USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Windham > Sketches of the history of Windham, Maine, 1734-1935; the story of a typical New England town > Part 8
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KNIGHIT, HOWARD S., Ind: Portland 9/3/18. Pvt; Org: 151 Dep Brig to disch. HDOD: 12/12/18.
LAKE, FRED A., B. Hallowell, Enl: NG 4/9/17. RFS: 7/25/17. Pvt; Org: 12 Co CAC Me NG to S/23/17; Co B 101 Engrs to disch. Eng: Champagne-Marne; Aisne-Marne; St. Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne; Defensive
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Sector. Overseas : 9/26/17 to 4/4/19. HDOD: 4/28/19.
LAMB, LINCOLN W., B. Gorham, Ind : 7/26/18. Pvt; Org: 45 Co 12 Bn 151 Dep Brig to 8/2/18; Co A 73 Inf to death. Died of disease 9/29/18.
LIBBY, ARTHUR W., B. Baldwin, Enl : RA at Ft Slocum, N. Y., 6/10/17. Pvt; Pvt 1st Cl 11/18/17. Org: Tr G 20 Cav to 11/18/17; Btry D 78 FA to disch. Overseas : 7/14/18 to 6/19/19. HDOD: 6/26/19.
LIBBY, JAMES F., R. Portland, Ind : Portland 5/31/18. Pvt; Pvt 1st Cl 12/23/18. Org: Hq & Sup Co 7 Bn FA Repl Draft Cp Jackson, S. C., to 7/5/18; Radio Sch 7 Regt FA Repl Draft Cp Jackson, S. C., to 8/30/18; Btry F 118 FA to disch. Overseas: 10/21/18 to 12/20/18. HDOD: 1/15/19.
LIBBY, LOREN N., R. Sanford, Ind: Kennebunk 5/28/18. Pvt; Pvt 1st Cl 10/1/18. Org: 301 Btry Tr Arty to disch. Overseas : 7/16/18 to 5/2/19. HDOD : 5/20/19. LOMBARD, HARRY J., Ind: Dover, N. H., 8/14/18. Pvt; Org : 151 Dep Brig to 9/4/18; Btry D 73 Arty CAC to 10/12/18 ; Btry E 116 FA to disch. Overseas : 10/16/18 to 12/20/18. HDOD: 1/15/19.
LORD, SHERMAN T., Enl: NG 3/15/16. RFS: 7/25/17. Pvt; Org: 12 Co CAC Me NG to 8/27/18; Btry D 47 Arty CAC to disch. Overseas: 10/14/18 to 2/15/19. HDOD : 3/12/19.
MCDONALD, EDWIN A., B. Sebago Lake, Ind : 9/7/18. Pvt; Org: 151 Dep Brig to disch. HDOD: 1/10/19.
MCKAY, EDWARD, B. Ireland, Enl: 1/7/14 Ft Slocum,
N. Y. Pvt ; Org : 1st Co CAC : Rptd from RAR 7/12/17. HDSCD : 8/2/17.
MANCHESTER, CHARLES N., R. North Gorham, Ind : 10/4/18. Pvt; Org: SATC Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Me., to disch. HDOD : 12/10/18.
MASON, CLIFFORD E., R. West Falmouth, Enl : RA Ft Slocum, N. Y., 12/29/13. Pvt; Pvt 1st Cl 10/28/18; Pvt
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1/16/19. Org: Btry D 42 Arty CAC to 5/23/19; Btry A 42 Arty CAC to disch. Overseas : 8/18/17 to 2/18/19. HD abolishment RAR : 6/4/20.
MAYBERRY, EARL E., R. Gorham, Enl: NG 4/3/17. RFS: 7/25/17. Cpl 5/10/17; Sgt 7/19/18. Org: 12 Co Me NG to -; Btry E 54 Arty AEF to 12/22/18; Btry D 54 CAC to disch. Overseas: 3/22/18 to 3/6/19. HDOD: 3/13/19.
MAYBERRY, LESTER F., R. Portland, Enl : NG Ft Williams, Me., 11/24/17. RFS: 7/25/17. Pvt; Org: 19 Co CAC Me NG Ft Williams to -; Btry B 54 CAC to 5/16/18; Btry B 60 CAC to disch. Eng: St. Mihiel ; Meuse ; Argonne. Overseas: 3/16/18 to 2/4/19. HDOD: 2/24/19.
MEEHAN, ROLAND, B. Westbrook, Ind: 10/15/18. Pvt; Org: SATC Univ. of Me., Orono, to disch. HDOD: 12/7/18.
MILLER, ERNEST C., B. Lynn, Mass., Ind: Lewiston 6/25/18. Pvt; Org: CWS Edgewood Arsenal, Md., to disch. HDOD : 1/15/19.
MOFFETT, WALTER J., B. Knoxville, Tenn., Enl: RA Ft Mott, N. J., 10/21/13. Sgt 12/19/14; Sup Sgt 10/9/16; Sgt 10/6/17; Mess Sgt 12/18/18; 1st Sgt 8/18/19. Org: 36 Co CAC Ft Mott, N. J., to 8/5/16; 5 Co Ft Mills, P. I., CAC to 10/25/17; 4 Co Manila Bay to 7/13/18; 8 Co Ft Mills, P. I., to 3/1/19 ; 17 Co Ft Mills, P. I., to disch. HDOD : 10/15/19.
NASH, CLIFFORD H., Ind : 7/2/18. Pvt; Org: 151 Dep Brig to 8/3/18 ; Co B 73 Inf to disch. HDOD: 1/29/19. NEWHALL, PHILIP E., R. Cumberland Mills, Enl : 7/5/17. Pvt ; Org : Btry B 1st Me HFA. DSCD: 7/14/17. Enl : Westbrook 6/14/18. Pvt; Org: Hq Det 15 Bn; Serv Co; Motor Group; Repl Unit 72; Repl Unit 70 Cp Greenleaf. HDSCD: 5/6/19.
NIELSON, CHRISTIAN, B. Alborg, Denmark, Enl: NA Ft Slocum, N. Y., 6/27/18. Pvt 1st Cl 8/1/19. Org: M
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Trk Co 454; M Sup Tn 415 to disch. Eng: St. Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne; Defensive Sector. Overseas: 8/14/18 to 8/1/19. HDOD : 8/11/19.
PARKER, ERNEST H., B. Cornish, Ind : 7/26/18. Pvt; Wag 12/11/18. Org: Co A 73 Inf to 11/5/18; 212 Engrs Tn to disch. HDOD : 1/21/19.
PARKER, HARVEY, B. Cornish, Ind: 4/30/18. Pvt 1st Cl 11/18/18. Org: Co L 304 Inf to 8/8/18; Co C 58 Inf to disch. Overseas: 7/8/18 to 3/23/19. HDOD: 4/5/19.
PARTRIDGE, ROBERT A., B. Westbrook, Ind: Portland 6/29/18. Pvt; Org: 4 Unit Sept Aut Repl Draft Bos- ton, Mass., CAC to 10/22/18; Btry F 68 Arty CAC to disch. Overseas: 9/23/18 to 2/16/19. £ HDOD : 2/28/19.
PERKINS, WALTER L., R. Casco, Ind : 6/25/18. Pvt; Org: 20 Co 5 Bn Dep Brig. DSCD : 7/2/18.
POLLARD, HARVEY C., R. Poland, Ind : 7/26/18. Pvt; Org: 151 Dep Brig to 10/15/18; Co H 42 Inf to disch. HDOD: 1/24/19.
PRATT, CHARLES L., Ind : 10/9/18. Pvt; Org: SATC Univ. of Me., Orono, to disch. HDOD : 12/7/18.
PRAY, DEAN E., B. Houlton, Enl : NG Skowhegan 5/12/16. Sgt 7/2/17; Org Co E 103 Inf to 4/5/18; Repl Div Army Cand School to disch; HD to acpt com 7/8/18. Aptd : 2nd Lt Inf 7/9/18 from NG. Org: 1st Dept Div MTC to disch. Eng: Champagne-Marne. Overseas : 9/25/17 to 7/15/19. HD for convenience of Govt S/6/19.
PUNTY, EDWARD A., B. Madison, Enl: NG 4/15/17. Pvt 1st Cl 1/18/18; Pvt 6/10/18. Org: 12 Co CAC Me NG (28 Co Portland CAC) to 10/11/17; 21 Co Portland CAC to 6/12/18; QMC to disch. HDOD : 5/1/19.
ROBERTS, JOHN A., Ind: 10/24/18. Pvt; Org: SATC Wentworth Inst., Boston, Mass., to disch. HDOD: 12/6/18.
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ROBINSON, ROBERT E., B. Carmel, Enl: ERC Portland 6/6/17. Pvt; Pvt 1st CI 7/14/17. Org: Co C 14 Engrs to 6/25/18; 35 Serv Co Sig C to 4/2/19; 57 Serv Co Sig C to disch. Eng: Somme Off ; Aisne-Marne ; Oise-Aisne; Meuse-Argonne; Defensive Sector. Over- seas : 7/27/17 to 5/8/19. HDOD: 5/24/19.
ROGERS, LEON S., B. Bartlett, N. H., Enl: NG Portland 6/30/17. RFS: 7/25/17. Bugler 2/2/18; Pvt 2/12/18; Bugler 4/1/18. Org: Hq Co FA Me NG (56 Pion Inf) to disch. Overseas: 9/4/18 to 6/22/19. HDOD: 6/24/19.
ROGERS, MAYNARD G., Ind : 6/25/18. Pvt; Org: 20 Co 5th Bn Dep Brig. HDSCD : 7/5/18.
SAWYER, GEORGE S., Enl : NG 5/12/16. RFS: 7/25/17. Pvt 1st CI 4/12/17. Org: 12 Co CAC Me NG to -; Co B 101 Engrs to disch. Eng: Champagne-Marne; Aisne- Marne ; St. Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne; Defensive Sector. Overseas : 9/26/17 to 4/4/19. HDOD : 4/28/19.
SAWYER, HALL C., R. Gorham, Ind : 10/22/18. Pvt; Org: SATC Northeastern College, Boston, Mass., to disch. HDOD: 12/6/18.
SAWYER, WARREN L., R. Westbrook, Enl: RA Ft Slocum, N. Y., 10/26/17. Pvt; Sgt 4/15/18. Org: 136 Aero Sq to 3/23/18; 865 Aero Sq to 10/3/18; Cav OTC Leon Springs, Tex., to disch. HDOD: 12/4/18.
SAYWARD, CARROLL E., R. Gray, Ind : 8/5/18. Pvt; Pvt 1st Cl 9/1/18. Org : G & F Co 325 QMC to disch. HDOD: 12/13/18.
SAYWARD, HARLAN A., Ind: 7/26/18. Pvt; Org: Co A 73 Inf to disch. HDOD : 1/29/19.
SAYWARD, ROLAND, Ind : 8/29/18. Pvt; Org: 151 Dep Brig to disch. HDOD : 12/4/18.
SHAW, HOWARD E., B. Gorham, Ind : 8/15/18. Pvt; Org: Tng Det Wentworth Inst., Boston, Mass., to 10/13/18; 32 Co Boston CA Ft Standish, Mass., to disch. HDOD: 12/19/18.
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SHAW, LEWIS N., Enl: NG 4/9/17. RFS: 7/25/17. Prt 1st Cl 5/23/18; Org: 12 Co CAC Me NG (28 Co CAC Portland, Ft Mckinley, Me.) to 10/11/17; 21 Co Port- land, Ft Preble, Me., to disch. HDOD : 3/12/19.
SHAW, MERLE B., R. Orono, Washington, D. C., Ind : Woburn, Mass., 7/6/18. Pvt; Org: Edgewood Arsenal to disch. HDOD : 1/10/19.
STONE, ELWIN H., Ind : 7/26/18. Pvt; Org: 151 Dep Brig to 8/2/18 ; Co A 73 Inf to disch. HDOD: 1/29/19.
STUART, CHARLES F., B. Gray, Ind: 7/26/18. Pvt; Org: 151 Dep Brig to 8/2/18 ; Co A 73 Inf to disch. HDOD : 1/29/19.
STUART, CLIFFORD L., R. Sanford, Enl : Ft McDowell, Calif., 11/15/13. Pvt; Cpl 7/17/15; Pvt 10/25/18. Org: Co H 18 Inf ; Co I 8 Inf ; MGC 18 Inf; Co K 36 Inf RAR. Eng: Meuse-Argonne; St. Mihiel; Defensive Sector. Overseas : 6/14/17 to 7/3/19. HD: 11/10/20.
STUART, GEORGE E. T., R. Springvale, Ind : Kennebunk, 4/29/18. Pvt 1st Cl 7/11/18; Pvt 11/21/18. Org: 151 Dep Brig to 5/25/18 ; Co G 301 Am Tn to 12/7/18; Co G 116 Am Tn to disch. Overseas: 7/12/18 to 2/23/19. HDOD: 3/4/19.
SWENDSEN, CHARLES E., R. Westbrook, Enl: NG 6/17/17. RFS: 7/25/17. Cpl 4/9/17; Pvt 6/7/18; Pvt 1st Cl 6/16/18. Org: 12 Co CAC Me NG; 27 Co CAC to 12/20/17; 54 Arty CAC to 8/29/18; Btry F 43 Arty CAC to disch. Eng: St. Mihiel; Argonne; Defensive Sector. Overseas: 3/22/18 to 12/31/18. HDOD: 1/23/19.
SWENDSEN, FRED W., R. Westbrook, Ind: 6/25/18. Pvt; Org: 151 Dep Brig to 8/26/18; Hq Co 36 Inf to disch. HDOD: 1/21/19.
THOMPSON, CLIFFORD E., R. Gorham, Ind: 6/15/18. Sgt 9/18/18. Org: Co 5, 1 Sh Regt to 9/8/18; M Trk Co 534 to disch. Overseas : 9/29/18 to 12/25/19. HDOD: 12/30/19.
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THUOTTE, OVIDE, R. Westbrook, Ind : 6/25/18. Pvt; Org: 151 Dep Brig to disch. HDOD: 1/14/19.
TOBIN, ERNEST, B. Providence, R. I., Enl: Georgetown, Mass., 11/23/17. Pvt; Org: Hq Co 103 Inf. Eng : Toul Sector; St. Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne; Aisne-Marne; Defensive Sector. Overseas : - to - . HDOD: 4/28/19.
VARNEY, CECIL F., B. Westbrook, Ind : 9/4/18. Pvt; Org: 152 Dep Brig to disch. HDOD: 12/16/18.
VARNEY, HAROLD W., B. Westbrook, Ind: 6/25/18. Pvt; Org : 17 Co 5 Bn Dep Brig to disch. HDSCD : 6/29/18. WARD, MURLAND G., R. Portland, Ind : Portland 7/22/18. Pvt; Org: Co B 34 MG Bn to disch. HDOD : 12/4/18. WARK, GEORGE J., R. Westbrook, Enl: NG 7/30/17. Pvt; Org: Btry B 1 Regt HFA Me NG to disch. HDSCD: 8/14/17.
WEBB, FRED L., R. Gray, Ind: Portland 9/21/18. Pvt; Org : 36 Co 9 Bn. DSCD : 9/26/18.
WIGGIN, ROY L., R. Sebago Lake, Ind : 6/25/18. Pvt 1st Cl 10/3/18. Org: 151 Dep Brig to 8/1/18; Co B 42 Inf to disch. HDOD : 5/27/19.
WINSHIP, HARRY H., R. Westbrook, Ind : 7/26/18. Bugler 11/1/18. Org: Co A 73 Inf to disch. HDOD : 1/17/19. WOOD, GEORGE W., Enl : Ft Williams 12/11/17. Pvt; Org: 7 Co CAC Me NG (Btry B 54 Arty CAC) to 5/1/18; Btry A 60 Arty CAC to disch. Eng: St. Mihiel; Meuse- Argonne; Defensive Sector. Overseas: 3/22/18 to 2/4/19. HDOD: 2/24/19.
YORK, ERNEST K., B. Milan, N. H., Enl: Berlin, N. H., 4/27/17. Pvt; Org: Co L 103 Inf to disch. Eng: Xivray-Meuse; Chateau-Thierry; St. Mihiel; Meuse- Argonne. Overseas : Sept., 1917, to Mar., 1919. HDOD: 4/28/19.
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ARMY NURSE CORPS
ALLEN, MARIE A., B. Everett, Mass., Called: Portland 3/22/18. Nurse. Assignments : Base Hosp Cp Devens, Mass., to 5/9/18; Ellis Island, N. Y., to 6/5/18; Base Hospital 33 to 3/24/19. Overseas : 6/19/18 to 2/24/19. Inactive duty : 3/24/19.
NAVY
ANTHOINE, CLIFFORD T., Enl: USN New Haven, Conn., 12/11/17. Apprentice seaman 91 days; seaman 2c 244 days. Served at NTS, Newport, R. I., to 3/12/18; USS Ontario to 3/15/18; USS Chicago to 11/11/18. Disch. : RS at Boston, Mass., 10/17/19.
BRAND, HERMAN J., B. Amesbury, Mass., Enl: USN Port- land 12/20/17. Landsman for machinist mate aviation 12 days ; Quartermaster 2c Aviation 273 days; Quarter- master 1c Aviation 41 days. Naval Air Station, Pen- sacola, Fla., 12/26/17 to 1/29/18; RS Philadelphia, Pa., to 2/4/18; Naval Air Station, Pauillac, France, to 3/9/18; Naval Air Station, Guipavas, France, to 10/2/18; Naval Base Hospital No. 5, Brest, France, 10/11/18; Naval Air Station, Guipavas, France, to 11/11/18. Disch .: Headquarters 1st Naval Dist., Bos- ton, Mass., 1/29/19.
DUNLAP, HOWARD L., R. South Portland. Apprentice sea- man 67 days; seaman 2c 98 days; seaman 92 days; Coxswain 31 days ; Boatswain's mate 2c 71 days. Served at NTS, Newport, R. I., 11/30/17 to 1/23/18; RS New York, N. Y., to 3/8/18; Naval Hospital New York, N. Y., to 3/23/18; RS New York, N. Y., to 4/19/18 ; USS Rondo to 11/11/18. Disch. : USS South- ery, Portsmouth, N. H., 12/21/18.
DURANT, CARROLL H., B. Holden, Mass., Enrolled : USN South Portland 5/17/18. Fireman 3c 178 days; Fire- man 1c. Served at NTS, Newport, R. I., 5/28/18 to
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10/31/18; RS Philadelphia, Pa., to 11/11/18. Inactive duty NT Cp Detroit, Mich., 8/9/19.
HAWKES, LEON E., R. Portland, Enl: USN Portland 6/25/17. Apprentice seaman 116 days; seaman 2c 388 days. Served at NTS, Newport, R. I., 7/31/17 to 10/19/17; USS St. Louis to 1/26/18; Armed draft detail New York, N. Y., to 10/30/18; USS Pequot to 11/11/18. Disch. : District Detail Office, Boston, Mass., 7/17/19.
HUTCHINSON, LAWRENCE H., B. Buxton, Enl: USN Port- land 6/12/17. Shipwright 262 days; CM 3c 122 days; CM 2c 92 days; CM 1c 41 days. Served on RS at Boston, Mass., 6/12/17 to 8/15/17; NT Cp Hingham, Mass., to 10/24/17; Naval Hospital, Chelsea, Mass., to 11/5/17; NT Cp Hingham, Mass., to 3/7/18; RS at Boston, Mass., to 3/22/18; USS Virginia to 5/18/18; RS at Boston, Mass., to 6/6/18; Harvard Radio Sch, Cambridge, Mass., to 11/11/18. Disch .: RS at Boston, Mass., 9/17/19.
MARSH, LAWRENCE A., R. Gorham, Enl: USN Portland 4/18/17. Apprentice seaman 79 days; seaman 2c 452 days; seaman 41 days. Served at NTS, Newport, R. I., 4/18/17 to 7/6/17; NT Cp Portsmouth, N. H., to 7/25/17; USS Montana to 2/21/18; RS Norfolk, Va., to 5/29/18; SS Westshore to 8/7/18; RS Norfolk, Va., to 8/17/18; USS Westshore to 11/17/18. Disch .: RS Portsmouth, N. H., 12/14/20.
ROGERS, MAURICE L., Enl: USN Portland 6/28/18. Apprentice seaman 109 days; seaman 2c 27 days; seaman 330 days. Served at NTS, Newport, R. I., 7/19/18 to 10/15/18; RS at Boston, Mass., to 11/11/18. Disch .: RS at Boston, Mass., 10/7/19.
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THE PRESENT VIEWED AS A DEVELOPMENT OF THE PAST-A PROPHECY
YE have seen that there are great and important dif- ferences between the Windham of today and the Windham of 1860. We select that year for a com- parison for two main reasons. The first is that these sketches are concerned mainly with the settlement and development of the town in material resources, such as agriculture and manu- facturing. Since 1860 there has been no extraordinary growth along these lines; in fact, there has been a great decline in manufactures since that date. Secondly, there has been a steady decline in population since that time. Eighteen hundred sixty was the banner year in that respect. Let us endeavor to explain some of the causes for this decline in population and industry during the past seventy-five years.
In a previous sketch we have mentioned western emigra- tion, losses in manufacturing, the urban trend of population, and speed, in its influence on transportation, as some of the causes for this decline. Let us now inquire why there is less manufacturing in town now, as compared with the earlier period. First, let us take the case of Great Falls, the best water power on the river. This power is so convenient to Portland, the metropolis of the State, that it is utilized for the lighting and other electrical needs of Greater Portland. There is a huge dam with a power house located on the Gor- ham side of the river. A very few men are needed to operate this plant, and the power is ruined for the employment of more men. The dam was made so high that it has flowed some of the falls above, formerly used for the manufacture of lumber, and these will never again be available for manufacturing.
Farther down the river at Gambo, the Du Pont corpora- tion has torn down all the powder mills and is using a mag- nificent power only to run a very small mill for the manufac-
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ture of "wood flour." There is no evidence that this great company will ever feel an urge to build up the plant and benefit the town. Here we have an outstanding example of the difference between the resident owners of a century ago and the non-resident of today. The former had the welfare of their town at heart, by giving employment to as many of their neighbors as possible and bringing new families into the town. The non-resident cares nothing for Windham, except as he can make a little money out of the town, or can hold a mill privilege idle, and keep possible competitors out. The growth and development of the town mean nothing to him.
The woolen mill at Mallison Falls is now owned by Boston parties. It has not been running for more than five years now, with no present prospect of opening.
The pulp mill at Little Falls is under the name of The Androscoggin Paper & Pulp Co. It is owned by the Robert L. Gair Inc., which also owns mills at Haverhill, Mass., and elsewhere. The Russell Co. of Boston owned this plant for about thirty-five years, and during that time they about doubled the capacity of it. It has recently suspended operations.
In that earlier day these powers and those on Pleasant River were owned in town, and the proceeds of manufacture came to the residents. There is no present evidence that manufacturing in Windham will ever return to its pristine prosperity. The day of the small business is past, so far as it is related to articles formerly manufactured here. The saw mill ceased to operate with the disappearance of forests.
Not only is the day of the small manufacturer past, but there is a strong current opinion that the small farmer has but little opportunity to compete favorably with his western rival. Of late, it is true, under the pressure of the current depression, there seems to be a movement to "go back to the land." Possibly this may have some good results, if it is conducted in a rational manner. One thing is certain, how- ever, and that is that a man without experience can never make a farm pay. Farming is a science, and a man must be
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trained in the best modern methods to make a living at it. If this training can be made a factor in the "back to the land" movement, then it may be productive of profitable results.
But there is a brighter side to this picture. Along with the departure of some of the old sources of income have come new sources that are being utilized by our people to an ever- increasing degree. Maine has truly become "the playground of the nation." Windham has its full share of lake, river, hill, and meadow to attract the summer resident and transient guest. She has also a good system of roads. One important highway, the Roosevelt Trail, runs six miles through the town, and this is easily accessible to all parts of the township, for Windham is a narrow town. There are many beautiful spots on Sebago, Little Sebago, and the Duck Pond, to say nothing of fine farm and hill outlook for those who do not care for the water. Every year we see more and more new cottages and overnight camps.
A word of caution should be spoken to those who would preserve the natural beauties of the landscape. Too many "hot dog stands" and unsightly billboards will ruin the beauty of natural scenery. It is to be hoped that the State will pass such legislation as will prevent the disfigurement of our beautiful roads, lakes, and streams.
Will Windham at some time become a part of a "Greater Portland," as communities near Boston and New York have been made nominally or actually parts of the urban center ? This is in the range of possibility. It is debatable whether it is probable or not. The growth of Portland will decide this question, for the automobile has made Portland easily acces- sible to workmen and shoppers. We have an opportunity to see the result of such a condition on a small scale, as we observe the increasing number of those who work in the city and live here during the summer months. Should we like to have these people as permanent neighbors and fellow citizens all the year round ? Yes, if they would become owners of single houses and take a pride in living in a fine old New
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England town. No, if they become merely "renters," without an idea of becoming permanent residents, taking everything they can get out of the beauties of the town and giving back no loyal, disinterested citizenship.
Our neighbor, Gorham, is an excellent example of a fine old town that is slowly becoming a residential center for the better class of workers from Portland and Westbrook. Why should Windham not attract such a group or groups of urban workers ? If Windham cannot look forward to a return of manufacturing interests, and if the farms are not likely to be developed to a much greater extent, then an attempt should be made to attract a good class of workers in the city to make a permanent home among us. They will bring money from the city, and they will support the schools, churches, and other public interests. This town is capable of being made one or several highly congenial residential neighborhoods. Our ancestors were neighbors in the best sense of the word. They founded a community built on the principles of democracy and righteousness. It is in keeping with their principles to preserve the beloved town that they carved out of the wilder- ness as a real community of true Americans, congenial neigh- bors, ever striving for the common good.
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APPENDIX
INTERESTING STATISTICS FROM AN OLD PAMPHLET OF 1840 SELECTIONS FROM THE CENTENNIAL ADDRESS OF JULY 4, 1839 POPULATION TABLE OF HOUSES, FAMILIES, AND SCHOLARS BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS (1840)
SOME WINDHAM "FIRSTS, SECONDS, AND THIRDS"
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SOME INTERESTING STATISTICS FROM AN OLD PAMPHLET PUBLISHED IN 1840 CONTAINING THE CENTENNIAL ADDRESS OF THOMAS L. SMITH
T THE town of Windham contains 26,159 acres of land - 2,274 inhabitants- 361 dwelling houses - viz., 280 of one story and 80 of two and 1 of three stories- 5 saw mills-2 shingle mills-2 carding machines- 1 clothier's mill for fulling and dressing cloth - 1 factory for manufac- turing woolen cloth - 1 mill for manufacturing chair stuff - 1 for manufacturing kegs-1 for cleansing salt petre-3 grist mills-10 blacksmith's shops-7 groceries - 5 tav- erns-and 2 tanneries. There are 16 brick and 2 stone buildings in town. The public property belonging to the town consists chiefly of a poor house, farm and buildings, pur- chased in 1835, costing $2,500, a brick town house erected in 1833, costing $750. It is 50 feet long and 40 feet wide with 13-foot walls.
Windham is a good agricultural town. The inhabitants are chiefly agriculturists. The soil in the south part of the town is a moist yellow loam, free from stones, based upon an understratum of clay about one foot from the surface-the northwest corner of the town is plains, and approximates to a sandy soil. There are inexhaustible quarries of granite in the south part of the town.
The oldest building now standing in town is the dwelling house where Reuben Elder now lives-it was built by Thomas Mayberry, the year when built not known.
The oldest musical instrument in town (and by some supposed to be the oldest in the United States) is a spinet made in London by Thomas Hitchcock in 1390 *. It was for-
* The spinet is now in the possession of John Anderson Water- man, Esq., of Gorham. It gives forth no note, but the case is in fair condition. Mr. Waterman says that the date above given is an error and places it at 1690.
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merly owned by the widow Wendall, the third wife of the Rev. Thomas Smith in Portland, and is owned by Mrs. Lucy Anderson, wife of Abraham Anderson, and daughter of the late Rev. Peter T. Smith.
Abraham Anderson, son of Abraham Anderson, the fifth settler, in the 82nd year of his age, is the oldest person now living in Windham, who was born in the town. He was born in the old fort.
The Presumpscot River is a noble stream. It is about 20 miles in length and falls 270 feet in its passage to the ocean. The river has a very devious channel with abrupt banks and numerous falls and rapids, which afford excellent hydraulic powers for mills and manufactories. It receives four tribu- taries from the Windham side, viz., Pleasant River, Black, Calley Wright's (Dole's), and Inkhorn Brooks. Probably no stream in the State of equal magnitude is so little affected by freshets, ice, and droughts, and is therefore so safe for mills as the Presumpscot. Pleasant River passes through the mid- dle of the town. Black, Calley Wright's, and Inkhorn Brooks are in the south part of the town. They all run a southwest course from their several sources to their junction with the Presumpscot. Pleasant River has many falls suitable for mills and factories.
There are several small ponds in the north part of the town. The Duck Pond on the east side of the town is partly in Windham and partly in Westbrook. Little Sebago in the north part of Windham is a pond of considerable magnitude, about one-third of which is in Windham, the residue in Gray. A part of this pond, about one mile in length and one-half mile in width, has been drained of its waters. (Here follows that account of the Anderson project and the disastrous freshet, which we put verbatim in the sketch entitled An Interval of Peace -The War of 1812.)
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SELECTIONS FROM THE CENTENNIAL ADDRESS OF JULY 4, 1839
(THOMAS LAURENS SMITH)
VE have assembled to celebrate our Centennial Anni- versary in a town which, one hundred years ago, was a dense and unbroken wilderness, the home of the wild beast of the forest and the hunting ground of the Indian. In whatever direction we now turn our eyes, we behold pleas- ant and well-cultivated fields and verdant pastures, with their "cattle upon a thousand hills," which a century past were unknown to man.
During that period five generations of men have succes- sively appeared upon the stage of action. * The face of nature has been changed; the barren wilderness turned into the fruitful field; the solitude of nature broken up by the hand of civilized man. The majestic and venerable oak, monarch of the forest, and the lofty pine, peering to heaven, have given place to gardens, orchards, and fruitful fields. * * * Let us, like our pious ancestors, prove faithful to the trust reposed in us, and while we admire their example, let us endeavor to do justice to their memories; to speak of their virtues, their love of order, their strong and invincible attach- ment to civil and religious liberty ; the patience and fortitude manifested by them in all their sufferings; and, above all, their noble resolution, "to die freemen rather than live slaves." * * *
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