USA > Maine > Waldo County > Unity > A history of the Town of Unity, Maine > Part 23
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At the end of World War II many veterans of that conflict joined this organization.
15. In the spring of 1932 and 1933, Unity High won the county championship: William Stevens Barnes, pitcher; Walter Bradeen, catcher. Other players on this winning team were: Kenneth Murch, Wilmont Gray, Jr., Sheldon Ward, Ralph Ward, Wilbur Dutton, William Glines, Evon Fernald. The team was coached by Merwyn E. Woodard. In 1951 and 1952, Unity High School was again county champions, as well as State Champ (class S), in 1952. This team included: Larry Daforge, Fred McCormack, G. Nutt, Paul Jones, C. Rollins, Stanley Blood, D. Simpson, D. McCormack and L. Mitchell.
1. Members include F. B. Wing, C. B. Jones, Wellington Taylor, Fred Harold Whitehouse, Carl Goodwin, D. Shutz, Paul Mosher, Percy Nickless, Clayton Hamlin, Alton Libby, John Edgerly, Charles Edgerly, Bert Clifford, Carleton Murch, Donald Constable.
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THE FARM BUREAU
The Farm Bureau is a national organization devoted to assisting the farm homemaker through group activity. About 1923 Miss Estelle Na- son, of the Farm Extension Service and Home Demonstration Agent for Waldo County, met with farmers' wives in this area and organized the Farm Bureau. In these first years the following women were active in supporting it: Mrs. Eva Hunt, Mrs. E. D. Chase, Mrs. Harold Ward, Mrs. Hattie Libby, Edith Webb, Ora Ward, Thirza True- worthy, Mrs. Annie M. Vickery, Mrs. Maude Cornforth, Mrs. Fred Ward, Mrs. Charles Ware, Mrs. Charles Wood, Belle McManus, Belle Crosby. After it became permanently established, others joined: Mrs. Helen Patterson, Izora Knights, Alberta Tozier, Mrs. Henry Foster, Frances Taylor, Mrs. G. R. Hunter, Mrs. John Reed, Mrs. Cecil Packard, Mrs. John Edgerly. They meet about ten times a year at private homes. The objectives of this group are to acquaint the farm wife with new methods and modes of home living.
KANOKOLUS CLUB FISH AND GAME ASSOCIATION
In the months when the silver smelt starts its seasonal run up the stony brooks, when the Canadian geese V northward, when warm April showers start the tender shoots through the mellow earth, and the wild pear tree blossoms, then the patient angler yearns for the deep pools where the elusive trout hides. It was from this great de- votion to the use of the rod and fly that in the months of 1937 the Kanokolus Fish and Game Association found its conception. Several of Unity's expert sportsmen maintained that Lake Winnecook would offer better possibilities for lake fishing, if it were stocked with salmon or trout and a fish screen were placed in the outlet to prevent the prized fish from escaping. As a result, a number of these advocates, headed by Henry Foster, Jack Van Deets, John Edgerly and others, called a meeting to form an association whose purpose was to promote better fishing in the lake and streams of this town.16 The meeting resulted in almost immediate interest, not only in investigating the problem of re-stocking the lake, but in furthering the interest of the out-of-state sportsmen in this area. At a public meeting this group of business men elected Henry Foster, President; Charles Reed, secre- tary; Robert Whitehouse, treasurer.17 The name of the great bog lying in central Unity, which is the haunt of wild game, suggested the name of this association. During the months of May and June plans were made for a great Field Day of sports events, the proceeds to be used toward making a survey and inspection of the lake's facilities. This Field Day was held at Braley's Beach in Burnham. For enter- tainment the association sponsored a bass derby, and held speed boat
16. Other men who urged the formation of this association included: Harry Brown, Clayton Hamlin, Lyle Adams, C. B. Jones, LeRoy Shaw, Clayton Hall, Charles Mussey, W. T. Vickery, Wellington Taylor, Bur- ley Ward, Robert Whitehouse, Kenneth Tozier and Alton McCormack.
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and sailboat races. A photographer from Holiday magazine photo- graphed the activities. As a result of the success of this project these Field Days have become an annual event.
During the first year the membership increased from a few to ap- proximately one hundred eighty persons. In 1939 the society bought from Mr. E. T. Whitehouse, for three hundred dollars, the peninsula near the outlet which is part of the horseback now used for a park and beach. The association then planned to sell cottage lots and develop this land for a suitable picnic area where future field days could be en- joyed. The association purchased, for fifty dollars, the right of way to their land. Twelve persons almost at once bought up the four- teen available lots on which to erect cottages.18 Since 1939 the Asso- ciation has developed its "horseback" into an attractive and pleasant recreational area, especially for swimming and boating. The under- growth was cleared away, the beach cleared of bothersome rocks, pic- nic tables were placed in shady places for the convenience of their members and guests.
After World War II the Field Days were resumed, and the third annual Bass Derby was held at the Sportsman's Park on June 29, 1947. These Derbys have attracted wide attention and have offered fisher- men opportunities to snare the good-sized bass which lurk in the depths of Lake Winnecook. The outboard motor boat races also have proved a popular form of amusement at these field days and other times as well.19
Although State officials have cooperated in advising the Fish and Game Association concerning fish protection in Lake Winnecook, they have maintained that a fish screen serves little use in this lake, since they conclude that as many fish could enter through the natural chan- nels as leave it, while the presence of bass and pickerel make it im- practical for stocking it with salmon or trout. Also it was discovered that the lake lacks sufficiently deep channels or cold enough water for either salmon or trout. Therefore, the fisherman will have to be con- tent with the gamey bass and the numerous perch which thrive in this lake.
The Kanokolus Fish and Game Association has definitely been an asset to the town. Its field days have publicized the recreational fa- cilities of Unity. It has worked for the conservation of our wild life and for the protection of our wild game. It has championed good
17. Succeeding presidents have been: C. B. Jones, Lyle Adams, LeRoy Shaw, Lloyd Tozier, Charles Mussey and Kenneth Tozier. The present secretary is Bud Lutz and Lewis Cunningham is treasurer.
18. Seven cottages individually owned by Lloyd Tozier, Henry Foster, Lyle Adams, Charles Reed, Harry Brown, John Edgerly and C. B. Jones were erected between 1940-1949. Some of these persons own two lots.
19. Carl McKechnie and sons have won several special trophies at these races.
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sportsmanship in hunting; it has urged that youngsters should be prop- erly trained in the use of firearms. Its work has resulted in much that is worthwhile.
THE UNITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
About once every generation there arises a need for civic improve- ment and self-evaluation in the community in which one lives. We ask, "Is my town serving the needs of its citizens?" As one generation succeeds another the leaders seek for social or economic improvement. Thus, as the veterans of World War II returned, they desired to con- tinue their responsibilities to their nation, state, and town, (as they had so ably manifested during their service in the armed forces.) In connection with Unity's needs, certain men of this community imme- diately set to work studying the civic problems long neglected during the depression years and the war. Hence, the early months of 1946 proved especially active for the business men of this community.
Early in January of 1946 a group of men met and discussed pro- posals for erecting a much-needed community building. From this dis- cussion grew the plan to form a group interested in achieving civic betterment for this town. One leader who strongly urged such an association was Mr. A. R. Curtis, who had recently served as a Lieu- tenant Commander in the Navy and was a veteran of the Pacific-Asia- tic theater. Following the discussions in January 22, Mr. Curtis wrote a lengthy letter outlining a plan for organizing a civic society. Mean- while, an organizational committee had been selected to draw up the constitution and bylaws.20 The committee pointed out that their ob- jectives would be "the general improvement of the appearance and (of) public facilities of the town and the welfare of its residents." These men were eager to attract new business here, as well as to arouse public interest in civic improvement.
Letters and notices were mailed to inform the public of a first gen- eral meeting called for January 24th at the high school. In response to this notification fifty men attended the meeting, all of whom fa- vored the formation of a civic organization and declared their will- ingness to join the said organization. At the same time the Constitu- tion and bylaws drawn up by Mr. Curtis and the committee were ap- proved.21 Accordingly these individuals agreed to take an active in- terest in the forthcoming town meeting and to support proposals for a community building and the purchase of fire equipment.
The result of this meeting and of those that followed was the or- ganization and formation of a community group which approved the
20. The first such committee was composed of G. R. Hunter, Harry Brown, Karl H. Mackenzie, W. T. Vickery and Alton Lowell.
21. The constitution provides for a president, vice-president, treas- urer, secretary and seven directors. A. R. Curtis succeeded himself as president followed by Shirley Morgan, H. M. Brown, W. T. Vickery and James Neal. The first directors included: W. T. Vickery, Harry Brown, C. B. Jones, Walter Towle, John Edgerly and Frank Hanscom.
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name of Unity Civic Association. A. R. Curtis was elected president; Alton Lowell, vice-president; George S. Patterson, treasurer; Charles Reed, secretary. In June 20, 1946, the Unity Civic Association was incorporated; with its object "the promotion of the general welfare and prosperity of the Town of Unity." During the first year of ac- tivity the association used its influence to have the town purchase fire fighting equipment, which was housed in a fire house constructed through the solicitations and cooperation of this civic association.
Since 1946 the association has functioned as a real community force, democratic in spirit, by holding monthly meetings where its objectives are discussed and motions carried. It has sought to educate the general public of the needs of this town by inviting capable speak- ers here or by animated discussion of problems at hand. The associa- tion has achieved much, but there is much yet to accomplish. There is no community hall. The members have been unable to persuade any new industry to establish itself here as yet. However, it is upon their accomplishments that we bestow our praise; the neat signs placed at the entrance of the village identifying this town; the provision of a refuse disposal area; the sponsorship of the Boy Scouts and the high school speaking exhibition. The Civic Association has, indeed, molded a community spirit that has in turn created a better environment, thereby laying a foundation stone for the preservation of our demo- cratic way of life.
CHAPTER XVII
UNITY SINCE 1900
Except for the few who attended the prayer meeting and watch night services on December 31, 1899, at the Union Church, no other public celebration in Unity marked the entry of the twentieth century. The farmers of this town performed their chores as they had done for years; they pitched down hay from the mow, watered the cattle, milked the cows, chopped up a few sticks of kindling, lugged a few armfuls of wood for the wood box; then they were ready for a sup- per of bread and milk, a wedge of pie, two or three molasses cookies; thereafter they removed their heavy boots and toasted their feet be- fore the old Glenwood range, smoked a pipeful, read the Republican Journal, or Bangor Commercial and retired to bed before nine o'clock.
As the new century dawned the citizens of the United States looked forward confidently to an era of prosperity and security. The political leaders were practical men of affairs, who still believed that "business knew best" what was necessary for the well-being of the nation. Wil- liam Mckinley was President, a solid Republican, but putty in the hands of Mark Hanna. As the new century dawned, the horse and buggy were still the means of getting about. Horses drew the pungs, sleighs, gigs, and wagons. In the cold winter days you were tucked under a buffalo robe with your feet resting on hot soapstones while your body was swathed in coats, sweaters, mufflers, scarves and mit- tens. A trip to Belfast or Waterville was an all day expedition, fre- quently made on the railroad cars.
How different was the wearing apparel of 1900 from today's. Women wore long, trailing skirts and shirtwaists with the high collars. Underneath, the lady of 1900 made sure that she clad herself in chem- ise, drawers, corset, corset-cover, two (at least) petticoats over which she wore a tailored gown of heavy serge, the skirt lined with cambric with brush braid sewed to the bottom. Men's street clothes were dark, formal and stiff. The country man doubtless had but one "best suit," which satisfied his needs for several years, if not a whole genera- tion. The well-dressed man wore a stiff shirt, high collar, vest, and a well-made coat fitted rather snugly while his trousers, too, fitted close- ly and tapered to his ankles.
Unity presented a picture of rural calm and detachment in 1900. The census taker called and later statistics showed that there were only 877 inhabitants, a loss of almost two hundred persons in two decades. The West had really lured the young men away. The houses and stores were all wooden. The streets were unpaved, but the com-
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paratively new wooden sidewalks along the village street testified to the activity of the Ladies' Improvement Society. At least a half dozen houses retained the old white painted picket fences surrounding the narrow lawns. Kerosene street lamps at intervals lighted the fair sex home from the Grange or social meetings. Hitching posts were in evidence everywhere in the village, some granite and others cast iron made in the shape of a horse's head with a ring to tie the reins. Not for a half dozen years would a horseless carriage disturb the tran- quility of the town.
As the first months of 1900 progressed, a county newspaper noted that the people of Unity were on the move. Archie Tozier had moved to the Eben Dodge place; Eben Dodge to the John Stevens place; Clair Whitney to the Archie Tozier place; Will Rolfe to the Dr. Thomas house. There was an epidemic of German measles. In March 1900 men were harvesting ice on the pond for the butter factory. Bartlett & Chase's steam mill commenced operation; at the station quantities of cordwood was shipped out, as well as several carloads of potatoes, which the farmers were selling then for forty-five to fifty cents a bushel.
A glance at the stores and shops of the town of a half century ago would bring forth incredulity today. In the postoffice, likely as not, a string of bananas hung in the window. Under a glass case, not too clean, where dozens of children's grubby hands had pointed too eagerly, was penny candy. The clutter and the lack of hygienic methods would amaze today's visitor. Crackers came in barrels; the molasses in a hogshead placed, often as not, next to the kerosene con- tainer. Dried codfish or herring was piled in tiers; and dried apples strung about the store, collecting dirt and contaminated by pipe smoke. There were four general stores in the village: Taylor and Mitchell, L. H. Mosher, Andrew Myrick and J. A. Adams. In Taylor & Mitchell's you noted a cluttered assortment of chinaware, crockery, tinware, toys, bolts of cloth, watches, or practically anything desired, while along the shelves were bottles of drugs, and patent medicines. I wonder how many dozens of bottles of Syrup of Figs, Hood's Sas- parilla, Atwood's Bitters and Johnson's Liniment were sold. At the station Estes & McCauslin operated a feed and grocery store. At the lower end of Main street W. A. Gerrish shod horses. Bill Gerrish always kept a good horse, and the writer recalls several fast rides behind his speedy little black mare. Gerrish delighted to give you a thrill if he could. Weston Whitten and Charles Means also owned blacksmith shops, where they were kept busy shoeing horses and where the sounds of hammer and anvil were familiar.
Two years previously the town expended approximately twenty- two hundred dollars for building and furnishing a new school, which housed the elementary, grammar and free high school. In the south part of the town pupils continued to trudge to the district schools, and in the Kelley neighborhood, they did likewise. Fifty-three years later
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the crowded conditions in both grades and high school caused the town to build a new grade school costing about forty thousand dol- lars. All pupils are now transported by school bus, quite a contrast to the days when youngsters walked two or three miles to school, rode on horseback or bicycles.
Though the nineteenth century came to a close on Dec. 31, 1899, the death of President Mckinley on Sept. 14, 1901, marked the real close, though at the time few realized it. The town revealed its grief by tolling the bell of the Union Church for forty-five minutes, after which the bell was tolled fifty-eight strokes representing the Presi- dent's age. The dynamic T. R. (Theodore Roosevelt) assumed the nation's leadership and a new era commenced. The government in those days did not interfere with big business. There was no income tax. There was little hindrance by the government in stopping business developing great corporations which transacted their affairs to suit themselves, with nary a thought to the poor working man. Million- aires had incomes running into millions while the average income of the U. S. citizen was between four and five hundred dollars a year. A laborer with a pair of horses or a yoke of oxen in Unity working on a town highway received $1.50 a day. There was reform in the air. Big business was attacked by the muckrakers. The Courts in the decade between 1903 and 1913 upheld the legislation of Congress and the State legislature to curb speculation and unfair practices. Suddenly there came about an upsurge of moral evangelism for the public welfare. The impact was felt all over the United States. Meanwhile Unity enjoyed a pleasant prosperity, and thumped the praises of good old Teddy Roosevelt and his big stick.
On October 1, 1902 the country people enjoyed the establishment of a rural free delivery of their mail. Gurney A. Stevens was ap- pointed and carried the mail for twenty-two years. Ambrose Dean carried it for about three months, and then Clif B. Jones received the appointment; ever since making six trips a week, rain or shine, for the past twenty-eight years, a notable record. Clif is the only person I know who can drive a car sitting on the right hand side of the seat, a habit he has acquired putting the mail in boxes on his route.
On the fourth of July 1904 Unity celebrated her one hundredth birthday as an incorporated town. The town had not seen such a gala day of festivities since a Fourth of July in 1861 when 3,000 people participated in a memorable Fourth. J. R. Taber and Dr. Jesse E. Cook were in charge of the over-all planning of the Centennial, while L. H. Mosher, Dr. W. G. Fuller, Curtis E. Mitchell, Crosby Fowler and George Mosher and ladies made up a reception committee. An- other committee was in charge of fireworks. The parade was a spec- tacular affair with many picturesque and interesting floats. The 2nd Regiment Band of Belfast led the procession, followed by carriages carrying the town officers and special guests. The first float was Jim Vickery's hay rack decorated beautifully with white drapery and laden
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with twenty-five of Unity's most attractive ladies, all dressed in white. In those days, there were no Miss Maines, but if any lady represented such, it was Edna Whitten, robed in white, representing the goddess "Liberty," and holding the stars and stripes. Following came other beautifully decorated floats and carriages, processions of organizations and lodges, and riders on horseback dressed in old-fashioned clothes. Crosby Fowler and John M. Thompson rode in a one-horse phaeton. The Portland Packing Company was represented by a float carrying a miniature corn factory in full operation. The G. A. R., led by a drum corps, rode in carriages or marched. Adams & Knight's Store had a float exhibiting an "up-to-date" 1904 kitchen. There were several old pieces of agricultural equipment including an ancient plow drawn by a yoke of oxen driven by E. E. Getchell, while more modern machinery was represented by a new potato planter, a potato sprayer, a mowing machine, a hay rake and a new grain reaper. Undoubtedly a unique feature was a "horseless carriage" made in the shape of a box on wooden wheels which was propelled from behind by a horse. In the afternoon the Centennial exercises continued with a historical address by James R. Taber, and an oration by Dr. George C. Chase, President of Bates College, then Unity's most distinguished son. Thus the day ended in fitting and appropriate ceremonies of the one hun- dredth anniversary of a town.
The Fourth of July was always an occasion for pranks as well as for fireworks. On the night of the Fourth the "boys" liked to celebrate usually in the form of practical jokes. A band of jubilant males fre- quently heralded the Fourth by forcing the lock on the church door and climbing into the belfry to ring the church bell. This stunt some- times lasted a couple of hours; meanwhile, other jokers were stirring up fun elsewhere. If anything movable was left out in a yard, it was moved elsewhere; no exertion was too great to transport it to some unlikely spot. Carriages appeared on top of telephone poles; privies, dump carts, or hayrakes were piled up in the village square or on the sidewalks. Another joy to the pranksters was to take two blacksmiths' anvils, put black powder between them, light a fuse, and then await the terrific explosion. On one occasion the celebrators painted the windows of a man's house, as well as painting the outside walls with hideous pictures and cute sayings. One family in the village had a son who was mentally retarded. It occurred to a group of these young men that they should go over into the south part of the town and imitate the voice of this unfortunate boy, who when allowed his free- dom sometimes wore a cowbell around his neck. The idea behind the prank was to get someone out of bed to notify the boy's parents that Everett was out. In the south of Unity the prank backfired when the
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excited gang tried out their trick on Joe Clifford. Clifford, not fooled by the trick, as well as not liking any too well the participants, whom he considered "hellraisers", fired a load of buckshot into the group, who scattered and turned tail home. One lad whose breeches were peppered cried, "Oh, take me home to Mother, I'm dying." Thus ended what was called Clifford's War.
Another often repeated tale concerns these same young men, who conceived the plan of building a large paper kite. Waiting for a good high wind, they tied a lantern to the kite, taking it to the old cemetery near the schoolhouse. Letting the wind carry aloft the kite with its eerie light, their project was soon well launched. Some of the vil- lagers saw this strange apparition in the sky and became frightened. Others were positive that the Day of Judgment was at hand. In such a manner for dozens of years the Fourth of July was celebrated. A century previously the founding fathers celebrated the day of Inde- pendence by parades, banquets, where elaborate toasts were made to President Washington, to Liberty, to Gen. Lafayette, the Governor, the militia, and so on; with speeches and toasts, thus disposing of quantities of madeira, port, and brandy. A Fourth of July oration or picnic served for years the prescribed manner of celebrating the birth- day of the United States. Today, we eat traditional green peas or salmon, go to the beach, or loll away the day at some resort, often- times forgetting what the day actually commemorates.
One day in 1903 a peculiar chug-chug, sputter, sput interrupted the peaceful domain of the village; the first automobile ever seen in Unity, driven by lawyer Hussey of Waterville, had put in its appear- ance in the village. This was the beginning of a mighty torrent of traf- fic which two decades and later poured forth over Route 9. In 1908 Fred Whitehouse bought a chain-drive Rambler, a forerunner of the Nash car; later Whitehouse bought an E.M.F. Lin Gould owned a Stanley Steamer, the first of its kind in town, followed by Albert Ba- con, who sold his to Frank Bartlett. Other men who early saw the potentialities of the gasoline driven vehicle were E. E. McCauslin and Dr. Clair Whitney, whose green Maxwell became a familiar sight.1 In 1909 Henry Ford brought the ubiquitous Model-T, the car of the peo- ple. By 1914 Ford was producing Fords on the principle of mass pro- duction and selling them for as little as five hundred dollars, and even less. Soon women were driving. Jennie Dodge bought a Ford, so did Laura Hunt, and others, like Laura Bagley to whom a car meant new brooks to fish in. The only time that Laura couldn't make her old Ford run was a time when a pet crow of Pete Adams attracted to the shiny switch key seized it in its beak and flew to the roof of Lyle Adams' store. Laura was angry.
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