USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harrison > Centennial history of Harrison, Maine > Part 2
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A HISTORY OF THE
No one place could be found large enough for such a feast as was provided, (except "all out-doors," which was thought to be too much exposed), and the vestries of the Free Baptist and Congregational Churches and the Town Hall, were all utilized, and with all this room the tables had to be set "over and over," before the hunger of the crowd was fully satisfied.
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
This is the long expected day, On which all celebrate ; And now all work is laid aside Till more convenient date. The rich and poor do all unite,- As well as high and low,- To fitly glorify the day One hundred years ago. Then it was our loved Harrison Did first become a town,
And in the hundred years since then Has grown to much renown. Its history since then is such That we are feeling proud, And think 'tis well to celebrate, So gladly join the crowd.
The day selected for the Celebration was Thursday, Au- gust 3rd, 1905, and it was a perfect day in every respect. It was clear and bright, the temperature was just right for comfort, the recent rain had destroyed every vestige of
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
dust, and all nature seemed to have combined to produce a day fitted in every way for the great Celebration. At sun- rise came the first number on the program - the firing of , one hundred guns from the Common in the Village. As the echoes reverberated over the hills answering echoes came from other points, where muskets were fired, rocks blasted, dynamite cartridges exploded, and other means adopted by which the people could give vent to their en- thusiastic patriotism. The day was fitly ushered in, and the Centennial Celebration well begun.
People from all parts of the country had flocked back to their native town, and almost every residence was for the time being made the home of guests, the capacity of some of them being taxed to their utmost. Never before had any event in the vicinity called out such a crowd as that which gathered together on that long-to-be-remembered 3rd of August. To the hundreds who had previously ar- rived thousands were added on the morning of the Celebra- tion, till good judges estimated that the number present was about four thousand; and it is but justice to say that a more orderly gathering never came together. The ar- rangements for preserving order were elaborate, and well nigh perfect. Not only were all local officers on duty, but uniformed policemen had been summoned from Portland, and the County Sheriff and a part of his Deputies were present and on the alert for the apprehension of all wrong- doers. So perfect were these arrangements, and so well was it known that everything possible would be done to prevent the sale of the liquid that is so detrimental to good order, that those who are generally supposed to be engaged in such business were very "conspicuous for their absence."
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At 8.30 came the Parade, and very few had much idea of what it was to contain. It was generally supposed that there would be some half dozen teams, decorated to some extent, but none were prepared for the gorgeous spectacle which slowly came into view from the Bridgton road, and marched through all of the principal streets of the Village. First came the Marshal of the Day, Mr. Andrew B. Jordan, mounted on horseback, and attended by two uniformed po- licemen. Next was the Norway Brass Band of nineteen pieces, Frank H. Kimball leader, and following were some twenty wagons, floats, barges, etc., beautifully decorated, and drawn by gaily caparisoned horses. All trades and industries were represented, even to the summer boarders from the cities, who claimed the right to assist in the cele- brating of the Centennial of the town to which they had become so much attached during the summers in which they had made it their home. One writer well said: "It was a spectacle which reflected great credit on its promoters, and was viewed with keen pleasure by natives and visitors alike."
The Literary Exercises were held in the spacious grounds adjoining the Crystal Lake House, and near the shores of the pretty little sheet of water now known as Crystal Lake, but in the "olden time" bearing the name of "Anonymous Pond." A large stand erected in the shade of the spread- ing elms, and near to the main street, was nearly encircled by a line of flags and banners, while in front was an arch of flags and bunting, on which appeared the word "Wel- come" in immense letters. William H. Briggs, Esq., Chair- man of the Executive Committee, called the meeting to order, and Albert W. Weston, Chairman of the Board of
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Selectmen, was the Temporary Chairman, and made the Address of Welcome. Hon Chas. Sumner Cook of Port- land, was the President of the Day. The Norway Brass Band, and the Norway Quartet were present through the day. The full program of Exercises appears below :
PROGRAM OF CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Sunrise, .
Salute of 100 guns.
8.30 A. M. Parade, headed by Norway Brass Band.
9.30 A. M. Band Concert, Norway Band.
10.30 A. M. Commencement of Literary Exercises.
Introduction of Temporary Chairman,
by William H. Briggs, Esq.
Address of Welcome by Temporary Chairman,
Albert W. Weston, Esq.
Prayer,
Rev. E. Z. Whitman.
Singing, Norway Quartet.
Address of President,
Hon. Chas. Sumner Cook.
Music,
·
Norway Brass Band.
Historical Address, Granville Fernald, Esq.
DINNER.
I.30 P. M. Continuation of Literary Exercises.
Music, Band.
Address,
.
Rev. C. C. Sampson.
Singing, Norway Quartet. .
Address, Rev. Fred E. Winn. .
Music, Band.
Address,
Hon. Geo. A. Hibbard. Quartet.
Singing,
· Reading, A. E. Morse, Esq.
Centennial Poem, · Mrs. Grace Bray Pugsley. Judge Jas. H. Tolman.
Address, . Address, Hon. Amos L. Allen.
Singing of Centennial Ode,
Quartet.
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2.30 P. M. Base Ball Game, Harrison vs. Naples.
3.30 P. M. Athletic Field and Water Sports, in charge of Mr. Guy Simpson, and carried on by members of Camps Kineo, Long Lake, and Katahdin.
7.30 P. M. Band Concert. Water Carnival. Grand Display of Fireworks.
A full report of Addresses and Poems, as far as they could be obtained, follows. Some of the speakers used neither manuscript nor notes, and it is to be regretted that no report of their addresses could be obtained.
Everything during the whole day passed off smoothly, there being not a single "hitch" from start to finish. The ex- ercises lasted till sunset, but still the crowd lingered. Some had hurriedly returned to their homes to do some necessary work and return in haste, so as to be in season to witness the evening show. Great numbers had remained on the grounds, and special and regular trains on the B. & S. R. R. came filled to repletion. More than two thousand people had gathered on the shores of Long Lake by the time that the "shades of night" had covered the land. They listened with pleasure to the Band Concert, and were delighted witnesses of the Water Carnival and Display of Fireworks, remaining till the last piece was set off, and even then be- ing in no haste to depart to their homes. All were delighted and satisfied with the events of the day. Old acquaintances of bygone years had been renewed; friends who had not met for many years had been reunited, and the scenes and events of the olden times had been recalled and reviewed ;
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
families whose members had long been scattered had been once more called together, and many of the vacant chairs filled with living, breathing forms, as of yore; sorrows and afflictions had for the time been laid aside and forgotten in the joy and happiness that reigned supreme. It had been a great, a glorious, and never-to-be-forgotten day, but, like every other earthly thing, it had to come to an end. The crowd had departed, the Great Celebration is but a thing of the past, and only its memory remains, to be recalled in the years to come, when will come to its participants a thrill of joy and pride as they think of its "glittering pag- eants," its thronging crowds of happy men and women, and its great and wonderful success.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
BY ALBERT W. WESTON, EsQ.
At the opening of the literary exercises the immense audience was called to order by the Chairman of the Cen- tennial Committee, William H. Briggs, Esq., who briefly spoke of the purpose of the meeting, and then in a few well- chosen words introduced the Temporary Chairman, Albert W. Weston, who spoke as follows :
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Visiting Friends and Former Residents: -
In extending to you the hospitality of this town, the mu- nicipal authorities and the citizens unite in offering you a hearty welcome worthy of the respect and admiration that we have for your interest in this celebration.
Fellow Citizens: I welcome you as members of a most numerous family, a power upon which we must rely for the security and defence of our town and its interests.
To each and every one I extend a most hearty welcome to this, the greatest event which has taken place since the town was incorporated, and such a one as none of us who are here today will, in all probability, ever have the privilege of attending again. I know not what kind of weather prevailed in this vicinity on the 8th of March, in the year of grace, 1805, but it was a blessed day because it gave to us a united community, a town.
From the feeble beginnings we feel assured that the watchword of our forefathers was progress, that foremost in the minds of those earnest workers, those hearty pro- gressive men and women who made their home here on God's green acres, holding communion with Mother Nature and living the life which is calculated to make men most noble because of surroundings and unlimited possibilities, was to lay the foundations of a town that would endure for all time.
Today we claim for our town a population of about one thousand inhabitants, with a flourishing mercantile and mechanical business.
We have among us those who are interested in the higher branches of literature and science, whom we claim as worthy representatives of the culture of our town.
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
Wherever the stars and stripes wave we are glad to ac- knowledge that we are American citizens. Wherever we go we are justly proud to call Harrison our town. Why? Because it is not a land unknown, nay, it is widely known.
Her scenic charms are unrivalled. Artists, and nearly every other class and profession, make annual pilgrimages to, and long sojourns in, this lovely land of lakes and streams, hills and dales, forests and streams and rural vil- lages. College professors, prominent city business men, railway magnates, sportsmen and pleasure seekers, the weary and the sick to whom quiet invigorating country air, sunshine and healthful diet are necessary - all, are repre- sented in the summer crowd of Harrison-hieing pilgrims. These have come and gone for years. Long before our present rail facilities, when to a certain extent Harrison was isolated, either by way of the stage coach from Nor- way, or the little steamer from Sebago Lake, the summer guest found us out.
Undoubtedly our ancestors wondered what there could be to attract people who had travelled over the new world, perhaps the old, to this good but out of the way town; but succeeding generations came to realize, and we today know, that this indeed is a land which, though not literally flowing with milk and honey, is a mecca of rare promise.
The past we know. The future lies before us. But as we can only judge of man's future by his past, so must we judge of the future of our town. The past has accom- plished the marvellous results which we are enjoying today ; which we are glad to honor by this celebration, and more fully enjoy by welcoming all of you to share in our festivi- ties.
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And we feel assured that the wonderful achievements of the century now at an end will be more than doubly wonderful when the town of Harrison shall celebrate its two hundredth anniversary at the end of the next hundred years.
Following the address of welcome was a most fervent, eloquent and appropriate prayer by Rev. E. Z. Whitman, pastor of the Free Baptist Church at Harrison Village, after which was singing by the Norway Quartet, composed of Mrs. Ida M. Kimball, Mr. and Mrs. Verne Whitman, and Mr. F. E. Tower, with Mrs. H. L. Horne as accompanist on the piano.
Hon. Charles Sumner Cook of Portland, son of the late Obadiah G. Cook of Harrison, and member of the well- known law firm of Symonds, Snow, Cook & Hutchinson, was then introduced as the President of the Day, and spoke as follows :
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ADDRESS OF HON. CHARLES SUMNER COOK.
PRESIDENT OF THE MEETING.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: -
I appreciate very much the honor of being asked to pre- side at this celebration of the centennial of the town of Harrison. The distinction is especially agreeable to me because it seems to justify me in the pleasant thought that to the people of this town I am still one of them, privileged on this anniversary, to extend the hand of welcome to others, and not a stranger myself returning for a day. Out of it comes to me the delightful consciousness that there is no real absence for him who still remains in the kind re- membrance of his friends.
I have looked forward with peculiar pleasure to my par- ticipation in this celebration. We cannot, I think, fail to feel the charm that comes from the contemplation of a century's history of a community, woven as it is out of the hopes, the struggles, the bitterness and the victories of men and women like ourselves. To people who have lived be- fore us, to ourselves, and to those who shall succeed us, the problem of life is much the same. The equation varies with the minor factors of time and place and outward circumstance, but the essential terms, the great controlling sources and motives of human action, remain constant.
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The same mean greed and cowardice and cruelty debase, the same courage and lofty purposes stimulate and ennoble, the same love and self-sacrifice make kind and holy, the same pity and sweet forgiveness make peace, the same longing and love of God bring faith and hope of Heaven.
How, then, the people of any community solved for themselves this complex problem, the same in all its es- sentials as that with which we ourselves are now confronted, cannot fail to be of fascinating interest to all of us. But to me, and to many of you, there is something in this an- niversary of more vital interest than attaches to the histories of communities in general. It is that strictly personal in- terest that comes from the fact that the history of this town is but a record of the lives of our own ancestors and families and personal friends - yes, and of ourselves. The very scenes make part of us. We are at home, thronged with all its associations and sacred memories. To no man or woman among us all should they appeal in vain.
My father lived in this town for more than thirty years and lies buried within its borders. He gave service to the town as a member of its board of selectmen, and for many years took a most active part in the advancement and management of its schools. Its affairs were always of in- terest to him, and the progress and advancement of the town were never subjects to which he was indifferent or unwill- ing to give his earnest effort.
My own childhood and youth were passed here, and no other scenes or associations have greater fascination for me. One needs not to reach the limit of old age, according to the usual acceptation of the phrase, to feel the charm that lies in a renewal of such scenes and associations. How-
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ever far, or with whatever completeness he is apparently separated from them, they still linger with him, waiting only his listening ear to overcome him with their sweet persuasiveness. What careless freedom, what abundant hope, what wide ambitions and pleasant-ending dreams come trooping with them! They flood us again with the old life, and with earnest thankfulness we feel the welcome rest and reassurance that they bring. Taking a wide view, it is hardly possible, I think, for any one to realize the eventfulness of the last century. It forms but the most tri- fling fraction of all the ages that have preceded us, yet within its limits there have taken place the most wonderful prog- ress and development in the world's history. Its opening saw almost the beginning of the national government, now grown from its then weak and provincial position to a leader among the nations of the world; its population increased to nearly eighty millions; its area extending over more than three and one-half million square miles; its indus- tries colossal; its wealth fabulous; and above all its mighty influence standing for universal liberty, enlightenment and peace.
It has seen tyranny and oppression for many people 1 blotted out forever, and in its later years a so-called bar- barous nation suddenly emerge into highest civilization and progressive power.
In matters of material progress the illustrations which it furnishes are well-nigh dazzling. The steamboat, the railroad, the telegraph and telephone, those mighty and mystic forces for the interchange of commerce and intelli- gence, have had their beginning, and their Aladdin-like de- velopment within its span. Science, art, philanthropy,
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higher education for the masses, and comfortable and reasonable living, all have been advanced with marvellous pace until it seems at times to one who casts a backward look, as if the past held all there was or could be of progress or improvement.
But an occasion of this kind ought not to be given over wholly to retrospection, however fascinating and alluring that may be. We may with benefit seek the inspiration of the victories of the past, and we certainly ought to take advantage of its various lessons, that we may tread, if at all, at least with more cautious steps, the paths wherein the dangers of the past have proved to be. But the successes and triumphs of the past are to the credit of those who wrought them. So far as our ancestors have part in them they are of special interest to us, and we may rightly extol them and feel the pride and inspiration which they bring. But in them we should find incentive, not contentment. Our duty is to win the victories of the present. With the wider horizon and the clearer view from the heights gained for us by the courage and effort and self-sacrifice of our forefathers, we should not fail to realize that our own responsibilities take wider range. These must be met and if, in turn, we would be worthy to be remembered by suc- ceeding generations, we may look backward only for the moment. The heights still tower above, and if we reach to higher points it must needs be only by our constant effort and our best endeavor. If we give these we may take little heed of the measure of our ascent. We may be sure of this, however, that from honesty of purpose and labor fairly done, come not regret or shameful failure.
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
I want to add to the welcome already extended, my own word of welcome to you all. The freedom of the town is yours, and we hope that its hospitality will be found warm enough, and ample enough to make every son and daughter more loyal, and every guest a friend.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS,
DELIVERED BY GRANVILLE FERNALD, ESQ., AT THE HARRISON CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, HELD ON AUGUST 3RD, 1905.
Mr. Chairman and Fellow Citizens: -
By the esteemed appointment of your committee it is my privilege and pleasure to present to you an address in the nature of an historical review of the incidents attending the incorporation of this town of Harrison, and the prin- cipal events illustrating her progress to this time.
This is an occasion, dear friends, not only for looking backward to the days of our revered ancestors, and com- memorating their lives and deeds, but for the interchange of greetings and congratulations; for friendly clasping of welcoming hands; for seeing "eye to eye," and speaking "heart to heart;" in short, for taking general account of
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our emotions, and indulging in such expressions of senti- ment as are appropriate to a reunion like the present.
While the citizens of Harrison are demonstrating their public spirit, and the magnificent quality of their hospi- tality, in this gracious reception of her returning sons and daughters, and her multitude of neighboring friends, I de- sire, in behalf of those, who like myself, have come to this first glad festival of the centuries after years of absence from the old home, to express the feeling of gladness that is thrilling us who are so happily received. It is the un- speakable pleasure of beholding again the well-remembered faces, and the scenes and places hallowed to us by their dear associations of earlier years.
I think that the sweetest emotion of our nature is joy. A very common occasion for the excitement of this grand emotion is aptly described in a little poem that I have seen :
"There is joy in sailing outward, Though we leave upon the pier, With faces grieved and wistful, The friends we hold most dear ; And the sea may roll between us- Perhaps for many a year. There is joy in climbing mountains,
In fording rushing brooks ; In poking into places That we've read about in books ; In meeting lots of people With unfamiliar looks. But the joy of joys is ours, Untouched by any pain, When we take the home-bound steamer, And catch the home-bound train : O, there's nothing half so pleasant As coming home again."
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
Yes, "there's no place like home" to him or her whose constitution of soul and body received its first and ever- lasting principles of life and vigor from the native elements of the earth, the air, and the sky, amid the influences of the education and the associations of that "dearest spot of earth."
But there is another emotion to be reckoned with, closely related to joy. It is thankfulness; deep, unspeakable gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His goodness and innumerable mercies. For appropriate language to ade- quately express our common tribute, I will adopt the words of Walt Whitman, the "Good Gray Poet," when, nearly at the close of life, he utters the feelings of a devout and grateful heart:
"Thanks in old age - thanks ere I go,
For health, the mid-day sun, the impalpable air -
For life, mere life.
For precious, ever lingering memories
Of you, my mother dear, you father -
You brothers, sisters, friends : -
For all my days - not those of peace alone,
The days of war the same:
For gentle words, caresses, gifts from foreign lands ;
For shelter, wine and meat, for sweet appreciation;
For beings, groups, love, deeds, books, for colors, forms ;
For brave, strong men; devoted, hardy men,
Who sprung forward in freedom's help through all years, in all lands ;
For braver, stronger, more devoted men,
The cannoneers of song and thought -
The great artillerists, the foremost leaders,
Captains of the Soul :
As soldier from an ended war returned -
As traveler out of myriads
In the long procession retrospective -
Thanks, joyful thanks !
A soldier's, traveler's thanks !"
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Thus, dear friends, do we recognize the kind Providence which permits us to come together to this festival of reverent and glad remembrance of our fathers and mothers, who won this fair town from the wilderness, by dint of resolute struggle with nature, and by patience, by industry, by de- votedness to the main chance, (which we call thrift), con- quered and surmounted the thousands of obstacles always obstructing the path of the pioneer.
I would give you a picture of the ambitious, adventurous first settlers, as they came scores, or hundreds, of miles, through an unbroken forest; full of courage and hopeful- ness, with high purpose of hearts, with quality of faith and zeal akin to that which animates God's missionary as he penetrates the fearful, far-away abodes of savagery and heathendom. But after a few days of toilsome tramping, the weary home-seekers arrive at the chosen spot, the promised land of their day-dreams and nightly visions.
The woodman's axe, wielded by sturdy arms, soon opens a space for the sun's rays to light up the surface of the land, lately and from pre-historic times possessed by shadows and gloom. The homestead grows wider in measure of cleared acres; the rough, forbidding aspect of the chosen plat soon becomes a scene of contentment, and verdant beauty ; luxurious vegetation follows the work of the plow, and the "man with the hoe," and his brave, patient, and re- sourceful wife, reinforced in a few years by the willing hearts and strong hands of stalwart sons and daughters, find themselves in partnership with Nature in redeeming the wilderness to civilization and all that pertains to the welfare of humanity and earthly happiness.
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This crude sketch of pioneer beginnings is presented as an object of momentary reflection as we pass to other views and considerations of the historic incidents of the first settlement in this virgin territory, which, with all the improvements wrought by the skill of the fathers, we in- herit from them with its fair landscape of hill and valley, river and lake, and the greater inheritance of civil and re- ligious liberty, education and good government, received from the founders of the republic, and protected by their loyalty and patriotism. It is an imperfect, but sincere, recognition of the services performed by the fathers of the town for us. For, while they were serving the generation in which they lived, they were serving those who in process of time should occupy their places in all civic and social relations, and perpetuate the rule of good order and peace- ful condition in every neighborhood, and thus do honor to the men and women who endowed us with so worthy a patrimony of good citizenship.
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