At our Society's meetings.
We resume the record closing in Vol.
XVII, p. 72, and begin the season of 1914-15.
On October 19
Moses W. Mann presented ‘The Cruise of the
Merrimack,’ an extract of which appeared in the Register as ‘
Medford Steamboat
Days.’
November 16,
Rosewell B. Lawrence,
Esq., gave us a delightful illustrated account of his ‘Trip to the
Hawaiian Islands.’
December 20,
Mrs. Augusta Brigham read her interesting story, ‘Ten Soldier Brothers in the Revolution.’ At the annual meeting, on January 18, 1915,
Mr. John H. Hooper read of
Aaron K. Hathaway, ‘An Old Medford Schoolmaster.’
February 15,
Mr. George C. Wolkins of the
Old South Association read, ‘The
Old South Meeting-house.’
March 15 was ‘Old Home Evening,’ when
Mr. George Hersey, in an informal talk, with numerous lantern slides, presented the old landmarks, dwellings and citizens of earlier years.
April 19 was a patriotic observance.
The President
[p. 95] directed the exercises and was ably assisted by the
Misses Rowan, Falt,
Grimes and
Meloon, the latter furnishing mandolin selections, and also playing the old
London piano.
This gathering was the one most fully attended in the season.
May 17 proved a very stormy day, and the attendance at what proved to be the last meeting in our old home, as well as the last meeting of the season, was extremely small.
Rev. Anson Titus of
Somerville gave a most interesting lecture on ‘Some Economic Conditions at the Close of the Revolution.’
The season of 1915-16 found the Society housed in hired quarters (as the Register has noted), and opened on October 18.
The President read his ‘message,’ which is on file in the records, making a clear statement of the
Society's affairs.
These were discussed at some length and laid over till the next meeting.
Light refreshments were served.
The November meeting was devoted to discussion of ways and means, and the reports of committees relative to securing other and permanent quarters.
On December 20
Mr. Charles F. Read, clerk of Bostonian Society, gave ‘A Schoolboy's Recollections of the
Civil War.’
The annual meeting, January 17, 1916, was devoted to reports and election of officers.
February 21 we were honored with the presence of George and
Martha Washington, in the persons of
Mr.Fenton and
Mrs. B. F. Fenton, who sustained their parts with dignity and grace.
Master Topezia and
Miss Jergueson, also in costume, vied with their elders, and danced a minuet to the accompaniment of the ancient seraphine.
Mr. Edward Finnegan (High School, 1916) read the
Farewell Address, and mandolin music was rendered by
Miss Myrtle Meloon and
Mrs. Grace Savage.
Among the patriotic airs was the ‘Star Spangled Banner,’ which brought the company to its feet.
As in the previous year, this was the largest attendance.
[p. 96]
On March 20
Mr. Gordon Boit Wellman of
Malden entertained us with the ‘Ornithology of Middlesex Fells,’ to the delight of all.
The paper at the meeting of April 12, by
Mr. Frank Woods Lovering (who was unavoidably absent), was read by
Mr. Edwin Crosby—‘The Story of the West Medford Baptist Church.’ The choir of that church sang several hymns to the airs of ‘
Duke Street,’ ‘Coronation’ and ‘Miles' Lane,’ organist Sefton accompanying upon the seraphine.
The external accompaniment was
a deluge that made the attendance unusually small.
On May 15 a goodly number assembled to hear of ‘The American High School,’ from
Principal J. D. Howlett, an address of unusual interest.
Adjournment was made, subject to the call of the
President, and on Friday, June 30, a meeting was held to hear and act upon committee's recommendations.
These were adopted with conditions (already met), and by adjournment another meeting held on September 29, when report of progress was made, as appears elsewhere in this issue.
