CHAPTER XXXII EIGHTEEN HUNDRED NINETY-SEVEN MEMORIAL DAY. GENERAL WAGER SWAYNE, ORATOR. COMRADES HONORED. FIELD DAY. ANNIVERSARY AT YOUNG'S. MINOR EVENTS. SKETCH OF COMMANDER CHARLES CLARK ADAMS. OFFICERS INSTALLED BY COMRADE WILLIAM M. OLIN OF POST NO. 26, ROXBURY COMMANDER SENIOR VICE-COMMANDER JUNIOR VICE-COMMANDER ADJUTANT QUARTERMASTER SURGEON CHAPLAIN OFFICER OF THE DAY QUARTERMASTER SERGEANT SUN CHARLES CLARK ADAMS. JAMES N. NORTH. IRA B. GOODRICH. JAMES S. BARROWS. JOHN W. SMALL. GEORGE W. BROOKS. AUGUSTINE SANDERSON. MEMORIAL SERVICES UNDAY, May 30, the Post by invitation attended the Morning Services at Tremont Temple. The Rev. Dr. Lorimer delivered a patriotic address on the subject, "Religion and War." GENERAL WAGER SWAYNE May 31, the hallowed duties of Memorial Day were discharged with fidelity. The morning opened cloudy and threatening, with rain in the afternoon. The dedication of the Shaw Monument on the Common took away many who would otherwise have witnessed the ceremonies at the Soldiers' Monument and attended at Tremont Temple. At the opening exercises at the Temple the house was not filled, but later on the seats were mostly taken. The musical programme was exceptionally pleasing. Major-General Wager Swayne was the Orator of the day and spoke at length on "The Lessons of the War." THE DINNER In the afternoon the usual reception and dinner at Young's were held. Commander Adams presided, and Past Commander J. Edward Hollis performed the duties of Toast-master. The following were the speakers: General Swayne, Mayor Quincy, Colonel J. Payson Bradley, Comrade Peter D. Smith, Rev. A. A. Berle and Post Chaplain Rev. Edward A. Horton. All the speeches were of the quiet, solid kind, but well enjoyed and liberally applauded. COMRADES HONORED The first meeting after the summer vacation was given up to a reception and dinner in honor of Past Commander Thomas R. Mathews and Comrade James L. Carter, who had each been promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General in the State Volunteer Militia service. Congratulatory speeches and general expressions of regard were freely given by the Comrades. FALL FIELD DAY The annual field sports were held at Walnut Hill, September 29, with the social dinner, good time and distribution of prizes at the American House. It terminated with the presentation to Commander Adams of a fine crayon picture of himself from the pencil of Comrade Charles W. Reed, which fittingly rounded out one of the most enjoyable fall outings held by the Post. November the 17th, the annual inspection was made by Comrade Charles A. Patch of Post No. 4, Assistant Inspector. THE TWENTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY The annual Anniversary banquet was held at Young's, with a good attendance of the Comrades and a large number of guests. Commander Adams called to order and read letters from ex-Governor Long, Secretary of the Navy; General Alger, Secretary of War; and Commander-in-Chief Gobin of the G. A. R. He then presented Post Chaplain Rev. Edward A. Horton as Toast-master. Excellent speeches were made, and COMMANDER ADAMS 175 Brigadier-General the music came in exactly as it should. Curtis Guild, Jr., and Judge Henry W. Sheldon were notably fine. The other speakers were Colonel William M. Olin, Secretary of the Commonwealth; Colonel Henry A. Thomas, Postmaster; Rev. A. A. Berle; Department Commander Dean; Past Commander Blackmar; and Joseph Blasclock, Sergeant Major of Lafayette Post No. 140, New York. Aside from the guests named above were Hon. John L. Bates, Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives; Colonel Charles Pfaff; Mr. F. E. Whiting; Major Sortwell of Cambridge; Mr. B. F. Keith; Mr. E. G. Allen; Captain Joseph R. Kendall; Colonel James A. Frye; Mr. Charles F. Choate, Jr.; Colonel Shepard of Lafayette Post, New York; Department Junior Vice-Commander John E. Gilman; Hubert O. Moore, Assistant Adjutant-General G. A. R., and many others. It was an occasion that makes life seem worth living. MINOR EVENTS The special donations for the year were a valuable picture of General Grant and Staff by Colonel Amos Webster of Washington, D.C., and a neat case for the Adjutant's department by Comrade Brooks. A very pleasing concert was given in Berkeley Hall by the City Band. Department Commander William P. Derby honored the Post by a visit early in the year, and Past Commander Blackmar was congratulated upon his receiving a Congressional Medal of Honor for gallantry in action at the battle of Five Forks. The Post lost a generous friend and Comrade in Otis E. Weld, who was called home March 17. CHARLES CLARK ADAMS Service, Civil War. 11th U. S. Infantry. 1st Battalion. Bugler. Commander Adams became a member of Post No. 113, November 9, 1887, and after several years' service in minor positions was chosen, in 1894, Officer of the Day; then followed, in successive years, his election as Junior Vice, Senior Vice and Commander; he was appointed Chairman of the Memorial Day Finance Committee in 1898 and chosen Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Post in 1899. In all of these positions he did faithful work, which was continued to the close of his life. He represented the Post as delegate to the Department Convention many times and held several positions connected both with the National and Department organizations, and was able to accomplish much effective labor for the Grand Army. His administration as Commander was efficient, and all its affairs were well handled. No event of importance took place during his term; it was a quiet year. Comrade Adams possessed a strong personality with a genial, large-hearted, generous nature. He easily won and retained the friendship of both old and young alike, and enjoyed the full confidence of all his Comrades and business associates. He passed away October 20, 1905. His funeral was largely attended by members of the Post and other organizations with which he was connected. |