USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Waterville > A chronology of municipal history and election statistics, Waterville, Maine, 1771-1908 > Part 8
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CHRONOLOGY
Eight hundred and forty-seven ballots were cast for moderator. Solyman Heath, one of the leaders of the opposition to the bridge, received 428 and Eldridge L. Getchell 419. The excitement was intense, as can be judged by the vote for moderator which fairly chronicles the strength of each faction and to the fact that about three hundred more votes had been cast than in the gubernatorial election the year previous. A motion was made to dismiss the article and the moderator declared the vote passed, but amid tre- mendous confusion the vote was doubted. The moderator being unable to make the vote certain the meeting was adjourned to the common. The same condition presented itself here and the mod- erator declared to the town clerk that a vote had been passed ad- journing to the "grove" on the plains. Here the check list was used that had been used at the previous Presidential election, but consternation reigned in the ranks of those favoring the building of the bridge when it was found that the opposition had "YES" ballots all printed to be used in the vote for dismissing the article. Great confusion prevailed and the voting was done rapidly and before "NO" ballots could be provided the article was declared dismissed by a vote of 389 YES to 15 NO. Notwithstanding the opposition, the bridge was built and opened to travel Dec. 1, 1870. The cost was $32,000, and at a special town meeting held Janu- ary 24, 1872, the selectmen were authorized to raise by loan $26,000, to pay the town's proportionate part of the cost of build- ing the bridge.
1871
Reuben Foster elected a member of the Maine Senate.
At the annual town meeting, March 13, an article appeared in the warrant to see if the town would vote to sell the town hall and apply the proceeds to the town debt. The article was dis- missed. An article was also dismissed relative to a division of the town and one regarding the purchase of a fire engine for the west village.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
1872
Reuben Foster elected President of the Maine Senate.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Grant and Wilson, Rep., 524 Greeley and Brown, Dem., 197
FISHWAY RESOLUTIONS
At a special meeting held January 24, it was voted that any property invested in the town of Waterville in the manufacturing of wool or cotton be exempt from taxation for the term of ten years.
At the same meeting it was voted to instruct the Representa- tive and request the Senators to procure the passage of an act enforcing the immediate construction of suitable fishways by and over the Augusta dam and any other dams in Kennebec river which are so constructed and of such height as to materially im- pede the passage of salmon, shad and alewives up said river and to procure the repeal of any acts or parts of acts authorizing any delay in making such fishways.
1873
Edmund F. Webb elected Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.
Joshua Nye appointed State Insurance Commissioner.
Plans accepted for a mill of 33,000 spindles by the Lockwood Company.
May 10. Voted that the town exempt from taxation, for a term of ten years, a lot of land not exceeding two acres on which the Waterville Hotel Company may erect a hotel and stables, such exemption not to commence until a hotel is erected.
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DIVISION OF THE TOWN
One of the most important events in the history of the city was that of the division of the town in 1873 and the erection of a new town by the name of West Waterville. The opposition of each village to improvements in the other, the distance between the towns and the expense of building and maintenance of an ex- pensive bridge which was claimed to be of no immediate benefit to the west village, were the principal arguments used before the legislative committee and with success. Governor Perham ap- proved the act of incorporation February 26.
At the annual town meeting held March 10, the selectmen and town agent were elected a committee to arrange for a settlement of the affairs between the two towns and to act in conjunction with the committee appointed upon the part of the citizens of West Waterville, and the commission appointed by the Supreme Court as provided in the act of incorporation.
The selectmen of Waterville were Reuben Foster, Winthrop Morrill and Noah Boothby. The selectmen of West Waterville were A. P. Benjamin, John M. Libby and George Rice. On March 25, Judge J. G. Dickerson of the Supreme Judicial Court appointed Anson P. Morrill of Readfield, Henry K. Baker of Hallowell and Samuel Titcomb of Augusta a commission to appraise and deter- mine the division of property belonging to the towns.
The following property was appraised and assigned to Waterville:
Town farm and buildings,
$4600 00
Town wood lot, 1700 00
Town hall and lot,
3500 00
Old cemetery, (Monument Park),
3800 00
Personal property including stock, etc., at the town farm and a safe
1632 59
Cash in hand of liquor agent, 580 06
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
Cash in hand of C. H. Redington, treasurer of Water- ville, $
174 53
Seven-tenths of the pound and lot, 35 00
Interest on proportion of old town debt, 295 72
Property appraised and assigned to West Waterville: Old pound and lot, 50 00
Three-tenths of all property, personal and real, ap- praised and awarded to Waterville, 4796 15
Account Ticonic bridge, 5000 00
Three-tenths of $3000, in the hands of William McCart- ney, former town treasurer, 900 00
The commission found the town debt of Waterville, on the date of the division to amount to $60,239.52 and they determined that West Waterville should pay to Waterville three-tenths of the amount, or $18,071.25. The tools that were in possession of the towns on the date of the division were retained by them. The commission finally determined that the town of West Waterville should pay to the town of Waterville, in full satisfaction for the balance of all demands and claims passed upon by them, the sum of seven thousand seven hundred and six dollars and forty-two cents. An equitable division of the town's poor was made. The report was signed by the selectmen of both towns and the members of the commission, forwarded to the Court and approved January 1, 1874.
Following is a financial summary :
Due Waterville account old debt, $18,071 85
Due Waterville account old pound, 35 00
Due Waterville account interest, 295 72
$18,402 57
Due West Waterville account real and personal property, 4,796 15
Due West Waterville account free bridge, 5,000 00
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Due West Waterville account cash on hand, $ 900 00
Cash paid to town of Waterville as per town order to balance account, 7,706 42
$18,402 57
1874
Edmund F. Webb elected a member of the State Senate from Kennebec County.
March 9. Selectmen authorized and instructed to purchase the real estate, fire apparatus and all other property of the Ticonic Village Corporation for a sum not exceeding six thousand dollars and to procure a loan for the purpose.
School agents were empowered to employ school teachers. This duty had previously been attended to by the superintending school committee.
EXEMPTION OF TAXES -- LOCKWOOD COMPANY
Apr. 14. Special town meeting. "Voted to exempt from tax- ation the manufacturing establishment or establishments, hereafter to be erected in this town by the Lockwood Cotton Mills, and all machinery and capital used by said company for operating the same for a period of ten years from this date.
1875
Edmund F. Webb elected President of the Maine Senate.
On April 9, the real estate and water rights of the Ticonic Water Power and Manufacturing Company were transferred to the Lockwood Company for the consideration of one hundred and twen- ty-five thousand dollars in the stock of the latter company.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
At the annual town meeting, March 8, the selectmen, Moses C. Foster and C. R. McFadden were chosen a committee to consider the building of a new town hall and were instructed to report at a special town meeting. At a meeting called for the purpose the committee recommended the enlargement of the old hall at an ex- pense of not more than five thousand dollars. A vote was passed to that effect and a committee composed of Reuben Foster, Win- throp Morrill, Charles H. Redington, Moses C. Foster and C. R. McFadden was chosen to superintend the expenditure and repairs.
1876
The soldiers' monument dedicated May 30.
First cloth woven at the Lockwood mill in February.
Joshua Nye, a commissioner from the State of Maine to the Centennial celebration at Philadelphia.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Hayes and Wheeler, Rep., 475
Tilden and Hendricks, Dem., 357
March 13. Voted to change the name of Mill street to South street; Noyes street to Boutelle avenue and Cross street to King street.
At a special town meeting held April 1, the school district sys- tem of governing the public schools was abolished.
At a special meeting held April 15, it was voted "to enlarge the South Brick School Building suitable for a free high school." The selectmen were authorized to raise five thousand dollars by loan for the purpose, and Charles H. Redington, Martin Blaisdell, W. B. Arnold, M. C. Foster, J. D. Hayes, J. G. Soule and C. K. Mat- thews were chosen a committee to superintend the work.
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PRESIDENT HAYES
The elevation of Rutherford B. Hayes to the Presidency of the United States has never been regarded as one of the usual popular results of our national elections. There were many charges and counter charges of irregularity and fraud in several of the States, and the entire issue was fought out again in Congress. The outcome was an electoral commission which was composed of five members of the supreme court, five members of the Senate and five members of the House of Representatives. The body as politically constituted numbered eight Republicans and seven Democrats. All the electoral votes from the contested States were submitted, with the evidence in each case, to this electoral commission which by a partisan vote of eight to seven, would submit its findings to the Congress for final decision. It was ultimately determined that Mr. Hayes, the Republican candidate had received 183 electoral votes in the different States, and Samuel J. Tilden of New York, the Democratic candidate had received but 182 votes.
This fortunate settlement of what threatened many times to become a very serious trouble was reached on March 1.
The oath of office was privately administered on Saturday even- ing, March 3, in Mrs. Grant's private reception parlor.
So precarious was the general situation at Washington, that President Hayes was guarded as carefully as was Lincoln in the critical time of March, 1861.
1877
Edmund F. Webb, County Attorney of Kennebec County. He continued in office during the years 1878 and 1879.
March 12. The name of South street changed back to Mill street.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
Six hundred and fifty dollars appropriated for the purpose of lighting the streets.
Eight hundred dollars appropriated, to be expended under the supervision of the superintending school committee, to purchase text-books to be used in the public schools.
Special meeting April 28. Selectmen instructed to abate so much of the tax assessed upon the Lockwood Company for the year 1876 as exceeds one hundred thousand dollars and the assessors to assess the Lockwood Company for the year 1877 on a valuation not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars.
1878
At the annual town meeting, March 11, occurred an exciting contest for the election of selectmen.
The meeting was called to order at 10 A. M. After electing Reuben Foster, moderator, it was voted that the polls be kept open until 7 P. M. John Ware, R. W. Dunn, W. B. Arnold and Noah Boothby were chosen a committee to challenge voters. The check list was used. The first vote taken was for first selectman and resulted in no choice as follows:
E. R. Drummond, 1
Noah Boothby, 3
I. S. Bangs, 69
C. R. McFadden, 115
C. K. Matthews, 199
C. H. Redington, 236
After the vote had been announced it was voted to adjourn un- til Wednesday, March 13. The records do not show the vote in detail of the Wednesday meeting, but show that C. K. Matthews was the successful candidate for first selectman and that two bal-
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lots were necessary for third selectman, L. Eugene Thayer being elected.
Special meeting, May 11. Rules and by-laws were adopted governing the fire department. Frederick C. Thayer was elected Chief Engineer ; Henry G. Tozier, First Assistant Engineer ; Josiah D. Hayden, Second Assistant Engineer.
BILL OF SALE TICONIC VILLAGE CORPORATION
PERSONAL PROPERTY.
Waterville, Maine, May 11, 1878.
Town of Waterville.
To Ticonic Village Corporation, Dr.
To fire engine "Ticonic" and hose carriage,
$1000 00
To six rubber coats in "Ticonic" engine house, 7 00
24 00
To three stoves in "Ticonic" engine house,
10 00
To fire engine "Waterville" and hose cart,
800 00
To six rubber coats in "Waterville" engine house,
24 00
To 1400 feet leather hose,
700 00
To 1000 feet rubber hose,
650 00
To two stoves,
12 00
To one stove,
3 00
To two iron pumps,
4 00
To Hook and Ladder with all apparatus belonging there
725 00
To "Ticonic No. 1" hose carriage and 400 feet hose,
150 00
Total, $4109 00
Received of the town of Waterville, forty one hundred and nine dollars in payment of the above.
C. R. McFADDEN, Supervisor of Ticonic Village Corporation.
125
To three pcs. suction hose in "Ticonic" engine house,
MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
1879
Simon S. Brown elected a member of the Governor's council.
Benjamin Bunker elected Pension Clerk by the Legislature.
Sept. 8. ; Vote favoring a constitutional amendment providing for biennial elections of State and county officers, Yes, 521, No, 2.
Willard M. Dunn, appointed postmaster by President Hayes in April, 1879. It is an interesting fact, that there were but two Republican postmasters in Waterville from 1860 until 1906, a period of 46 years, which speaks well for the political patriotism and business ability of the gentlemen selected.
1880
Population, 4672.
Polls, 1042.
Estates, $2,612,496.
Population Kennebec County, 53,061.
Municipal court established. Horace W. Stewart appointed Judge by the Governor.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Garfield and Arthur, Rep., 618
Hancock and English, Dem., 332
Simon S. Brown, a delegate from the third Congressional dis- trict to the Democratic National Convention.
Vote on a constitutional amendment, Sept. 13, providing that a plurality of the votes cast for State and county officers, instead of a majority vote as heretofore, should elect. 438 votes were cast, 409 in favor and 29 opposed.
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March 15. A sum not to exceed five hundred dollars was appropriated and placed in the hands of the selectmen to employ a suitable engineer to make a survey and plan of the village in ref- erence to a proper system of drainage.
Work commenced on the Lockwood Company mill number two. The completion of this factory marked a business epoch in the town. Since that event transpired the growth of the city has been rapid. The two mills joined in such a manner, although two sep- arate buildings, are practically one. They are large, nicely lighted and splendidly equipped. A fine grade of cotton sheeting is manu- factured. Fifteen thousand bales of cotton are used annually, weighing approximately seven million, five hundred thousand pounds. Twelve hundred hands are employed, and fifteen hundred tons of coal are consumed each year. William H. K. Abbott is the present agent. He is one of the best informed cotton mill men in America, and a most successful and efficient manager.
At Chicago Sept. 1, 1869, a national prohibition party was organized. Unsuccessful attempts had been made to organize the party in Maine, but at Ellsworth, June 1, 1880, an organization was finally perfected and William P. Joy nominated for Governor. This organization, however, was not satisfactory to a portion of the temperance people of the State, and at a convention held at Port- land, Aug. 19, Joshua Nye of Waterville was nominated for Gover- nor as a candidate of the Temperance party. He received 309 votes in the State, 67 in Kennebec County, none of which were thrown in Waterville.
1881
March 14. Voted that the sum of two hundred dollars be raised and appropriated for a night school, to be expended under the supervision of the superintending school committee.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
1882
WATERVILLE WATER COMPANY
The necessity of establishing a system of water works to fur- nish water for public and private uses was the cause of serious dis- cussion. March 16, 1881, the Legislature had granted a charter to the Waterville Water Company to lay pipes, furnish water, etc., in the town of Waterville. The only action on the water question, however, taken in this year on the part of the town was to make arrangements with the Lockwood Company for a limited hydrant service.
1883
Legislature passed an act incorporating the City of Waterville, February 28, 1883.
William T. Haines, County Attorney of Kennebec County, continued in office until 1887.
The name of the town of West Waterville changed to Oak- land, March 10.
March 12, 1883, the town voted to accept a legacy of five thou- sand dollars from the estate of William H. Arnold "under the terms and stipulations of the will relating to the bequest." It was pro- vided that the town should set the amount received apart as a sep- arate and distinct fund, the principal not to be expended but to be kept safely invested in good securities and the interest to be applied annually for the uses of Pine Grove Cemetery, after a suffi- cient sum had been used to properly care for the lots of the doner and that of his father.
TICONIC BRIDGE
Business had increased to such an extent and the employment of heavier and more modern vehicles for transportation purposes having come into general use, the wooden bridge that had been
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Simon S. Brown
CHRONOLOGY
built thirteen years before, was found to be unsafe for public travel. At a special meeting held Sept. 8, a committee was appointed to inspect the bridge, and they recommended that immediate steps be taken to rebuild and that temporary repairs should be made at once. It was voted to make the temporary repairs.
1884
F. E. Heath, member of the State Senate.
Simon S. Brown, a delegate from Maine to the Democratic National Convention.
Charles R. McFadden elected sheriff of Kennebec County.
S. S. Brown elected chairman of the Democratic State Commit- tee.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Blaine and Logan, Rep., 619
Cleveland and Hendricks, Dem.,
416
CITY CHARTER
At a special meeting held March 29, the town voted on the following question, "To see if the town will vote to accept an act of the Legislature approved February 28, 1883, entitled ‘an act to incorporate the City of Waterville.'"
The check lists were used. The following is the result :
Whole number of votes, 567
In favor,
223
Opposed,
344
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
THE PROHIBITORY LAW
Sept. 8. Question, "Shall the Constitution of the State of Maine be amended, as proposed by resolve of the Legislature, ap- proved on the twenty-first day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three, to wit: Amendment, 'The manufacture of intoxicating liquors not including cider, and the sale and keeping for sale of intoxicating liquors, are and shall be forever prohibited. Except, however, that the sale and keep- ing for sale of such liquors for medicinal and mechanical purposes and the arts, and the sale and keeping for sale of cider may be permitted under such regulations as the Legislature may provide. The Legislature shall enact laws with suitable penalties for the sup- pression of the manufacture, sale and keeping for sale of intoxicat- ing liquors, with the exceptions herein specified. Shall the Con- stitution be amended .so as to prohibit forever the manufacture, sale and keeping for sale of intoxicating liquors as provided by said amendment? Those in favor will vote 'Yes,' and those opposed 'No' upon their ballots.'"
The vote cast in Waterville was:
Yes,
563
No,
238
2
TICONIC BRIDGE
March 11. The selectmen, Nathaniel Meader, Charles E. Mitchell, and George Jewell, with Stephen I. Abbott and John Ware were elected a committee "to determine when and what kind of a bridge be built in place of Ticonic bridge," and were instruct- ed to report at a subsequent town meeting.
April 12. Upon recommendation of the committee the town "Voted that the town of Waterville, the town of Winslow concur- ring, proceed to the erection of an iron bridge, with the necessary stone work and earth filling across the Kennebec river, between
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the towns of Waterville and Winslow, in place of the present Ti- conic bridge, so called, during the summer or fall of the present year, as soon as the state of the water will permit." Nathaniel Meader, Charles E. Mitchell, George Jewell, Stephen I. Abbott, and John Ware were appointed a building committee. The select- men were authorized to issue bonds, with interest coupons at- tached, not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars at a rate of in- terest not exceeding four per cent payable semi-annually.
Mr. J. R. Smith of Springfield, Mass., who had been recom- mended by Mr. Lord, President of the Boston & Maine Railroad Company as a competent bridge engineer, together with Mr. D. A. Booker and Mr. Allen Colby of Brunswick, experienced bridge builders for the Maine Central Railroad Company, made extensive examinations of the bridge and piers. Mr. Smith made many rec- ommendations and furnished estimates as to the cost of building.
At a special meeting held Aug. 9, the building committee re- ported that they "had made no movement toward building the bridge on account of the want of concurrence on the part of the town of Winslow." This difficulty, however, was overcome two days later, Aug. 11, when the citizens of Winslow, assembled in special town meeting agreed to build the bridge in conjunction with the town of Waterville, "the cost of erection, repairing and maintaining the same in the future, to be borne by said towns in proportion to the respective State valuations of 1880 and subse- quent State valuations."
Arrangements for building the bridge were made at once after the above action had been taken by the town of Winslow. Mr. John E. Cheney, of Boston, an iron bridge engineer, was engaged as consulting engineer. Coyfrode and Taylor of Philadelphia were awarded the contract to build the bridge. Col. I. S. Bangs of Waterville contracted to do the stone work, the masonry was done under the supervision and direction of Mr. John Bell of Deering,
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
with the exception of the west abutment, which was done by Mr. S. H. Leighton of Brunswick.
The bridge is five hundred and fifty feet long between abut- ments, has a driveway eighteen feet wide, a sidewalk on each side five feet wide. The grade is four and three-fifths feet higher than the old bridge.' The total cost was $36,863.46. The work had been sufficiently completed so that the bridge was opened for travel March 17, 1885.
1885
March 3. Town voted against the adoption of the City Char- ter by a vote of 394 to 337.
March 16. New streets accepted: Seavey, Oakland, Green, Beach, and Water.
Frank L. Thayer was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland in August.
1886
Charles R. McFadden re-elected sheriff of Kennebec County.
March 15. Voted to dismiss an article in the warrant to see if the town would change the name of Mill street to Pearl street.
March 4. "To see if the town will vote to accept the act of the Legislature approved February twenty-eighth, A. D. eighteen hun- dred and eight-three entitled, 'An act to incorporate the city of Waterville' and acts amendatory thereto."
The vote: Yes, 265; No, 344.
ELECTRIC LIGHTS
March 15. "Voted that the Waterville Light and Power Com- pany be permitted, so far as the town has the right, to set poles in the streets for the purpose of carrying wires for arc and incan-
132
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descent lighting. The kind of poles and location of same to be subject to the approval of the selectmen, and provided that said Company shall upon request of the selectmen, take down and re- move within reasonable time any one or more of said poles.
EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION OF MAINE CENTRAL RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVE AND REPAIR SHOPS
February 13. "Voted, by the citizens of Waterville having in general meeting legally assembled, that for the purpose of taxing the property of said Maine Central Railroad Company, the total valuation of the machine and repair shops of said company to be erected in Waterville, prior to January first, A. D. eighteen hun- dred and eighty-eight, and machinery pertaining to the same be fixed at one thousand dollars for the taxable year of 1887, and kept at one thousand dollars for twenty years from and after the first day of April A. D. 1887.
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