USA > Maine > A brief history of Maine > Part 23
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5. In 1869 Hon. Warren Johnson, then superin- tendent of schools, secured a law for the appoint-
.
-
316
HISTORY OF MAINE.
1831-78
ment of county supervisors, who also constituted a State Board of Education. Institutes were re-estab- lished, and again popular interest was awakened ; and schools improved until 1873, when the law establishing county supervisors was repealed. How- ever, there was a permanent gain at this time in the establishment at Castine of a second normal school. which was opened for pupils in 1873.
The institutes were continued by various means a few years longer, and were succeeded by State and county educational associations, and the State Ped- agogical Society. These unofficial organizations, formed by the more public-spirited of our educators, have done what they could, and have succeeded with the aid of the normal schools in keeping our public schools from retrogression.
6. In 1878 Gorham Academy, established in 1803. was changed to a normal school; and in the same year a training school for teachers was estab- lished in the Madawaska region at the northeast extremity of the State, for the benefit, chiefly, of our youth of French parentage in that region. Provision had also been made by the State for normal classes in the Maine Central Institute at Pittsfield, and at the Oak Grove Seminary at Vassalboro, the latter under the direction of the Society of Friends. Many, also, of our private schools of higher grade give special attention to pedagogical training.
To our collegiate institutions there have been added Westbrook Seminary, incorporated in 1831, -being the first school of this kind in New England under the patronage of the Universalists; the State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, at Orono. established in 1868; and Maine State Seminary at Lewiston, incorporated and endowed by the State in 1855, further endowed by its friends. and changed into "Bates College" in 1863; to which a Free Baptist Theological Seminary was added in 1870.
-
1784-1886
STATE DEVELOPMENT.
317
.
With these various means of improvement have come better city and town high schools, and incor- porated schools with normal classes; and among all these there has been a friendly rivalry, with reciprocal influences, tending to sustain public interest, and to develop individual and local methods. The most marked feature in education in the recent period is the increased attention given to physics and the in- dustrial arts. A further aid in the improvement of our rural schools has been found in the gradual sub- stitution of the town for the district system of man- agement, by which the length of the school terms is equalized and increased, and better qualified teachers are provided.
7. One of our most effective educational forces for youth as well as for mature persons, is the news- paper press, whose influence is direct and universal. On the 31st day of December, 1784, no newspaper had ever been issued in Maine: from the first day of 1785 we have never been without one. From the Falmouth Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, of Port- land, which had its birth on that date, have sprung others, and from its office have come several per- sons of eminence in this and other callings. The Portland Transcript, our first and still our chief lit- erary paper, was founded in 1837. The Christian Mirror and Zion's Advocate, our two leading relig- ious papers have both been published for more than half a century, while the Eastern Argus fol- lows close after them. The Kennebec Journal was first published in the autumn of 1823. and the Whig and Courier, of Bangor, was formed from papers etablished in 1833 and 1834 respectively. newspaper now for many years of large influence is the Lewiston Journal, founded in 1847. Our news- papers, since Maine became a State. have increased faster in proportion than the population, in circula- tion, if not in numbers. From inquiry made in
318
HISTORY OF MAINE.
1853
1880, it is learned that the number of weekly papers published in that year was one hundred and eight. with eleven dailies; and there were semi-monthlies, monthlies and quarterlies to the number of twenty- six.
8. It was, no doubt, the influence of the higher education, as well as of his noble war record. thai in 1866 induced the election of General Joshua L. Chamberlain as governor of the State; and both the schools and the military organizations received a beneficial impulse from his official action. He was succeeded in 1871 by Hon Sidney Perham, a worthy citizen of Oxford County, an earnest advocate of the temperance cause, and an active public man. His successor in 1874 was Hon. Nelson Dingley, jr., of Lewiston, a wise economist and an effective forwarder of the interests of Maine. The next chief magis- trate was General Selden Connor, a valiant soldier and courtly gentleman, who served the State from 1876 to 1879, when Dr. Alonzo Garcelon, of Lewis- ton, was chosen to succeed him. The latter had done the country valuable service during the war as Surgeon-General of the State, but he was unfortunate in being associated as chief magistrate with the most disgraceful political year that Maine has known ; and he served but a single term. His successor was Daniel F. Davis, of Corinth, a promising young lawyer, who had made a good record during the war without reaching a rank higher than corporal.
9. Colonel Harris M. Plaisted. another worthy soldier, succeeded Governor Davis in 1881. He was the first governor elected after the gubernatorial term had been made two years, and the only one of our governors who was a " greenbacker " in politics. His successor in 1883 was Colonel Frederick Robie, of Gorham, - worthy physician and farmer as well as soldier. Governor Robie was one of our most popular chief magistrates. He was re-elected in
319
1SS6-S
STATE DEVELOPMENT.
1885, and in 1887 gave way to Governor Bodwell. Mr. Bodwell began life as a farmer's boy, and became successively shoemaker, a driver of quarry teams, quarry owner and laborer, and finally one of the chief developers of the large granite interests of Maine. He died much lamented. before tire expira- tion of his first term, being the second of our gov ernors to die in office.
In the years following the war, when the at- tention of our people turned more entirely to industrial affairs. there sprang up a great interest in agricul- tural and manufacturing exhibits, and the State, county and town fairs increased in number and magnitude, much to the advantage of most of the interests represented Among those who contributed largely to the stock entries of the fairs was the family of which Edwin C. Burleigh, of Bangor. is a member. Mr. Burleigh served several years as land agent, and later, as State treasurer. - and has become well acquainted with the interests of the northern part of the State. In the present year he received the Republican nomination for governor, and on September 10th was elected by a handsome majority over all competitors.
10. Maine has now reached an age when many of her towns can celebrate their centennials ; and with the events of three generations of men. many of which are now perceived to have had a far-reaching influence, the rehearsal of their history possesses a growing interest. As one of our chief towns, Port- land has in its annals many incidents of importance to the State as a whole. In common with most of our larger villages, she has known large fires in both her earlier and later periods, but none in the State has ever reached the magnitude of the countlagration which swept through this city in 1866, starting on the 4th of July, from a carelessly thrown fire-cracher. After raging above fifteen hours, a change of wind
320
HISTORY OF MAINE.
1866-86
enabled the numerous firemen and engines of its own and other cities, to overcome the insatiate enemy. In those hours it had destroyed fifteen hun- dred buildings, laid in ashes fifty-eight streets and courts -- eight miles of closely-built thoroughfares- thrown ten thousand of its thirty thousand is hubi. tants, houseless and penniless, upon the charity of others, and destroyed, it is believed, upward of ten millions of dollars worth of property.
11. After this calamity there was much improve- ment . in the fire departments of most of the cities and larger villages in the State, and steam fire-engines began to take the places of those operated by hand, so that now the use of one of the latter is a rarity. The steam fire-engine being much more effective, and greater care being taken with respect to fires, no disaster of proportional magnitude from this cause again occurred in Maine for twenty years. Portland had been rebuilt with nobler edifices, better streets, and had "beauty for ashes," enlarged railroad accommodations, larger commerce and augmented wealth. In 1886 she celebrated her centennial as a town in a manner worthy of her history and her prosperity.
In the autumn of this very year the fire-demon again fell upon the State, and, first, the village of Farmington, early in October, suffered the destruc- tion of nearly one half of its principal business street. The ashes of Farmington were scarcely cold when the flames enwrapped the greater portion of the village of Eastport, consuming nearly all its numerous fish establishments, stores, and many dwellings. Generously aided, however, its hardy and enterprising citizens soon rebuilt their houses and regained their business, and traces of the great fire are being rapidly hidden away.
12. The last fifty years have been marked by social as well as industrial and commercial changes.
321
1 888
STATE DEVELOPMENT.
Formerly, no Maine community, as a whole, observed more than the two religious days, appointed for fast- ing and for thanksgiving, and the civic festival of Independence Day. With larger intelligence and better acquaintance of the religious sects with each other, there has come a larger tolerance of dif- fering forms of belief and worship, a dismissal of prejudices, and an observance by the Protestant sects generally, of Christmas, while many congregations beside those of the Episcopalians, observe Easter Sunday, and do not wholly disregard Good Friday and Ascension Day. Of secular holidays we have gained Washington's Birthday ; the civil war gave us Memorial Day: the village improvement societies, perhaps, as much as any influence. have given us Arbor Day; while the physical toilers, claiming a date for themselves, have given us Labor Day.
13. Camp-meetings have become a uniform feature of our summer life. and camp-grounds have been established at many points in the State. Livermore. Fryeburg. Northport. Old Orchard Beach. and Maranocook have come to be familiar names to the ears of many people beyond the limits of the State. The last two places have a wider use than that of religious meetings only. While the Old Orchard grounds are opened for temperance associa- tions, Maranocook. on the shores of a lovely lake, is annually the scene also of musical festivals and aquatic sports.
All these things are indicative of more courteous relations and of general economic ease. An observer among the people would find that the wage-workers . dwell in better houses, and have more of the com- forts, and even of the luxuries of life, than did many of the princes of Europe when this country was first discovered by their rude mariners. The increase of individual wealth is not without its benefits to others than its possessors. A wealthy
1887
322
HISTORY OF MAINE.
class creates a demand for articles of personal ap- parel, furniture, and ornament of more elaborate workmanship than would exist without them, and which require large numbers of extra workmen. Thus the money of the rich flows out to the skilful artisan and needlewoman, providing multitudes with an abundant support, who, without this employment, would of necessity overcrowd the ranks in less skil- ful occupations.
That those whose hands must earn their daily bread are sharing the general prosperity of the period is shown by the large deposits in our savings banks, made chiefly by farmers and the industrious and prudent wage-workers. The official report for 1887 showed there were then fifty-six of these insti- tions in Maine, with 119,229 depositors, which during the year had increased by 4,538. The deposits at the close of year were 838,819,643; having increased during the year to the extent of $1,604,571.
14. In the period since the civil war Maine has been discovered anew. People of wealth, who could spend at least a large portion of each year in any part of the world which might prove most pleas- ant to them, have found in our good State a summer climate tempered to their liking. The purity of its air, the degree and uniformity of its temperature, and the mildness of its breezes, whether coming from the mountains or the ocean, impregnated with salty vapors, or bearing the balsam of piny forests, -- form a combination uncommonly fitted to personal comfort, and the restoration of diminished energies.
The scenery is not less satisfactory. The sea-line of the State is about two hundred miles direct; but following the sinuosities of the shore it is nearly twenty-five hundred. All this space is interspersed with beaches of pebbles or sand, frequently firm enough for carriages. Between these project pictur- esque ledges, often precipitous, sometimes rising in-
1888
STATE DEVELOPMENT.
323
land to mountains. Around them are woods, often of the unstunted growth of the interior uplands.
15. The extreme length of Maine, from northeast to southwest, is three hundred and three miles, and the greatest breadth is two hundred and eighty-eight miles. The settlements extend on an average only about eighty miles inland. North of this limit, rarely broken by a clearing, except on the east, is a vast forest, extending beyond the Canada line. This extensive tract affords a noble hunting ground, stocked with deer, caribou, moose, and bear.
A ride after horses through the older parts of Maine brings before the eyes of the traveler wider vistas and more charming views than are afforded by the railroads, for he descends lower into the valleys and rises higher upon the hills. The roads are uni- formly good, without interruption by turnpike gate, or toll, even at the longest and finest bridges. The houses are generally neat and commodious, and the people orderly and courteous.
16. These features in our State are not to be despised, even by the most sordid ; for owing to their attraction, millions of dollars are annually expended within our borders by tourists and summer residents. It thus becomes a matter of pecuniary interest, as well as of local and State pride, that we continue to improve all those features that make Maine desirable. As our State becomes known to the wealthy and enterprising, their capital will be increasingly in- vested here, to develop her abundant resources, and thus further enhance her prosperity.
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SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES.
ACTING GOVERNORS .- In order not to interrupt the movement of the narrative, and the connection of events in the body of this history, mention was omitted of two of our acting governors.
The gubernatorial office being vacated by the death of Governor Lincoln, in 1829, the President of the Senate. Nathan Cutler of Farmington, by provision of the Constitution for such an emergency, acted as governor during the remainder of the term.
In like manner, Edward Kavanagh, of Newcastle, took the seat of Governor Fairfield, when the latter was, in March, 1843, elected United States Senator.
CLIMATE .- In comparing Maine with the interior districts of the continent in substantially the same latitude, it appears that its summer temperature is lower by over twenty per cent of their temperature. reckoning from the freezing point of water. The mean winter temperature of the northern third of Maine is 14º.01; of the southern two-thirds. 229.90 : the mean for the whole State, 40º.88. The mean winter temperature of districts west of Maine in the same latitude of observation, at many points ranging from Burlington. Vt .. to Fort Ripley, Minn., is 18°.53. The winter in Maine, therefore, is not so severe as in the corresponding latitudes in the in- terior. [ Varney's Gazeteer of Maine.]
MOUNT DESERT ( page 27) .- There is a diversity of pronunciation of this name, some placing the accent on the last syllable, as though it were a French word. In the year 1604, the voyager Champ- lain named this island . Mons Deserts." Some Eng- lish narratives of voyages in years following, speak of the island as Mount Desert, though others called
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820-OK
HISTORY OF MAINE.
it Mount Mansel. Whichever language has the priority of the application, it is only those who use the English pronunciation of the name as now spelled who are consistent philologists; for those who affect the French speak half the name in English. It is not the last, but both words, which constitute the name of the island in either language.
RAILROADS (pages 257, 308) .--- In the statement that our "first railroad charter " was granted in 1836, steam railroad was meant, -- that being the new power for locomotion. Our first rail road charters, however, were granted in 1832, -- both being for horse-railroads for the conveyance of freight. These were only tramways, a sort of modification of the ancient turnpike, of which the plank road was another form.
The first railroad in America was built in Quincy, Mass., in 1825-26, to connect the noted granite quar- ries in that town with tide-water, which was found on the Neponset River. Its main line was about three miles in length, and it was operated only by horse- power. Its first use was to convey the stone for Bunker Hill monument.
One of the roads chartered in Maine in 1832 con- nected Calais and Milltown, and was two miles long ; the other road was to connect Bangor and Oldtown, but was not built the whole distance for several years. In the meantime it passed to another owner- ship, with a later charter. When completed in 1836, as has been stated, it was operated by steam power.
PIGWACKET .- In the early accounts of the Indian wars, this was the name applied to the chief village or group of villages of Indians on the head-waters of the Saco River, while the aborigines themselves were called Pigwackets. Later, the name came to be spelled Pegarket, which is more euphonious, if not more correct. The general name for the Indians who inhabited the region about this river is Sokokis.
327
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES.
and from this term, it is believed, the designation of the river Saco, has come.
RALLE (page 262) .- The proper orthography of the name of the noted priest of the Norridgewocks. is, no doubt, Rasle. The spelling " Ralle " is found in some of the earlier accounts of him, and is used in this book because it gives to English readers the true pronunciation of his name.
ROYAL "R" (page 146) .- This is the term used by Williamson (in his annals of the period between the close of the Indian wars and the opening of the Revolution) in describing the mark placed upon the choice pine-trees in the accessible forests of Maine, by the King's surveyor. The token long in use by the British admiralty is in the form of an arrow (the " broad arrow" is the usual term ), and it seems that should have been the mark cut upon the pines, had the claim been national rather than personal. Mr. Williamson was born at a date early enough to have known lumbermen to whom these marks were familiar, and we must believe him to be correct in stating that the token of the King's ownership affixed to the trees was the capital R, this being the initial letter of the word Rex, king.
SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE U. S. -- Owing to the plan of this work, it was not practi- cable to mention even the most eminent of our national representatives, except where their election affected the incumbency of the State officers. The following is a complete list of senators from the formation of the State to the present time : -
"( Abbreviations - rs., resigned; f. v., filled vacancy; d., died.)
Choice. Name.
Politics.
Residence.
Term of Office.
1st.
( John Holmes,
Rep. Rep.
Monmouth, 1-20-1-23
Albion K. Parris,
Rep.
Portland (rs.), 1-27-1828
Appointed Judge of S. J. Court.
N. Rep.
Alfred (f. v.), 1-23-1833
Monmouth, 1:23-1-29
2d. Jolin Hohes, John Chandler, D. Rep.
Alfred, 1820-1827
I Julin Chandler,
.٧"
328
HISTORY OF MAINE.
Ether Shepley, Đ. Rep. Saco 'rs.),
1933-1836
Appointed Judge of S. J. Court.
3d. Jndalı Dana. Dem.
Fryeburg ({. v.), 1836-1337
Reel Williams, Peleg Sprague, N. Rep.
Hallowell, 1820-1833
Rnel Williams. Dem. Resigned Feb .. 1843.
Augusta,
1839-1843
4th. John Fairfield, John Raggles, Dem.
Dem. Saco if. v.). 1843-1-45
Thomaston, 1985-1841
John Fairfield. Dem. Dem.
Saco (l.), 1845-1847 Waterville (f. v.), 1345-1549
Appointed by Governor.
Hannibal Hamulin, Dem. Hampden (f. v.),
Gardiner,
1841-1847
( Hannibal Hamlin. Dem.
6th.
Amos Nourse, Rep.
Appointed by Governor.
James W. Bradbary, Dem.
Augusta,
1847-1853
Hannibal Hamlin,
Rep.
Hampden,
1857-1861
Lot M. Morrill. Rep.
Augusta (f. v.), 1961-1563
Portland, 1854-1959 Elected, 1851, for term commencing 1853, on account of failure of Legislature to elect.
Lot M. Morrill.
Rep.
Angnata.
1863-1869
Win. Pitt Fessenden, Rep.
Portland (rs.),
1859-1964
Appointed Secretary of Treasury.
Nathan A. Farwell. Rep. Rockland (f. v.),
1864-1865
Appointed by Governor.
Hamdibal Hamlin, Rep.
Bangor,
1869-1875
Win. Pitt Fessenden, Rep.
Portland,
1865-1869
Lot M. Morrill,
Rep. Augusta (f. v.),
1869-1671
Fot M. Morrill.
Rep. Augusta,
1871-1870
Appointed Secretary of the Treasury.
James G. Blaine, Rep.
Augusta (f. v.),
1876-1877
Hannibal Handin,
Rep.
Bangor,
1575-1981
James G. Blaine,
Rep.
Augusta (rs.),
1877-1881
11th.
Appointed Secretary of State (U. S.).
Lewiston (f. v.),
1881-1853
Eugene Hale,
Rep.
Ellsworth,
1881-1837
William P. Frye.
Rep.
Lewiston,
1833-1399
12th.
Eugene Hale, Rep.
Ellsworth,
1837-1893
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT OF MAINE: CHIEF JUSTICES.
Prentiss Mellen, Portland. July 1. 1820, to Oct. 22, 1834. Nathan Weston, Angusta. Ort. 22, 1:34, to Oct. 21, 1841.
Ezekiel Whitman. Portland. Dec. D. 1841. Resigned Oct. 23, 1st.
Ether Shepley, Portland, Oct. 23, 1848. to Ort. 22, 1855. John Searle Temay, Norridgewock. Oct. 23, 1:55, to Oet. 23. 1862.
John Appleton. Bangor, Oct. 24. 1862. to Sept. 19, 1876. Jolin A. Peters, Bangor, Sept. 20, 15:3.
. From the Maine Register.
7th.
Wyman B. S. Moor.
5th.
1843-1851
( George Evans, Whig,
Hampden (rs.), 1951-1857
Elected Governor of State.
Bath (f. v.),
1857
Elected Vice-president of United States.
Win. Pitt Fessenden. Rep.
Sth.
9thi.
Died Sept. 8. 1569.
10th.
William P. Frve,
Rep.
Dem. August . f. v.), 1837-1-3.4
INDEX.
PAGE
Abandoned, Maine, east of Wells, 97
Abnaki language. 126
Abolition Party, The 267
Aborigines of Maine (see Indians),
Acadia,
52, 120
Acadians, French, transported, 171
Acadie, 37
Acts of Trade, 170
Adams, John
199, 200
Alden, John
10
Boston Massacre, 182
Alexander, Sir William Boundaries, 35, 248, 255, 256, 257 proprietor of New Scotland, 33 Bonnties, state and town 283
sells New Scotland, 37
Allan. Col. John
a refugee from N. S .. 106
controls the east'n Indians, 196,197
Amendment to the Constitution, 269
Andsagunticooks, (Andiro coggins). 37, 71, 72, 112
Andros, Sir Edmund
Governor of New England, SS
sent a prisoner to England, 93
Annapolis founded. 19
Antietain. Battle of
Area of Maine. 302
Argal, Capt. Sammel. at Mt. Desert, 27 Arnold, Benedict, expedition of, through Maine, 191-194
Aroostook, conflict in 252
Aroostook county formed, 255
Arrowsic Island, 79, 86, 127
Assacombuit,
115
Augusta (formerly Cashnoe).
35, 169, 1:1, 219, 248, 253
Bangor,
234, 254, 270. 253, 308, 309
Bang's Island, 79
Baptists nad refuge in Maine, 41
Baron Casting's war. 110
Barrie, Capt. Robert
Cammock. Thomas 40
Camp-meetings. 321
Canada fall of French power in 176
union with, incited 291
"Canal, Sebago. operated, 217
Canibas or Kommeberks.
57,112
Cannibals in the northeast,
Cargill, kills friendly Indians, 171
Carriages. 244
Casco Bay. 18, 23. 36, 98
Casco Neck ver Portland),
279
Castine, Baron 90
driven away by the Dutch, 90
attacked by Andros, 90
peaceful messages to 93
PAGE
Bills of credit,
100
Bingham, Bingham's land, 214, 215
Black Point attacked, 82, 86, 57
Blake, General, at Hampden, 232
Boats built at Monhegan, 27
Bomazeen on Jesait teaching, 124
Bonython. John 4S
Bonython. Richard 40
Bowdoin College founded, 216
Bowdoin, Gov. James 216
Brackett. Anthony
Braddock's defeat, 170
Bristol bought of Samoset, 32
British Proclamation to East'n Me.228 Brock, Rev. John 51
Brown. John, buys land of Samoset, 32 Brunswick (Pejepscot), 40, 47, 71, 72, 100, 102, 110, 123. 127
Bull Run. Battle of
275, 276
Bunker Hill, Battle of 1:6
Buonaparte, Napoleon 223
. Burnside in command. superseded by Hooker, 286
Burton. Major
captured by the British, 206
escapes from captivity 2017
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