History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 150

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100

USA > Maine > Penobscot County > History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 150

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In "Sidney-No. 6," which is the last of these papers, the writer undertakes to show, among other things, that the act of Mr. Williamson in removing General Herrick was "in opposition to the spirit of the Constitution," be- cause he was not elected to that office, and it was not one of the "duties" devolving upon an accidental Gov- ernor, such as he, to remove officers appointed by legit- imate Governors.

The propositions of this writer were not replied to, ex- cepting when he illustrated them by referring to the case of Williamson and Herrick. Then the friends of Mr. Williamson felt called upon to reply. A writer over the name of "December " justified the removal of General Herrick by citing a case of extortion, saying that "for some time past General Herrick had been in the practice of taking too much fees." An instance had accidentally come to his knowledge "where the fees charged on twelve small precepts were $18.21, and the legal fees on the same precepts were only $11.60," making the sum of "extorted fees" $6.61. From that he argued that if the Sheriff's fees in one year amounted to $1,500, at that rate the amount of extorted fees would be $854.74; and in five years, to $4,273.70 ! He inquired if General Her- rick was not a bankrupt when first appointed (five years before), and if so, how he had maintained his family, paid his debts, and become rich in so short a time unless he did it by taking too much fees and hiring deputies by the month ?

A friend of Mr. Burton, the printer, at this stage takes up the cudgel against Mr. Williamson under the name of "Sidney Secundus," in a bit of irony. He places the Governor in the category with George the Fourth, who was going to war with Spain because a Spanish newspaper said his majesty was about marrying a young princess eighteen years of age, and added "that the news can ex- cite no surprise, since there are persons to whom all crimes are permitted, and who, although the objects of general execration, nevertheless enjoy all the favors of fortune." The Spaniards "saw no matter of prosecution in the act alleged," and could not give England satisfac- tion by punishing the printer. The writer was at a loss at first to know for what "libellous matter" he was to be called before the Supreme Court. But on looking back through the papers of Sidney he found that he had charged his Excellency with "climbing into the Executive window," and as we are told that "he who entereth not by the

door, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber," there was no manner of doubt that Mr. Sidney had been guilty of writing and Mr. Burton of printing "libellous matter " against Mr. Williamson.

Now although Sidney had completed his strictures, yet Gen. Herrick had something to say. " December " had touched him to the quick. He found much fault with Mr. Burton for withholding from him the names of his scurrilous and malicious slanderers, and thought the manner in which he had performed the duties of the "highly responsible and somewhat difficult office of Sheriff for five years, was sufficient answer to their charges. That specific allegation of taking $6.61 illegal fees had been made against him when he was a candidate for ap- pointment, and when the facts were understood had no weight, and 'December' knew that a disclosure of the whole truth would have convicted him of falsehood, and proved the villainous character of the charge." Respect for the feelings of others not connected with the discus- sion, prevented him from giving the facts himself. The manifestations of respect of the field officers of the brig- ade showed their confidence in him. All the emolu- ments of his office made a gross average of $11.35 per annum, from which must be deducted a loss of twenty per cent. for bad debts and traveling expenses. As his supporting his family, paying his debts, and becoming rich, were matters of innocent speculation, his enemies might pursue it as long as it would give them amusement or satisfaction.

Two other articles from "December " and " Penob- scot," brought this exciting controversy to a close. The criticism to be made of it is, that, like all political con- troversies, where there is some private grief, the principal parties did not have sufficient self-control. After the con- troversy was over they stood with the public as well as they did before it began. Governor Williamson had the same right to remove General Herrick that General Jackson had to remove a great many officers whose term had not expired ; and it was well understood that the charges against General Herrick were on account of the malfeas- ance of some of his subordinates. They both had their political friends and political enemies, and continued to have so long as they continued in political life. They were both valuable members of the community. They now "rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."

The militia system was considered burthensome by many of the people. The. men capable of performing duty were called out about three times a year, and as none but volunteer companies appeared in uniform there was nothing to create any enthusiasm in the privates. Very few, except very young men aspiring to the offices, took any interest in the drill; the appearance of a militia company in the street was a subject of burlesque: the time spent was considered by many as so much money lost; and the annual musters were deemed the occasion of much immorality. They afforded great amusement to crowds of men, women, and children who came from long distances-some to sell pumpkin pies, gingerbread, cider, apples, molasses candy, and such other com-

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J.E. Chapmans

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

estibles as a hungry rabble would be compelled to pur- chase for want of better-some to sell liquors-some to encourage gaming and to gamble-some to sell knick- knacks from carts-some to fiddle and some to dance -- and all to hear the music and the noise and to see what was to be seen. The general and his staff, the field officers, and the volunteer companies were the admira- tion of the boys and girls and childish adults, and the maneuvering of the troops sometimes attracted attention; but there was a growing feeling that the benefits derived from these displays were not sufficient to warrant their be. ing sustained by the State. Consequently much litigation grew out of the neglect of individuals to perform military duty when summoned, and some insubordination among the officers.

A court-martial was held at Hampden on November 10, for the trial of Colonel Ziba Marsh, of Orono, for neglecting to call out his company in 1820; for neglect- ing to make out the annual inspection return ; for neglect- ing to take the oath to qualify him for the duties of his office; and for neglecting to call out and appear with his company at the muster in October of that year-in other words with treating the whole matter with con- tempt, and he further manifested his contempt by not ap- pearing at the trial, whereupon the court proceeded to try and find him guilty of all but the first charge, and to sentence him to be divested of his commission and to be disqualified from holding any office in the militia for five years. It is to be presumed that he treated the conclusion with the same contempt with which he had . treated the preliminaries.

Captain Rufus Holbrook, of the artillery, also came under discipline. He was arrested by Brigadier-General Trafton for setting on foot a combination to resist the orders of a commissioned officer, for wilfully oppressing those under his command, and for other misdemeanors. General Herrick relieved Holbrook from arrest and or- dered a court of inquiry.

General Herrick, who had been detained from the reviews by the indisposition of his family, from the reports made to him of the improvement of the troops in discipline and tactics felt it his duty to compliment them.

The receipts for the Theological Seminary between April I and October 9, from subscriptions, donations, and public collections, were $1,505.69.

CHAPTER XV.

Albion K. Parris Governor of Maine-Earthquake-Wilmot Wood -Theological Seminary Subscriptions-Annual Election-Cattle in Streets-School Money- Broad-rimmed Wheels-Court of Common Pleas-Orrington Rifle Company-Annexation of Frankfort -- Drum and Fife Serenaders-Artillery Election-Captain Holbrook's Court of Inquiry-Bangor Bank Suspension-Sharp Criticisms-Bank Re- sumes-Davis & Weed-Main Street-Sale of Pews in First Meeting House-Captain Williams's Artillery Celebrates the "Fourth"-Hon. Martin Kinsley Appointed Judge of Probate-Academy-Seminary Exibition-State Election - Supreme Judicial Court - Appleford Case-Death of John Emerson-Death of Lothrop Lewis-Massa- chusetts Commissioners - Sheriff Clark becomes Gaoler - Gaol Broken-John Godfrey Appointed Chief Justice Court of Sessions- Cattle Show-Posting Drunkards -Deaf and Dumb Portrait Painter -Brewster-A Young Lady's Poetry.

1822. On the 4th of January, 1822, Albion K. Parris was qualified as Governor of Maine. He was the fifth individual who had held that office in the new State within the first year of its existence. The first was Wil- liam King, elected by the people; the second, William D. Williamson, the second President of the Senate in 1821, and, by virtue thereof, was inducted into the Gu- bernatorial chair because of the resignation of Governor King to accept the office of Commissioner on the Span- ish Treaty; the third was Benjamin Ames, Speaker of the House, on whom devolved the duties of Governor on Mr. Williamson's resignation to accept a seat in Con- gress; the fourth was Daniel Rose, who was elected Presi- dent of the Senate on the assembling of the Legislature of 1822, when Mr. Ames's authority ceased; and the fifth was Albion K. Parris, elected by the people.

A slight shock of an earthquake was felt in Bangor on the 28th between 1 and 2 o'clock A. M.

In February Wilmot Wood, from Wiscasset, estab- lished himself in Bangor in the practice of law.

The subscriptions and donations for the Theological Seminary between October 9, 1821, and March 9, 1822, amounted to $1,604. 13.

At the annual meeting Alexander Savage was chosen Town Clerk; Amos Patten, Treasurer; William Emerson, Agent; Allen Gilman, Wiggins Hill, and James Tilton, Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor; Harvey Loomis, Hosea Rich, and Allen Gilman, Superintending School Committee. The amount of moneys appropri- ated was, for schools, $800; Rev. Mr. Loomis's salary, $840; town charges, $800; for the Bridge Company, $400; to build a bridge across the Kenduskeag at Six- mile Falls, $200; for highways, $1,500.

Cattle were prohibited from running at large in the streets within half a mile from the Kenduskeag bridge between the first days of December and April, and dur- ing the remainder of the year between 8 o'clock P. M. and sunrise.

It was voted to pay the Treasurer $25 for his services during the year.

Moses Patten was refused the privilege of receiving and appropriating his proportion of the school money to the private instruction of his children. He lived upon the Levant road about two miles from any school, and sent his children to the Young Ladies' Academy, of which Mr. Willard was preceptor.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

It was voted that the Selectmen allow a premium to "any person or persons" who would use exclusively "broad-rimmed wheels," not exceeding, however, $6 for the first year.

Ezekiel Whitman, of Portland; Samuel E. Smith, of Wiscasset; and David Perham, of Brewer, were ap- pointed Judges of the Court of Common Pleas.

The Orrington Rifle Company on April 5 elected for officers David Nickerson, second, captain; Hiram Nourse, lieutenant; Seth Eldridge, ensign. They partook of a dinner at Captain Atwood's, and among the sentiments given was:

"The Orrington Rifle Company-May their example be the means of assisting in the dissemination of that patriotism which shall wipe from Penobscot the disgrace of former transactions."

This referred to the affair at Hampden in 1814, of which military men felt quite enough ashamed. This company became remarkably efficient in drill, and at- tracted much admiration for years, whenever it appeared. Its uniform was of green, and its movements were those of a perfect machine.

An attempt was made this year to procure the annexa- tion of Frankfort to Penobscot county. Hancock county opposed it, and very much interest was not mani- fested by Penobscot county in favor of it; therefore Frankfort continued a part of Hancock county until Waldo. county was incorporated, when it constituted a part of that.

The proprietors of Kenduskeag Point laid out their lands into house and store lots, and offered two hundred for sale. In their advertisement they say that "the town, which till recently was scarcely known, has now a bank, Court-house, and other establishments in it of public utility, and is assuming rank among the important places of business in the new State."

The village had not yet become so large that two people behind that number of drums, with a persistent fifer, could fail to make themselves heard by a large por- tion of the population. And as there were at least that number of men who during the evenings of the month of May devoted their energies to developing the re- sources of a great and little drum to a fife accompani- ment, it is not to be wondered at that there was at length an uprising of such of the people as in consequence of the devotion of these men were unable to sleep after they had retired to their beds. One unmusical individual of this species made a public remonstrance against it, declaring that he considered it an evil thing, and a great annoyance, that every man, woman, and child in the village, whether sick or well, asleep or awake, dead or alive, should be compelled, nolens volens, to become hearers."

The occasion of it, perhaps, was the endeavor of a few to keep up the military spirit, which required these noisy appliances. The Bangor artillery having lost its captain, George W. Brown, by resignation, came together this month and elected Lieutenant John Williams captain; John Sargent, lieutenant; and Daniel Dole, second lieu- tenant. Captain Williams possessed much military

ardor and a firm belief in all expedients necessary to create martial enthusiasm. It is not presumed that he was the remonstrant against the nocturnal harmonies of the drums and fife, who gave utterance to the indignant language above quoted.

The Court of Inquiry ordered by General Herrick re- ported that a court-martial for the trial of Captain Hol- brook was expedient. It was thought, however, that Captain Holbrook would remove from the State and avoid the consequences of a finding against him. His discharge from arrest by General Herrick was the occa- sion of severe strictures upon the conduct of that officer.

In June the little community was startled by rumors involving the solvency of the Bangor Bank. This insti- tution had been established in order to aid the business men ; but, the capital being small, it was deemed neces- sary, to carry out the intentions of its Directors, to have an agent in Boston, and capitalists who would render them aid when it was wanted.

The Directors of the bank were Samuel E. Dutton, Eliashib Adams, Thomas A. Hill, John Barker, and Jo- seph Leavitt. Mr. Dutton was President, and Mr. Adams Cashier.

The capital stock was $100,000, and divided into 1,000 shares. Eliashib Adams was the owner of. 75 shares; John Barker of 30, Samuel E. Dutton of 200 ; Thomas A. Hill of 85 ; Joseph Leavitt of 104; Ashur Adams, of Boston, of 134; E. T. Andrews, of Boston, of 166; John French, of Boston, of 100; Martin Kinsley, of Hampden, of 20; Isaac Case, of Levant, of 3 ; S. S. Crosby, of Bangor, of 30 ; David J. Bent of 18; Moses Patten of 5 ; Daniel Kimball of 5 ; John Godfrey of 3 ; Maine Charity School of 30. The Boston stockholders were the agents in that city. Mr. Adams was the acting agent, and received a compensation of $350 per annum and a commission of a quarter per cent. Messrs. An- drews and French assisted in managing the funds, but received no compensation. Mr. Adams and some debt- ors of the bank failed, consequently suspicion arose in regard to the effect upon the bank. The bills had been redeemed at the New England Bank, at a discount. This bank presently stopped redeeming, and the credit of the Bangor Bank suffered.

There had been the failure of the Castine Bank, of the Hallowell Bank, and of other country banks in Massa- chusetts, and when the report of the failure of the Ban- gor Bank became current in Boston there was much ex- citement. A large meeting of the holders of its bills was held at the Marlboro Hotel on June 13, and a com- mittee was appointed to investigate the proceedings of the bank. The newspapers commented severely upon the failure, as they called it, and without knowing any- thing of the facts, favored the worst suspicions. Messrs. Andrews and French were called upon to answer questions implying wrong-doing, and representations were made of the distress of poor laborers who held the bills and could get rid of them only at a large discount, while their fam- ilies were crying for bread.

Messrs. Andrews and French were honorable gentle- men, and disposed to do what they could to aid the bank

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and relieve the community ; but as they could not do everything in a day, they published a card, simply deny- ing the imputation of the questions, and asking the pub- lic to suspend its judgment until an investigation could be made, and giving it as their opinion that the bills would be paid in full. The Directors of the bank also published a card saying that the losses by the failures in Boston were not so great as was at first apprehended, and they were making every exertion to resume specie payments, which they hoped to be able to do in a few months.

While the investigation was in progress the New Eng- land Galaxy-the Thersites of newspapers-under the charge of Joseph T. Buckingham, came into the arena. "One would think," it said, "to judge from the quantity' of bills in circulation, that all the specie in the United States was deposited in Bangor. A person to whom this observation was made, remarked that it might be so, but he doubted it-Bangor was a little village of about twenty buildings, scattered on the banks of the Penobscot River, in the same manner that we would suppose a parcel of frogs would collect round a mud-puddle in spring. There were, three years ago, about as many shop-keepers in the place as were wanted for directors of the bank; and they were probably located there for that purpose. These store-keepers sell their goods for lumber entirely ; they send their lumber to sell here, and with the pro- ceeds purchase more goods; that if there was as much specie as the bills seem to indicate, it kept in the bank, there was none to be seen in the village. Lumber is a 'legal tender' there, would buy any goods or pay any debts, and that he could not see why they wanted a bank at all; unless, indeed, they made their bills payable in lumber, and had the bank vaults filled with clapboards, shingles, boards, etc."

This aroused the indignation of a Bangor writer, who had feared the reputation of his town would suffer from the failure of the bank, but he "did not anticipate such terrible destruction! What! to be reduced instanter from a thriving and populous town-the shire town of the county of Penobscot, having a Court-house, gaol, and just now a new and elegant meeting-house, a theologi- cal institution, a Young Ladies' Academy, public and private schools, more or less, an athenæum or reading- room, a social library, a post-office and printing-office, flour-mills, clothing-mills, carding machines (not to men- tion saw-mills, for we are allowed to have lumber), and most of the useful mechanics; twenty mercantile stores, twelve or fifteen wharves, public squares, eight-rod streets, etc., etc., to say nothing of eight lawyers and all the concomitant evils of sheriffs, notaries, coroners, and constables-to be reduced to a little village, to be all swept away at one fell swoop, saving and excepting twenty buildings, scattered like frogs round a mud-puddle!"

"But why all this denunciation of Bangor, because, forsooth, three men of the great city of Boston and five men of the little village of Bangor have issued more notes than they were able to redeem ? What ! has no person a right to become bankrupt but the merchants of Boston ?"

The Boston Committee made a report on the 15th of July exonerating the Directors from any unfairness, and were satisfied that they had made every exertion to pre- serve the credit of the bank; they had given their respon- sibility to their agents in Boston for $46,000, and their bills were dishonored without notice to provide further funds. They condemned the practice of country banks, which had been adopted by the Bangor bank, of entrust- ing the management of the business to agents remote from the location of the bank, as in their opinion "preg- nant with evil." The Directors had given assurances that all their bills of a less denomination than five dollars should be paid by the first day of the next October, and all others by the first day of the next December, with interest on all, and these assurances the committee thought might be relied on. Not more than twenty per cent. of the capital stock could be absorbed by the losses made or apprehended, and they saw no reason to doubt the solvency of the bank ; and they had full confidence in the honorable intentions of the directors.

On the 28th of November Thomas A. Hill, per order, published a notice in the Boston papers and in the Eastern Argus, that the bank had resumed specie pay- ments and had abundant means in Boston to continue their business with entire security to the public. Mr. Leavitt made a note in his journal on December 28, that the bank was "in good repute and the stock at par value."

On June 20 Zadock Davis and Benjamin Weed gave notice that they had erected a building near the hay- scales on the westerly side of the Kenduskeag, where they kept for sale boots, shoes, and leather, and Mr. Davis added a gentle hint to his customers that June was "drawing rapidly to a close."

At this time John Reynolds's tailoring shop was on the southerly side of Main street say forty or fifty feet from the corner of West Market Place ; a little further up the street was Simon Harriman's blacksmith shop; next were the hay-scales ; then Davis & Weed's building ; next Hill & Dole's cabinet-maker's shop (nearly opposite the Hatch House) ; next a vacant lot ; next Thomas A. Hill's residence; next John Barker's buildings, which ex- tended nearly to Water street. There were vacant places between the shops and buildings of greater or less extent.

The pews of the First Parish Meeting House were sold on June 24 for $10,878. The cost of the land and building was about $8,000.

The subscriptions and donations to the Theological Seminary between March 9 and June 9, amounted to $1,182.16, besides books, papers, and clothing of consid- erable value.

Captain John Williams and his Artillery Company did not permit the anniversary of American Independence to pass unobserved. At sunrise those citizens who had succeeded in sleeping through the uproar created by the boys during the night, were aroused by a patriotic peal of the guns. At eight o'clock the company paraded in full uniform, and performed a variety of evolutions. At noon "they fired a national salute of twenty-four guns, which made the welkin ring." At two o'clock they sat

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down to partake of the green peas of Mr. Chick and other dainties that he had provided for their patriotic appetites. The sentiments did full honor to the Ameri- can Eagle. Among them were:

"The Day: May it continue a jubilee to the last syllable of recorded time.

"The Signers of the Declaration of Independence : May the scroll which preserves their names be held sacred,

" Till Nature's self the Vandal torch shall raise, And the vast alcove of creation blaze.'

"The American Fair: May their smiles encourage, their hearts admire, and their virtues reward patriotism and valor."

General Holman, of Massachusetts, and Colonel Lewis, of Gorham, Commissioners to survey the four ranges of townships north of the Bingham Lottery lands, and to explore other lands owned in common by Maine and Massachusetts, were in Bangor on business connected with their commission.

Hon. Martin Kinsley was appointed by the Governor Judge of Probate for the county of Penobscot.

Luther H. Hills, a prominent merchant, died of pul- monary consumption July 14, at the age of thirty-one. He had many friends, and his death occasioned great sor- row throughout the town.

On the 17th, the First Parish Meeting House was dedi- cated.

Mr. Chick's green corn came upon the table on the 3Ist of July.

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 150

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co. Number of Pages: 1100

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100