Dover - Foxcroft, 100th Anniversary

Foxcroft's 100th Anniversary Foxcroft celebrated the anniversary of its organization October 1st, 1912. The anniversary was August 31st, but belated enthusiasm delayed the celebration until then.

The affair had been planned in a short time and to some of the committees especially belongs a great deal of praise for the efficient work.

Tuesday was a cold, raw day and rain fell during the early morning and in the afternoon and evening. A heavy fall of rain made it impossible to hold the fireworks in the evening. During the passing of the trades parade the sun shone and this parade was the feature of the day.

At six in the morning the festivities began. The ringing of bells and the firing of bombs on Foxcroft Bridge aroused the blood of every citizen and gave promise of a day of festival enjoyment, in spite of lowering skies. A decorator had been at work for 10 days on the buildings and the appearance of some of the residences and most of the business places, as well as of Foxcroft Bridge, which was formally dedicated at noon, was one of gaiety and attractiveness.

It has been estimated by those who made a tour of the towns that there were about five thousand people on the streets during the day. At nine o'clock the parade of trade floats and antiquities started on Main Street, Foxcroft, being formed on this and streets adjoining. There were three bands in the parade and 65 teams, rigs, farming implements and floats. Some of the trade floats were very attractive creations. The first prize was awarded to Josef L. Brockway, florist, who besides having a beautiful creation, carried out a unique idea. The float was drawn by white horses, the harness being trimmed in pink. The entire color scheme was pink and white. The float represented a bridal party. At the front stood the clergyman, Josef L. Brockway, the "happy couple" were Bela Norton and Miss Ruth Day. They stood beneath an arch from which was suspended a wedding bell. The arch and bell were wound with smilax and decorated with pink roses. The rest of the float was occupied by four little flower girls, Rachel and Kathleen Stoddard, Eleanor McNaughton and Mary Moran. The ring bearer was Clifford McNaughton. At the four corners were white posts on which were palms. Other palms, ferns and white doves were part of the dainty, beautiful and artistic piece of work.

The second prize was given to Ober & Clark, dry and fancy goods dealers. The float was a creation of white trimmed with sweet peas. At each corner was a post upon which was an urn filled with asters. In the center was a birthday cake, three and a half feet in diameter bearing candles. The float bore a banner, "Our one hundredth birthday."

Geo. H. Hoxie, taxidermist, was awarded the third prize. His float was very striking. A small forest of green, with the head of a Bull Moose protruding through the front. In the body of the float was an Indian wigwam with children in costume. Other specimens of taxidermy added to the scheme. Following the float was Peter Bearce in the guise of an old trapper with his gun and coon skins, his hound in leash ahead of him.

The American Woolen company with its four teams added much to the parade. Beginning with a float, attractively trimmed, in which was a sheep in the front and wool in the rear, they showed the industry to the finished product worn by a party of young ladies seated in a neatly trimmed outfit.

Centennial Parade ~ 100 Years ago ~

The Dover and Foxcroft Light and Heat Company had an attractive float. One half showed a fire-place, an old-time hearthstone, with the candles on the mantel. The other side had all the modern electrical devices for lighting, heating and cooking. The first was presided over by an old time madam and the latter by a modern housewife. The trimmings and signs were pleasing to the eye.

The telephone operatives had one of the daintiest rigs of the day. It was of blue and white and a bower and arch were very attractively arranged. Some of the girls occupied positions on the float, dressed in attractive gowns. This last float got special mention from the committee we understand.

There were many other of the floats which deserve special mention. S. G. Sanford had three outfits showing his complete line of fine horses and carriages which were a great addition to the show. S. A. Annis' livery outfit carriage also attracted much favorable comment.

The list of floats and other features in their order is as follows:

Division one:
Taylor's band
Company F, G. A. R. (2)
Boy Scouts; Mayo & Son, woolen mills, (3)
Dyer Brothers, grocers. (2)
Elmer Nickerson, druggist
E. D. Eldridge, painter
V. L. Warren, hardware and farming implements, (2)
W. J. Eldridge, dry goods
C. F. Dearth, cider mill
Smith Bros., gasoline lights
C. A. Brockway, milk
A. A. McClure, milk

Division two:
Monson band
Modern Woodmen
D. & F. Light and Heat Company
A. W. Gilman & Co., grain, (2)
Ober & Clark, dry goods
E. H. Chase, furniture
E. W. Judkins. grocer, (2)
E. E. Cole, druggist
S. G. Sanford, livery and sales stable, (3)
Lillian Harvey, dry and fancy goods
W. Gushing & Co., coke
Ober, Clark & Thayer, lumber
Will Williams, (driving horse with sleigh 125 years old attached)
S. A. Annis, livery stable

Division three:
Guilford band
Eldorado Encampment, I. O. O. F.
American Woolen Company, (4)
N. E. T. & T. Co.
Josef L. Brockway, florist
P. E. Ward & Co. furniture
O. H. Bragg 8: Co., $2-trousers for $2
Five exhibits placed by the committee, oxen and farming implements
Hughes & Son, pianos
J. G. Sawyer, lumber
Wm. Buck & Co. druggists

Division four:
Drum corps
Union Hose Co.
Tiger Hose Co. Hook & Ladder Co. hand tub
Curtis & Robinson, harness, trunks and bags
Dow & Boyle, clothiers
Lyford & Buck, grocers
J. J. Folsom, lumber
H. W. Thayer, shoes
Mrs. F. E. Gellerson, millinery
Standard Oil Co.
C. A. Harmon, ox team
F. D. Barrows, printer
George Hoxie, taxidermist
A. N. Merrill, Star theatre.

One of the features of the parade which attracted the attention of the reporter was the advertising car of the Voight Milling Co., driven by V. M. Boothby, eastern agent, who made a special trip from Portland to join the parade, which was very much appreciated by E. W. Judkins, sole agent for Voight's celebrated Royal flour.

Following the parade was a ball game at the Central Driving Park between Henderson and Newport, the game being won by the latter 6 to 0. In the afternoon the winners were defeated by D. & F. 7 to 2.

Band concerts were given in the various squares at 10.30 by the three bands already mentioned and by the Milo band which arrived on the forenoon train. The work of these organizations has been highly complimented. The Monson band, made up of men from their town only, was deserving of especial mention.

The new Foxcroft concrete bridge was dedicated at noon. The exercises consisted of an address by Hon. W. E. Parsons, music by the band and the display of day fireworks.

The automobile parade at one o'clock was a disappointment, only two or three cars bearing any decorations. W. G. Parker had his Buick attractively trimmed. There was a good display of cars but no finely trimmed ones besides this one.

There was a football game at the park in the afternoon following the baseball game, between Higgins and Foxcroft academy which was easily won by Higgins. 38 to 0.

The historical program carried out in the Congregational church during the afternoon was as follows:

Program.
President of the Day, A. W. Gilman
Prayer, Rev. E. L. Gates
An Original Poem, Anna Boynton Averill
Historical Address, Rev. G. A. Merrill
Foxcroft in the Civil War, Hon. Wainwright Gushing
Clergymen of Foxcroft, Liston P. Evans
Doctors of Foxcroft, Dr. Edgar T. Flint
Foxcroft Academy, Hon. W. E. Parsons
Schools and Schoolhouses, Supt. W. H. Sturtevant
Custer Command and Ladies of the G. A. R., Mrs. S. A. Martin
The Masonic Fraternity, Hon. J. F. Sprague

In the evening there was a grand ball at Central hall and a dance in the Palace, both of which were largely attended. Kendall's orchestra furnished music for the former, giving a concert which was much enjoyed. The dance committee, B. T. Genthner; chairman, report a very successful outcome of their end of affairs. On account of the heavy rain the fireworks were postponed to Thursday evening.

The marshal of the day was Walter J. Mayo. He was ably assisted by E. C. McKechnie, Elmer R. Blethen, Dr. E. D. Merrill, F. W. Mason, A. J. McNaughton and E. E. Whitney.

To Elmer C. McKechnie, chairman of the trades parade committee, especially, belongs much credit for the good showing made in this feature. He and the other members promised to furnish carts and horses for floats. They did furnish them; good carts and fine looking horses. If this had not been done the number of floats would have been much less.

Display of Antiques | Dover-Foxcroft | Maine

Source: Sprague's Journal of Maine History, Vol. 5 No. 7, Published by John Francis Sprague, Dover, ME, July 1914