USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Leeds > History of the town of Leeds, Androscoggin County, Maine, from its settlement June 10, 1780 > Part 30
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July 19, 1845.
Isaac T. Boothby,
April 9, 1849.
Solomon T. Lothrop,
June 6, 1853.
Green C. More,
Oct. 7, 1864.
Charles H. Lane,
Jan. 28, 1868.
Albert Knight,
Jan. 30, 1880.
Willard Lothrop,
May 10, 1880.
Wallace L. Francis (Pres. P. M.),
Mar. 22, 1886.
North Leeds.
Walter Foss,
Jan. 28, 1826. March 5, 1842.
Reuel Foss,
Thos. C. Foss,
Aug. 7, 1861.
Jason Woodman,
Dec. 20, 187I.
Louisa M. Woodman,
Dec. 10, 1880.
Charles A. Whitehouse,
Aug. 18, 1888. April 7, 1891.
Thomas C. Foss,
Wallace C. Tribou,
Dec. 21, 1891.
Guy W. Foss, July 15, 1895.
Vesta P. Foss (Pres. P. M.),
Jan. 19, 190I.
HISTORY OF LEEDS
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South Leeds.
Martin Leonard,
Franklin B. Leonard,
Joshua S. Turner,
Dec. 5, 1838.
Oscar D. Turner,
July 27, 1840.
John Gilmore,
July 10, 1841.
Salmon A. Wing,
Armand T. Wing,
William Wing,
Sanford Gilbert,
James L. Bates, .
Duane S. Wing.
Greenleaf Parker,
Jan. 18, 1876.
Lois V. Parker,
Aug. 3, 1887.
William Wing (Pres. P. M.),
Aug. 17, 1895.
West Leeds.
Jonas P. Lee,
April 10, 1828.
Perez S. Jennings,
Nov. 15, 1828.
Discontinued,
April 18, 1840.
Re-established.
Gessius F. Jennings,
Feb. 24, 1866.
Stephen R. Deane,
April 28, 1868.
Gustavus A. Jennings,
May 2, 1883.
Roscoe E. Swain,
June 30, 1888.
Perry Grant,
July 28, 1893.
Howard E. Lincoln (Pres. P. M.), Jan. 25, 1900.
East Leeds.
Stephen Day,
Aug. 5, 1840.
Discontinued,
Oct. 8, 1842.
Leeds Station.
George Beals,
April 15, 1850.
Changed to Leeds Junction
Mar. 15, 1859.
J. B. Brackett, Dec. 3, 1883.
J. W. Ricker (Pres. P. M.),
May 8, 1891.
Curtis Corner.
Salmon Brewster,
Jan. 22, 1853.
Henry M. Brewster ( Pres. P. M.), Dec. 10, 1887.
June 6, 1826. Aug. 27, 1828.
Aug. 16, 1843. June 2, 1856. March 10, 1863. May 19, 1863. Jan. 2, 1865. March 12, 1867.
CHAPTER XVI.
LADIES' AID SOCIETY.
As an important adjunct to the churches and church work in Leeds, the Ladies' Aid Society should receive special mention. Few societies of its size have accomplished more or better work during the past twelve years than the Ladies' Aid Society of Keen's Corner, Leeds; the originators of which were Mrs. Kate Quimby, Mrs. Vesta Bates and Mrs. Myra Boston. For the purpose of paying one hundred dollars of the indebtedness on the Methodist parsonage, the society was instituted on the 12th day of July, 1886. The remarkably short time required in dis- charging this debt and the success attending their first effort to improve the condition of the people in the vicinity, was seem- ingly a sufficient guarantee to warrant a permanent organization, and on July 14, 1890, under the laws of the State, the society was incorporated, with a membership of twelve, to wit: Rosa V. Hanscom, Mary A. Bishop, Millie E. Moody, Dora M. Nichols, Phebe A. Bates, Adellma C. Bates, Dorcas M. Parker, Annie F. Nichols, Edith W. Howe, Diana T. Gilbert, Adelia M. Libby and Serena E. Bates. As a result of their labors for the first year, $200 was in evidence, which was derived from suppers and enter- tainments given in the homes of several members. With this amount, which they placed as their donation at the head of a subscription paper, they solicited funds for the erection of a union chapel, promising its erection and completion before the beginning of the following winter. This paper was given a wide circulation not only in Leeds, but adjoining towns, but most of the money was obtained in the immediate vicinity in amounts varying from fifty cents to fifty dollars-each contributing their mite-supposed to be in keeping with their financial ability. The church lot was donated from the A. G. Bates farm. In due time the building was completed, and on May 20, 1891, eleven months and six days later than the date of incorporation, in this neat little structure the dedication exercises were held, participated in by ministers of various denominations. The expense of this little edifice, 45x30 feet, was about $1,500, of which sum $100 only remained unpaid with the dawning of dedication day. On this occasion no financial aid was solicited, and entertainment was liberally furnished to the many people who came from near and far to witness or participate in the exercises of the occasion. The
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HISTORY OF LEEDS
remaining sum of $100 was soon forthcoming, and the little church stands there as a living memorial to the energy and honor of the ladies of Keen's Corner. In fact, as in name, this is a union chapel. In the summer months, Methodist and Universal- ist meetings are alternately held on Sundays, but in winter, while the Methodist meetings are continued every second Sunday, the Universalist meetings are discontinued. For the support of preachers, a certain amount is paid yearly, from the treasury of the "Ladies' Aid Society."
Success has crowned its every effort. The appreciation of their good work by the people may be inferred, from the proceeds of a fair held in the chapel March 19, 1891, which amounted to $204.39. Realizing the great value of church influence, and wishing to preserve in its beauty and purity this model little structure for the purpose for which it was made, and further realizing that everything good in life is not confined to churches, the society in continuing its labors, decided to erect a building in which to hold entertainments-so essential in all communities. In the spring of 1898, with sufficient means to warrant a begin- ning, by degrees, a two-story building with a basement for stabling horses has been erected and finished on the outside, and the inside is in readiness for masons who will be at work on the job with the coming of warm weather. The first floor is designed for a kitchen, dining-room and ticket office, and the second story a large hall where entertainments will be given. To the energy and unceasing labors of the society the public prosperity of the people in the vicinity is due. Great credit is awarded Mrs. Rosa V. Hanscom, president of the society, who has ably discharged the duties of that office eight years of the eleven it has existed. To her is conceded the praise of originating a major portion of the entertainments and successful financial engineering of the society. Not to the efforts of any one lady can be attributed the noble work accomplished by this society. She has been heartily and earnestly endorsed and aided by every member, whose unan- imity and combined labor only, could have achieved so much. Theirs is a page of history sparkling with jewels, the luster of which will be seen from afar. A list of officers is here appended :
Rosa V. Hanscom, Edith W. Howe,
Adelia M. Libby, Serena E. Bates, Phebe A. Bates,
President. Vice-President. Treasurer. Clerk.
Collector and Asst. Clerk.
Their good work is still going on, and their unabated zeal and vigor is shining brighter and brighter as the days go by.
CHAPTER XVII.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
LEEDS GRANGE, P. OF H., NO. 99,
Was organized Feb. 1, 1875, by Deputy Robbins, with Davis Francis as Master and twenty-four (24) charter members, as follows :
Mr. and Mrs. Davis Francis,
Dr. and Mrs. R. S. Loring,
Mr. and Mrs. George Parcher,
Mr. and Mrs. A. Beals,
Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Lane,
Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Jennings,
Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Thomas,
Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Sumner,
Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Foss,
Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Jennings,
Mr. P. Lane, Mr. G. B. Lane,
Mr. C. S. Knapp.
Seventeen members were initiated into the order between then and July 8, 1876, which is the date of the last meeting held till Jan. 1, 1885, when the Grange was reorganized by Fred A. Allen with George Parcher as Master.
In 1887, a hall 30x50 feet was built and in 1897, 20 feet more in length was added. The regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Present member- ship, 151, with Phillip H. Deane, Master; Mrs. E. A. Russell, Lecturer ; Abbie E. Deane, Secretary.
The following have served as officers :
Master, Davis Francis, two years. George Parcher, four years. A. F. Gifford, two years. Dr. R. S. Loring, two years.
S. Homer Deane, three years. E. E. Additon, three years. Phillips H. Deane, three years.
Lecturer, George Parcher, two years. D. F. Lothrop, one year. A. T. Clifford, two years. Mrs. S. L. Herrick, two years. C. H. Foster, one year.
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HISTORY OF LEEDS
D. P. True, three years. Rev. R. Scott, two years. F. H. Herrick, three years. F. L. Additon, two years.
Secretary, A. J. Foss, one year. C. H. Foster, one year. Dr. R. S. Loring, one year.
E. T. Clifford, two years. S. Howard Deane, two years. Abbie E. Deane, eleven years.
The Grange building now is a fine two-story structure, finished in hardwood, furnished with a nice set of furniture and a well filled library. The hall is now rented to the A. O. U. W. and the "Junior Order of American Mechanics" for holding their meetings. The Grange has taken first and second prizes for exhibits at the State Fair and has conducted fairs at home. It is the center for social intercourse and furnishes many public enter- tainments.
GEN. HOWARD LODGE, NO. 77, A. O. U. W.,
Was instituted at Leeds April 5, 1899, with the following officers and members :
E. A. Russell, P. M. W .; W. H. Bishop, M. W .;
E. K. Merrill, F .; A. L. Thomas, O .; R. S. Higgins, Rec .;
H. E. Lincoln, Fin .; W. H. Curtis, Receiver ;
H. F. Gray, G .;
Daniel Maguire, I. W .; A. P. Rose, O. W .;
And W. E. Gould, C. A. Bryant, George Dyer, W. C. Hosley, C. B. Brewster, F. E. Drake, E. E. Burgess, J. C. Wing, O. A. Wright, L. R. Bates, M. C. Howe, F. L. Morris, G. H. Anthony. The present officers are :
A. L. Thomas, P. M. W .; E. K. Merrill, M. W .;
O. A. Wright, F .; R. L. Knapp, O .; H. F. Gray, Rec .; H. W. Lincoln, Fin .; W. H. Curtis, Receiver ; G. H. Anthony, Guide ; J. M. Seymour, I. W .; F. L. Morris, O. W.
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HISTORY OF LEEDS
CHAPEL HILL COUNCIL, NO. 43, J. O. U. A. M.
Was organized at Leeds, Jan. 8, 1900, with the following officers and members :
H. L. Grant,
John Rose,
C. C. Farmer, J. F. Smith,
W. H. Curtis,
A. W. Hobbs,
R. D. Canwell,
Fred L. Wheeler,
J. C. Prescott,
Perley O. Maguire,
W. L. Francis,
George Carpenter,
G. W. Lane,
Fred S. Grant,
Albert Rose,
Will Rose.
Walter Hanscom,
Officers.
Councilor, W. H. Curtis ;
Vice-Councilor, A. P. Rose ;
Rec. Secretary, C. C. Farmer ;
A. R. Secretary, W. L. Francis ;
Fin. Secretary, F. S. Grant ;
Treasurer, G. W. Lane ;
Con., Arthur Hobbs;
W., George Carpenter ;
I. S., J. C. Prescott ;
O. S., John Rose;
C., Fred Smith ;
P. S., H. L. Grant ;
Trustees, W. L. Francis, W. H. Curtis, H. L. Grant. Treasurer, W. L. Francis.
Since the order was organized it has increased in membership until it numbers 45 with a good financial standing.
MOUNTAIN VIEW LODGE, NO. 23, D. OF L.
Was instituted at Leeds, March 20, 1901, with the following officers and members :
Councilor, Mrs. Annie House ;
Asso. Councilor, H. L. Grant ;
Vice-Councilor, Mrs. Effie Grant ;
Asso. Vice-Councilor, Fred S. Grant ;
Jr. Ex. Councilor, Mrs. Addie Grant ;
Jr. Ex. Asso. Councilor, W. H. Curtis ; Rec. Secretary, Gladys Francis ; Asst. R. Secretary, Herbert Wright ; Financial Secretary, Mrs. Effie Smith ; Treasurer, W. L. Francis ; Guide, Mrs. Emma Anthony ; Inside Guard, Arthur Grant ; Outside Guard, Bert Anthony.
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Other members :
Charles A. Libby,
Nedd Bishop,
Grace Maguire,
Mrs. Nedd Bishop,
Augusta W. Carver,
H. B. Curtis,
Walter House,
Gertrude Anthony,
J. C. Prescott,
Mrs. W. L. Francis,
Dan Maguire,
J. F. Smith.
SONS OF TEMPERANCE.
But meager knowledge can be obtained in relation to this society further than the fact that, in 1845, an organization of a division of this Order was that year effected, and for a time had an existence in Leeds, but no records are available, and its history must ever remain unwritten.
TEMPERANCE WATCHMAN CLUB.
In the winter of 1851-2, at West Leeds, a club was organized, the chief object of which was to prevent the sale and use of intox- icating liquors, and to render aid to those addicted to the habit of drinking to excess, by inducing them to join the Order, in the meetings of which the evils of intemperance were earnestly discussed. Samuel P. True was Grand Master, and several men of prominence in the town, and even in the nation were mem- bers. Among them we notice the names of General O. O. How- ard, Barnabus Davee, Gustavus A. Jennings, Melvin Berry, H. M. Brewster, Enoch Tupper, John Y. Merrill, Sylvanus C. Mer- rill, Nelson Rose, Calvin Rose and others. All enterprises have their ups and downs, and after a comparatively short life of use- fulness, this had a down and never more an up.
I. O. G. T.
In 1887, a lodge of this Order was instituted in the south part of the town with twenty charter members. Following is a list of the officers at the date of institution :
Daniel S. Boston, L. D .; Henry M. Brewster, C. T .; Louisa Beals, V. T .; Moses G. Beal, Chaplain; Erwin M. Libby, Sec- retary. During the life of this lodge much good work was done, and over fifty names were enrolled on the records. The removal of many of the younger people so reduced the membership that, in 1897, after a life of ten years, a surrender of the charter was made.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
ANDROSCOGGIN RAILROAD.
It may well be said, that to a few enterprising men of Leeds is due the credit of securing a charter and the building of this road. The charter was obtained August 10, 1848. Organization was soon effected with Giddings Lane, Ozias Millett and Ensign Otis on the board of directors. The soliciting of subscriptions of the stock was at once commenced with life and vigor, and the people of Leeds responded nobly. By a major vote (145 in favor, 106 against), in a meeting held February 9, 1852, the town loaned its credit in aid of the road to the amount of $15,000. To effect this enterprise it was necessary to pull every string to its full tension, and better men for the business could nowhere have been found. The writer was a little boy then, but in his memory is fresh the persuasive arguments of the solicitors. Through every man's door-yard, who lived in the valleys, and just under the brow of the hill, if his residence was on a high eminence, the road was sure to go. The valuation of every man's farm would thereby be increased 100 per cent. Money was needed to make the "mare go," and go she must, and go she did! With funds pledged sufficient to warrant construction, the grading of the road was begun in 1850, and in 1851 had been completed from Leeds Junction to Livermore Falls. In the spring of 1852, the laying of ties and rails was begun. A small locomotive and twelve platform cars were purchased, which constituted the com- pany's rolling stock.
Josiah Littlefield, of Auburn, who later became the mechani- cal engineer of this road, a fearless and competent locomotive driver was secured, and to him was intrusted the whole charge of this supply and working train. With the iron laid a short dis- tance out from the Junction, the rolling stock was put into use in supplying the crews with sleepers, rails and other material used in the construction of the road. Mr. Littlefield run his engine and the crew of train-workers with the assistance of Woodbury S. Knapp, of Leeds, who was fireman. The loaded cars were run up the track in advance of the engine which was also run backward. By this method the cars were run to the extreme end of the newly laid rails where they were unloaded and their contents left nearer the place of use than otherwise, as safety would not permit the engine to advance thus far. The opening
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of this road subjected the farmers along the line to lots of trouble as well as the train employees. Between pastures where stock was kept, and also beside fields of corn and grain, fences were, of necessity, taken down for the train to pass and repass on its mission of labor. This was a source of great annoyance to the train men and a greater one to the farmers. To Mr. Littlefield, who was obliged to stop and start his train at every fence cross- ing, this was especially annoying, and at times, he would leave them down when he was to soon return. When so left, the farmers, more or less angered, put them up. On one occasion, the writer readily recalls the fact (being a favorite of the fire- man, though a little boy, accepted frequent invitations to ride on the engine), when the road was completed to near North Leeds, the train came up with a load, and was to make another trip that day. They had left the fence down between the field and pasture of Solomon Lothrop. As we descended the grade near the river, Mr. Littlefield said: "If Lothrop has put up his fence I shall not stop to take it down." When we rounded the little curve, we noticed that it was up all right. Littlefield reached out, pulled the throttle wide open, and we went into that fence a thirty clip. Rails flew in every direction and one, which was struck in the center by the guard went directly over the smoke- stack and landed on top of the second car. It was a sight to see the train men (who always rode on the first car near the tender) scamper for the hind end of the train, which pleased Mr. Little- field much. The road was completed, with the exception of graveling, and opened to travel in November, 1852, when an invi- tation to the stockholders was issued for a free ride, which was very generally accepted and an enjoyable day passed by many who had never before been hauled by steam power.
A new purchase of rolling stock had just been made, and in all, consisted of one small engine, two passenger, one mail, six box and twelve platform cars. With no snow-plow and no snow fences, the mixed train made trips that winter when con- venient, which was infrequent. Some witty son gave it the name of "Peanut Road," which attached to it for several years. In the summer of 1853, another locomotive was purchased and John Brooks, a little man, was procured to run it. This was employed most of that season and the following one in graveling the road, obtaining most of the material near where the Leeds Center rail- road station is now situated and also near the dwelling of Samuel P. Libby southerly of Curtis Corner, both of which are in Leeds. Too poor to purchase a snow-plow, the company started in on its second winter-quite a severe one-and experienced many hardships. Dec. 29, 1853, fifteen inches of snow fell, and drifting badly, no trains were run Dec. 30, but late in the afternoon of the 3Ist one succeeded in reaching Livermore Falls. On February
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HISTORY OF LEEDS
23, 1854, snow commenced falling at 4 A.M., and continued all day. At ten o'clock A.M., a train started from the Junction, ran about three miles, got stuck in a drift, and the engine having nearly exhausted the supply of wood and water was unshackled from the cars, which were left in the snow, was run to Pettingill's crossing, where the tender received a new supply of water carried in pails from a brook ten or twelve rods distant, and a goodly amount of wood obtained, but instead of returning to the cars which contained two ladies and three gentlemen, the severity of cold, which had frozen the wet clothing of the carriers of the water, and the lateness of the hour decided the engineer to stop over night in the shelter of the woods where fuel and water was to be obtained, and an opportunity offered to move his engine back and forth to prevent it from freezing up and becoming a dead monster. The passengers remained in the cars two days and one night, supplied with food and fuel by the conductor and brakeman from the nearest farm houses. On the morning of the 24th, a crew of shovelers were at work, and at two o'clock P.M. the engine reached the enstalled cars, and after moving them out of their snowy beds to near the dwelling of Mr. Abram Wheeler, where the ladies were comfortably sheltered, started on its back track toward the Junction where it arrived, at last, at midnight. The following day, Feb. 25, this train again started out at noon, but got no farther than North Leeds, where the night was spent. Starting out at seven o'clock the following morning, Livermore Falls was reached about noon, where a rest was taken until March I. From that time to the 18th, regular trips were made, but on that day the shortest one of the season is placed to its credit. Starting out at II A.M. it had proceeded less than a mile when a drift was encountered and a return to cover made. March 19, snowed all day and no train left its moorings. The following day a train left the Junction at noon after much shovel- ing had been done, and arrived at Livermore Falls at 5 P.M. March 24, two feet of snow fell and no trains were out that day. March 25, snow was deep on the track, and the train remained housed. The following day was blustering, as was also the suc- ceeding one, and from then to April I the road was com- pletely tied up; but in the afternoon of that day the shovelers made a trip possible, and about 2 P.M. a train was gotten through. From that time forth until the following winter, neither snow nor frost prevented the making of regular trips. On the 8th day of December, 1854, snow fell to the depth of eight inches, and clearing with the sunset, a strong northwest wind through the night filled all the cuts deep with hard-drifted snow. A train composed of two engines, a mail and baggage car, and a passen- ger car left Livermore Falls on time the next morning, and with great effort succeeded in reaching a cut through the side of a
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HISTORY OF LEEDS
little round hill about 100 rods northerly of the station at Leeds Center, in which the train came to a sudden stop mid- way of the drift. Backing out with difficulty and running the train up the track to the bridge, a new start was made, and with all the speed possible they plunged into the drift a second time. They broke through it and in doing it the forward engine turned short to the left and the front end of the boiler was buried in the bank; while the other left the rails on the opposite side, toppled over on its side, and on the platform of the cab, which had broken from the tender, both Brooks and Knapp, engineer and fireman, rode out into the field uninjured.
The draw or coupling rod broke behind the tender and left all the cars on the irons, unin- jured. Josiah Littlefield was running the leading engine and slightly injured by being thrown against the end of the boiler, but.so slight that he continued in the work of clearing up the wreck. This wreck was a strong incentive to procure a snow plow, and within a few days one was on the rails and a good engine to push it. An old engine called the "Old widow," was also procured, and transportation renewed. January 19, 1855, snow fell in quantity and the following day none but an engine and snow plow went over the road, starting from the Junction at noon, arriving at Livermore Falls at IO P.M., and returning to the Junction that night. February 19, 1856, trains were again tied up on account of snow. January 9, 1857, train left the rails, though unattended with fatalities or personal injuries. Little snow fell the succeeding winter and travel but little impeded. December 21, 1858, completion of the road having been made to East Wilton, trains were that day put in operation to that village. On January 1, 1859, trains were housed where they remained until the afternoon of the 5th, when one started out from the Junction, drawn by two engines, and proceeding as far as Leeds Center, there, "thinking discretion the better part of valor," returned to winter quarters again. Soon after this train started on its return, Charles Garcelon came down the line with the "old widow" and no snow plow. In all probability a head on collision was averted by the lucky return of that train. No telegraphic wires had then been strung on this line, over which running orders were communicated. When the "old widow" arrived at the Junction, new life was infused into the two-engine train hands and starting anew at 10 P.M., a trip was made that night. Feb. 3, 1859, John Kauffer, engineer burned his mouth and throat so badly in blowing into a pet-cock which was frozen on his engine, that he lived but a few hours. The following day, the down train did not reach its destination until midnight, returning the next afternoon. Feb. 10, 1860, was a stormy and very blustering day. A train arrived at Curtis Corner at 2 P.M., destitute of wood and water, where both were supplied, the latter
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from a brook, distant about 20 rods, conveyed in a hogshead and drawn by oxen. The six passengers and train hands, with the exception of the engineer and fireman who stayed in the engine, were accommodated at the home of Salmon Brewster, where they remained until the afternoon of the following day when a start was made for the Junction, arriving there in safety and returning to Farmington that night. Similar experiences con- tinued until the road was leased June 29, 1871, to the Maine Cen- trail Railroad Co. for a term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, since which time, with the building of snow fences and other modern equipments the road has taken a place among those of high standard and good service. Let it ever be remem- bered, that to the enterprising citizens of Leeds is due the great advantage now being derived from the establishment of this great thoroughfare, which extends the entire length of the town, and along the shore of the most beautiful of the many sheets of water in New England.
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