Jackman and the Moose River Region (Somerset County, Maine) Sprague's Journal of Maine History Vol. III JULY, 1915 No. 2 pages 55-72 By THE EDITOR. On the northwesterly side of the State of Maine, in a northeasterly direction from the Rangeley Lakes, up in a vast wilderness among the mountains of Canada and back of the boundary range of mountains, (1) may be found the sources of Moose River which flows in an easterly direction and empties into Moosehead Lake. Near its mouth at this lake is the pretty village of Rockwood, at the terminus of the Maine Central Railroad. The valley up and down this river, its streams, ponds, lakes, hills, meadows, sporting camps, farms and villages, with the mountainous grandeur in the distance, altogether constitute one of the real beauty spots in the wilderness country of Maine. It possesses a charm peculiar to itself, incomparable with any other; a uniqueness that is pronounced and instantly impresses the stranger who visits that region. He knows it, feels it, and at once becomes a part of it, and is obsessed with a spirit of its varied beauty. Its nearness to forests and wild life, its culture, its churches, its schools and its industrial activities so strongly blended with and unseparated from the primeval, enraptures him. The river is about 60 miles long and is notable for one rather curious feature, which is, that it is a continuation of ponds and lakes but Which are really only enlargements of the one river. The early settlers, the explorers, the lumbermen, guides, hunters and map makers, have all given these enlargements of Moose River district names and seemed to treat them as separate sheets of water. You have Attean Pond (2) and the Wood ponds, Long Pond and Brassua Lake, but after all they are only enlarged parts of this unique river. When the first voyagers arrived on the coast of Maine in the early days of the seventeenth century, they explored routes for a highway from this coast to Quebec in Canada. For more than two centuries it was a dream of the Colonists of New England which was never realized until the present road from the Kennebec: to Quebec was opened to the public. This road was first surveyed and laid out by virtue of a resolve passed by the Legislature of Massachusetts, June 12, 1817. The Legislature of Maine did not act upon this matter until the session of 1826 when it passed a resolve authorizing the Governor and Council to appoint an agent for "the purpose of opening or causing to be cleared and made -passable, the road called the Kennebec road, north of the million acre, (3) in the county of Somerset." The session of 1827 passed a "Resolve relative to the State Road north of the Bingham Purchase." This resolve authorized the Governor and Council to appoint one or more agents "to examine the road from the north line of the Bingham Purchase, in the county of Somerset to the line of this State." It also provided that these agents should cause to be made so much of said road, as passes over land belonging to this State, and one-half of so much of said road as passes over land belonging to this State and Massachusetts jointly, safe and convenient for travellers, with their horses, carts, sleighs and carriages. It also provided for the sale of a township six miles square of the state lands the proceeds of which should be used for this purpose. On January 25, 1827, George Evans' made a report to the Legislature relative to this road in which it is stated that the object to which the favorable attention of the Legislature is solicited, ha for a long period been regarded worthy of public patronage by the government of Massachusetts and this State. The following are excerpts from same: By virtue of a resolve passed by the Legislature of Massachusetts, in June, 1817, the commissioners, for the sale and settlement of the public lands, caused a road to be surveyed during the same year, from the north line of the Bingham Purchase, in the county of Somerset, to the boundary line between this state, and Canada, in a direction toward the city of Quebec. The sum of five thousand dollars appropriated by the same resolve, was soon after expended d r the direction of the commissioners in opening the road which had been thus surveyed. Little more, however, was accomplished at that time. than cutting down the trees and smaller growth and the erection of a substantial bridge at Moose River .........the road yet remaining unfinished and although it has been occasionally used by drovers, who have found a favorable market in the British Provinces for horses and cattle it is wholly impassable for carriages; and the benefits anticipated from its establishment, have been but in small degree realized. In 1828 a resolve was passed authorizing further exploration of unfinished parts of the road. In 1830 the Legislature passed the following: Resolved, That the sum of four thousand and one hundred dollars in addition to the unexpended balance of last year, be, and hereby is appropriated for the purpose of making and completing, in a manner, convenient for carriages to pass thereon, that part of the Canada road so called, which is now unfinished, the same being about nine miles on the route examined and reported by Messrs. Redington, Sewall and Smith, situated in this State between the Canada line and the north line of the Bingham Purchase. The same resolve also appointed Charles Miller, of Waldoborough, and John C. Glidden, of Freedom, agents to perform this work. February 25, 1831, Francis 0. J. Smith, (5) chairman of a special legislative committee to whom was referred the resolve in favor of Miller and Glidden made an exhaustive report reciting a history of the road of the alterations that had been made in it and of the relations and obligations of Massachusetts relative to it. In 1832 Jarius S. Keith, chairman of a special committee made a report to the Senate regarding matters in dispute about the road, a considerable portion of which was in reference to changing its course so that it would run west of Bald Mountain. In this report it was stated that Quebec had already become an important market for the sale of Maine cattle, horses and sheep that 1,394 beef cattle, 249 horses, 956 sheep, and 14 tons of fresh fish, passed over that road for the Quebec market, between the first day of January and the 31st day of December, 1831. This information was obtained from the Custom House officer stationed on this road. The following is one of the reports of the agents appointed to open this road made to the Governor and Council in 1830 and explains the situation at that time so clearly and concisely that we copy it in full: REPORT. To the Governor and Council of the State of Maine: The undersigned, Agents appointed on the first day of March, A. D. 1828, under the Resolve passed the 24th of January, of the same year, entitled, "Resolve relating to the State road north of the Bingham purchase;" otherwise called the Canada road, to make or cause to be made under their personal superintendence the road aforesaid, now submit their accounts for settlement, with the following report of their doings and the present situation of the road. Under the authority of the Resolve aforesaid, the Agents selected the Township No. I, 2d Range North of the Bingham purchase, containing 18,284 acres, and the same was sold on the day of July, 1828, by the Land Agent, on credit, at thirty cents, per acre, amounting to $5,485.20, of which sum $5,000 was appropriated by the Resolve, for making the road, together with $4,187.60, the proceeds of the sale of the township granted by Massachusetts, total amount of the appropriation $9,187.60 exclusive of interest, which has amounted to $291.11 on the sale of the land appropriated by Maine, and $318.65 on that granted by Massachusetts. The reasons which influenced the agents to advise to sell on credit were, that the land 'would probably bring a higher price, and the season was too far advanced to commence work that summer. The road through the north part of the Bingham purchase, about forty miles, was extremely bad, and supplies for the workmen could not be transported at that season without great expense. Moose river Bridge only, was repaired in the autumn of 1828, and the following winter was agreed upon for transporting tools and provisions on to the ground, to be -in readiness to commence work the last spring. The Agents decided in favor of making a good carriage road, and the Agent of the Bingham heirs pledged himself to us, that he would make the road over the Bingham land, as good as that made by the State, let us make it as well as we would. It is obviously for the interest of the State to make a good road over the public land, if by so doing a like good road for the additional distance of forty miles. can be obtained. During the two last years the Agent for the Bingham) heirs has done much to improve the road over their lands, and the undersigned have full confidence that he will redeem his pledge. Travellers report that the inhabitants on the Canada side of the line are anxious for the completion of the road, and that from sixty to seventy men were employed to make the same, in that Province the last summer. The tools, and part of the provisions necessary for the work were purchased; principally in Hallowell and Augusta early last winter; corn and grain was procured in Norridgewock; and the whole transported to the vicinity of the road by sleding last winter. The unusual deep snows increased the expense of transportation and rendered it extremely difficult to forward the articles to their place of destination. A few hands were employed in the month of May to build camps and make the necessary preparation, and from the beginning of June until the last of September the average number of men who laboured on the road was about sixty, with eight pairs of oxen. The Agents had to encounter many difficulties and suffer many inconveniences. The most part of the provisions and tools were transported over one hundred miles by land. Hay and provender from ten to one hundred miles. Iron and iron work for repairing tools and shoes for oxen was an expensive bill. Fifteen miles of the road is made of sufficient width for one carriage to pass another, and well turnpiked, except about half a mile, which was postponed on account of the rains; and the trees cut and cleared away so that the path may not be hereafter obstructed by windfalls. The ledges were removed or lowered 'by burning wood upon them instead of blasting with powder; in: places where the rocks could not be moved, they were burnt and levelled with sledges and then covered with earth. Nine miles remain to be opened, and when made, the whole distance of twenty-four miles from the north line of the Bingham purchase to the Canada line, will be more level than the present post road from Augusta to Bangor. Part of the land over which the road 'passes is suitable for cultivation, and part is very rocky and barren. The Agents are fully satisfied of the importance of the road to this State, by the number of travellers who pass through it, even before it is opened, and they have information in which full confidence may be placed, that numerous travellers from, the South in the summer season are desirous of passing through Maine, on their way to or from Quebec. When the work was suspended, the oxen purchased in the spring were sold, and notes for the same, payable to the Treasurer of the State with interest, are now in the hands of the agents.. The average expense to the State for the use of a pair of oxen nearly four months, has been about $20, and would have been less had not the price of stock been unusually low in autumn, compared with prices in spring, when the oxen were purchased. The provisions and tools remaining on hand are well secured for use next spring. An inventory thereof is herewith submitted. All hills are paid, and to effect this the Agents were obliged to hire money, while that appropriated to make the road was lying in the Treasury of the State. The whole amount expended on the road is $9,373.81 including interest on money borrowed of the Vassalborough Bank. There is nine miles of road to make, and there remains of the appropriation unexpended, including interest ....................................... $437 36 Articles sold belonging to the State ..................81 00 Proceeds of the sale of Oxen ..........................429 19 Supplies and tools. on hand ............................ 383 49 Total ................................................. ..........$1,331 04 The State of Maine is obliged by the terms of agreement with Massachusetts to complete the road by the first day of November next, or forfeit the amount of the sale of the land granted by that Commonwealth, and the undersigned are of opinion that a further appropriation of $4,500 will be necessary to meet the expense, and they are further of opinion, that the expense of making the road has been increased by the appointment of three agents instead of one. Which is respectfully submitted, JOEL WHITNEY, SAMUEL REDINGTON, Agents. JOSEPH JOHNSON, February 17, 1830. It is difficult to fix the precise date when the entire length of this road was opened or made passable to the public for the use of teams, carriages and vehicles of all kinds. It must have been somewhere from 1837 to 1840 From the time Massachusetts made the first beginning towards it (1817) as we have seen, it must 'have been about twenty years in developing into a passable and travelled road. It is not strange that the building of such a highway passing through fertile lands suitable for settlers even though it was situated far into the most northern portion of Maine, should attract the hardy pioneer and adventurer seeking a new region for home building.. In a-bout two years from the time when the Massachusetts Legislature passed the resolve above referred to the first settler made his appearance on the line of the Canada road, in what is now known as Moose River plantation and had become quite a substantial farmer some years before the road itself was a reality. This plantation is situated 76 miles north of Skowhegan and 15 miles south of the Canada line. The following relating to the early history of Moose River Plantation, which Plantation formerly embraced what is now Jackman and Dennystown plantations, was furnished the journal by Mrs. Grace N. Sterling: "The first settlers of Moose River, Maine, were Captain Samuel Holden and his wife, Jane Farnsworth Holden of Groton, Massachusetts. Captain Holden started from Anson, Maine, for Moose River, Maine, on March 4th, 1819 They made the journey f r o m the forks of the Kennebec River (now known as The Forks) to Moose River on snow shoes, as the snow deep in woods at this time of year. Captain Holden built a log cabin covered it with bark and here they made of the wilderness. There was not an inhabitant for miles and had it not been for the abundance of fish in the river and game in the surrounding forest, they could not have lived; but t h i s together with the small amounts received from travelers that w e r e passing back and forth from Canada, as shown by the account books of Mr. Holden, enabled them to, obtain a living the first, second and, third years.. After this time they, were enabled to raise small crops and before long (1822) the Captain had a plenty. Before his death there was quite a settlement formed around him. Captain Samuel Holden was the fourth child of Jahez and Rachel Farnsworth Holden of Groton, Massachusetts. Jahez Holden was born May 12th, 1735, and married Rachel Farnsworth who was born Jan. 29th, 1738. They were married on the I 1th day of June, when she was twenty- three years of age. To this union six children were born, and when the youngest, who were twins, were born Jahez Holden enlisted and fought in the Revolutionary War. The following story was told to the writer by Mr. Jonas Colby as he heard it from his grandfather: 'At the battle *of Bunker Hill, an entrenchment was dug breast 'high to protect them from the British. The British came in at the end and the Yankees ran because they were out of ammunition. Jahez Holden had his musket loaded with nine buck shots, he was looking at the British instead of his own men, he fired and this is what he said 'if powder and ball ever killed human beings it must have killed some there' Mr. Holden was wounded in the side, the ball grazed the skin, and he had his arm broken, but still carried the gun. This is the record found in Groton during the Revolution, 'Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution', Vol. 8, pp. 33-100: 'Jahez Holden, Groton, Captain 1st Company 6th Middlesex County Regiment of Massachusetts Militia, list of officers commissioned April 24, 1776, also Captain 6th Company. Return dated Groton, Dec. 5, 1776, made by Brigadier General Oliver Precot, of officers appointed to command men drafted from Middlesex County Militia into a regiment to be commanded by Colonel Samuel Thatcher and ordered to march to Fairfield, Connecticut, on or before Dec. 16, 1776. Company drafted from the 6th Middlesex County regiment and made up of men from Groton, Pepperell, Townsend and Ashley, Massachusetts.' Captain Jahez Holden died June 2nd, 1807 and his wife Rachel Holden moved to Moose River with her son, Captain Samuel Holden, where she died Jan. 26th, 1829, at the advanced age of 91 years. She is buried in the Holden cemetery at Moose River, Maine. Captain Samuel Holden's family consisted of eleven children all of these being born at Anson, Maine, with the exception of two daughters and one son who were born in Groton, Massachusetts." Mrs. Lucinda Holden Campbell of Jackman has in her possession the following letter: 'Moose River, Maine, June 5th, 1820. Dear Sister & Brother: I take this opportunity to write to you and to let you know of our health, which is very good at present, through Almighty good ness, and. while He is lifting up with one hand He is pulling down with the other. We moved to Moose River last March. Fiftythree miles from any inhabitant and lived very comfortably till the 1st day of May, when our house took fire and was consumed with all its contents and left us destitute of provisions or anything else. I lost all my bedding and am obliged to lie on the ground in a very poor camp. Now if you have any feeling of charity for 'a distressed sister I wish you to send me something, you and the rest of my aunts and cousins, if they feel sympathy. Please to send me some salt if nothing else, send it to John Eveleth of Augusta, and send me a letter directed to Moose River to be left at Anson P. 0. The fire 'burnt up ten acres of winter rye. Our loss is about $1000. I have worked out doors thirty-six days, not having anything to do*. This from your distressed sister and brother. Address on letter To Amos Otis, Barnstable JANE HOLDEN." Postage IS 1-2.' "This house which is referred to in this letter was built on the farm now owned by Richard Holden. The old cellar can yet be seen. After this was burned the second camp was built, where Willie Pierce lives today. After this camp had, served its purpose and Captain Samuel prospered 'he built a frame house which is still standing and is occupied by W. J. Murtha. After Captain Samuel Holden opened the way several other families moved in and settled around, one of them being Asa Churchill, who built a house on the farm now owned in Jackman village by A. Guay. Some parts of the old house still exist, in different places in town. The second house in Jackman plantation was built by Milintus Holden on what is now known as the Colby farm. "The town of Jackman derived its name from Jim Jackman of Solon, Maine, who cleared and settled on what is known as the 'Old Jackman Field' 10 miles south of Moose River bridge. The date is unknown. "Captain Samuel Holden was a very religious man,' as he was always ready to entertain any preacher that might come into the town, and early records show that different preachers of several different denominations came occasionally to hold services andfrom an early date a Sunday School was conducted in the homes and schoolhouse, dating back to 1847." "The Free Will Baptist Church was organized in 1875 in the Union Church at Moose River, fourteen members formed the organization. In 1855 Captain Holden in the abse nce of a minister officiated at the funerals. In 1890 the Free Will Baptist Church united with the Congregationalists and, the Moose River Congregational Church of Jackman was organized. In 1912 a very comfortable little parsonage was built. The present Pastor is the Rev. R. E. Jones." On Tuesday, May 24, 1892, this new and attractive church edifice (Congregational) was dedicated to the service of religious work in accordance with the ritual of that denomination. The invocation was by the Reverend Andrew L. Chase of Foxcroft, M a i n e, and Prayer by Reverend Salem D. Towne. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by the Reverend Charles Davison of Greenville. Then followed the dedication of the, House of Worship as above mentioned; the prayer of Dedication was by Reverend J. E. Adams D. D., and the benediction by Reverend Charles Davison. This church has ever since then been in a very prosperous condition and has done good work along the lines for which it was established. The Moose River Bridge NOTES FROM THE FIRST RECORD BOOK OF THE PLANTATION OF MOOSE RIVER. FROM 1852 TO 1859. TO CHRISTOPHER THOMPSON, ESQ. Pursuant to a written application signed by you and four other inhabitants of townships No. four Range one and No. four Range two and Sandy Bay Township (so called) north of the Bingham Kennebec purchase in the county of Somerset, Demonstrated Moose River Plantation. You are hereby required in the name of the State of Maine to notify and warn the Electors of the said Moose River plantation comprising the aforesaid Townships qualified according to the Constitution of this state or of the United States, to assemble at the dwelling house of Christopher Thomas in said, Plantation on, S aturday the sixteenth day of October inst. at one of Clock in the afternoon for the purpose of transacting the following business to wit: First to Choose a plantation Clerk and three assessors Given under my hand this first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two. SULLIVAN LOUTHROP One of the County Commissioners for Somerset County. Pursuant to the within warrant, I have notified the within named inhabitants to meete at the within place and time by post- ing up notices in two different places in said plantation as by Law required. CHRISTOPHER THOMPSON. Moose River, Oct. 16, 1852. Pursuant to the foregoing warrant the inhabitants assembled at the foregoing place and organized by Choosing Samuel Weymouth Moderator, Otis Holden Clerk and Otis Holden, Molentus Holden and Josiah F. Whitney assessors. Copy attest OTIS HOLDEN, Plantation Clerk. Art, first, those Samuel Weymouth Moderator. Art 2d, chose Otis Holden Clerk. Art. 3, chose Otis Holden, Malintus Holden, Josiah Whitney Assessors sd Plantation. 4th, voted to hold the next meeting at Christopher Thompson's. OTIS HOLDEN, Plantation Clerk. Personally appeared before me Samuel Weymouth and took the oath as moderator within and for the Plantation of Moose River this sixteenth day of October, 1852. CHRISTOPHER THOMPSON, Justice of the Peace. Personally appeared Otis Holden before me and took the oath as Clerk of the Moose River Plantation this sixteenth day of October, 1852. CHRISTOPHER THOMPSON, justice of the Peace. Personally appeared Otis Holden, Malintus Holden and Josiah F. Whitney and took the oath as assessors with and for the Plantation of Moose River this sixteenth day of October, 1852. CHRISTOPHER THOMPSON, justice of the Peace. Copy Attest OTIS HOLDEN, Plantation Clerk. The next planation meeting was held, April 2, 1853, when the same officers were again elected. It was voted "that Moose River plantation shall compose one school district" and Christopher Thompson was elected School Agent. No money was raised for any purpose. At the September election in 1852 the whole number of votes cast was twenty-two. The annual plantation meeting in 1854 was held at the dwelling house of Otis Holden on the thirteenth day of April. Otis Holden, Melintus Holden and Benjamin Holden were elected assessors at this meeting. In 1855 Otis Holden, Philander M. Colby and Melintus Holden were elected assessors, and Philander M. Colby was elected school agent. At the same meeting held on the twelfth day of March an agreement by certain of the inhabitants was entered into to erect a schoolhouse by subscription "to remain the property of such inhabitants as shall pay a part of the cost of said house if said house should be sold or disposed of for the purpose of building a bigger one or any other purpose the sum sold for to be invested in another schoolhouse or paid back to such persons as paid in a part for building said house." The subscribers were: Otis Holden ............. 25.00 P. M. Colby ............. 15.00 Z. Bumpus ................10.00 Samuel Holden, J ......15.00 Galon Newton ........... 25.00 Benjamin Holden .... ..12.00 M. Holden ........................... 20.00 Josiah F. Whitney .................. 15.00 F. G. Pressey ......................10.00 Patrick McKenna ................... 10.00 Richard Harris ..................... 5.50 In 1856 William H. Durgin was elected Clerk. The meeting was held that year at the "tavern House" of Otis Holden. The list of voters recorded in 1859 is follows: Austin Holden Philander M. Colby Zeppenian Bum-pus Robert J. Campbell Caleb Morton Peter Kinney Seth Moorelisha C. Moore Llewellyn Moore Ephraim Moore Galon Newton Horatio Newton Otis Newton John Keliher Elisha Hilton Jason Hilton Jonah Hilton Sherwin Hilton Jacob F. Newton H. H. Colby Alexander Sands Edward Sands Spencer Colby Franklin G. Pressey Otis Holden William Ray, Jr. Jonas Colby Melintus Holden, Jr. The building of the Canada road soon begun to attract the pioneer always in search of a new country to subdue and in a few years after Captain Holden bad, invaded this wilderness, others settled along the line of the -road, and about the year 1830, settlers were clearing lands and opening farms in that part of Moose River plantation that is now the thriving village of Jackman. Among these were Seth Moore, Patrick McKennay who emigrated from the north of Ireland when about 17 years of age, to the city of Quebec and in 1830 or 1831 settled here; Cyrus Whitney, Michiel Redmund, David Roache, and James Jackman for whom the settlement was named. Both Moose River and Jackman although each have more inhabitants than many Maine towns, are yet legally plantations, having since their first organization by the County Commissioners each been reorganized under the statutes of Maine relating to plantations "having not less than two hundred inhabitants." (6) In these plantations are villages originally located along the Canada road and so closely connected that a stranger does not perceive the line of division. The Canada road is now and probably always will remain the main street of these twin villages, although now one sees pretty little cross streets being laid out some fine dwellings being erected. Prior to the open in the railroad, which is a part of the main line running from Halifax to the Pacific coast, Jackman was an isolated place which in those days, until the opening of the railroad, seemed destined to remain so for a long period of time. And right here we quote an interesting letter recently received from Honorable Sylvester J. Walton an eminent Maine lawyer and public man of note having represented, Somerset County in both branches of the Legislature and the Executive Council of Maine. For a quarter of a century and more Mr. Walton has annually, and often semi-annually, visited this charming region while on fishing and hunting trips, for he is a true lover of the woods and woods and lake sports. "Skowhegan, Me., June 16, 1915. "Editor of Sprague's Journal of Maine History: "I understand you have in view the writing a short history of Jackman, Moose River and Dennystown The same will certainly be interesting, not only to the people who were buried in the vast wilderness in the western part of Somerset county until the advent of the Canadian Pacific Railway some twenty-five years ago. Before that time the nearest settlement of any size was at Bingham 'fifty miles away. No physicians nearer than 55 miles although often needed. No lawyers nearer than 55 miles, not needed, for the inhabitants for lack of attorneys and courts resorted to self defense, the first great law of nature. "I remember the first time I was at Jackman I attended the first morning of my arrival a wedding, a wedding supper and four fights and when I attempted to separate the combatants in the first fight, I was taken by the arm and led away with the admonition that I had better keep away and let them fight it out, for if I did not, I might get a knock out myself. There were no stores in those days nearer than Bingham, except one at Moose River and no mills except one saw mill. "For thirty years I have never failed to visit that remote settlement from my home in Skowhegan once or more each year, and I have never found a more kind, whole souled people than there. Times of course have changed now, with the lawyers, a dozen stores of all kinds and two or three physicians and a great influx of people from without, Jackman and Moose River have become hustling places, yet I doubt if the people live now nearer to nature than they did in the old days. "Truly yours, "S. J. WALTON." In 1910 the population of Jackman was 667 and Moose River 251. Each has increased since then and it is estimated that Jackman now has about 1,200 inhabitants. Dennystown is an adjoining plantation and Long Pond plantation is eight miles below, where is located the Kellogg Company, that employs about 75 men in its mills and 200 more abore in the woods. The Canadia Pacific Railway runs through Jackman where it maintains a depot, freight houses etc. Jackman must always be the trading and, business center of plantations and settlements contiguous to it and along the line the railroad and the Canada road as follows: Dennystown, long Pond, Somerset junction, Attean, Holeb, Franklin, Skinners Mill Lowelltown, Parlin Pond, where Henry McKenney has a commodious summer resort and near which is the magnificent summer home of Michiel Piel of New York; and on the Canada side are Marlow, St. Come and St. George in near proximity. The vast forestry of spruce and other valuable timber surrounding it makes it a lumber center of importance. Much of this lumber territory is not accessible to river driving without great expense, but the problem of getting it to market more profitably was solved by Mr. Abram Newton, through whose energetic efforts capitalists were induced to make large investments in these lands the result of which was the establishment of the Jackman Lumber Company, although its mills are situated on the Moose River side of the boundary line that divides it from - a T corporation was organized in March, 1914. Its president is Honorable George H. Prouty (7) of Newport, Vermont, who has been Governor of that State (1908-1910) and well known as a business man of ability throughout New England; its treasurer is F. L. Perry of Boston and a member of the Perry and Whitney Company (8) lumber concern, and Chester C. Whitney of Boston is its secretary and assistant treasurer, Abram Newton of Jackman, is the General Manager of its lumbering property and forestry interests. It has erected mills which have a capacity of sawing 125 thousand feet of long lumber per day, and from, 25 to 30 million feet of lumber annually, and will manufacture all kinds of wood and lumber products. It is estimated that this corporation owns 200 million feet of standing timber besides being a large purchaser of stumpage. A logging railroad has been built from the C. P. Railway station in Jackman to its mill two miles distant and has already been extended into the woods five miles beyond- and at the present time has a force of laborers extending it eight miles further and ultimately this lumber railroad will be not less than twenty miles in length. At the mills it has a large boarding 'house and cottages are being built for its laborers. It employs about 100 men in the manufacture of lumber and when in full swing will furnish employment to, from five to six hundred men in the woods. The New Castle Lumber Company is another Jackman lumber concern that begun operations in 1914. It saws seven million feet or more of long lumber annually and has a capacity for sawing thirty thousand feet per day and when in operation employs from 50 to 75 men in the mills. George D. Pastorius of New Castle, Maine, is its General Manager and Joseph E. Shaw is the superintendent. There is one Post Office at Moose River and two-in Jackman, one at the village and one at Jackman Station. Jackman has four general stores; two clothing stores; one furniture store and undertaker; one millinery establishment; one jeweler; two drug stores; one hardware store; one dealer in harnesses, etc.; two or three markets and the Dermystown Company have large grocery and provision stores, one in each village. There are also blacksmiths, barbers, photographers, a taxidermist, a plumber, a harness maker; restaurants; a cant dog manufacturer; two hay and grain dealers; garages; a sporting goods store; shoemakers, and several engaged in the lumbering business. It differs from the times that M r. Walton speaks of for it now supports three lawyers; two deputy sheriffs; two clergymen and two doctors. There are twelve registered guides and five or six sporting camps all well filled during the summer season and two hotels. Besides the church organizations it has among its fraternal orders the Foresters, the Macabees, the Modern Woodmen and Moose River Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The latter lodge was instituted June 9, 1915, by Harry Reid, G. M,; John E. Bunker, D. G. M.; Willis E. Parsons, G. W.; and Wm. W. Cutter, G. Sec. Among other members of the Grand Lodge who were present were Walter H. Blethen. and John F. Sprague of Dover and S. L. Berry of Waterville. On the evening of June 10, a large number of applicants were received into the new lodge, the ritualistic work having been most excellently performed by the members of New England Lodge of Greenville(9) This lodge started under the most favorable auspices having Mr. 0, S. Patterson, the Customs Officer at Jackman, for its first Noble Grand supported by an efficient board of officers. The Moose River Hotel at Jackman Station, Nelson W. Bartley, proprietor, is a commodious and attractive hostelry with all up-todate facilities for the entertainment of guests and is receiving a liberal patronage from the traveling public. These villages have electric light and water systems. Their public schools are excellent and efficient and they are also supporting a public library and Jackman has a good public hall. Another enterprise that will in the future prove to be of inestimable value to the Moose River region is the new State highway from Jackman to Rockwood and the Kineo Station on the Maine Central railroad on the westerly shore of Moose Head Lake a distance Of 30 miles, and now under construction by the State Highway Commission. By the united efforts of many of the citizens, these plantations, the M. C. railroad, the Ricker Hotel Company, Somerset County, and the State of Maine, this great work has been assured. At the last session of the Maine Legislature the state appropriate the sum of $22,500.00 and the other interests added to it $ 500 so that the road will probably be opened to the public within the next year. In addition to this the Hollingsworth and Whitney Company dedicated to the state three miles of good road that they had already constructed and which is made a part of this road, and the Great Northern Paper Company also dedicated two miles of road in equally as good condition. These corporations and all of the owners of lands over which it passes, donated to the state all of the land damages which they might have been legally entitled to. Along its line is much excellent land now only lying in waste and better adapted to farming than timber growing; and undoubtedly settlers will locate there in the near future. This is one of the most commendable things that the State of Maine has done during, the last half century, and we 'hope that it is but the beginning of a wiser and broader state policy; one that will continually aid in the development of Maine; utilize her many latent resources, and, do something towards inducing her young men and young women to remain at home. (1) The boundary range of mountains are about fifteen miles westerly from Jackman and Moose River plantations, and are a section of the boundary line between Maine and Canada, and divide the waters which on the westerly side flow into the St. Lawrence, from those on the easterly side which flow into the State of Maine. They are a part of the "highlands" mentioned in the Treaty of 1783 and this word highlands was. the storm center of the North Eastern Boundary Controversy between the English and American Governments for more than a half century and which was so serious at one time that a war between the two governments was barely averted. The Americans construed the word highlands as meaning any ridge of land that divided the waters whether actually high hills and mountains or otherwise. The English contention was that its-proper definition was a high and mountainous region like the "highlands" of Scotland. The dispute raged and was acute until it was finally settled by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty in 1842. (See Collections of the Piscataquis Historical Society, Vol. I, Pp. 210-441.5 (2) Also known as Lake Attean. (3) The Kennebec Bingham Purchase was. formerly known locally as the "Million Acres." (4) Honorable George Evans of Gardiner, Maine, afterwards, (1841-1847 US Senator from the State of Maine. (5) Honorable Francis, 0. J. Smith of Portland, Maine, a prominent public man of that time. He was a lawyer, politician and journalist and member of Congress three terms (1833-1839) (6) Revised Statutes of Maine 1903 Sec. 114, p. 89. Township 4, Range I was first incorporated as Jackmantown plantation, July 9th, 1859, and reorganized February 17, 1894, under the name of Jackman. It was the design of the writer to make record herein of the organization of Jackman similar to that which appears on these pages regarding Moose River plantation. Mr. Melvin, E. Holden, the clerk of the latter plantation is a careful custodian of the early records and is preserving them properly. The Jackman clerk however was unable to produce his records and they were presumably lost. (7) Prouty and Miller of Newport, Vermont, are expensive dealers in, and manufacturers, of lumber. (8) The Perry & Whitney Company of Boston ' are among the largest wholesale dealers in lumber in New England, and are extensive manufac- turers of long lumber, spruce dimensions, building frames, etc. (9) The ladies of Jackman and Moose River are entitled to great credit for the superb banquet provided by them on this occasion. ************************************************ Courtesy of David Colby Young PO Box 152 Danville, Maine 04223 and the Androscoggin Historical Society (c)1998 * * * * 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. 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