USA > Maine > Oxford County > Norway > Centennial history of Norway, Oxford County, Maine, 1786-1886, including an account of the early grants and purchases, sketches of the grantees, early settlers, and prominent residents, etc., with genealogical registers, and an appendix > Part 15
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The Norway Savings Bank was chartered in February, and measures were at once taken for effecting an organization. February 10th, O. Elliot Brock, of Norway Village, was killed by the bursting of the balance wheel of a circular saw. He was stooping at the time, and a piece of the wheel struck his back, causing death within an hour. His life was insured for two thousand dollars. The Norway Savings Bank was organized in March, with the following officers: President, N. Gun- nison; Vice-president, John Whitmarsh; Secretary, Henry Upton; Treasurer, Lee Mixer; Trustees, C. C. Sanderson, Ezra F. Beal, Horatio G. Cole, Ceylon Watson, Isaac A. Denison, Robert Noyes, Thomas G. Goodwin. Peter Kimball and Betsey ( Emerson) Kimball celebrated their golden wedding, March 26th. There was a large
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gathering of their descendants and friends. April 14th the old foundry building at Steep Falls, with its contents, was consumed by fire. Whitmarsh & Jordan purchased the Elm House in April. Jonathan Blake purchased the water-power at Steep Falls, of John Tucker. The fourth of July was observed at the village by firing a salute, engine trials, fireworks, etc. Lieutenant Charles Thompson died October 5th, at the residence of General Beal. He was a printer by trade, and a member of the First, Tenth, and Twenty-ninth Maine Regiments. Henry M. Bearce commenced the practice of law in the village the last of October.
1867
The selectmen were instructed to make a contract with the owners of Concert Hall, in Norway Village, for the use of the hall for the purposes of the town, for a term not exceeding ten years, the town reserving the right to terminate the lease at any time after one year, and the select- men were made a committee to sell the old town-house by auction to the highest bidder. The town raised the usual sum for educational pur- poses, also twenty-two hundred dollars for the support of poor and town charges, two thousand dollars for town debt and interest, one thousand dollars in money for repair of roads, and two thousand dollars in labor for same. A meeting was held June 3d, "to ascertain the will of the people concerning the sale of intoxicating liquors," as provided in an act of the Legislature, approved March Ist, 1867. The vote stood in favor of prohibition, sixty-four ; opposed to prohibition, twenty-one. This meeting was held at Concert Hall. At a meeting September 9th, the selectmen were authorized to sell and convey the real estate con- veyed to the town by J. E. Stevens.
Joshua L. Chamberlain had two hundred and thirty-four votes for governor, and Eben F. Pillsbury had one hundred and twenty-nine. For representative, Edmund Curtis, of Greenwood, had two hundred and thirty-two votes, and William Richardson, of same town, had one hundred and twenty-nine.
Concert Hall was dedicated by a fair and levee, January Ist and 2d. Captain Whitmarsh purchased the interest of his former partner, Major W. P. Jordan, in the Elm House, in January. Mr. Nathaniel Young, deceased, formerly of this town, had living, at the opening of the year,
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the following sons, all of whom were well: Charles, aged eighty-two; Amos, seventy-eight; Nathaniel, seventy-three; William, seventy-two; Daniel and David, sixty-six; Jared, sixty-three; and Henry, sixty. A little son of Alfred P. Burnell had his right hand nearly severed from his arm by a circular saw, March 16th. The limb was amputated. On the night of September 21st, the building occupied by the Norway Savings Bank was entered by burglars. Notes, bonds, and papers belonging to the bank, and also some belonging to the town, were taken, and a small quantity of cash. Sylvanus Cobb Jr., sold his property here, and moved to Boston in the autumn of this year. The Norway Savings Bank building was erected in November, and finished the following winter.
1868
Fifteen hundred dollars were raised for the support of schools, twenty- two hundred dollars for support of poor and town charges, and twenty- five hundred dollars in labor for repair of ways. "Voted to raise a sum of money sufficient to pay the three hundred and sixty dollars interest on the town's debt for one year." Five hundred dollars were raised for ways, to be expended under the direction of the selectmen. It was voted to assume the losses of the town treasurer, to the amount of four hundred dollars. Greenleaf's Practical Series of Arithmetics were adopted by the school committee this year, for the term of five years. For governor Joshua L. Chamberlain had two hundred and ninety-six votes and Eben F. Pillsbury one hundred and ninety-five. For repre- sentative William S. Dodge had two hundred and ninety-four votes, and Seth T. Holbrook one hundred and ninety-seven. Upon the resolve of the Legislature, approved March 7th, 1868, with regard to' issuing bonds by the State for the reimbursement of cities and towns for war expenditures, the vote stood, one in favor and two hundred and eighty- two opposed. At the March term of the court at Paris, Truman F. Young, sometimes called Dr. Young, was tried for robbing the Norway Savings Bank in September last, and sentenced to nine years in the State Prison. Mrs. Lucinda Judkins died November 28th, aged ninety- five years. Her first husband, and also her second, served in the war of 1812. The new Masonic Hall was dedicated Wednesday, June 3d.
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The soldiers' graves were decorated by the Norway and South Paris Posts, the members of which united for that purpose. Rev. Mr. Tabor was engaged as pastor of the Universalist Church, near the close of the year, his services to begin early in January.
1869
Educational matters took a boom this year, and two thousand dollars were raised for school purposes. The usual amount was raised for sup- port of poor, three hundred and sixty dollars for interest on the town's debt, and three thousand dollars for repair of roads; an additional five hundred dollars were placed in the hands of the selectmen for the same purpose. A special meeting was held September 13th to take action. upon roads laid out by the selectmen.
For governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain had two hundred and twenty- six votes; Franklin Smith had one hundred and forty-seven; and Nathan G. Hitchborn, seventeen. For representative, George P. Jones had two hundred and twenty-two votes; Albert G. Parsons, one hun- dred and forty-six ; and Ezra F. Beal, twenty-seven.
October 16th, at a special meeting, the selectmen were authorized to raise by loan a sum not exceeding two thousand four hundred eighty- seven dollars and fifty cents, and to expend the same in making neces- sary repairs on the highways and bridges in town.
Rev. Mr. Tabor, recently of Concord, Vermont, commenced his labors with the Universalist Church in February. There was some talk of building a railway between South Paris and Norway Village, the cars to be drawn by horses. The Methodist chapel at the north part of the town was crushed to the ground February 21st, by the accumulated snows on the roof. The adventists had held a meeting there that day, and had only vacated a short time when the roof fell in. Major Henry W. Millett, postmaster at the village, died February 28th, aged about seventy years. The ice did not leave the Great Pond this year until May 4th. Union memorial services were held this year at Norway and South Paris. Addresses were made by General W. K. Kimball, Gen- eral W. W. Virgin, and others. August 25th, the tannery caught fire, but the fire was put out before much headway had been made. Miss Joanna Pike died August 13th, aged eighty-one years. She was the
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oldest daughter of Dudley Pike, who moved from Paris to this town in 1788. October 3d there was a dreadful freshet, doing much damage in the county and state. The roads and bridges in this town were badly washed and damaged. Dr. Willard C. George died October 3d, aged fifty-seven. A new military company was organized the last of October, with George L. Beal as captain, William W. Whitmarsh, Ist lieuten- ant, and Henry R. Millett as 2d lieutenant. Jeremiah Hobbs died at Frost's Corner, October 3Ist, aged eighty-five. He was the oldest son of Amos Hobbs, who was one of the first settlers in town.
1870
Two thousand dollars were voted for school purposes, twenty-two hundred dollars for support of poor and town charges; and three thousand dollars for repair of roads and bridges. It was voted to tax dogs at the rate of one dollar per capitum. It was voted to appropriate the state bonds for making and repairing roads and bridges, not to exceed thirteen hundred and fifty dollars. At a special meeting, Sep- tember IIth, one thousand dollars were voted, to open the road laid out on petition of Henry C. Reed and others. For governor, Sidney Perham had two hundred and thirty-nine votes, and Charles W. Roberts one hundred and fifty-eight. For representative, George P. Jones had two hundred and fifty-three votes, and Lee Mixer one hundred and sixty. At a special meeting, September 24th, a committee was raised to investigate the claim of J. L. Horne against the town, consisting of the selectmen, William W. Virgin, Luther F. Pike, and David Frost. The dry-house connected with the clothes-pin manufactory at Steep Falls, was burned January 13th ; no insurance. The Parsons Brothers completed their flouring-mill early in January. Mr. Ichabod Bartlett, formerly a prominent business man of Norway, died January 6th, aged seventy-three. A child of Henry Judkins was burned so severely, that it died soon after, in May. August 4th was a gala day in Norway village, the occasion being the inspection of the Norway Light Infantry by General John Marshall Brown of the Governor's staff. A cloud burst on the premises of Widow Pierce at North Norway, August 16th, doing considerable damage to buildings, fences, and land. It passed on toward Norway Pond, and spent itself in its watery wastes. The Nor-
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way Light Infantry paraded on Paris Hill, September 15th, and went into camp. A heavy shock of earthquake was felt October 20th, at eleven and a half o'clock. The undulations were from north to south. William E. Goodenow sold out this fall, and went to Kansas. He had resided here for nearly forty years.
CHAPTER XV.
ANNALS CONCLUDED.
1871
AN additional five hundred dollars were voted this year for schools, making the sum twenty-five hundred dollars. Twenty-two hundred dollars were raised for the support of the town's poor and for town charges, and eight hundred dollars in cash to build roads, and three thousand dollars in labor. It was voted to exempt from taxation the machinery of the paper-mill company, and the improvements made by Ezra F. Beal upon the Beals Hotel. At a meeting, April 4th, it was voted to submit the question of damage to J. L. Horne, to three disin- terested men, one of whom, at least, should be a lawyer. At a special meeting April 29th, it was voted to exempt from taxation for ten years, the mills and machinery to be put in at or near the Holden Mills. At a special meeting September IIth, one thousand dollars were voted for roads. For governor, Charles P. Kimball had one hundred and ninety- seven votes, and Sidney Perham two hundred and fifty-five. For representative, Hilton McAlister had two hundred and fifty-eight votes, and Alfred S. Kimball had one hundred and ninety-four. At a special meeting December 2d, Sumner Burnham was chosen agent, to represent the interests of the town at a hearing before the county commissioners, on petition for making changes in the road between Frost's Corner and Waterford. The Norway Light Infantry took possession of their arm- ory the last of February. Mrs. Clarissa Frank died March 29th, aged seventy-five. The Norway Paper Manufacturing Company commenced operations at Steep Falls, in June of this year. The fourth of July was observed in due form. There was a military parade, reading of the Declaration of Independence, music, and speaking by General James A. Hall, Hon. William P. Frye, and Charles P. Kimball. The Beals Hotel was opened to the public in July. Grasshoppers were abundant in Norway this season, doing much damage to crops. Horatio G. Cole
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Esq., one of the most prominent business men of Norway and highly respected, died August 22d, aged sixty-nine. He came from Winthrop to Norway, when seventeen years old. Ezra F. Beal Esq., one of Norway's most respected citizens, died December 19th, at three o'clock P.M. Among the other deaths this year, of residents and former resi- dents, were the following: March 27th, in Providence, Rhode Island, Ethel B. Stevens. May 8th, David Bennett; 14th, Peter Kimball aged seventy-eight. July 11th, John Parsons, aged nineteen ; 15th, M. Green Burnham. August 26th, John Needham of Bethel, aged eighty. September 27th, Joshua Damon, aged eighty-seven and one-half.
1872
Two thousand dollars were raised for schools, twenty-two hundred for support of poor and town charges, and eight hundred dollars in cash, and three thousand in labor, for the repair of roads and bridges. It was voted that the trustees of the Norway Ministerial Fund transfer the same to the town officers to be used as heretofore. For governor, Sidney Perham had two hundred and ninety votes, and Charles P. Kimball, two hundred and six. For representative, John Haselton had two hundred and ninety votes, and Hermon Cummings, two hundred and seventeen. A meeting was held September 28th, "to see what action the town will take in relation to the claim of John L. Horne and James A. Roberts for damages by the freshet in the fall of 1869." It
was voted not to take the case of Horne against the town, from court and refer it. At a special meeting November 9th, it was voted to raise a sum not to exceed ten thousand dollars, to aid in the establishment of a shoe factory in Norway Village, and Amos F. Noyes, A. E. Denison, and William C. Hobbs were made a nominating committee to select a committee to superintend the work, on the part of the town. The fol- lowing persons were reported as such committee, who were elected : Henry C. Reed, C. W. Ryerson, Isaac A. Denison, John L. Horne, A. A. Pottle, Frank A. Danforth, William Frost 2d, George L. Beal, Jona- than Blake, John Gerry, Ansel Dinsmore, Freeland Howe, Albert Sanborn, and G. W. Russell. It was voted that this committee be empowered to make any and all contracts with B. F. Spinney and Com- pany, in relation to the occupancy of the building, to superintend its
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construction, and make any and all contracts with parties to facilitate the construction and completion of the building. Voted to exempt for ten years the business of the shoe factory to be established, from taxa- tion. The committee was instructed to raise the money on time of not less than twelve years. An account of the establishment of the shoe factories will be found in the chapter relating to Norway Village. The Norway National Bank was started in February of this year. The first board of directors was as follows: Sumner Burnham, Isaac A. Deni- son, Freeland Howe, all of Norway; G. G. Phelps, of South Paris, and H. C. Little, of Auburn. Sumner Burnham was chosen president. A charter was granted by the Legislature for the South Paris and Norway Railroad. General George L. Beal was nominated pension agent in March. He had his headquarters in Portland. Rev. T. T. Merry closed his connection with the Congregationalist Church in May. Solomon Millett died June 16th, aged seventy-nine. The soldiers' graves in town were decorated with flowers June 30th. Rev. Mr. Tabor offered prayer, and an address was delivered by Arthur E. Deni- son. Mrs. Lydia (Chase), widow of the late Asa Barton, of Norway, died in Minneapolis in August. A meeting of leading citizens was held at Beals Hotel about the middle of October, to confer with parties from Lynn with regard to the establishment of shoe factories in the vil- lage. George A. Ordway died in Boston, October 12th, and his remains were brought to Norway for interment. Mrs. Lydia Crooker died November 7th, aged seventy. The committee of the town to contract with B. F. Spinney and Company, for a shoe factory, decided to locate the buildings on the Tucker lot, near the tannery. John Witt died December Ist, aged eighty years. He was a son of Benjamin Witt, Norway's first blacksmith.
1873
Twenty-five hundred dollars were voted for schools, twenty-two hundred dollars for support of poor and town charges, and fifteen hundred dollars in cash and four thousand dollars in labor for repair of roads and bridges. The Horne and Roberts matters were referred to the town agent and counsel. At a special meeting April 5th, it was voted that the State of Maine bonds in the possession of the town be turned
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over to the committee on the shoe factory, and that the balance of twenty-three hundred dollars, the treasurer of the town shall pay from the town treasury. The vote stood, two hundred and six in favor and seventeen opposed. The selectmen were instructed to assess taxes sufficient to pay the interest on bonds as it became due, and deposit the same in the Norway National Bank. It was voted that the select- men issue town orders, to the amount of twenty-two hundred dollars, payable half in one year and half in two years, with interest at seven per cent annually, in settlement of the claim of John L. Horne for damages by the freshet in 1869. For governor, Nelson Dingley Jr. had one hundred and eighty-six votes, Joseph Titcomb had seventy, and Joseph H. Williams ninety-four. For representative, Nathaniel B. Hodson had one hundred and ninety votes, and Alfred S. Kimball one hundred and sixty. At a meeting in October, fourteen hundred dollars were raised to pay the balance on the shoe factory.
1874
Two thousand dollars raised for schools, four thousand dollars for highways, and four thousand dollars for poor and town charges. Twenty per cent discount was allowed for those who should pay their road tax in money. The check list was used in voting for the principal town officers. September 14th, at a special meeting, several roads located by the selectmen were accepted. This year the town lines were perambulated by the selectmen.
1875
Twenty-five hundred dollars were raised for schools, five thousand dollars for poor and town charges, and five thousand dollars for ways. Voted to set off Henry Pike and his estate from school district No. 6, and annex him to No. 5. At a special meeting August 2Ist, it was voted to sell the shoe factory to B. F. Spinney & Co. for ten thousand dollars, payable at the expiration of their present contract, or in cash at present worth of ten thousand dollars at any time during the contract. It was also voted to allow B. F. Spinney & Co. to make such changes and additions to the shoe factory building as may be necessary for their manufacturing purposes, and a committee consisting of the town
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agent was chosen to look after the matter in the interest of the town. The wife of Henry M. Bearce Esq. died February 16th. She was the daughter of General William K. Kimball of Paris, and highly esteemed. The machinery in the pulp mill at Steep Falls was moved to Mechanic Falls in March, by A. C. Denison. Mrs. John L. Horne died Monday, April 18th. The Norway Lyceum course opened October 13th, with a concert by the Heyer sisters. Lee Mixer Esq. died Sunday, October 2Ist, after a brief sickness. He came to Norway in 1832, and was ever a prominent citizen. He was representative in 1851, and had been much in town office. He was the first treasurer of the Norway Savings Bank.
1876
Two thousand dollars were raised for schools, five thousand for poor and town charges and expenses, and five thousand for highways. It was voted to abolish the liquor agency. Voted to set off Albion Buck from school district No. 6 to district No. 5, for school purposes. A special meeting to accept roads was holden September 11th. The annual report showed the town's valuation to be two hundred eighty- seven thousand eight hundred and twenty-three dollars; amount com- mitted for collection, twelve thousand eight hundred twenty-nine dollars and seven cents; number of polls, five hundred and eleven; expenses at town farm, nine hundred twenty-six dollars and twenty-five cents ; receipts, two hundred seventy-eight dollars and two cents; expenses of poor away from the town farm, two hundred sixty dollars and eighty- six cents; amount of liquor sales, six hundred twelve dollars and twenty-four cents; standing liabilities of town, eighteen thousand seven hundred ninety dollars and fifty-four cents; resources, five thousand one hundred sixty-seven dollars and ninety-one cents; town debt, thirteen thousand six hundred twenty-two dollars and sixty-three cents. The Norway Reform Club celebrated its first anniversary April 27th. The foundation for the new Congregational Church was laid carly in the spring. There was an invasion by the Forest Tent caterpillar this year in June. Hundreds of acres of forest trees were denuded of their foliage, and also many orchards. A steamer, and the first one, was launched upon the Great Pond this year in July. Rev. L. H.
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158
Tabor resigned the pastorate of the Universalist Church in August. William E. Goodenow, late of this town, died in Manhattan, Kansas, July 19th. He was a printer, and had published several papers in Nor- way. The new Congregationalist Church was dedicated November 13th. The Norway Advertiser, which had been suspended during the publica- tion of the Oxford Register, in Norway, made its appearance again in November, on the demise of the Register.
1877
Two thousand dollars were raised for schools, five thousand for poor and town charges, and five thousand for roads. The usual discounts were made for early and cash payments. At a special meeting holden the 18th of December, it was voted that the selectmen and town agent be instructed and empowered to employ such attorneys and agents as may be necessary to procure legislation favorable to the removal of the county seat from Paris to Norway. Diphtheria prevailed in North Nor- way during January, and there were several fatal cases. Rev. J. A. Seitz occupied the Universalist pulpit for the first time, in January. March IIth, George N. Richardson was found near the piano-key manufactory, at the Falls, in a dying condition. His feet and left hand were badly frozen, his clothing soiled, and blood was discharging from his right ear. He was taken to the residence of Mr. C. W. Horne, and physicians summoned, but he died in a few minutes. An inquest was held. He was addicted to drinking, and it was thought by some that he might have fallen from the walk. His stomach contained quite a quantity of opium, as shown by the analysis of its contents, and there were other circumstances which could not be accounted for on the theory of death from an accidental fall. The coroner's jury were a long time in investigating the case, and then were unable to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion. Henry Howe, one of our most respected citizens, committed suicide April 3d. The ice left the Great Pond this year, April 22d; last year, May 12th. Otis Bosworth, residing with William Cox at North Norway, committed suicide in May. Lewis B. Weeks took charge of the Beals House in June. George L. Farnham, Esq., a young and promising lawyer, died June 19th. Rev. Mr. Bacon was ordained pastor of the Congregationalist Church in September.
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A person calling himself David Stevens came into town and com- menced the practice of medicine. He was married here, and every- thing went well for awhile, when a former wife came and testified that he was no physician. He was committed to Paris jail. The governor vote this year stood, Connor, two hundred and sixteen; Williams, one hundred and fifty-eight; Munson, fifty-four. At a town meeting in September, the town voted, only four dissenting, to raise fifteen thou- sand dollars to build a town-house. George C. Winslow, who lived on the Paris road, just below the village, died very suddenly, October 9th Mr. William W. Berry, an old gentleman, residing with his daughter, Mrs. Elvecy Davis, died suddenly, October 29th. He formerly had charge of Millett's Mills at the north part of the town, and was a superior millman. He was the son of Levi Berry, and was born in Woodstock in 1805. The hall erected by the grangers was appropri- ately dedicated in November.
1878
William W. Whitmarsh was chosen town clerk. Voted to have a superintending school committee consisting of three persons, instead of a supervisor. Two thousand dollars were raised for the support of schools, six hundred and fifty dollars for free high schools, one hundred and fifty of which should be expended at North Norway. Five thousand dollars were raised for support of poor and town charges, and five thousand for roads ; also five hundred dollars for opening the highway laid out near Daniel Holt's, and five hundred dollars for rebuilding the bridge across Crooked River. It was voted to prohibit ball-playing in the streets of Norway Village corporation, and George A. Cole and Joseph Holt were chosen a committee to enforce the vote. The dwell- ing-house of Henry N. Hobbs, situated near the center of the town, was burned March 22d, with its contents. The fire is supposed to have caught on the roof. There was no insurance. The house and ell on the Ephraim S. Crockett farm across the pond, were burned the last of May. The fire caught from the chimney. The Colorado beetle made its appearance very early this year. Sumner Burnham Esq. died June 19th, of apoplexy. He moved here from Harrison, and was an active business man. He was president of the Norway National Bank, from
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