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THE MAINE BOOK
Gc 974.1 D92m 1149723
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01083 6630
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Reproduced by courtesy of William King Richardson, Boston, Mass. WILLIAM KING FIRST GOVERNOR OF MAINE From the original painting by Gilbert Stuart
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014
https://archive.org/details/mainebook00dunn 0
THE MAINE BOOK
By HENRY E. DUNNACK Librarian of Maine State Library
Augusta, Maine 1920
Copyright, 1920, by HENRY E. DUNNACK
Tyson #2.00
1149723
DEDICATED TO ADELLA SMITH DUNNACK
To twine her memory with something that may live I write it here, and consecrate this page To all her love has given or could give.
1
PREFACE
The geography and history of Maine are distinctive. The location and topography of Maine give her a place of great advantage. Her history, dating back to the early part of the seventeenth century, is full of stirring romance, matchless heroism and marvelous achievements.
Histories of the state have been written by Williamson, Sullivan, Sewall, Abbott, Burrage, Holmes and Hatch. Others have written of her great events and great men. School histories have been written by Varney, Stetson and MacDonald. Distinguished scholars like Baxter have selected and published the documentary history of the state. The State Library has 250 town histories. On account of the policy of the state in giving financial aid, every year sees one or more town histories added to the list. The newspapers of the state have always given space to historical matter and their files are an invaluable source of facts.
Sprague's Journal of Maine History, published and edited by Hon. J. Francis Sprague of Dover, is of great value on account of its special articles.
In 1907 the state appointed Dr. Henry S. Burrage State Historian. He has more than justified the wisdom of his office by giving to the state his "Maine at Valley Forge," "Beginnings of Colonial Maine," "Maine at Louisburg," "Maine in the Northeastern Boundary Controversy." These books are everywhere accepted as authority on the subjects treated. They are written with accuracy, a fine sense of proportion and high literary merit.
In preparing this book as a part of the centennial program of Maine the object has been to furnish the busy man and those who do not have original sources at hand, a reference book to important historical and industrial matter.
This book is in no sense a history of Maine, nor is it intended to be substituted for any period of Maine history. The author's purpose is to answer the questions that continually come to the State Library from every town in Maine and from every state in the country. Thousands of these questions are received every year from teachers, public officials, business, professional and college men. High School students, boys and girls of the grades are every year asking for information not easily acces- sible in the usual history or text book.
The subjects have been selected with these questions in mind. The
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PREFACE
treatment on account of the number of subjects is necessarily brief and limited for the most part to a statement of facts rather than an interpre- tation of the facts.
There is included in this study the history of each state department connected with the industrial and social life of the state, also an outline of what the state government is doing for the improvement of the state.
It is time the people of Maine should know and appreciate the work of the state. They should realize that the state is more than a political unit, that in fact it is a great business organization devoted to developing her natural resources, building up her industries and promoting the moral, educational and social welfare of all the people.
A partial bibliography has been added so that the student may know where to find more detailed information on any subject presented. These books may be found in the State Library and may be borrowed by any person in the state. A card addressed State Library, Augusta, Maine, will bring you the book you need.
So many persons have assisted in gathering the information and granting permission to use materials, that it is impossible to list them all and to express the author's appreciation for their generous help. The library staff have co-operated in every way to make the book accurate and worth while to those interested in the State of Maine, in fact without their assistance it would have been impossible to prepare the book.
H. E. D.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I HISTORICAL AND LITERARY INFORMATION
Chapter
Page
I. Maine and the Nation's Wars 3
II. The World War. 9
III. Maine Enters the War. 14
IV. Chronology of the World War. 21
V. History of 103d Maine Infantry . 27
VI. Our War Governors.
28
VII. Geography
37
VIII. Colonial Maine
42
IX. Indian Forts
46
X. First Naval Battle of the Revolution.
47
XI. Arnold's Expedition to Quebec. 52
XII. Separation from Massachusetts
58 62
XIV. Colonial Government
64
XV. State Government in Outline
68 70
XVI. Local Government
XVII. Development of the Judiciary
XVIII. Chronological Record of Events.
XIX. State Flag
XX. Seal and Arms
XXI. Floral Emblem
XXII.
Returned Maine Battle Flags.
XXIII.
State House
XXIV.
Executive Mansion
101
XXV.
Governors of Maine
107
XXVI. Maine Indians
110
XXVII. Maine in Poetry
115
XXVIII.
The First Poet.
135
XXIX. The First Novelist.
140
XXX. Books, Newspapers, Printers, Editors. 147
XXXI. Maine's Contribution to Literature 157
PART II SOCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL HISTORY OF MAINE
XXXII. Governor and Council 178
XXXIII. Education 182
XXXIV. Libraries 190
XXXV. Religious Societies 194
IX
77 80 85 88 91 94 98
XIII. Ratification of the Federal Constitution.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter
Page
XXXVI. Agriculture
199
XXXVII. Cotton Industry
207
XXXVIII. Woolen Industry
210 214
XL. Canning Industry
217
XLI. Ice Business
XLII. Forests and Lumber.
XLIII. Leather and Shoe Industry.
218 220 225 227
XLIV. Mineral Resources
XLV. Shipbuilding
XLVI. Summer Homes
XLVII.
Highways
XLVIII.
Labor and Industry
251
L.
Animals, Fish and Birds
LI. State Printing
LII.
Banks
LIII. Social Service
LIV. State Hospitals
LV.
School for Feeble-minded.
283
LVII. State School for Girls.
LVIII. Bath Military and Naval Orphan Asylum.
LIX. Maine School for the Deaf.
LX.
Tuberculosis Sanatoriums
LXI.
State Reformatory for Men
LXII. State Reformatory for Women
LXIII. Maine State Prison
LXIV. Maine Institution for the Blind.
LXV.
Health
LXVI. Insurance
LXVII.
Workmen's Insurance
LXVIII.
The Work of the Secretary of State.
LXIX.
Valuation of Maine
303 305 308 310 313
LXX.
State Finances
LXXI.
The Military
315
LXXII. Department of the Attorney General.
320
LXXIII. Author Bibliography
322
LXXIV. Bibliography
324
Index.
233 240 245 248
XLIX.
Public Utilities
256 262 264 266 271 280
LVI. State School for Boys.
286 289 291 293 296
297 298 300 301
XXXIX. Fishing Industry
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Page Frontispiece
William King
Old Glory
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Dyce's Head
5
Road to France.
8
Colonel Hume Presenting Flags of 103 Inf. to Governor Milliken.
26
Maine War Governors 29,32
Winter Wood Scene
36
Pemaquid in 1607.
41
Fort Western, 1754
45
Benedict Arnold
51
The Flag facing 84
Seal and Arms
88
Pine Cone and Tassel.
90
Returned Maine Battle Flags.
93
Moses Owen
96
State House
97
Original State House
100
Executive Mansion
103
Red Paint Grave
111
Murmurous Pines
121
Katahdin
124
Popham Colony in 1607
132
Tomb of Governor Lincoln.
134
Madam Wood
139
Governor Enoch Lincoln.
156
Governor Carl E. Milliken.
177
Early Maine Churches
193, 197
A Potato Harvest.
200
Five-Year-Old Apple Tree.
206
A Morning Catch from Lake Winnecook, Unity, Maine
213
Maine Cornfield
217
Logging on the Kennebec.
219
Lumber Camp
223
Hauling Logs in the Maine Woods.
226 235
Moose
239
Dinner in the Open.
241
Lafayette National Park.
243
Section of State Museum.
257
Woodcock Group in State Museum.
259
State School for Boys. Administration Building
282
Scene at Fairfield Sanatorium. 292
Reformatory for Men
295
xi
The "Ranger"
"William P. Frye"
237
INTRODUCTION
This publication is a statement of leading facts in the development of our great state. They are collected with care and well authenticated. Henry E. Dunnack, State Librarian, is well fitted for the task, and has made herein a worthy contribution to the historic archives of the state. In the collection, selection and arrangement of materials he has at his command the books and records of a well filled library which coupled with his grasp of the relative importance of historic facts assures the value of the work.
Part I deals with the historical and literary incidents covering the wars in which Maine has engaged from the early troubles with the Indians to participation in the great war; a brief summary of geographical con- ditions, the separation from Massachusetts and formation of an inde- pendent state with a government of its own.
Part II covers the social and industrial development including. the organization, extension, development and services of the various state departments, executive and administrative.
It is fitting in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred twenty and in the one hundredth anniversary of our statehood that these facts should be collected and placed in form for the use not only of the general reader and student of history but for our schools also. The out- lines of state history contained herein will form the basis of intelligent research among the sources of history themselves. The students in our schools during the centennial year should seek in their own localities the early landmarks of history, old buildings, places where interesting and important events occurred, the families of first settlers, original docu- ments, records, etc. In such a project this publication will be of inestimable value.
The picturesqueness, the scenic grandeur of the State of Maine can- not be appreciated fully without a setting of human activity. Among these rivers, lakes, woodlands, hills, mountains and shores the drama of civilization has taken place, and this it is which lends charm to what nature has done. The achievements of men on the foundations of nature are the miracles of the ages. A stage may be set, its scenic beauty unri- valled, but the charm is in the living characters who play upon it and the human interest they portray.
Along our shores sailed the daring seamen seeking "new things"; up our rivers came the intrepid pioneers lured by attractive intervales which
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INTRODUCTION
lie along our rivers; into our boundless forests pushed the hardy and courageous woodsmen-all seeking to awaken the land of fertility and riches from its sleep of ages and rescue it from its "buried talent" pos- sessors until civilization gathered her forces together for the transforma- tion of the wilderness into the comfortable abode of prosperous generations.
The story of the centuries intervening between those who were first to behold our shores and those who now enjoy the comforts of industry accumulated through many generations is more thrilling than fable, more fascinating than fiction. The struggle to subdue the wild, to uproot the forest and plant the farm, to harness the rivers and make them giants of industry, the story of war and the courage displayed by the men of Maine and the women also from the skirmish with the Indian to participation in the world war should be known, understood and appreciated by every citizen.
AUGUSTUS O. THOMAS, State Superintendent of Schools.
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Howard Chandler Christy
By permission
And seeing you fly, and the boys marching by, There's a shout in the throat and a blur in the eye And an aching to live for you always-or die, If, dying, we still keep you waving on high.
Name of Old Glory, Riley.
PART I HISTORICAL AND LITERARY INFORMATION
CHAPTER I MAINE AND THE NATION'S WARS
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori
French and Indian Wars For almost a century the northern American colonies experienced all the horrors of savage warfare incident to the desperate struggle for supremacy between France and England. "The brunt fell upon Maine, the vast frontier and flying-buttress of New England,-her soil the battle ground and her sons the vanguard." Within her boundaries at the conclusion of King Philip's war were only five settlements and such was the drain upon her during the succeeding wars that there was not left at home one man to a family.
The fleet which took Port Royal was chiefly manned in Maine and commanded by her distinguished son, Sir William Phips. The famous siege of Louisburg was commanded by William Pepperell of Kittery, after- wards knighted for his success in this expedition, and at least a third of the entire besieging force was recruited from the Province of Maine. Many of the men who served at Louisburg served also in the armies that a few years later at Lake George drove the advancing French forces back to their strongholds on the St. Lawrence, to be finally overcome by Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham.
Maine gave to the struggle for independence six thousand
War of the Revolution men. And when it was over, one thousand of her sons had sacrificed their lives and the burden of debt that fell upon her was greater in proportion to her wealth and population than her share. in the cost of the Civil War.
The news of the battle of Lexington reached York on the evening of the same day. The next morning a company of sixty men, fully equipped with arms, ammunition and food, were marching to Boston. The first company was followed in a few days by men from the entire province, even as far east as Machias. Falmouth, now Portland, was bombarded and utterly destroyed by a British fleet, October 18, 1775, and the terri- tory from the Kennebec to the eastern boundary was frequently invaded and suffered numerous attacks at different points.
A Maine regiment was present at the battle of Bunker Hill. On June 12, 1775, the patriots of Machias fought "the Lexington of the seas," in which the Margaretta was captured and "the British flag was struck for
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THE MAINE BOOK
the first time on the ocean to Americans." Eleven hundred men from Maine were with Washington at Valley Forge, a tenth of the entire force. At the siege of Boston practically every able-bodied man in western Maine was present. An old letter in the Massachusetts archives states that during the siege, when an urgent call was made for additional volunteers, they got the reply from Falmouth, "Every man who can leave home is gone or going to Cambridge. They must draw upon this part of the province for women instead of men, and for knives and forks instead of arms." Maine men were at Quebec with Arnold, also at Ticonderoga, Long Island, Stillwater, Saratoga, the surrender of Burgoyne, at Mon- mouth and at Yorktown. The daring fishermen of our coast served in the Continental Navy and were with John Paul Jones. It is pleasant to remember that when Washington rode down the lines one day to thank the troops whose valor had turned the tide of a desperate battle, and exclaimed with uncovered head "God bless the Massachusetts line !" he spoke to the Third Division-men from the counties of York and Cum- berland.
War of 1812 In the war of 1812, although it was unpopular with her
people, Maine shirked no responsibility. It is said that more soldiers were enlisted in the District of Maine, in proportion to its population, than in any of the states. The whole number of militia, ever ready to march, amounted to twenty-one thousand one hundred and twenty- one men.
During the first two years of the war Maine was not actually invaded by the enemy, though often menaced. During the summer of 1814, how- ever, the towns of Eastport, Castine, Belfast, Bangor and Hampden were captured and plundered by a strong British force. The region between Passamaquoddy Bay and the Penobscot River passed under the control of the British. Castine was made the port of entry and a custom-house was opened at Hampden.
A naval engagement off the coast near Portland on September 5, 1814, in which the American brig "The Enterprise" captured the British. brig "The Boxer" is probably the most noteworthy battle in which Maine men participated.
"Aroostook A serious disagreement existed between the United States War" and Great Britain from the treaty of peace (1783) to the Webster-Ashburton treaty (1842) respecting the boundary line known in history as the "Northeast Frontier." The disputed terri- tory became the scene of various encounters between the officials of New Brunswick and the settlers, who believed they were citizens of Maine. By order of the Governor of Maine, the militia was called upon to hold itself in readiness for active service. Two expeditions were made to the Aroostook and Madawaska country. The first was by the Maine Land
DYCE'S HEAD Have occurred one of the most dering assaults of the Revolutionary War July 28, 1779
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THE MAINE BOOK
Agent, accompanied by the sheriff of Penobscot County and a posse of men, for the purpose of driving off trespassers upon Maine soil. The second expedition was a military one to repel an invasion of the state, which the Lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick had threatened to make. Through the mediation of General Scott of the United States Army, terms of settlement were agreed upon and the troops were recalled from the Aroostook. The "war" was a bloodless one.
Civil War The record won by Maine troops in defense of the Union has become the glory of the state. No town was so ob- scure, no community so destitute, that it could not contribute its share of men and money. In many towns, in less than twenty- four hours after tidings of the firing upon Fort Sumter were received, full companies of volunteers were formed, ready to march. The first com- pany which filled its ranks, and was accepted by the governor, was the Lewiston Light Infantry. During the four years Maine sent seventy-two thousand nine hundred and forty-five men to the battlefield and over nine thousand never returned. She furnished thirty-two infantry regi- ments, three regiments of cavalry, one regiment of heavy artillery, seven batteries of mounted artillery, seven companies of sharpshooters, thirty companies of unassigned infantry, seven companies of coast-guards, and six companies for coast fortifications; six thousand seven hundred and fifty men were also contributed to the navy and marine corps.
It was a Maine regiment that returned with the largest number of battles recorded on its flag of any regiment in the service, and another of its regiments sustained the greatest loss of any regimental organiza- tion in any arm of the service.
Exclusive of soldiers, seamen and marines who enlisted
Spanish- American War in the regular army and navy, Maine furnished for the war with Spain one volunteer regiment of infantry, four batteries of heavy artillery, and a signal corps, a total of 1,717 officers and men. This was more than her full quota.
Neither the artillery nor the infantry saw active service, but over fifty men died from fever contracted in the southern camps, and many more were permanently invalided.
The Signal Corps was ordered to the front and did excellent service in the several battles on the island of Cuba near Santiago, which led to the surrender of that city and the Spanish forces occupying it. General Greeley. chief signal officer of the United States Army, at the close of the war addressed the Maine Signal Corps in these words, "You of the volunteers that came into the field from your shops and desks, cannot be expected to stand the hardships of this campaign like the regulars who are trained soldiers, neither are you expected to perform the many duties
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MAINE AND THE NATIONS' WARS
which devolve upon you with the same intelligence as the regulars who have had years of constant practice and study, but the comparison is very flattering to you. You were the first to report for duty in Washington, you were the best equipped of any detachment that has reported here during the war. The State of Maine ought to be proud of you and should be proud of the manner in which she prepared you for the field."
USHAR
THE ROAD TO FRANCE (Our swords have not grown rusty)
CHAPTER II
THE WORLD WAR
HOW THE WAR CAME TO EUROPE
The Opportunity .- In 1914 the German army was at the pink of perfection. It could hardly be increased or improved. The Russian army was disorganized after the Japanese war and many strategic railroads were still unbuilt. The French army sadly lacked heavy artillery and other equipment; besides France seemed rent by great political scandals. Great Britain appeared to be controlled by pacifist ministers and was threatened by civil war in Ireland. Now or never was the German chance for a great increase of power. The precepts of Frederick the Great and of Bismarck forbade that such an opportunity should be let slip.
The Plot .- Serbia was a weak country with a standing quarrel (over Bosnia) with Austria, Germany's supply ally. Russia was the protector of Serbia, but if an attack were made on Serbia either (1) Russia would desert Serbia and let the Teutons make a great increase of power in the Balkans at little risk or cost, or (2) Russia would help Serbia with arms, which would bring on the great war that the Teutons were sure they could win. Either outcome seemed desirable.
The Pretext .- On June 28, 1914, the Archduke of Austria, heir to the throne, Franz Joseph, was murdered at Sarajevo, Bosnia, by assassins who seemed to have been instigated from Serbia. There was no proof of official sanction by Serbia for the deed, but there was an excellent pretext for an ultimatum.
The Austrian Ultimatum .- On July 23, 1914, at a time when Europe seemed remarkably quiet and when many diplomats were on vacation, Austria sent Serbia a "note demanding," not merely the complete punish- ment of all her anti-Austrian agitators, but the allowing of Austrian offi- cials to enter Serbia to take charge of the prosecution. No independent government could have admitted such a sweeping claim. The Austrians must have imagined the Serbians to be rabbits instead of men to have proposed this and expected peace to continue. Serbia was given forty-eight hours wherein to decide between signing away her national independence and war.
Russia Becomes Involved .- Russia as Serbia's "great brother" begged the Vienna government at least to extend the time limit to their demands.
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This was brusquely refused. Serbia, however, consented to nearly all the Austrian demands, and offered to submit the remainder to the Hague. Not the least attention was paid to the suggestion. Less than one hour after the Serbian reply was presented, the Austrian minister quit Belgrade. On July 28th, 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia, although practically all her demands had been conceded.
The Kaiser Intrudes .- Russia now appealed to Germany to mediate between herself and Austria, making it plain she could not, in self-respect, allow Serbia to be overwhelmed without aid. Kaiser Wilhelm affected to "mediate," but warned the Czar this was an affair between Austria and Serbia, and if Russia did not abandon Serbia a great war would follow. When the Czar began to mobilize (following mobilization already begun by Austria) the Kaiser took the attitude that Russia was really threaten- ing Germany, not Austria, and began counter preparations.
The Kaiser Forces War .- England and France (friendly to Russia but anxious for peace) frantically offered moderating counsels. At Vienna the dangers of the situation at length dawned, and friendly discussions with Russia, for a compromise, seemed about to recommence. Then as if panic-stricken lest their plot be spoiled the war-lords in Berlin caused an ultimatum to be sent to the Czar giving him twelve hours to demobilize or Germany would strike. A similar demand was sent to France (Russia's ally). The tones of these mandates were utterly insulting. No great nation could have cringed to them. August 1st, 1914, Germany declared war on Russia, although the latter was still at peace with Austria, in whose behalf the Kaiser claimed to be acting.
The Road to Paris .- Prussian military plans required the first attack should be on innocent France, whose only crime was that she would not betray her Russian ally. The best road to Paris lay across Belgium, and whether Germany would forego martial advantage out of respect for the neutral rights of a small neighboring state and for her plighted honor had long been a mooted question in European military circles. The Ger- man choice between advantage and honesty was soon manifest. On August 4, 1914, the Germans entered Belgium, an unoffending, happy country, whose 7,000,000 peaceful people had not one iota of interest in the miser- able Balkan quarrel, nor in the affairs of Austria, Germany, Russia or France.
The Scrap of Paper .- England had been very friendly to France and Russia, but there was no formal alliance. A strong peace party existed, and England might well have kept out of the war-at least for the first few months when (as events turned out) Germany, without English inter- vention, might have won a complete victory. But England's honor was deeply concerned in defending her treaty, which guaranteed Belgium.
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