USA > Maine > Waldo County > Unity > History of Unity, Maine > Part 5
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Whether beneficent graces are born with the man, or whether they are acquired, Walter Brackett has used them most graciously, and while helping himself to a happier life, he has spread their sunny influence upon all who have been fortunate enough to know him, and have companionship with him.
While he has toiled with the brush, his inspiration, his impulse, his genius, and his skilful touch have given life and energy to convas.
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History of Unity, Maine
He has made the beauties that grace the seas, the world's forest streams, and its silvery lakes, grace and adorn the homes, and entrance the lives of admiring men, women and children.
Still, because truth must be told, it must be said that Walter Brackett's salmon sometimes disturb the poise of those who look upon them. They are so full of life and energy that admiration is often startled by the sudden fear that they may dart away to their natural haunts, and find a hiding place under the shelving rocks of some deep, dark pool of the rushing mountain waters.
While we admire Walter Brackett's creations, in the field of art, for their richness and beauty, we admire the man the more for the richness, the sim- plicity, and the beauty of his life. Whether he talks to you of the closer and sweeter companionships of life-the acme of art-the sports of the woods, the streams, and the seas-the reposeful life of the camp, in the forests, under the starlit blue skies of the north -the magic spell of the wondrous eloquence of Inger- soll-the strangeness, and the mysteries, of the ca- prices of Rufus Choate, or of Edwin Booth-or of Webster and his cavernous eyes, and his stately walk as he appeared upon the streets of Boston-he is ever a man of fascinating interest.
He is happy and safe in his ninety years; and he has made this world better by living in it. He will brighten the broader sphere when he enters there, yet may his years here be many and happy.
With affection and esteem for Mr. Brackett, I remain,
Sincerely yours,
EDGAR ALDRICH.
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History of Unity, Maine
THE DINGLEY FAMILY
Nearly eighty years ago, Mr. Nelson Dingley of Durham, Maine, moved into this town, and at once took a prominent place in town affairs. He purchased the place now known as the Methodist parsonage, and built the store now owned by C. Boyce Mitchell, where he engaged in trade.
He had at that time one son, Nelson Dingley, Jr., who afterward made a name for himself in the polit- ical life of his state and country. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1855, edited the Lewiston Journal for twenty years, served in the legislature (1862-73), was elected governor in 1874, and elected to Congress in 1881. He was chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. His name survives in the Dingley Tariff Bill, passed in 1897.
Frank Lambert Dingley, brother of Nelson, Jr., was born in Unity, Maine. He is a graduate of Bow- doin College, and is the present editor of the Lewiston Journal.
THE CHASE FAMILY
Members of the Chase family, as has been men- tioned earlier, were among our earliest settlers. Wil- liam Chase, 1st, and Mary, his wife, came to America with Governor Winthrop in 1630 and settled in Rox- - bury, Mass. One of his descendants, Stephen Chase, 5th, born in Durham, Maine, and his wife, Hannah Blethen, born in Swansea, Mass., came to Unity in 1782. "They raised a family of ten children, three boys and seven girls, nearly all of whom settled in Unity. Descendants of the Chase family have always remained with us as men respected and influential. George C. Chase, born in this town, is now the presi- dent of Bates College, a man, well known in the educa- tional circles, of New England.
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History of Unity, Maine
DR. JOHN T. MAIN
Among the older people, the name of Doctor Main is always spoken with respect, and they will tell you at once that he was not only a fine physician, but a gentleman of the first order, whose influence was always toward the uplifting of all with whom he came in contact. For a number of years he was the only doctor in Unity, where he had a large practice.
Dr. Main was born in Albion, May 25, 1831. By the law of heredity, young Main, whose father was a teacher as well as a farmer, showed an aptitude for study. He taught school in Freedom and Thomaston, and was sent to China Academy, to the Medical Col- lege at Castleton, Vermont, and finally to Harvard, where he was a private tutor. He was for some years a private pupil of Oliver Wendell Holmes, giving special attention to microscopy. He married Miss Ferrie Williams and settled in Unity. They had one son, Dr. Frederick W. Main of Jackson, Michigan.
During the Civil War, Dr. Main served as assistant surgeon in the Second Maine Regiment. In 1872 he went to Jackson, Michigan, where he became one of the well-known physicians of central Michigan. He belonged to the Masonic Fraternity and was also a member of the G. A. R.
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LAKE WINNECOOK
In early times the stretch of water lying to the northwest of Unity Village was called the "Twenty- five Mile Pond," because of its distance from Fort Halifax. During the childhood of the older citizens and up to fairly recent times, it was designated by the simple name of "Unity Pond." It was a good fish- ing ground on dull days when there chanced to be
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History of Unity, Maine
spare time, and the pond lilies attracted in the summer season, but no one guessed the possibilities hidden away in its blue depths and pine groves for many years. In later years this piece of water has been called "Lake Winnecook."
The lake is seven miles long and three miles wide. It is bounded by the towns of Unity, Troy and Burn- ham, Unity lying on the south and easterly sides. The section of land beyond the cemetery, extending into the lake toward Burnham, was named "The Horse- back," the extreme north end was called "The Point." At some seasons of the year, the water is very low between this and the Burnham shore, and used to be forded by a few daring ones like Ephraim Braley. Near the end of "The Horseback" was the Indian bur- ial ground. Before the railroad was built, this was one of the finest sections of land to be found.
The lake was well stocked with shad and alewives before dams were built on the rivers. I have heard old people say that when the wind was northerly, the fish would be driven into the cove in such numbers that one could take a basket and dip them up. Gibbs Tilton was very fond of fishing; his favorite place was the deep hole near the northeast end of "The Horse- back." The boys envied Uncle Gibbs his skill, for he always had a good catch. Some of the boys-and I think Editor Dingley was one of them-used to say that his luck was caused by the spitting of tobacco juice on the bait. As a fisherman, he was followed by "Didymus" Thompson, who had great luck in catch- ing pickerel.
» Soon after the railroad was built, considerable ice was cut in the lake for shipment, but owing to the cost of transportation, the work was given up, and now only enough for local consumption is harvested.
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History of Unity, Maine
There was a time when George Fred Terry, F. A. Whitehouse, Albert Bacon and others were greatly interested in iceboating, but that has passed.
The lake is now a great pleasure resort in summer. Cottages have been built on its shores, motorboats may be seen conveying summer visitors across the lake, while on smaller boats the young of both sexes exhibit their skill in capturing the wily bass, the elusive pick- erel and the pretty little perch with which these waters abound.
CAMP WINNECOOK
Camp Winnecook for boys is under the direction of Herbert L. Rand, principal of the Training School, State Normal School, Salem, Mass. The camp was established in 1903, and ranks high among camps for boys.
I quote from Mr. Rand's booklet :
"This camp has one of the most beautiful and healthful locations to be found in New England. The lake is seven miles long and three miles wide. Its water is as clear as crystal and as pure as spring water. The camp occupies a tract of twenty-five acres „of fine forest, having a westerly slope to the water's edge,
,1 The purpose of this camp is to develop in its boys a worthy character, to make them sound and vigorous of body and mind, to weave their days into a larger pattern, and draw the outline of a more self-reliant type of boy.
WINDEMERE PARK
This park is situated upon the east shore of Lake Winnecook, one mile from Unity Village. It was pur-
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History of Unity, Maine
chased from Eben F. Thompson by the Unity Lake Land and Improvement Association, and covers thirty acres. One-half of the lot is covered with noble pines, and thrifty cedar and fir trees, making it one of the healthiest spots to be found-an ideal resting place. ;
For eleven years, James R. Taber was president and general manager of the association. When he took charge, there was no water upon the place. A meeting of the stockholders was called to see what action they would take about piping water from a spring which they owned, about one-half mile distant. Authority was given to do this work. Capt. Chas. Baker, James R. Taber and L. H. Mosher were placed in charge. The job cost $700.00.
Hon. A. J. Billings, then a member of the State Senate, took some of the water to the State Board of Health at Augusta for analysis. Doctor Billings re- ceived the following letter :
Hon. A. J. Billings,
Senate Chamber,
Augusta, Maine.
Dear Sir: On a separate sheet herein enclosed, I give the figures obtained in the analysis of the sample of water sent by Mr. Libby, February 25. The result shows no evidence of polluting matter, and there is almost complete absence of all organic matter ..... It is a good and pure water for drinking purposes, with a medium degree of hardness.
Yours truly, A. G. YOUNG, Secretary.
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Analysis of Spring Water at Windemere Park
Silica 48.15; alumina 32.5; magnesia 10.14; proto- prid of mangonese 0.28; protoprid of iron 7.92; water 0.5, equals 99.49.
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History of Unity, Maine
The Clough Veteran Association, G. A. R., have a large memorial hall at Windemere, built in 1896, where the , veterans of the G. A. R. and their friends meet annually on the 13th of August for a reunion. Gor- ham Clough gave liberally for the building of this hall, ably assisted by the Hon. A. J. Billings of Freedom.
Windemere Lodge and Cottages: The Park hotel, a commodious and attractive building, well fitted up for the convenience and pleasure of summer visitors, is under the management of Norman J. Merrill. Eighteen or twenty cottages, some under the hotel management, others owned by private individuals, are filled each summer with visitors.
Along the shore, both to the north and south of Win- demere, are the summer homes, both of our own citi- zens and of those who came to us as strangers, but who in their long sojourn with us have been adopted as friends.
THE UNITY CENTENNIAL
On July 4, 1904, Unity celebrated her one hun- dredth birthday. A few days later, the following account was printed in one of our dailies. As it con- tains all details, I give it exactly as it then appeared.
The one hundredth anniversary of the incorpora- tion of the town of Unity, and the one hundred and twenty-eighth of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was observed Monday by a celebration such as has seldom been seen within the boundaries of Waldo county.
Gurney A. Stevens was marshal of the day, with George B. Pillsbury, Arthur Rand, and W. S. Libby 1 as aids.
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History of Unity, Maine
On all the committees the names of leading citizens were placed. Hon. James R. Taber was chosen presi- dent, and has labored faithfully to this end. This gentleman has been a member of the State Senate for two terms, and has held the positions of superin- tendent of town schools and postmaster for almost twenty unbroken years. He is president of the Winde- mere Park Association, church trustee, and holds other important positions in the town and society affairs. To the present affair he has brought ripe judgment and unflagging zeal, and now has the pleasure of knowing that his labors have not been in vain.
Another indefatigable worker in this celebration has been Dr. J. E. Cook, of the school board, and one of the prominent physicians of Waldo county. Upon the shoulders of this gentleman has fallen a large share of the burdens of the day, and he has been a powerful factor in its success. As chairman of the entertainment committee, he has had full charge of getting up the parade, and this feature alone has been worth going miles to see. Never has anything of a like nature been undertaken on so great a scale here before, and never has anything been carried out with "such perfect success in every detail.
The other committees were as follows: Recep- tion, L. H. Mosher, chairman, Dr. W. G. Fuller, C. E. Mitchell, Crosby Fowler and George Mosher. With each of these gentlemen were associated their wives, and to their tact and diplomacy much of the success of this committee was due.
The committee on music was made up of F. M. Fairbanks, E. D. Chase and Dr. E. M. Soule. All the affairs connected with printing and advertising were : { conducted by E. D. Chase, Dr. C. M. Whitney and F. A. Whitehouse.
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History of Unity, Maine
Not least among these various committees was the one on fireworks, and this was composed of J. A. Ad- ams, L. S. Knights and Dr. E. M. Soule. These com- mitteemen had to arrange a vast amount of details, as anyone who has ever got up one of these celebrations must know. They did it, however, and they did it well.
The procession was led by the marshal, mounted, followed by the Second Regiment band of Belfast, numbering 21 pieces. Next came the town officers, special guests and old residents in carriages.
The first float was an allegorical representation of "Liberty." The goddess was represented by Miss Edna Whitten, and she was attended by twenty-five young ladies, all dressed in white.
Lyle Stevens and Miss Isador Stevens, representing George and Martha Washington, followed, mounted.'
The float following had for its subject, "An Old- fashioned Kitchen." Howard Taylor drove, accom- panied by Clifford Whitten.
Next in line came Freedom Lodge, K. of P., 16 men, and a small delegation from Burnham Lodge.
A feature of the parade was a decorated pony cart driven by Master Borden Granger.
Following this was a float advertising Sprague's fly killer, driven by E. B. Moulton.
Next in line came several antiquated vehicles. F. A. Bartlett drove a rig of the style of 1776. He was accompanied by Miss Thompson in antiquarian cos- tume. In addition to the time-worn condition of the wagon, the style was also followed in respect to the harness, which had wooden hames without the collar. J. S. Rollins drove an outfit, the carriage dating from 1804, while Crosby Fowler and John M. Thompson rode in a one-horse phaeton built in 1838. Mr.
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History of Unity, Maine .
Thompson is the oldest man in Unity, being in his 75th year. In contrast, A. H. Winters of Waterville and C. E. Stevens drove up-to-date turnouts.
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Considerable interest was aroused by the exhibit of the Portland Packing Company, on whose float was a miniature corn shop in full operation.
The fact that the occasion was a patriotic one was emphasized by the presence of the members of the G. A. R., led by a drum corps. Some were on foot and others were in carriages. Unity's contribution to the list of the preservers of the Union was a generous - one, but the number of survivors is rapidly decreasing.
The Twentieth Century Kitchen" was a fine exhibit furnished by Adams, & Knight. Not only did it show the full equipment, but also the busy housewife was present to add human interest to the display.
The first duty of the Maine pioneers after they had felled the trees, uprooted the stumps and removed the boulders was plowing the ground, and this was ably illustrated by E. E. Getchell and A. J. Harding. Two pairs of oxen, driven by the former, pulled a plow in the hands of the latter. The costumes were true to life, and the accessories corresponded well. The plow was of the type of 1798. The same scheme of con- trast which was followed elsewhere in the parade here held sway. Directly behind appeared the latest thing in plows, a "nobby" article, drawn by one horse. This latter exhibit was furnished by B. R. Hunt & Son.
The Sunny Vale Farm, J. H. Ames, proprietor, and the Crescent Shore Farm, Wilbur E. Reynolds, propri- etor, furnished respectively a harrow and a potato planter, both of the newest type. A sprayer, drawn by one horse, was exhibited by George Webb.
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History of Unity, Maine
Much admiration was aroused by the fancy grocery exhibit of L. H. Mosher.
" A fine appearance was presented by Invictus Lodge, No. 38, I. O. O. F., which had 41 'men in line."The centennial year will be marked by still another event, when in September their fine new hall, now in process of erection, will be dedicated.
Considerable laughter was occasioned along the line by an ox team with clowns in black faces. The driver was George Braley, and the following were the members of the chorus that sang along the route: Mont Lassell, Benjamin Jones, Milton Lovejoy, Bertie Braley, Ralph E. Reynolds, Oramendal Braley, E. W. Reynolds and R. B. Hillman.
More farm machinery followed. A horse hay-fork was displayed by E. M. Jones. Leslie Bennett carried a scythe and an old-fashioned short-tined hay-fork. Frank Harding drove a mowing machine for B. R. Hunt & Son, Paul Ames a tedder and Wilbur C. Nutt a hay-rake for the same firm.
A hayrack load of school children from various parts of the town was chaperoned by Miss Grace Bart- lett, one of the teachers. --
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Miss Lelia Smith drove a rig that caused many a pleased exclamation from onlookers. The carriage was prettily decorated with daisies, the color scheme being yellow and white. Her companion was Miss Edith Frost.
- C. C. Fowler's creamery exhibit was driven by Herbert Whitten.
Green and white was the color scheme of the dec- orations displayed by Miss Grace Pendleton and Miss Ellen Reynolds. Daisies were used to advantage, and the effect was very pleasing.
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History of Unity, Maine
To the interest of the parade from the manufac- turers' standpoint, W. H. J. Moulton & Son contributed largely. Their exhibit was a dray load of spool bars, shingles, laths and clapboards.
Herbert Mitchell was the driver of a float bearing an old-fashioned flax pounder and wheel and a rag- carpet loom.
A squad of reapers with sickles was next in order. They were Rufus C. Danforth, J. H. West, William Hamlin and James Dickey. Following came a Mc- Cormick reaper, driven by George Mosher.
The Unity band appeared in black face, but ren- dered some lively selections, nothwithstanding. The driver of their float was Herbert West, and the mem- bers of the band who participated were Harry West, Frank Tozier, Frank Ross, Luville Whitten, Dr. Soule, Shepard Shute and Seth Pendleton.
A unique feature of the parade was an "automo- bile." It was a home-made affair. From the rear projected a pair of shafts, and in these a horse was fastened. George Parsons steered the outfit, .while Ernest Hogg gave attention to the source of motive power.
The following, dressed as clowns, occupied the float representing the old-fashioned trades from Unity Plantation : Perley Getchell, Arthur Marr, Mott Rey- nolds, James Bacon, James Brown, George Bickford, Irving Ryant, F. W. Danforth, H. C. Stover, Herbert Cook and Robert Styles.
Next in order came a well-mounted troupe of "rough riders," as follows: Warren Spinney, Fitz Hamilton, Lynne Stevens, Edwin Webb, Everett Jones, Arthur Goodrich, C. A. Means, A. W. Spaulding, Nel-
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History of Unity, Maine
son Rackliffe, Delmont Gerry, C. W. Willey, H. L. Waning, C. A. Harding, N. W. Pushor.
"The Barge of State" was a prettily decorated float occupied by twenty-eight girls. J. A. Winters was the driver.
Six boys constituted the Unity juvenile fire depart- ment, and they were thoroughly equipped with a hand- tub, hose and a ladder.
The last, but not by any means the least, amusing feature of the parade was A. L. Bennett in diabolical costume, bearing the legend, "And the devil came also."
Such was the great parade, which was witnessed hy fully 2000 persons. It was not a mere agglomera- tion of haphazard contrivances, but it showed through- out a plan that had been carefully executed. All praise is due the indefatigable members of the various com- mittees and the participants.
The literary exercises came at 1.30 P. M. The crowd, now greatly increased, gathered on the Central House grounds, where the speakers were to make their addresses. Hon. J. R. Taber presided, and called on the local pastor, Mr. C. H. Ross, for prayer. Pres- ident Taber then gave the historical address, which was followed by President Chase's address and the reading of the Centennial Poem.
WELCOME AND HISTORICAL NOTES READ AT THE UNITY CENTENNIAL BY HON. JAMES R. TABER
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have gathered today to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of our town. One hundred years of continuous growth and contin-
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History of Unity, Maine
uous prosperity lie behind us. In 1804, the primeval forest stood here undisturbed save where, here and there, some hardy settler had made a clearing for his home. In 1904 a prosperous town has taken its place.
As we recalled the past, as we recalled that from which we have developed, it seemed fitting that we should celebrate our progrss and that we should invite to rejoice with us those who are interested in the present development of the town, and those who also knew it in its earlier days.
You have responded loyally to the summons, and, in the name of the citizens of Unity, I welcome you here today. Come to our homes-they stand open to you; appeal to our hospitality-you will not find it lacking; visit the scenes of your childhood-you will be welcome.
You are our guests. It is our pleasure to' make you feel that you have indeed come home; that the old town welcomes back her sons and daughters with joy and pride, and asks in return only their loyalty and support.
The human mind has always a passion for begin- nings, for the first things in a man's or nation's life, and it is for the gratification of this natural interest that I have been asked to give before this assembly a few facts which I have gathered from time to time concerning the beginnings and early history of Unity.
It is only a few days since I was informed that this labor would devolve upon me, otherwise I might have presented the subject matter in greater detail and more pleasing form.
A hundred and twenty-five years ago, Unity was. like the greater part of Maine, all forest land. Not
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History of Unity, Maine
an axe nor a hammer had been heard within its limits. Occasionally, a wandering Indian passed through, or a settler in search of a home, but that was all, until two of the latter, Carter and Ware, journeying across the country, pitched their tent near the outlet of Unity pond and finally settled there. -
. : This is the first settlement of which we have any record, and the first name by which the town was known was the Twenty-five Mile Pond Plantation, so called from its distance from Fort Halifax in Wins- low, which still stands. It was at the time of the Indian troubles and the new settlers were soon driven from their home, but when these difficulties had ceased, Carter returned and became the founder of one of the early families of the town.
In 1782, Stephen Chase, many of whose descendants are today citizens of Unity, came riding through the forest with his family, a strong, hardy man, ready to battle with difficulties in clearing and settling the new land. His settlement was on the "horseback," near the east shore of the pond, but later he built the first frame barn and frame house in the town, on the site now occupied by the residence of F. A. Whitten.
Stephen Chase was a preacher of the Society of Friends, and for many years ministered to the people in that capacity. He lived to the age of eighty years, and his wife attained the remarkable age of one hun- dred 'and six years. .
A few years after Mr. Chase's settlement, in the field notes of Hayden, the surveyor, this minute was made: "I found upon the stream leading from Unity pond to the Sebasticook a man by the name of Mitchell, building a mill upon what I called a very good mill priv- ilege." This was on the site of the present Moulton Mill. The first grist mill of which we have any knowl-
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History of Unity, Maine
edge was built upon the rapids, just above this. A' rude dam was constructed, and water conducted through a hollow log, onto an overshot wheel, which furnished power for the mill.
Civilization having advanced thus far, new settlers were not lacking. Between 1792 and 1810, the fol- lowing men came to the town: Clement Rackliff, Benjamin and Lemuel Bartlett from Limington; Sim- eon Murch from Gorham; John Melvin from Manches- ter, N. H., the latter settling on a farm now owned by his grandson, John Thompson. This same Mr. Melvin brought with him apple seeds and planted the first orchard in the town.
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