History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 153

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 153

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The Selectmen, having advertised for proposals to ring the bell of Mr. Loomis's meeting-house three times a day, etc., and having employed Mr. Hayden to perform that service, were somewhat disturbed on finding that the person whom they had contracted with to use the property of a private corporation for the public benefit was threatened with a criminal prosecution for so doing by Mr. Loomis, whereupon they (Messrs. Tilton, Hods- don, and Bean) assured the inhabitants of the town that "THIS bell will be no longer rung at their expense, until some new arrangement is made on the subject."

About this time lovers haunted "Lover's Leap," and the following came of it :

Lines copied from a tree in a beautiful and romantic spot on the banks of the Kenduskeag.

Miss

Thy beauty rivals all the classic pride

Of sculptured forms that taste has deified ;

Love's earliest light plays timidly and shy

In the soft lustre of that gentle eye ;

Yet have I dared, thou most enchanting maid, T' inscribe thy name within this hallowed shade.

Inscription copied from a tree near Lover's Leap :

Miss

Of lovely Sophia's eyes beware, Mirth and mischief mingle there ; I with her have careless laugh'd,

Nor fear'd shy beauty's dangerous shaft ; But pensive now I linger here, To trace a name forever dear.

At the session of the Supreme Court in June, Chief Justice Mellen sentenced James Clark and Edward Lawrence to twenty-five days' imprisonment and costs for an aggravated assault in the night-time upon Samuel

Stetson. They had trespassed upon land of which Stet- son had the care. They afterwards disguised themselves as Indians, and, imitating the language and manner of those people, were removing the timber they had cut, when they detected Stetson watching to ascertain who they were, whereupon they attacked and beat him with clubs, with which they were armed. In passing sentence the Judge gave them this wholesome advice:

You ought to know and remember that this practice of secretly dep- redating on lands to which you have no claim, and carrying away the timber you have collected there, is, in the eye of Heaven, no less than stealing. It is a shameful violation of the rights of others and defiance of Justice and Law. How can you answer it to your wives and children, who may, and probably must be, left without protection, and be deprived of their ordinary comforts, during that imprisonment which you will soon be sentenced to suffer for your misconduct ? ·

. Let this be a warning to you, never again to attempt to gain prop- erty by plundering and then to defend your plunder, and endeavor to save yourselves from detection by abuse and violence.

It had been a practice among a kind of squatters in the county to appropriate the lumber upon the lands of proprietors as if it were their own. At length the atten- tion of the owners was drawn to the wholesale plunder- ing of these people, and they felt that unless the laws were resorted to they soon would have little timber for themselves. This prosecution came up in the right form, was timely and effective. The fact that one of the tres- passers was at the time " holding an office of respecta- bility " among his fellow-townsmen, rendered the case particularly noticeable.

Mr. Chick's green peas came to the table this year on June 30th, "quite well filled."

About half the banks of Boston combined and col- lected about $70,000 worth of the bills of banks in Cum- berland, Kennebec, and Penobscot counties, and sent agents to demand the specie for them. These agents re- fused to accept drafts or current bills of other banks at fair exchange discount. The specie was paid, but the proceeding was the occasion of much animadversion in Maine. It was attributed to a disposition on the part of the Boston banks to break down the banks in Maine, out of pure hostility. On the other hand, the Boston banks alleged that their motive was to try the solvency of the Maine banks and to protect the public from im- position. They had tried the Bangor bank before, and, notwithstanding its embarrassment occasioned by Boston failures, it satisfied the public that its affairs were honestly managed and that its ability to take care of its liabilities was undoubted. The question was very pertinently asked, "why did they make an attempt upon its resources so soon afterward, and in so uncompromising a manner, if it were not from a disposition to indulge a feeling of superciliousness?"

The anniversary of Independence fell on Sunday, and there was no public celebration in Bangor. In Levant, Brewer, and Orrington, however, the fifth was celebrated with the reading of the Declaration, addresses, dinners, and sentiments. It was celebrated at Mattanawcook, where three years before there were only Captain Aaron Woodbury and his three sons (who were the only popu- lation within a radius of eighteen miles), by more than forty persons. There was a very patriotic address, an

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

excellent dinner, and sentiments that the Eagle could well scream over. Among them, however, was this :

"The Yeomanry of Penobscot: Good lands; good farms ; a surplus of produce, and cash markets; im- mediate want of old maids and bachelors to multiply and replenish Penobscot county."

It was worthy of note that Mr. Appleton Walker left Providence on Wednesday, and arrived in Ellsworth on Saturday morning at 6 o'clock. Taking into considera- tion the means of traveling at that time, it was deemed a rapid transit. He was in pursuit of two men who were largely indebted to him, and traced them through Boston, Portsmouth, Portland, Bangor, Bluehill, to Ellsworth in seventy hours, where he secured one of the men.

William D. Williamson was, in July, appointed by the Governor and Council Judge of Probate, in place of Hon. Martin Kinsley, who, having arrived at the age of seventy years, was in consequence disqualified by the Constitution of the State from holding the office longer. Joseph Williamson, of Belfast, was at the same session appointed County Attorney of Hancock county, and Horatio G. Balch was appointed Sheriff of Washington county.

A'new weekly newspaper was issued in Bangor under the name of Penobscot Gazette. Ezra S. Brewster was the publisher, Daniel Pike editor. Under the adminis- tration of President Monroe party lines were almost ob- literated. The Federal party had ceased to exist. There were five candidates for the succession-Adams, Jackson, Calhoun, Clay, Crawford. John Quincy Adams was elected by the House of Representatives, as neither of the candidates had a majority of the popular vote. Mr. Adams was a Republican; General Jackson was a Re- publican; and whatever new papers came into existence this year could not be designated by any partisan name. The Gazette was friendly to Mr. Adams. It was esteemed by the Register its "rival and competitor," and the two papers were not upon the most amicable terms.

On the 11th of August Major Joseph Treat was elected Brigadier-General of the First Brigade, Third Division, in place of General Mark Trafton, who had re- signed. Benjamin Nourse was appointed Inspector, Thornton McGaw Aid-de-camp, and John Fiske, Quar- termaster.

The Republican nominations before the people at this time were: for President, John Quincy Adams; for Gov- ernor, Albion K. Parris; for Elector, Benjamin Nourse; for Senator, Joseph Kelsey; for County Treasurer, John Wilkins.

Mr. Chick, as usual at this season, delighted his guests with green corn on the 11th of August.

On the 4th of August was the annual exhibition of the Theological Seminary. This institution continued to be the subject of criticism. One writer said: "The students, in gesture, utterance, style, etc., more than equaled my expectations, considering what had probably been their literary advantages. But then, the spirit of orthodoxy which was exhibited filled me with sorrow and regret. It seemed to me there was a little want of candor." He came away, he said, from an ex-

hibition at Andover, two or three years before, with very different impressions.

This month Gilman Harriman, who some years before gave notice that he had left his father and set up black- smithing by himself, went openly into a business that at this day he would go into very slyly anywhere in Maine. He informed his friends that he had taken the cellar and the new brick store next the bank, where he intended to keep constantly for sale the best of liquors. "He had on hand old Jamaica rum, cognac and American brandy, Holland and American gin, Sicily, Madeira, sherry, and Lisbon wines, porter, etc. Raftsmen, marketmen, and .others who wished for refreshments without delay or ceremony, might find it convenient to call on him. He had a retired room, suitable for the negotiation of busi- ness or the accommodation of small parties. Cool punch would be kept constantly ready for use."

This cellar was entered from the northerly side of West Market Square. The refreshments were such as were indulged in freely and openly, but a large portion of the people avoided that entrance; they preferred the back door. Mr. Harriman was a constable. Men be- came intoxicated there by their own free will, and other men half-intoxicated wheeled them on wheelbarrows to gaol.

Prior to this Harriman had kept the toll-house at the Kenduskeag bridge, and refreshments also. He had lungs which answered a good purpose when an unlucky stranger attempted to pass the bridge ignorant of 'his existence and occupation. On one pleasant summer day a tall, handsome young gentleman who had not before been seen in the streets of Bangor, well dressed, with a tall white hat, was sauntering carelessly toward the bridge, and had reached the southerly sidewalk, when he heard some one shouting, "Hullo, there! ye goin to run your toll."

Surprised, the stranger turned his steps in the direction of the voice, and inquired "if that thing was a toll- bridge?"

"Yes, to strangers, one cent for a foot passenger; for citizens, nothing!"

"It's the last thing I should have thought. 'Twill be worth while to become a citizen."

Passing to Mr. Harriman his toll, the young gentleman, much amused, continued his walk. He afterwards be- came a citizen, and still afterwards the Governor of the State-Edward Kent.

In this connection it may not be improper to digress a little further, in order to perpetuate the memory of an- other character once conspicuous in Bangor.

The predecessor of Mr. Harriman as toll-gatherer was a veteran of the Revolution, having the souvenir of an "empty sleeve," and bearing the name of Oliver Randall. Like others of his class of worthies, he was fond of a little tipple, gossip, and a pipe, and he had some leisure for the indulgence of these luxuries, the strangers from whom only he could require toll not often being at hand. Among those citizens who took delight in the society of this old gentleman was Mr. Phinson. He too was fond of a pipe and gossip, to say nothing of the tipple. One

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY MAINE.

day when Mr. Randall was indulging in a small rest, with pipe, Mr. Phinson made his appearance, using a new pipe with which he seemed to take much satisfaction; but he had hardly seated himself beside his friend before his pipe blew up, to that gentleman's great amazement; as soon as he recovered himself he exclaimed :

"What's got into that pipe? Curious tobacco! Smells like powder!"

Mr. Phinson also had an idea that it smelled like powder. The pipe was the last of a half-dozen post- prandial pipes of a long-suffering merchant, that Phinson had appropriated, and the merchant had filled for Mr. Phinson's especial benefit on that day.

Mr. Phinson didn't call for that merchant's pipes any more, and Mr. Randall played shy of him when he approached with such an implement thereafter, fearing that he might again be treated to a sudden smell of powder.

John Reynolds, Esq., the fashionable tailor, was the brother-in-law of Mr. Harriman, and a lieutenant in the battalion of cavalry. He was somewhat above his mili- tary position, and held it in such contempt that he was tried by court-martial, found guilty of neglect of duty, disobedience of orders, and unofficerlike conduct, re- moved from office and disqualified from holding any military office under the authority of the State for three years. It is but reasonable to presume that Mr. Rey- nolds held the sentence in as much contempt as he held the position from which he was removed.

Some dissatisfaction arose about this time against the Land Agent, James Irish, for demanding stumpage of timber cut from the public lands prior to his appoint- ment, from twenty to thirty-three per cent. above the price stipulated before the separation, and afterward by the Governor and Council, for " estimating stumpage on all a lot of logs would make in boards, making that of refuse equal to that of clear lumber; and for limiting the maxi- mum of two hundred acres of land granted by the Legisla- ture to the person who should erect the first saw mill, and grist-mill on the best mill-site in any township belonging to the State, with the site, to half a dozen acres, and de- manding the highest price for an adjacent lot." This was attributed to his desire to retain his office, which he imagined he could do "by a tyrannical, penurious cal- culation, degrading to the State, in order to enlarge the receipts of the treasury."

There were loafers in those days, and there were those who were annoyed by them, also. That. one to whom these words were addressed, if he were a sensitive per- son, possibly changed his habits.

TO T I see thee in the back bar-room; I see thee on the parlor floor; I see thee to'ther side the stream; I see thee, zounds ! in every store. In every square, in every street, Thy haunting form I never miss ; Where can I go and fail to meet, Trivius, thy omnipresent phiz.

For many years there existed a jealousy between the inhabitants on the opposite sides of the Kenduskeag Stream. It grew out of an attempt to draw the new com-

ers to the west side of the stream in order to make that the centre of trade, while the tendency of the popula- tion early in the century appeared to be towards the " Point." The antipathy grew to be so strong that the boys met in squads upon the bridge and pelted each other with stones, and the men of one side of the stream declared that they would not live upon the other if a house and lot should be given them. This feeling di- minished very slowly as the population increased, and possibly still exists in some persons.

The improvement of the Penobscot Indians continued to occupy the attention of a portion of the people, but their want of appreciation of the benefits to be derived from education was discouraging. It was almost impos- sible to excite any ambition in them. Doubtless a little good had been effected by Mr. Brewer, sufficient to keep alive the hopes of their friends. The temptations to in- dulge in intoxicating liquors, which unprincipled white men were constantly putting in their way, kept the men in a state of degradation. For drink they would barter their furs, and many men would not scruple to take from them the results of a winter's hunt for a very small con- sideration.

John Wilkins having been elected Cashier of the Ban- gor Bank, resigned the office of Register of Deeds, and Alexander Savage and Charles Rice placed themselves before the people as candidates for the office.

Some of the marrying people of the Penobscot Indians at this time took some pains to be married right. Four couples went to Newcastle in order to have Rev. D. Ryan, of the Catholic church, perform the ceremony. Captain Nicoli, aged fifty-nine, was married to Miss Mol- liali Sombit, aged fifteen, his third wife; Mr. Solmon, aged twenty-four, to Miss Molly Blansuais, eighteen ; Mr. Meshel, aged twenty-two, to Miss Mollian Selique, twenty ; Mr. Louis Neptune, aged twenty-five, to Miss Mary Susep, nineteen.

The candidates for Representative to Congress and to the Legislature swarmed. David Kidder was again in the field for Congress ; William D. Williamson, also; and Allen Gilman appeared. Amos Patten, Joseph Treat, Wilmot Wood, and Gorham Parks were before the peo- ple for the Legislature. Major Simon Harriman also, "after mature deliberation," offered himself as a candi- date for the latter office, "not doubting that all interested would eagerly step forward and avail themselves of this unexpected opportunity of securing his services and tal- ents."

On the 13th of September there were in Bangor 112 votes for Albion K. Parris for Governor ; scattering, 9. Jo- seph Kelsey had 71 votes for Senator; Jacob McGaw, 52. David Kidder received 55 votes for Representative to Congress ; William D. Williamson, 39; Allen Gilman, 28. John Wilkins received 53 votes for County Treas- urer ; Charles Rice, 36. Charles Rice received 79 votes for Register of Deeds ; Alexander Savage, 42. Joseph Treat was elected to the Legislature.

The Presidential campaign was opened in September. A meeting was held in Garland at the time of a regi- mental muster, and Jonathan Farrar was nominated for

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

Elector of the district. A committee, consisting of William Emerson, Daniel Wilkins, Isaac Case, Cornelius Coolidge, Isaac Hodsdon, Joshua Carpenter, Gilman M. Burleigh, Gorham Parks, Philip Greely, Isaac Jacobs, William Eddy, Amos Gordon, and Francis Hill, was ap- pointed to address the electors. They did so, impressing upon them the importance of securing the election of the President by the people, and recommending the elec- tion of an unpledged person for Elector, who would cast his vote for either of the five candidates - Adams, Jack- son, Clay, Crawford, or Calhoun - whose prospects of election should be most certain.

The friends of Mr. Adams considered this a move- ment in favor of Mr. Crawford. Mr. Emerson was un- derstood to be in favor of that gentleman, and Mr. Far- rar not to be in favor of Mr. Adams. They called it all a trick, at any rate, to give prominence to the Elector rather than to the President.

A caucus in Anson, Somerset county, nominated Mr. Farrar for Elector, and the issue was fairly made up be- twixt him and Mr. Nourse ; the latter being sustained as an Adams man, and the former as understood to be a Crawford man.

The meeting for the choice of Electors occurred on the first day of November. Mr. Nourse received in Bangor 96 votes; Mr. Farrar, 30. The vote of the county, very generally, was for Adams Electors. Fifty towns in the district gave Adams 1,801, votes, and Craw- ford 350.

The meeting-house on the hill near the Brewer Ferry was erected this year.

Seth Elliot, of Freedom, was tried at Castine on the Ist of November, for the murder of his son, John Wil- son Elliot, a child under two years of age. The Gov- ernment Counsel were County Attorney Joseph William- son and Attorney-General Foote. Counsel for the prisoner, William Abbott and Benjamin Orr. Judges Weston and Preble severally charged the jury. The ver- dict was guilty. Judge Preble passed the sentence.

Newel Bean was appointed jailer.

Abel M. Quimby was the Preceptor of the Bangor Young Ladies' Academy.

Mr. Zadock Davis came again before the public on December 14, with a little " friendly advice " to debtors on his own account, and in behalf of Davis & Weed. He introduces it thus:

Davis & Weed have now agreed To rouse delinquent debtors, And those who've need to learn to read, They'll send them printed letters.

The river closed on the 12th of December. Mr. Leavitt's note is, "It has been a fine year for the lumber business-boards of the first quality [pine] merchantable, were fetching $13.00 per thousand, and others in the same proportion, here. The season has been good-a fine crop of wheat, hay, and potatoes, and sauce of all kinds; a middling crop of Indian corn."

CHAPTER XVIII.

Kenduskeag Bridge Free-Death of Rev. Mr. Loomis-Beautiful

Poetical Tribute-The Land Agent Still Criticized-His Reply- Burley & Arnold's Bi-weekly Mail-Elliot Hanged-Adams Presi- dent-Annual Town Meeting-John Godfrey Appointed County At- torney-Isaac Hodsdon Clerk-Amos Patten et al. Justices of the Court of Sessions-Lottery Tickets-Gaol Limits Extended-Busi- ness Men-William Bruce's House Burned-Unitarian Society- Mr. Loomis's Library Sold-Death of Nathaniel Harlow, Sr .- Pros- perity-Caravan-The Man and the Elephant-Griffin & Wyman's Catastrophe-Fears for the Harbor-Fourth of July-Colonel Park's Oration-Mr. Hutchins's Dinner-Mr. Chick's Dinner -- First Con- gregational Society give Mr. Pomroy a Call-Accepted-Another Indian School Projected-Chick's Coach - Another "Peol" in Trouble-Mr. Chick Again-His House Burned with Others-A Great Conflagration-Friend Watson-Chick Still Lives-The Land Agent Burns the Hay-Wilmot Wood Declines to be Representa- tive-Simon Harriman Offers Himself-Mr. Pomroy Ordained -- Destructive Fires in the Woods-Death of Timothy Crosby, Sr. - State Election-Kenduskeag Bridge Again-The Land Agent and the Fires-John Neptune Speaks-Manufacturing and Exporting Company-Mr. Colby's Shad-Loss by the Fires-Eastern Argus on Bangor-Register's Comments-David . Nye E'ected Captain of Volunteers-Raids Upon Bangor Bank-Census-The Land Agent's Hard Experience with Timber Thieves-Lots West of West Market Place Sold-Abraham Houson-New Business Men-Edward Kent Establishes Himself in Bangor.

The bridge over the Kenduskeag, which had up to the year 1825 been a toll bridge, on the first day of this year become exempt from that annoyance. By the terms of the contract, it will be recollected, the inhabitants were to pass free, and this year the same privilege was to be extended to all persons. People felt that they had an addition to their liberties from this time.

On the 2d of January the town met with an irrepa- rable loss. Rev. Harvey Loomis, after taking his seat in the pulpit in the morning, dropped dead. There was a snow storm on that day, and Mr. Loomis walked from his house on Union street, below Main, to his house of worship. The ascent to the church from the bridge was quite steep, and the snow that had fallen rendered the walk fatiguing. It was not more than ten minutes from the time he had taken his seat before his spirit had taken its flight. As soon as his head dropped his friends were at his side, but no human help availed to restore him. The shock occasioned by his sudden death was aggra- vated by the fact that the text of his discourse for the morning was from Jeremiah xxviii; 16: "This year thou shalt die."

For more than fourteen years Mr. Loomis had been the only settled minister in Bangor. He was eminently a lovable man. His influence in elevating the charac- ter of the people had been remarkable. He was a preacher of the doctrine of Calvin, it is true; but he was amiable and genial, his life was so true and consistent, and his appeals to the irreligious were so honest and earnest that large numbers were added to his church, religion was respected, and the morals of the community greatly improved. He established a meeting for relig- ious conference on Wednesday evening, which has been continued in his church to the present time; and that evening was, during his life and for many years after his death, regarded with as much reverence as Sunday itself, especially among the people of his society. No parties were held upon that evening, and amusements were dis-

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

countenanced. This meeting was at first held in the Hadlock house, at the westerly corner of York street, where it enters Exchange street. Afterwards it was re- moved to the Academy room on Columbia street. The walls of that room were dark with age, and as it was lighted with tallow candles or oil lamps there was a gloom attending these convocations which, with the solemn music of such tunes as Bangor, China, and St. Martin's, was well in accord with the doctrines taught, especially when the meetings were conducted by the brethren. Usually, however, Mr. Loomis, with his be- nign countenance and manner, give to them an aspect of cheerfulness. Mr. Loomis was thirty-nine years old at the time of his death.

A member of his church, a young lady, Miss Eliza L. Adams, who at this day, as Mrs. James Crosby, says : "Fresh and warm is the place his name occupies in the hearts of the few lingering ones who knew him as he was, and who can recall the day when suddenly he van- ished from their sight," shortly after that event wrote the following poem :

THE DESOLATED CONFERENCE ROOM.

Ye need not hang that candle by the desk;

Ye may remove his chair and take away his book; . He will not come to-night. He did not hear the bell

Which told the hour of prayer. I cannot speak the reason, But he does not seem to love as he did once

The conference room.

We've waited long of late, and thought we heard At length his well-known step. We were deceived. He did not come. 'Tis very sad to say, But he will never come again.

Do ye remember how he used to sit In that now vacant corner, hid by its obscurity ?

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 153

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