USA > Maine > Franklin County > Industry > A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine > Part 35
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some, and considerable excitement prevailed in the neighbor- hood where the losses occurred. Several women and children who were blackberrying on one occasion were nearly frightened out of their senses by Sir Bruin. At another time he was seen by Hosca W. Emery and Amos Stetson, Jr., in the very act of killing and devouring a nice fat lamb. Later in the fall it is believed that the animal went away, as nothing was seen or heard of him for several years. Early in the summer of 1888 Charles A. Eveleth, who had recently moved on to the John (). Rackliff farm, missed eleven sheep from his flock. A careful search brought to light seven pelts and one sheep badly maimed Those acquainted with the habits of that animal, pronounced it unmistakably the work of a bear or bears. Tracks of his bearship were occasionally scen during the summer in the soft mud near his most frequented haunts, but no one got a glimpse of the animal. On Friday morning, Nov. 11, 1888, Eugene L. and Fred W. Smith discovered his track in the newly-fallen snow near the base of Boardman Mountain. In company with their father, Joseph W. Smith, they followed the track until the clarkness of night compelled them to desist. Once during the day bruin crossed the track of his pursuers in a manner that showed him to be not far in advance of them. The next day the same party followed him through New Vineyard to New Port- land and back to the place of starting in Industry. Relays of men and boys kept up the chase for nearly a week, and though sometimes seen in open land far ahead of his pursuers, no one got a shot at him, although reports reached town to the effect that he had been killed in Freeman by John Luce of that town. At length it became impossible to track him in the fast- disappearing snow, and the chase was reluctantly abandoned.
RED SUNSETS.
For many nights during the fall of 1883 a peculiar luminous appearance of the sky was noticed after sunset and before sun- rise in the morning. Through the day, and more especially in the afternoon, the sun seemed to be obscured by a thin veil of a dull leaden hue, which, as the sun receded towards the horizon,
407
EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1893.
became more luminous ; first the color would be a pale yellow, then changing to orange and afterwards to a brilliant red, which gradually faded to a dull purple. This unusual phenomenon occasioned considerable solicitude and anxiety among the peo- ple of Industry as well as elsewhere, and various speculations as to its origin were indulged in. Some claimed this luminous appearance to be only the ordinary sunset reflections, but this idea was refuted by the fact that they continued for a much longer time after sunset than such reflections were ever known to. Others claimed that this veil was composed of meteoric dust which reflected the rays of the sun, while a few held that the earth was passing through the tail of an immense unseen comet. The writer is not aware that the question has ever been satisfactorily settled. As time passed on the occurrence grew less and less frequent, and in the course of a few months ceased to be a topic of popular comment.
THIE GALE OF NOV. 12, 1883.
The following account of this gale was written by the author of this volume for the Franklin Journal, a local newspaper published at Farmington, Me., and appeared in the issue of Nov. 17, 1883 : "We were visited on Monday last by one of the most terrific gales ever witnessed, even by our oldest citizens. Al- though no one in this locality sustained any personal injury, yet inuch damage was done to property by breaking of windows, blowing down fences, unroofing of barns, out-buildings, etc. The gale commenced carly Monday morning, but did not attain its greatest violence until after sunset Monday evening. By nine o'clock in the evening the gale had attained the strength of a hurricane, and dwellings, never before affected by the wind, trembled and swayed in a frightful manner. Bricks were dis- lodged from substantially-built chimneys and fell upon the roof with great din, while the air seemed full of flying branches of trees, dirt and even small stones. Many, anxious for the safety of their property, extended their vigils far into the small hours of the night, and even stock, carefully housed, seemed appre- hensive of danger. During the night a portion of the roof was
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blown from Joseph H. Sayer's . hundred-foot barn.' An English poplar was blown down on the Deacon Ira Emery place and another on the farm of Francis S. Rogers. A portion of Mr. Rogers's barn was also unroofed, as were likewise the barns of Ward Burns and Hiram Look. Three windows were demolished in the Esquire Peter West house at West's Mills. Joseph W. Smith's stable and house were damaged to the amount of twenty- five or thirty dollars. A shed connected with John Willis's sheep barn was moved from its foundation and otherwise badly damaged. At George W. Johnson's a large hay-rack was blown several rods, smashing a picket fence in its course, and much other damage was done on the premises. Probably within a radius of five miles from West's Mills the damage done would amount to more than a thousand dollars. At sunrise Tuesday morning the fury of the gale began to abate, and by sunset it was almost a dead calm."
The predicted perihelion of the four great planets of the solar system, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, began to attract attention about 1872. At that time Dr. Knapp, who had studied the history of great epidemics, claimed that in every instance he had traced them to perihelia of these planets. The Science of Health, a New York health Journal, in its issue for April gives a summary of Dr. Knapp's theory without any comment or expression of opinion. Other publications took up the subject and spread these reports broadcast over the land. In many instances the matter was greatly exaggerated by a class of sensational writers, who reveled in whatever savored of the supernatural. One of these writers averred that these four planets had not been in perihelion since the beginning of the christian era. This the London Telegraph subsequently claimed to be incorrect and stated that all four were in perihelion in 1708. Notwithstanding the calm, candid tone of this and a few other papers, many whose "bump of credulity" was largely developed accepted the statements of Dr. Knapp as gospel truth. As the time of perihelion drew near, a few were almost overcome with fear, believing the end of the world was at
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EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1893.
hand. The date which someone had set for the final winding up of all things terrestrial was Saturday, June 18, 1881. On that night not a few passed the time, or at least a portion of it, in anxious watching, and not until Sunday morning dawned did they breathe easily. The perihelial influences brought no epidemic or dire calamity upon the citizens of Industry, and now even the most timorous ones can look back and smile at their credulity.
At its annual meeting, March 2, 1885, the town voted to purchase a poor-farm, and instructed a committee, then ap- pointed, consisting of Franklin W. Patterson, George W. John- son, and George Manter, to negotiate for some suitable set of buildings and land for that purpose. They failed, however, to appropriate any money for this purpose, consequently the measure was not carried out.
The citizens residing in the vicinity of Goodridge's Corner met at the school-house on Saturday evening, Dec. 29, 1883, and organized a society for mutual improvement in public speaking and debate. This organization adopted the name of Industry Centre Literary Society, and held its meetings on Saturday evening of each week. The officers elected on the organization of the society were: President, John T. Luce : Vice-President, Elmer O. Goodridge; Secretary, Lucien W. Goodridge. This society held regular meetings through the fall and winter months up to Jan. 6, 1888, when they abruptly ceased. During its existence the society held frequent debates and conducted all their proceedings in accordance with parlia- mentary rules. The practice here gained has already proved of great value to the members, and it is to be regretted that the organization could not have been sustained.
THIE ALLEN'S MILLS UNION AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
One September evening in the fall of 1886, a number of the most enterprising farmers living in the vicinity of Allen's Mills met for the purpose of discussing the subject of organ- izing a'local agricultural society, the object of which should be to hold an exhibition each season at some convenient place.
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All seeming to favor the proposition, an organization was effected by choosing Horatio A. B. Keyes, Industry, president ; John M. Craig, Farmington, vice-president, and Herbert B. Luce, Industry, secretary and treasurer. A board of five trustees, consisting of Newell P. Luce and Fred A. Allen, of Industry, Ira Blanchard and George B. Jennings, of Farmington, and John Smelledge, of New Sharon, was also elected. The trustees decided to hold their first exhibition at Allen's Mills, on Saturday, Oct. 9, 1886. A good degree of interest was shown, and all preliminary work was seasonably and faithfully done. The day was all that one could desire, and the exhibits were numerous and of a superior quality. Through the able management of its efficient board of officers, the show was a most successful one and would have done credit to any locality. Fully 250 head of neat stock was on the ground, while other branches of stock husbandry were well represented. Judging from its first exhibition, the outlook for the Allen's Mills Union Agricultural Society is very promising. Exhibitions were held the two succeeding years with a good degree of success. But since the fall of 1888 no exhibition has been held by the society.
For several days prior to Jan. 26, 1888, indications of an approaching storm had been observed and duly promulgated by the local weather prophets, and on Wednesday evening an immense halo surrounded the moon and its brightness was dimmed by a dense hazy atmosphere. Even at this time no one dreamed of the nearness of such an unparalleled storm. Early Thursday morning, Jan. 26, 1888, the storm set in with a strong breeze from the northeast. The snow fell so fast that by 11 o'clock A. M. the roads were rendered impassable, and the mail due at West's Mills on that hour failed to arrive. During the afternoon the wind increased to a gale, and the fast- falling snow was piled into huge drifts as it fell. The cold was intense, and the severity of the storm and huge drifts almost completely isolated even near neighbors in the villages. About midnight the storm ceased, the wind changed to the west and
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ETENTS FROM 1866 TO 1893.
blew a piping gale all through the following day. At noon on Friday the thermometer indicated four degrees below zero. Saturday morning the wind having abated, the services of every available man and boy were called into requisition to open the roads. Fully three days were required to open them in Industry, and the expense was estimated at upward of $500. This storm was pronounced the worst for many years, and is generally known as "the great blizzard," and as such it will long be remembered .*
The summer of 1889 will long be remembered for the unusual amount of its rainfall and the almost complete failure of the potato crop. The carly summer had been characterized by frequent and copious rains. These continued with slight varia- tion all through the autumnal months. Near the close of July, a protracted period of warm, muggy weather occurred, and by the 4th of August the potato vines were as dead as if blighted by a severe frost. At that time but very few if any of the tubers had reached maturity, and this condition no doubt favored the rot which set in soon after the death of the tops. The quantity harvested was in many instances insufficient for the farmer's own use, and the tubers were for the most part small and immature, and when cooked, poor and soggy.
INDUSTRY'S NEW M. E. CHURCHI.
For a long time after the burning of the Union Church at West's Mills the energies of the people seemed paralyzed, and no effort was made to rebuild the burned structure. The house destroyed had been erected by the joint efforts of the several
* This storm caused a general suspension of railway travel in Northern New England, and gave a good deal of trouble on the lines as far south as Pennsylvania. The most severe portion of the storm was confined to Western Maine, New Hamp- shire, Vermont, and Western Massachusetts. In Farmington Village, on Broadway and Main Street drifts from four to six feet deep blocked the store entrances and caused a suspension of all travel. All the incoming Maine Central trains were can- celed, and the first to arrive was at 2 o'clock P. M., on Saturday, followed by the regular passenger train seven hours later. Conductor Locke's mixed train was snowed in at Crowley's; Conductor Ilealey's train, Friday, was four hours on the road from Brunswick to Lewiston.
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HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
religious denominations existing in the vicinity. As time passed on some of these societies sustained heavy losses from deaths and removals until for many years previous to the fire none but the Methodist society held regular services there. This society was by no means a wealthy one, though it had managed to sustain preaching regularly and keep out of debt. But ex- pensive repairs on the parsonage in 1878 and on the church just prior to the fire had proved a heavy tax on the purses of many, and left the society and people in poor circumstances to meet the exigencies of the present case.
Late in the fall of 1882 a meeting of the original proprietors was called. At this meeting, after voting to rebuild, the propri- etors proceeded to perfect an organization by electing all neces- sary officers. Committees were chosen to revise the constitution and prepare plans for the proposed structure, for approval of the corporation. The second meeting of the proprietors was held at the West's Mills school-house on Tuesday evening, Nov. 28, 1882. At that meeting Benjamin W. Norton in behalf of the committee presented the revised constitution, which after a few additions and some alterations was adopted. The plan of a new house was presented by Eli N. Oliver, which seemed to meet the approval of all present. Agrecably to the resolutions of the meeting, a committee consisting of Franklin W. Patterson, James M. Norton, Rev. Luther P. French, Augustus H. Swift, Hovey Thomas, Calvin B. Fish, Warren Cornforth, George W. Johnson and Ariel T. Tinkham was chosen to solicit subscrip- tions. Notwithstanding the harmonious feelings existing among members of the organization, the new church failed to materializc. Time passed on, the Methodist society led a nomadic life, wor- shipping in school-house and halls. Ministers came, served their allotted pastorate and went away again. The urgent need of a church was a frequent topic of conversation and admitted by all, but here the matter ended.
The Methodist Conference of Maine, at its annual session in the spring of 1887, sent Rev. John R. Masterman* to the Indus-
* JOHN ROBERTSON MASTERMAN, through whose untiring labors West's Mills rebuilt its burned church, was born in Weld, Me., July 28, 1837, and was the son of
EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1893. 413
try circuit. Elder Masterman was a gentleman of great energy and rare executive ability. As soon as he was fairly established in his new home he directed his attention to the matter of a new church. Early in August while in conversation with Richard Caswell, one of his parishioners, that gentleman remarked, "I will give seventy-five dollars toward erecting a church in this village." On the strength of this statement a subscription paper was drawn up and circulated, soliciting funds to build a free-seated Methodist church at West's Mills. Warren Cornforth, George W. Johnson and Franklin W. Patterson followed Mr. Caswell's ex- ample and each subscribed a similar sum. The work of soliciting funds was vigorously prosecuted through the labors of Rev. John R. Masterman, assisted by Richard Caswell and others, and once started in the work of soliciting, the prospects of the enter- prise grew brighter and brighter every day, and substantial aid was frequently received from unexpected sources. First among these surprises was a gift to the society of a superb Wilcox & White cabinet-organ from Twitchell, Champlin & Co., wholesale grocers, of Portland, Me. A little later a munificent cash pres- ent of $225 was received from Mr. and Mrs. Alanson C. Bruce, of Minneapolis, Minn. Ere long a sufficient sum had been secured to assure the success of the enterprise, and on the 29th day of October the Methodist Quarterly Conference which met at Stark, appointed Warren Cornforth, Samuel C. Rand, Ben- jamin H. Luce, Calvin B. Fish, George W. Johnson, James M. Norton and Franklin W. Patterson a building committee to superintend the construction of the proposed structure.
The first meeting of the committee was held at Norton's Hall on Saturday evening, Nov. 5, 1887, and was largely attended
Ira and Susan D. (Robertson) Masterman. Early in life he entertained views wholly at variance with the Bible and Christianity, but was converted in 1854, at the age of 17 years, and joined the Christian Band. Was licensed to preach Sept. 14, 1856. 1Ie joined the M. E. Church in the fall of 1858 and soon after was licensed to preach by that denomination. Ile was admitted to the Maine Conference in 1866, and since that time, with the exception of four years, has been in active itinerant service. Previous to coming to Industry circuit he had been largely instrumental in erecting a union church at Kingfield, and also built a Methodist house of worship while stationed on Belgrade circuit.
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by interested citizens. The committee proceeded to organize by choosing James M. Norton, president, Franklin W. Patterson, secretary, Calvin B. Fish, treasurer, and Warren Cornforth, col- lector. The committee immediately closed contracts for the granite with Asa Q. and Calvin B. Fish, and with George W. Johnson for the necessary lumber. Hovey Thomas was engaged to put up and board the frame as soon as the lumber was ready in the spring.
A lot for the new house had been previously selected and engaged of James Oliver, and Nov. 15, 1887, the society took a deed of the land and two days later the lot was surveyed and the boundaries established. The sills were cut and hewn before the snow fell in the fall, and many of the preliminary arrange- ments made. During the winter and spring many became dis- satisfied with the lot purchased of Mr. Oliver in consequence of the wet and heavy condition of the soil. At this juncture an ad- vantageous offer was made the society by Franklin W. Patterson, which was accepted by a unanimous vote of the subscribers to the building fund. On the 18th day of June, 1888, the work of clearing the lot was begun, and on the following day a large party of men and boys broke ground for the cellar. Consider- able enthusiasm prevailed, and under the direction of Samuel C. Rand, who had been specially selected to take care of digging and stoning the cellar, work proceeded rapidly. In due time the cellar was completed, granite dressed, sills framed and in position, and by July 4th the walls were up and nearly boarded. At this point it was deemed expedient to suspend work until the hay crop had been harvested. Work was resumed at the earliest possible moment, and soon the roof was raised and covered. The committee then engaged Edward A. Maxim, of Madison, to build the tower and superintend the finishing of the outside. The committee were very fortunate in their selection of Mr. Maxim as master workman, and the beauty of the exterior is a credit to his skill and judgment. The outside was finished late in the fall of 1888, and finding their funds exhausted and not wishing to incur any indebted- ness, the committee deemed it advisable to suspend work until
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EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1893.
from some source the treasury should be replenished. At that time the interior was partially lathed and some other work had been done. Upon the dismissal of the workmen, Rev. John R. Masterman voluntarily took up the work and only ceased his labors when the interior was ready for the masons.
Through the solicitations of the pastor, ably seconded by those of Rev. George C. Andrews, Presiding Elder, the Maine Methodist Conference, in the spring of 1889, voted the West's Mills society the benefit of its Church Aid fund for that year, from which source $180.79 was realized, and but for this opportune aid the work of finishing the church must have been greatly delayed. From the following churches a donation of five dollars or more was received :
Auburn,
$5.00
North Anson, $ 5.00
Augusta,
7.50
Portland, Chestnut Street
Biddeford,
5.00
Church, 12.00
Conway, N. H.,
7.50
Portland, Congress Street Church, 7.00
Cumberland,
7.00
Farmington,
8.00
Skowhegan,
6.50
Gardiner,
9.00
South Berwick,
6.00
Kittery,
5.00
Waterville,
15.00
Madison,
5.00
Wilton,
5.40
Mt. Vernon,
5.00
Woodfords,
5.00
Nearly contemporaneous with the starting of the subscription paper, the ladies of West's Mills and vicinity began looking about to see in what manner they could best aid in erecting the proposed new house of worship. As the result a Ladies' Circle was organized on Tuesday evening, Nov. 15, 1887, and the following officers elected : President, Miss Ellen A. Frederic ; Vice-President, Miss Eva L. Luce; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. James M. Norton. A good degree of success attended the circle from the very first, and although the fees charged at their suppers and entertainments were merely nominal, a con- siderable sum was raised in this manner. From these funds was purchased and set up, at a cost of seventy-five dollars, one of the Doran Furnace Co.'s furnaces, known as the Siberian Heater. In addition to this, the circle rendered the building committee substantial and opportune aid in other directions.
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. HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
Franklin W. Patterson and Alonzo Sawtelle completed the chimney June 24th, and on the following day Cyrus A. Thomas & Sons, of Farmington, began plastering the walls. Early in August, Rev. John R. Masterman and Rufus Jennings began the work of finishing the interior. The completion of this work again found the society destitute of funds, and the interior yet to be painted.
Here, as in previous emergencies, aid came from an unex- pected source. One pleasant morning, Mrs. John R. Master- man, wife of the pastor, started out with a subscription paper soliciting contributions to aid in painting. Her efforts were so successful that in a very short time sufficient money was obtained to pay for the paint and leave a small balance toward paying the painter. Robert Campbell, of Farmington, was employed to paint and grain the interior of the house, which he did in a skilful manner, and to the satisfaction of all concerned.
The Methodist Society at Farmington, with characteristic generosity, presented the West's Mills church a number of pew-cushions taken from their church at the time it was burned in the fall of 1886. With a small amount of labor these were fitted to the pews by the ladies, and they proved no small addition to the comfort and beauty of the edifice. The house is 34x40 feet on the ground, with fifteen feet posts. The spire, which rises from the southwest corner, is fifty-nine fect tall, exclusive of weather-vane. The main entrance is in the south end, directly under the tower, and opens into an entry 8x10 fect ; two doors lead from the entry, one to the audience room, 30x34 feet, the other on the right opens into the vestry, IOX22 feet ; this is connected with the main house by means of folding doors. At the castern extremity of this room is a flight of winding stairs leading to a room over and of the same size as the vestry. This room has conveniences for setting up a stove, and can be used as a kitchen in event of a church festival, or to augment the seating capacity of the church, with which it is connected with two large windows that can be raised as occasion requires. With the exception of this room, the whole interior is grained in ash, effectively set off by the judicious use of walnut
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EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1893.
stain for prominent mouldings, etc. The faithful labors and untiring interest manifested by Chairman James M. Norton and other members of the building committee, also Rev. John R. Masterman, the family and friends of George W. Johnson, Mrs. Warren Cornforth, and others, are worthy of all praise and to them, in no small measure, is due the success of the enterprise.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1890, was the time set for the dedicatory services, and a more beautiful day could not have been had. The sky was cloudless and the sleighing excellent. Under such favorable circumstances, it does not seem so very strange that a large number were in attendance. Among the clergymen who were present and participated in the services were Rev. Wilber F. Berry, of Farmington; Rev. Henry Crockett, of Kingfield, a former pastor; Rev. George C. Andrews, Presiding Elder of the Augusta District, and Rev. John R. Masterman, the present pastor. Among the congregation, bowed down by the weight of his many years but still possessing a retentive memory, was Samuel Remick, of Stark, who sixty years before had attended the dedicatory services of the Union Church at West's Mills. Although on that occasion the house was packed to its utmost capacity, nearly all had gone over to " the silent majority." Of the remaining few, so far as the writer can learn, Mr. Remick was the only one present.
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