USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harrison > Centennial history of Harrison, Maine > Part 14
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ness comprised passengers, express, and mails, and for a long time it was very near to a monopoly.
About 1846, some enterprising citizens of Bridgton and vicinity decided to utilize the beautiful water-way by putting on a passenger steamer to run in connection with the stages, which were to run to meet it at each end of the water route, thus giving a through trip from Waterford to Portland, and also reaching North Waterford, Albany Basins, Bethel, and Lovell. A deal was made with the owners of the stage line, by which they became part owners of the steamer, and were to provide the stages which were to be used to extend the route beyond the limits of the lakes. The company was christened as "The Sebago & Long Pond Steam Navigation Company," was duly char- tered by the Legislature, and given exclusive rights to the navigation by steam of Long Pond and Sebago Lake, and their tributaries, for the time of ten years.
In 1847, a Mr. Friend came from New York to build the steamer, and the scene of this exploit was at North Bridgton, at a point a short distance above the present railroad station. It was a great event for such a "back country" place, and many were the visitors during the time that the work was in progress. The boat was completed so as to make its first trip late in the summer of 1847, and the day on which the event took place was the "day of days" to "all the country round." The people went from far and near to swell the crowd that was present at Chad- bourne's Landing when the "Fawn" made its first landing at that place. An eye witness says that the whole country was depopulated for miles around to make up the immense crowd that was gathered to see such a sight as "ne'er was seen before."
The boat itself was burdened by an engine and boiler many sizes too large for her, and was cranky and ill- balanced. A well-known correspondent in a recent article describes her thus :
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"In making a short turn the steamboat would tip side- ways thereby lifting one of the paddle-wheels out of the water, on account of which the passengers literally worked their passage when going through the Songo, they being used as ballast to keep her evenly balanced by dint of going to one side and the other as she went round the sharp curves. * But ere long, Yankee ingenuity devised an improved substitute in the form of a little deck car laden with iron chain, which was pushed back and forth on the deck on a crosswise track, which had the distinction of being the first narrow-gauge railroad ever run in that vicinity."
Harrison was well represented in the officers and crew of the "Fawn." The veteran navigator, Capt. C. C. W. Sampson, was the pilot and commander, and was at his station during the whole of the time that the boat was run, which was nearly ten years. Newell N. Caswell was the engineer, and the clerk and purser was Thomas R. Sampson, afterwards for many years a popular merchant, and town clerk. "Uncle" Daniel Scribner was fireman for many years, and was succeeded by a man named Water- house. The steamer paid well for one or two years, but the construction of the Grand Trunk road, with stage lines that served much of the territory that formerly found an outlet over the lake route, was a hard blow to the enter- prise, and eventually resulted in its ruin. The boat cost $8,000 to build in 1847, and it was sold to Hon. George Peirce, on April 18, 1855, for $1,885, the tackle, furniture, and other appurtenances being sold to the same party for enough to make the total sum of $1,951.60. The boat was torn to pieces, and the engine and boiler sold to parties at Moosehead Lake, and hauled over the road with horses. It is said that it is still in operation in a steamer on the lake.
The boat was said to be of very light draught on account of the shoal water on Songo Bar and some other places. At one time water was quite low on account of prolonged
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drought. One morning the boat had a good load of pas- sengers, a well-known stage driver named Seavey being on board, and looking after the welfare of the passengers who were to ride into Portland with him. Seavey sud- denly remarked that he was mighty glad that there was a good heavy dew the night before. One of the passengers, thinking it a strange remark, asked why he was glad. "Be- cause I shall not have to get off now, and tow this old craft over the bar," replied Seavey.
Another anecdote in connection with the old "Fawn" was long remembered at the expense of the engineer. There was a maiden lady named Mary Emerson, a sister of Ralph Waldo Emerson, and a resident of Waterford, who was a frequent traveler over the route. She was very peculiar, and Mr. Caswell had a great horror of her. In the engine room was a chest that sat against the boiler, and furnished a good seat for any one that was cold. Miss Emerson seemed to be always cold, for she spent the greater part of her time while on the boat, in sitting on that chest. Mr. Caswell determined that he would try to frighten her away when next she took her favorite position. Soon she was again a passenger, and planted herself on the chest as usual. As soon as Mr. Caswell was at liberty, he approached her and said: "Miss Emerson, do you know that you are in a very dangerous place? If the boiler should happen to burst you would be instantly killed." Miss Emerson evidently mistrusted what Mr. Caswell was trying to do, and quietly replied: "Mr. Cas- well, I am prepared to go at any time when the Lord calls, and it makes no difference where I am." She remained on the chest till the boat reached Standish, and Mr. Caswell did not very soon hear the last of his trying to get rid of Miss Emerson.
After the "Fawn" so suddenly went out of existence there was a long cessation of any attempt to run passenger boats over the lakes, and it was not until 1869, that a little
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propeller steamer, named "Oriental," was built by Capt. Thomas Symonds of Portland, who was impressed with the fact that there had been a great increase in the amount of travel since the days of the "Fawn," and believed that the business might be made to pay if rightly managed. The "Oriental" was put upon the route in 1869, running from Harrison to Sebago Lake Station, where connection was made with the railroad, thus saving the long stage ride which had been a prominent feature of the old route into Portland. On the first trip of the "Oriental" over the lakes, Capt. Abram Shaw of Standish, was the pilot, and he con- tinued to run over the route in that capacity for many years in the little steamer and her successors.
Capt. Symonds continued to run the "Oriental" about a year with indifferent success, and then sold out to Hon. Charles E. Gibbs of Bridgton, who was connected with the steamboating business for many years thereafter. Nelson J. Wales of Bridgton, bought an interest in the "Oriental," and was her captain and manager, and continued to act in that capacity on the new and elegant side-wheel steamer, "Sebago," which the company soon put upon the route. Business increased to such an extent that another side- wheel steamer - a twin boat to the "Sebago," and known as the "Mt. Pleasant" - was put on the route in 1873, the "Oriental" having been burned at her wharf at Harrison in 1871, and the two boats were both running daily during the season, until the "Sebago" was burned in 1873, at Bridg- ton Landing, where she lay on the ways in winter quarters. Mr. Wales had previously sold his interest to Mr. Gibbs, and he alone was the company for several years. A new screw propeller steamer, the "Hawthorne," was built to take the place of the "Sebago," and was the only steamer on the route when the property next changed hands, the "Mt. Pleasant" having been discarded as unseaworthy.
The steamboat property was transferred in 1892, to the S. D. Warren Company, and they in turn sold it to Charles
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L. Goodridge of Deering, a grandson of Benj. Goodridge, one of the pioneers of Naples and a prominent business man of that town. Mr. Goodridge increased the facilities at once by adding another steamer, and later built still another one, so that three good boats are now on the route, one being used for excursions, and for making the daily trip to Raymond from the railroad. The route has been extensively advertised, and is noted far and wide as one of the most beautiful inland water-ways in the whole country, and each year seems to add to its popularity. Con- nection is made daily with the elegant summer resort hotel at Naples, the Bay of Naples Inn, and with the fine hotels at Bridgton and Harrison; a stage line also connects the steamers with Waterford. Thousands of pas- sengers go over the route each year, and in the height of the season large excursion parties come up from Portland on the boat and return by the railroad.
Of the large numbers of people from all over the United States who travel over this route each year, all seem to be enthusiastic in its praise, agreeing that one must journey a long distance before he can find its equal. The great stretch of landscape that is constantly in sight while crossing Sebago, keeps one constantly on the alert lest something be missed from the view; the wonderful Songo with its many picturesque crooks and turns is unrivalled for its quiet beauty; and Long Lake, with one pretty village at its foot and two more at its head, with the beautiful moun- tain scenery only a short distance away, makes a picture that is not soon forgotten by the tourist who is a lover of nature.
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CHAPTER VII.
BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
MERCHANTS.
I T is extremely difficult at the present time to give any- thing more than a brief and somewhat incomplete history of the stores that have been kept at Harrison since its settlement, and of the many merchants of various kinds that have done business within its borders. All seem to be agreed that the first store in town was kept by Capt. Benjamin Foster in South Harrison. Capt. Foster was one of the earliest settlers in the town, coming probably before 1800. The store was on the westerly side of the Edes's Falls road, a short distance to the south of the present residence of Herman Thompson. It was in close proximity to the farm buildings of the proprietor, which have long since gone to decay, leaving only the nearly filled cellar and a few other marks to indicate the pres- ence of buildings in the past.
Ridlon says in his "Early Settlers:" "This store was the place where many stories were told and much ardent spirit was imbibed;" and further on in the same book, in the sketch of Capt. Foster, he says: "The store was the place where many curious scenes were enacted. Being near the course of the river the drivers resorted thither where they could wet the inside to correspond with the outside."
Probably the extracts do no injustice to the place, nor do they indicate that it was immoral or disreputable, as such things were viewed in those days. River driving was a great event each year, and Capt. Foster's store and
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residence were the headquarters of the men when in the vicinity. Without doubt ardent spirit was kept for sale in that store the same as it was in nearly every grocery store at the time. River drivers in those days were gen- erally addicted to drink, and doubtless what they got at the captain's store caused some hilarious scenes, which in our times might cause wholesale arrests. Probably the store added quite a little to the income of the proprietor for a time, as he must have had a monopoly of what trade there was over quite a territory, and at certain sea- sons there must have been considerable.
Many are the stories that have been handed down by tradition in relation to some of the happenings at that little store, and at his dwelling, which was a public house at all times, and more especially so in river driving times. One in regard to what was done to the negro doctor is a good sample :
It seems that at one time the captain's house was full of river drivers and others, among them being a notorious character of those times known as "Doctor Coodle,"* a man who was always at the head of all kinds of "dev- iltry." Another character of those times was a certain negro "doctor" who used to travel over the country. It happened on this particular night that the colored man applied at the captain's for "entertainment for man and beast." "The shades of night were falling fast," outside it was dark and stormy, and, though the house was crowded, it was not thought best to turn away the "doctor." As soon as he caught sight of the darkey, "Coodle" marked him for a victim, and laid his plans accordingly, having plenty of ready helpers.
No sooner was the darkey through with his supper than the sport began, the rivermen proceeding under the leader- ship of "Coodle" to make life miserable to him in ways which they were all too ready to devise. "Coodle" pre-
*His real name was Wood.
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tended the utmost friendship for the negro, who was about half drunk and a ready victim. Finally matters became so hot that the old darkey resolved to brave the elements, and drive on in the storm to some other shelter where he might find more congenial company. He called for his horse, and "Coodle," as a part of his pretended friendship, volunteered to see that he was brought to the door.
Now it happened that Capt. Foster had among his stock a very frisky young bull. "Coodle," with the help of will- ing assistants, proceeded to saddle and bridle the bull in- stead of the darkey's horse, and took him to the door, there being help enough to keep him in subjection. The doctor was informed that his horse was ready. It was terribly dark outside, and the half drunken negro failed to detect the difference between the bull and the horse. "Coodle" was ready with his very "friendly" help, and as- sisted the doctor to mount his waiting steed while the helpers kept him as quiet as possible. The doctor was safely seated in the saddle, his saddle-bags were put in place, and the reins were carefully placed in his hands. As he gathered up the reins he said to his pretended friends: "I thanks you all for your kindness, and I now bids you all good night, gemmen." The bull was released, and as he felt himself free he gave a wild bellow of fright, whirled about and rushed for the barnyard with tail erect. Frightened almost out of the few wits that remained the old doctor clung for dear life, but nothing short of a cowboy of the plains could ride such a steed, and in short order he was flung into the mud and filth, while the frightened bull dashed away to be caught later and divested of what was left of his trappings. As good luck would have it the doctor was but little injured, but the fright probably had the effect to make him a sober man for a time.
Foster's store was the pioneer, but it was only a little later on when Oliver Peirce had a small store in the cor-
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ner, just above his residence, which was where Frank B. Ward now lives. As early as 1824, or possibly a little earlier, the first store was kept at the Village by Joel Whitmore, in a small building between the Morse corner and where the "brick store" stood later. This brick store was a landmark at the Village for many years, standing near where the Reform Club Hall was later. George Peirce was in trade in the "corner store" as early as 1827, the store probably having been built by him, and was for many years known as the "Peirce store." The Blakes were in business as early as 1830, the early history of their store having been quite fully given in Mr. Fernald's address, which appears in the account of the Centennial Celebration in the first part of the book.
We have been unable to learn the date of the erection of the "brick store," or who built it, but Capt. William Lindsay was probably the first trader in that store. He was there in the early thirties, and remained there for several years, there being no known change till George F. Foster began to trade there in 1843.
Alanson Cary, Mrs. Harrison Blake's father, had a small store in 1835 or 1836, just across the bridge, it stand- ing where the Sampson horse sheds stood later. The build- ing was removed in after years, and is a part of the house where Levi Harmon now lives. About the time that Cary was in trade Jacob Powers was keeping store in the Lu- ther Blake building, being there as late as 1838. William Libby was there for a short time a little later on. Henry Robie built a store about 1834, which building is now the blacksmith shop. He entered into trade with a partner, the firm being Robie & Parsons. They closed up their business in 1838, and Robie went back onto his farm.
Ezra Cary traded in the Maybury stand (opposite the "corner store") as early as 1835, Charles Robie of Gorham - brother to ex-Governor Robie - being his partner for a time. Later he sold out to Robie, and he continued to
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run the business as late as 1838. George F. Foster, son of Capt. Benj. Foster, was in trade in the "brick store" in 1843, and a little later on he bought a stable that stood where the Charles Sampson house now stands, moved it across the street, and fitted it up for a store and dwelling house, keeping store in the lower part and living in the upper' part. The building is now known as the Herbert Rowe house. Mr. Foster sold out to Lot C. Nelson of Bridgton in 1852, and he remained in the same store for a short time, and then moved across the street into the "corner store," and remained there until he sold out to J. H. Illsley in 1854.
Johnson Warren came here in 1845, and first began busi- ness in the "corner store." Later he moved into the Henry Robie store and traded there until his new store across the bridge was finished in 1847, when he moved into that, and continued in trade there until sometime in 1850. Thomas T. Peirce was in business in the "corner," or "Peirce" store for several years, closing out about 1852.
When the Blakes first went into business the store was run by Grinfill and Francis Blake, sons of Squire Grinfill Blake, the firm name being G. & F. Blake. After a time Francis bought out Grinfill's interest and continued in busi- ness alone until 1854. About a year before this he went into business in Portland, and moved his family there, though still continuing his business here under the charge of Thomas R. Sampson. In 1855, Silas Blake bought one- half interest in the store, and the firm was then Francis Blake & Co. until the next year, when Silas Blake bought out his partner and was the sole proprietor of the store until his death which occurred in 1868.
Thomas R. Sampson came from Portland in 1847, and went into trade in the Maybury stand. After trading alone for about a year he took one Augustus Woodbury into partnership, the firm name being Sampson & Woodbury. Soon after they moved into the "brick store," and were in
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business there about three years. After running as clerk on the Steamer "Fawn" some two or three years, and also clerking some for other parties, Mr. Sampson entered the employ of the Blakes and remained with them nine years. In 1862, he opened a general store in the Johnson Warren store across the bridge, which was later to be known as the Sampson store. Elliot Libby was his partner, the firm name being Libby & Sampson. In 1864, Mr. Libby died in the South, and Samuel Gray became a partner in his place, the firm being T. R. Sampson & Co. Mr. Gray died in 1872, and Mr. Sampson's son, Howard L., then became a partner, the firm name changing to T. R. Samp- son & Son, and so remained until Mr. Sampson's death in 1885. Howard L. Sampson continued to run the busi- ness under the old firm name until 1892, when it was closed out. The store was unoccupied until 1898, when Charles H. Eaton opened a furniture store there and carried it on for a short time. After he closed up his business the store remained unoccupied as long as it stood. It was torn down in 1904, and the site that was so long occupied by the "Sampson store," built in 1847 by Johnson Warren, is now a part of the lawn of Dr. James P. Blake.
Jonathan H. Illsley came to Harrison in 1854, buying out Lot C. Nelson in the "corner store," and continuing to run a general store there until after the death of Silas Blake in 1868. He bought the Blake store in the winter of 1868-69, removed his business there, and continued to trade there until he sold out to Marshall Jordan in 1880. Mr. Jordan carried on a very large business, occupying the whole of the lower floor of the block, and also using a part of the basement for heavy iron and some of the groceries. He died in 1898, and his son, Victor L., who had been a partner for a time in the firm of M. Jordan & Son, took charge of the business, with his brothers, Ernest A. and Walter C., as his partners under the firm name of Jordan Bros. In 1902, a part interest in the
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business was sold to Joseph W. and Wilford C. Lamb of Naples, and the firm for a year was Jordan & Lamb Bros. At the end of the year the firm was dissolved by the Lamb Brothers selling their interest to the Jordans, and the firm again became Jordan Bros. In 1906, the grocery and hardware departments of the business were sold to J. T. Kneeland, who had for some time been a clerk for the firm. The store was divided into two parts, Kneeland taking the southerly portion, while Jordan Bros. continued to carry on the dry goods business to a limited extent in the other part. This was the situation when the fire of May 14, 1907, destroyed both stores and all of their contents.
In 1855, Charles Farley, the man who was then carry- ing on the wire factory, grist and saw mills, etc., in addition to all of his other business entered into trade, opening a general store in the "brick store," which seems to have been empty for a time. But misfortunes in other places, as has been duly set forth in Mr. Cyrus Farley's sketch of his father, caused him to close out his business of all kinds at Harrison, including the store, and return to Port- land before the close of 1855. As far as we are able to learn he was the last occupant of the "brick store."
In 1856, George W. Hathaway came here and opened a general store in the Henry Robie store. Mr. Hathaway was a genial, pleasant man, but for some reason his business did not flourish to a sufficient degree to warrant him in continuing it beyond about two years, after which he closed it out and left town. He was the last occupant of the Henry Robie store, which was converted into a blacksmith shop, and has been occupied for that for a long term of years.
Josiah Monroe came from Waterford in 1870, and opened a general store in the "corner store," which had been va- cated by J. H. Illsley the year before. Charles Young of Waterford was a partner in the firm, which was Young
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& Monroe, but Mr. Monroe carried on the business, and lived at Harrison. After being together for one year Monroe bought out Young's interest, and carried on the business alone until 1874, when he sold a half interest in it to Franklin Walker, one of the owners of the wire factory, the firm after that being Monroe & Walker until they went out of business in 1878, after which Mr. Monroe returned to his old home at Waterford.
Evans A. Kneeland kept a small grocery store for a few years in the small store now occupied by Miss Blanche Bradbury, opening it about 1875. At his death his brother Orlando A. Kneeland, took the business, and shortly moved into the "corner store," which had again become vacant. In 1885, Frank O. Gray bought a half interest in the busi- ness, and went into the store, the firm name being Knee- land & Gray. In 1886, Freeland H. Ricker bought out Kneeland's interest, and the firm became Ricker & Gray, and so continued 'until Gray sold his interest to Ricker, who bought the coat shop building in 1895, fitted it up for a store, and moved his business into it. He continued to carry on his business there until the store and nearly all of the contents were destroyed in the fire of May, 1907. Mr. Ricker at once began the erection of a new store on the spot where the old one was burned, and moved into it in the August following the fire.
William H. Bailey carried on a small dry goods business, in connection with a tailoring business, in the store two doors to the south of the "corner store," from 1892 to 1895, at which date he entered into partnership with Fred B. Wiggin of Portland, under the firm name of Bailey & Wiggin, and they opened a general store in the "corner store." One year later Bailey sold out his interest to James T. Kneeland, and the firm became Wiggin & Kneeland. They continued the business for about three years.
Hollis H. Caswell, son of Newell N. Caswell, had been in the stove and hardware business on a limited scale in
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