USA > Maine > Waldo County > Belfast > History of the city of Belfast in the state of Maine v.I, 1770-1875 > Part 33
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
Under the style of George B. Moore & Co. and Wing & Moore (Mr. Moore being editor), the "Journal " was published until April, 1855, when J. G. Dickerson, now a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, purchased the interest of Wing; and a new partnership, called Moore & Dickerson, was formed. In May, 1858, the estab- lishment was sold to William H. Simpson, the present editor and. proprietor. Mr. Moore continued the editorial management a: short time, when he was appointed inspector of the customs at Camden. In 1862, he became associate editor of the " Portland Argus," and subsequently chief editor of the "Daily Adver- tiser " of that city, which position he occupied at the time of his death, March 15, 1864. He was born in Searsmont, in 1826. He enjoyed only the educational advantages afforded by the district school ; but the natural quickness of his mind, and a certain aptitude for literary studies, enabled him to acquire all kinds of learning with astonishing rapidity, to speedily outstrip both school and teacher, and to attain to much that usually belongs to the highest grade of scholarly culture. About the year 1843, he entered the office of the "Republican. Journal," then published by the Brothers Griffin, to learn the trade of a printer. Mr. Benjamin Griffin, who at that time edited the paper, perceiving in the young man more than ordinary capacity, took pains to encourage him in his studies and the development of his powers, and while yet a boy in years he had contributed to the columns of the paper articles that attracted attention.
As an editor, Mr. Moore achieved a marked success. He intro- duced a style of writing new to the newspaper press of this State, - a manner of dealing with every-day events, remarkable for its freshness, conciseness, and playful humor. His political articles were philosophical rather than practical, but they were always made brilliant and attractive by apt allusions, curious quotations, and a warm glow of humor. In that rare faculty of paragraphing, of saying much in a few words, Mr. Moore was unrivalled. He was an antagonist to be feared in a politi- cal controversy, for he comprehended at once his adversary's situation, he perceived its weak points, and he possessed the dangerous faculty of overwhelming with wit and ridicule those. whom he could not confound by argument. Still, he infused little or no bitterness into political controversy, and reckoned among his warm personal friends many active opponents of the
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NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS.
Democratic party. Outside of the political arena none was more ready to forget its controversies, and to soften the asperities of life by the cheerful, friendly courtesies of social intercourse. He bestowed a great amount of mental labor upon the paper in the first years of his editorship, - too much for his health, which felt its effect in after years.
During the last four years of his life, he was afflicted with a painful rheumatic complaint, which finally terminated his life. He died like Macbeth " with harness on his back," his last editorial article having been published on the day of his death.
Few men possessed those generous qualities which win friend- ship in a greater degree than George B. Moore. Courteous in manner, kindly in heart, fluent and fascinating in conversation, he found a place in the love and regard of all with whom he lived. His death caused a pang of regret to hundreds of acquaintances and friends to whom he had become greatly endeared, and in their memories he will always be pleasantly associated with the recollections of early manhood.1
At the United States Court holden at Bangor on the 4th of August, 1864, Mr. Simpson was indicted under an Act of Con- gress passed in 1862, which rendered giving aid and comfort to the Rebellion a penal offence. The indictment contained two counts ; the first alleging that an article published in the " Jour- nal " of July 22, 1864, entitled " More Victims for the Slaughter called for," constituted a violation of law. The second charge was general ; merely following the language of the statute, but omitting all specification of any act. There was no pretence that he had aided or assisted the Rebellion otherwise than by the article referred to. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and recognized for future appearance. At a subsequent term of court, W. H. McCrillis, Esq., of Bangor, his counsel, argued, in support of a. demurrer, that the article in question embraced no offence. This position was sustained by Judge Ware, who intimated that, if the government relied upon its publication alone to sustain the general charge, he should rule that it was insufficient to convict. The District Attorney admitted that his only proof of an offence was the newspaper article. Accordingly, a nol. pros. was entered, and the respondent discharged.
The " Journal " was suspended on the second day of December, 1864, with the assurance to its patrons that, " as soon as a changed
1 Republican Journal.
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
condition of the country and more encouraging business pros- pects should permit," its publication would be resumed. That promise was redeemed on the 20th of July, 1866, when the paper reappeared, enlarged in form, and in an improved style of execution.
During a period of nearly fifty years, the principles of the "Journal " have remained unaltered, although its local habitation has been repeatedly changed. Its first office of publication, in a wooden building on Main Street, nearly opposite the American House, was destroyed by fire Jan. 22, 1834, the iron press being broken and the forms destroyed. Temporary quarters were found in Mechanics' Row, in a portion of what is now the stable on High Street, occupied by the Belfast Livery Company, where it continued its existence until the following November. From that time until May 25, 1837, the office was over the store of John S. Caldwell, and thence migrated to No. 12 Phoenix Row, remaining there until July 8, 1842. Then it was removed to the eastern end of the Telegraph Block. From Aug. 25, 1843, to December, 1850; the office was at No. 10 Main Street. It was removed to the third story of the City Block in December, 1850, and thence, in June, 1873, to the building on Church Street, owned and fitted up by the present proprietor.
In chronological order, the next newspaper established in Bel- fast was "The Maine Farmer and Political Register." It was a weekly sheet, in size about twenty by fourteen inches, well printed, and conducted with ability. The printing materials came from Castine, where they had been used for the " Eastern American.". Benjamin Bond, the proprietor of that paper, and Edward Palmer, brother of Charles Palmer, and son of the late Benjamin Palmer, were the proprietors. Mr. Palmer afterwards became a Unitarian minister. He now resides in New York. Mr. Bond died several years since. William Stevens, Esq., acted as editor. The first number appeared April 8, 1829, and the last in October of the following year. Until Oct. 28, 1829, the office of publication was in the Babel : it was then removed to chambers over the store of P. & E. T. Morrill on Main Street, where the Granite Block now stands.
From the dissolution of the "Farmer" arose the "Maine- Workingmen's Advocate," another weekly paper, which com- menced Nov. 3, 1830. The proprietor was John Dorr, now of Augusta, to whom the subscription list of the " Farmer " had been
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NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS.
transferred, and probably the office also, as the size and typography of each paper appear identical. Its political character was Federal, or Whig. Samnel Upton, Esq., a prominent politician, was the first editor. Mr. Upton removed to Bangor in 1833, where he conducted the " Bangor Courier." He died in Washington, .in 1842. With the commencement of the fifth volume of the " Ad- vocate," it took the name of the " American Advocate." It was discontinued April 28, 1836. The office of publication was destroyed Jan. 22, 1834, in the same fire which burned that of the " Journal." The next office was in the Babel.
. In 1836, serious dissensions occurred among the Democrats of Waldo County relative to a Congressional nomination ; and the " Belfast Intelligencer," a rival of the " Journal," was established by Frederick P. Ingalls, now a constable in Boston. Joseph William- son was its editor and principal proprietor. The prospectus say's, "Believing virtue and intelligence to constitute the main pillars on which our liberties rest, no pains will be spared to render our paper a standard of good morals, of correct information, and of literary taste." The first number appeared November 17. At the expiration of a year, the establishment was removed to Frank- fort, now Winterport, where under the name of "The Intelli- gencer " the paper continued until Jan. 12, 1839.1 The office of publication here was at No. 10 Phoenix Row.
. The removal of the " Intelligencer " was soon followed by the issue of a Whig paper, called the " Waldo Patriot." John Dorr was its publisher, and Solyman Heath, Esq., now of Waterville, its editor. It was a weekly sheet, of medium size, and well printed. The first number appeared Jan. 1, 1838. Pecuniarily, the paper is believed to have been unremunerative; and at the close of the first volume it was united with the " Kennebec Jour- nal," at Angusta, of which Mr. Dorr became a proprietor.
An enthusiastic political campaign in 1840 demanded another Whig organ in Waldo County ; and, on the 17th of October, Charles Giles, a practical printer (who a few months before had made an ineffectual attempt to establish a paper to be called the " Democratic Standard "), gave to the public the first number of the " Waldo Signal."2 On the 26th of June, 1845, its size was
1 A paper called the "Waldo Gazette " succeeded the "Intelligencer," at Frankfort. It had an existence of eight months, from March to Nov. 2, 1839.
. 2 The number of subscribers was 450. In 1842, an edition of one thousand copies was printed.
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
enlarged, and the name changed to "State Signal." Isaac N. Felch, afterwards Deputy Collector, edited it until the termina- tion of the seventh volume, Oct. 27, 1847, when a change of name and of proprietors took place. William L. Avery, of Belfast, and Horace K. Kimball, who a few weeks previously had started the "New Planet," became the new owners, and united both papers under the title of "Signal and Planet." This name was re- tained until Nov. 2, 1848, when the old one of "State Signal " was resumed. Mr. Felch subsequently removed to Gorham, where he died in 1870. For a short time, he was editor of the " Portland Evening Star." Mr. Giles engaged in mercantile pur- suits, and was postmaster from 1849 to 1853. At an early period of the Rebellion, he enlisted in the Fourteenth Maine Regiment, and was killed in the battle of Baton Rouge, Aug. 5, 1862.
On the 10th of January, 1849, the firm of Avery & Kimball was dissolved. The former continued to be editor and proprietor. His connection with the paper ceased March 3, 1853, by a sale to D. H. Prime, of Vermont, who changed the name to " Belfast Signal." Mr. Avery afterwards edited the " Daily Times" at Troy, N. Y. Both Mr. Avery and Mr. Kimball now reside in New York City. Under the new ownership, prosperity did not attend the " Signal;" and in November, 1853, it was sold to J. R. Stephens & Co., who published a few numbers of the fourteenth volume. It was finally discontinued Feb. 3, 1854, and the subscription list transferred to the "Kennebec Journal." The first office of the "Signal" was that formerly occupied by the " Republican Journal," over the store of John S. Caldwell. It was removed to No. 45 Main Street, Oct. 26, 1848, and to No. 10, above the American House, in 1851.
The "New Planet," of which mention has been made, was a weekly folio sheet, with seven large columns on each page. It was independent and high-toned in character, expressing its own opinions upon men and measures, openly and fearlessly. William L. Avery was the editor. After sixteen numbers had appeared, its union with the "Signal " took place as stated above, on the 27th of October, 1847. The office of publication was over the store of Faunce & White, on Main Street.
In March, 1844, another rival of the "Journal " appeared, called the "People's Advocate and Independent Democrat." It was printed weekly, by Lewis Richardson, at No. 10 Phoenix Row, " for the proprietors," who had organized the "Freedom
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NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS.
party." The subscription price was one dollar and a half in ad- vance. It gave a cordial support to the regular National and State Democratic candidates, but opposed the local nominations. Nehemiah Abbott was the editor. The paper did not reach the close of a second volume. Mr. Richardson afterwards published a paper at Rockland, where he died in 1867.
A small weekly campaign paper was issued from the office of the " Republican Journal," for a few months previous to the presi- dential election of 1848.
In May, 1848, Messrs. Rowe & Griffin commenced publishing the "Common School Advocate," a semi-monthly sheet of a quarto form. The editorial department was conducted by Wil- liam G. Crosby, Secretary of the Board of Education. The second volume was increased in size, each number containing eight pages. It was discontinued Aug. 1, 1849.
"The Progressive Age," a weekly paper, which advocated the principles of the then new Republican party, was established July 1, 1854. It was at first intended only as a campaign organ, and was edited by "an association of gentlemen." T. J. Bur- gess was the first publisher, at No. 45 Main Street. Originally, it was of small dimensions; but, with the increase of the political organization which it represented, its size was extended, and it became a large and influential sheet. William M. Rust soon became the sole editor and proprietor. Under his charge it con- tinues to be ably and successfully conducted. From 1862 to June, 1873, the office of publication was at No. 30 Church Street, when it was removed to its present quarters in City Block.
After a quiet of ten years, local discord again disturbed the harmony of the Democratic party ; and on June 15, 1854, the " Maine Free Press," a large and well-printed weekly paper, an- tagonistic to the "Journal," was established by the Hon. E. K. Smart, Collector of the Customs, who edited it. Levi R. Wing was the first publisher, the office being at. No. 4 Phoenix Row. For a few months in 1855, John Abbott assumed the editorial charge. M. V. Stetson then became publisher, and Colonel Smart. again conducted it. In 1857, the establishment was transferred to Rockland, and merged in the " United States Democrat," under the name of "Democrat and Free Press." Colonel Smart died at Camden, Sept. 29, 1872. Mr. Wing and Mr. Stetson reside in Boston.
: . The only daily paper ever attempted in Belfast was the " Pro-
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
gressive Age Evening Bulletin," a sheet 12 by 8 inches, which was issued every afternoon from April 24 to June 29, 1861, and con- tained all the evening despatches concerning the Rebellion. Under the name of the " Evening Bulletin," it was revived on March 10, of the following year, by Messrs. Pillsbury and Bur- gess. But twenty-six numbers of the new series appeared.
The "Locomotive," a sprightly little sheet, was published by the ladies of the Unitarian Fair, in December, 1867. It was con- ducted by Miss Rebecca S. Palfrey. Among the contributors were Mrs. W. H. Burrill, Caroline C. Williamson, W. G. Crosby, W. H. Simpson, John H. Quimby and Carl F. Palfrey.
The " Union Banner " was commenced in January, 1870, by Lucius H. Murch, who was editor, publisher, and proprietor. It was a monthly royal quarto of eight pages, and continued one year.
The " Belfast Advertiser," a small folio of sixteen columns, one-half devoted to advertisements, and with a circulation of, twenty-five hundred copies, first appeared July 1, 1871. On the. 1st of January, 1873, the size was increased ; and it was changed from a monthly. to a weekly paper, under the editorial charge of Emery Boardman. The first proprietors were George E. Brackett and George W. Burgess. The latter is the present publisher. Mr. Boardman resigned the editorial chair, after an experience of two years. He was succeeded by Mr. Brackett.
But a single bound book, the History of Belfast, published in 1827, was ever printed here. The following list comprises all the principal pamphlets whose titles are preserved : -
1821. Communion Sermon. By William Frothingham, A.M., 1 Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Belfast. Published by request of the hearers. Fellowes & Simpson. 18mo.
1822. "The Divinity of Christ consistent with the Unity of God." A sermon preached at Knox, by Rev. Alfred Johnson. Published by request. Price 9d. Fellowes & Simpson. 12mo, pp. 40. (Embodied in the same pamphlet is a discourse by the same author on the "Humanity of Christ.")
1826. Address delivered at the Installation of the Officers of Belfast Lodge, Feb. 15. By Brother Hiram Orlando Alden, Esq. E. Fellowes. 8vo, pp. 16.
1826. Eulogy on Adams and Jefferson. By Alfred Johnson, Jr. Fellowes & Simpson. 8vo.
1827. A History of Belfast, with Introductory Remarks on Acadia. By William White. E. Fellowes. 12mo, pp. 120.
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NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS.
1827. The Maine Primer, or Child's Second Book. F. Fellowes.
.1828. A Disquisition on Creation, Annihilation, the Future Ex- istence and Final Happiness of All Sentient Beings. E, Fellowes. 12mo, pp. 24. . (By Nathan Read, but published anonymously.)
1828. A Sermon delivered Sept. 25, 1827, at the Ordination of the Rev. Nathaniel Wales as Pastor of the First Church in Bel- fast, Maine. By John Smith, Professor of Theology in the Seminary, Bangor. With Charge by Rev. Benjamin Tappan of Augusta, Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Stephen Thurston, and Address to the People by Rev. S. L. Pomeroy, of Bangor. E. - Fellowes. 12mo.
1831. Confession of Faith and Covenant of the First Congre- gational Church in Belfast. John Dorr.
1833. First Annual Report of the Maine Temperance Society. 8vo, pp. 93.
1837. God our only Hope. A Discourse on the Condition and Prospects of our Country, delivered in Belfast, on Fast Day, April 20, 1837, by Silas McKeen, Pastor of the First Congregationalist Church. F. P. Ingalls. 8vo, pp. 29.
1843. New Views upon the Bible, and its Abuses by the Priests. By Jonas S. Barrett. Rowe & Griffin. 12mo, pp. 47.
1843. An Address on Temperance. Delivered before the Wash- ingtonian Societies of Belfast, Feb. 22, 1843, by Alfred Johnson. Charles Giles. 8vo, pp. 16.
1843. Confession of Faith and Covenant, with Ecclesiastical Principles and Rules, adopted by the First Congregational Church in Belfast, and a List of its Members. Charles Giles. 12mo, pp. 16.
1845. An Essay on Creation and Annihilation, the Future Ex- istence and Final State of all Sentient Beings. By Nathan Read, A.M., A.A.S. 12mo, pp. 14. Charles Giles. (A second edition of the same essay published in 1828.)
1850. Report of Committee of Town in relation to Municipal Expenses, with Copy of City Charter. 8vo, pp. 24.
1854. Charter and Ordinances of the City of Belfast, and Rules and Orders of the City Council. 12mo, pp. 43. (Second edition published in 1863.)
1858. The Ball-room Manual. 16mo. H. G. O. Washburn.
1863. History of Phoenix Lodge, No. 24, Belfast. By John L. Locke. 12mo, pp. 25.
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
1863. Centennial Observance of the Birthday of Nathan Griffin, and Gathering of his Descendants at the Old Homestead in Stock- ton, Maine, March 30, 1863, with Original Suggestions. By N. G. Hichborn. 16mo, pp. 8.
1867. Mayor's Address. Delivered before the City Council, March 18, 1867. 8vo, pp. 8.
1867. Constitution and By-laws of the Waldo County Medical Society. 12mo, pp. 8.
1870. Engineer's Report on a Full and Complete Preliminary Survey for the Penobscot Bay and River Railroad. By L. L. Buckland, C.E. G. W. Burgess. 12mo, pp. 10.
1872. Catalogue of Books in the Sears Public Library, Sears- port. 12mo, pp. 36.
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LAW AND THE COURTS.
CHAPTER XXVI.
LAW AND THE COURTS.
The Original County of Lincoln. - First Jurors from Belfast. - Hancock County established. - County Officers. - Court of Common Pleas. - Judge Read. - Circuit Court substituted. - Hon. William Crosby Chief Justice. - Court of Sessions. - Fees of the Bar. - Appearance of Castine during Court-Weeks. - Characteristics of the Early Lawyers. - Measures for dividing the County. - Arguments before the Legislature. - Petition for Knox County. - Waldo County established. - First Officers. - Terms of Courts. - Belfast gives a Court-house. - Description of the Building. - Fire-proof Block. - New Conrt-house built. - Engraving. - Jail and Jailer's Honse huilt. - Old Jail demolished. - Present Jail erected. - First Justice of the Peace. - Town votes to dispense with Stocks. - Codes of By-laws adopted. - Capital Trials. - The Jewells. - Dr. Thayer. - Joseph J. Brown. - John True Gordon. - Wansley the Pirate. - The Salem Murder. - Other Crimes. - Assaults. - Burglaries. - Conrt of Common Pleas re-established. - Superseded by the District Court. - Powers of Supreme Judicial Court enlarged. - Law Court. - Rates of Fees adopted. - First Stenographic Reporter. -- Requirements for Admission to the Bar. - Bankrupt Laws. - Town Court System. - Police Court. - Trial Justices.
N 1773, when Belfast became incorporated, the eastern portion of 1 Maine, from Kennebec River to the St. Croix, was embraced in the county of Lincoln, of which Pownalborough, now Dresden, was the shire town. To this remote place, then only accessible by water, the inhabitants were obliged to resort for such legal business as could not be transacted before a justice of the peace. The first jurors from Belfast who attended court there were Robert Houston and Nathaniel Patterson, in 1791.1 In 1793, Hallowell, now Augusta, was made a half-shire with Pownalborough ; and the following year James Nesmith, whose naine frequently occurs in these pages, served as grand juror at a term of the Supreme Court then first held at the former town. The inhabitants voted to allow him as extra pay "what has been Customary, viz., £1 10s.," the legal compensation being but ninety cents for each day's attendance, and four cents per mile for travel.
1 Voted, "That £3 shall be paid to the jurymen for attending Powhalborough Sessions, . besides what the law will allow." Town records, Sept. 8, 1791.
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
After the Revolution, the remarkable increase of population in this section required a division of the large county of Lincoln ; and in 1789 the General Court established the county of Hancock, named after Governor John Hancock, then the most eminent and popular man in New England. The limits of the new county extended along the coast from Thomaston to the head of the east branch of Gouldsborough River, and northwardly to the boundaries of Canada. Penobscot, now Castine, was made the shire town, and continued as such until 1838, when Ellsworth was substituted. Two terms of the courts of Common Pleas and of the Sessions were appointed to be held at Penobscot in June and September annually, but the Supreme Judicial Court did not sit there until 1801. Within its limits were thirteen incorporated towns and ten plantations. Penobscot, the largest town, had. a population of 1,048, while Belfast numbered only 245, and Bangor 567.
The earliest county officers were Paul Dudley Sargent of Sul- livan, Oliver Parker of Penobscot, and William Vinal of Vinal- haven, Justices of the Common Pleas, and Jonathan Eddy and Joseph Hibbert, Special Justices. Neither of these gentlemen were lawyers. Judge Sargent also occupied the position of Judge of Probate, Judge Eddy being the Register. Thomas Phillips was Clerk of the Courts; Simeon Fowler, of Orrington, Treas- urer; William Webber, of Penobscot, Register of Deeds; and Richard Hunnewell, of the same place, Sheriff. The jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas was original in all civil action where the amount involved exceeded four pounds, subject to appeal from the verdict and judgment to the Supreme Court. It was of this court that Nathan Read was Chief Justice for one year, being appointed in 1810. The following year a circuit sys- tem took its place, by which Maine formed three circuits. Judge William Crosby was commissioned as Chief Justice of the eastern circuit, a position which he held until 1822, when a new court was established, consisting of but three judges for the whole State. The compensation of Judges Read and Crosby was the fees of court,1 no regular salary being prescribed. Until the
1 The fees of the members of the bar, at this period, may be learned from the follow- ing agreement, which was made in 1811 :-
FEES OF THE BAR FOR THE COUNTY OF HANCOCK.
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