USA > Maine > York County > Eliot > History of the centennial of the incorporation of the town of Eliot, Maine, August 7th-13, 1910 > Part 8
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When I think of man with his great purposes, with his free agency, vitalized and inspired by the Eternal Spirit, standing before His Maker with the great multitude of beings who rally around his throne, and uphold the powers of his government, when I reflect upon all this, then the struggles of this life, and the changes of time, put on new grandeur ; and I stand forth in my kinship, believing that all things are possible to him that willeth and believeth.
Today I wish to go on record as desiring for every one of you, some noble purpose ; some noble ambition that will shake the finger into the face of Fate, saying,- " I feel noble inspirations stirring within me; you cannot hold me back; I will leave a foothold in your uncrumb- ling walls."
Speech and conscience distinguish man from the animal. Only the sheep and the oxen, and the mere animals, are satisfied with food and shelter. -
The fabled warrior who brushed all resistance from before his arrow, and whispered to his bow: "Fail not," and to his arrow, " Stop not," as he sent it on its mission around the world, did but twang the bow of the brain, and speed its tireless thought. Such a one stands forth the noblest type of man; below him are the animals,-but above him-GOD.
You are undoubtedly familiar with that beautiful New Testament story of the redeemed woman. who-in the great wealth of her affection, broke the costly vase, and poured forth the precious ointment. The Great Teacher of humanity commends the waste, and commands the fragments to float into all atmospheres and to all genera- tions, saying, "This shall be a memorial of her wherever this gospel is preached."
Upon this Supreme Authority, I rest my case and say to every one of you, "Add wings and spurs to your thoughts and let your noble deeds fill all the lands with resounding praise."
Dr. Wm. 0. Junkins
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The President of the Day, then introduced the next speaker:
One of the greatest institutions which this town has held was the old Eliot Academy, which has sent forth its young men and young women into the world far-better fitted to battle life's duties than they would have been without it. Among its many students, who honored it at one time, there started an epidemic, and out of that epidemic came such men as Willis and Frost and Cole and Neil and Emery and Guptill. We have a great many of those stu- dents with us again today. We have one of them who is a good fellow to have with you in the time of sickness, as well as in health ; and it gives me great pleasure to intro- duce him to you, -Dr. William O. Junkins, of Portsmouth.
DR. WILLIAM O. JUNKINS, of Portsmouth.
Ladies and gentlemen, and companions of my youth :
Often I think my boyhood traits are still within me. It may be, however, that I am so constituted that I still retain a minimum amount of that timidity which perme- ated, and, in no small degree, controlled my nervous system in those good old days of long ago, when that thorough and thoroughly charming woman, Miss Bacon, first taught me under compulsory and thoroughly approved methods to declaim from the rostrum of Eliot Academy. There are, no doubt, some here today who recal those collosal selections from such celebrated orators as Demos- thenes and Cicero, and the memory of my youthful em- barrasment will still provoke a fleeting and amused smile.
We read of days that tried men's souls, but they were as mere nothings when compared to my sufferings. The excessive action of my heart, the lack of muscular stamina in my pedal extremeties, which nature intended for the support of my body, the icy coldness of the perspiration issuing from every pore, my tongue cleaving to the roof of my mouth, while my eyes were rivetted to the ceiling,
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scarcely daring even an occasional glance towards some rosy cheeked damsel, or roguish, mischievous boy, whose ruddy, cheery face gave no hint of the sympathy and encouragement for which I was so eagerly yearning.
I presume the youth of this present Age has no such feelings when declaiming day comes around. How it all comes back to me today, lacking none of its stern realities, not as a fleeting vision of childhood, but rather as one of a thousand recollections, awakened and recreated into a new existence by the sight of familiar faces and welcoming tones. Ah, but those were happy days; and as reminiscen- ces rise up before me and the growing love of youth haunts me; I am reminded of that Lapland song immor- talized by our own loved Longfellow, " That a boy's will is the wind's will, and the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts."
It seems that every foot of that land is hallowed by the most delightful memories, and again I tread the same sunny pathways, flecked by the same flickering shadows, cross the old melon patch and orchard rich with nature's choicest specimens, then over the bars and into the meadow where, winding along with ripple and laughter, the sil- very brook ran its merry way.
Do I get the echo of some one calling the old familiar name "Bill," not "Doctor ?" Do I hear the question, "Would you live those happy days again ?" Certainly. Ah, happy years, once more to be a boy ; for this the hal- cyon days of youth, that are life's golden holiday and manhood's prime, is but the silvery afterglow. In whole- some revelry the seed is scattered to blossom and mature in the ripening years. The boys of yesterday are the world's actors, while tomorrow, history will recount heroic deeds or blasted hopes.
" How beautiful is youth, how bright it gleams, With its illustrious aspirations .- dreams ; Books of Beginnings, story without end, Each maid a heroine, and each man a friend."
Residence of Moses E. Goodwin
Elms on Goodwin Road
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It is with joy truly that I meet and greet you all ; and my heart overflows with thankful gladness that God in his infinite mercy has spared so many of my old associates to give me the glad hand.
We are this day, and every day, proud of our dear old mother with her gray locks and matronly mien, for it was here at her knee we first learned the lessons which neither time nor change can ever effect ; and though now scattered from ocean to ocean, whether bounded by lake or gulf, wherever her sons shall gather, her name will ever be spoken with reverence and loyal affection ; and whatever of honor and prosperity to the wanderers the decades have brought, it was her teachings and early training that impelled our footsteps along through life's byways and dangerous quicksands, to the goal which today has sent us back for renewed blessings from her generous, loving heart.
We bow to dear old Eliot, home of our boyhood and love. I cherished the greatest, keenest affection for the " Pine Tree State." I honor and revere my New England ancestry ; and I would rather be a son of this rough and ragged soil, than claim origin from the proudest Norman that ever met a foe.
Let us be children for one day. Let the cares and troubles of daily life be forgotten. Let us sing songs of gladness. Let us be children together. Let us go around arm in arm, and hand in hand, and visit ; yes, and revisit, again and again, these spots dear to memory still.
Aaron Cole, Esq., President of the day, said :
Our relations with the mother-town have always been of the very pleasantest character. No discord has ever been present between us. We are always glad to honor Kittery, and she is always glad to honor us; and it gives me great pleasure to present to you James R. Philbrick, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of Kittery, who will speak for the old town.
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MR. JAMES R. PHILBRICK.
Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen :
It seems to have fallen to my lot to represent the old town today. I should have been pleased had some one better fitted to do this business been selected; but being called before you for that purpose, reminds me of the old , sailor, who came to these shores when your own town was a part of the mother-town.
It is said [that after a long and tedious voyage. a ship arrived in the harbor below ; and you know it is natural for men who have been on shipboard months and months to be anxious to put their feet on mother earth. This ship had hardly come to anchor at Kittery Point, when several of the crew landed to see the sights. In strolling about the town, one of them found his way to the church, where the good old pastor was giving a sermon, in a man- ner characteristic of Kittery ; and in the course of the . unfoldings of his thoughts,-his text being taken from. St. Matthew,-he cried out, "Where are the goats ?" There was silence for a moment or two. This old salt not being accustomed to this proceeding, called out : "Ship's men ! rather than have this go on, I will be the goat." So I am here today to represent the old mother-town.
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, and especially the great-great-grandchildren of the old town of Kittery :-
It gives me pleasure to be privileged to meet with you. today, assembled as you are, to celebrate the Centennial of the youngest offspring of the oldest mother in the State.
The old mother has watched over you this one hundred years with a mother's love and a mother's care. Could she walk up your streets today and behold your beautiful decorations, look upon your neat houses, behold your beautiful flowers, she certainly would say, " My daughter, you have been faithful ; I am proud of your record."
But what is your record? What is the record of the town of Eliot? Naturally the history which has been handed down to us, is a history of the deeds and doings of
JAMES R. PHILBRICK
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the early settlers, of our industries, and had it been pos- sible for us to have had the history in all its fullness, of the deeds and doings of the early settlers, we should have had something exceedingly magnificent, surpassing the history of any other town in Maine Go out into the world, into all the cities of the land, into all the walks of life and industries of the world, and you will find those who have been successful, who can trace their ancestry back to the town of Eliot. I doubt if another town can produce the number of men who have been as great benefit to the world as our own little town today.
When our illustrious ancestors commenced to perform deeds, they commenced to make history. The history of Eliot does not consist wholly 'of the deeds and doings of our early settlers. From the time they commenced to make history, it has been going on to the present time. Show us the town which has sent out so many ship-build- ers, and men who have been filling so many places of honor, men whose inspiration has been on the ocean !.
Show me such a towu, which can point to three men out of a town of the population as yours, successful construc. tors of great ships. To you, the town of Eliot, belongs that honor.
And again, you can point with pride to the men who lived here fifty years ago ; men who earned their bread by the sweat of their brows in the shipyards building ships, and made successful voyages.
Not many years ago you had men who were experts in building boats, and after they built those boats they were able to propel them, not with steam or gasoline, but with hard muscles like steel, made so by the use of the broad- axe in the shipyards and rowing back and forth in the boats they constructed.
I remember, as a boy, hearing of your men. They were considered great oarsmen. They had boat races; the papers were filled with those races, with this crew and that crew. I recall a a race which took place when I was a boy between picked men from the crew of the old
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Constitution, and men from your old town. These men of your town were against Old Ironsides, the ship we all had great pride in; the ship that had done so much to make it possible for us to enjoy the praises and blessings which we enjoy today. Of course we never wanted to see the great "Constitution" come second-best. They had had many races in foreign lands,-this crew was picked.
Interest ran high. The race was started, and at first it was hard to tell which would be victorious. The Jacks were doing all they could. On and on they went down the river ; but on the home-stretch the leading boat was the Flying Cloud. We had heard nothing of boats flying in those days. We had not heard of flying through the air, but it was a flying crew when they returned, and with every stroke of the oar you could see their muscles come out in bunches under their arms.
The Jacks were doing all they could, but it was no use .. They had miscalculated when they thought they were going to win out with these Eliot boys. They discovered Eliot's determination ; Eliot's blood was something dif- ferent ftom the make-up of their English cousins.
Mr. Chairman, I not only came here today to represent the old mother-town, but, in part, I came as a descendant. While my father came of the good old Granite stock, my mother came from the stock of Christian Remick of Eliot.
Situated as we are. the interests of the towns being so closely allied, it is right that we shoul i enjoy this Cen- tennial Celebration. I feel that your Reunion should be our Reunion.
Aaron Cole, Esq., President of the Day, said : -
In running every piece of machinery, it needs one to look after it, to see that the wheels go around regularly. We forget that behind it all there is a master-mind. Some of you have seen the machinery move on. You have realized that there is some one behind it, and there is a master-mind.
Hon. Asher C. Hinds
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We have with us today one of those master-minds work- ing to protect us, working for the good of the State of Maine. Have you realized what it costs to be an engineer in Congress ? If you can understand what it costs to do this, I feel you would pity any soul consigned to the post.
It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you Asher C. Hinds, republican candidate for engineer of Congress.
ASHER C. HINDS, Esq.
Ladies and gentlemen :
If I were today to live up to the distinction which your Chairman has described, I should say that it was about time to obliterate the previous question, and stop the debate here.
I come to you today under what would be considered a disadvantage, if it were not for the kindness of your greet- ing and your hospitality. Governor Hill has told you,- or you have been told,-that he was a son of this town ; and Governor Fernald has been able to tell you that his great grandfather once lived here. I also would like your favor,-and, I want to say to you, that I am persuaded that a very ancient grandfather of mine, must have passed through this town, when he was on his way from Massa- chusetts to the central part of Maine ; that he may have passed through here on what Dr. Junkins has called his "pedal extremeties ;" and if he did, I have no doubt, from the great extent of the town, he probably was several days passing through ; and made many acquaintances, meeting old friends and neighbors,-those ancient people of Eliot.
In what Mr. Cole has said to you today, he commented on the known fact that there was not, and had not been, in the town of Eliot, a single piece of machinery driven in the modern industrial pursuits. I do not know whether he said that with regret or pleasure ; but remembering the many beautiful scenes on the ride I took this morning, -the sea and the shore, the comfortable and tasteful houses, the views of distant mountains, -I think he must have said it with satisfaction. So far as any of us have
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heard, there were no steam engines in the Garden of Eden ; and the only difference between the Garden of Eden, that I can see, and this town, is-that you seem to have done nothing that has forced you out of it.
I have thought today, as I sat here, of the love that we all have for the grandeurs of this world. I do not suppose there is one among us who would not have been delighted to have been at the coronation of Charlemange, or at the surrender of Cornwallis. I would like, if I could, to have the people on this side of the hill moved ; and put in their places those old people of Eliot, who, two hundred years ago faced the savages, and want, and penury. and labor, in order that we might have the civilization that we enjoy today. I would like to contrast their faithful faces, I would like to see their humble criticisms, their social customs, their greeting, the way they would take the greetings and the jokes we are perpetrating upon you today, living among the plenty and happiness of civiliza- tion that no races have ever enjoyed before ; enjoying all the luxuries of the rich and prodigal,-those people, their only luxury, not being scalped on their way from church.
I hope the future of this old town will be as noble as it has been in the past; and I believe it will be. I believe the people of Eliot know a good thing when they see it. No one who has gone forth from here feels anything but a wish that he may come back. I want to say to you that one, even I, so distantly related to you, having been here once, would be delighted to come back again.
Aaron B. Cole, Esq., President of the Day, said : 1
We had hoped to have with us the Hon. Amos L. Allen ; but sickness has kept him away.
We had also expected Col. Daniel Hall; but his son tells me he has suddenly taken a cold ; and is unable to be with us. which we very much regret.
This morning I received a long letter from one of our old school-masters, Freeman Putney, Superintendent of
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Schools, Gloucester, Mass .; who probably has flogged many of you. He has had an injury to his foot, and is unable to walk.
I am glad to know so much good about us all, and I hope years from now our children, and our children's children may be just as good as we are.
THE CENTENNIAL ODE.
The Centennial Ode, was written for the occasion, and sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne." The drilling of the children for the singing of the Ode, was in charge of a sub-committee of the program and music committees, consisting of Mrs. Charles E. Foye, Miss Myrtie M Ham, Mrs. D. Cromett Clark :-
ELIOT'S "OLD LANG SYNE," Rev. Augustine Caldwell.
Shall we forget the Long Ago, And cease to bring to mind The treasured names that gave a glow To Eliot's Lang Syne ?
Our old Lang Syne, we sing,
Our old Lang Syne,- We'll ne'er forget the early days,- Our old Lang Syne.
We welcome old friends,-gladly greet And clasp their hands today ;
And of past times we will repeat The good cheer of the way.
How full of treasure is the Past, -- How rich the words and deeds
Of those whose efforts long will last, Whose influence ne'er recedes.
Therefore 'tis joy for us to sing On these memorial days ;
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The many, many treasures bring That fill our minds with praise.
And as our joy is thus complete, Each others hands we'll grasp,- Greetings and Farewells, each bring joys And memories that will last.
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BENEDICTION,-
by the Rev. WILLIAM B. ELDRIDGE :
May the blessings of God the Father, the Son and the Almighty Spirit, abide with us forever. Amen.
The Orchestra played America, which was sung by the audience.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
On Wednesday evening, the Fireworks committee arranged, on the Green Acre grounds, a magnificent dis- play of set pieces, rockets, bombs, Roman candles, etc.
The display, lasting nearly two hours, was witnessed by a large number of people.
€
Sylvester Bartlett
James. W. Bartlett
Bartlett Farms
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FIFTH DAY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 1910.
Rain caused an hour's postponement of the parade which formed at George E Ireland's store, at ten o'clock. It was made up as follows :
Marshal, George E. Howe. Aids, Roy G. Hill, Stanley E. Nelson, Walter M. Staples, Earnest O. Searles.
Portsmouth City Band, M. J. Devine, Leader. Two Companies U. S. Marines, Major Henry Leonard, Commanding. Pony Cart, Albert D. Staples. Grange Float.
Industrial Club of East Eliot, Float.
W. C. T. U. Float.
Bolt Hill, Golden Rod Float.
Old Fashioned Kitchen Float, Mrs. R. G. Hill. Indian Maids Float.
School Days Float, Ye Olden Times.
Boat Float-Lincoln School, Miss Elizabeth M. Hanscom, teacher. '
John F. Hill Grange Float. Golden Rod Float. South Eliot Children's Float. Epworth League of South Eliot Float. South Eliot Float No. 2. School District No. I Float.
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Cherryneuk Float. Misses Thomas and Murdock, Harrigan Club, three Horse Hitch. Fife and Drum Corps, Thomas Sparrow, leader.
Old Log Cabin, 1790, drawn by oxen belonging to Moses Morrell, Walter W. Rowe, J. Albert Stacy.
Drive up to Dover, One Hoss Shay, 1815.
Ye Old Wooden Axle Wagon, built in 1827, Chas. Frost. Indian Scouts. Fred Robinson, team.
The Pilgrim Maiden on horseback. Miss Anna I. Vinton.
Norman J. Raitt, Two Year Old Steers.
John W. Hillhouse, Guess Again.
Fred E. Nelson. "One Horse Shay."
Arthur Tondreault, team. Lawrence A. Rowe, Brick Making Float.
Carriages, Our Oldest Residents.
T. F. Staples & Co. decorated carriage. Justin W. Brooks, team. George E. Ireland, Grocery Float. Fred E. Nelson, Fire Extinguisher Float. D. H. McIntosh, Furniture Float. Gipsy Maid, on horseback, Miss Margaret J. Adlington. Indian boys on horseback, Master Edward Hanscom. Master Stephen Worcester.
MARSHAL HOWE AND HIS AIDS
U. S. MARINES
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DECORATED PONY CART-ALBERT STAPLES
Golden Rod Float
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INDIAN GIRLS' FLOAT
South Eliot Float
Epworth League South Eliot
Harrigan Club Float
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George E. Ireland's Float
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CAKE
PASTRY
F. ROBRYSON PLASS LAXEAY GOODS
Fred Robinson's Float
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Cheeryneuk Float
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ELIOT CENTENNIAL.
Decorated Automobiles :
C. Edward Bartlett. Mrs. George Trefethern. Mrs. Charles E. Woods. Harlon P. Willis.
The march of the parade was a long one, passing over the following route :
State Road, Shapleigh Road, Old Road, State Road, Bolt Hill, Main street to Welch's corner, returning by Pleasant street, Main street, Farmer road, State road, to Kennard's corner.
- THE MANY DECORATIONS.
All along the line of march of the procession, the houses were gaily decorated with flags and brightly colored bunt- ings. At the few places where there were no set decora- tions, the American ensign floated bravely from some staff.
George E. Ireland's store, the starting place, was dec- orated, as a matter of course. From there along Old Road to Kennard's corner, decorations were displayed at the residences of Sylvester junkins, William A. Shapleigh, William A. Johnson, George W. Dixon, John L. Emery, Martha A. Coleman, Fred E. Nelson, Chandler E. Spinney, Dr. John L. M. Willis, Charles E. Foye, the No. 5 Schoolhouse, the William Fogg home, Joseph F. Kennard and George F. Kennard.
From Kennard's corner along State road, the decorated places were the residences of George E. Bartlett George W. Nason. the Congregational Church, the residences of Howard P. Libbey and G. E. Hammond, the Eliot. High School building, the Eliot Town Hall, the residences of Melvin E. Dixon, Saunders S. Liebman, Leander Brooks, Frank L. Fernald, Charles F. Drake, Fred Robinson, Dr. H. I. Durgin, Frank J. York, Fred G. Foster John W. Hillhouse.
Along Farmer Road, Chas. E. Hanscom, Mrs. Seabury, Dr. Moore's Camp, Frank E. Liebman, M. Parry Tobey.
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On Bolt Hill road, the home of Mrs. Mary A. Spinney, Justin W. Brooks.
From the corner of Bolt Hill road, down Main street, the decorated residences were those of W. F. Paul, F. L. Spinney, Edwin E. Cole, Aaron B. Cole, Esq. Arthur R Spinney and Frank H. Leavitt.
On Pleasant St. Charles H. Cole, Alfred Spinney, E. H. Fernald, Milo E. Spinney, Theodore Fernald, Clinton A. Manson, Wilbra H. Spinney, David Fernald, Arthur Lewis, and the store of H. E. Spinney. At the lower end of Pleasant street, next the bridge from Kittery, stood the tri- umphal arch, covered with evergreen, draped and entwined with flags and lettered " 1810 Welcome 1910."
From the corner of Main street up . Pleasant street Benjamin F. Bowden, Rev. George W. Brown, Joseph W. Davis, Irving Davis, Richard F. Dixon, the Misses Dame, Hanibal H. Cole, Wentworth Dame, the No. 7, school- house, the residences of Captain A. L. Hirst, Charles E. Huntress, Alonzo Titus, F. A. Staples, Charles E. Paul, Arthur C. Paul, T. F. Staples, Walter C. Cole, Arthur Butler, the store of T. F. Staples & Co., Harry L. Staples George A. Fernald.
U.p Main street from Pleasant street, displays were made at the residences of Edwin F. Staples, Samuel O. and Ernest O. Searles, the No. 6 Schoolhouse, the residences of Fred B. Pert, Augustus Paul, F. W. Wil- mot, Hon. George O. Athorne, George E. Howe, Samuel H. Reeves, Rogers Hall, Green Acre Inn, Eirenion cot- tages, and many of the Green Acre tents, the residences of Wallace E. Dixon, Edwin F. Tobey, Asa T. Perry, R. G. Edwards, E. Chester Spinney, Mrs. Mary A. Spinney, George E. Spinney, F. E. Russell, Mrs. Mary A. Dixon.
All the School Houses and many residences in the north part of the town were also decorated.
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