USA > Maine > Waldo County > Belfast > History of the city of Belfast in the state of Maine v.I, 1770-1875 > Part 69
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The cure mentioned by Judge Crosby was not always effica- cious, for in 1809 a company clubbed together, determined to try the effects of lynch law upon an offender, who, when under the influence of liquor, used to shamefully abuse his wife, as her screams often indicated. One night, when he was unmercifully beating her, this mob forced open the door, rushed in, and seized him from his bed, and, sitting him bestride a rail, rode him
1 Travels of Liancourt, p. 434. A statement of supplies wanted for laborers on Brigadier's Island this year, rendered by the agent of General Knox, is snggestive of the paper found by Prince Henry in Falstaff's pocket. It specifies two barrels of beef and one barrel of rum.
2 Autobiography of the Hon. William Crosby, written in 1840. Edward A. Kendall, Esq., who made a tour through Maine, in 1807-8, and published an account of his travels, thus speaks of the habits of the people in this section: " When the lum- berer offers his logs or shingles for sale, among the articles he can most readily obtain for them is rum. Rum is supposed to be indispensable to his calling; it is even indis- pensable, as forming with water the common beverage of the country, malt liquors not being in use. Whatever may be the sobriety of his habits, rum is forced upon bim; rum he can obtain, when the market offers him nothing else; rum he carries home; rum is in his house when his house contains nothing else; his wife and children drink rum ; rum becomes a necessity of life, and becomes its destroyer." - Kendall's Travels, III. 88.
" At a short distance from the river (Sheepscot), I passed the house of Doctor Jewell, whose name was conspicuous on a sign-hoard of azure blue, swinging in the wind. But what was the sign ? a golden pestle and mortar ? No ; but a punch-bowl and ladle! The doctor keeps a public house, or, as the term is, a tavern. It is pleasant to see a physi- cian in his bar, mixing toddy instead of juleps, and giving a cordial to those that ask his assistance, without a vile label, - Take two table spoonfuls, g.c. It may be re- marked that, though inns and public houses are kept by the wealthiest traders and farmers in these countries, and by physicians, they are never kept by attorneys at law."-Ibid., 81.
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through the streets, while he was hallooing at the top of his voice, imploring them to release him, and he would promise better fashions. After deeming him sufficiently chastised, they rode him home on the rail and put him to bed again. The next day the (fence) rail was found in front of his house, with this distich inscribed upon it : -
" Old Hamilton's horse is both long and slim: If he whips his wife, he'll ride it agin." 1
Twenty-three persons were licensed as retailers in 1811, and in " 1825 the number had increased to fifty-four. The next year, the duties paid for licenses, amounting to about $300, were significantly appropriated by the town for the support of paupers.2
Although the evil of intemperance throughout the country had long been too obvious and too dreadful not to be the subject of much anxious observation, it was not until 1826 & that benevolent individuals, unaided by the power of the State, and at first with- out much co-operation of public sentiment, entered the field against one of the strongest of the physical appetites. During that year, the " American Society for the Promotion of Temper- ance " was formed at Boston. The facts collected by this associa- tion exhibited such an appalling extent of the existing evil as to amaze those whose solicitude upon the subject had been greatest. In 1830, careful data justified the assertion that, on an average, six gallons of distilled spirits were annually consumed by every man, woman, and child in the United States, and that nearly forty thousand persons died annually victims of intemperance. The condition of a man addicted to the use of intoxicating drinks seemed hopeless ; for, under the almost universal social customs, turn whatsoever way he would, he was met by irresistible solicita- tions to his master appetite; and his dearest friends, and those with whom he had the most familiar intercourse, were unwittingly made by their use of spirits his most fatal snare. The plague of intemperance was in all the land; it was fast coming up into all the dwellings : the nation was emphatically a nation of drunkards.4
1 Locke's Sketches. 2 Town records.
8 This year, the town paid $33.39 for 80} gallons New England rum, furnished high- way surveyors during June. There is a receipted bill of about the same date for the funeral expenses of a pauper, on which one dollar is charged for a coffin and four dol- lars for rum.
4 First Annual Report of the American Temperance Society.
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
From the humble beginning of the American Society arose a mighty reformation, which rapidly carried its triumphs into every part of our country. Early in 1828, its benign influence began to be felt in this section. On the 5th of May, the " Belfast Society for Promoting Temperance" was organized ; but the attendance was small, and interest slow in development.1 "About this time," remarked Judge Johnson, "I addressed a Belfast audience, if about twenty persons could constitute an audience, upon what was then a new and unpopular theme. Even its very novelty seemed dry, and had no charm to interest. The advocates of temperance were then new lights, -reformers starting heretical doctrines and setting up odious practices."> The efforts of the association, however, were persevered in, and public sentiment had so far become changed that in 1829 the town voted "to pass in- definitely an article authorizing the Selectmen to license suitable persons to sell wine and liquors to he drank in their stores or shops." 8 This was considered as a remarkable triumph. " A mighty change," said one of the local newspapers, " seems to have taken place in the public mind with regard to this evil. The temperate drinker is now aimed at; and it is admitted that ' mode- rate drinking is the down-hill road to drunkenness and ruin,' and, instead of its now being considered a mark of politeness to ask a friend to take a . social glass,' those who regard their reputation for temperance are careful not to be seen to put the glass to their lips. We trust that the day is not far distant when the liquid poison will, like other medicines, be confined to the apothecary shops." 4
The first generally attended meeting of the Belfast Society was held on Sunday afternoon, July 9, 1828, when an address was read by Joseph Williamson, Esq. Addresses were delivered Oct. 14, 1829, by the Rev. Mr. Mead, agent for the American Temper- ance Society ; Dec. 15, 1830, by Mr. Edward Palmer ; Jan. 18, 1831, by the Rev. Ferris Fitch ; and March 23, 1831, by Samuel Upton, Esq. The meetings were usually held at the court-house.
A County Temperance Society was formed March 23, 1831. The officers were as follows : Hon. Alfred Johnson, Jr., of Belfast,
1 Waldo Democrat.
2 Temperance address of Hon. Alfred Johnson, Feb. 22, 1843.
8 Yet twenty-four persons and firms were licensed under the general law, which authorized liquors to be sold, but not drank on the premises.
4 Maine Farmer, Oct. 14, 1829.
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president ; Timothy Thorndike, of Brooks, and Charles R. Porter, of Camden, vice-presidents ; Dr. Richard Moody, of Belfast, re- cording secretary ; Samuel P. Benson, of Unity, corresponding secretary ; Philip Morrill, of Belfast, treasurer. That the reform movement continued to exert a salutary influence is manifest from the newspapers of the day. " The Light Infantry made an excursion to Castine, on the Fourth, without a drop of the ardent," says the "Journal" of July 13, 1831 ; and again, on May 2, 1833, the same paper states : "We have in our village six separate ship- yards, and not one allows spirituous liquors to be used on the works."
Counter to this, however, is the first annual report of the Maine Temperance Society, presented by the corresponding secretary, Jan. 23, 1833, which contains the following statements relative to Belfast : -
" Population, 3,077. Society organized Dec. 2, 1830 ; 1 62 male, 17 female members; annual meeting 4th Tuesday in Nov .; no other stated meetings ; always poorly attended ; 31 licensed re- tailers, 17 of whom ' sell by the glass ;' 6 new retailers since 1831 ; laws regulating licenses are not observed; 4 taverns ; 12 retailers have voluntarily abandoned the traffic in ardent spirits ; deaths in 1832, 47; 5 by intemperance ; cases of delirium tre- mens frequently occur ; 1 reformed drunkard ; ardent spirits are in general use by our farmers, shipwrights, and coasters, at military elections and trainings, and at the framing and raising of buildings ; there is much opposition to the cause of Temper- ance in this place, principally from the distillers, the retailers, and the lovers of strong drink, by whose influence a vote of the town interdicting the granting of licenses was rescinded and the floodgates of intemperance again raised.
" A gentleman of that place has communicated to the secretary the fact that, 'in 1827, there were manufactured at the distil- lery in that town 60,150 gallons of rum, of which 5,500 gallons were exported, leaving for consumption within the bay and towns adjacent 54,650 gallons; that, during the past year, the quantity made will rather exceed than fall short of 70,000 gal- lons, and all consumed in the vicinity, including Bangor and the country depending on that place mainly for its supply, being an excess for home consumption, over 1827, of 15,350
1 It was in 1828.
48
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
gallons! This quantity is not supposed to comprise half the actual consumption within the circle thus supplied from this distillery. '"
The "Belfast Temperance Society," formed Feb. 22, 1834, maintained its organization about fifteen years. The first anniver- sary address was delivered in 1840, by Hon. John Holmes, of Thomaston ; followed Feb. 22, 1843, by an address from Hon. Alfred Johnson ; in 1846, by an address from John K. True, Esq., of Montville ; in 1848, by an address from David A. Wasson, of Castine ; and in 1849, by one from the Rev. Edward F. Cutter. The report of this society to the State organization, in 1834, gives the following information : "The result of the best part of a week spent in procuring statistics shows that the amount of ardent spirit sold in Belfast, in 1833, was twenty-six thousand nine hundred and fifty gallons (not including the sales of the distil- lery), at an annual cost to the consumer of eighty cents per gallon, or twenty-one thousand five hundred dollars. Add to this the consequent inattention to business and loss of time (to say nothing of the indebtedness and misery occasioned), and the amount may be stated, without the least exaggeration, at three times that sum, or sixty-four thousand six hundred and eighty dollars. The number of individuals and firms engaged in trade is forty, sixteen of whom retail ardent spirit, and four have aban- doned the traffic the past year. The cost of maintaining paupers is five hundred and fifty dollars, seven out of eight causes originat- ing from strong drink. Five cases of separation of husband and wife from same cause, and five cases of delirium tremens.
" Some respectable individuals have said to your corresponding secretary 1 that the improvements in the habits of the people in regard to intemperance is visibly very great, and that, this fact is acknowledged by all. What must have been their former habits, if they have improved while surrounded with sixteen retail stores and shops where ardent spirits are sold, and four dram-selling taverns, all of which sold in 1833 nearly twenty-seven thousand gallons, and a distillery that manufactures from eight to nine thousand gallons or more, making in the whole probably more than one hundred thousand gallons? Your secretary has often witnessed the intoxication of the teamsters and others who do business at Belfast. He has met from fifteen to twenty teams in
1 Horatio G. K. Calef, now of New York, was the corresponding secretary.
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company, passing from Belfast towards Belmont and Montville late in the afternoon, and every driver but onc apparently asleep, and that one with his face bruised and bloody by a fall. This is not a solitary instance. He never recollects to have travelled into Belfast village in the afternoon from the West, without see- ing many instances of intemperance, that could not have easily been mistaken or overlooked. He has seen some staggering, some holding on the bows of their oxen, and some so intoxicated as to be unable to leave their sleds." 1
A reaction in the progress of the reform seems to have occurred in 1837. Although at the annual town meeting of that year, an article in the warrant, inserted at the request of Lewis Richardson, Timothy Chase, Edward A. Tyler, Samuel A. Moulton, Liberty B. Wetherbee, James W. Webster, Nathaniel H. Bradbury, Cyrus Rowe, and Horatio H. Johnson, requesting the municipal officers not to grant licenses, was passed over a formidable opposition, the vote was subsequently reconsidered, and twenty-four persons received authority to sell. In a discourse delivered by the Rev. Silas McKeen on Fast day, entitled "The Condition and Pros- pects of our Country," and published by request, allusion is made to the sad ravages of intemperance in the community. Rev. Mark Trafton, in an address at about the same time, adverted to the same subject in eloquent terms.
In 1841, a new impulse was given to the cause of temperance, by the " Washingtonian "2 movement, which, originating in Balti- more, soon extended throughout the country. Its basis was love and humanity ; an appeal made to the understanding and to the heart. Moral suasion took the place of legal compulsion. On such a laudable foundation, the " Independent Temperance Society of Belfast " was established on the 19th of May, 1841. Two pledges were adopted ; the first limiting the period of total abstinence to one year, and the second continuing for life. After a few weeks, it was perceived that the last embraced the only true principle, and the first form was annulled. Semi-weekly meetings were held during the summer, and many confirmed drunkards
1 Second Report of the Maine Temperance Society, 1834.
2 The reason for this appellation has never heen given. Washington, although "temperate in all things," never advocated total abstinence. In detailing the dis- tresses of his army to Congress, he mentions the want of rum as much as he does that of provisions. He habitually made use of wine at dinner.
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
were reclaimed.1 Deep public interest continned to be mani- fested, and the results were most gratifying and auspicious. A County Total Abstinence Society was formed at the Academy on the 16th of December, and the Ladies' Society became of influen- tial and practical aid. At a fair given by the latter organization, at Phoenix Hall, December 19, the receipts amounted to three hundred dollars.2
During the year 1842, the temperance canse continued to pro- gress, and there were six organizations in town ; viz., the Indepen- dent societies at the village and at the Head of the Tide, the Passagassawakeag at Mason's Mills, the Ladies' Aid, the South Belfast, and the Boys' Cold Water Army. During February and March, two evenings of each week were devoted to a mock trial of King Alcohol, at the Baptist Church. Manasseh Sleeper officiated as judge, and Howard B. Abbott, Esq., as counsel for the defend- ant. On the 19th of May, the first anniversary of the village society was celebrated by a public procession, and by a supper at the temperance hotel & of Hiram Littlefield. Over two hundred members attended. A lecture before the society was given by James C. Madigan, Esq., October 23d, and one by Alden D. Chase,
1 The following is a list of all the members in regular standing, Nov. 11, 1841: -- A. Bingham, J. W. Sherwood, H. G. O. Washburn, G. C. Angier, S. Edwards, T. Jones, R. B. Carter, A. N. Noyes, G. Gildden, S. G. Wyman, J. H. Lane, G. Brooks, J. Crossman, H. L. Davis, P. Hewes, T. Town, L. B. Wetherbee, T. Pickard, A. T. Palmer, L. R. Palmer, R. Moody, M. Warren, H. E. Burkmar, A. D. Whittier, I. C. Neal, Wm. Frederick, L. Coombs, C. Giles, J. H. Smith, G. Stinson, A. D. Chase, I. Allard, Jr., E. Thompson, H. H. Johnson, H. Colburn, B. T. Elwell, J. Hodgdon, J. Knowles, C. Treadwell, R. S. Rich, T. Tapley, N. Mansfield, S. Longfellow, M. B. Knowles, G. Studley, S. C. Chamberlain, W. Tilden, A. Libbey, M. Sleeper, S. Burk- mar, J. P. Alden, W. J. Aldus, W. B. Richardson, B. Griffin, Wm Holt, 2d, E. Brazier, J. W. White, W. S. Levett, W. H. Brown, J. Priest, A. Faunce, C. Montgomery, F. Snow, M. Higgins, J. Montgomery, M. Hollis, Jr., I. Royal, T. Saunders, P. B. Noyes, M. Varney, N. P. H. Brown, J. E. Bird, A. Marshall, R. W. Quimby, M. M. Cook, G. Carter, D. Sargent, W. Coleman, H. B. Hutchins, L. C. Murch, J. Cottrill, J. Wheeler, J. Poor, C. H. Spring, N. Phillips, W. J. Rice, Josiah Woods, J. Cousins, W. L. Page, C. U. Burkmar, N. Patterson, E. H. Hall, H. B. Smith, T. Boyce, S. Sleeper, O. Page, H. O. Page, J. Taylor, J. C. Carey, W. B. Leach, J. Woodward, R. C. Thompson, O. Jackson, T. Buckley, B. F. Field, C. Day, C. Smith, W. Tilden, Jr., G. Holt, D. W. Allen, B. J. Hemmenway.
2 This was the most elaborate festival of the kind that had ever taken place here. Of the thirty-three ladies who presided at the different tables, and who are designated by the " Waldo Signal" as " the stars composing the grand galaxy," but seven are now (1874) residing here; viz., Mrs. Richard Moody, Mrs. James P. Furber, Miss Susan Marshall, Miss Margaret S. Hazeltine (now Mrs. George F. White), Mrs. William O. Poor, Mrs. Benjamin Hazeltine, and Miss Elizabeth Avery (now Mrs. Daniel Lane).
8 Subsequently the " Farmer's Inn," at the foot of Main Street.
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on Sunday evening, December 11. The first annual meeting of the County Society took place on the 15th of the same month, and was largely attended. A banner, prepared by the ladies of Bel- fast, was presented on their behalf by Miss Caroline F. Kimball to the Washingtonians of East Belmont, as the society which had accomplished the greatest amount of good work. Addresses were made by the Hon. Ether Shepley, Judge of the Supreme Court, and others. The noble stand taken by the ladies in the temper- ance reform was shown at the close of the year by their presenta- tion of a petition to every retailer in town, entreating them to abandon the sale of intoxicating liquors. The document meas- ured six feet in length, and contained five hundred and sixty-eight names.1 This year, the distillery was dismantled.
The observance of Washington's birthday, in 1843, by a temper- ance festival at which Judge Johnson delivered an address, has been before referred to. The question of licensing was tried at the annual town meeting this year, and by a small vote resulted in leaving the matter optional with the selectmen, who licensed two innholders and nine retailers. Politics in some way contributed to this measure; and on the 17th of March a new temperance society, "wholly and entirely disconnected with sectarian and political objects," was formed. The temperance celebration of the Fourth of July,2 this year, is described in another chapter. Dur-
1 Waldo Signal.
2 On this occasion, Judge Alfred Johnson, who read the Declaration of Independence, made some felicitous prefatory remarks, which were published in the "Journal." The following are extracts : -
"And here let us raise anew the Standard of Temperance; a new Liberty pole for the sober community. Here, even here, in the shire town of Republican Waldo, in the midst of this vast throng, let us unfurl the Banner of Sobriety to the battle and the breeze; let the cry here go forth that this County is emancipated from the worst of thral- doms; that we all wear the liberty cap of enfranchisement from the most debasing of vices. Let shore resound to shore; let river cry aloud to river ; let wood shout to wood; let the islands lift up their voices and respond to the islands, through our enchant- ing bay; let Bluehill send back a joyful sound to Mount Waldo ; let Oak Hill and Dix- mont Heights leap for joy and prolong the shout; let Camden mountains and the cliffa of Mt. Desert, the pillars of Hercules of our Penobscot, clap their hands, and echo and re-echo to each other the voice of exultation for the extirpation of the drunken monster from this delightful region of the East.
· ·
" It is well known that many rivers have their rise in our hilly but fertile county, which find their outlets elsewhere; such as the Sheepscot, the Damariscotta, the Mus- congus, the St. George, and the Sebasticook. May this be an emblem of other influ- ences this day hence going forth to revive the moral waste. May even here be also the sources of the pure streams of temperance, here the cool springs of sobriety, welling out their waters in copious effusions, and overflowing the land, to make glad all the surrounding country, and even the cities of our God!"
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
ing the summer, John W. Hawkins, the pioneer of the Washing- tonian movement, made an effective address. The following reports to the County Society, made at the annual meeting in December, exhibit the condition of the two principal town organizations : -
" The Passagassawakeag Belfast Independent Temperance So- ciety. Organized Jan. 5, 1842, and consisted at that time of 12 members. We now number 609. 381 have signed the pledge the past year. 7 have broken the pledge. None have been re- claimed. There are none who sell liquors within the limits of our society. One retailer has abandoned the traffic the past year.
" Belfast Village Washingtonian Temperance Society. Organ- ized May 19, 1842. There have been from three to four hundred members. The supposition is, however, that a large number have broken the pledge, and a number have erased their names, and all for the want of moral courage. A few have been reclaimed, but we have many hacksliders. It is presumed that we have 16 licensed retailers, 2 taverns, 14 stores and dens under-ground. Three have abandoned the traffic."
" Belfast Division, No. 9, of the Sons of Temperance of the State of Maine," was instituted July 16, 1845. It was to some extent a secret association, and connected the nsnal objects of temperance societies with a system of benefits to members in case of sickness. A hall was fitted up in the attic of the old Huse tav- ern, and dedicated Oct. 13, 1846, by an address from Rev. Mr. Kalloch, of East Thomaston. As larger accommodations became necessary, a more commodious one was prepared on Church Street. The ball in the Johnson Block was dedicated March 10, 1848, an address being delivered by the Rev. Nathan C. Fletcher. At this time, the order contained one hundred and eighty members.
" Howard Division, No. 45," was instituted at the Head of the Tide, Oct. 30, 1846. Their hall, in the brick block, was dedicated Jan. 20, 1848. William L. Avery delivered an address on the occasion.
" Samaritan Tent, No. 17, Independent Order of Rechabites," was organized April 29, 1846. This association dedicated a hall at No. 2 Phoenix Row, Feb. 18, 1847, by an address from Benja- min Griffin.
The " Maine Temple of Honor, No. 5, Sons of Temperance," was opened Dec. 9, 1847, by a delegation from Excelsior Temple, Camden. A section of the Cadets of Temperance was formed
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July 13, 1849. This, and all the foregoing temperance organiza- tions, have been long extinct.
A temperance board of town officers was elected in 1845 and 1846, against a formidable opposition. During the winter of 1846-47, large public meetings to adopt measures for enforcing the liquor law were held.1
A " Union of the Daughters of Temperance " was established June 12, 1851. During this year, the celebrated "Maine Law" created much excitement throughout the State.2
At the last annual town meeting (in 1852), a warm discussion arose upon the expediency of establishing a town agency, which, upon polling the house, resulted in the affirmative. A " Temper- ance Watchman's Club " was established this year.
In 1853, but little interest was manifested in the temperance cause. An address was given by the Hon. Neal Dow, August 9, followed by one from the Rev. E. H. Chapin, September 9.
In 1856, a movement to promote practical temperance was in- augurated by the clergymen of the city, each of whom delivered public addresses on the subject.
In 1858, the prohibitory law of 1858 and the license law of 1856 having been submitted to the people, the vote of Belfast was two hundred and seventy-four for the former measure, and ten for the latter.
Belfast Division, No. 182, of Sons of Temperance, was organ- ized Feb. 16, 1860. On the 30th of July, 1862, a spirited meeting of the Grand Division of the order was held here.
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