History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield ...

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ANNALS OF LYNN 1892. 367
were occupied till the meridian was passed ; and then the
drive to " Lynn Woods," our newly-acquired sylvan domain,
was commenced. An extended ride along the shady ways,
with now and then a momentary pause to visit some wild
glen, legendary shrine or commanding height, brought them
to the vicinity of Mount Gilead. And there, on a spacious
forest opening, carpeted by leaves and moss, they found
ample preparations for a now highly appreciable banquet,
for the ride had been \ovg- and the hour was late. The rustic
seats along the tables were soon occupied by a hungry company
of more than three hundred. In due time the appetites
were appeased ; and then began the intellectual exercises.
The speeches were, of course, chiefly on topics connected
with the shoe and leather interests, but not exclusively so,
and elicited most heart}^ applause. The president of the
club, F. G. Nazro, was the first speaker, then Mayor Hayes,
of L#ynn, expressed warm words of welcome to
the visitors
next came our enterprising townsman, Francis W. Breed, a
member of the World's Fair Commission and President of
the New England Shoe and Leather Association ; then spoke
Gen. Augustus P. Martin, of Boston. Hon. Henry Cabot
Lodge, of Nahant, a member of Congress, followed ; then
Isaac H. Bailey, of New York. Isaac B. Potter, of New
York, read a paper on roadways and kindred topics. The
last speaker was Charles Eliot, of Cambridge, son of the
president of Harvard College ; his speech, too, had reference
to public grounds and reservations. Congressman J.
H. Walker, of Worcester, not being able to be present, forwarded
a letter of regret, which was read at the table. The
day will be long remembered as the one especially on which
good old L3mn was honored by unstinted encomiums on her
thrift, her beautiful scenery, her hospitality ; and as a day on
which she, in her turn, honored her visitors by a rich display
of her resources and her opportunities. It was an occasion
that enhanced the reputation of Lynn wherever she was
known ; and which rendered her name familiar in many a
place where it had not before been heard. Undoubtedly the
main purpose of the gathering was to magnify and extend
the fame of the shoe and leather trade of New England, and
its success in that direction can hardly be questioned. Incidentally
it did much other good work.
James E. Bessom, Aug. 30, performed the surprising feat
of walking backwards from Lynn to Bass Point, Nahant, and
returning in two hours and twenty-seven minutes.
Labor Day, Sept. 5, was celebrated by a parade and ad-