Gathering Material for History & Notes and Fragments Vol 2 p 221 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY PUBLISHED QUARTERLY Entered as second class matter at the post office, Dover, Maine, by John Francis Sprague, Editor and Publisher. Terms: For all numbers issued during the year, including an index and all special issues, $1.00. Single Copies, 25 cents. Bound volumes of same, $1.75. Bound volumes of Vol. 1, $2.50. Vol. I ((bound) will be furnished to new Sub- scribers to the Journal for $2.00. Postage prepaid on all items. "We must look a little into that process of nation-making which has been going on since prehistoric ages and is going on here among us today, and from the recorded experience of men in times long past we may gather lessons of infinite value for ourselves and for our children's children." -JOHN FisKE. Gathering Material for History The work of gathering and preserving the historical data and sources of information of today for the use and benefit of the people of tomorrow is not only a pleasant and enjoyable task but is of vast importance as well. The following excerpt from a paper by Prof. Alvord, of the University of Illinois, read at the Seventh Annual Conference of the American Historical Societies at Indian- apolis, December 28, 1910, and published in the Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the year 1910-(Wash- ington 1912).P. 251, is an interesting and concise presentation of this thought. "In the middle- of the seventeenth century-about the first third ,of the seventeenth century-there lived in London a bookseller by the name of Thomason, who was regarded by his neighbors as a crank, because he gathered everything that was printed or written -that floated in the atmosphere in his particular neighborhood- the floatsam and jetsam of life in London. It consisted of printed news letters; it cinsisted of invitations to dinners; it consisted of notes between one gentleman and another; it consisted of programs of vaudeville shows in Vauxhall Gardens and elsewhere-every- thing that was a record of the times. He had a vision of posterity and gathered it all; but he did not know how to classify and use it; he simply gathered. He wrote on each one the time and the con- ditions under which he had collected it. They were tied up and piled in piles, and after his death somebody bought the collection 222 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY and presented it to the British Museum,.-and it lay there until Macaulay found it and used it. He saw in this collection a vision of life during the civil-war period of England, and with the assistance of his imagination he pictured for us, from this collec- tion of -odds and ends, the life of that period. "So I say that any historical society, no matter how broad or narrow its scope, should gather material, for someone has said 'The literary rubbish of one generation is the priceless treasure of the next.' The members of the historical societies should have a vision of posterity. What is interesting to you that has come down from the past? Some old colonial newspaper; some playbill when the English were occupying Philadelphia and having a gay time; something that keeps you in touch with the (:)Id days? That all interests you to-day and helps you to rebuild the past, and so what we are gathering to-day will be considered treasures by the next generation. We should have a vision of posterity, and that is the basis on which a historical society should be conducted." Notes and Fragments "Minorities, since time began Have shown the better side of man. And often in the lists of time One man has made a cause sublimer's "The Spirit's Work" is the title of a charming little volume of verse by Honorable job. H. Montgomery, a well known lawyer and public man of Camden, Maine, just issued from the Riverdale Press, Boston. It is a collection -of some delightful gleams of sunshine which have from time to time burst forth from a busy man's life and com- piling them in a book makes a valuable addition to the literature of Maine. From a Maine newspaper of 1906 we find that the Roberts family held a retinion at Silvers Mills in Dexter, Maine, August 23, 1906, when the following persons were present: Willis and Maybelle Haines, C. D. Roberts and daughter, Marguerite, Mrs. A. H. Fassett and son, Dennis Mr. and Airs. 0. 0. Roberts and son, Winfield, NOTES AND FRAGMENTS 223 O. J. Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. Duane Mower and son, Donald, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bridge, Jr., Mrs. Prudie Davis, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Dinsmore and son, Paul, and Ralph Bailey of Dexter, Mrs. C. A. Bryant, N. M. Bishop, Mr. and Mrs. Ames Bishop and family, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Carle and family, Elton Carle, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Bearce and family, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Richards, Myron Edgerly, Mrs. Susit Edgerly and Son, Harold, Willie and Earle Roberts and Mrs. Lois J. Hutchinson of Sangerville; Mr. and Mrs. John Chase, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Ames, Mr. H. A. Carle and family and Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Hagen and family of Dover; Mr. and Mrs. S. R. Roberts and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Inman and family of Corinna; Rev. A. P. Andrews, and Harry Thurston of Garland; Mrs. Amanda Cole of Guilford; Mr. and Mrs. G..W. Stacey and son, Percy, of Blanchard; Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Roberts of Abbot; Miss Edna Packard of Greenville; Fred P. Roberts, Shirley; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Vincent, Boston, Mass., and Mr. and Mrs. G. J. Leathers of Charleston. Walter B. Gould and wife, Mertie; Stephen L. Averill. and wife, Eva; John W. Gould; Charles B. Gould and wife, Etta; Arthur R. Gould and wife, May; Rena A. Bartlett. The day was greatly enjoyed. The following Tuesday the family visited the old homestead at East Corinth. Piscataquis County was -established in 1838. At the next session of the Legislature the first members of the House of Representa- tives from the new county were Joseph Crooker of Foxcroft; John Foss of Kingsbury; John J. Lovejoy of Sebec; Ephraim Packard of Blanchard and Joseph Chase of Sebec. In the first session of the Legislature of Maine which convened at Portland, May 31, 1820, the town of Bangor was classed with Orono and Sunkhase Plantation and their Representative was Jackson Davis. In 1836 Stephen P. Brown of Dover and Nathan Carpenter of Foxcroft were Representatives in the House of Representatives from Penobscot County. In speaking of the good roads movement in the Maine, the Jour- nal (Vol. i-p. 197) said: "Long before the close of the present century the work of man's art added to Maine's natural scenery, will undoubtedly have made this the most beautiful and picturesque State on the American 224 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY continent. The historian of the future will record the fact that the primal reason for this was the agitation for " good roads" in Maine, which really began within the last decade and which is so pro- nounced in this year of grace I913. This will be regarded as an epoch, the beginning of a new era in road improvement and the preservation of shade trees along the broad highways of the Pine Tree State." The preservation of shade trees along Maine's highways is not specifically provided for in the good roads law as perhaps it ought to have been, but it is undoubtedly within the discretion of the State Highway Commissioner to make such rules relating to the subject which they may deem proper. Recently the Honorable Harold Al. Sewall of Bath presented to the Commission a Memorial, of which he was the author, signed by himself and a large number of leading and influential men and women of Maine, praying that they "give this whole subject careful and effective attention." It is one of the most able and eloquent public documents ever written upon any Maine subject and must inevitably produce good results. One of the most valuable Maine publications that the journal receives is the Bulletin of the Maine State Library which is issued quarterly at Augusta by Honorable Henry C. Prince, the able State Librarian who is assisted by such efficient co-workers as W. F. Livingston, Asst. Librarian; Jennie M. Cochrane, Cataloguer; Abbie R. Knowles, Reference Librarian; Ida M. Gartley, Stenog- rapher, and 0. 0. Stetson, Document Clerk. The July number of the Bulletin contains much of interest and importance, relative to Maine library subjects and historical items, among which is a letter from Hannibal Hamlin, to his brother Cyrus Hamlin dated March 8, 1839, and an exceedingly able and valuable article on the Collaboration of the Thompson Free Li- brary, by Miss _.M. E. Averill, Librarian. The Bar Harbor Times is a new Maine weekly newspaper that is bright and attractive, the first number appearing July II, I914. 226 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY Sayings of Subscribers Frank C. Merritt of Washington, D. C., Private Secretary to Honorable Frank E. Guernsey, Member of Congress from Maine, says: I 'The journal is one magazine which I read through. Most of the publications which come to my notice I simply glance over as that is about all I have time to do, but this one I read every word of and enjoy it very much." S. P. Crosby, Attorney at Law, St. Paul, Minn.: "I have very much enjoyed reading each number of your Jour- nal of Maine History, especially the July number containing San- gerville's Centennial. I have often thought that the man who left his native state and adopted an-other as 'his home (often some distance away) maybe move frequently recalls to mind the scenes and incidents of his native state than permanent residents do. Gilman's Corner, or South Sangerville, was the nearest point in Piscataquis county (for Dexter lawyers) to bring trial justice ac- tions 30 or 40 years ago, and as law student many a justice's writ have I made returnable before Ira F. Hayes, Trial justice. Squire Hayes tried the litigated cases in the old store building at the corner and I recall several cases, both civil and criminal, that were very numerous. I brought one action -on a promissory note of about $I5.00 and Brother W. E. Parsons defended, the identical gentlemen who delivered the able oration. I remember I offered the note in evi- dence and rested,-presuming that I had made out a prima facie case. But after the defendant's counsel said "we deny the signa- ture, and then followed more or less of an informal argument on both sides. Whether logical -or otherwise the justice became stag- gered and dumfounded and did not know for the time which way to turn. We both enjoyed ourselves and laughed heartily,-Brother Par- sons laughing the loudest. Later Justice Hayes announced his decision for the defendant and plaintiff appealed. After the appeal was lodged in the higher Court a compromise was effected,-the defendant paying sornething,-which ended the small case,-which was worth more in amusement than the amount involved. SAYINGS OF SUBSCRIBERS 227 Freeman D. Dearth, a promising lawyer and former Postmaster of Dexter, Maine: "I enjoy reading the journal with a great deal of satisfaction and especially the Sangerville Centennial edition." Honorable Stanley Plummer, Dexter, Maine, formerly Member of the Maine Senate and House of Representatives: "I read the journal with much pleasure and interest and regard it as a very valuable publication. S. F. Atwood, a well known business man of Foxcroft, Maine: "I was especially interested in your account of General Boyd, one time owner of the each half of the town of Kilmarnock, now Med- ford, and of the town of Orneville. A long story might be told of the 30 or 40 years of expense and litigation in settling land titles resulting from the original grant to General Boyd." Edward K. Gould, attorney at Law, Rockland, Maine, and Past President of the Maine S A. R.: "I value the Journal very much and think you are doing a great work in the historical line in undertaking and carrying forward its publication." Dr. Philip H. Vaughn, Mgr., of Vaughn's Hospital, Yarmouth, Me.: "I am greatly pleased with Sprague's journal of Maine History. It is a most valuable and interesting publication and should be patronized by all who take an interest in the State of Maine and ,especially -of its early history." M. A. Johnson, a leading and well known Attorney of Rockland, Maine: "I have read your journal with great interest and take great pleasure in renewing my subscription. You are to be congratulated on your historical efforts. Your magazine is -a gem now and in the future will occupy a suitable and prominent place in the archives of the State. 228 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY Honorable Samuel N. Campbell of Cherryfield, Maine, formerly Member of the Maine Legislature and Executive Council: "I have enjoyed your magazine very much and trust you will have abundant encouragement to continue its publication." Honorable Wainwright Cushing, a prominent business man of Foxcroft, Maine and Manu facturer of Cushing's Perfection Dyes, and formerly Member of the Executive Council of Maine: "I read each number of Sprague's journal of Maine History carefully and with great interest and then send them to some absent friend. The July number went to H. W. Macomber, Esq. of Caroll, Iowa, who was a native of Milo, Maine. Mr. T. H. Smith, Chicago, Ill: two copies of the journal "I have been favored this month with ,of Maine History. The regular number which had lots in it of interest to me and now the Sangerville number. When I saw the last I thought 'what about Sangerville interests me?' But when I came to read it I found lots to interest me and to make me feel that it would be a good thing if all those grand old Maine towns could be written up in that way, for I found I 'had quite a number of names to draw to. Stanley Plummer, whom I knew in Maine and later used to meet when he was circulating out this way. Whiting S. Clark with whom I was intimate in Bangor, and whom I met on the train coming this way back from Des Moines, Iowa, when 'he had decided to locate there and was going back after his family. Colonel Charles A. Clark whom I did not know then but did at Webster City, Iowa, and later at Cedar Rapids when he was high on the legal staff of the C. & N. W. Railway. If I cipher it out right W. 0. Ayer who had the paper -on Captain A. F. Wade, is the Rev. W. 0. Ayer, son of W. 0. Ayer, a merchant in Bangor and if so a school mate in the High school at Bangor. The name of Wm. Lowney of Sebec who I take to have been Squire Lowney of Sebec and the grandfather of Walter M. Lowney of Boston of Lowney's Chocolates, and a good many more names familiar to me. In a recent number I saw a reference to my old friend David D. Stewart of St. Albans by which I judge he is still hale and hearty. SAYINGS OF SUBSCRIBERS 229 When he learned in 1872 that I was going on a western trip he said when in Minneapolis I must see his brother there who was known then locally as 'Elder Stewart.' He gave the Library to St. Albans and you may know more of him than I do. He had a large amount of real estate then and would not part with any of it. When anyone wnted to buy any ,of it he would make an excuse for not selling that he could not get his wife to sign the deed. As he never married You will appre- ciate the fun of it. But this is rambling. I started out to voice my appreciation of the journal and the pleasure I take in seeing the names of old acquaintances. In 1861 and 1862 I was a student of Foxcroft Academy and remember a good many of the then residents there. Keep up the good work." Mr. Archie Lee Talbot of Lewiston well known writer on Maine historical subjects : "You are writiing a valuable historical work, and I am glad to know that it is appreciated. Knowing your ability and taste for his- torical research I expected a good Magazine and I have not been disappointed." Mr. E. A. Cummings of Bangor, Maine, says: "Am very much interested in your historical work." I shall know but one country. The ends I aim at shall be my country's, my God's, and Truth's. I was born an American; I live an American; I shall die an American. DANIEL WEBSTER. Bishop Warburton is reported to have said that high birth was a thing which lie never knew any one disparage except those who had it not, and he never knew any one make a boast of it who had anything else to be proud of. Annotation on Bacon's Essay. 230 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY Waldoboro, the 32nd town to be incorporated in Maine, was founded in I739 by Samuel Waldo, for whom the place was named. It was settled in I748 by German emigrants brought there by Gen. Waldo, and German names, still linger there now. These were of the Lutheran sect., but they were gradually absorbed by the Puritan churches and to-day their descendants are without a Lutheran church in that whole region. They did not therefore introduce a diverse element in religion, and their descendants have become thoroughly assimilated with the native population. Waldoboro was incorporated as -a town June 29, 1773. Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest -not what a day may bring forth.-Old Testament. Proverbs xxvii. I. No man can tell what the future may bring forth, and small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises. DEMOSTHENES. Ad Leptinem. 162. New Mount Kineo House and Annex In the Centre of the Great Wilderness on a Peninsula Under the Shadow of Mount Kineo On the east side of the most beautiful lake in New, England, forty miles long and twenty miles wide, dotted with islands, and with hundreds of smaller lakes and streams in easy proximity, in the midst of some of the grandest scenery in America, is the NEW MOUNT KINEO HOUSE and ANNEX recently remodeled and with many improvements added; making it second to none for comfort, convenience and recreation. It is a P lace in the Maine woods and in the heart of the great game region. This region leads all others for trout and salmon, Spring and Summer fishing. The NEW MOUNT KINEO HOUSE opens June 27, remaining open to September 28th. New Annex opens May 16, closes Sept. 28 WRITE FOR ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET, containing NH description of its attractions for health and pleasure during the Summer Ricker Hotel Company, Kineo, Maine, (c) 1998 Courtesy of the Androscoggin Historical Society ************************************************* * * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * * The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.