There was a largely attended aud pleasant occasion last Tuesday evening at the dedication of the new G. A. R. hall on Cottage street, a fine banquet being followed by speech making, singing and a general good time.
The Grand Army post has now a very pretty hall, sufficiently large for post purposes, well ventilated and admirably arranged and appointed. It has a large ante-room which can be used as a smoking and amusement room by members. The hall was very prettily decorated for the dedication with strands of red, white, and blue paper and small flags. The gathering included Post Associates, members of George K. Bird post, 619, G. A. R., Nelson II. Stevens camp, S. of V. and George K. Bird W. R. C. A remarkably line banquet was served by caterer Warren E. Rhoads.
Commander E. II. Dunbar called the gathering to order and gave an enthusiastic and appropriate address of welcome. He alluded to the successful organization here of the " Post Associates," and spoke of the fact that the post itself had 45 members and the camp of Sons of Veterans has 25 members while the Associates, though a new thing here, already number 21. Mr. Dunbar closed his remarks by reading a fine poem "The Old Grand Army Boys."
He introduced as the first speaker of the evening, P, C. D. II. L. Gleason of Natick, chief mustering officer of the department of Massachusetts who made a strong, interesting, and encouraging address. Remarks by Mrs, Flora Smith, president of the County Association of Woman's Relief Corps was next [in order. Then followed remarks by Mrs. Lillian Williamson, president of the Norwood Woman's Relief Corps, camp commander Fred S. Noyes of Nelson R. Stevens camp, and a number of the Post Assoclates.
These latter made bright little speeches, some of them unusually good ones for business men, and had considerable fun among themselves. James A. Hartshorn, who was their first speaker announced that they had elected Brother George Harding Smith commander, a statement which that gentleman seemed to discredit in his speech that followed. Other "Associates" who spoke were William F. Baker, Town Clerk John F. Kiley, Town Treasurer Charles T. Wheelock, President Halloran of the Business Association, Rudolph Elisher, Edward M. Wilcox and Harold E. Fates. The latter, introduced as the only Spanish war veteran in town, made one of the best speeches of the evening. After the singing of a number of songs and patriotic airs, speechmaking was resumed. Rev. George W. Nead made an appropriate address, Charles M. Thompson made remarks interspersed with stories and recitations and there were other interesting exercises. The affair was brought to a close at a reasonable hour.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)
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