USA > Maine > Waldo County > Brooks > Sketches of Brooks history > Part 15
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1915 Sadie Webb, Annie L. Brown, Effie Jenkins, Florilla Boulter, Amy Godding, Edna Godding, Emma Huxford, Isabel C. Boody and Susan Lord. Members 68.
1916 Annie L. Brown, Effie Jenkins, Affie Godding, Della Bowden, Sadie Hall, Edna Godding, Emma Huxford, Isabel C. Boody and Susan Lord. Members 74.
1917 Effie Jenkins, Affie Godding, Cassandra Austin, Della Bowden, Sadie Hall, Edna Godding, Emma Huxford, Isabel C. Boody and Susan Lord. Members 74.
1918 Affie Crockett, Edna Godding, Grace Batchelder, Abbie Smith, Zephia Miller, Sadie Webb, Emma Huxford, Inez Marson and Susan Lord. Members 69.
1919 Edna Warning, Grace Batchelder, Amy Grant, Esther Ellis, Zephia Miller, Cassandra Austin, Emma Huxford, Isabel C. Boody and Susan Lord. Members 64.
1920 Grace Batchelder, Sadie Webb, Annie L. Brown, Emma Ames, Sadie Hall, Bernys Ellis, Emma Huxford, Annie Ryder and Susan Lord. Members 59.
1921 Sadie Webb, Sadie Hall, Marie Y. Payson, Stella Young, Mil-
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dred Hall, Affie Crockett, Emma Huxford, Cassandra Austin and Susan Lord. Members 63.
1922 · Sadie Hall, Marie Payson, Stella Young, Zephia Miller, Cassan- dra Austin, Affie Crockett, Emma Huxford, Florence Young and Ora Crockett. Members 60.
1923 Sadie Hall, Marie Payson, Jennie W. Hamlin, Zephia Miller. Cassandra Austin, Affie Crockett, Emma Huxford, Florence Young, Ora Crockett. Members 60.
1924 Marie Y. Payson, Bernys Ellis, Jennie W. Hamlin, Sadie Hall; Florence Young, Affie Crockett, Emma Huxford, Ora Crockett, and Mildred Menolson. Members 68.
1925 Bernys Ellis, Florence Young, Sadie Webb, Sadie Hall, Louise Murphy, Affie Crockett, Feroil Dunham, Ora Crockett, Jennie C. Hamlin. Members 89.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLERS
I. O. of G. T. was instituted at Brooks in 1872. It was especially active and enjoyed a large enrollment of members for the years '72- '73-'74-'76-'77-'78 and '79. From 1880 until 1916 the periods of activ- ity were made especially so by the efforts of Marcellus J. Dow. After a considerable period there was a Lodge both at Brooks Village, and at South Brooks -- the former meeting on Thursday evening, and the latter on Saturday.
Marcellus J. Dow was the son of John Meader Dow and Elizabeth Watson Magoon and was born in West Brooks in 1845. Died at Brooks Village in 1916. He married Abbie E. Lane in Waldo, in 1876. His daughter, Grace E. married Leroy A. Bachelder and later Herbert J. Hamlin. Alice L. married Earl D. Bessey and has 3 boys-Charles Dow Bessey, John Marcellus Bessey and Earle D. Bessey, Jr. Their home is in Lanesville, Ohio. About the year 1887 Mr. Dow moved from his farm to Brooks Village. In 1896 he built the residence now occupied by his wife and Herbert J. Hamlin, on the corner lot on which for many years was located the corner well. This appeared to be symbollic of Mr. Dow's activities. For ten years he was National Organizer for the I. O. of G. T., and under authority of the Grand Lodge instituted subordinate lodges in the State of Maine, and often making trips into other States and the Provinces. Upon removing to Brooks he purchased a dry goods business and managed this for 30 years, along with his home farm in West Brooks. The building, after the death of Mr. Dow. was occupied as a Telephone office, and afterward the home of the Branch Bank of the Waldo Trust Company. Mr. Dow served his Town as Superintendent of Schools. Member of the School Commit-
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Marcellus J. Dow
Abbie Lane Dow
Residence of Marcellus J. Dow
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SOCIETIES AND CLUBS
tee, Treasurer, Selectman, and Representative to the State Legislature in 1907 and 1908. He assembled the U. S. Census data in 1870-1890, 1900-1910. When a young man, he was a very successful school teacher, teaching over thirty terms of school. Mr. Dow, without doubt, will be best remembered for his activity in behalf and for the cause of Temperance. He was also active as a member of the Ma- sonic Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and the Grange.
He was a versatile speaker and no meeting of Grange or Lodge was quite complete without a talk by him. Addresses . of welcome were quite likely to be given in verse.
The Old Well on the Manter Place
He was for a time Editor of the Yankee Blade, and a regular con- tributor to the American Cultivator, Mirror and Farmer, and other periodicals. Under the pen name of "Brusque" he wrote an interest- ing series of articles on his travels and experiences under the title "Notes by the Way", which were published in the local papers.
He studied law under Philo Hersey, Esq., of Belfast, and was for many years a Trial Justice.
He cast his first vote for General Grant in 1868 and was always faithful to the Republican party. Although of Quaker stock, in late life he became a member of the Congregational Church.
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PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY
Harvest Home Grange No. 52 was instituted in Brooks in 1875. It enjoyed a large membership, and, because of its especial associa- tion with agricultural interests, remains an active organization of the present time. Its officers have at all times been the representative citizens of the community. Its programs have been well selected, and in additon to its work in behalf of the interests of agriculture, it also has added much of an educational nature. The meetings were held first at Yankee Blade Hall, next at Union Hall, later at Crock- etts Hall, and, March 13, 1919, purchased the Friends Church, and now enjoys a home of its own.
THE FARMERS' CLUB
Through the efforts of Albert G. Rose and John W. Lang, the Farmers' Club was organized, and for several years was active in its efforts in behalf of the farmers. The club was organized March 9, . 1872, with about sixty members. The club was instrumental in the organization of a Cheese Factory, the officers of which were :- Albert G. Rose, President; Benjamin Knowles, V. P .; John W. Lang, Secre- tary; Michael Chase, Treasurer; Directors, Albert G. Rose, John W. Lang, George Moulton, Joseph Ellis, and J. D. Jones; Capital Stock, $2000.00. Albert G. Rose was the first President of the Farmers Club, and John W. Lang its first Secretary.
BROOKS SOCIAL CLUB
For Several years Brooks had enjoyed entertainment of an espe- cially high nature, and to better perfect and organize the talent, the Social Club was formed, in 1874, with Thaddeus I. Huxford as first President. The members of the club rendered a very valued service to the community for several years, but gradually its activities were taken over by other organizations.
SOVEREIGNS OF INDUSTRY GOLDEN RULE LODGE, NUMBER 36
The Golden Rule Lodge. No. 36. was organized at Brooks in 1876, with Albert H. Rose its first President. This organization enjoyed an active period during 1880. During this time, especially active presidents were Mr. Rose, Rev. David Brackett, and Charles E. Lane.
WORTHY CHIEF TEMPLARS
An association whose membership was limited to Past Chief Tem- plars of the I. O. of G. T., and appears from 1875 to 1878.
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SOCIETIES AND CLUBS
GEORGE G. DAVIS POST, G. A. R.
The veterans of the Civil War residing in Brooks assembled in August, 1866, organized, and elected Albert H. Rose its first Com- mander. The organization held regular meetings, and was especially active in the observance of Memorial Day, but with the lapse of time, and the passing away of its members, and the inactivity due to disability through age of those who remained, its activities were by necessity eliminated, and the Knights of Pythias Lodge has now for several years taken over Memorial Day exercises, giving proper con- sideration to the few remaining members. William C. Rowe was very active in the organization, having been its Commander and Secretary for many years. The Post was named for George G. Davis, in honor of his service in the War of the Rebellion. It met on the first and third months.
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORP
The Woman's Relief Corp was organized in Brooks in 1897, and was active until 1902.
ANDREW D. BEAN, NO. 55, LADIES OF VETERANS
This organization held regular meetings from 1897 to 1902, on the first Wednesday of each month.
KNIGHTS OF THE MACABEES BROOKS LODGE NO. 36
Held meetings first and third Friday of each month. Was organ- ized in Brooks in 1908, and was active until 1916. Meetings were held at Kilgore Hall.
LADIES OF THE MACABEES BROOKS LODGE NO. 14
Meetings were held on Saturday evenings. This lodge enjoyed a fair measure of prosperity from 1913 to 1916.
In 1930 through the efforts of the Pastor, Everett T. Bemont, boys and girls' clubs were organized in the schools. The room over the Fire House was fitted up for the boys' club room, and the Church Vestry for the girls.
MEN'S CLUB
About 1824 some of the older citizens organized a social club at which time they gathered and enjoyed reminising and perhaps in the most part, enjoying a game of sixty threc.
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RAILROADS
A sketch of the efforts of the inhabitants of Brooks for a railroad are so interwoven with that of the City of Belfast that the narra- tive of Williamson in his history of Belfast equally applies to that of Brooks. It appears from the town records of Brooks that on the 25th day of April, 1867, at a legal meeting of the inhabitants duly called, Allen Davis, Esq., submitted the following resolve:
Resolved :- That the selectmen be authorized to subscribe for stock in the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad to the amount of $20,000.00.
The vote was taken on the resolve and 102 voted yes, 31 voted no. Among those most active and the leader in opposing the financing of the railroad was Daniel Jones. There were many special town meet- ings in reference to the railroad project and considerable litigation, but finally the Municipal Officers were authorized to proceed and ex- ecute the vote of the town in regard to subscribing for $20,000.00 of the stock of the proposed Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad.
For many years there was no station agent at Brooks, but in 1885 H. H. Pilley was engaged as station agent and served until 1892.
During this same period of time, Charles E. Lane supervised the shipping of stock. Other station agents and their periods of service were: Elmer G. Roberts, 1892-1896; F. W. Pingree, 1896-1900; C. F. Files, 1900-1910; H. M. Parsons, 1910-1912; G. C. Goddard, 1912- 1925; Thomas Whitney, 1930. During this period of time Mr. God- dard was also agent for the American Express Company.
Others of Brooks who saw years of service with the railroad were: HENRY H. WEBB, born at Brooks, Maine, October 14, 1859; mar- ried Sadie Stimpson of Brooks, Maine, 1886; children, Mary Emma, married Harry M. Brown of Brooks; Henry Edward, married Chris- tine M. Spinney of Boston, Mass .; Annie Maud married Harry C. Work of Jackson, Maine; Ralph Hallis, died at age of twelve; Lewis Eli, died at age of eleven months; Sadie Nina married Jerome R. Quimby of Brooks; Blanche Louise, married Hervey F. Bowden of Brooks; worked for the Maine Central R. R. Co. thirty-nine years, 1886-1925, Section Foreman. 1896-1925, retired with pension Novem- ber 30, 1925; member of Knights of Pythias 1897 -; Republican. Died October 25. 1930.
HARRY E. GORDON, born in Brooks, Maine, July 15, 1871; son of John H. Gordon; married Susie S. Wentworth, at Knox Maine, No-
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vember 17, 1890; children: Earle W. Gordon; occupation: obtained positon as fireman on Maine Central Railroad, November 1, 1892, promoted to engineer January 2, 1899, disabled by rheumatism May, 1923, pensioned off by company; member 32nd degree Masons, Val- ley of Portland, Palestine Commandery No. 14, Belfast, Maine, Eas- tern Star, Primrose Chapter, 152, Belfast, Maine, Brotherhood of Lo- comotive Engineers Division No. 40, Portland; Congregationalist; Republican.
ISAAC LEATHERS, born at Brooks, Maine, August 29, 1849; married - first, Eliza J. Felker, Brooks, Maine, 1876; married second Carrie E. Felker, Belfast, Maine, 1927; child, Owen; member Masons, Marsh River Lodge No. 102, Brooks; Democrat, member board of as- sessors of the Town of Brooks two years; Collector of taxes two years, deputy sheriff four years, employed on Maine Central Railroad twenty- five years, clerk in store five years, manager Farmers' Union five years. --
The first organized effort for a railroad in Waldo County was in the years 1835-1836. Several pro- jects were advanced, one to Moose- head Lake, one to Gardiner, and another to Frankfort and Bangor. Henry H. Webb The most interest was manifest for the latter development and a charter was obtained for this last project, March 22, 1836, granting the right to connect at Belfast with any railroad to the Kennebec River and to maintain a branch from Frankfort Village to Brooks, there to join the Quebec Railroad. An odd stipulation in reference to the shares of stock was that, if more than three thousand shares were subscribed for from Frankfort to Belfast, the same should be distributed among all the subscribers to the Brooks and Bangor Divisions.
With an apparent certainty of a railroad between Portland and Waterville to be established in 1848, Belfast then renewed its activ- ities for an extension from Waterville to Belfast.
A charter was obtained from the Legislature and the public con- tributed $800.00 for a survey. Mr. Mutterfield of Lowell, Massachu- setts, made a survey during the summer of 1848, but finances were
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not available to build the branch. In 1853 Hon. Albert G. Jewett of Belfast revised the railroad project, Belfast to Moosehead Lake. A charter was obtained and considerable enthusiasm was created, but was unable to interest capital, and the railroad movement remained inactive until 1867.
In the Legislature of 1867, Dr. N. P. Monroe, representative to the Legislature from Belfast introduced a bill and later obtained a char- ter for the building of a railroad to Moosehead Lake, excepting the distance from Newport to Dexter.
The surveyor's estimate was about 81 miles. 30 miles to Newport, 14 miles from Newport to Dexter, and from Dexter to the Lake at Greenville 37 miles. As a road was already in construction between Newport and Dexter, this would leave about 67 miles to be con- structed by the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad Company ..
By the Charter, towns and cities receiving benefit by the building of the road were authorized to purchase stock of the non preferred classes, the amount purchased not to exceed 20% of the valuation of the city or town, and were authorized to issue muncipal bonds in payment of the same. The engineers made an estimate, that the cost of the section to Newport would be about $800,000.00.
At a public meeting held on the 23rd of March, 1867, representa- tive citizens of twenty-three towns on or near the proposed railroad were in attendance. Much enthusiasm was manifest and an expres- sion of opinion of those present showed an overwhelming majority in taking the necessary steps to raise the required funds.
The City of Belfast on April 6, 1867, authorized its officials to subscribe for 3.604 shares of non-preferred stock and amount of. $360,400.00. The town of Brooks on the 25th day of April. 1867. authorized the selectmen to subscribe for stock to the amount of $20,000.00. Other towns along the route of the proposed railroad offered subscriptions of $50,000.00.
On the 20th of August. 1867, when the books for subscription of stock had been closed, individual subscriptions of $156,700.00 had been made. While there was celebrating and rejoicing in the vari- ous towns along the proposed line of the railroad, as the result of the announcement of the subscription list, there was also bitter oppo- sition which resulted in much litigation.
The Belfast and Moosehead Lake Corporation was organized at Belfast, June 30, 1867. Alfred W. Johnson was elected the first President by the board of directors, but he would not accept. and Axel Hayford was elected President. John #~Quimby, Clerk. and W. T. Colburn. Treasurer.
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RAILROADS
On August 14, 1867, A. W. Wilds of Skowhegan and Mortimer and Smith, outlined a survey of the road from Belfast to Newport. The distance as given by those engineers was 36 miles and to cost $900,843.00. On March 29, 1868, the City officials of Belfast were authorized to subscribe for an additional amount of $140,000.00. El- lis, Wilson and Hogan of Canada were awarded the contract of con- structing the road, the road to be complete June 1, 1870. The men to receive $25.900.00 per mile; $4,472.00 to be paid in preferred stock and the balance, $21,428.00 in cash. The amount of stock subscribed- for at this time was, City of Belfast, $500.000.00; Town of Brooks, $20,000.00; other towns, $55,000.00; individual subscriptions, $156,- 700.00; total, $911,700.00.
An assessment was ordered on the subscriptions as of July 20, 1868. The first operation for the construction of the road was made at Belfast, August 4, 1868. Appropriate exercises were held at this time and it was a general holiday for Waldo County. The orator of the day was the Hon. Seth L. Milliken of Belfast, who later became Representative to Congress. During this period litigation and re- straining orders had been instituted by the opposition to prevent the expenditure of money by the city and town officials.
The litigation placed in motion by the opposition, but which had been overcome had its effect on foreign capital and the directors of the railroad were faced with the problem of failure. To enter into a contract with one of the Maine Lines along the Kennebec would mean the defeat of the purpose for which the charter was obtained. It was the original intention to bring the products and resources of , the State to Belfast, but the directors for the want of capital had no other alternative than to enter into a contract with the Portland and Kennebec Railroad or the Maine Central Railroad. The Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad must abandon its contemplative terminus at Newport to a more desirable point to connect with the Portland and Kennebec Railroad.
A contract subject to the approval of the stockholders was en- tered into with the Portland and Kennebee Railroad Company by the directors of the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad Company.
The period of the lease was for fifty years. The consideration was 5" of the cost of the road for the first five years of the lease and 647 for the forty-five years remaining. According to the terms of this arrangement the Portland and Kennebec Railroad Company was to establish a branch line from Brooks to Bangor. The directors of the Maine Central Railroad immediately realized what effect this would have upon their railroad system and the directors of the Maine
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Central made overtures to the officials of the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad for a lease of the road with a connection with their Main Line at Burnham or Newport.
At a meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Belfast it was voted to accept and ratify the lease with the Portland and Ken- nebec Railroad Company. As the City of Belfast held the majority of stock this action appeared decisive, but a meeting of the stock holders of the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad, it was voted to reject the lease with the Portland and Kennebec Railroad and enter into a lease with the Maine Central Railroad for a period of fifty years. The Maine Central paying an annual rental of 6% per year on $800,000.00. This was with the understanding that connec- tion of the Maine Central be made at Burnham.
This action of the company was displeasing to the officials of the City of Belfast. . Many refused to pay their subscriptions for stock. The builders of the road could not find a sale for their preferred stock and the city and town bonds issued for the purpose of build- ing the railroad was salable at only a large discount.
The first cargo of iron arrived from England in the early spring of 1870. On June 4, 1870, laying of the track commenced. With all the various difficulties the directors were satisfied that they could not complete the road by November 1, 1870, according to the terms of the contract with the Maine Central Railroad.
The company was in arrears in payments to the builders. They demanded $100,000 at once or they would cease work. Finally the City of Belfast voted to raise $101,925 for the purpose of complet- ing the railroad. this to be secured by preferred stock and second mortgage bonds. At this time over six hundred men were employed in completing the construction of the road, day and night crews be- ing used. All along the line volunteers worked on Sundays and hol- idays to hasten the completion.
On September 24, 1870, the last rail was laid at Burnham. On September 25. 1870, E. C. Moulton moved the first train, the engine Windsor, and two platform cars arranged to carry passengers over the line. The first passenger train was November 1. 1870, having as its guests the directors of the Maine Central Railroad on a tour of inspection. The Maine Central Railroad furnished the rolling stock for the road. Acceptance had not been made at this time.
On December 23, 1870, regular trains commenced running over the road from Belfast to Burnham, leaving Belfast at 7 A. M. and 1.45 P. M. with two return trips, returning at noon and at 7.30 P. M. John Atwell Mace served as conductor from May, 1871, until 1893, when
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he took over the run from Bangor to Boston and has recently retired.
Soon after the lease was executed with the Maine Central Rail- road, a consolidation of the Maine Central Railroad and the Port- land and Kennebec Roads was effected. This arrangement was most unfavorable to the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad Company. Defects being found in the lease the officials of the Maine Central Railroad recinded its lease. After several conferences of the directors of both companies with the Railroad Commissioners it finally was arranged that the Maine Central become the lessees at a rental of. $36,000 per year for a period of fifty years. The financial condition of the company as of July 1, 1874, was first mortgage bonds of $150,000. Note payable the City of Belfast $101,900 thus making $251,900. After making proper adjustment of resources the floating debt of the corporation was $67,157.21.
In 1874 total number of passengers carried 17,244 and 11,036 tons of freight. There have been several projects for railroads in Waldo County. In 1871 application for a charter was made to the Legisla- ture for the right to maintain a railroad from Brooks through Mon- roe, Newburg to Bangor, connecting with the European and North American Railroad. The application for a charter was not granted. In 1893 a new station was erected at Brooks.
The Railroad was leased to the Maine Central R. R. Co. in May, 1871 for a period of fifty years at $36,000 per year. This lease ex- pired in 1921 when a temporary extension of the lease was arranged between the two railroads subject to termination by either railroad on six months' notice. After due notice by the Maine Central R. R. Co. the extension of the lease was terminated January 1, 1926, since which time the Belfast & Moosehead Lake R. R. Co. has been op- erating as an independent railroad.
With the transportation of freight by large trucks and automo- biles having taken care of passengers, the company deserve much credit for its efficient management. In recent years the town of Brooks has been represented by one of its officials on the board of directors of the Belfast and Mooschead Lake Railroad.
The officials of the company as of January 1, 1930 were C. W. Wescott, President; Harold P. Crowell, Manager; M. W. Lord, Trea- surer and Clerk. Directors, Augustus Colburn. Charles P. Hazeltine, Elmer A. Sherman, Ralph L. Cooper, Maurice W. Lord, C. W. Wes- cott, Charles W. Frederick, Frank R. Woodcock, all of Belfast, and George B. Roberts, of Brooks. The Company has an outstanding capitalization of $648,100 made up of $380,400 Common Stock and $267,700 Preferred Stock, not any bonded indebtedness. The City of
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Belfast owns $360.400 of the Common Stock and $139,600 of the Preferred Stock, the Town of Brooks owns $20,000 of the Common Stock. At the time the independent operation was begun the rail- road had to hire all rolling stock but since that time has purchased and now owns all the rolling stock used on the road.
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MANUFACTURERS AND MERCHANTS
BLACK AND GAY, CANNERS, INC., of Thomaston, Maine, in 1917 opened an apple factory in a building formerly used by the Portland Packing Company as a warehouse. In 1921 the company erected a new factory, canning string beans, corn, apples and squash, giving employment to about fifty with Leroy E. Godding, superintendent.
LEROY E. GODDING, born in Jackson, Maine, June 29, 1884; mar- ried Celia Roberts at Brooks, Maine, September 3, 1905; children, Rudolph L., Francena K .; occupation, painting and paperhanging un- til 1910; then as clerk in grocery store four years for Young and Cox. In 1915 opened a pool-room on Main Street, east, in the Kil- gore building, so-called. In fall of 1917 went to work as superin- tendent in canning factory for Black and Gay, Canners, Inc., where he is at present employed; member Masons, K. of P., Eastern Star, and Pythian Sisterhood; Congregationalist; Republican.
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