USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Waterville > A chronology of municipal history and election statistics, Waterville, Maine, 1771-1908 > Part 6
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VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Jackson and Van Buren, Dem., 228
Clay and Sargent, Whig, 187
Maine was entitled to ten electoral votes. They were cast for Andrew Jackson of Tennessee for President and Martin Van Buren of New York for Vice President, the Democratic candidates. Andrew Jackson, Democrat, was elected President.
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THE GREAT FRESHET OF 1832
The greatest freshet in the history of the Kennebec river occurred this year. The oldest inhabitants at that time could not recall when the water reached so high a point and it has never attained such a height since. Ticonic bridge was partially de- stroyed and was not thoroughly rebuilt for several years. Lack of financial support and the heavy expense of maintaining the bridge were the principal reasons that caused the proprietors to delay the rebuilding. Unprofitable business ventures were as unpopular in 1832 as at present and judging from the constant disasters the bridge must have been a losing proposition from the start. It is recorded that in 1835 Timothy Boutelle purchased fifteen shares of the stock at 25c a share.
1833
Timothy Boutelle re-elected State Senator.
Abijah Smith appointed postmaster by President Andrew Jackson. Daniel Combs appointed postmaster at West Waterville.
1834
Asa Redington, Jr., County Commissioner.
March 3. It was voted to purchase two fire engines. The cost not to exceed over four hundred dollars each. Cash to be paid for one and the other one to be purchased upon credit for one year. (The engine was not purchased until 1836 and then by the Ticonic Village Corporation.)
TEMPERANCE
At this period in the town's history the Temperance question was being strongly agitated and the friends of the movement were
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
increasing in number and were beginning to make themselves a factor in the government of the municipality. At the annual town meeting held March 3, it was voted to authorize the selectmen not to grant licenses to persons to sell wine and other spirituous liquors to be drunk in their shops or stores for the ensuing year and the Selectmen were instructed to prosecute violators.
This vote did not restrict taverns from selling.
This action of the voters brought forth a storm of protests and the law was not enforced to any extent until several years later when a more effective measure was passed.
A large number of dealers continued to sell liquors as before but there is no record to show that they were granted licenses to do so. At the same time, however, quite a few discontinued selling liquors, not that they feared the law so much but from the result of a genuine temperance movement which was spreading through the State.
1835
Asa Redington, Jr., elected State Treasurer by the Legislature.
1836
TICONIC VILLAGE CORPORATION
Division of the town was always a live question. The needs of the "village" were many, and actual improvements that were really a necessity were strongly opposed by the "outsiders." After several years of discussion and to avoid continued quarrels, a village corporation was proposed and the legislature was petitioned to authorize the formation of the "Ticonic Village Corporation." The Legislature voted the necessary authority and the act was approved by Governor Dunlap, March 24, 1836. One of the very
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first acts of the corporation was to purchase the famous old hand fire engine, "Ticonic No. 1."
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Harrison and Granger, Whig, 146
Van Buren and Johnson, Dem., 129
Maine was entitled to ten electoral votes. They were cast for Martin Van Buren of New York for President, and Richard M. Johnson of Kentucky, for Vice President, the Democratic can- didates. Martin Van Buren, Democrat, was elected President.
1837
Abijah Smith re-appointed Postmaster.
March 13. Selectmen authorized to withhold all liquor licenses, both wholesale and retail, and that "tavern bars" shall be closed on the Sabbath day and evening. No action was taken by the licensing board on these instructions until Sept. 18, 1840.
SURPLUS REVENUE MONEY
Getting something for nothing has a very pleasing effect upon the average human being, and one can readily imagine the effect of an announcement that the United States Government was to divide the surplus of revenue money in the national treasury among the people of the country.
Each State received its proportion in accordance with its population. The National Government allotted the amounts to the various States, and the States in turn made whatever disposi- tion of the funds their Legislatures chose.
The Legislature of Maine voted to divide the sum received amongst the towns and plantations to be by them distributed equally among the people. Waterville divided its proportion equally, every man, woman, and child receiving the same amount.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
The act of those in authority in Maine, at that time, has been severely criticised. It was deemed by many that the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts, in placing the moneys received to the credit of a school fund, had taken the wisest course, and many believe that Maine should have done the same.
On April 10, a town meeting was called to act on a warrant issued by the proper officers which read as follows :
"Act. I. To see if the town will vote to receive its proportion of the money which is or may be deposited with this State by the United States in pursuance of 'an act to regulate the deposit of public money' on the conditions specified in an act of this State, entitled 'an act providing for the disposition and repayment of the public money apportioned to the State of Maine on deposit, by the Government of the United States.'
Act. II. To choose an agent to receive the money.
Act. III. To see what disposition the town will make of the money; to choose committees, etc."
It is needless to explain that when the hour arrived for call- ing the meeting to order, a large and interested crowd was pres- ent, and it was unanimously voted to accept the money and that Hon. Timothy Boutelle be an agent to receive it.
Hon. Wyman B. S. Moor submitted the following motion :
"Voted that the town will loan its proportion of the public money to the citzens of the town, and each inhabitant of this town enumerated by the census taken by virtue of the distribution act shall be entitled to borrow on his or her own private security, on interest, such a sum of said money as his or her share would have been had the said money been divided equally among the inhabi- tants of this town. That parents shall be entitled to borrow and
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receive on such parents' security the share or shares of their minor children. That the interest on said money so loaned shall not be collected until the principal is called for."
The above was adopted with the following amendments : "Strike out 'his or her own private security' and insert 'safe and ample security,' inserting after the words 'on interest,' 'to be paid annually to the town treasurer.'"
"To strike out the last clause and insert 'The money so loaned shall be payable in sixty days after demand is made by the treas- urer, and the treasurer is hereby instructed to demand of each per- son who shall have received said money, and given his note there- for, payment of his said note whenever such person shall leave this town, and no note shall run for a longer term than two years.'"
Hon. Timothy Boutelle was chosen an agent to pay out the money. It appears that after deliberation, the above arrangement for the distribution of the public money was not satisfactory, for on May 1, another town meeting was called and the vote recon- sidered by a vote of 137 yeas to 103 nays. A vote was passed which did not materially change the action of the first meeting, but called for the adoption of a form of receipt that should be used which read :
"Received of the town of Waterville
Dollars and. . cents,
which I agree to repay whenever the State shall recall the portion of the surplus money deposited with said town with one per cent. interest."
It was also added that orphans' shares could be loaned to guardians, but where there were no guardians, the money should remain in the treasury.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
It was voted to choose a committee of three to handle the funds, and Eben F. Bacon, Wyman B. S. Moor, and Solomon Berry were chosen, and it was voted that Hon. Timothy Boutelle turn the money over to the town treasurer.
Serious trouble arose immediately after this meeting. The town treasurer after receiving the funds could not see his way clear to pay the same over to the committee elected. On July 1 another meeting was called and Perley Low was chosen on the committee in place of Solomon Berry who declined to serve and it was voted, "that if the town treasurer refuses to pay over the money to the committee, to bring suit in the Court of Common Pleas," and it was further voted to post up notices on the east and west meeting houses when the surplus was ready to be paid.
The threat of a suit in the Court of Common Pleas was not of sufficient terror to make the treasurer relinquish his hold on the money nor to make him change his mind from doing what he thought was his duty, but on July 22 a town meeting was called and a vote taken that caused the treasurer to retreat from his position, and turn the money over to the committee. Eben F. Bacon presented the motion, and it was voted "that if Augustine Perkins continues to withhold the surplus money from the town committee, after the adjournment of this meeting, that he be hereby requested to resign his office of treasurer and town clerk."
Notices were posted a day or two following on the east and west meeting houses that the "surplus revenue money" was ready to be paid. On Sept. 11 it was voted to allow orphans without guardians to receive their share of the money, through friends to be designated by themselves.
Mr. Appleton A. Plaisted received as his proportion, the amount of two dollars and fifty cents, in common with all the other inhabitants of the town. With this amount he purchased a little, red-covered Bible, which he still has in his possession. He
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prizes it very highly for it is doubtful if there is another article of any kind in existence in the city that was actually purchased with the much discussed "surplus revenue money."
1838
Timothy Boutelle elected State Senator.
1839
Eben F. Bacon, Sheriff of Kennebec County.
Timothy Boutelle re-elected State Senator.
At a town meeting held Feb. 11, the house was polled and the citizens unanimously voted against the proposed annexation of the town of Dearborn, and the Senator from Kennebec County was requested and the Representative instructed to oppose the petition of Isaiah James and others before the Legislature.
1840
Population, 2,939. Polls, 527.
Valuation, $539,548.
Population Kennebec County, 51,384.
Alpheus Lyons, member of the Governor's Council.
1
Samuel Appleton appointed an assessor to take the valuation of the town for the State.
At a town meeting held Jan. 25, one hundred and thirty citizens unanimously voted to oppose the annexation of the town of Dearborn. On Mar. 9, Reuben M. Dorr and John Matthews were chosen a committee to attend the Legislature and oppose the annexation to the last extremity."
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Harrison and Tyler, Whig, 310
Van Buren and Johnson, Dem., 246
This was the famous log cabin and hard cider campaign. It was all Whig. Waterville went Whig. Maine went Whig, and the nation went Whig. The celebration of the victory in Water- ville is well remembered by some of the older inhabitants. Maine was entitled to ten electoral votes.
LIQUOR LICENSES REFUSED
The licensing board composed of the Selectmen, Treasurer, and Town Clerk met Sept. 18, and adopted the following resolu- tions :
Resolved : By the Selectmen, Treasurer, and Town Clerk of the town of Waterville, that the opinion of the inhabitants of the said town, heretofore expressed in their instructions to the licensing board, by vote passed March 13, 1837, are in the opinion of this board entitled to the highest respect, as having their foundation in a just regard for the best interests of the people of this town, and for the happiness and well-being of society.
Resolved: Therefore, that this board does not deem it neces- sary or consistent with the public good to license any person within said town to be sellers of wine, brandy, rum, or any other strong liquor by retail, and that no license for that purpose shall be granted by this board.
1841
William Dorr, Sheriff of Kennebec County.
1842
East meeting house repaired and fitted up for a town hall. Isaac Redington elected State Senator from Kennebec County.
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ELECTION FOR REPRESENTATIVE
A bitter political contest was fought over the election of a member of the Maine House of Representatives. The first elec- tion was held Sept. 12. Five hundred and seventy-eight ballots were thrown, resulting in no choice, a majority of all the votes being required to elect. Nine meetings were held before a choice was secured, the final vote being taken Feb. 27, 1843. Wyman B. S. Moor was the Democratic candidate and continued in the fight until the end. The Whigs put several candidates in the field, but none were able to secure the necessary majority until Hon. Timothy Boutelle was persuaded to allow his name to be used. He received twenty-four votes more than the required majority in a total vote of four hundred and thirty. At this time the contests on election day were particularly close between the Democrats and Whigs for Representative to Legislature. It re- quired two elections in 1838, four in 1841, nine in 1842, four in 1843, three in 1844, and two in 1846 before a choice was made.
1843
David Coombs, County Commissioner.
Samuel Appleton, postmaster of Waterville, compensation $536.05. William H. Hatch, postmaster at West Waterville, com- pensation $40.89.
Dearborn Plantation (Oakland) annexed to Waterville. The Whigs made vigorous protests owing to the fact that the voting populace of Dearborn were mostly Democrats. A Democratic . Legislature annexed the plantation, however, despite the opposition.
1844
Wyman B. S. Moor elected Attorney General of Maine. He remained in office until 1848.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
Sept. 9. The licensing board was instructed to license one person in the town to sell spirituous liquors, the profits to go to the town, a complete list of purchases to be kept, and no credit to be allowed anyone.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Clay and Frolinghuysen, Whig, 256
Polk and Dallas, Dem. 241
Maine was entitled to nine electoral votes. They were cast for James K. Polk of Tennessee for President, and George M. Dallas of Pennsylvania for Vice President, the Democratic candi- dates. James K. Polk was elected President. He received one hundred and seventy-nine electoral votes, and Henry Clay of Ken- tucky, Whig, received one hundred and five.
1846
Isaac Redington elected State Senator from Kennebec County.
LIQUOR LICENSES
At the annual town meeting the licensing board were instruct- ed to license two persons in the east village, and one person in the west village to sell wine, rum, brandy, etc., for medicinal and mechanical purposes only. The conditions of the license were that the profits should not exceed thirty-three and one-third per cent, and that no liquor should be sold to foreigners or persons not naturalized.
1847
Isaac Redington re-elected State Senator.
The first number of the Eastern Mail, afterwards known as the Waterville Mail, issued.
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Samuel Wells, lawyer, who for a number of years had a very successful practice in Waterville, appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Maine, by Governor John W. Dana.
NIGHT WATCH
At a special town meeting called January 22, 1847, it was voted to establish a night watch, "To consist of fourteen sober, temperate, and moral men, who shall be voters of the town." It was decided that they should be appointed by the Selectmen, and "that two in the fourteen, shall in rotation, serve each night during the term." /
TEMPERANCE COMMITTEE
The friends of temperance became very active in this year. They were in evident majority. Instructions were given the licensing board that were even more stringent than those previ- ously given. January 22, they secured the passage of a vote that chose Joseph Hill, William H. Pearson, George W. Pressey, and William C. Page as committee to furnish evidence to the town agent of all violation of the law. The selectmen were instructed to serve writs sued out by the town agent. Later in the year it was voted to increase the committee above mentioned to fifteen. The following persons were made members of the new committee:
Johnson Williams, Moses Hanscom, Enoch Merrill, Joseph Hill, Rufus Nason, Cyrus Wheeler, John Cornforth, Jonathan Hig- gins, John R. Philbrick, William Golder, Samuel Redington, Sam- uel Scammon, George W. Pressey, Eusebius Heald, William Lewis.
1848
Annual meeting of the directors of the Androscoggin and Kennebec Railroad Co. held at the Town Hall on July 4. The following five Waterville gentlemen were chosen on the board of
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
directors : Timothy Boutelle, President, Jediah Morrill, John Ware, Reuben B. Dunn, and Wyman B. S. Moor.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Taylor and Filmore, Whig, 252
Cass and Butler, Dem., 158
Maine was entitled to nine electoral votes. They were cast for Lewis Cass of Michigan for President, and William O. Butler of Kentucky for Vice President, the Democratic candidates. Zach- ary Taylor of Louisiana, Whig, was elected President, having one hundred and sixty-three electoral votes to one hundred and twen- ty-seven for Lewis Cass, Democrat.
UNITED STATES SENATOR MOORE
The greatest political honor that was ever received by a citi- zen of Waterville was the appointment of Hon. Wyman B. S. Moor to a seat in the United States Senate. He was appointed by Gov- ernor John W. Dana to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Hon. John Fairfield of Saco. He served his State with distinction and honor. He was a pronounced Democrat, but although his parti- san instincts were strong, his political career was distinguished as that of a fair-minded and upright public servant. His friends in all parties were legion and Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, although of opposite political belief, accredited him with being one of the most able men of his time. His career in the Senate was brilliant and his duties were performed with such regard for care and detail that he won the confidence and respect of his colleagues, his party, and his government. *
1849
Edwin Noyes elected a member of the Maine Senate.
Streets in Ticonic Village in 1849 : Water, Front, Maine, Sil- ver, Elm, College, Mill, Sherwin, Pleasant, Cross, Temple, Union, Church, Chaplin, and North.
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On Nov. 27, the first railroad train from Portland arrived. A great crowd gathered, bubbling over with enthusiasm, cannon was fired and bells rung. A banquet was held in the freight house, followed by a grand ball in the evening.
PETITION FOR A NEW COUNTY
The establishment of the railroad, plans drawn for additions, and rumors of proposed plans, all making the town of Waterville their center, gave new importance to the two handsome and pro- gressive villages. Considerable capital had been invested by local business men and the future of Waterville began to appear very bright indeed. The surrounding towns also began to feel a new prosperity as the new and better facilities to communicate with the outside world had benefited them materially. The whole State, in fact, was steadily growing in population and wealth, deriv- ing the fullest benefits from an era of national prosperity. At this time agitation had commenced favoring a new county to consist partly of towns in Kennebec County and partly in Som- erset County, with Waterville as the shire town. So interested did the citizens become in the movement that a special town meet- ing was called July 8, that was largely attended, and it was voted "That the town give the use of the town hall for a Court House and county offices, provided a new county is formed with Water- ville as shire town agreeable to a petition now before the Legisla- ture."
1850
Population, 3964.
Population Kennebec County, 57,908.
Edwin Noyes re-elected member of the Maine Senate from Kennebec County.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
Jan. 16. Asa Redington, Jr., appointed Reporter of Decisions. He edited volumes 31 to 35 Maine Reports.
18
Pine Grove Cemetery dedicated June 1.
March 10. Samuel Appleton and Isaiah Marston appointed a committee to purchase a farm with buildings for use of the town as an alms-house. It was stipulated that the cost should not exceed $3000.
TICONIC BRIDGE
March 10. It was voted "that the town of Waterville will pay the sum of three thousand dollars towards securing the sur- render of the Ticonic Bridge to the County of Kennebec, to be used and supported by the county as a free bridge, provided the further sum necessary for that purpose be raised by subscription, and provided the county commissioners accept said bridge to be used and supported by the county. Voted that James Stackpole, Jr., Joseph O. Pearson, T. G. Kimball, Alpheus Lyon, and Samuel Kimball be a committee to petition the Legislature for the neces- sary powers to carry out the above vote and make the needful arrangements with the County Commissioners and for procuring the subscription."
1852
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Pierce and King, Dem., 235
Scott and Graham, Whig, 269
Maine was entitled to eight electoral votes. They were cast for Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire for President and Wil- liam R. King of Alabama for Vice President, the Democratic can-
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didates. Franklin Pierce was elected President. He received two hundred and fifty-four votes in the electoral college to forty-two for Winfield Scott of New York, the Whig candidate.
1853
March 14. The town voted to dismiss an article in the warrant favoring the division of the town and the formation of a new town to be called West Waterville.
At the same meeting the opposition to the Maine liquor law secured a little satisfaction when they succeeded in securing the dismissal of an article favoring the appointment of a committee to assist in the enforcement of the liquor law.
TICONIC COUNTY
At a special town meeting held January 12, the following vote was passed: "Voted that the selectmen be instructed to peti- tion the Legislature for the incorporation of a new county to be called Ticonic County, and to be composed of Belgrade, Rome, Smithfield, Fairfield, Waterville, Clinton, Clinton Gore, Canaan, Burnham, Unity, Unity Plantation, Pittsfield, Detroit, Albion, Albion Gore, Winslow, and Benton, and to establish the town of Waterville as the shire town thereof." It was further voted that the use of the town hall be given to the new county and the Selectmen were authorizd to draw warrants for the expenses of the committee, not exceeding two hundred dollars. A bill was report- ed in the Legislature favoring the new county, but failed of a passage.
1854
Hand engine "Waterville 3" arrived March 3. Stephen Stark, member of Maine Senate.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
Samuel P. Shaw, a member of the Governor's Council.
Feb. 28. Solyman Heath appointed Reporter of Decisions. He edited Volumes 36 to 40, Maine Reports.
At the annual town meeting March 13, it was voted that two hundred dollars be raised for the purpose of enforcing the liquor law. It was voted to dismiss an article "to see if the town will peti- tion the Legislature for a city charter." Resolutions, presented by James Stackpole, expressing the satisfaction which the stand by the Senators of Maine in the National Congress, on the question of slav- ery, in connection with the organization and government of the ter- ritories of Kansas and Nebraska, were unanimously adopted.
THE RENDITION OF BURNS
The rumblings of the civil national strife that for years had been vibrating through the country, finding its outlet through the slavery question, were becoming more and more distinct. Inter- est in public matters was bordering upon excitement. Events of tremendous importance were following closely one upon the other. The affairs of the nation were being closely watched. The foreboding days preceding the great civil war were at hand. The Whig party had practically lost its organization through the ever- increasing popularity and growth of the new Republican party. Political lines were fast changing and everything that was possible seemed to combine to destroy all efforts to prevent national dis- ruption. Patriotism and loyalty to the country were uppermost in the thoughts of all. The fugitive slave act was not in accord with the views of the citizens of Waterville, and when Burns was re- manded into slavery by the authorities at Boston, they voiced their protests with one accord.
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