USA > Maine > Penobscot County > Garland > History of Garland, Maine > Part 4
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To add to their discomfort it began to rain and hav- ing done all they could do until the light of the morrow
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should encourage fresh efforts, they camped for the night. After a brief time spent in recounting the events of the day and invoking imprecations upon the head of "old Brawn," they fell asleep and slept until the dawn of a new morning. It was still raining.
Hastily eating the small remnant of food with which they had supplied themselves, they promptly renewed their efforts to extricate themselves from the uncertain- ties by which they were environed. After a brief search they found the tracks of a horse, but they were so com- pletely bewildered that they followed the trail they had struck in a direction opposite from that intended, pass- ing the site of the present residence of Artemas Barton, and a small cabin that had just been built by William Mitchell for use the following spring. Following the trail a little farther they reached an opening near the site of the residence of Horace Jennings, now owned by Seth Bessey, then known as the Severance opening. Being now convinced that they were traveling in the wrong direction they were about to retrace their steps when, unfortunately, both men recalled a rumor that a line plainly marked for the route of a future road had been run from New Ohio (Corinth) to the mill site in number four. Eagerly seizing this rumor they started in a southerly direction in search for this mythical line. In imagination they could see it stretching in either direction and leading to a place of safety whichever way it was followed. The search was continued until night but the line which they saw so clearly early in the day had vanished. They were now on the margin of an almost impenetrable swamp in the present town of Corinna.
Retracing their steps to drier land, they prepared themselves for another night in the forest with nothing to compensate them for their day's wandering save
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hunger, weariness and uncertainty. The morning of the third day opened with the same dreary aspect as had those of the two preceding days. The usual welcome breakfast was omitted on account of the absence of the materials which enter into that meal.
After a brief and earnest consultation, the men decided to return to the Severance opening and follow the trail they left there in the opposite direction from what they had done the preceding day. This movement led them to the Batchelder opening where they had camped at the end of the first day's wanderings. A mile additional travel brought them to a small opening hemmed in by hills on the east and west.
Through the center of the opening a stream passed quite rapidly. In a corner of the opening, well sheltered by the forest, there was a small cabin from whose chim- ney the smoke curled gracefully to the open space above the tops of the tall trees. To their great joy they had at last found the mill site in township number four. Their joy was intensified by finding that the little cabin was occupied by a man and woman whose names were Small-Ebenezer Small and wife, the memory of whose names is still cherished by the loyal citizens of Dexter with affectionate regard, and who are honored as having been the first settlers of this enterprising town.
Mr. and Mrs. Small were greatly surprised by the sudden appearance of the weather-beaten strangers, and with a woman's intuition the latter instantly compre- hended their most pressing immediate requirements, and in the shortest possible time placed before them a delicious dish of pounded corn, boiled in milk.
The town of Dexter has long been noted for its hospitality and elaborate entertainments, but her citizens will regard it as no disparagement should it be said that no entertainment within its limits has ever been proffered
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by more hospitable hands, or accepted with a keener sense of appreciative gratitude than on this occasion. Dinner finished, the first thought was for the hungry horse three miles away by the margin of the miry bog. He must be found and fed. The remaining hours of the day afforded but scant time for this service, but Mr. Small being acquainted with the section of the township between the mill site and the bog, conducted the men to the spot where the horse was tied.
The hungry animal greeted the coming of the men with expressions of satisfaction that seemed almost human. Not being in condition to bear his load to its destination, they untied him and started on their return to the cabin in the opening, but darkness soon enveloped them and seriously impeded their progress. As they were groping slowly and doubtfully along the resonant tones of the old tin horn reached their ears. It is safe to assume that no music of orchestra or band ever gave greater delight. Anticipating the difficulty they would encounter in traveling through the dense forest after nightfall, Mrs. Small scaled the heights of the hill east of the present village and guided the approaching party along by vigorous blasts from the old tin horn.
On the morning of the fourth day, having been recuperated by a night's rest and an abundant break- fast, accompanied by Mr. Small the Haskells returned to the spot where the faithless hunter had left them to their wanderings. The crank was quickly replaced and with a man to lead the horse and one on each side to steady the crank, they reached the mill site about midday. There was no throng of people to welcome the arrival of the historic crank, but it is easy to believe that the heroic Mrs. Small regarded it with lively interest. In her loneliness she had yearned for the society of sympa- thetic friends and neighbors. To her, the rough, rusty,
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angular and unattractive mass of iron that had cost so much toil and hardship, was prophetic of the time when her rude, bark-covered log-cabin would give place to the dwelling of convenience and attractive exterior. It was prophetic of other homes smiling from the hill- sides-of the schoolhouse filled with happy children who were in training for intelligent citizenship, and the church where devout worshipers gladly assembled on each returning Sabbath. Mrs. Small lived to see the fulfilment of her dreams.
The borrowed crank having been returned to the mill site in township number four, the Haskells, neither of whom claimed relationship to the other, resumed their work on the saw-mill in number three. They had been absent four days in getting the crank back to its destination, a distance of less than seven miles. But the hardships they had encountered did not shield them from the jokes and pleasantries of their fellow-workmen. Our future deacon, John S. Haskell, received them with his accustomed good natured retorts and laughed with the rest. He was, moreover, a man of great physical strength and it would not have been safe to push the spirit of raillery to the verge of insult.
With Gideon Haskell the case was different. He believed that the hardships of the late expedition entitled him to be regarded as a man of heroic qualities. He was inclined to put on airs and assumed to be the hero of the expedition. His fellow-workmen did not allow any incident, serious or comic, out of which fun and frolic could be evolved, to pass unimproved. Less than a quarter of a century had passed since the country had been wrested from kingly rule, and kingly titles were used when purposes of burlesque were to be subserved. Our hero was dubbed king, and was addressed as King
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Gideon until the close of the season's work in the town- ship.
Raising of the First Saw-Mill
The carpentry upon the frame of the saw-mill was now nearing completion and the day for the raising had been appointed. Men from surrounding settlements had been invited. On the night preceding the eventful day they came in small squads from different points, guided by spotted trees. Camping on the ground through the night they were ready for work in the morning. While preparations for raising were going on frequent mysteri- ous allusions to a certain mill-crank, with an unusual history, excited the curiosity of the newcomers. This was followed by inquiry and the inquirer was directed to Gideon Haskell for information. To each man who approached him to hear the story, he repeated with great particularity of detail the account of the three days' wanderings in the wilderness, making his own par- ticipation in the affair a prominent feature of the account. The mill was raised without incident worthy of note. An event of such importance to the township could not, however, be allowed to pass without being appropriately celebrated. The character of the cele- bration had been determined beforehand. The amuse- ments which generally followed raising of mills, barns and other large buildings in those days were omitted on this occasion by common consent. The unwritten pro- gram included an oration to the King. Daniel Wilkins of New Charleston, afterwards a prominent citizen of this section, was the orator. The sound of the axe that had driven the last pin into the frame of the mill was
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the signal for the opening of ceremonies. Loud cries of "Long live King Gideon" now filled the air. At a little distance from the mill site, at the edge of the opening, there was a large tree that presented a remark- able angle several feet from the ground, which afforded an elevated and conspicuous seat. A committee of stal- wart men waited upon the King with an invitation to occupy the seat that had been selected for the occasion, who accepted the honor because it was more safe to accept than to decline. Shouts of "Long live King Gideon" were now renewed. The preliminaries having been concluded, the oration to the king was announced. No short-hand writer was present to preserve it for later generations, but a few of the opening sentences of this unique performance have been handed down:
"Behold King Gideon who arose early in the morning, attended by his servant, Jack, journeyed over the high- way prepared by his servant, Peter, the hunter, towards the land of Ebenezer, whose surname was Small, whither he went to promote the welfare of his people. And it came to pass that as they journeyed, his horse being laden with the royal equipage, they came to a great swamp in the midst of the wilderness where the royal highway suddenly terminated. And they sought for its continuation with great diligence but found it not, and he said-peradventure my unfaithful servant, Peter, has gone to look for game in his traps, even the beaver and the otter which do abound in this great wilderness, and left us to perish in our wanderings. Therefore we will seek for a way to the land whither we are traveling, even the land of Ebenezer. And they tied the horse to a tree and fed him upon the coarse grass that grew upon the borders of the great swamp. And for the space of three days and three nights they sought diligently for the way to the land of Ebenezer."
.
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The orator proceeded with mock dignity to give a circumstantial account of the journey, which was received with uproarious laughter and applause.
The "oration" ended, the old forests rang again with cries and shouts such as had never been heard, and per- haps never will be heard within the limits of the town. Aided by the inspiration of the favorite New England beverage of the times, these excited men kept up the frolic so boisterously begun, through the entire night. Early the next morning, starting on their way home, their stalwart forms soon disappeared in the shadows of the forest.
Our late, well remembered citizen, Isaac Wheeler, Esq., was present at the raising of the mill. He held a commission of justice of the peace which he brought with him from Massachusetts. Believing that his official dignity would be compromised by remaining with his boisterous associates, he quietly withdrew to his camp, which was located near the site of the present Baptist church.
Alluding occasionally to the boisterous scenes of the night of the raising, he related that soon after his with- drawal he was missed by the crowd, whereupon a com- mittee was appointed to wait on him and request his attendance. He was enjoying his first nap when he was suddenly aroused by a violent rapping at his door. He sprang from his couch and, presenting himself at the door, demanded to know the business of the intruders. He was informed that his presence at the mill was requested. Refusing to comply, the committee attempted to enforce compliance, but he resisted with such resolution they deemed it prudent to return to the mill without his company. One of the intruders man- aged, during the parley at the door, to thrust a blazing
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brand through an opening in the camp and set his straw bed on fire.
Gideon Haskell could neither forget nor forgive the rough treatment he had received at the hands of his fellow workmen and when the season's work was com- pleted, he left the township never to return.
Deacon John S. Haskell often related with great ani- mation in his later years stories of pioneer life for the amusement of friends and acquaintances. Among these was the story of the mill-crank, at the close of which an expression of seriousness would rest upon his venerable features for a moment, when he would explain in tones at once regretful and apologetic, "Well we did have some pretty high times in those days."
In September, 1802, while the building of the mill was in progress, Moses Gordon and John and Jonathan Jones of Hopkinton, N. H., visited the township. This was Mr. Gordon's first visit. He came to inspect the lands of the township, and although he made no selec- tion at this time, he returned home with a favorable impression of the quality of its lands and its eligibility for settling purposes. The Messrs. Jones afterward settled in Ripley where they became prominent citizens.
The building of the saw-mill was the close of active operations in the township in 1802. Including the beginning made by Josiah Bartlett in 1801, nineteen openings had been made on as many different lots, one family had been established, a house built for another family, and a saw-mill had been constructed.
The First Winter in the Township
In the winter of 1802-3 the only family in the town- ship was that of Joseph Garland, embracing himself, his
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wife and three children, the eldest being scarcely five years old. The names of the children were Orenda, Timothy, Kilby and Minerva. It would be interesting to know more of the every-day life of that little family which was left to solitude and snow through that long cold winter than tradition has handed down. The days of the preceding summer had been cheered by the presence in the township of those kind-hearted men who had left their work to welcome the coming of the family and escort its members to the little cabin in the forest. The courageous bearing of Mrs. Garland had won their admiration and she could always afterwards count them among her friends, but they had now completed their season's work and retired from the township.
The last blow had been struck upon the saw-mill, and the echoes of the ringing laugh and cheerful voices of the workmen had ceased.
Left alone in the wilderness it is very easy to imagine that a feeling of loneliness rested upon this solitary home. If now, discouragement and discontent had con- stituted the leading elements in the experience of each day, it would excite no surprise in the mind of the reader. To add to the loneliness of the situation, Mr. Garland was obliged to be away from home several weeks on business, leaving his brother Jacob, a boy of sixteen years, to take his place in the family. Accident, sick- ness or even death might visit the snow-bound house- hold.
But neither discouragement, discontent nor fear of misfortune that might happen found place therein.
Mrs. Garland was loyal to the interests of her husband and children. She entertained the conviction that faith- ful care of her family and the instruction of her children were the most important of woman's duties. This con- viction called out the heroic elements of her character
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and raised her to the level of her responsibilities. Her fortitude was sometimes severely taxed by the discom- forts of her situation but she met them bravely.
Spring came at length and brought not only sunshine and warmth, but neighbors and companionship, if indeed people whose habitations were separated by several miles of dense forest could be regarded as neigh- bors and companions. In the month of March, 1803, Wm. Mitchell moved his family from Athens, Maine, into township number four, now Dexter, and took up his abode in the cabin he had built the preceding autumn. The distance between the houses of the two families was about three miles. An acquaintance sprang up between them which soon ripened into intimacy. In their inter- change of visits the women of these families generally rode on horseback guided on their way by spotted lines. Mrs. Mitchell was a woman of resolution. When she could not have the use of a horse, she cheerfully made the distance on foot. Reared under the influences of the same religious creed, the two women passed many a pleasant day together. The late Mrs. N. P. Smith, a daughter of Mrs. Mitchell, and for many years a resident of Garland, credits Mrs. Garland with the declaration that she had never spent a happier season than her first winter in the forest of the new township with her little family.
In her seclusion she sought the companionship of her Bible and other good books which proved the beginning of a new religious experience, the memory of which in subsequent years was a perpetual source of satisfaction.
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Township No. 3 in 1803
The Garland family was cheered and encouraged by the arrival of several families in 1803. Early in the spring of this year, John Tyler from New Gloucester, Maine, moved into the house that Joseph Treadwell had built for him the preceding year.
Mr. Treadwell and his family, from Danville, Maine, soon followed and occupied a part of Mr. Tyler's house. This quaint old house was torn down years ago to give place to the house now owned and occupied by Charles H. Brown.
The Tyler and Treadwell families were connected by marriage.
John M. Chase built and moved into a house on lot one, range seven, where he had made an opening the preceding year. The site of his buildings was near the residence of the late Bradbury G. Atkins. The coming of the family of Benjamin Gilpatrick was probably in 1803, although it might have been a year later.
Justus Harriman moved his family into the township in 1803 and established a home on lot nine, range nine, where he made his beginning a year earlier. He emi- grated from Salisbury, N. H.
John Grant from Berwick, Maine, having purchased the saw-mill built by Moses Hodsdon the previous year, together with the lot upon which it stood, emigrated to the township in 1803 with his family, embracing his wife, three sons, who had grown to manhood, and two daughters. William Godwin came to the township in 1803 and purchased 100 acres of land of David A. Gove on lot eight, range five, where he made a beginning and afterwards established a home.
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An Early Name
Since the beginning in 1802 the township had been known as township number three in the fifth range. Its settlement had been begun and its continued existence seemed assured. It was quite natural that the inhabi- tants should desire a more simple and convenient name. It was desirable, also, that the name should have some historical significance.
As it was a township of flattering prospects, any one. of its proprietors would have felt honored by having his. name associated with its future history as one of its founders. One of its proprietors, in addition to personal merit and prominence, bore a name that stood high in the list of honored names of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This was Hon. Levi Lincoln, after- wards governor of his state, and by common consent the township was called Lincolntown until its incorporation in 1811.
Old Names
The township lying next north of Lincolntown, now Dover, was still designated by number and range. The township west of it, now Dexter, was called Elkinstown from Samuel and John Elkins, who built the first mills there. The township on the south, now Exeter, was called Blaisdelltown from Dr. John Blaisdell, who had aided its settlement. On the east was New Charleston, now Charleston.
The early names of this community of townships
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strike the ear strangely now. Nevertheless they are a part of the history of the times.
In Quest of Food
Corn bread and salt pork were the staple articles of food of the early settlers of Garland. This unwritten bill of fare was sometimes varied by fish taken from the streams which threaded the township, and wild game captured in the forest.
After a year's residence in the township, the pioneer could raise the corn needed for his family, but not much pork was produced for several years.
In the autumn of 1803, John S. Haskell was board- ing in the family of John Tyler. On a certain day Mrs. Tyler had raised the last piece of pork from the bottom of the barrel. She cut this into halves, one of which fell back into the brine with a splash, which if not "solemn," was sadly suggestive that the supply was running short. It was plain that a fresh supply must be obtained or the bill of fare curtailed. The latter alternative could not be submitted to if possible to avoid it. But a fresh supply would require a journey through the woods to Bangor on horseback, a distance of twenty- five miles, coupled with the uncertainty of finding it in that place. The case was urgent and Mr. Haskell volun- teered to make the journey.
Knowing that his friend, Isaac Wheeler, had a quan- tity of the coveted article stored at Levant, now Ken- duskeag, for future use, he took the wise precaution of obtaining his consent to take a stipulated quantity of it in case the journey to Bangor should prove fruitless.
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Reaching the latter place in due time, he could find the article he was in quest of only in one place, and that was of the quality that the historic Jack Spratt is alleged to have had a preference for. Mr. Haskell ventured the suggestion that the price seemed high for the quality of the meat. The merchant replied, "It is as cheap as it can be afforded-take it or leave it." Quietly accepting the alternative so curtly offered, he cast a lingering look at the barrel whose contents he had come so far to inspect, and bidding the proprietor a respectful good- bye, started on his return home. Reaching Levant he took from Esquire Wheeler's barrel the quantity stipu- lated for and resumed his journey homeward.
At New Ohio (now Corinth) he met the old hunter, Snow, who two years earlier had opportunely helped Moses Hodsdon to the historic mill crank, to take the place of the one which had been unfortunately broken. Mr. Snow had just killed and dressed a large and very fat bear. In those days there were more bears than people who relished the flesh of that animal. It had, therefore, no marketable value, and the old hunter gave Mr. Haskell as much of it as he could conveniently carry. Greatly elated at his good fortune, Mr. Haskell resumed his journey. On reaching home he informed his friends, who were impatiently awaiting his return, that he had brought with him "a good lot of excellent meat, both fresh and salted."
It was now supper time and for obvious reasons the members of the family were unanimous in their desire to sit down to a square meal of fresh meat. A frying-pan of good size was forthwith placed upon the glowing coals and filled with generous slices. It was soon cooked and placed upon the table and supplemented by such other articles as their limited supplies afforded, it presented an inviting repast. Joseph Treadwell and family who lived
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under the same roof were invited to the feast. Gathered around the table they partook of the supper with unmis- takable satisfaction, the fresh meat being greatly relished. Mr. Haskell was warmly congratulated upon his success as caterer. And now comes the dénoue- ment. With a mischievous twinkle of the eye, the caterer quietly informed the company that the meat they had eaten was not pork as they had supposed, but the flesh of a bear. A Frenchman would say that a person can learn to eat almost anything if he will only try. The trouble in this case was, that those who had so highly enjoyed the entertainment had not been used to eating the flesh of a bear, and French philosophy did not save them from the consequences of having eaten the kind of food, the name of which as food had a most unsavory sound. The women of the party suddenly exhibiting unmistakable indications of repugnance, the caterer wickedly indulged in one of his heartiest laughs. But the tables were soon turned. Brooms were plenty in those days because the women could make brooms. A small sapling of the requisite length and size, a little bunch of flaky boughs of hemlock or cedar placed in layers, a strong flaxen string twisted on the spindle of the old wheel in the corner, constituted all the necessary materials. The stems of the boughs were tightly tied to the handle and the broom was ready for use. But then, as now, brooms were not used exclusively for sweeping floors. When those women had partially recovered from their recent upheaval, they instinctively seized the brooms that stood in the corners and made a sudden and resolute attack upon our future deacon, who, deeming "discretion the better part of valor" made a hasty retreat into the shadows of the forest. Now the laugh was fairly turned, illustrating the old proverb that "he laughs best who laughs last."
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