USA > Maine > Franklin County > Industry > A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine > Part 33
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David Chandler Whitney, son of Reuben and Lucy (Saw- yer ) Whitney, was born in Norridgewock, Me., Dec. 24, 1834. Just prior to the breaking out of the war, he came with his widowed mother from Lewiston to the town of Industry and settled on a small farm near Goodridge's Corner. In the sum- mer of 1862, when a call for troops was made, he volunteered as a member of Co. C, 16th Regiment, Maine Infantry, and was mustered in Aug. 14, 1862. After seven months' service, he was discharged for disability, March 14, 1863. The next fall he re-enlisted as a member of Co. F, 2d Regiment, Maine Cavalry. He was mustered in Dec. 11, 1863, and appointed
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corporal the same day. In due time he went South with his regiment and took an active part in all its campaigns. During a raid on Marianna, Fla., Sept. 27, 1864, he was wounded by a ball which passed completely through his chest, also inflicting a severe flesh wound in his arm .* llis wounds were dressed by the surgeon and he was made as comfortable as circum- stances would allow. That night it was decided that a retreat was an imperative necessity. As Mr. Whitney was unable to ride they found it necessary to leave him behind with several of his comrades to fall into the hands of the enemy. He died of his wounds Oct. 24, 1864, aged 29 years and 10 months. Of him a comrade and fellow prisoner wrote the sorrowing mother : "Many spoke of his bravery during the action, and only when he was struck did he waver. I did not see him while in action, but I remember his words as he came out, and I do not deny that I was surprised to learn that the 2d Cavalry could boast of such a brave patriot as was Corporal Whitney. He walked past me, almost touching my horse, very pallid, but with com- pressed lips. I could not but follow him with my eyes. He had not gone far before we were ordered to charge. I did not see him again until we were both in the hospital together. Ile could not have gone but a few steps farther, for he was bleeding very badly. I know him to have been perfectly rational during his illness, for when the chaplain came into the hospital to pray with him he talked of home and his desire for recovery. - think he entertained doubts of his recovery, but he never expressed them only once to me, and it was when I asked his mother's address.
"I was leaning over his couch when he breathed his last, supported by two of the nurses. I never was more affected in my life, for I had learned to respect him for his fortitude dur- ing his sickness, and it seemed as if I had lost all my friends in his death. He was buried near the village church-yard with
* There seems to be some conflicting of statements concerning the character of Corporal Whitney's wound. Simon W. Parlin, second lieutenant of the company, says the ball lodged in the chest. The writer is prone to consider the description as given above the better authority.
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the rest of the boys, but his burial was very different from theirs. He was placed in a rude coffin, and a board marks his final resting-place. I shall never forget the people of Mari- anna, for this last sacred rite, nor for their many former kind- nesses to my comrade,-it was the only treatment we ever received." His lieutenant, Evander S. Prescott, of Wilton, thus writes of him: "He was a good soldier, always ready to do his duty. He was likewise an honest, good, kind-hearted man." His second lieutenant, Simon W. Parlin, also bore testimony of his worth and moral rectitude as follows: "Daniel was a faith- ful soldier, always discharging his duties in a soldier-like manner, and had by his integrity and uprightness won the confidence of both officers and men. Painful as is his untimely fate, it must be highly gratifying to his friends to know that he fought man- fully and fell in the foremost of the fight. He died in the faithful discharge of his duty, respected and beloved by all who knew him."
AARON E. WILLIAMS.
Aaron E. Williams, a resident of Anson, Me., enlisted on Industry's quota, and was mustered into the U. S. service at Lewiston, Me., Dec. 28, 1863, to serve three years. He was soon afterward assigned to Co. G, Ist Maine Regiment, Heavy Artillery. Wounded before Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864. Died of disease Jan. 21, 1865, aged 27 years.
GEORGE F. WILLIAMS.
George F. Williams was a native of Anson, though a resident of Industry at the time of his enlistment. He enlisted for nine months in September, 1862, and was mustered into the U. S. service on the 13th of the following month, and on the same day was appointed sergeant. Wounded at Port Hudson, La., June 14, 1863. Mustered out with his regiment Aug. 25, 1863. Now resides in Embden, Me.
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O. L. YOUNG.
O. L. Young enlisted on Industry's quota, to serve one year, and was mustered into the U. S. service, at Lewiston, Me., March 8, 1865, and assigned to the 11th Co., Unassigned Infantry. Peace having been declared while he was stationed at the place of rendezvous, Mr. Young was discharged before joining the company to which he was assigned.
CHAPTER XIX.
EVENTS FROAI 1866 TO 1893.
Road Matters .- The Curtis Pinkham Road .- Stark Asks for a Better Road through Industry to Farmington .- Route to Madison Bridge Shortened and Improved .- Industry Votes on Amendment to Liquor Law .- " The Gold Fever."-Unusual Snow-fall in Winter of 1868-9 .- Destructive Freshet of 1869 .- Heavy Thunder- storm .- Beautiful Display of Aurora Borealis .- A Heavy Gale .- The Great Earthquake of 1870 .- Grasshopper Plague .- State Equalization Bonds .- Industry Farmers' and Mechanics' Club .- The Enterprise Cheese Manufacturing Company. - Orders Forged on the Town of Industry. - Prize Declamations at West's Mills. - Extensive Improvements on the Centre Meeting-House. - The Greenback Party in Industry. - Caterpillar Scourge. - Freshet of 1878 .- Severe Drouth. - Cattle Show and Fair. - Independence Day Celebrated at West's Mills. - Destructive Fire. - A Bear Commits Many Depredations in Industry .- Red Sunsets .- Gale of November, 1883 .- Planets in Perihelion .- Town Votes to Buy a Poor-Farm. - Allen's Mills Union Agricultural Society. - A Maine Bliz- zard. - Potato Crop Ruined by Rust. - Industry's New Methodist Church .- A Maine Cyelone .- La Grippe .- Shorey Chapel Erected, etc.
TilE cruel and sanguinary war was at an end, and the people had returned to the pursuits of peace. At this juncture better and more convenient roads became for a time an important topic with the citizens of Industry. A road had been laid out by the seleetmen to accommodate the residents of the extreme north part of the town, commencing near the house of Samuel Dag- gett and running in a southerly direction to intercept the town road at the Capt. Jeruel Butler place. A large majority of the voters in town were not in sympathy with this movement, regard- ing it as incurring unnecessary expense. Consequently when the doings of the selectmen were brought before the town for ratification, Sept. 25, 1865, the citizens voted not to accept the road.
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Failing in their appeal to the selectmen, Curtis Pinkham and twenty-eight others petitioned the County Commissioners to establish the road which the town had refused them. A hearing was given the petitioners Sept. 25, 1866, at the house of Samuel Daggett. Deeming the road a necessity they proceeded to lay it out. The road as established was four rods wide and 762 1-2 rods long, costing the town $75.50, thirty dollars of which was for land damages. Notwithstanding the success of the petitioners with the County Commissioners, the disinterested tax-payers were not disposed to build the road. To detract attention from the county road a town road was laid out over a different route, and again modified or wholly relaid. The question of raising money to open the county road was brought before the town at its annual meeting, March 9, 1869. The petitioners, led by Curtis Pinkham, made desperate efforts to secure an appropria- tion, but with a large majority against them they were powerless, and after a heated discussion a motion to pass by the article was carried.
The road between Stark village and Farmington, especially from Stark village to Goodridge's Corner, was a hard and hilly one. For some years the citizens of Stark, in common with those of the southern and central part of Industry, had been discussing the matter of a more direct and convenient road be- tween the two places. Late in the fall of 1866 James M. Snell, of Stark, and fifty others residing along the proposed route, peti- tioned the commissioners of Franklin and Somerset counties for a change in the road between Sawyer's Mills and Farmington village, or more strictly speaking, for a new road from the former place to some point west of Goodridge's Corner in Industry. The petition was dated Dec. 8, 1866, and a hearing was given the petitioners Aug. 20, 1867. The petitioners failed to secure their road.
On the petition of Benjamin N. Willis and forty-five others a short piece of road was laid out by the County Commissioners, Oct. 22, 1867, which greatly improved and shortened the road from West's Mills to Madison Bridge. This road commenced near the present residence of Elijah Manter, and running in a
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EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1893.
south-westerly direction through a corner of Stark intersected the road leading from West's Mills to Stark, west of the resi- dence of the late John HI. Viles. The town promptly raised a sum of money to build this road, and in due time it was opened to the traveling public .*
The State Legislature had, at its recent session, amended Chapter 33 of the Laws of 1858, for the suppression of drinking- houses and tippling-shops, and on the 3d day of June, 1867, the citizens of Industry were called upon to give in their votes for or against the measure. In consequence of the busy season the vote was very small, but stood, in favor of the amendment, 29 votes ; against it, 5 votes.
"THE GOLD FEVER."
In the summer of 1867 Joseph Warren Smith and William R. Daggett began a prospecting tour of the town, in search of deposits of the precious metals. They conducted their explora- tions in such a quiet manner that few were aware, for a time, of the real object of their search. The wise ones said they werc "lining bees." After occupying considerable time in their search they were rewarded by finding a deposit of lead, though at the time of its discovery they did not know its proper name, having the impression it might be silver ore. This deposit was found in the bed-rock of a small brook which flowed at the base of Boardman Mountain on its western side. In the search Mr. Smith was the first to notice the deposit, and with his jack- knife loosened a small quantity of ore from its rocky bed. This he took to his blacksmith shop at West's Mills, where, by melt- ing it in the forge, they soon found it to possess characteristics which would indicate a metal of valuc. The news spread
* At the annual meeting held at West's Mills, March 4, 1867, after hearing the reports of the several town officers the moderator inquired, " Gentlemen, what will you do with the reports of your town officers?" Thereupon some wag facetiously moved that the selectmen's report be placed on file in the clerk's office and to let the others " go to the devil," and thus the vote stands recorded. At this meeting $2100 was raised to pay town charges, and $3000 to be expended on the highway. At the annual meeting in 1868 the town voted to raise $rooo to pay on the town debt, and the follow- ing year $800. In 1870 no money was raised for that purpose.
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rapidly that silver, and perhaps gold, had been discovered on the farm of Daniel Gilman, and many persons visited the place. The " gold fever" ran high, and almost every one had a pocket- ful of the rock containing the precious stuff. About this time John Willis obtained a title to the land on which the deposit was located. After the land came into the possession of Mr. Willis, Luther Curtis, of New Sharon, whose attention had no doubt been attracted by the flattering reports afloat, purchased an interest in "the mine," as the people were wont to call it. The manner in which Mr. Curtis worded his deed was said to be somewhat peculiar and eccentric, the clause granting privi- leges reading as follows: "To pass to and fro, dig and blow, dam and flow and raise the d-l generally for mining pur- poses," causing a great deal of gossip and not a little merriment. During the latter part of the fall a large section of the ledge was unearthed, a few blasts were made, and samples of the quartz from near the surface forwarded to S. Dana Hayes, of Boston, State Assayer of Massachusetts. The only valuable metal that this batch of quartz contained was traces of copper. An effort was made later in the fall to sink a shaft in the ledge, but after a time the undertaking was abandoned on account of the coldness of the weather.
In 1868 the stockholders formed themselves into a com- pany known as the " Franklin Mining Association," with John Willis, John Wesley Norton and Daniel Gilman as directors, and Luther Curtis, of New Sharon, as secretary and treasurer. A tax was assessed on the shares, and active preparations for sinking a shaft were begun. The directors contracted with Joseph W. Smith to sink a shaft ten feet deep, and work was commenced in good carnest early in the month of August. Samples of ore taken from this shaft are claimed to have assayed silver to the value of nearly fifteen dollars to cach ton of quartz. But trouble for the Franklin Mining Association was in store in the near future. Some of the shareholders be- came dissatisfied at being obliged to pay an assessment on their shares,-they having imagined that the only thing necessary to accumulate a fortune, in this direction, was just to buy a
EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1893. 389
few shares of the stock, when wealth would roll in upon them without further trouble or expense. To the sudden interruption of their " golden dreams" must be attributed their dissatisfac- tion, and at the same time making the discovery that the com- pany was not legally organized, and therefore the collection of the assessments could not be enforced, they flatly refused to pay the tax. The consequence was that, though some paid their proportion of the tax promptly, Mr. Smith was forced to quit work, with a shaft only six feet deep, and even then losing heavily, owing to the perversity of the non-paying shareholders. This state of things proved a material hindrance to further development of the deposit. Had this company been legally organized, the collection of the assessments could have been enforced and funds sufficient to fully develop the deposit easily raised. Had such a course been pursued, there are abundant reasons to believe that this deposit would have eventually paid not only for working it, but something to its stockholders.
The winter of 1868-9 was notable for its frequent and heavy storms and the unusual depth of snow. Storm followed storm until roads were blockaded, fences buried from sight, and in some instances dwelling-houses were nearly buried in huge drifts.
The autumn of 1869 was rendered memorable to the inhabi- tants of Franklin County, and especially so to the dwellers of Sandy River Valley, by a freshet of great magnitude. This in point of destructiveness had not been equaled for many years, if, indeed, it had a parallel in the history of the valley. Rain began to fall early Sunday morning, October 3d, gently at first, but as the day advanced gradually increasing until by noon the rain fell in sheets. This continued, with slight interruption, all through the following night and until six o'clock Monday after- noon. The water rose rapidly in Sandy River, inundating the adjacent interval lands, and slowly but surely rose higher and higher until it grew to a torrent of irresistible magnitude and power. Every bridge on Sandy River was either partially car- ried away or rendered impassable by the water. At Phillips a
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portion of the cemetery was washed away and many coffins carried down the river. The bridges at the village and Whit- ney's Mills were also swept away. The suspension bridge at Strong was somewhat damaged, while the western span of the Fairbanks and Centre bridges in Farmington, as well as the Chesterville portion of the bridge at Farmington Falls, were carried away by the water. Near the Centre Bridge in Farm- ington was the newly erected corn-canning factory of J. Winslow Jones, with its heavy burden of machinery and packed corn. This was raised from its foundation and carried down the river, as was also the spool-factory of B. Frank Morrill at Farming- ton Falls. Farmers living along the river in many instances sustained serious losses from the flood. But little damage was done in Industry by this freshet aside from the destruction of the mill-dam at West's Mills.
The town was visited by a very heavy thunder storm on Thursday afternoon, July 14, 1870, accompanied by a gale of wind of such power and violence as had seldom if ever been known. The rain descended in torrents, the incessant flashing of the lightning was scarcely less terrifying than the accom- panying peals of thunder, which could be heard with almost painful distinctness above the roar of the wind. So powerful was the force of the wind that in some instances the trunks of large forest trees were broken like pipe-stems, while apple-trees were uprooted, fences blown down, crops injured and much other damage done in the track of the tornado. No hail fell in Industry, but in other towns it proved very destructive to window-glass and growing crops.
A very singular and strikingly beautiful auroral display occurred on Friday evening, Oct. 14, 1870. The singular ap- pearance of the heavens was first noticed about eight o'clock in the evening, when it was discovered that the whole southern sky was aglow with the weird mystical light of the aurora borealis. The form was like that of a huge fan, having its cen- tre directly overhead and extending east and west from this point to the horizon, while to the north of this boundary the sky was perfectly clear. At the zenith and along the eastern
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EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1893.
and western boundaries the color was of a fiery red, and rays of the same color streamed into the mass of silvery light which flooded the whole southern sky,-the whole forming an excellent representation of an enormous opened fan. In less than an hour from the time it was discovered, this beautiful picture had entirely disappeared.
At noon on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 1870, after an interval of warm, foggy weather, the sky cleared and a strong breeze sprung up, which rapidly increased in intensity until by the middle of the afternoon it became almost resistless in its power. Although the wind continued to blow about twelve hours, con- siderable damage was done to buildings, fences and orchards.
THE EARTHQUAKE OF 1870.
On Thursday, Oct. 20, 1870, at about half-past eleven o'clock in the forenoon, a low, heavy rumbling sound was heard which was thought to be thunder, as it was raining hard at the time. Soon, however, its real nature was revealed. The shock seemed to move in two waves, the second being much heavier than the first. During the heaviest part of the convulsion, windows, stoves, crockery ware, etc., rattled in an alarming manner, and the buildings themselves rocked and swayed from the violence of the shock. Many families, thoroughly fright- ened, rushed out of doors, regardless of the rain, and only returned when the convulsive heaving of the earth had ceased. Its duration was nearly or quite seventy seconds, and it was claimed to have been the heaviest shock of earthquake which had occurred in the last hundred years.
THE GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE.
Early in the summer of 1871, an innumerable swarm of grasshoppers made their appearance in Industry. Their advent was the beginning of a period of devastation never before equaled in the history of the town. Not only was the grass crop nearly ruined by the insatiable eating proclivities of this insect horde, but every growing crop of the farmer was alike
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attacked and frequently completely destroyed. Farms that had previously cut from ten to fifteen tons of hay, yielded from three to eight tons this season. Occasionally a piece of corn would be completely ruined by having the silks caten off as soon as they appeared. Grain of all kinds suffered great damage by having the head-stalks eaten off, and in some instances the harvest did not equal the amount of seed sown. A remarkable trait of these insects was a tendency to confine their depredations to the highest ground, and seldom if ever troubling the grass on wet land.
Under the existing circumstances nothing remained for the farmers but to reduce their stock to correspond with their limited crop of hay, and this reduction was effected at a ruinous sacrifice. Light beef was a drug in the market at three dollars per hundred, and good sheep sold as low as fifty cents per head. According to the inventory taken by the selectmen in April, 1870, there were 4333 sheep owned in town. From the same source it is learned that the number had been reduced to 2358 in 1872. During the same time the amount of neat stock was reduced to 218 head. Even after thus reducing their stock it would have been impossible for the farmers of this town to have wintered the balance without the free use of western corn. The amount of damage done in Industry can hardly be esti- mated, and many years must elapse before "the grasshopper ycar" will cease to be an important event in the farmer's calendar.
The citizens of Allen's Mills and vicinity observed the ninety-fifth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by a picnic dinner and other exercises in a cool shady grove just west of the village. Here tables, speaker's stand, and seats were built for the accommodation of those present. The day was exceptionally fine, and the usual programme of such occa- sions was carried out under the direction of Moses M. Luce, President of the Day, and his Marshal, Josiah Emery. After the usual morning street-parade, a procession was formed and
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EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1893.
marched to the grove .* The following is a partial list of the exercises in the grove :
Prayer, Samuel G. Gould, Industry. Reading the Declaration of Independence, Virgil L. Craig, Farmington. Oration, Rev. George N. Marden, Farmington. Dinner.
After dinner occurred other exercises, followed by a pyro- technic display on Clear Water Pond in the evening. A large concourse of people were present, by whom the exercises were greatly enjoyed.
After the close of the war it was found that some towns had paid a much larger sum in bounties to their soldiers than others. To remedy this inequality, the State issued to such towns Equalization Bonds drawing interest at the rate of six per cent. At the annual meeting, March 7, 1870, Gen. Nathan Goodridge was chosen an agent to effect the sale of those belonging to Industry. $3,677.61, including accrued interest, was received from their sale.
In the fall of 1871 the citizens residing in the vicinity of Goodridge's Corner met at the Centre school-house, on Wednes- day evening, November 15th, and organized a society for the diffusion of knowledge and mutual improvement of its members. This organization, composed of very many prominent citizens, was known as the Industry Farmers' and Mechanics' Club. A constitution was drawn up and adopted, and the following officers chosen : President, Horatio A. B. Keyes; Vice-Presi- dent, Sylvanus B. Philbrick; Recording Secretary, William M. Bryant; Treasurer and Librarian, Hovey Thomas; Correspond- ing Secretary, Augustus W. Morrell. The exercises were to consist of lectures, essays, and discussions on topics of timely interest and practical importance pertaining to agriculture and
* Daniel Hilton, a skilful performer on the fife, furnished the music for this occasion, and it is believed to be the last time he ever played in public.
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the mechanic arts. Gentlemen were admitted as members on signing the constitution and paying a nominal membership fee, while ladies became members by signing the constitution and by-laws. During its existence seventy-nine persons inscribed their names upon the club records as members.
The club frequently employed lecturers, on practical topics, such as Major Lorin Adams, of Wilton, Major Alexander II. S. Davis, of Farmington, N. G. Foster, of Wilton, Rev. Mr. Kim- ball, of New Sharon, and others. Questions relating to the various branches of husbandry were discussed, books on agri- culture purchased and read, and many valuable essays were also prepared and delivered. Thus by the intelligent, well- directed efforts of its members, the Industry Farmers' and Mechanics' Club proved a great and lasting benefit. Meetings were held regularly during the fall and winter months up to the spring of 1877, when they abruptly ceased. Prominent among the members not previously mentioned were Thomas Stevens, Josiah Emery, D. Collins Luce, Truman Luce, Moses M. Luce, Augustus H. Swift, Francis S. Rogers, Alvarez N. Goodridge, Amos S. Hinkley, Brice II. Waugh, John R. Luce, Virgil L. Craig, William O. Hargraves, Holmes H. Bailey, and others.
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