USA > Maine > Oxford County > Porter > History of Porter > Part 8
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as hard as ever he can, an you have got to hit it (if you can) with a bat. It's a great game, when you know how to play it, an the Kezar Falls Club can play the game in fine style. The Fort Wil- liams team wore a hard lot to tackle for they stand at the top o' their League, an our team wor badly beaten, but it wore the first time this season on their own grounds, so that's noan so bad. It cost a pile o' money to get the Fort team here they said, an they wor worth it too, but our own team would not take a cent, seein the profits wor to go to the Parsonage debt, and the Directors gave the use of the grounds too, free, so I reckon they did well for the Church. A man called Frank Ridlon seemed to be the boss an he worked real hard an all. Ellwood Elliot wor the Umpire an what he said went. There wore several tents on the grounds sellin ices an drinks, etc., an the church ladies wor goin it for all they wor worth. There wor Mrs. Blanche Stanley, Mrs. Florence Fox, Mrs. Josie Rid- lon, Mrs. Lizzie Stanley, Mrs. Elmer Ridlon wi' several others, all day long in the broilin sun servin out to the hot an thirsty foaks. An you take my tip if it warnt hot. It wor 25 degrees hotter than ever I knew it in the Owd Country. I wor like a boiled lobster, an poor Betsey Jane, I wor real sorry for her. But these foaks didn't seem to mind it so much, they kept handin out the ice cream an drinks, and they made about fifty dollars. I tell you the Methodist Minister here has got an active body of workers at his back an I be- lieve he knows it too. There's been a tremendous lot o' work put into this here celebration by both church people and town's people alike, an pastor an people in this town are working together for the common good. I wish I could ha' got a list of all the foaks who worked out this great plan without a hitch anywheers. I think it owt to be i' the paper but then they would want a special edition to print that itself. I know one man who has been pretty busy an he keeps a grocery store under the Post Office here. Oh the folks I've seen goin into that store from early morn 'til late at night. Mester Hughes knew what he wor doin when he got him into har- ness. Why one mornin at 5 o'clock he wor five miles out in the country hustlin things around. Ellsworth Sawyer his name is, you make a note of it, dad, you'll hear of him again another year. You can't kill these men, they are made o' leather. I wor passin the
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Parsonage on Monday night an heerd the Minister an Mester Sawyer on the veranda talkin an they wor actually plannin out next year's program, an by gum, this year's program, great as it has been, is simply "not in it." Somethin entirely differnt an on a grander scale. Whew, I'm glad I came to this country an that I have settled at Kezar Falls, for this town is sartainly what the Yankees call "a live wire." I forgot to tell you that at night there wor a display o' fire- works on a little island in the river, owned by Mester Allen Garner, who kindly loaned it for the occasion. Mester Sawyer had a hand in that too. There's a man here called Syd Stanley, he has a lot o' hosses an wagons, an they tell me that there wor quite a lot of his teams in use by the different organizations an he loaned 'em all free of charge. There wor lots of other fellows just the same. who put in a lot of time an hard work that nobody would ever notice, but when all put together it spells Success. I heerd 'em sayin this mornin that they had made a profit of $150.00 for the Parsonage debt, so I reckon that's noan so bad. It wor good for trade an all, for the Church spent ower a hundred dollars in it, then there wor all the other parties put into it, so that altogether things were busy. The whole business passed off well an the town is to be congratu- lated on it's clean, orderly, safe an sane Fourth. I think that's all the United States Mail will carry for me this time.
Remember me to Hannah-Maria and the boys. Betsey Jane sends lot of love. Write back soon.
Your Affecshunet son,
Cornelius Cornshock."
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ASSOCIATIONS
Knights of Pythias
History of Ossipee Lodge No. 40; written and read by S. O. Griffith, as part of the 70th anniversary program - Dec. 9, 1953.
"On Dec. 7, 1883, a group of fellow townsmen from Porter and Parsonsfield, met in a little hall in Kezar Falls. Inspired by the tenets of a then youthful order, they had assembled that cold De- cember evening to institute, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge officers of Maine, a local lodge of Knights of Pythias.
Supervised by the Grand Lodge officers, this group of 21 pioneers received the ranks of Page, Esquire and Knight and thus became the charter members of Ossipee Lodge No. 40.
Following the exemplification of the degrees, Bro. E. R. Chellis was elected the first chancellor Commander of this new lodge.
Let's call the roll of these honored 21: E. R. Chellis, John T. Ridlon, R. F. Wormwood, W. E. Merrifield, H. L. Ridlon, L. B. Bachelder, J. W. Chapman, G. F. Gould, James M. Edgecomb, Eu- gene M. Stanley, T. N. Page, E. B. Lord, J. E. Chapman, A. K. P. Fox, Melvin Pease, William Ridlon, C. F. Wadsworth, P. T. Wads- worth, J A. Libby, William Chapman, R. L. Stanley.
Undoubtedly, to most of us these names are but a whisper out of the distant past, but some of us were privileged to know them as friends and brother Knights and can appreciate the high moral char- acter and integrity of our founder members.
The "grim reaper" with the scythe of time has called all but two of these honored veterans to the Supreme Lodge above, but these
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two have survived by many years the allotted three score years and ten and are with us today. A. K. P. Fox, who is now (1955) over 100 years of age, and Herbert L. Ridlon, who is 96, are two of our charter members who can now proudly boast of 72 years of continu- ous membership. This is a striking tribute not only to them but to the order itself, and I wonder how many, if any, Knights can today boast of longer or equal years of membership or of life itself.
Incidentally, Ossipee Lodge has two other members, who for over 50 years, have been faithful members; William A. Garner (now de- ceased) and Eugene Edgecomb.
The Lodge first operated under a dispensation, but on March 3, 1884, we find that they applied for a charter. This was granted un- der date of May 21, 1884, and I find in the records of Sep. 17, 1884, a note to frame the charter.
Meetings were first held in the old Moses Stacy hall. Even in the very early months of its existence the records show that Ossipee Lodge had ambitions to own a hall of its own. A vote would be passed at one meeting to investigate the matter only to be rescinded at a later meeting, and in October 1884 it was voted to lease the Stacy hall at $3.00 a month, and the hall was dedicated on Dec. 10, 1884, with proper ceremony and entertainment. The recording sec- retary notes in his records that receipts for the evening were $67.00, and expenditures $74.37.
The urge for a new hall was prompted by the fact that due to a substantial gain in membership the hall they then occupied was proved to be almost inadequate.
In a couple of years this situation became so acute that a change was absolutely necessary, and on Nov. 24, 1886, it was voted to lease a larger hall, one then owned by Dr. Chellis, at $40.00 per year. This hall, as you probably all know, is the building now occupied by the movie theatre. Another great fraternal order became a cò- occupant of this hall, when on Dec. 24, 1887, the Knights voted to sub-lease it to the Odd Fellows.
The desire for ownership still persisted with these enthusiastic brothers, and in the latter part of 1888 their vision became a reality when they built their own hall; over the store owned and occupied
-
.....
Ossipee Lodge Knights of Pythias, No. 40, Kezar Falls. Pic- ture was taken April 17, 1950, at Kennett High School, Con- way, N. H. Front row, left to right: Guard team: Preston Stan- ley, Myron Locke, Bernard Carpenter, Owen Stacy, Lester Champion, Clyde Milliken, Elwin Sawyer, Gordon Gilpatrick. Second row, left to right: Chauncey Cutting, Herald; Walter Blair; Frank Ames, Scribe; George Elliott, Master at Arms; Bertrand Huber, King; Linwood Libby, Chancelor Command-
er; Edmund Hadlock, Prelate; Maurice Durgin, Captain of Guards. Back row, left to right: Ernest Cartland, Senate; Cecil Gilpatrick, Senate; Myron Ridlon, Senate; Eugene Quint, Senate; William Batchelder, Senate; Harry Merrifield, Senate; Howard Wescott, Senate; Elton Merrifield, Senate; Bernard McAllister, Senate; Owen Griffith, Senate; Charles West, Vice Chancelor; Leon Gilpatrick, Master of Works; Robert Saw- yer, Headsman.
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by Jake Libby and on the site of our hall today. According to what information I could gather, this arrangement was rather unique. Libby was to own the building up to the eaves of the building as it then stood, and the Knights were to build and own their own hall above that point. Into these new quarters they moved on Saturday, Jan. 23, 1889, and with them went the Odd Fellows who came as co-tenants.
In these new quarters the lodge progressed smoothly, but on
1900, disaster struck them when the building was de- stroyed by fire, together with all their regalia and equipment. Only the records and charter were saved.
For temporary residence, the lodge returned to its former home in the Chellis hall, and in Feb. 1901, they leased Garner Hall on the Parsonsfield side of the river for six months, obtaining a dispensa- tion from the Grand Lodge to move from Oxford County into York, and to hold their meetings on Thursday nights instead of Wednes- day, as had been customary.
Undaunted by the loss they had sustained, they voted at a meet- ing held on Feb. 28, 1901, to rebuild, and on March 28, 1901, it was voted to erect a building 32' x 65'. It was decided to have their "Castle Hall" on the second floor with a hall and stage on the first.
The lot where our present hall stands was purchased from Ben Ridlon for $100.00, and on April 4th the work of re-construction was started when the members gathered and cleared the debris from the old cellar. A week later, the lower story was framed, and from then on the construction went along smoothly under the direction of George Wadleigh. The hall was dedicated on Oct. 21st, and the first meeting held on Oct. 24, 1901.
It is interesting to note that all bills for materials and labor were paid weekly as they were presented to the lodge. In looking through our old records, we found a memorandum book containing a record of all bills presented and a final totaling for the entire cost of con- struction amounting to $2922.51.
Following the path thus made smooth by our revered predecessors, Ossipee Lodge has continued to carry on in a highly efficient and successful manner. It may have had its "ups" and "downs," both in a physical and financial way, but the fraternal and co-operative
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spirit of and by its members has always been maintained at the high- est level. Its degree teams for many years have visited various other lodges in this state and our neighboring state of New Hampshire to exemplify the degrees and have won the highest commendation.
And so from that rather crude birth in that rather little red hall of Moses Stacy with its kerosene lamps and pot-bellied stove, its cheap wooden chairs, back in 1883, we have today on our 70th birthday, this fine large hall, furnace heated, with the latest in fluorescent lighting, fine spacious, comfortable seating facilities for its officers and members; but most of all I trust we have inherited from those twenty-one old charter members and their associates through the arduous early years of the life of the lodge, the same zeal, ardor and sacrificial spirit they displayed to make all this possible, so that we in turn may lease inspiration and hope for still better things for those who follow us.
May I take a few minutes to relate a few incidents of a lighter vein in the early life of our lodge. Brother Herbert Ridlon has re- lated to me an incident relative to the vote to build this new hall. As is usual in matters of this nature, there are always some for and some against it, and in this particular instance the members were closely divided. On that evening in late February set for the deci- sive vote, the roads were atrocious; neither fit for sleigh or wheels, Walter Libby, who then lived on his farm by Devil's Den, was not pleased with the condition of the road so he started out on foot through the slush and mire down the mountain, stopping at the farm where Ralph Tucker now lives to pick up Charles Garland, then in turn on the way adding George Stanley, Ashley Weeks, Herbert Ridlon, Walter and Irving Mason, arriving at the hall in time for the meeting and the motion to build, which, by the way, was carried by three votes. Such was the zeal and ardor of our old pioneers.
Brother Herbert also relates with a reminiscent smile and a twinkle of the eye, that Frank Pendexter called at his house one evening be- fore a meeting and challenged him to a wrestling match. The chal- lenge gleefully accepted, Herbert and Frank wrestled for over an hour without either one being able to throw the other. But, alas! time slipped by unnoticed and they missed the lodge meeting.
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In checking over some of the records, I find some items that are interesting, and compared to today's standpoint, somewhat amusing. Take, for instance, the question of janitor. On Aug. 27, 1884, Wy- man Cotton was hired to take care of the hall for the princely sum of $6.00 per year! On March 25, 1885, it was voted to let out the job of taking care of the hall and walk to the lowest bidder - G. W. Wadleigh got it for $10.90. When this new hall was built, the janitor's salary had taken a tremendous leap; $50.00 per year! His simple duties were to attend to the opening, closing, and heat- ing of the hall for all meetings of this or any other order; moreover, to sweep Castle Hall, ante-room and stairs - see that fresh drinking water is provided for each meeting - have care of lower hall; heat- ing, lighting, opening and closing and to perform all other duties required to keep the hall in proper condition, also have the letting of the hall. Furthermore, see that the walks were kept free of snow, ice and rubbish, and, if in his judgment he thought it necessary, put sawdust on the floor for all entertainments.
Other interesting items: April 2, 1888. No smoking or chewing tobacco in lodge or ante-room. In the new hall, on Feb. 6, 1889, this ban was modified: Smoking allowed in ante-room, but the chewing of tobacco in the lodge room was prohibited. On Sept. 25, 1889, it was voted to buy a lantern for use in the hall. It brings a smile to note that under date of Aug. 12, 1885, the members met, but because George Wadleigh was away and had the key, they could not get in - did not open lodge. On April 6, 1887, the members attended the institution of Sagamore Lodge No. 60 at Cornish."
Grand Council of Maine Improved Order of Red Men Costello Tribe No. 34 Kezar Falls, Maine Common Era, Sept. 27, 1894
The tribe was named Costello in honor of an Indian chief who once roamed the forests near these hunting grounds.
The following Brothers were elected chiefs for the ensuing term: Prophet, George H. Lougee.
Sachem, Chas. O. Stacy.
Sr. Sagamore, Wm. T. Norton.
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Jr. Sagamore, H. B. Hason.
Chief of Records, E. E. Elliott.
Collector of Wampum, F. C. Palmer.
Keeper of Wampum, Geo. E. Davis.
Wm. Thurston Ashley Weeks Treasurers
E. T. Edgecomb
Note. Council Fire of Tribe kindled at sunset by the Sachem.
This Fraternity traces its origin to the formation of our Nation and to those patriotic societies which helped in the establishment of the greatest nation in the world - our United States. "As a fra- ternity, the Improved Order of Red Men claim for its heritage that glorious emblem, Old Glory, and it is a reminder to every member of his implied pledge to defend the Flag of our Union from every danger. To freedom was later added, in the need of a broader field, the motto Friendship and Brotherly Love shared the interest with Patriotism. Later in 1835, when the Order was first incorporated and when the present great work was undertaken, Charity was added." The Order numbers in its membership the Presidents of the United States, ex-presidents, U. S. Senators, Congressmen, Gov- ernors, Judges, Army and Navy officers and men, bankers, lawyers, clergymen, mechanics, clerks and all other classes of respectable citizens.
. There are three degrees. The Ceremonies are aboriginal, dramatic, historical and interesting. Degree of Pocahontas is a degree for the special benefit of the female relatives and friends of Red Men, of whom all over 16 years of age are eligible to membership.
Mr. Arthur A. Allard of Parsonsfield and Porter was promoted to the degree of Great Sachem of Maine, Oct. 1953; only one of the Costello Tribe ever to reach this high degree.
Laurel Temple No. 62 of Kezar Falls, Maine
On Feb. 24, 1900, a group of ladies at Kezar Falls met for the pur- pose of electing officers for a Pythian Sisterhood. The following officers were elected at this meeting:
Past Chancellor,
Chancellor Commander
Mrs. Walter Ridlon Mrs. C. O. Stacy
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Chancellor Commander
Vice Chancellor Commander
Prelate
Mistress of Exchequer
Mistress of Finance
K. R. and S.
Mistress of Arms
Asst. Mistress of Arms
Inner Guard
Outer Guard
Mystic One
Organist
Mrs. F. H. Brooks Mrs. C. O. Stacy Mrs. George Stanley Mrs. Walter Mason Miss Flora Lord Mrs. Will O. Merrifield Mrs. E. F. Gentleman Miss Myrtie Stanley Miss Bertha Gilpatrick Miss Nora Stanley Miss Grace Stanley Mrs. Fult B. Davis
On Feb. 27, 1900, it was voted to name an Assembly Laurel; to be known as Laurel Assembly No. 40. The officers elected at the previous meeting were installed by Grand Chancellor Mrs. Rich- ardson. On Jan. 7, 1901, the Grand Assembly of Pythian sisterhood of Maine granted a charter to Laurel Assembly No. 40. On March 15, 1907, Laurel Temple No. 62 was instituted by Mrs. Tupper, G. M. of R. & C. Charter members were, Mrs. C. Maude Stacy, Jennie Lord, Mary Redlon, Amanda Peary, Vesta Weeks, Olive McDaniel, Mary Stanley, Nora J. Stearns, Miss Myrtie Stacy and Miss Gertrude Watson.
The following officers were elected and installed at this meeting: M. E. C., Maude Stacy; E. S., Jennie Lord; E. T., Mary Stanley; M. of R. & C., Nora Stearns; M. of F., Gertrude Watson; P. of T., Mary Ridlon; P. C., Myrtle Stacy.
In the year, 1954-55, Laurel Temple No. 62 had its first Members in the Grand Temple. Louise Meloon served as Grand Chief. We are very proud of Sister Louise.
We now have a membership of 32 Knights and 38 Sisters. Meet- ing takes place the first and third Thursdays of every month.
Ruth E. West, M. E. C.
Good Will Club Kezar Falls, town of Porter
The Good Will Club is one of the oldest clubs in this village. It
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was organized on March 7, 1907. The club had its beginning the day when several women came together to chat at the home of Mrs. Agnes Stewart. Mrs. Stewart suggested that the group meet again and form a club. This was done. At this meeting pickles were served by the hostess, hence they decided to call themselves the "Pickle Club," but at the third meeting it was unanimously voted to name the club the Good Will Club. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Celia Wadleigh; Vice-President, Mrs. Nancy Newbegin; Secretary, Mrs. Agnes Stewart; Treasurer, Mrs. Annie Kelly.
Meetings were held every two weeks with dues set at five cents each meeting. The motto chosen for the club was, "Think that to- day may never dawn again." At first the membership was limited to eight. Other members besides those already named were Mrs. Mary Stanley, Mrs. Nellie Pearl and Mrs. Jennie Spring. Later it was voted to increase the membership, and the following names were added: Mrs. Jennie Lord, Mrs. Alice Libby, Mrs. Emma Merri- field, Mrs. Mabel Stanley, Mrs. Ida Davis, Mrs. Grace Lord, Mrs. Rosalie Edgecomb and Mrs. Ellen Hanson.
Among those mentioned, Mrs. Jennie Spring - who observed her 94th birthday, Jan. 30, 1956, is the only one now living, and she has been named the "club mother."
As the years passed, the membership roll was subject to changes, and new members joined and others passed on or moved to other towns. One of the older members who belonged to the club for many years, until her death, March 9, 1943, was Lestina Garland, whose influence for good and her power of leadership was a great in- spiration and incentive to the club members. Mrs. Grace Lord was a member of the club until her death in 1954.
This club has always been active in sunshine work and for the betterment of the community, and its meetings are both educational and entertaining.
The present membership includes the following: Mrs. Emma Wadsworth, Mrs. Jennie Spring, Mrs. Elizabeth Emery, Mrs. Pansy Staples, Mrs. Annie McGraw, Mrs. Gladys Eastman, Mrs. Lottie French, Mrs. Ruth Allard and Mrs. May Garland.
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'21 Club of Kezar Falls
The "'21 Club of Kezar Falls" was formed at Kezar Falls in Au- gust, 1921. It was organized by three charter members, Mrs. Thelma Weeks Meloon, Mrs. Teresa Ridlon Fox and Mrs. Ruth Leavitt San- born, as a social club. The membership was increased to nine dur- ing its first year of existence - Mrs. Thelma Meloon was the Club's first president. The Club continued to function as a social group until 1928, doing some "sunshine work" in the intervening time, but as soon as the membership again increased (14 members), the group became more actively interested in community service.
The '21 Club became a member of the Maine Federation of Women's Clubs in Jan., 1929, and a few years ago joined the Gen- eral Federation. It became a member of the York County Union in June, 1929.
The club membership was 34 in August, 1956. One of its mem- bers, Mrs. Eleanor S. Garner, became president of the Maine Federa- tion in 1956; another member, Mrs. Helen Merrifield became corre- sponding secretary of that organization.
Officers of the '21 Club for 1956-1957:
Mrs. Marguerite Churchill President
Mrs. Claire Runyon, Vice President
Mrs. Elizabeth Palmer, Secretary Mrs. Gudrun Kononen, Corr. Secretary
Mrs. Edith Cartland, Treasurer
The '21 Club's motto is, "Our true worth is the good we do in the world."
Macbeth Club of Kezar Falls
The Macbeth Club was organized on Sept. 24, 1920. The name was taken from Shakespeare's "Macbeth." Although organized as a "social club," it has been active in the welfare of the Church and Community. The club paid for the Street Signs, besides having them installed. It earned this money by putting on Kiwanis sup- pers and a drama. The club donated the Flag and Flag Pole to Por- ter High School; contributes to national and local drives, and makes an annual donation to two local churches.
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HISTORY OF PORTER
The first officers of the local Macbeth Club:
President, "Lady Macbeth" Salie Edgecomb
Vice-President, Elizabeth Stanley Secretary, Elizabeth Batchelder Treasurer, Mabel Wiggin First Witch, Nora Erickson Second Witch, Lillian Monroe
Deceased Members: Salie Edgecomb, Ethel Weeks, Myrtie Stanley, Ida Cole, Gertrude Cross, Ida Bradshaw.
Kezar Falls Kiwanis Club
The Kezar Falls Kiwanis Club was organized and received its Charter, Friday Evening, December 28, 1928.
Charter Members:
Sidney R. Batchelder
Myron O. Lord
Allen M. Chellis
Hampton S. Marchant
L. Randolph Churchill
William T. Norton
Frank W. Emery
Magnus G. Ridlon
Carleton T. Fox
Myron H. Ridlon
John W. Garner
Ellsworth W. Sawyer
William A. Garner
Frank A. Shaw
Edgar L. Giles
Orman L. Stanley
George C. Hight
Sidney B. Stanley
Frank E. Holmes
Frank E. Stearns
Claude L. Kelley
Grover C. Stanley
Fred N. Leavitt
William E. Stearns
Byron Lord
Walter L. Webb
Officers:
President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
District Trustee
Orman L. Stanley L. Randolph Churchill Sidney R. Batchelder William T. Norton
William A. Garner
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The Club has held weekly meetings ever since. The first few years at the Milliken School house and at the Malvern Hotel. The last twenty years in Norton Hall, above the Post Office.
Officers for 1956:
President 1st Vice-President 2nd Vice-President Secretary
Orion R. Stanley
Elmer Runyon
Rinardo Giovanella
Ellsworth Lebroke
Treasurer
Daniel Lord
The Kezar Falls Coin and Stamp Club
The Kezar Falls Coin Club was organized on October 27, 1949, by Mr. Joe L. Denis of North Parsonsfield. The first meeting was held at the Kezar Falls Fire Station with the following persons pres- ent: Miss Avis Norton, Joe L. Denis, Sewell MacDaniel, Perley Stacy, Frank Jock, Karl Stacy, Frank E. Holmes. By-laws were drafted and the club began to function.
On March 8, 1951, stamp collectors were taken into the "Coin Club" and the name was changed to the Kezar Falls Coin and Stamp Club. It has now about thirty members in good standing.
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