrs. Harold M. Cassidy; Flora, Mrs. Albert K. Pope; Lady Asst. Steward, Miss Edna Rowland; Executive Committee, Philip Rowland, R. Irving Sanford and G. Walter James.
A charter was obtained, and Oxford Grange #194 organized on May 10, 1928. There were twenty-four men and twenty-four women charter members, and they were obligated in the first and second degrees by Deputy Emerson J. Leonard of Wallingford Grange #33. The third and fourth degrees were "exemplified" by the Wallingford Grange degree team. State Master Minor Ives and Mrs. Ives were present and in- stalled the newly-elected officers and Mrs. Sarah L. Curtis, Lecturer of Conn. State Grange, was also present. The rooms at the Congrega- tional parish house were secured in which to hold the meetings. The officers and members entered into grange work enthusiastically.
By January 1, 1929, the membership had been increased by thirty- two. Thirty-nine candidates, the largest class in the history of the Grange, received the degrees on December 26, 1929. Each succeeding year found the membership increased. In March 1933, there were 200 members. A few members were lost from lack of interest by the Fifth Anniversary so the total was only 184. On the Tenth Anniversary there were 182 members and at present the membership is about 180.
On July 12, 1928 a building fund was started by Deputy Emerson J. Leonard with a gift of Five Dollars. Small amounts were added to this with proceeds received from card parties, dinners, etc. At the end of the first year, a ways and means committee was appointed to see about the selection of a site and financing the building of a hall. Committees were also appointed to interview owners of land and to solicit funds from Grange members and all others interested.
One can note the enthusiasm and willingness to work on the part of the members as there was in the building fund the small amount of One Hundred Dollars at the time it was proposed to build a Grange Hall. The brothers were successful in soliciting money as all the money except that from the Seymour Trust Company and Rock Rimmon Grange #142 was loaned without interest to be paid back as the Grange's financial condition allowed. Many of the townspeople were generous and gave gifts of money.
The result was a building lot 100 x 275 feet purchased from Brother Newell Ives on June 1, 1929. The Building Committee was comprised of Bros. G. Walter James, Fred R. Bice Jr., Joseph Lineweber Sr., and Charles P. Pope.
On August 6, 1929 the contract for the building of the Grange hall was awarded to Wilfred J. Megin, a member of Beacon Valley Grange #103. During August, ground was broken for the cellar, the brothers dug the cellar and hauled stones for the cellar wall. The entire first story is made of field stone and the second story is of wooden struc- ture shingled. The first meeting in the new hall was on December 12, 1929.
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On January 1, 1930, the laying of the corner stone and dedication service of Oxford Grange Hall took place with State Master Minor Ives as the dedicating officer assisted by the Oxford Grange officers. Among those present were State Master Minor Ives and Mrs. Ives, State Lecturer Sarah L. Curtis and Mr. Curtis, Deputy Emerson J. Leonard and Mrs. Leonard, Mrs. Jessie Perry, Master and Deputy Harold Perry of Excelsior Pomona #7 and Mrs. Perry, Deputy Edgar L. Tucker of Fairfield County Pomona #9 and Mrs. Tucker.
A number of gifts were presented to the Grange at this time among which was a gift of Twenty-five Dollars from Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hine of Orange, a Bible for the Altar from the First Master and Lec- turer, Mr. & Mrs. Atwater C. Treat, and a large American flag from the Connecticut State Grange.
During the next three years, a red velvet stage curtain was in- stalled, the heating system was paid for, the interior of the hall decorated, grounds graded in the rear of the hall providing more park- ing space. Through the generosity of Stephen B. Church of Oxford a driven well was installed and to this was connected an automatic elec- tric pumping outfit which supplies running water to the building.
The money necessary to finance all the expenses and improvements has been raised in many different ways -- card parties, socials, organ recital, lawn party, carnivals, suppers, home talent minstrel show, three-act plays, and banquets. One of the largest incomes has been from old-fashioned and modern dances held weekly except during the summer months.
The first community work done by Oxford Grange was to place flags and a wreath on the honor roll on May 30, 1928. The willingness of the grange members to undertake the responsibility of building a grange hall was a benefit to the whole community making possible a suitable place for large gatherings, town meetings, and social activi- ties of all groups in the town.
On May 28, 1932 the Grange took part in the Washington Bicenten- nial. Two benefit dances have been given and substantial sums were given to a widowed Mother who was ill, although not a member of the Grange. Also to a Brother who lost his barn by fire. The grange also exercised considerable influence in the improvement of town roads, including tar surfaces ("black top")
One of the most outstanding pieces of Community Work was the erection of the Soldiers' War Memorial, after learning that a fund had been lying idle since October 1920, the Grange took an active interest in completing this fund. On Armistice Day, November 11, 1930 the War Memorial was dedicated.
CHAPTER 25
THE SEYMOUR RECORD
A circular dated March 10, 1871 told of the forthcoming issuance of a local newspaper in Seymour to be known as the "Seymour Record" and to be edited by W. C. Sharpe who had once taught school in Oxford. It commenced May 1, 1871, and the first year, one number was issued on the first of each month. In its very first number it published the following comment on Oxford:
"Oxford, in a pleasant valley, staid and serene as its venerable Judge W., except on fair days, when it unbends to welcome the strangers who come to see the productions of the farm or skillful fingers."
The "venerable Judge W." is believed to be Judge Nathan J. Wilcoxson, who born in 1796 was seventy-five years old at this date. The "annual fair" referred to was presumably that of the "Oxford Agricultural Society" held, it is said, on the Town Green. It was started in 1863 and continued to as late as 1881, a premium list for that year being still preserved.
In the December 15, 1871 issue of the "Seymour Record" appears the following comment on Quaker Farms:
"Mr. Editor, Onward is the word here, for we are progressing. Formerly we had a store, the influence of which was bad, and the church was part of the time closed; now the store is closed and the church is opened for service regularly. The school where you (Wm. C. Sharpe) once taught is in a prosperous condition. We have been fortunate in securing good teachers. Some months ago, Mr. Charles Hawkins was struck by lightning and two of the fe- male inmates were knocked to the floor, but without permanent injury."
signed, "Subscriber"
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CHAPTER 26
OXFORD 1932 HISTORICAL CELEBRATION AND GEORGE WASHINGTON BICENTENNIAL
PROLOGUE TO THE HISTORICAL PAGEANT
My children ! my children and my guests !
I am the Spirit of Oxford.
I am Oxford, your Mother ! I am the Daughter of an ancient city, An ancient and noble city:
Oxford on the Thames, The Mother of great Colleges !
My children and my guests ! I greet you today:
I greet you and welcome you.
I welcome you to our flower-sprinkled valleys, Our verdant hillsides, and our pleasant groves. I welcome you to our friendly streets, our sacred shrines, and our ancient and hospitable dwellings. This is my home: today it is also yours.
Two centuries and a half have I dwelt here ! And yet, it seems but yesterday, when my stalwart sons crossed the "great river", the Housatonic, and built their cabins in the shelter of those friendly hills. There were red-men here in those days, and they welcomed my sons to their friendly lodges: and my sons traded with them, and dwelt among them as brethren.
And my sons and my daughters were a God-fearing and a God-serving generation.
They occupied this good land in diligence and sobriety. And their sons and daughters "rose up and called them blessed". And the men and women of the generations that followed Wrought a noble work.
Some were tillers of the soil, some were hewers and joiners of wood, some wrought by the loom and wheel, some were craftsmen and artisans: others were merchants, manufacturers and tradesmen, some were churchmen, soldiers and statesmen.
Our tradition is that of our beloved America, freedom, industry, and integrity.
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As I welcome you on this day of our rejoicing, Permit me to repeat again that ancient hymn, Which has been my guiding star
both in the time of tribulation and prosperity, and shall be to the end of time:
'I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills; from whence cometh my help My help cometh even from the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved, and He that keepeth thee will not sleep.
Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord Himself is thy keeper; the Lord is thy defense upon thy right hand;
So that the sun shall not burn thee by day, neither the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; yea, it is even Thee that shall keep thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in from this time forth for evermore.'
Rev. H. S. Douglas
On Saturday May 28th and Sunday May 29th, 1932 an historical cele- bration was held in Oxford, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the coming of the white settlers to the town of Oxford, and also the George Washington Bi-centennial.
Saturday's program included the following:
Flag presented to the town by officers of Sarah Ludlow Chapter D.A.R. of Seymour, and raised at the Upper Green, Oxford Center.
Parade of floats by schools, clubs, etc., along Route 67 toward Oxford Center, where it was reviewed by Hon. Wilbur L. Cross, Governor of Connecticut, with an address by him. Singing by school children.
Concert by drum corps and Historical Pageant on Lower Green. Exhibition of Antiques and Curios at the Episcopal Rectory, Oxford Center. Old fashioned costume dance at the Grange Hall.
The events of Sunday May 29th included:
Services at St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church, Old-Home day service at the Congregational Church, and an open-air service and unveiling of tablet commemorating the founding of the first Episco- pal Church in Oxford on slope near St. Peter's Cemetery on Gover - nors Hill Road.
The Program of the Historical Pageant follows:
PROLOGUE
The Spirit of Oxford speaks to her children and her guests Mrs. Atwater Treat
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135.
George Washington BiCentennial, Scene at Washband Tavern.
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Aesthetic Dance by Oxford young ladies representing "A June morning on the Oxford meadows"
Miss Dorothy Ives-chairman Miss Gladys Meyer, director
Episode I. Prior to 1682
Indians making a temporary camp
Oxford Boy Scouts-Rev. L. B. Hale, scoutmaster Oxford Girl Scouts-Mrs. A. E. Buell, captain
Episode II. 1682-1740
Settlers trading with the Indians for land Group from Quaker Farms Mrs. Leslie Tomlinson, chairman
Episode III. - 1743
Oxford residents receiving the charter of Oxford Parish from representatives of the General Assembly Group from St. Thomas Church Mr. Michael Cassidy, chairman
Episode IV. 1782
Return of Oxford's Revolutionary soldiers. Training Day on the village Green.
Group from Oxford Grange P. of H. Mr. Edward P. Rowland, chairman
Episode V. - 1798
Incorporating of the Town of Oxford. Town meeting followed by a garden party celebrating the event. Minuet, May poles and drills by Oxford children.
Men's group in charge of Mr. Richard C. Jacobs Ladies group in charge of Mrs. G. Walter James and Miss Ruth Sanford School children in charge of the teachers and Supervisor I. B. Dunfield
Tableau
George and Martha Washington, Miss Liberty, Uncle Sam, The Thirteen Original States, Legionaires, Red Cross Nurses, and the entire cast. Singing of the Bicentennial Song, "Father of the Land We Love"
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