USA > Maine > Franklin County > Industry > A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine > Part 26
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EVENTS FROM 1860 TO 1866.
A widespread epidemic of diphtheria visited Industry in the fall of 1860, and prevailed with alarming mortality for many months. This was a new disease to the physician and its path- ology and treatment were not well understood. So sudden and virulent was the attack, and so intractable did the disease seem, even to the most carefully selected remedies, that patients were often entrusted to the care of empirics in preference to the educated physician. Blindly ignorant of its highly contagious character, the disease was carried from family to family in the clothing of nurses and attendants on the sick. Thus was this dreadful disease spread from house to house and neighborhood to neighborhood, leaving desolate homes and sorrowing families in its track .* Wholly ignorant of the result, public funerals were with few exceptions held over the remains of those dying with this disease, thus affording another fertile source for its dissemination. Many declared the disease non-contagious, bas- ing their assertion on personal immunity from contagion. Yet these same persons would hesitate and often decline assistance in caring for those ill with this disease, thus clearly showing that they did not care to take the risk, notwithstanding their strong faith. Others considered the disease highly contagious, and would under no consideration enter a house where a case was known to exist. Fortunately the number of cases diminished and people began to feel a certain degree of safety. Though
* The following editorial item which will give the reader some idea of the fearful ravages of this disease, was clipped from the Farmington Chronicle of January 31, 1861 : "This fearful disease is making sad ravages around us in every direction. In one small neighborhood in Chesterville we understand ten persons have fallen its victims within a brief period. In one family the father died while his child was being conveyed to its burial. In another, three children lay dead in the house at one time, and four prostrated with the disease. Scores of families in this and adjoining towns are mourning the loss of one or more loved ones, who have been suddenly smitten down with this fatal disease. The skill of the physician is baffled in staying its pro- gress and saving its victims."
Below in the same column the editor adds: "We understand that in the neigh- borhood in Chesterville, mentioned in this column, where the diphtheria has raged with such fearful fatality, there are five lying dead to-day (Wednesday) in three families. One entire family has been carried away and all the children, seven in number, in another. The whole number of deaths in the neighborhood is upwards of fifteen."
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not so prevalent, yet there were many deaths from this disease in 1862-3-4-5.
Late in the year 1860 Barnabas A. Higgins and others re- siding at Allen's Mills sent a petition to the State Legislature asking that they and their estates, embracing the whole village, be set off from Industry and annexed to Farmington. The in- habitants of Industry being opposed to such secessionary pro- ceedings and not wishing to lose so valuable a tract of their domain, promptly called a special town meeting to adopt such measures as the exigencies of the case required. The meeting was held January 7, 1861, and Josiah Emery was chosen agent to appear before the legislative committee in opposition to the petitioners. About the same time Farmington also held a town meeting, at which it was voted not to receive the petitioners and their estates. Had that town voted otherwise it is doubtful whether the petitioners could have been successfully thwarted in their purpose.
Scarcely had the boom of the last cannon fired on Fort Sumter died away and the wires flashed the news of its fall over the length and breadth of the land, ere the citizens of Indus- try, fired with zeal and patriotism, began active preparations for the defense of the Union. A " war meeting" was held at West's Mills on Saturday, May 4, 1861, scarcely more than three weeks after the commencement of hostilities. The day was fair and the gathering large, being estimated at fully 500 people. Early in the morning the people began to gather. At eleven o'clock in the forenoon a flagstaff was erected and a flag raised amid the loud huzzas of the assembled crowd .* Mrs. Silas H. Burce then sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" in a manner highly creditable to herself, and to the great satisfaction of all present. This was followed by stirring speeches from Josiah
* Asaph Boyden, secretary of these meetings, wrote The Franklin Patriot, under date of May 6, 1861, that " the blue used by the Ladies' Circle in making the flag was spun and woven by Mrs. Dudley Thing, a heroine of the Revolution." This was evidently a slip of the pen, the 1812 War being undoubtedly meant, for Mrs. Thing was only five years of age when the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed. The flagstaff above referred to was located very near the northeast corner of Richard Fassett's tavern.
EVENTS FROM 1860 TO 1866. 301
Emery and David Merry, Esq. When they had finished, the assembly again saluted its National emblem with loud cheers and the boom of cannon, as it proudly floated on the breeze from its lofty position. A speaker's stand was improvised, Albert Shaw called upon to preside and Asaph Boyden chosen secretary of the meeting. A fervent prayer was then offered by Dea. Ira Emery. This was followed by earnest and patriotic appeals to the people, urging them to stand by their beloved Union in her hour of peril. Among the citizens who addressed the assemblage were Hiram Manter, Gen. Nathan Goodridge, Elbridge H. Rackliff, Capt. Curtis Pinkham, Benjamin Tibbetts, Isaac Daggett and many others. The speaking was interspersed with national and patriotic airs acceptably rendered by a choir wholly composed of local talent. A committee on resolutions, appointed at the opening of the meeting, then reported and read amid the most vociferous cheering the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :
WHEREAS: Almighty God in blessing our fathers gave them a republican form of government and Constitution, securing to all citizens of these United States, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness ; and whereas that government has been transmitted to us, their children. for safety and perpetuity ; and whereas, under the benign and equal opera- tion of the said government, we have achieved a national character second to none ; and whereas, at the present time our government and liberties are in imminent peril from the action of the States of this Union in that they have :
ist, given to the Constitution new and strange interpretations un- known to the framers.
2(1, They have barbarously treated many of the free men of this nation.
3rd, They have set at naught the laws of the land.
4th, they have withdrawn from the Union without consent of the re- maining States.
5th, They have inaugurated a new government in a way and manner that has never before been known, or even attempted in the civilized world.
6th, They have elected their officers.
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7th, They have seized an immense amount of money, munitions of war, and other property belonging to the United States.
8th, They have actually commenced a war by attacking Fort Sumter, and threatening to march upon the Capitol, thus aiming to overthrow that Government, the securing and establishing of which cost our fathers a seven years' conflict with Great Britain, and thus leaving us two alter- natives :
ist. To submit to Jefferson Davis as cowards unworthy of our birth- right : or.
2(1. To arise in the strength and dignity of freemen and show the traitors that we will maintain our constitutional rights. Therefore,
Resolved,- Ist. That the Constitution and laws must and shall be maintained at all and every hazard.
2dl, That this great crisis imperatively demands the firm and united support of every patriot, irrespective of party organization.
3rd. That we prefer no other banner to float over us during the im- pending conflict, than that of the "red, white and blue," the American eagle with thirty-four stars.
4th, That in the immortal language of the heroes of '76, to preserve our Independence united, we pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
Resolved, That we, citizens of Industry, do hereby pledge ourselves to stand by and support the families that may be left in consequence of enlistments which have or may be made in the army to defend our con- stitutional rights, if need be.
[Signed.]
Josiah Emery.
Rufus Jennings.
Oliver Stevens.
Hiram Manter.
David Patterson.
James Cutts. Benjamin N. Willis.
David Merry.
Andrew Tibbetts. Isaac Daggett.
James Elliott.
Nathan Goodridge.
Committee on Resolutions.
After other exercises, including the presentation of a sword and epaulettes to Capt. Curtis Pinkham by Josiah Emery, the meeting adjourned to meet in two weeks. During these war meetings, which continued up to and culminated in a grand celebration on July 4th, many exciting scenes transpired. A company was organized and equipped with "wooden guns."
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EVENTS FROM 1860 TO 1866.
Swords, pistols, belts and other military trappings were brought down from the garrets to which they had been consigned years before. Articles of military dress became all the rage, and the boy who did not make some pretentions in this direction was counted unpatriotic and of little account by his companions.
Martial music became popular, and the shrill notes of the fife and the lively rattle of the tenor drum were familiar sounds to all. Daniel Hilton was a skillful performer on the fife, and with William Q. Folsom as drummer, usually furnished music for the war meetings or " trainings," as nearly every one called them.
The cannon used on these occasions was a rude piece of ordnance, improvised by drilling out a piece of heavy mill shafting and mounting it on a pair of wagon wheels, to which a long rope was attached for hauling it about. Gen. William Nye, having been authorized to raise a volunteer company in Franklin County, occasionally attended these meetings for the purpose of securing enlistments. At such times he was politely tendered the command of this extemporaneous company. On one of these occasions, as General Nye was engaged in exer- cising the men in the various military evolutions and firing the cannon at frequent intervals, a large number of by-standers formed themselves into an impromptu company, and, after some manœuvring, seized the cannon and hauled it away before he or his men were fully aware of their intent. Captain Pinkham denounced the captors as "rebels," and gallantly tendered General Nye the services of himself and company to re-capture the piece.
After securing their booty, " the rebels" had retreated and took refuge in John W. Frederic's blacksmith shop. Capt. Pinkham, at the head of his company, boldly marched his men to the front of the building and demanded an immediate sur- render " in the name of the United States of America." There- upon the door was thrown open as if in obedience to the command. If such an idea had, for an instant, entered Capt. Pinkham's head, it was speedily dispelled, for, instead of a vanquished foe ready to surrender, the formidable cannon was
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seen leveled on the crowd instantly ready to belch forth smoke and flame. This was more than the valiant captain could stand, and he beat a precipitous retreat. A hearty laugh followed, for his men had discovered that the cannon was not loaded. Acting upon this discovery, the men went at it, and a regular melee ensued before the piece was regained.
The muster and celebration at West's Mills on July 4th, 1861, probably brought together the largest number of people ever seen in that village, if not in the town. The exercises were such as are usually had on these occasions, including speaking at the church and the mustering and review of a regiment of militia by Gen. William Nye, on the flat west of the village. On that day the General, either willfully or inadvert- ently offered the Industry company an affront which came near resulting in serious trouble. This company formed at the church, and was commanded by Reuben Hatch. It was custom- ary, on such occasions, as cach company arrived, for the colonel to send out his band as an escort to their place in the line. This General Nye failed to do on the arrival of the Industry company, which caused much feeling among the members, and even threats of personal violence to General Nye were freely indulged in by a few of the more passionate ones. The calmer judgment of the leading members prevailed, however, order was at length restored, the company took its place in the line, and by the promptness and precision of its movements, received the high compliment of being the best-drilled company in the regiment.
April 15, 1861, President Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 men, to serve three months. This call was responded to with alacrity and enthusiasm, and the required number soon raised without apportioning to each State and town its quota. No enlistments occurred in Industry under this call, and the few who entered the service from this town enlisted elsewhere.
Many of the events during the early days of the Civil War were to the citizens of the Northern States of decp interest and momentous consequence. Among these, the abandonment and
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EVENTS FROM 1860 TO 1866.
destruction of Norfolk Navy Yard, on the night of April 19, 1861, was an irreparable loss to the United States. This yard was conceded to be the finest in the world, and its wanton de- struction was greatly deplored. Epithets of bitter opprobrium were heaped on the commandant, MeCauley, in every little ham- let throughout the North, for his cowardice and hypocrisy. By this and other events excitement was kept at a white heat all through the early days of the war.
While all were turning their attention toward the Sunny South, eagerly watching for " news from the war," a comet of considerable magnitude made its appearance in the heavens. This in time of peace would have created no little interest, but with an internecine war of so great importance raging between two powerful factions of the Union this matter received but a passing thought. Possibly the more superstitious saw in the presence of this celestial visitor the harbinger of a long and sanguinary war.
A general scarcity of silver money occurred soon after the breaking out of the war. As small silver coin grew more and more scarce, the inconvenience of making change was very great, and postage stamps were employed to remedy the defect. But these were inconvenient, especially in the hot, sweltering weather of summer, or when handled with moist or wet hands. To obviate this difficulty, and at the same time advertise their business, enterprising business firms had postage stamps framed in small oval metal cases, the face of the stamp being covered with a thin piece of isinglass, or mica, more correctly speaking. The metal back usually bore the name and business of the firm by whom it was issued. Among country merchants cotton thread was legal tender at its par value, i. c., one cent per skein. During the war many small medals of bronze were struck, and these were frequently used in making change. The most common among these was every- where known as the " Army and Navy Cent." This medal was of bronze, and about the same size and weight as the U. S. bronze cent contemporaneously coined. One side bore the inscription, " Army and Navy," the obverse, "The Federal Union, it must and shall be preserved."
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By the early fall in 1861, silver coin had been wholly with- drawn from circulation. At this juncture merchants and other business men issued what was popularly known as individual currency. This in form was something like the United States fractional currency afterward issued, although in some instances it varied to suit the fancy of the individual. This currency was signed by the person issuing it, and each piece was virtu- ally a note of hand, payable in goods, for the fractional part of a dollar specified. John Willis was the only person in Industry to issue this variety of currency, and at one time he had be- tween five and eight hundred dollars in circulation. It has been claimed that the United States Government got the idea for the design of its fractional currency from the common prac- tice of using stamps and individual currency for change. In- deed, in general appearance the early issues did resemble a piece of " individual scrip" with a postage stamp stuck on the centre of its face side. The United States currency was not well received at first, and was contemptuously called "shin plasters." The central figure on this currency was subsequently surrounded by a circle of bronze or gilt. For a long time it was a current joke that this was done "to give the currency a metal ring."
The tragical death of Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, on the 24th of May, 1861, cast a shadow of gloom over the people of Industry, as did that of Col. - Baker the same, and Gen. Nathaniel Lyon the following year. The intelligence of the battle of Bull Run filled the hearts of all with sad and gloomy forebodings. It was now evident that the Nation had a foc to contend with in every respect worthy of his steel, and although the people of the Northern States were no less brave, the result of this battle thoroughly stamped out that effervescent enthu- siasm so conspicuous at the commencement of hostilities. After this no one had the foolhardiness to predict the speedy termina- tion of the war, or that the sons of the South would not fight.
The Confederate Government sent James M. Mason and John Slidell to France and England, as commissioners, in November, 1861, hoping to obtain assistance from these coun-
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EVENTS FROM 1860 TO 1866.
tries. Messrs. Mason and Slidell embarked on the English mail-steamer " Trent," and were arrested on the high seas, by Capt. Charles Wilkes of the U. S. steamer " San Jacinto," and taken to Boston. England was greatly exasperated at this audacious act and promptly demanded the prisoners' release, on a threat of war in case the demand was not immediately heeded. This event caused much excitement and discussion, as the attitude of England clearly indicated war in case the prison- ers were not speedily released. As war with England at such a critical juncture was not to be thought of, the government released the prisoners and promptly disavowed the action of Captain Wilkes.
The year 1861 was remarkable from the fact that the apple crop in Industry was a total failure. Orchards, which had hitherto borne bountifully, were wholly devoid of fruit this year and a great scarcity of apples was the result.
But little of interest occurred during the winter of 1861-2. The following spring the militia was enrolled, and on the 17th of July, 1862, a meeting was held for the election of officers. The members met at West's Mills, and the following officers were chosen : Captain, Josiah Emery ; Ist Lieutenant, Nathan S. Johnson; 2d Lieutenant, Benjamin Learned; 3d Lieutenant, Melvin Viles; 4th Lieutenant, Joseph Warren Smith.
William Henry Frost and John T. Luce were first among the brave boys from Industry to sacrifice their lives on the altar of their country. The former died at Beaufort, South Carolina, the latter at Ship Island, Miss. The obsequies of these patriots held at the Centre Meeting-House on a Sabbath day in August, 1862, was a season of deep and impressive solemnity. The house was appropriately decorated for the occasion, and the processions marched to and from the church to the music of muffled drums, and under the escort of a detachment of the Industry militia.
Under the President's call of July 2, 1862, for men to serve three years, Industry's quota was nine men. Soon after this requisition a meeting of the citizens was called by the selectmen to assemble in John Willis's hall at West's Mills, July 26, 1862,
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at one o'clock in the afternoon. At this meeting Daniel H. Taylor was chosen moderator, and after some discussion the town voted to raise the sum of $100 for each person who would volunteer until the forementioned quota of nine should be filled. In response to this call Francis O. Bean, Nelson O. Bean, Sam- uel HI. and Oliver D. Norton and others enlisted .*
August 4, 1862, the President made a further call for 300,000 men to serve nine months, and under this call Industry's quota was 13. The authorities were ordered to make a draft from the enrolled militia to answer the call. The day fixed for the draft throughout the State was Wednesday, September 3d, and the members of the militia in Industry were duly notified to meet at West's Mills at nine o'clock on the day specified. The manner of conducting such a draft was to be as follows: A suitable box was to be provided for the purpose, and therein the clerk was directed to place, in the presence of the company, as many slips of paper as there were names enrolled ; upon these slips were to be written in letters, and not figures, the numbers from one to that which expressed the entire number of men enrolled, each slip having but one name written thereon. The box was to be closed and the papers therein thoroughly shaken up. The roll was then to be called in alphabetical order, and each man in answer to his name was required to come forward and draw one slip, which he handed to the clerk, who read the number aloud and entered it opposite the person's name who drew it ; thus the draft was to be continued until all the numbers were drawn. Then beginning at the lowest number on this list and extending upward in regular numerical order, the names were selected until the required number was obtained. Nelson C. Luce was chosen clerk, and every preparation for the draft was
* Alonzo Frost also enlisted under this call and received his order for bounty money August 5, 1862. This order was given before Mr. Frost was mustered in, and was issued by the chairman of the board without the knowledge or sanction of the other selectmen. There was an unsuccessful effort on the part of the town to have the order rescinded. A member of the board at that time writes: "The selectmen as a board were censured for this act and justly too, I think. But like many things in those days of hurry, excitement and illegal proceedings, all was forgotten in the feeling for the common cause and all mistakes were swallowed without much sugar coating."
EVENTS FROM 1860 TO 1866. 309
made. The matter created considerable excitement throughout the town, and each person liable to be drawn was constantly asking himself, " Is it I?" The selectmen issued their warrant, dated Aug. 26, 1862, calling a meeting of the legal voters at ten o'clock on the day set for the draft. The object of this meeting, as set forth in article second of the warrant, was "to see what measures the town will take in regard to raising money for vol- unteers or drafted men." Meeting at the appointed hour for the draft it was ascertained that several held themselves in read- iness to enlist, providing the town would offer sufficient induce- ment in the way of bounty, and it was confidently believed by many that a draft could thus be averted. To anticipate the probable action of the town, at its approaching meeting, an informal vote of the assembled people was taken. This was unanimously in favor of offering a bounty for volunteer enlist- ments. Thus encouraged, the draft was postponed until after the town should have held its meeting and legalized its informal vote. At ten o'clock the meeting assembled and chose Daniel Hilton moderator. Thereupon it was voted to pay each volun- teer enlisting on the nine months' quota $100, until the requi- site number should be obtained. At an adjourned session of this meeting, holden on Saturday, September 6th, at four o'clock in the afternoon, an additional sum of fifty dollars was voted to each volunteer who had already enlisted or would now volunteer. After the vote to pay $100 bounty was passed, several signified a willingness to enlist. Others said they would volunteer providing the bounty was made a little larger.
As the day was oppressively warm, and the citizens of the town with their wives and children were out in full force, it was proposed to adjourn from the street to the church. Here matters went on much the same as at a Methodist revival meet- ing. There were earnest exhortations for those present to volunteer, and much cheering as one after another signified his willingness to enlist. All who had thus pledged themselves were invited to take a seat in the pulpit. As one of these, William Q. Folsom, took his seat in the sacred desk, he said : "Well, now I feel better since I have taken this step." Those
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