History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 166

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 166

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The Bangor Savings Bank and the Mercantile Bank were organized on the third day of April. Amos Patten was made President and Treasurer of the former, and Caleb C. Billings, George W. Pickering, Jacob McGaw, George Starrett, Henry Call, Thomas F. Hatch, John Fiske, Thomas Drew, and Nathan B. Wiggin, Trustees. C. C. Billings, Thornton McGaw, Waldo T. Pierce, Amos M. Roberts, Cyrus Goss, Willis Patten, and John Hodsdon were chosen Directors of the latter.

The speculation in timber lands had become so ex- tensive, and the means resorted to by speculators to dis- pose of their lands had become so questionable, that the pens of the wits found ready employment. A little paper appeared in Portland bearing the title, "The World in a Nutshell," and containing information "interesting to gentlemen of moderate fortunes who wish to double their capital in six months."

"We" had been shown by the "Great Land Commit- tee" a plan of a tract of timber land situated on the coast of Norway, five hundred miles long and running back into the interior forty miles. Affidavits of the explorers (all of them gentlemen of the first respect- ability from the county of Penobscot, in this State) rep- resenting that the strip was "divided by five navigable streams, having the best possible water falls flowing through the tract to the sea, at just a mile and a half dis- tant from each other; so that not a stick of timber can

require to be hauled more than three-quarters of a mile." We have never met any set of affidavits that, take them all in all, afforded us more satisfaction. The reporters are very explicit. They found each tract between the rivers contained large quantities of timber over and above any amount which can be expressed by figures. To avoid, therefore, all confusion in putting down their esti- mates, they only give the excess on each tract over the amount which cannot be immediately reckoned. This struck us as peculiarly ingenious and simple. Several enterprising gentlemen in Bangor have obtained a bond of this notable timber tract. It was understood that they would not sell at any price, and the intelligence threw the business part of the city into the greatest gloom, and a public meeting was proposed to condemn their "monopolizing and sordid stand." Whereupon they gave up their first determination and put two-thirds of the tract into the market.

An adventure at this time is reported of a young resi- dent of Bangor, who was one night returning from a visit to his fair one. His route lay through timber-land partly felled. Being in good spirits, he bounded over the fallen trees with alacrity until he found himself face to face with a ravenous bear. Springing to the nearest pine, he climbed up some distance. The bear pursued until he came within reach of our hero's feet. These did good service by dashing the animal to the ground. The bear returned, and, seizing one of his antagonist's legs, was again sent back with a boot in his arms ! While the bear was exercising his wits as to how he could circumvent his victim, the young man was climbing. When he had at- tained the height of about fifty feet the bear had out- climbed him, and again seized the last leg. In his eager- ness to enjoy his spoil, however, he became detached from the tree, and the leg being his only support, and the young man being so nearly exhausted that he could hold on no longer, down both fell together. Fortunately the young man was on top, and least injured by the fall. The bear was dumbfounded, and the young man, taking ad- vantage of his confusion, rushed away and was glad enough to escape with the loss of a boot and his hat ! The effect of this adventure upon the mind of the lady was not unfavorable. There was a tinge of romance in

it. The hero had been in imminent peril because of her. She could not be unkind. She was not.

The ice left the Penobscot on the roth of April, and a large number of vessels arrived in port directly afterward, and the streets and wharves were filled with life and bus- iness activity.

A "new translation of the Bible" at this time excited some comment. From specimens of the translation a favorable reception was not expected. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," was translated : "Indeed I assure you that except a man be reproduced he cannot realize the reign of God." The translator disposed of Judas in this manner : "Falling prostrate, a violent internal spasm ensued, and all his viscera were cmitted." The editor of the Penobscot Journal gave assurances that he would not countenance any such translation.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

William Abbott and Benjamin Nourse, the School Committee in charge of Districts 1 and 2, were alive to the importance of the constant, regular, and prompt attendance of pupils in the schools, and assuming that parents must also be aware of it, they earnestly requested them to see that their children were "sent to school daily, and at the hour appointed for opening the schools." ---

Mr. Abel M. Quimby, who was President of the Ban- gor Academy for several years, was now teaching an "English High School " for both sexes.

It was voted this year to raise $6,900 for highways, $2,500 for schools, $2,500 for town charges.

Horses were prohibited from being left on Kenduskeag bridge .without a keeper or driver, and from being hitched to the fences or posts therein.

Bells were prohibited from being tolled at funerals.

Driving faster than at the rate of five miles an hour was prohibited within half a mile of Kenduskeag Bridge.

The votes in Bangor at the State election were for Governor: Daniel Goodenow, Whig, 467 votes; Robert P. Dunlap, Democrat, 466; Thomas A. Hill, Anti-Mason, 30. For Representative to Congress, Gorham Parks, Democrat, 481; Ebenezer Hutchison, Whig, 445; Judah McLellan, Anti-Mason, 40. For Representative to Leg- islature, Henry Call, Republican, 481; John Sargent, Jr., Democrat, 408; Thomas F. Hatch, 40.

In this year there had been much disorder. Many laborers had come into the town who were recently from Ireland, and were seeking to earn a livelihood with the spade and mattock, and in any lawful way. There was need of such laborers, and they were employed. Among the American laborers of similar description there was a jealousy of these foreigners that boded anything but comfort to them when opportunity should offer for the manifestation of their ill-will. The opportunity came.

One very dark evening, early in the business season, a mob of sailors from vessels moored off Carr's Wharf- at a place in the river where vessels lading with lumber were accustomed to lie-conceiving that they had cause against the occupants, attacked a building upon that wharf with axes, hammers, crow-bars, fire, and whatever would enable them to render the building untenable. Of course the alarm was given, and a great crowd of won- dering people were soon gathered in the neighborhood of the scene; but, for some reason, no disposition appeared to be manifested to interfere with the work of destruction. The outside crowd became a compact mass of humanity without apparent purpose, swaying this way and that, drawing to itself every new comer and taking him in, willing or unwilling, and like an ava- lanche bearing down everything in its way. It had the power of locomotion, but seemed to be without sense and without self-control. In vain did the owner of the building call for help to save his property. "Will you see this building destroyed," he cried, "and is there no one who will aid me in saving it?" There was no re- sponse. Thecrowd wasas stolid as solid. It seemedto have neither pity nor other emotion-at least generous emo- tion. - The only way to account for this is by the suppo- sition that the building was a nest for characters that

ought not be tolerated in any locality. The sailors ac- complished their purpose. The morning light revealed a ruin with not an occupant.

It would have been well, perhaps, if this had been the end. But when the mob spirit is once aroused, time is required to allay it. There was evidence, the next day, of a disposition among the bad elements of the town to indulge in general lawlessness. Captain Charles G. Bry- ant, a military leader in that day, felt it incumbent on him to prevent mischief, and gathered together such citi- zens as were willing to use fire-arms, if necessary, for the protection of life and property; and perhaps he did to some extent curb the wrong impulse of many hot-headed people, and save property from destruction. But there was a portion of the mob who would have their way, and do something. Now came the opportunity of the haters of the Irish. It was not difficult to turn the current against them, and night after night was made hideous by the tramping and howling of the mob in pursuit of these poor people; and many a terrified man, woman, and child was compelled to pass homeless and sleepless nights in order to feel secure against the violence of the pursu- ers. They were glad when they had escaped, even though they had not where to lay their heads. It was a period of general alarm, and the better class of citizens extemporized a watch and a patrol. Men on foot and. on horseback passed through the streets and gave a feel- ing of security until the mob by its hootings and howl- ings and mischievous performances had exhausted itself. When the calm came and there was an opportunity to reflect, there was a general feeling that some provision should be made against future contingencies of this kind.

At this time the voting population had become so nu- merous that the town meetings had become almost un- managable. In fact, it had become well-nigh impossible to transact the town business understandingly in them, and, with the prospect of still further increase of voters, it was felt that some provision must be made for the intelligent transaction of the public business in future, and for the protection of the polls. When this was considered in connection with the recent lawless manifestation, the wis- dom of the town was exercised in devising a plan which would afford the public necessary security in the con- duct of municipal affairs and against mob violence. All plans were considered, and it was concluded that a city form of government, with a responsible head, under which the business could be transacted by delegates elected by the people from separate precincts, and a po- lice force composed of good and reliable men, and the power to enlarge it in case of emergency, would be the surest guarantee of safety. In pursuance of this view the Selectmen, on the 16th day of November, issued their warrant for calling a meeting of the inhabitants, to be held on the 23d of November, "to see if the Town will apply to the next Legislature for a Charter for a City Government."

At this meeting Samuel Call presided as Moderator, and it was

Voted, That the town do apply to the next Legislature for a Charter for a City Government.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

Voted, To choose a committee of nine to petition the Legislature for that purpose, and to publish the said petition, and to draft a bill and present the same to the town for their acceptance at the adjournment of this meeting.

Chose, William Abbot, Royal Clark, George W. Brown, Amos Pat- ten, Ebenezer French, Edward Kent, Willis Patten, Nathan B. Wiggin, and Charles G. Bryant, committee for the above purpose.

After changing the name of Poplar street to Exchange street the meeting adjourned to December 9. From that date the meeting was adjourned to December 14.

At this adjournment a bill was presented. Each arti- cle was examined and discussed, and amended when it was thought necessary. The bill was not completed until another adjourned meeting held on the next Mon- day, December 16, when, after it had been fully exam- ined and other alterations were made it was recommitted to the same committee "with instructions to make a draft of the same, as amended, and to embody in the same the several laws to which reference is had in the bill, and which are necessary to the proper understanding and construction of the same, and forward it to the next Legislature."

This bill provided for the incorporation of the city of Bangor, for its division into seven wards, for meetings of the voters in those wards in general elections, and for the election of an Alderman from each ward-the whole to constitute a Board of Aldermen-and of three Council- men from cach ward, the whole to constitute a Board of Common Council; and, at the same time for the election of a Mayor of the city. The Board, in joint convention with the Mayor, was to constitute the City Council, which was to elect the subordinate officers of the city.

The bill also provided for a court and police, and con- ferred on the Mayor and Aldermen, Common Council, Court, and all subordinate officers, such powers as would enable them to perform all the duties before devolving upon the town, and such other powers as were deemed important in providing for the security and safety, and well-being of the city and people.

CHAPTER XXVII.

Bangor Incorporated a City-Divided Into Seven Wards-Election of Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council-Parsons Elected President of the Council-Subordinate Officers-Steamboat Bangor-Portland Rifle Corps-Forty Delegates -- Hammond Street Church Dedicated -James P. Kendall, the Bugler-Elms of Broadway-No Railway -- Penobscot Freeman-Captain George Barker-Harpist-Second Tri- ennial of Mechanics' Association-Toast in Rhyme-Politics-Editors Haynes & Upton-Dunlap & Sprague, Candidates for Governor -- Vote of Bangor-Henry Call Elected Representative-Whigs Com- plaint of Democrats-Duren's Library-Parker and Baker, Singers -- Packets -- John Bright-The Whig's Opinion- Captain Howes-An- thracite- Heterogeneous Bangor -- Central Bridge -- Bank Dividends and Stocks-Forty Lawyers-Lamps-Indians-Soil in Houlton- Traffic in Ardent Spirits-Savings Bank-F. O. J. Smith Elected to Congress-Weston Chief Justice-Watch House-Rev. Jason Whit- man-Sager -- Building in Bangor -- Coombs's Common-Tenure of Judicial Office-Stumpage-Bangor a Wonder - Social Library- Bangor House Opened-Martin S. Wood-Death Penalty.

1834. An act to incorporate the city of Bangor, em- bracing the provisions of the bill passed by the citizen's committee, was enacted February 12, 1834, and was ac- cepted by the town on the 24th of the same month by a vote of 526 yeas to 118 nays.

On the first day of March following the Selectmen, un- der the provisions of the act, divided the city into seven wards.

On March 10 the voters assembled in their respective wards, and, after electing ward officers, cast their ballots for Mayor, Alderman, and three Common Councilmen. There was no choice of Mayor on this day.

Allen Gilman received 406 votes, Isaac Hodsdon 363, and various citizens from one to nine each, aggregating sixty-eight. For a choice 418 were necessary.

On March 17 there was another balloting, and Allen Gilman received 543 votes, Isaac Hodsdon 363, scatter- ing 13; necessary for a choice 460.

Mr. Gilman, having been declared elected Mayor, was inaugurated, and the City, Council was organized.

The Aldermen were: Ward I, Asa Davis; Ward 2, Moses Patten; Ward 3, Samuel Call; Ward 4, John Wil- kins; Ward 5, John Fiske; Ward 6, John Brown; Ward 7, Frederick Wingate.

Council: Ward I, Abner Taylor, Anthony Woodard, Solomon Parsons; Ward 2, Wiggins Hill, Timothy Cros- by, Jonathan C. Taylor; Ward 3, George W. Pickering, Samuel Lowder, Elisha H. Allen; Ward 4, John LeGro, Jr., Thomas Finson, Joseph Abbot; Ward 5, George Wel- lington, Nathan B. Wiggin, Edward Kent; Ward 6, Paul R. Barker, Bradford Harlow, Messenger Fisher; Ward 7, Ebenezer French, 2d, Charles G. Bryant, Pliny D. Par- sons. Solomon Parsons was elected President of the Common Council.

The principal subordinate officers elected by the City Council were: Charles Rice, City Clerk; James Crosby, Treasurer; Ebenezer French, Marshal; Edward Kent, Solicitor and Agent; Allen Gilman, Street Commissioner; Benjamin'Nourse, Edward Kent, William Abbott, Pliny D. Parsons, Joseph Abbot, Joshua P. Dickman, Eben- ezer French, 2d, School Committee; Jonathan Cutting, John Fiske, Henry Call, Assessors; Amos Patten, Wil- liam Abbot, Rufus K. Cushing, Overseers of the Poor; Ebenezer French, Rufus K. Cushing, Bradford Harlow, Health Officers.

As the provision in the Constitution for the election of civil officers by cities was not in existence until the fol- lowing year, the votes for Governor, Representatives to Congress, and other civil officers, were this year cast by the people as previously under the town organization.

There was at this time a provision for the appoint- ment of a City Messenger and Constable, to which Mr. John Lancey was appointed. The office was not in ex- istence many years.

Provision was made for a Municipal Court, with a Judge and Recorder.

Hon. Charles Stetson was the first Judge of this court, and Reuben S. Prescott, Esq., Recorder. Hon. Samuel Farrar succeeded Judge Stetson, and Hon. John Mc- Donald succeeded Judge Farrar.

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HISTORY OF PÉNOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

During a portion of the time Judge Stetson held the office the financial situation of Bangor was very bad. The Recorder at times found it difficult and sometimes impossible to collect the fees ; and, in order to raise the money to pay the salaries, was obliged to resort to broker Warren and pay him five per cent. per month for it.

On the 14th of July the new steamboat Bangor, George Barker captain, made an excursion to Castine and Belfast. This boat was a great improvement on the "Maine" that plied between Bangor and Portland ten year before, which could only accomplish the distance between Bangor and Bucksport in a day. The Bangor took nearly four hundred ladies and gentlemen to Cas- tine and Belfast and returned by six o'clock in the evening, made the circuit of nearly one hundred miles, including stoppages, in ten hours. Tickets for the ex- cursion and meals were $1.50.

The Portland Rifle Corps, Captain Edward D. Preble, visited Bangor this month, and created quite a military furor among the young men.

Forty-one Whigs of Bangor, on July 17, were ap- pointed delegates to a State convention at Augusta, on July 21, to nominate a candidate for Governor. At that convention Peleg Sprague was nominated for that office.

Hammond Street meeting-house was dedicated, and Rev. John Maltby was installed its pastor on July 23d. This building had two wooden towers, with cupo- las. Its proportions were bad, and withal it was not an attractive, though a convenient structure. At the sale of the pews $4,000 were realized above their appraised value.

The famous bugle-player, James P. Kendall, with the Boston Band, gave a concert at the First Baptist meeting- house, on the evening of July 20th. Admission 25 cents.

The elms on Broadway began to attract attention. "This," said a stranger to the editor of the Whig, "is the work of your Mayor. The city is indebted for this de- lightful exhibition to the individual whom you see stand- ing over the way, looking with an air of calm satisfaction on the result and progress of his labors-Mr. John Ham." The inquiries of the stranger afterward, and the replies of the editor, indicated something of the needs of the new city. "Where is the site of your market-house ? What public squares are contemplated ? Where your public cemetery ?" "Our city is hardly begun. No one can tell where to locate its public buildings and squares. We have a temporary matter of a Court-house over the way; a sort of Mount Auburn several miles up the river, in the neighborhood of th mill-dam, near the probable centre of the city, where the railroad shall con- nect the line of steamboats from the St. Lawrence with those of the Penobscot."

No railroad from Bangor was then contemplated; and if the Maine Central had been suggested, the idea would have been considered utopian; and such a construction as the European & North American Railway within the century would have been scouted as altogether visionary. We now can predict almost anything for Bangor within

the twentieth century without provoking a doubt; im- provements have been so wonderful in the nineteenth.

The first number of the Penobscot Freeman, an anti-Masonic newspaper, edited by Asa Walker, and pub- lished by Aaron Herrick, was issued August 7th.

Captain George Barker left the command on the steamer Bangor this month, and was succeeded by Sam- uel F. Howes. The friends of Captain Barker were greatly indignant at his being removed from the com- mand, as it was through his efforts that the vessel was built and put upon the route, and they had a meeting and chose a committee to investigate the causes of the removal. The committee reported that in their opinion he was removed without adequate cause, condemned the treatment he had been subjected to, and expressed their sympathy with him, whom they esteemed an "honorable man, a good citizen, and a gentleman." Then there was much complaint against the Directors for raising the fare from $6 to $7 between Bangor and Boston.

Monsieur Canderbeck, a celebrated performer on the harp and violin, entertained the citizens with specimens of his playing on August 25. His performances were much applauded.

Plank sidewalks up the clay hills, in the streets and lanes, were recommended this year.

The Mechanic Association held its second triennial festival on August 31. An address was delivered by John S. Sayward, Esq., "which was replete with senti- ments of patriotism and philanthropy, and fastened the attention of the audience for three-quarters of an hour." Mr. John Barker, of the Franklin House, prepared the dinner, which was pronounced "sumptuous and splendid." The eleventh regular toast was this:

Our city and its prospective improvements :-

May every street Be clean and neat, And free from filth and swine;

And, each dark night,

A burning light In every corner shine.

With no rude boys To make a noise,

With boisterous mirth obscene;

Nor dirty shops

To sell vile slops To swine, in shape of men.

May all our laws Be free from flaws, And executed well;

And at our homes, Of bricks or stones, May great contentment dwell.

So future days Shall chaunt the praise, In many a rhyming ditty --

Of all the men Assembled when We made the Town a City !

Mr. Edmund Dole called to mind the Hampden battle and the visit of the British by the following:

"Twenty years ago: May our deliverance from the heavy gloom which then hung over us as 'prisoners of war' cause our hearts to ascend in gratitude to Him who

---

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

has preserved us from calamity, and blessed us with prosperity."

On the arrival of the steamer Bangor, from Boston, hav- ing on board the Representative-Hon. Gorham Parks -- from Washington, there was a large gathering of the people. Among these were Whigs who felt aggrieved by the course of Mr. Parks in Congress, who, as they said, grossly misrepresented the interests of the whole country by his treatment of a memorial they had intrusted to him to present to Congress requesting a survey of a military road from the Kennebec waters to the Bangor line, had treated a respectful memorial with contempt, and had boasted of being elected by seventeen hundred majority. In the crowd, and doubtless among the Whigs, were un- mannerly people who hissed, groaned, and taunted Mr. Parks by shouting "seventeen hundred majority !" This, of course, excited Mr. Parks and his political friends, and afforded them an opportunity to arraign the whole Whig party of the district for insulting and persecuting their member of Congress for expressing his convictions and acting in accordance therewith.

Such demonstrations were disapproved by reflecting Whigs, whatever they may have thought of Mr. Parks's course, as impolitic, to say the least; but the mischief was done and all the Whigs alike had to suffer the con- sequences.

At the next election Mr. Parks was returned to Con- gress by an increased vote in Bangor, which was 577, while his vote at his first election was 481 against his competitor, Edward Hutchinson, which was 448. His competitor in 1834, however, was Edward Kent, whose vote in Bangor was 873 against Park's 577.

The political campaign was conducted with great bit- terness this year. With Nathaniel Haynes conducting the Republican and Samuel Upton the Whig, and both ridiculing and blackening each other-the former calling the latter and his party Federalists-as if it were the most degrading of all epithets-and the latter spelling the name of the former "Gnat," and stigmatizing his party as Tories, they made their respective papers very uninter- esting, excepting to themselves and partisans as bitter as themselves. 1

The candidate of the Democrats for Governor was Robert P. Dunlap; of the Whigs, Peleg Sprague. The Democratic candidate for Representative to Congress was Gorham Parks; of the Whigs, Edward Kent.

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 166

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