Androscoggin County ME Archives History - Books .....Centennial 1899
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 17, 2008, 8:39 pm

Book Title: History Of Durham, Maine

XI.
CENTENNIAL

   On the twenty-second day of August, 1889, was celebrated the one hundredth
anniversary of the incorporation of Durham. A general committee, consisting of
Charles W. Harding, Alfred Lunt, William H. Thomas, William P. Davis, Josiah H.
Williams, David B. Strout and Z. K. Harmon, had made extensive preparations and
issued about seven hundred printed invitations to old residents of the town. It
was estimated that five thousand persons were in attendance. A big tent was set
up on the Fair Grounds. The churches and houses at South West Bend were decorated.

   The day was ushered in by a salute of thirteen guns in honor of the original
States. At 8 A. M. there was a Parade of Fantas-tics. After that the procession
formed and moved to the Fair Grounds. Prescott R. Strout was Marshal, aided by
Sherman Strout and George Sylvester. The Continental Band, consisting of bass
drum, tenor drum and fife, led the procession. Then came the "String Bean"
Military Escort, commanded by Capt. William D. Roak and Lieut. David Crockett,
and composed of veterans, etc., with uniform and arms somewhat irregular. Next
was the "Singing School," consisting of thirty young persons, who sang " Star
Spangled Banner." Frank Hascall was chorister. A big carriage contained thirteen
damsels in white representing the original States, and twenty-nine little girls
to answer for the later members of the Union. Following them was a team with
five little girls in white in a huge floral basket, representing the
Territories. Next came a company of school boys in white caps and sashes,
commanded by Elmer Randall. Then there was a mowing machine followed by two men
with rusty old scythes. A hay-rake succeeded, and behind it was one of the old
pattern made by John Vining in 1832, steered by his son, Edward R. Vining, while
the horse was ridden by a grandson, Willis J. Vining. Silas Goddard & Sons made
an exhibition of plows. W. P. Davis and Son had a cart, wherein was an anvil and
a fire fanned by a bellows over a century old. A horse-shoe was made while the
procession was moving. In another cart Joseph H. Davis, carriage-maker, put
spokes into a wheel on the route. Durham Band rejuvenated furnished music. Old
regimental flags floated over all. Citizens in carriages closed the procession.

   At 2 P. M. there was a Ball Game, followed by Potato Race, Egg and Spoon
Race, 100 Yard Dash, Sack Race, etc.

   The Literary Program, which was interrupted for dinner, consisted of Music,
Address of Welcome by the Rev. Edgar L. Warren, Prayer by the Rev. John Cobb,
Song, "Home, Sweet Home," by Mrs. Ada Cary Sturgis. Then followed an address by
the Hon. Nelson Dingley, Jr. Since it treated largely of historical matters it
need not here be reproduced. One passage, however, so well states the old mode
of living that it ought to be preserved.

   "If we could bring before us to-day the simple and frugal manner in which the
first settlers of Durham were compelled to live, and compare it with the methods
of living in this community at the present time, it would be a most impressive
object lesson illustrating our progress in material prosperity. Picture to
yourself the scattered log-cabins of the early settlers, with one room, as the
common cooking, dining and living room, and another as the common sleeping room,
each lighted by a single pane of glass, and warmed by one fire, without a
carpet, easy chairs, or a single article of luxury, and you have the houses in
which they lived. For food, rye took the place of flour bread; and pork and
beans or peas, or fried salt pork, or fish was the staple. Tea and coffee and
sugar were used only on great occasions. For books, the Bible with sometimes
another volume sufficed. Newspapers scarcely were known. In clothing, rough,
ready-made clothes sufficed. In those days an organ or a piano in one of these
houses would have astonished the town. Luxuries were unknown. Whatever was not
grown on the cleared land or found in the forest was brought on the backs of
horses through paths in the woods from Portland or Freeport. Money was scarce,
and fifty cents per day was considered good wages. The poorest family in Durham
to-day has more luxuries and lives far better than the richest in those 'good
old times.' "

   Dr. David B. Strout responded to the toast, the People of Durham. Z. K.
Harmon read a biographical sketch of Col. Isaac Royall. The Rev. I. C. Knowlton
told of the Progress of Temperance. Prof. Fred M. Warren spoke of the Musicians
of Durham. Miss Durgin, granddaughter of Dr. John Converse, gave an original
poem. In the afternoon there was an address by the Hon. William P. Frye. William
D. Roak spoke for the Farmers of Durham. Lewis C. Robinson represented the
Mechanics. The Rev. George Plummer told of the many ministers born in Durham.
The Hon. William H. Newell extolled the Teachers. Dr. Charles E. Williams had
good words to say of the Physicians. The Rev. Wm. Shailer Hascall reviewed
Durham's Missionaries. The singing of "America" closed the program.

   To recount the good stories told, the social reunions, the merriment, the
hand-shaking with old acquaintances, the hospitality and enthusiasm would fill
too many pages. The people of Durham love their native heath. The Centennial
celebration was a great occasion. Many would like to see another. 

Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

HISTORY OF DURHAM, MAINE
WITH GENEALOGICAL NOTES.

BY EVERETT S. STACKPOLE.

PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF TOWN.

LEWISTON: PRESS OF LEWISTON JOURNAL COMPANY. 
1899.



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