USA > Maine > Somerset County > Skowhegan > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 17
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Canaan > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 17
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Bloomfield > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 17
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Starks > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 17
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Norridgewock > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 17
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The town was incorporated Feb. 6, 1814, and its name will be appropriate as long as its fields shall continue to bloom with vegetation
280
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
as they do at present. All the islands included within the boundaries of ancient Canaan, with the exception of Oakes island, are in Bloomfield.
The events recorded on the town books are not remarkable. The peace and prosperity which have ever attended the town, have ren- dered its history uninteresting.
In June, 1817, when the proposition for a separation from Massachusetts was first brought before the people, it was decided in the nega- tive, by a vote of seventy-one to twenty-four, and afterward the vote was confirmed by a vote of ninety-two to twenty-two. This vote was reversed, however, in 1819, when the peo- ple decided that such a division should be made as should erect the State of Maine. The contest was close, however, and spirited, and the ballots stood, forty-one nays and forty-eight yeas.
There is a vote recorded in 1820, which does not seem clear. It was resolved to remunerate Samuel Weston for a blanket he lost in the late war.
In 1833 a plan for a town house was pre- sented, and accepted, and the present conve- nient house was erected and finished in the summer of 1834. It is situated in the centre of the town.
That portion of the surplus revenue which belonged to Bloomfield, consisting of $2,146.08, was divided among the citizens in 1839, and amounted to $2.04 to each citizen.
The town has generally occupied admirable ground on the subject of Temperance, as will
281
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
be seen by the following records. September 8, 1828,
" Voted, that we deem the use of ardent spirits as not only destructive to health, but also to morals, and that we feel it not only our duty, but also our obligation and privilege, to use every endeavor in our power for the ad- vancement of good morals in society, therefore unanimously voted to make use of no Ardent Spirits, on days of Election."
In the following year it was voted to grant no licenses to sell liquor to be drunk about the premises of the vender, and in 1833 it was de- cided that none should be used on the high- ways at the expense of the town. Voted, in 1845, not to license, but the same meeting re- considered the vote so far as to allow one suit- able person to sell, provided he kept an accu- rate list of his customers.
The early history of Bloomfield may be found in the history of Canaan. Since its in- corporation, the events worthy of publication have been very few. The general progress of the town, as developed in the statistics, the officers, taxes, &c., and the religious history, will be found hereafter. The town is one of the most beautiful and flourishing in Maine, and is gaining ground steadily in prosperity.
The Agricultural products for the year 1837 were, corn, 2,214 bushels ; wheat, 3,120 ; rye, 18; oats, 6,731 ; beans, 163 ; pease, 66 ; barley, 794; potatoes, 34,555 ; turnips, 785; apples, 6,265 ; wool, 5,755 lbs. ; hops, 950 ; maple su- gar, 415 ; pork, 73,900 ; beef, 11,450 ; English 24*
282
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
hay, 1,735 tons ; meadow, 37; 153 bbls. cider ; 141 horses; 11 colts; 167 oxen; 311 cows; 407 other cattle; 2,662 sheep; 344 swine; 10,185 lbs. butter ; 6,955 lbs. cheese.
There were 1 coach, 37 chaises, 69 horse- wagons, 2 grist-mills, 2 saw-mills, which sawed 475,000 ft. boards, 2 fulling-mills, which dressed 7,000 yds. cloth, 1 tannery, with 40 vats, 1 fur- nace and foundry, $2,900 of stock in trade, $8,600 money loaned, $21,850 bank stock ; the value of the real estate was, in 1841, $164,450, as established by the Legislature, the taxable estates were valued at $206,233, and the valu- ation, in 1845, was $180,814.
Since 1837 the crops of potatoes and wheat have very much diminished, while other pro- ductions have increased. Manufactures have very much increased. The town has grown rapidly, and business has very much improved. Mulberry trees and silk worms have been cul- tured and reared with good success. In the year 1843 * one lady had five thousand trees, on one fourth of an acre of land, and raised eighteen thousand silk worms. Other persons have also engaged in the business successfully.
To the Coburn family, more than to any others, belongs the credit of much of the pros- perity of Bloomfield and Skowhegan; and, indeed, the entire county is benefited by their business talent and enterprise. They are men of wealth, unblemished integrity, and of busi- ness talents rarely equalled. Their efforts are
* Melzar Lindsay, Esq.
283
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
public-spirited, and are directed to the general welfare. Messrs. Stephen and Alonzo Coburn are attorneys and counsellors at law ; Samuel W. Coburn is a partner with S. Harvey in an extensive tannery and boot and shoe manufac- tory ; Eleazar is an occupant of the family homestead ; and Messrs. Abner, Philander, and Sylvanus, are partners in the store in Skowhe- gan. They are largely interested in the lumber business, and upon their success much of the welfare of the neighborhood depends. They are sons of Eleazar Coburn, Esq., who was a prominent and worthy man, while he lived.
FIRST LIST OF TAX PAYERS IN BLOOMFIELD, IN 1814.
Abraham Adams,
John Clark,
Isaac Adams,
James Cleveland,
James Allen,
Joseph Cleveland,
Eliphalet Allen, Joseph Cleveland, junr. Daniel Allen, Daniel Austin, Robert Coburn, Wigglesworth Dole,
James Bigelow, junr.,
George Bigelow,
Jona & Joseph Davis, Obed Davis,
James & Levi Bigelow, Brooks Dascomb, Andrew Barnard, Joseph Emery, Thomas Brown, Dr. James Bowen, Joseph Blaisdell,
Levi & Darius Emery,
Jonathan Brown,
Daniel Emerson,
Jeremiah Fairfield,
Alpheus Fairfield,
Jonathan Farrar,
William Fletcher,
Barney Hoxey,
Eleazar Coburn, Seth Currier, John Cayford, Richard Cook, James Clark,
John & Joseph Emery, Tilly Emery,
284
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
James Hinkley, Nimrod Hines,
George Noyes,
Paul Nooth,
James C. Hill,
George Pooler,
Benjamin Hartwell,
Thaddeus Prentice,
Edward Hartwell,
Thomas Parker,
Steph & Sam'l HartwellNoah Parkman,
Robert Humphreys,
Noah Parkman, junr.
Amos S. Hill,
Simeon Parkman,
Micah & Sam'l Pratt,
Peter Heywood and Ab. Wyman, Levi Homan,
Phineas Parker, Elam Pratt,
L
Joshua Jewett, Maximilian Jewett,
David Ireland,
Holaday Potter,
David Kidder,
Jacob Purington,
John Kimball,
Nath'l & Joseph Russell
Edmund Knight,
Sylvanus Kelley,
Benjamin Shepard, Dr. Joseph Shepard,
Sylvanus Kelley, junr., John Smith,
Josiah Locke,
John Steward,
George Lawrence,
Amos Stilson,
Joseph Locke,
Nehemiah Spear,
James Lander,
Solomon Steward,
Robert Lander,
Solomon Steward, junr.
Bryce Mclellan, Judah Mclellan, David Mason,
Lemuel Smith, Amasa Steward,
Nathan Moor,
Dea. William Steward,
Jonathan Steward,
Stephen Moor, Tilly Mason,
Samuel Steward,
Seth Mayo, Mark Nooth,
Phineas & Thomas Steward,
Pickard Jewett, Executor,
Jonathan Parker,
Samson Parker,
Whitcomb Pratt,
Isaac Potter,
William Steward, 3d,
285
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
John Southard, Jos & Nath'l Sawyer, John Smith, 2d, John Weston, Andrew Tinkham, Isaac Weston, Josiah Varney, Seth Wyman, Salmon & Nath'l White, Levi Wyman, Mary Weston,
Daniel Cony Weston, Joseph Weston, Joseph Weston, junr., James Weston,
John W. Weston, Eli Weston, John Wood,
Eusebius Weston,
Stephen Weston,
Stephen Southard,
Amos Southard,
Dea. Thomas Steward,
James Hinton.
NON-RESIDENTS.
William Weston, John Drew,
Benjamin Davis,
Joseph Hook,
John G. Neil,
D. Page,
David Lancaster,
Heirs of Thos.Deckman
Phinehas McIntire,
Nathan Whitman,
Nathaniel Burrell,
James Prout,
Richard Shepard,
Rowland Freeman, Nathaniel Gilman, James Bridge,
Cyrus Weston,
William Bridge.
Ephraim Ward,
Seth Wyman, junr.,
Edward W. Wheeler,
Elijah Wyman, Samuel Webb, Jonas Weston,
Asa Weston, Zacheus Spear, Daniel Snow,
Daniel Wheeler,
Henry Weeks, Asa Wyman,
Samuel Weston, James Webb,
MODERATORS. - Seth Currier, 1814, 15, 16, 21; Brooks Dascomb, 1814, 18, 19, 22, 3, 5, 7, 41 ; Eleazar Coburn, 1815, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 30, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 42 ; Judah
286
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
McLellan, 1815, 27 ; John Kimball, 1816, 17, 21, 5, 6, 37, 43 ; David Kidder, 1817; Bryce Mc- Lellan, 1817, 21 ; James Bowen, 1819; Abraham Wyman, 1824, 30, 43 ; Joseph Weston, Junr., 1826, 7, 41 ; Eusebius Weston, 1826, 34 ; Joseph Locke, 1828, 31, 2, 5; Solomon Stewart, 1828 ; Amasa Stewart, 1829; Levi Emery, 1832; Jo- seph Emery, 1832 ; Samuel S. Bordman, 1834; Amasa Bigelow, 1835 ; Abner Coburn, 1836, 41, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9 ; Philander Coburn, 1840 ; Joseph Weston, 1844 ; George W. King, 1847 ; James B. Dascomb, 1847, 8.
TOWN CLERKS. - Josiah Locke, 1814, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 1, 2, 3, 4; Joseph Emery, 2d, 1825, 6; Brooks Dascomb, 1827; Abner Co- burn, 1828, 9, 30, 1, 2, 3 ; Eben Weston, 1834, 5, 6, 7; James B. Dascomb, 1838, 9, 40, 1, 2 ; Eusebius Weston, 1843, 4, 5 ; Joseph Philbrick, 1846, 7, 8, 9.
TREASURERS. - Judah McLellan, 1814, 15, 19, 20, 1, 2; Pickard Jewett, 1816, 17, 18; Eleazar Coburn, 1823, 4 ; Brooks Dascomb, 1825, 6; Sylvanus Pitts, 1827, 8; William F. Pitts, 1829, 30, 1, 2 ; Gen. Joseph Locke, 1833, 4, 5; Levi Bigelow, 1836, 7; Thomas Lord, 1839, 42, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ; Samuel Parker, 1840 ; Levi Emery, 1841.
REPRESENTATIVES. - B. Shepard, 1814 ; Judah McLellan, 1815; Eleazar Coburn, 1816, 25, 8, 30 ; James Bowen, 1817, 18 ; Brooks Dascomb, 1819, 22, 4 ; David Kidder, 1823; Isaac Farrar, 1826; Abraham Wyman, 1831 ; Joseph Webb, 1833, 5 ; Abner Coburn, 1837, 9 ; John Wheel-
287
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
er, 1841; Ebenezer Davis, 1844; William F. Pitts, 1845 ; Charles F. Coffin, 1846; Charles Chase, 1847 ; James B. Dascomb, 1848.
NOTE. - The person who received the most votes on the last trial each year, in each town, is set down as elected, unless other sources of information teach that other towns overcame his majority.
VOTES FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. - 1824, Adams 57, Crawford 2; 1828, Adams 108, Jackson 8; 1832, Adams 139, Jackson 23, scat- tered, 78; 1836, Harrison 94, Van Buren 100 ; 1840, Harrison 163, Van Buren 25, Abolitionist 8; 1844, Clay 136, Birney 36, Polk 29; 1848, Taylor 144, Cass 40, Van Buren 24.
TAXES - 1814 To 1849.
1814
Schools. $300
Town. $125
Road.
$1000
Minister. $130
1815
300
500
900
200
1816
350
100
800
150
1817
375
150
900
200
1818
375
250
700
200
1819
400
200
1000
120
1820
400
200
1000
130
1821
300
175
1000
120
1822
400
225
1000
120
1823
400
250
1150
110
1824
400
275
1000
90
1825
400
150
1000
80
1826
400
200
1500
85
1827
400
200
1600
1828
400
200
1500
1829
400
300
1500
288
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
Schools.
Town.
Road.
1830
$400
$100
$1300
1831
480
150
1200
1832
480
150
1550
1833
480
125
1500
1834
480
300
1200
1835
480
500
1200
1836
480
700
1200
1837
525
400
1200
1838
525
475
1200
1839
525
600
1200
1840
525
500
1200
1841
500
400
1200
1842
500
375
1200
1843
437.20
400
1200
1844
437.20
175
1200
1845
*
350
1200
1846
437.20
450
1500
1847
437.20
575
1500
1848
437.20
300
1500
1849
600
225
1500
CONGREGATIONALISTS.
The ancient Congregationalist Church, by the division of the town, became transferred to Bloomfield, soon after the dismissal of Mr. Cayford, and the Church, much impressed with the ministerial character and qualifications of Rev. Fifield Holt, invited him to settle, and the town concurred February 17, 1814. He was to have $250 for one half of the time.
The people of Bloomfield voted to employ Mr. Holt one half of the time for the year 1814,
289
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
but the vote was very soon reconsidered, for some reason, though finally a vote was passed inviting him to settle ; and June 15, 1814, the Rev. Fifield Holt was installed as pastor of the church. He was to preach one half of the time in Bloomfield, and the remainder he was to devote to missionary labor in the neighbor- hood. He was born in Hollis, N. H., and was graduated at Middlebury College, Vt., in the class of 1810. He studied divinity in Andover, Mass.
In accordance with a law passed in June, 1817, providing that each town should create a ministerial fund, Bloomfield raised $612.36, on which the annual income was $34.89. Land was purchased, and other property, in 1819, the proceeds of which went yearly to the sup- port of the Gospel. It was purchased for $1,830.52, and the annual interest was $76.56.
It was voted, in 1824, to divide the interest on the fund among the Baptists, according to their numbers. They received $43.25.
March 1, 1824, it was voted to select a spot for a new Congregationalist church, and John Kimball, Pickard Jewett, and Joseph Weston, 2d, were appointed a committee to report a plan. They discharged the duty laid upon them, and reported in favor of a wooden church, fifty feet long, forty feet wide, and eighteen feet stud, with a belfry, -to have forty-four pews, and to cost $1,700. Their re- port was accepted, and a committee was raised to carry it into effect. It consisted of Bryce McLellan, Joseph Weston, Jr., Abraham Wy-
25
290
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
man, and Josiah Locke. A part of the old house was sold at auction, and the new church was finished late in 1825. It was dedicated the following year.
Twelve members were dismissed, in 1840, to join the church in Skowhegan, and about as many more some time after, to unite with the Baptist and Methodist churches. The church was formed principally out of the first settlers, and as they have departed this life, the church has been weakened. Probably from five hun- dred to one thousand have enjoyed its com- munion since its formation. Very many have died within ten years. The smallest number was in 1801, when it numbered fifteen, and its largest in 1835, when it had one hundred and twenty-nine members, and was the largest church in the county.
Mr. Holt was quite successful in his calling, and was very popular in his parish. He was attacked with the erysipelas, in his pulpit, Sun- day, Nov. 7, 1830, and he died in about a week, much lamented. His remains rest in the Bloomfield burial ground, marked by a tomb- stone with the following inscription : - " In memory of Rev. Fifield Holt, a man greatly beloved in all the relations of life, but espec- ially as a good minister of Jesus Christ. He was born in Hollis, N. H., became pastor of the Congregationalist church in Bloomfield, June 15, 1815, and died Nov. 15, 1830, Aet. 47, in the blessed hope of dwelling forever in the Savior, whose cause on earth he had diligently and successfully labored to promote."
291
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
The church and society listened to many candidates during the two years following the death of Mr. Holt, but it was not until the year 1833 that a successor was found. Rev. George W. Hathaway, the present pastor, was ordained March 20, 1833. He was born in 1808. He has discharged the laborious duties of his office with distinguished zeal and ability, and occu- pies, deservedly, a desirable position in public estimation. He has had trouble with a portion of his parish, but he sustained himself before an ecclesiastical council with great success. His church numbers eighty-eight members, and it has a Sunday school attached, number- ing, at different times, from forty to two hun- dred and eighty, possessing a library of five hundred volumes.
BAPTISTS.
" The Baptists first made their appearance in Maine in 1681, when several persons in Kittery, embracing their tenets, were baptized by im- mersion." - Williamson, vol. i., p. 569. Quite a number of the people of Canaan were dis- satisfied with the preaching of the Congrega- tionalists, and as early as 1796, invitations were extended to Elders Asa Wilbur * and Jabez Lewis, of Sidney, to visit the people, and preach the Baptist doctrines. They were very much opposed, and "no reproaches were too severe to heap upon the adherents to the new religion." The converts at first united with the church in Clinton, but at length the church was organ- ized, October 20, 1803, with 15 members, in- * Ordained in 1793.
292
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
habitants of Canaan and Norridgewock. Their names were Daniel Smith,* David Lancaster, Nathaniel Burrell, Umphrey Burrell, Eleazar Spaulding, James Webb, Christopher Webb, Isaac Lawrence, Mary Burrell, Rebecca Webb, Mary Smith, Sarah Spaulding, Rachel Burrell, Sarah Lancaster, and Meribah Ireland.
The church was organized as the First Church in Canaan, about two years before the regular proclamation of the gospel was listened to ; but in the year 1806, the labors of Rev. Henry Ken- dall t were employed for a portion of the time. During his administration a revival refreshed the church, and about fifty were added thereto.
Mr. Kendall was succeeded, in 1809, by Rev. John Wagg.# He remained until the year 1812, when a meeting-house was erected and dedi- cated, at an expense of $3,000. It stood upon the hill, near the residence of Mr. Jonathan Mitchel, until the year 1822, when it was re- moved to the site of the present church, where it stood until Nov. 11, 1841, when it took fire, at noon-day, and was burned to the foundation. The bell, weighing eleven hundred pounds, was destroyed.
The church was presided over, from 1812 to 1814, by Rev. Joshua Brooks,# and from the
* Daniel Smith was the first deacon.
+ " Mr. Kendall says 'many were converted, among whom were Jonathan Steward, converted from Congregational errors, and Robert Coburn and David Steward, from the love of sin. The two former became Baptist preachers.'"-Millet's Hist. Bap. Maine. Mr. Coburn was converted in 1806, and was pastor of the church in Newport from 1825 to 1836.
¿" The efforts and proceedings of both these men were alto- gether unprofitable to the church, and to the Baptist cause."- Millet's Hist. Baptists of Maine.
293
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
year 1814 to 1822, Revs. J. Steward, Robert Coburn, and Francis Powers, were the pastors. From 1823 to 1825, the office of the ministry was discharged by Rev. Samuel Dinsmore. During the labors of Mr. Dinsmore, the church enjoyed a season of revival.
From 1825 to 1829, the pulpit was supplied from Waterville College, and from 1829 to 1832, Rev. Noah Hooper * was the preacher. He was succeeded in 1836 by Rev. Arthur Drink- water,f who remained until the year 1842. During the winter of 1838-9, there was a very encouraging revival, during which thirty-three were added to the church; and in the winter of 1841-2, another revival secured an addition of twenty-four. In the course of the year 1842 active measures were taken to erect a church in the place of the one burned the previous year. In the year 1843, while it was in process of building, Rev. Charles Miller was engaged as pastor, and during his engagement the church was finished and dedicated,# June 17, 1844. Its cost was $5,000. It is a splendid building, and while its internal arrangements are every way adapted to its object, its outside appearance is very beautiful. It is conspicuous from every entrance into Bloomfield, and is an ornament to the town. Its architect was Jo-
* " Mr. Hooper became unprofitable, and resigned." - Millet. + Mr. Drinkwater was ordained in Mt. Vernon in 1816 ; he was pastor there from 1816 to 1821, and from 1829 to 1833; from 1821 to 1829 in Danvers, Mass. ; and in Hallowell from 1834 to 1836.
# The sermon was by Rev. Dr. Sheldon, and the other ser- vices by Rev. Messrs. Miller, Drinkwater, Tilley, &c.
25*
294
HISTORY OF BLOOMFIELD.
seph Bigelow, of Bloomfield. Mr. Miller re- signed his pastoral charge in the year 1847. He was succeeded in the year 1848 by Rev. N. Milton Wood, the present pastor.
Since the year 1803, there have been 383 persons connected with the church. The pres- ent number is 189. Connected therewith, is a Sabbath School, containing 125 scholars, and possessing a library of 200 volumes. The church and society are in a very flourishing condition.
NOTE .- The early history of this church be- longs to old Canaan, and since 1814, to Bloom- field. Most of the materials were furnished by Rev. N. M. Wood and Stephen Coburn, Esq.
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.
There is another church in the southern part of Bloomfield. Elder L. Packard preached occasionally in the course of the year 1835, and created so much interest that a church consisting of thirteen members was organized October 4, 1837. Mr. Packard was pastor from 1838 to 1842, preaching a portion of the time. There are now about thirty members.
HISTORY OF SKOWHEGAN.
The Town of Skowhegan, County of Somer- set, State of Maine, lies on the north side of the Kennebec river, and is bounded north by Corn- ville and Madison, east by Hartland and Ca- naan, south by Canaan, Clinton, and Bloom- field, and west by Norridgewock and Bloom- field. It is in 44 deg., 40 min. north latitude, and is 33 miles north from Augusta, 95 miles N. N. E. from Portland, and 50 miles W. from Bangor. The territory was originally a part of Canaan, but in the year 1823, it was separated from Canaan and incorporated under the name of Milburn.
This name it bore until 1836, when the efforts of many of the people who wished to preserve the ancient name, succeed- ed, and it was called by its present name, Skowhegan. Skowhegan, pronounced by the Indians Skoohegan, signifies a "place to watch." It was formerly a famous place to catch salmon and other fish. They were accustomed to rest themselves behind the rocks and in the eddies, to recruit their energy, before making efforts to ascend the falls. It was a choice spot to the Kennebec Indians. It contains an area of 19,071 acres, of which 48 are covered with water, 324 occupied by roads, 2,913 of waste
296
HISTORY OF SKOWHEGAN.
land, 6,678 of improved land, 3,000 of woodland, 2,096 of pasturage, 12 of natural meadow, 2,200 of mowing, and 1,800 of tillage. The value of the real estate is $246,505, and of all taxable property $322,026. There are 337 polls, 240 dwelling houses, 226 barns, 18 stores, shops, &c., and 19 other buildings. The village of Skowhegan was commenced in the year 1803, since which time the losses have been $200,000.
There is much very good limestone in differ- ent parts of Skowhegan. It is not good for mortar, however, but is excellent for soil-dress- ing. The people ought not to import from abroad, when it may be so easily procured at home. The following is an average analysis of the Skowhegan lime : * Carbonate of lime, 53.8 ; carbonate of iron, 7.6; insoluble mica and slate, 38.6 ; leaving a per cent. of 32.3.
There is also much excellent bog iron ore, some of which is found in a fine powder, com- posed of yellow ochre, and brown oxide iron. It contains arsenic, found in arsenical pyrites. It
makes good cast iron but is not suitable for bar. In 1838, a vein was found, 480 feet long, 240 feet wide, and 1 foot deep, on the estate of Sampson Parker, and another was found on the land of Jonas Burrill, 132 feet long, 33 feet wide, and 1 foot deep. It is found in abun- dance in different parts of the town. The anal- ysis is about as follows : Water and vegetable matter, 24.2 ; silex, 7.3; oxide of iron, 68.5. The per cent. of iron, is about 40 - 50.
* Jackson's Survey.
297
HISTORY OF SKOWHEGAN.
The falls at Skowhegan strike the lover of natural beauty with delight. Situated in the middle of the river, is a high, rocky, wood- crowned island, sprinkled with a few pleasant residences, and the waters, after meeting this obstruction, divide, and passing along, they are precipitated over a fall on either side. The velocity of the river, as it hastens through its narrow channel, and its magnificent beauty as it tumbles over the precipice, in foam and thunder-tones, make one of the wildest scenes in the State. Before the works of man had impressed the scenery, when the island and rough, rocky shores, covered with woods, were unshorn of their natural beauty, with the antlered moose gazing a moment before he fled from the flashing rapids, and, perhaps, a dusky Indian watching for his finny prey, the salmon, it must have been a glorious view. The entire fall is twenty-two and a half feet. Occasionally cattle are borne over the falls. A yoke of oxen at one time passed over back- ward, with a log behind them, and came out in safety. Geese often ride over .*
The Poet has endeavored to paint the scene. The second Act of " Carabasset" is laid at Skowhegan falls, and Râle and his protegé, Adelaide, the daughter of Castine, are repre- sented in company, gazing at the spectacle. The priest enquires, ---
" What can vie With the rich tints that Nature lavishes
* They are drawn on imperceptibly at first, in the spirit of the old proverb, - Facilis descensus averni est, but they find out the impossibility of escape when too late.
298
HISTORY OF SKOWHEGAN.
On forest leaves in Autumn ; - with the birds That sang regardless of our near approach, And the deep glens so wild and shadowy ?"
ADELAIDE.
"'Tis beautiful indeed ! mark how the cliffs Darkened with hanging cedars, bravely breast The shock of angry waters rushing by. The roar is almost deafening. See the foam Dancing and curling in a snowy sheet ; And now in gathering eddies, lo ! it whirls Around the rock, and sparkles to the moon."
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