A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine, Part 22

Author: Hatch, William Collins. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Farmington, Me., Press of Knowlton, McLeary & co.
Number of Pages: 938

USA > Maine > Franklin County > Industry > A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine > Part 22

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* Not to be out-done by their contemporaries, the Union Peace Temperance Society also made preparations to celebrate the anniversary of their National Inde- pendence. They engaged as their speaker, Daniel G. Harriman, of New Sharon, a young man of ability, who acquired the degree of A. M. about that time, and soon after became a teacher at the Kent's Ilill Seminary. He subsequently became a lawyer and practiced in New York City. They selected as a place for their exercises a beautiful spot in the grove on the left of the road leading to New Sharon, and but a short distance south of the village. In the afternoon the Society held a rousing mass meeting in Oliver Stevens's hall, and added many new names to their pledge.

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to meet through the year 1859, but in the winter of 1860 certain members gave the society a vast amount of trouble by divulg- ing the pass-word of the order. As these members became more and more troublesome it was thought advisable by the majority of the members to surrender their charter. Accord- ingly, in the latter part of June, 1860, their charter was returned to the Grand Division, from whence it originated, and the soci- ety disbanded. This condition of things did not continue long, however, for on the 10th of July following, a number of the original members met and re-organized under the same name and number as the former society had borne. Up to this date no permanent place for holding their meetings could be obtained, but before the close of this year a hall was finished over Warren N. Willis's store, afterward known as the Peter W. Butler stand, and was used for the first time by the Division on the 4th day of December, 1860. The expenses of finishing this hall were borne by a number of public-spirited gentlemen, namely, Asaph Boyden, Capt. Peter W. Willis, George W. Luce, Benjamin Tib- betts, Cyrus Chase, Almore Haskell, Isaac Daggett, Peter B. Smith, David M. Norton, Alonzo Norton, John E. Johnson, John T. Daggett and James A. Manter. The generous act of these gentlemen placed the Society on a substantial footing, financially, and relieved it of much trouble and anxiety. The society's meetings were well attended until the winter of 1863, when from the excitement caused by the war and from other causes the interest seemed to abate. Some of the members continued to hold meetings in private houses for a while, but ere long these meetings were discontinued and Putnam Division, S. of T., became a thing of the past. This society's motto was, " the strict enforcement of the law," and with this object in view the rumseller's position became anything but an agreeable one. A sharp watch was kept for law-breakers, and no opportunity to prosecute them was allowed to pass unimproved. Though the venders of ardent spirits received frequent chastisements at the hands of the Sons of Temperance, the sale of intoxicants was not wholly suppressed. But the restraint exerted by this course had a very beneficial effect in the town and community, and the

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amount of good resulting from this organization can hardly be estimated.

Prior to the organization of the forementioned society, some of the most influential men in town united to form "The Union Peace Temperance Society." The exact date of its formation is unknown, but at a meeting holden Jan. 10, 1859, Nelson C. Luce presented a constitution for adoption. From this fact it is to be inferred that the date was very near the beginning of the year 1859. While the Sons of Temperance favored a rigid enforcement of the law, the Union Society declared in favor of milder measures and favored prosecution only as a dernier res- sort. Feelings of intense bitterness existed between the mem- bers of the two organizations, and a few of the Sons even went so far as to declare that the Union Society was organized in the interest of and controlled by the rumseller, and many epithets of vile abuse were heaped upon the heads of its mem- bers. The meetings of the society were largely attended and the total membership reached a high figure. Among its mem- bers were Nelson C. Luce, Elbridge H. Rackliff, David Luce, Silas Burse.

Nearly contemporaneous with the Putnam Division, there existed at Allen's Mills a similar organization, of which the writer has failed to learn any facts-not even the name by which it is was known.

The "Guiding Star" Division, Sons of Temperance, was organized at West's Mills, March 3, 1865, and at one time had forty-five members, but it did not live to celebrate its first anniversary.

The Order of Good Templars first gained a foothold in Industry at Allen's Mills, where, in April, 1870, the citizens of that place and vicinity organized a lodge with twenty charter members. Among these members were Gen'l Nathan Good- ridge, Moses M. Luce, Sylvanus B. Philbrick, Henry B. Rack- liff, Daniel Collins Luce, Deacon Ira Emery, William J. Rackliff and John E. Johnson. The officers elected and installed for the first quarter were as follows: Worthy Chief Templar, William J. Rackliff; W. V. Templar, Miriam C. Luce ; W. Chap-

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lain, Ira Emery; W. Secretary, Sarah E. Johnson; W. Finan- cial Secretary, Henry B. Rackliff; W. Treasurer, Moses M. Luce; W. Marshal, J. Warren Collins; W. Deputy, Mary G. Rackliff; W. Inside Guard, William Seaver; W. Outside Guard, Charles A. Craig; Past W. C. T., John E. Johnson. This organization, known as Clear Water Lodge, held its meetings on Wednesday of each week, but subsequently changed the day to Saturday. With so many persons of sterling char- acter among the charter members, the lodge was a success from the very start. Regular meetings were held during the summer, new regalias and other paraphernalia of the Order procured, and a few new members were received. The lodge numbered 29 members in good standing on the 13th of August, IS70.

October 12, 1870, the Grand Lodge of Maine met at Farm- ington, and Clear Water Lodge sent William J. Rackliff, Daniel Collins Luce and Mary G. Rackliff as delegates to that meeting. The usual routine of business was interspersed and enlivened by vocal and instrumental music, as well as by papers, debates, dia- logues, declamations, tableaux and charades. Occasionally the members would give an exhibition or get up a supper, which invariably added something to the cash account of the lodge. During the winter of 1870-1 the meetings were held at the house of Moses M. Luce. Early the following spring, however, the members rented a hall over Oscar O. Allen's store, and here the lodge continued to hold its meetings as long as it existed. These meetings were well attended, and new members were from time to time added, until by the close of July, 1871, the lodge numbered forty-six members in good standing. The order sustained a serious loss in the death of General Nathan Goodridge, which occurred Sept. 30, 1871. Gen. Goodridge was a worthy and highly esteemed member, and at a subse- quent meeting the following resolutions in memoriam were passed and sent to the Farmington Chronicle and Riverside Echo for publication :

WHEREAS it has pleased the great Father to remove from us our esteemed brother, Gen. Nathan Goodridge, and while we would remem-

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ber our fraternal obligation which demands an expression of our sorrow, and our sympathy for the afflicted family, therefore be it

Resolved, That by the death of our beloved brother we are bereft of a kind and gentle associate, rich in every virtue that adorns mankind, and loved most by those who knew him best.

Resolved, That in our sadness we do not forget to recognize the over-ruling hand of Providence, who does not allow even a sparrow to fall without His notice.

Resolved, That our sympathy is tendered to the bereaved and afflicted friends, and that we point them to Him who doeth all things well, in their hour of sorrow.

The carly part of the year 1872 marked a period of gen- eral prosperity in the history of Clear Water Lodge, and its meetings continued through the winter of 1871-2 with un- abated interest, and its entertainments were well patronized. But as the year drew near its close the interest seemed to abate, and meetings were held less and less frequently the following winter. The last entry in the lodge journal bears the date of March 1, 1873. Among the persons who served as Chief Templar in this lodge were: John R. Lucc, Iloratio A. B. Kyes, Daniel C. and Moses M. Luce. Prominent among the members were, Rev. Chas. E. Woodcock, Amos S. Hinkley, Oscar O. Allen, Herbert B. Luce and Josiah Emery.

In the summer of 1873 a representative of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars came to West's Mills and attempted to organize a lodge, but from some reason a permanent organiza- tion was never gained. After meeting two or three times, the interest seemed to die out and a charter was never obtained. Thus ended the first attempt to establish a Lodge of Good Templars at West's Mills. Again, in the winter of 1878, while the Iron Clad Club was holding its most interesting meetings, Mr. 1 .. W. Starbird, of East Dixmont, Maine, a member of the Grand Lodge, came to West's Mills and addressed the club, on the subject of forming a lodge, at one of its regular meetings. Though Mr. Starbird labored incessantly for the cause, both among the club members and the community at large, he failed to secure sufficient support to enable him to organize a lodge.

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During the winter of 1881 Albert O. Frederic, of Stark, who was teaching the village school at West's Mills, having been commissioned as a special deputy of the Grand Lodge, proposed that the persons interested in the cause of temper- ance unite to form a lodge of the Order of Good Templars. Accordingly a paper was circulated and a sufficient number of names to insure the success of the enterprise was obtained, and on the evening of March 12th these persons met at Norton's Ilall for the purpose of organization. The traveling being very bad at the time, several who had pledged their support failed to be present. Consequently the lodge was organized with scarcely members enough for the necessary officers. The organization was perfected by the election and installation of the following officers, viz: John W. Frederic, Worthy Chief Templar ; Ida M. Oliver, Worthy Vice Templar; Eugene L. Smith, Worthy Secretary ; Harrison Daggett, Worthy Financial Secretary ; Flora M. Rackliff, Worthy Treasurer; Rev. John WV. Perry, Worthy Chaplain ; Frank W. Smith, Worthy Mar- shal; Emma N. Luce, Worthy Inside Guard; Ward Burns, Worthy Outside Guard; David W. Merry, Past Worthy Chief Templar ; William C. Hatch, Lodge Deputy. This organiza- tion was given the name of Protection Lodge, doubtless from the fact that one of its objects was to protect its members from the temptations and baleful influences of intemperance. For a time the prospects of this organization were gloomy indeed, notwithstanding the fact that it was fully organized and free from debt. The society met with strong opposition, the mem- bership was small, and owing to outside influences it seemed for a time that it would never be any larger. At first it met only to adjourn from time to time, but after a while its pros- pects began to brighten ; several new members were added, and the lodge thus re-enforced took a new lease of life. Meetings were held regularly, and in addition to the usual routine of business, questions were discussed, select readings were given ; an organ having been procured, vocal and instrumental music were included among the exercises. After once getting a start, at nearly every meeting new and valuable acquisitions were

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added to its list of members, and the interest was well main- tained throughout the entire year. Protection Lodge num- bered about fifty members in good standing at the beginning of 1882, and had a sum in the treasury more than sufficient to pay all expenses, notwithstanding a considerable sum had been expended in furnishings for the hall. The members were regular in their attendance, and the year was a prosperous one in the history of the lodge. During the succeeding winter the interest seemed to abate, and no meetings were held after Feb. 12, 1883. But in the fall of that year they were again resumed with a varying degree of interest and continued up to near the close of December. Owing to the unsettled condition of affairs, it was thought best to surrender the charter and re-organize under a new one. Thus closed up the affairs of Protection Lodge, No. 334, I. O. of G. T., after an existence of nearly three years. The Chief Templars of this Lodge were : John W. Frederic, Rev. John W. Perry, David M. Nor- ton and William D. Randall. The deputies : William C. Hatch and Harrison Daggett.

Through the efforts of Rev. Luther P. French the co-opera- tion of a sufficient number of children was secured to form a juvenile temple. For this purpose a meeting was held in Norton's llall at West's Mills, on Saturday evening, Feb. 2, 1884. The temple was organized by F. A. Marston, of Oak- land, a representative of the Grand Lodge of Maine, and num- bered seventeen members. The officers elected were as follows : Chief Templar, Frank C. Luce; Right-Hand Supporter, Frances A. Norton; Left-Hand Supporter, Annie C. Randall; Vice- Templar, Nellie B. Stevens ; Secretary, Samuel C. Pinkham ; As- sistant Secretary, Henry C. French ; Financial Secretary, George W. Patterson; Treasurer, Frances E. Daggett; Chaplain, Amy A. Norton; Marshal, Rufus F. Pinkham; Guard, Ellen S. Norton ; Sentinel, Reuel B. Norton ; Superintendent of the Tem- ple, Rev. Luther P. French. This temple was known as the "Gatherers," No. 72, and continued to meet every Saturday afternoon through the winter and spring. After Elder French left the Industry Circuit in the spring, Mrs. Sarah J. Randall was

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chosen Superintendent. The busy spring and summer season caused a very marked decrease in the attendance at the meet- ings, and by autumn the organization had become a thing of the past.

In consultation with State Deputy Marston the officers and members of Protection Lodge decided to surrender their charter, as has already been stated, and continue the work of the Order under a new dispensation from the Grand Lodge. Consequently a petition was drawn up asking for a new charter, and on the evening appointed for organization it contained the signatures of 126 persons who desired to become charter members. This result was the outgrowth of the earnest, unremitting efforts of Eben S. Ladd and Asa H. Patterson, who thorougly canvassed for signatures at every house within a radius of several miles of the village, and is said to be without a parallel in the history of temperance work in the State of Maine. Prominent among the petitioners were Rev. Luther P. French, Franklin W. Patterson, Benjamin Warren Norton, Joseph W. Smith, William D. Ran- dall, Warren Cornforth, Benjamin Tibbetts, Rosalvin Robbins, John W. Frederic and others. The petioners met for organiza- tion on Friday evening, February 8, 1884. The members, seventy in number, were initiated by State Deputy Marston of Oakland. The name "Clear Water Lodge" was adopted, and Saturday evening of each week was selected for holding their meetings. Officers were then elected and installed as follows : W. C. T., Wm. D. Randall; W. V. T., Eva L. Luce; W. S., Sidney Watson; W. F. S., Benjamin Warren Norton; W. T., Franklin W. Patterson; W. C., Rev. Luther P. French ; W. M., Asa H. Patterson; W. I. G., Ward Burns; W. O. G., John F. Gordon ; P. W. C. T., John W. Frederic; L. D., Harrison Dag- gett; W. L. H. S., Sarah E. Tolman; W. R. H. S., Deborah Norton ; W. D. M., F. Octavia Ladd.

A board of trustees, consisting of Joseph W. Smith, James M. Norton and Eben S. Ladd, was also chosen. At the next election of officers, April 26, 1884, Harrison Daggett was chosen Chief Templar and Sherman G. Tinkham selected for Lodge Deputy. While the zeal of its originators remained at white

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heat the prospects of Clear Water Lodge were flattering, indeed, and its meetings were well sustained for a few months. But in this case the axiom, "Go up like a rocket and come down like the stick" was again to be verified. A perceptible declension in the interest occurred during the months of May and June, and but seven meetings were held after July first, the last being October 11, 1884.

Near the close of November, 1887, James H. Hamilton, Councillor of the Grand Lodge of Maine, visited West's Mills and lectured at Norton's Hall on "The Object of the Order." At the close of his lecture he re-organized Clear Water Lodge with nine charter members. The officers elected and installed were: W. C. T., Calvin B. Fish; W. V. T., Amy A. Norton ; W. S., Samuel C. Pinkham; W. F. S., Robert Burns; W. T., Ellen A. Frederic; W. M., Rufus F. Pinkham; W. C., Lilla Masterman ; W. I. G., Clara E. Norton; W. O. G., George W. Patterson ; L. D., Arthur H. Oliver. The lodge met with some degree of regularity during the winter of 1887-8 and gained a few new members, but it never secured a very permanent basis.

Soon after his visit to West's Mills, Mr. Hamilton visited Allen's Mills and on Thursday, December 8, 1887, organized a second lodge in Industry to be known as Crystal Lake Lodge. This temple had thirty-five charter members, and to perfect its organization elected and installed the following officers: W. C. T., Herbert B. Luce; W. V. T., Juliet Bailey ; W. S., Alfred F. Johnson; W. A. S., Etta M. Norton; W. F. S., John T. Luce ; W. T., John C. Higgins; W. M., Alonzo O. Rackliff; W. D. M., Amy A. Luce; W. C., D. Collins Luce; W. I. G., Carrie M. True; W. O. G., Andrew S. Emery; P. W. C T., William. J. Rackliff; L. D., Llewellyn Norton. At the present time (June, 1892), this lodge is holding its meetings regularly and is in a prosperous condition. It numbers sixty-one members in good standing and is wielding a powerful influence for the cause of temperance.

On the day following the organization of "Crystal Lake Lodge" at Allen's Mills, a juvenile temple was also organized at the same place, taking for its name the title " Sparkling Jewel."

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The first set of officers elected were: C. T., Frank C. Luce ; V. T., Minnie O. Purdy ; C., Melvin Purdy ; Sec., Mrs. Rose Spin- ney ; Ass't Sec., Berley Viles; F. S., Allie Spinney ; T., C. Ern- est Wyman ; M., Kent R. Rackliff; D. M., Eugene Rackliff ; G., Mabel Rathey ; S., Neddie Rathey; R. H. S., Mande Rack- liff; L. H. S., Lena Rackliff; P. C. T., Andrew Spinney ; Sup't of Temple, Juliet Bailey. This Temple has been one of the most prosperous in Franklin County.

Early in October, 1877, several zealous workers in the cause of temperance from the Iron Clad Club at Farmington, came to West's Mills and succeeded in organizing an Iron Clad Club there. This temperance movement was originated by Joshua K. Osgood, of Gardiner, Me., and at the time a club was organ- ized at West's Mills, several efficient organizations of the kind existed in the State. This new departure in temperance work soon became very popular, and through its instrumentality many persons of intemperate habits were reclaimed and have since led strictly temperate lives. In organizing at West's Mills, the labors of the visitors were ably supplemented by aid from many representative citizens of the place, including Rev. David Pratt, Moses Bradbury, Richard Caswell, Elias H. Yeaton and others. Mr. Bradbury was chosen president of the Club and filled the position in a very able and acceptable manner. Elias H. Veaton was elected vice-president, and Coridon W. Luce,* secretary. The new club took for its name " Eureka," signify- ing I have found it. So diligently did the members labor that at the close of the fifth meeting their pledge contained one hun- dred and eighty names. Weekly meetings were held during the winter of 1877-8 with a deep and widespread interest.

Josiah Emery, who had previously been a member of the Farmington Club, succeeded Mr. Bradbury as president of Eureka Club. Mr. Emery was an earnest and able worker in the canse of temperance, and his selection for this high office proved a judicious choice. At nearly every meeting new names were added, and the total membership increased to nearly two hundred

* Mr. Luce was certainly secretary of the club soon after its organization, but the writer is unable to learn positively that he was the first secretary.

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and fifty by spring. The meetings were continued at intervals through the following summer, and in the fall the club celebrated its first anniversary. The exercises of this occasion were held in the Union Church at West's Mills and consisted of an oration, spirited remarks on temperance, besides other interesting and instructive features. A large delegation from the Madison Bridge Club was present and participated in the celebration. The oration was delivered by Rev. Silas F. Strout, the minister in charge of the M. E. Church on Industry circuit, and was pro- nounced an able effort by all present. While the club and its visitors were at the church the ladies were busily engaged in preparing a bountiful repast at Norton's Hall, whither the com- pany repaired after the closing exercises. Here a pleasant hour was spent around the social board and the time of parting came only too soon. When the visitors departed it was with many good wishes for the success of Eureka Club and the pros- perity of its members. The meetings were continued through the winter of 1878-9, but with a lessening degree of interest in consequence of dissatisfaction and withdrawal of some of the prominent members of the club. During the next summer the meetings were held at intervals less and less frequent, until at length they ceased entirely. John E. Johnson and John W. Frederic were among the presiding officers in addition to those already mentioned. The good influences of the Iron Clad Club over the intemperate portion of the community can hardly be estimated, and though nearly a decade has elapsed since it ceased to hold meetings its influence still lives. It is a noteworthy fact that but three times in the history of the town have the municipal officers appointed a liquor agent as the law permits them to do. Another fact showing the good results of temperance work in Industry is the fact that in 1884, when the prohibitory constitu- tional amendment came before the people, the vote in this town stood: Yes, 79; No, 19.

CHAPTER XIV.

REMINISCENCES.

Religious Views of the Early Settlers .- Strict Observance of the Sabbath .- Destitute Circumstances. - Agricultural Implements. - Bread-Baking. - Substitutes for Cooking Soda .- The Luxuries of Pioneer Life .- Methods of Starting a Fire .-- llarvesting Grain .- Depredations of Bears .- A Good Bear Story .- Cows and Swine Allowed to Roam at Will in the Woods .-- Spinning and Weaving .- Do- mestic "Tow and Linen " Cloth .- Flax-Culture .- Wool-Growing in Industry .- The Tin Baker. - Introduction of Cooking-Stoves. - First Thorough-braced Wagon Brought to Town .- Shoe-Making .- First Threshing-Machine .- Sewing- Machines .- Mowing-Machines. - " Air-tight" Cooking-Stoves. - Methods of Measuring the Flight of Time .- The Hour-Glass .- Sun-Dials .- Clocks .- Nails. - Methods of Lighting the Settlers' Homes .- Tallow Dips .- Whale Oil .- Burn- ing Fluid .- Kerosene .- Sugar-Making .- Intentions of Marriage .- Quill Pens .- Anecdotes, Etc.

THIE customs and manners of the early settlers in Industry were so different from those of the present day, that the author devotes an entire chapter to their consideration. With few ex- ceptions, the first settlers came from Martha's Vineyard, and were strictly Puritanic in their religious views. A rigid observ- ance of the Sabbath, which with them usually began at sunset on Saturday evening, was enjoined on all, and when the town was incorporated several tything-men were chosen, whose sole duty consisted in keeping a sharp lookout for Sabbath-breakers. To the log-cabin of the early pioneers in Industry, poverty and want were no strangers. Money was scarce, roads almost im- passable, and markets for produce a long way off. Food and clothing were of the coarsest quality, and not infrequently in- sufficient in quantity. The agricultural and household imple- ments were few in number and of the most primitive sort. When a clearing had been made and the grain sown, a hoe was

HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

often used to cover the seed for want of a barrow and a suit- able team to drag it. Hay and grain were usually hauled on sleds or carried to the place of stacking, by two men, on a couple of long slender poles. The plow of the settler was a rude, clumsy affair,-a mould-board hewed out of wood and covered with a mail of iron. With such an implement it is plain to be seen that plowing could be done only in the most imperfect manner, in fact, it was but a step in advance of the modes of tilling the soil as practiced by the ancient nations. The hoes, like the plows, were heavy, awkward affairs, ham- mered out by the nearest blacksmith, with a sapling from the forest for a handle Doubtless in their day, these were con- sidered very effective instruments, but to-day there is not a boy in town who would consider one of them suitable to dig bait enough for a day's fishing. The scythes were formed by the hand of the same artisan who made the hoes, and the snath was of the same material as the handle of the hoe, only of a larger size. The scythe was hung to a straight snath, which was grasped in the hands while mowing, nibs, or handles, not having come into use in those days. To mow with such an implement must have been very fatiguing, for while at work the farmer was obliged to stand nearly half bent. The boys, whose duty it was to do the tedding, were supplied with " tedding-sticks" made from small saplings pointed at both ends, with which the hay was thrown to the right and left, using each end of the stick alternately. After the hay was properly cured it was usually stacked in close proximity to the hovel where the cow and other stock was kept during the winter.

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A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine, Part 22

Author: Hatch, William Collins. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Farmington, Me., Press of Knowlton, McLeary & co. Number of Pages: 938

Author: Hatch, William Collins. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Farmington, Me., Press of Knowlton, McLeary & co.
Number of Pages: 938