USA > Maine > Somerset County > Bingham > Bingham sesquicentennial history, 1812-1962 > Part 7
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In the year of the Centennial, Skinner and French erected a sawmill where Kennebec Inc. now is situated. Until 1923 this mill was managed and owned in part by Mr. Maynard Skinner, and the mill later was sold to Bingham Lumber Company, which continued under Mr. Skinner. This mill produced an average of four million feet a year. After the plant closed it was unoccupied for some time. Then the Stowell-McGregor Company used the mill to saw spool bars through several winters and the mill was also used by Mr. Ben- jamin Lander to make candy sticks and other small wooden articles.
In 1935 Harold Baldwin built a mill on the site now occupied by Glen Wing's mill. Here maple was sawed for the purpose of making wooden heels. He sold a by-product, sawdust, to be used in a west coast-type sawdust burner which he sold and installed, and for several years some local homes were heated in this way. Lack of priorities made it necessary to move this business in 1942. Mr. Baldwin operated much of his own logs.
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The Allen Quimby Veneer Company started building a plywood mill in 1936. That year, Allen Quimby, Sr., died and his sons, Allen, Jr. and Langdon, took over the construction and installation of ma- chinery and then the business of operating. The first veneer was cut in May 1937. The plant employed both men and women and the demand for the product was increased with the outbreak of World War II. England bought aircraft birch for use for propellers, Mosquito bombers and landing craft. Some of it was made into gliders. One special item was purchased by the American Seating Company to be moulded to make back-fitting packs for special purposes. At the
The Allen Quimby Veneer Company - 1936-1962
close of the War this company experimented in mahogany, obeechee, and other South African woods. Since these were discharged at various ports rather than the port closest to Maine, the freight costs made this end product too expensive.
Using some of the company's plywood, the building of Bristol Boats became a branch of the business in 1950. Boats from sixteen to sixty feet were produced and sold all over the country. The sixty- footers are fast and seaworthy, ideal for deep-sea fishing or cruising.
At this time this firm is implementing plans to further utilize. their product. They will make kitchen cabinet assemblies which will be shipped to assembly centers established in various cities. At present three hundred and fifty people are employed.
In 1942. through the War Production Board, a second plywood
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mill was established to help produce the quantities of plywood in demand. They made no veneer and used that being produced by the Allen Quimby Veneer Company to produce material used in aircraft, particularly trainer planes to conserve metals, and also landing crafts. Associated with this mill was Mr. Gardiner Bridge, Herbert Payson and Dudley Boutelle, which was later sold to Paul Matheson in 1947, and now operates in a limited way in connection with Bristol Boats. This mill was the former Bingham Lumber Company plant, and was leased from that company originally.
In 1942 Mr. Glen Wing set up a sawmill in the plant formerly occupied by Baldwin's mill just below the village. His average cut has been one and a half million a year, both hard- and softwoods. He has added a dry kiln and planing mill. He plans to continue sawing with a view to supplying the growing demand for summer cottages. He operates some of his own lumber.
- MR. LESLIE J. DURGIN - MRS. EDMUND C. MELCHER
RECREATIONAL INDUSTRIES
The proximity of forest and river, of course, made the town more or less a gateway to hunting and fishing country, and many sports- men have used the local inns as their headquarters. In the days when trains arrived twice daily in town, many guides met their hunt- ing or fishing parties at the station here.
Bingham has a ski tow on Baker Mountain just above Wyman Dam. It was the first public tow in the state. Originally installed by the Allen Quimby Veneer Company, a very nominal fee was charged to local enthusiasts. It is now managed by the Bingham Ski Club.
Many widely known lumbermen and foresters were, and are now associated with the town. Three large paper companies have offices or representatives here. Since 1920 the S. D. Warren Company has had offices in the town. Hollingsworth & Whitney, later to become that branch of the Scott Paper Company, is represented and has a garage and other shops in the upper part of the town over Austin Stream, as well as a farm below town; The Hudson Paper Company, too, has representatives.
So, for a hundred and fifty years, the forests and the river have furnished the people in this "cup in the hills" not only with employ- ment, but with recreation and unusual scenic beauty.
- LOUISE D. MELCHER
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Physicians of Bingham
E VERY TOWN HAS AMONG ITS ANNALS many types of humanity, but foremost in the list of a well organized community we find the country doctor, who was not only a medical advisor, but seemed to be the bosom friend of the family. It is true that the doctors were among the best educated people of the country, and were frequently elected to fill the highest offices of their town. The history of the lives and doings of the old-time physicians of Bingham might be woven into a most fascinating story.
Dr. Jonah Spaulding was the first of whom we find record to practice medicine in Bingham. About 1800 Dr. Jonah, as he was called, came to Maine and began his practice in Wilton. In 1812 he married Miss Betsy Hardy of Wilton and they came to West Moscow and lived on a farm on the River Road. Dr. Jonah always wore a long black coat. and a broad brimmed hat. The children were in awe of him because he was frequently called upon to vaccinate them. Dr. Spaulding died in 1871 at the age of ninety-three.
Following him was his nephew, Dr. Zachariah Spaulding. He was. the first settled physician in Bingham in 1830. He married Asenith, daughter of Deacon Ephriam and Lephe Goodrich Wood. The people of Bingham were very anxious for them to settle in their midst and. offered the doctor many inducements. So, the most central lot in the village was chosen and the "Doctor's House" was built. It was located where Howes Filling Station now stands. Dr. Zaek made his travels in a two-wheeled gig and, before the day of the gig, rode horseback with his saddle bags across his horse. There were no roads to Caratunk, just a bridle path over the mountains. Dr. Spaulding died in 1865 and with his wife and children are resting in the Bingham Village Cemetery.
Practicing in Bingham with Dr. Zachariah Spaulding was a young- er doctor, Nathan F. Blunt. The Blunt home was situated where the Samuel Smith house, now Paul Brochu's, stands, and the long hill this side was known as Blunt Hill. Dr. Blunt served on the school board for years, and many of his pupils remember that look from his some- what stern eye and a point of a finger was all that was necessary to make them get busy. Dr. Blunt left his practice to join the army and became an army surgeon. After his return home his health was broken but he continued to practice with much skill in surgery. He brought home his little army horse and on each Fourth of July, the doctor and his spirited animal held a prominent place in the exercises. The Post organized by the ex-soldiers of the Civil War bore the name of Nathan:
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F. Blunt Post in honor of this popular townsman and soldier. He died in 1871 and is buried in the village cemetery.
Dr. Joseph Spaulding, one of Dr. Zachariah's sons, succeeded his father; also a Dr. Parsons who remained in town only a short time. He lived in the same house, rode the same gig and administered to patients in the same families as his father. In 1862 he enlisted and was made First Sergeant of Co. F., 20th Regiment Maine Volunteers. He was dicharged because of physical disabilities, returing to Bingham where he practiced until 1873 when he left and went to Richmond. Dr. Frank Wood Spaulding, another son of Dr. Zachariah, followed his brother in coming to Bingham in 1875. Dr. Frank considered it one
Dr. ZACHARIAH SPAULDING and the "Doctor's House" - Has been the home of seven of Bingham's physicians.
of the greatest honors ever bestowed upon him when his native towns- people sent him a letter in the form of a petition signed by many of the leading citizens of the village vicinity inviting him to return to Bingham to practice. He remained in Bingham only a short time, leaving in 1876.
Probably no physician practicing in Bingham administered to more people than Dr. Frederick G. Williams. In many instances he was the family physician for more than forty years. He came to Bingham in 1871, and established his practice, living in the Old Hotel for a while, later boarding with Willie Goodrich. He bought a house lot from
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John Cummings and built his house and stable where he lived and practiced for forty-five years. The house is now the Dr. F. P. Ball residence. He died in 1916.
Between the years of 1879 and 1905, Dr. Albert Piper was a highly respected townsman and physician. He married Fanny May Pierce of Moscow in 1879. They began housekeeping in the building now called the Little Shop in 1880, where his office was also located. They were the parents of two sons, Dr. John Piper and Walter Piper. In 1884 they moved to the building where our library is now located and lived there until 1892 when they built the house on Meadow Street which is now owned by Allen P. Robinson. Dr. Piper died in 1905. Succeeding him was Dr. Nevers, who practiced here for about two years. During that time, he lived in the "Doctor's House". Dr. Mooers followed Dr. Nevers. He practiced a brief time, and lived in the same house.
In 1906 Dr. Ray C. Brown came to Bingham, built a home on Goodrich Street, had his office in his home, and practiced here until 1921 when he moved away. He returned in 1928, and for a while lived in the Hotel Annex. He was here during the construction of the Wyman Dam. He left again and in 1941 returned to practice with his office in the building now occupied by the Post Office, and died there in 1943.
Around 1911 Dr. T. W. Brimigeon came. He lived and had his office upstairs in the building known as the Bushey & Sterling Block. He was here for two or three years.
In 1914 Dr. Percival O. Hopkins came to Bingham. He built his house on Murray Street now owned by Everett Lidstone. He was a First Lieutenant in the Medical Corps of World War I, returning to practice, and died here in 1923.
Dr. Anna W. Howes, D. O., started her practice here in 1920. Her first office was upstairs in the Bushey & Sterling Block and after- wards in their home on Main Street. After twenty-two years of practice she retired, and with her husband, Davis E. Howes, moved to Concord to the Simeon Howes homestead. Dr. Howes was an R. N. in Massa- chusetts before her training in Osteopathy.
Dr. Orville DeVeaux came in 1923. He lived in the dwelling now known as the Yellow Bowl Inn, later buying a house on River Street known as the Stanton Giberson house, where he conducted a hospital for a while. Later he had an office in the Dutton Hotel and across the street in the Maurice Alkins building. He left here sometime in the thirties.
Dr. Burton O. Kinney came in 1924; he also lived in the Giberson house and practiced here until about 1929.
Dr. Franklin P. Ball came in 1929 from Solon where he had prac-
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ticed for some time. He purchased the old Dr. Williams house on Main Street. He had his office in his home. He is a veteran of the Canadian Army, was a Captain in the Medical Corps of World War II American Army, and retired as Major, returning to practice in Bingham after his term of service. Mention has been made of some of the hardships of travel for some of the doctors in olden times, but it is also known that Dr. Ball has made many calls on skiis and snowshoes to patients in rural communities where other means of travel was impossible. He and Mrs. Ball live in Florida during the winter months and return to Bingham in the summer.
During part of the time Dr. Ball was in service, Dr. Donald Larkin lived in his house and practised here for about one year.
In 1938 Dr. Andrew Fortine, D. O., practiced here. He lived at one time in the Benjamin Adams house and later in the house occupied by Wilder Rollins.
Dr. George Sullivan came in 1938. He also occupied the Benjamin Adams house, later buying the F. H. Colby house where he had his office. He joined the Navy in 1942 and was Lieutenant Commander in the Medical Corps. He returned to Bingham to practice in 1946 and was here until 1955 when he left to go to Waterville, where he is connected with the Sisters Hospital. He left many friends in Bingham who still employ him as their physician.
Dr. Dallas O. Manchester, D. O., came to Bingham about 1942 and was here until about 1946. He lived and had his office in the home on River Street also previously occupied by Drs. DeVeaux and Kinney.
In 1950 Dr. Rex Crocker was here for a very short time and lived in the Earl Taylor house.
Dr. Niles Perkins came in 1952 and bought a house in Moscow from Henry McQuilkin now known as the Alston Ward place. He had an office with Dr. George Sullivan. He was here for about two years.
Dr. Robert Golden, D. O., came in 1952. He built a beautiful home with office just below the village on land of Earl Taylor. The town is most fortunate to have had Dr. Golden staying with us through the many comings and goings of so many other doctors and hope he continues to practice here for many more years.
Dr. Herbert Miller came in 1955, buying the Stoddard house and making extensive repairs for an office. He was here until about 1959.
Dr. Ake Akerberg came in 1955, having an office upstairs in the Pierce Block. He was here for about six months.
Before this history goes to print we expect a Dr. Vincente L. Sy, a native of the Phillipines, with his family, to locate with us as a general practitioner. He has purchased the house occupied by Dr. Miller.
- MRS. LOIS B. DUTTON
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Bingham-Moscow Chamber of Commerce
Bingham-Moscow Area Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1954 with the first directors Wesley D. Baker, Dudley Boutelle, Stanley Hill, William Beane, Everett Mitchell, Charles Bemis, Walter Har- wood, Ralph Tozier. Wesley D. Baker, president; Charles Bemis, vice- president; Lois B. Dutton, secretary and treasurer. The membership was thirty-four.
In 1955, the first Fishing Derby was held from Wyman Lake.
Mr. Norman Temple from the State Department of Development of Industry and Commerce was guest speaker on Ladies' Night.
In 1956, the same officers served. Fishing Derby in May.
Lawyer Harwood met with officials of the Federal Trust Company in Waterville regarding the location of their bank in Bingham. During the summer, the bank was built on the Dutton Hotel lot, and opened in December 1956.
The 1957 officers were: Fred Stait, president; Wilder C. Rollins, vice-president; and Lois B. Dutton, secretary and treasurer. Fishing Derby was held in May. Thomas H. Reynolds spoke before a meeting regarding the requirements for forming a baseball club. The Chamber joined with the Lions Club with an entertainment for the Athletic Association. Jackets were furnished for the club.
1958-Ralph Tozier, president; Arthur Gamache, vice-president; Lois B. Dutton, secretary and treasurer. The Chamber joined with the Lions and P.T.A. with a banquet for the baseball club.
1959-Charles Bemis, president; Donald Whitman, vice-president; Lois B. Dutton, secretary and treasurer. Guest night, Supt. Robert Brown was the speaker, explaining the school situation and the meet- ing for the formation of a district for five towns. A committee met with a representative from the Sears, Roebuck Foundation regarding a Clinic for this area.
1960-James Cahill, president; Arthur Gamache, vice-president; Lois B. Dutton, secretary and treasurer. Major Thomas Carroll and Captain Henderson from the Dow Air Base were speakers on guest night. They told of our Air Command and our security from Dow Air Base as top.
1961-Arthur Gamache, president; Maurice Alkins, vice-president; Lois B. Dutton, secretary and treasurer. The Rev. Lowell Kjenstad
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was guest speaker, speaking about his native state-South Dakota. Charles Markey and Earle Williams, Supervisors of the Maine Forestry Department service, spoke regarding camp sites and picnic areas. Mr. Guy Nichols from the State Highway Department spoke on placement of camp sites.
1962-Wilder C. Rollins, president; Girard Guay, vice-president; Lois B. Dutton, secretary and treasurer. Arbor Day the Chamber sponsored the planting of six maple trees in town. The Maine Music Festival in May was sponsored by the Chamber; also the celebration of the Sesquicentennial in July. An attempt was made to have a medi- cal doctor locate in town during the summer.
Sixty-Foot Bristol Gull built in Bingham, Maine, by Bristol Yacht Division of Allen Quimby Veneer Company.
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Social Organizations
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY - BINGHAM GRANGE
The first secret order in town was the Grange. Bingham Grange. was organized April 1, 1880, by J. S. McIntire of Solon, Deputy for Somerset County, with thirty-five charter members. Jabez Hill of Moscow was the first Master and he was followed by many other able leaders.
For several years the meetings were held in what was called. Holbrook Hall in the old hotel building on upper Main Street. After that was closed the meetings were held in Union Hall, over what is. now Maurice Alkins' store. After several years of discussion and plan- ing for a Grange home, the present Grange Hall on Meadow Street was built. The first meeting was held in it on October 11, 1902. The Master at that time was Granville Goodrich.
Over the years many needed improvements were made, the first. of which was the stage in 1917. Soon after that fire escapes were added. As the need arose various improvements were made. The latest improvement was the installation of oil heat. The possibility of a new stove for the kitchen is being discussed, and already have a small sum of money laid aside for that purpose.
The present membership of the Grange is 136. There are at present two Golden Sheaf members.
The present Master is Russell Rupell; Overseer, Emma Giberson,. and Lecturer, Mable Brown.
-- MRS. GLADYS GOFF
BRIEF HISTORY OF BINGHAM LODGE
Bingham Lodge No. 199, A. F. & A. M., was chartered on the 23rd day of December, 1892, on petition of the following members,. all but seven of whom became charter members:
Mark Savage Tilson H. Foss
John S. Ham
Ervin W. Moore
Albert A. Piper
Crosby Spaulding
Dexter L. Foster
Omar Clark
Henry O. Chase
John L. Lander
Frank W. Jones
Robert Woods
Fred W. Preble Warren Colby Tilson H. Baker
Joel P. Whitney
Albert D. Cassidy
John W. Sterling
Charles S. Durgin
William H. Morris
Samuel W. Baker
Benjamin F. Smith Sumner C. Hunnewell®
Fred C. Dinsmore Levi C. Andrews Arthur N. Burke
Isaac V. Adams E. L. Webster
William B. Hamblet
Warren J. Foss E. J. Russell
Edwin O. Vittum Henry Washburn
Thomas S. Whitney Charles A. Coleman Ezra Pierce
Fred L. Williams
Gustavus S. Witham George W. Baker Coney E. Sanborn
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FIRST OFFICERS OF BINGHAM LODGE
William B. Hamblet W. M. Benjamin F. Smith S. D.
Ervin W. Moore S. W. Albert Cassidy J. D.
Arthur N. Burke J. W. Henry O. Chase S. S.
Mark Savage
Treas. L. C. Andrews J. S.
Charles A. Coleman Sec. F. H. Preble Marshal
Tilson Foss Tyler
First Chaplain, Rev. James C. Gregory, 1895.
First six members who were raised before June, 1893: Samuel Smith, Elmer Dunton, Nathaniel Preble, Forrest Colby, Frank Hilton, and J. F. Adams.
There have been five members of Bingham Lodge who have held the office of District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maine: David Bean, 1910; Harold A. Coleman, 1922; Arthur J. Tupper, 1933; Howard L. Bowen, 1942; and Allan Robinson, 1955.
There have been a grand total of 583 members of Bingham Lodge since its founding. Lee C. Smith has been an officer of the Lodge since 1914, and has been its secretary for forty-two years.
Land for a new lodge building was bought, in conjunction with the I.O.O.F., in 1900 from L. C. Andrews and the building was con- structed in 1903. The building was wired for electricity in 1907, and new regalia and equipment was bought in 1912.
PAST MASTERS OF BINGHAM LODGE
William W. Hamblet Ervin W. Moore
Arthur N. Burke
Benjamin F. Smith Edwin O. Vittum
Samuel A. Smith
David G. Bean Leroy Badger Frank H. Hilton
Wallace W. Stoddard Philip A. Wood
Harold A. Coleman
Alvah S. Witham
Leon Robinson
Robert W. Smith
Thales E. Spaulding
D. Eugene Powell
Orville R. Forsythe John H. Gordon Milton G. Baker
Howard L. Bowen Lawrence Hopkins Arnold Gifford Lawrence Bushey
Charles L. Pooler
Eldon G. Spaulding
Bernard E. Russell Stanley L. Atwood
Wesley D. Baker
Richard H. Spalding
Robert Golden Sterling V. Pierce
Allan W. Hunnewell Guy S. Hunnewell Alfred F. Stevens Alvah F. Robinson Allan Robinson Clarence Spaulding Rudolph M. Quint Edward A. Sterling Douglas H. Gordon
Lee C. Smith Harry Cummings
Arlie A. Dinsmore Columbus S. Baker Ernest A. Sterling Arthur J. Tupper Harry E. Spalding J. Edwin Powell Robert C. Moore Herbert Tavlor Earland Rollins James M. Cahill
MT. MOXIE LODGE of ODD FELLOWS, No. 137
Mount Moxie Lodge No. 137, I.O.O.F., was instituted at Bingham September 24, 1895, with thirty-six charter members. Meetings were first held in the third story rooms over the Preble & Robinson store.
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When the Fraternity Hall was built in 1905, they had rooms furnished. there for their meetings and shared other facilities with the Masonic orders.
The present officers are: Noble Grand, Norris Clark; Vice Grand, Forrest Rollins; Recording Secretary and Financial Secretary, Vinal Adams; Treasurer, Eugene Beane. Earl Lister is Chaplain.
CENTENNIAL REBEKAH LODGE, No. 100
The Lodge came into existence after much careful planning and deliberation as to its purposes and maintenance. There must also have been a longing in the hearts of some people for the exemplifi- cation of those great principles upon which the Order is founded.
The charter having been applied for and granted, the evening of December 21, 1900, was chosen as the date for the institution of the Lodge. The Grand Master, and other officers of the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F. of Maine, and also the president of the Rebekah Assembly of Maine, were present in Bingham for the purpose of instituting the new Lodge.
The degree staff of Northern Light Rebekah Lodge of Solon was also present, and conferred the Rebekah Degree upon a class of seventy-five candidates. The only one of those first candidates re- maining today is Mrs. Stacy G. Fitzsimmons of Skowhegan, and her membership has not been continuous as she dropped her membership for several years and then was reinstated.
Mrs. Carrie Hilton, a charter member and later a Past Noble Grand as well as Recording Secretary for many years, was influential in naming the lodge "Centennial" Rebekah Lodge. The name seemed appropriate as it was the Centennial year-1900.
The Lodge was instituted, and the degree conferred, in the old Kennebec Hall over the Preble & Robinson store, but the regular meeting place was in the third story of the building over the hall. In spite of the fact that it was a little attic room with low ceilings, poor ventilation, dim lights, and a smoky little stove, many pleasant evenings were spent there, and many solemn vows were taken around the altar.
The first regular meeting of Centennial Rebekah Lodge was held on New Year's evening, January 1, 1901, with all officers in their chairs. The officers for the first year were: Mrs. Alice Goodrich, Noble Grand; Mrs. Sadie Andrews, Vice Grand; Mrs. Carrie Hilton, Secretary; Mrs. May Holden, Treasurer; Mrs. Frankie Chase, Warden; Mrs. Belle Clark, Conductor; Mrs. Viola Colby, Chaplain; Mrs. Cora.
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Reynolds, Inside Guardian; Mrs. Lillian Reynolds, Outside Guardian; Mrs. Belle Williams, Right Supporter to the Noble Grand; Mrs. Madeline Bray, Left Supporter to the Noble Grand; Mrs. Alice Dins- more, Right Supporter to the Vice Grand; and Miss Bina Burns, Left Supporter to the Vice Grand.
The first few years were very busy ones for the new lodge, as the records show. Everything was bought new, and the purchasing com- mittee was kept busy ordering lodge supplies and equipment. There were suppers and other money-making projects, for, besides the cur- rent expenses, the new home was in view. There was hardly a meet- ing without an application for membership, and at the end of the first year the Lodge had a membership of ninety-six, which is about the. same as we have today. Along with the hard work, there were many interesting programs and social evenings.
OLON ROBINSON and the OLD SNOW ROLLER
At the meeting on March 18, 1902, the Lodge voted to have a penny collection for the benefit of the sick members, and this penny collection remains an important part of our Lodge meetings today.
Mrs. Sadie Andrews followed as the second Noble Grand; and paraphernalia seemed to be the principal project during most of that year. During the third year, with Mrs. Carrie Hilton as Noble Grand, material for robes was purchased at a cost of $72.00, and two members cut the robes and assisted in making them. These new robes were used for the first time at an initiation on November 3, 1903, and continued in use for about twenty-five years.
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