USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Oxford > History of the town of Oxford, Connecticut > Part 15
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Tableau in charge of Oxford Parent-Teachers Mrs. Louis Linewebber, chairman
Cast of the Tableau
George Washington --- Mr. Michael Cassidy Uncle Sam Mr. Nelson Cable
Martha Washington Mrs. Palmer
Liberty Miss Helen Arnold
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Executive Committee
Rev. Henry S. Douglas, General Chairman
Mrs. Hubert Stoddard
Mr. Michael Cassidy
Rev. Lincoln B. Hale Mr. Charles Mix
Mrs. Nicholas Madorno
Mrs. Morris Currish
Mrs. Sherman Stanford
Mrs. Irving Sanford
Mr. G. Walter James
Mrs. G. Walter James
Mrs. Oscar Larson
Miss Ruth Sanford
Miss Julia Crofut
Mrs. I. Burton Dunfield
Mrs. Leslie Tomlinson
Parade Committee Mr. Michael Cassidy, chairman
Music Committee
Rev. L. B. Hale
Luncheon Committee
Mrs. Oscar Larson, chairman
Publicity and Printing Mr. Charles Mix, chairman
Old Fashioned Dance Mr. G. Walter James, chairman
Historical Exhibit and Tea
Mrs. S. Sanford, chairman
Concessions, St. Peter's Girls Club Mrs. Mildred D. Lawrence, chairman
Properties and Seating Mr. Morris Currish, chairman
Ushers and Assistants during the Pageant Warren Bice, Robert Cable, Edwin Cassidy, David Hall, Clarence Olsen
CHAPTER 27
THE CONNECTICUT TERCENTENARY CELEBRATION IN OXFORD, 1935
TERCENTENARY OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT 1635-1935
The Town of Oxford celebrated the Tercentenary with appropriate ceremonies. A pamphlet was published, with the following inscription, -
"To the Pioneers who have made Connecticut what she is, and to those Pioneers who will make Connecticut all she may be- this program is dedicated by the Town of Oxford.
"The mystery of its woods and hills reveals to those who listen, secrets of enduring truth."
Saturday June 8, Sunday June 9 1935
The Tercentary General Committee follows, -
General Chairman- Rev. Henry S. Douglas
Printing- Mr. Hubert E. Stoddard, Miss J. Mabel Lum, Mr. Charles Pope
Markers- Mr. R. Z. Hawkins, Mr. R. C. Jacobs, Mrs. M. Shelton Luncheon-East- Mrs. Oscar Larson, Mrs. Newell Ives- West-
Mrs. R. Peck, Mrs. Sadie Olson, Mrs. Cyrus Shelton, Mrs. R. H. Treat, Mrs. B. Salveson, Mrs. B. Thorsen.
Tercentary Ball- Messrs G. Walter James, E. P. Rowland, R. E. Nyberg, John Pope, Clark Pope, Fred Bice, Jr., David Hall, Cyrus Shelton.
School and Boy Scout Activities- Mr. Floyd, Teachers, Revs. C. S. Ramsey and H. S. Douglas
United Religious Service- Mrs. Edward P. Rowland, Mr. H. L. Tomlinson, Mrs. Lillian Pope, Revs. Ramsey and Douglas. Music- Mr. Cyrus Shelton, Mr. Clarence Roberts
Tercentenary Tree- The Oxford Garden Club, Mr. and Mrs. Irving Sanford, Mr. Thomas Schreiber
Sacred Concert- Oxford Parent Teachers Association, Mr. Frederick May, Chairman.
Entertainment of Speakers- Messrs. S. B. Church, R. Peck, Wm. Curtiss, C. P. Pope, H. E. Stoddard.
Reception Committee- Messrs R. Peck, Wm. Curtiss, C. P. Pope, Clarence Roberts, S. B. Church, C. M. Eckstrom, I. R. Sanford, Ralph Wheeler.
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Traffic Control- Messrs E. S. Williams, Wm. Curtiss, Chris Olsen, Thomas Schreiber
Properties- August Douillet, Nelson Cable, Cyrus Shelton, Clarence Roberts.
Messengers and Ushers- The Boy Scouts.
Secretary- Miss Eloise Pope
Additional Members- Mr. and Mrs. Lackeye, Mr. Freeman, Mrs.
Currish, Mrs. Abercrombie, Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Albert Pope.
Program. Saturday, June 8.
A.M.
7.00 Ringing of church bells.
9.00 Planting of Tercentenary trees by Oxford Garden Club. Near hall at Quaker Farms. (S.E. Corner of Quaker Farms Road and Hog's Back Rd. )
9.30 On Upper Green, Oxford Center.
10.00 Maypole Dances by Oxford School children, lower green.
10.30 Boy Scout Activities, lower green, troops 1 and 2
11.00 Singing by chorus of Oxford school children. Playing by drum corps of boys and girls from Maple Street School and Center School, Seymour.
11.15 Addresses by the Hon. Wilbur L. Cross, Governor of the State of Connecticut, and by Senator Henry M. Bradley
P.M.
12.30 Luncheon Recess. At this hour visitors are welcome to visit the Boy Scout Exhibition and witness out door cooking and other ac- tivities.
2.00 First Scene of Historical Tour.
Scene 1. William Pope House. John Pope, Chairman.
This House, nearly opposite St. Peter's Episcopal Church is one of the original seven houses that formed the so-called center of Oxford, and was built about 1750 by the Candee family.
Scene 2.
The Congregational Church, Rev. C. S. Ramsey, Chairman The Congregational Society of Oxford was incorporated in 1741 and built the first meeting house in 1743, the Worthy Jonathan Lyman being the first minister.
The scene depicted the gathering of the townspeople for the first service in the present meeting house, with the people assembled on the green for a brief service of dedication, led by Rev. Daniel Bronson, after which they entered the meeting house for continu- ation of the service.
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Scene 3. The Old Toll Gate and the New Federal Highway Michael Cassidy, Chairman
The main road through Oxford was the second chartered toll road in Connecticut, granted in the year 1795, and was continued as a toll road for over 80 years.
The scene depicted the toll-gate keeper at his post at the Toll Gate. As epople passed through the gate, they were asked to pay a toll of 10 cents for which they received a copy of the Tercen- tenary pamphlet. If the passer held one of the pamphlets he was considered as having paid his toll.
The toll gate used in this scene was apparently located on Route 67 at the house just south of DeVaux's Garage.
The cement road had been completed just prior to the celebra- tion forming a strong contrast to the original dusty, rough road.
The "Mineral Spring" is located about one mile south of town, and was called the "Pool", due to the supposed healing powers of the water. Once a month a yellowish scum will collect on the surface of the water, which in a few days will run off and leave the pool perfectly clear. It has never been known to run dry. Near this site, Little River tumbles over a very pretty water fall into a natural rock lined chasm.
About one-half mile further south is the site where, in 1870, a dam was built across Little River and a factory erected for the manufacture of croquet sets.
Scene 4. The Old Indian Tree. Rev. H. S. Douglas, Chairman. "Located on the north end of Albert Pope's property, this tree was supposed to mark the dividing line of the territory of the Pootatuck Indians and the Chusetown (Seymour) Indians. There is a tradition that no Indian from either tribe was permitted to pass over the line into the adjoining territory without permission from the Indians he wished to visit. The Indians of the two tribes usually met at the boundary."
The scene showed Indians of the two tribes gathered near the tree, trading merchandise and trinkets for hides, flint and quartz stones.
Scene 5. The Buckingham House. Mrs. Jennie Peck, Chairman. "This house was built in 1779 by Philo Holbrook for his bride, Ann Wooster. Mrs. Holbrook was known throughout the country side as Aunt Annis. The wedding scene was enacted here.
Scene 6.
The Albert Pope House, Mrs. Sherman Sanford, Chairman. "This was formerly the Washband Tavern, built in 1714 by Mr.
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John Twitchell, and was the favorite overnight stopping place for travelers from Woodbury and beyond to New Haven. The scene depicted the wedding of Rachel, the slave of Col. Wooster, to Tobiah, son of a slave of Rev. Richard Mansfield. It was one of the few legal slave weddings in Connecticut.
Tobiah was willing to pay the white folks' fee if he could be married 'like white folks'. The preacher, Rev. Mansfield, for- feited his fee when he refused to sing the Psalms and kiss the bride. "
Scene 7
The Fred Bice, Sr. House, Miss Julia Crofut, Chairman. This house, located at the corner of the Highway (Route 67) and Park Road is close to the site of the tavern of Col. John Wooster of Revolutionary fame, justice of the peace, leading citizen, and adviser to all. (Note. In a copy of the program given to the writer by the Rev. H. S. Douglas, he has corrected this to read "Capt." instead of Col.)
The scene depicted the abduction of Chauncey Judd from Bethany and his lodging in the Wooster Tavern, and the rescue therefrom by the old Negro servant Tobiah.
The scene also depicted an old fashioned quilting bee.
The program continues, - "On the farther bank of Little River, which you will cross, close to the stream, stood the cabins in which the slaves of Capt. Wooster lived.
"A few rods further along this road is a level space, now a ball field, which was formerly part of a forest preserve and deer park." The name, "Park Road" is derived from this fact.
Scene 8 Indian Incident. Rev. H. S. Douglas, Chairman.
The scene was based on a traditional incident, showing Indians making camp, and busy at arrow making, fishing and preparation of food. Also the trial of a young captive.
Scene 9 The Dytko House. Mrs. Miles Shelton, Chairman This house, erected in 1741, was the home of Lt. John Griffin, the first white child to be born in Oxford (1725) (Note. This house is the stone house located on the south side of Park Road whereit turns north eastward from Moose Hill Road.)
The scene depicted the christening of the child.
Scene 10
The Roberts House. Miss Flora Roberts, Chairman. (Note) This house is located in Quaker Farms on the east side of Quaker Farms Rd. Route 188 at the head of Barry Road, formerly Old Mill Road. )
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It was built by Silas Hawkins about 1781, has hand hewn tim- bers and boards, wrought nails and rugged frame construction. It is now occupied by the fourth and fifth generations of Hawkins descendants. The scene depicted here was that of an old time sewing bee.
The program continues, - "The Stanton house, nearby, was occu- pied by the first English inhabitant, a Dr. Butler, a Quaker and a hunter who maintained a hermit residence here for many years" A note in the Rev. H. S. Douglas handwriting in the writer's copy of the program says "Error, According to Mr. T. Hines who said I. Wooster built it in latter part of 17th Century." Butler's house is thought to be the cellar hole on Capt. Wooster Road, just beyond the Stanton house.
Scene 11 The Old Burying Ground.
This lies on Capt. Wooster Road about 40 rods north of the Stan- ton house. "There are two known Revolutionary officers buried there, and it is believed there are other soldiers in unmarked graves, also an Indian.
Scene 12 The Copper Mine
"About two miles south from the Roberts House, on the road leading past the school, is the site of a copper mine. Good cop- per ore was obtained here, but the cost of smelting made produc- tion unprofitable and the mine was abandoned about 100 years ago." (Note. Since the date of the Tercentenary, the School- house referred to has been turned into the Hawkins fire house, at the south west corner of Quaker Farms Road and Barry Road. The mine is located a short distance westward from Copper Mine Road just back of a group of small houses, about half way from the beginning of Copper Mine Rd. at Loughlin Rd. and the southern end of Freeman Rd. where it rejoins Coppermine Rd. )
Scene 13
Christ Church, Quaker Farms, Mrs. Harry Andrews, chairman This church was built between 1812 and 1815 and the scene will be that of a group of parishioners lingering about the steps of the meeting house after service, discussing the crops, the neigh- bors and the events of the day.
Scene 14
Derby Town Meeting of 1798, Mrs. Leslie Tomlinson, chairman This scene will take place in the meadow of Mr. Carl Chandler, a short distance west from Christ Church. This town meeting gave the decision which made Oxford a separate town. The players will enact the exciting doings of that day when the voters
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of Derby were outwitted, and the Oxford voters were rewarded for the seven long years of perseverance and unfaltering deter- mination.
CHAPTER 28
WORLD WARS I. AND II.
WORLD WAR I.
On May 4, 1915, to the great indignation of the people of the United States, Germany sank the British liner "Lusitania", and on February 1, 1917, Germany began unrestricted warfare and the United States by Executive Order, began to arm its merchant ships. Then on April 6, 1917 Congress declared that a state of war existed with Germany. President Wilson followed this up by signing May 15th the "Selective Military Conscription Bill", affecting all men between the ages of 21 and 30, popularly known as the "draft".
In 1931, a bronze tablet was set up on a rock on the Upper Green on the east side of Route 67, bearing the names of those who were in the armed services during World War I. This list contains 38 names.
LIST OF NAMES ON THE BRONZE TABLET ON THE UPPER GREEN
Commemorating those in the Armed Services of the United States during World War I
Albert E. Arnold Wm. R. Houlihan
Edgar C. Palmer
Maurice A. Barry Carl Benson
Reid P. Hubbell
Fred W. Pfeiffer
Frederick Knapp
Clarence F. Roberts
Frank W. Carlson
Samuel Levy
Herbert Roberts
Ole S. Christensen
Arthur F. Lundin
Frank Marshall
Chauncey B. Sanford Clifford H. Smith
Albert C. Dahinden Ralph E. Davis Thomas F. Derry Clifford Dilley
Maurice Levy
Charles T. Mitchell
Thomas Marshall
Herman Sonnestuhl August J. Tilquist Frank Trevelin
Alfred S. Donahue
Clarence McConnie
John H. Townsend
Henry D. Field
Walter J. Mitchell
James F. Townsend
Albert H. Graf
Albert Mitchell
E. N. Williams
Albert G. Hansen
Homer Olmstead
World War Two.
The United States entered World War Two, Dec. 7, 1941, when, without notice, over 100 Japanese planes attacked our Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The war ended Sep. 2, 1945 when the Japanese
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formally surrendered. In front of the Oxford Town Hall stands a wooden post bearing the inscription, "Town of Oxford Military Honor Roll", and a list of names which are presumably the names of those who were in the Armed Services during World War II. It however is thought to be inaccurate. The list is as follows:
Adomaitis, J. Gilpin, J.
Laurigan, W.
Ploch, L.
Adomaitis, J. Godshall, R.
Lyons, C.
Peck, R.
Bennett, R.
Griswold, R.
Larson, C. Popowski, K.
Baker, C.
Griswold, E.
Larson, M. Popowski, J. Popowski, F.
Bobrowski, A.
Griswold, C.
Mullen, L.
Burt, S.
Gray, J.
Minor, R.
Roberts, G.
Belinsky, P.
Gardo, A.
Mikulich, A.
Rzesutek, J.
Budrus, J.
Gunderson, G.
Miles, H.
Rice, W.
Crossman, T.
Hansen, A.
Miles, D.
Congdon, K.
Hubbell, C.
Miles, R.
Seccombe, S.
Cassidy, E.
Hubbell, E.
Miles, F.
Stakum, M.
Clark, C.
Hubbell, E.
Moselle, R.
Solberg, W.
Cauxx, R.
Honcomon, H.
Mc. Kenna J.
Steel, E.
Dilly, E. Jaroszowski, E. Magda, J.
Demrae, W.
Magda, W.
Smith, W.
Dunlap, S.
Kluczinsky, V.
Magda, J.
Santerre E.
Davidson, R.
Kluczinsky, J.
Mosavich, W.
Smith, L.
Douillet, A.
Kobel, R.
Mandatto, R.
Samoker, B.
Douillet, R.
Kinney, O.
Moskwa, M.
Schench, H.
Dytko, P.
Kryszkiewicz, J.
Schench, L.
Dytko, H.
Katrenya, J.
Newkirk, E.
Schenek, L.
Dytko, Miss E.
Koslowski, J.
Newkirk, E.
Sweeney, T.
Dytko, A.
Kowslowski, E.
Nardi, L.
Schoenberg, M.
Drew, F.
Kowslowski, S.
Natusch, M.
Shearer, L.
Drew, F.
Kowslowski, L.
Natusch, E.
Drew, S.
Klanko, J.
Derrg, F.
Korin, M.
Olsen, H.
Eames, H.
Kacerguis, A.
Oleson, E.
Tomosaitis, A.
Everetts, Mrs. V.
Tomosaitis, B.
Emutis, V.
Ley, J. Labordi, F.
Treat, R. Treat, C.
Fritz, J. Fox, W.
Ladun, J.
Pope, R.
Treat, A. Tuttle, F.
Fortier, R.
Leahey, D.
Powe, Mrs. R.
Fray, H.
Lineweber, J.
Lineweber, R.
Perrault, R. Ploch, M.
Tilquist, H. Turner, M.
Griswold, S.
Lyons, J. Paradise, P.
Blythe, R.
Griswold, L.
Miles, E.
Reilly, E.
Martin, J.
Stanton, R.
Schaefer, G.
Tuzik, J. Tuzik, M.
Oczkowski, F. O'Donovan, R.
Lane, D.
Prokop, E.
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Urick, S. Vimer, R.
Wypler, G.
Wyckoff, J.
Walters, Miss. D. Wailonis, J.
von Wettberg, B.
Wheeler, S.
Wyckoff, Miss C. Wailonis, J.
Vallas, H. Viavoda, A.
Wheeler, W. Williams, A.
Wilber, L.
Witek, J.
"Victory Park.
Nine Oxford men and one woman lost their lives in Worls War II.
The idea of establishing a Victory Memorial Park between Route 67 and Chestnut Tree Hill Road, just south of Oxford Center as a memori- al to Oxford's Dead in World War II. was first proposed by Oxford's Troop I, Boy Scouts of America in signed petitions sent to the Officers of the Connecticut State Highway Department and the Town of Oxford in May, 1946. The State and Town united in doing the necessary filling and grading, and in planting trees and shrubs. The Scouts assisted in the work and raised a fund for the purchase of the bronze tablet on which the names of the dead are inscribed. Dedication Exercises were held on Memorial Day May 30, 1947.
Introductory Address Invocation "The Star Spangled Banner" Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag The Boy Scout Oath and Law "America the Beautiful"
Unveiling of Tablet to World War II. Dead
Welcome and Presentation of Park Victor Ives Jr., Senior Patrol Leader
and Tablet to Town Officials Acceptance of both
Dedication Prayer
Placing of Wreath at Tablet
"The Gettysburg Address" "In the Garden" "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" Mr. Carl Eckstrom Address "America"
Mr. Carl Eckstrom
Mrs. Kenyon Congdon
Led by Troop 1, Boy Scouts Chorus, Boy and Girl Scouts (Mrs. R. Pulver, director)
Scout John Congdon
First Selectman Frederick R. Bice, Jr. Rev. Edwin G. Zellars, Pastor Oxford Congregational Church Members of Oxford Post, Ameri- can Legion Mr. Carl Eckstrom Boy and Girl Scouts
Lieut Col. Alfred G. Seitz Chorus
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Scout Benediction
Taps
Led by Rev. H. S. Douglas, Scout- master of Troop 1, Boy Scouts Bugler
THE BOY SCOUT COMMITTEE wishes to extend its thanks to its many friends:
To all who have contributed to the Memorial Fund.
To Mr. Reese Miles for moving the Boulder to its foundation. To Mr. George Clark for building the foundation and for inserting the bronze tablet into the Boulder.
To Mrs. Margery Wilson Bushnell, Mr. George Clark, Mr. Thomas Schreiber and Mr. William Curtis for gifts of trees and shrub- bery.
To Mr. Stephen B. Church for the gift of a permanent flag pole. To Scout Edward Sands for a beautiful 5 by 8 American Flag.
The following Scouts worked as solicitors for the Memorial Fund:
Victor Ives Jr. Edward Sands
George Richter
Florian Folger
Jack Micknak Robert Dilley
Donald Gabianelli
Donald Micknak
Gordon Brooks
Stian Christiansen Richard Ives
The following Scouts have worked many hours in the Memorial Park:
Victor Ives Jr., Senior Patrol Leader
Donald Mickmak, Patrol Leader
Florian Folger, Patrol Leader
Gordon Brooks, Scribe
Donald Gabianelli, Asst. Patrol Leader Stian Christiansen, Asst Patrol Leader
Richard Ives Clarence Taradine Robert Dilley Otto Schaper
John Congdon Herbert Morris Neil Cockran Henry Hummell
Edward Sands Charles Hummell Charles Tarby Laurence Domrod
Earnest Cockran George Richter
Messrs. Joseph Gray, Troop Committeeman, and Earnest Cockran have worked many hours in developing the Park.
A bronze tablet is attached to a boulder, inscribed as follows, -
"Our Hero Dead World War II
Sgt. David S. Miles
Pvt. Albert Vaivoda
P.F.C. S. Robert O'Donovan Pvt. Alvin H. Treat
Capt. Kenyon S. Congdon S /Sgt. Louis F. Smith 1st. Lieut. Cornelia A. Wyckoff, M.D. P.F.C. Sidney A. Burt P.F.C. Edwin H. Cassidy
P.F.C. Michael J. Stakum
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Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them."
On the rear of the boulder, a bronze tablet reads, - "This park and monument was secured from funds collected by Troop I Boy Scouts of Oxford."
CHAPTER 29
THE AMERICAN LEGION AND AUXILIARY IN OXFORD
The American Legion in Oxford.
On Nov. 12, 1946, a group of veterans of World War No. II met at the Town Hall and discussed plans for the formation of a veterans' organization in Oxford. Bishop W. von Wettberg was selected interim chairman; Alexander Mikulich, acting Secretary, and Earl Oleson, Roger Mandato, Raymond Godshall, Paul Paradise and Michael Korin, members of the organization committee. On the following Dec. 16th. the Veterans' Group voted to affiliate with the American Legion and organize a Legion post in Oxford.
On Jan. 22d. 1947, officers were elected and a name selected, "The David S. Miles Post", in honor of Sergeant David S. Miles, (son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Miles of Chestnut Tree Hill), who lost his life on a transport that was torpedoed and sunk by enemy fire in the North Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 3, 1943. The officers elected were B. W. von Wettberg, Commander, Edward Dains, Vice Commander, Edward Miles, Financial Officer, and Alexander Mikulich, Adjutant.
Robert Lineweber was appointed Chairman of the House Committee, and Raymond Pope, Frank Oczkowski, Albert Douillet, Earl Oleson and Robert Miles, a Committee of Constitution and By-Laws.
On March 3, 1947, the Post was notified by the State Department of the Legion that it had granted a charter and assigned Post No. 174. At this point it seems appropriate to set forth the origin and some of the aims of the Nation-wide American Legion, as given in its Constitution, namely, that it is a patriotic, non-partisan organization of Veterans of World Wars I and II, incorporated by Act of Congress, Sep. 16, 19 19; that it aims to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, to foster a one-hundred percent Americanism, and to preserve the memories of the association of the Veterans in the Great Wars.
At the March 3d. meeting, the following 23 Members were initiated, -
Edward B. Dains
Charles Lyons
Raymond Pope
Albert Douillet
James Lyons
Benjamin Samoker
John Fritz
Alexander Mikulich
Robert Stanton
William Fox Jr. Robert Miles
Harold Tilquist
Raymond Godshall
Edward Miles
Robert Treat
Arthur P. Hoyt
Wilson Miles
Harry Vallas
Everett Hubbell Earl Oleson
Bishop W. von Wettberg
Robert Lineweber
Paul Paradise
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In addition to Commander von Wettberg, First Vice Commander Dains, Finance Officer Edward Miles, and Adjutant Mikulich, previous- ly elected, six other offices were filled, Raymond Pope, Second Vice Commander, Robert Stanton, Chaplain, Harry Vallas, Historian, Albert Douillet, Service Officer, Robert Treat, Sergeant at Arms, and Benja- min Samoker, Assistant Sergeant at Arms. The officers were formal- ly installed Apr. 2, 1947 at a meeting held in the Oxford Grange Hall.
From the start, the Legion took active part in Town Affairs, such as sponsoring high school boys attending Nutmeg Boys State at Walling- ford; furnishing transportation to the polls on Election Day to those who wished it; co-sponsoring Oratorical Contests with the Seymour Post at Seymour High School. It has also given financial help to veter- ans and relatives needing it, and has provided consultation with people who wished assistance in filling out pension, insurance and other forms. It has also sponsored awards to the most outstanding boy and girl in the Oxford School. And since 1949, the Legion has taken over the Memorial Day Celebration program in Oxford.
On May 18, 1949, military funeral services were held by the Legion, for Private Alvin Harold Treat, (son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Harold Treat of Quaker Farms), large delegations being present from the David S. Miles Post and Auxiliary. Private Treat was killed in action Jan. 5, 1945 in the Battle of the Bulge. Interment was in Brookside Cemetery, Quaker Farms, where the veterans ritual was held at the grave. The flag which draped the casket was folded by the Commander of the Ox- ford Legion Post and the past commander, and presented to the mili- tary escort, who then gave it to the parents of the dead veteran. A salute to the dead was then fired.
Similar military honors were paid by the Post, June 17, 1949 at the funeral of Staff Sergeant Lewis F. Smith, (son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert H. Smith of Oxford), who was killed in action at St. Omer Lonquesse, July 11, 1944.
On March 3, 1952 a permanent American Legion Charter was pre- sented to the Oxford Post.
Awards for good citizenship are presented annually by the Post to a boy and a girl in the graduating class in the Oxford School and in 1953 the Post sponsored the providing of ambulance service to the residents of Oxford. Frequent social gatherings, banquets, dances etc. are held, and the welfare in general of veterans is fostered.
On June 5, 1950, the Town gave the Legion a Quit-claim Deed to the former Stephen B. Church property on Oxford Road, and the Legion now makes it its home. The Post has now 180 members.
The American Legion Auxiliary
In September 1947, a meeting was held in the Ration building in Oxford to discuss the forming of an Auxiliary Unit of the American Legion. Formal action was postponed until Feb. 23, 1948 when
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fourteen women took the necessary steps to organize an Auxiliary and on March 5, 1948 a special meeting of the Post was held at which an application for a Charter of the new unit was drawn up, to be filed with the Central Office.
Officers were elected Apr, 28, 1948 and the Charter was received with a letter dated May 14, 1948 from the National President of the American Legion Auxiliary in Indianapolis. Formal installation of the officers took place May 24, 1948, as follows, -
Miss Eleanor Miles, President Mrs. Lillie Lineweber, Treasurer
Mrs. Louise von Wettberg
Mrs. Viola Martin, Historian
Senior Vice President
Mrs. Florence Dains, Chaplain
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