USA > Maine > Knox County > Camden > Sketches of the history of the town of Camden, Maine; including incidental references to the neighboring places and adjacent waters > Part 14
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1835, July 30th, the town voted "To choose Hon. Jos. Hall as agent to solicit the U. S. Engineer to survey a route to Camden Harbor for the Canada Railroad." When the above railroad scheme was talked of, many of our citizens were sanguine that the proposed road would have its southern terminus here, and some, in anticipation of the idea, purchased lands which they thought would be likely to be intersected by the route. Like many other chimeras, the dream was never realized.
During this year, Mr. George Galt of Massachusetts () built the light house on Negro Island. It was not lighted until the following year.
The following is a list of the light keepers at different times :- H. K. M. Bowers in 1886; Ephraim S. Fly in 1841; Obadiah Brown in 1845; Capt. William Prince in 1833; Eb'r M. Carlton next, who resigned in 1856, when Obadiah Brown was appointed again, and, dying in 1857, was succeeded by Andrew M. Annis, who is the present keeper.
1836. During this year was chartered, and went into
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operation, with a capital stock of $50,000, the " Megun- ticook Bank," of which Wm. Carlton, Esq., was chosen president, and Warren Rawson, Esq., cashier. Mr. Raw- son, dying in 1838, was succeeded by Nathaniel Dilling- ham, Esq. Mr. Carlton deceased in 1840, and was suc- ceeded by Joseph Jones, Esq., who was president until the charter was surrendered. In 1845, Mr. Dillingham was succeeded by Hiram Bass, Esq., who was cashier until the affairs of the bank were finally settled. A new charter was obtained in 1847, but, as there was not an entire unanimity among the stockholders as to its continu- ation, it did not go into operation. On winding up, it paid to the stockholders 993 per cent. on the original stock. The office was in the second story of Mr. Jones' brick block.
Mr .
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Number
Licenses refused to Public Shows - The Poor Farm purchased - Surplus R,venue - Military Affairs - Companies called out - Appear dressed as Fantastics - Futile balloting for officers - The finale- The democratic gun -Another military turn-out - Soldiers fined for non-attendance - The deputy sheriff and his writs - Ad- vised to desist from his course - Ilis persistence - Gets badly used --- Ifis flight - Case laid before the Governor -The trial - Ad- journed - A trial before the court - The decision - Another pros- ecution - Proceedings quashed - Another attempt at training - Threatenings - Officer molested - Comes again - Military orders issued again - The Megunticook Indians - Discomfiture of the of- ficer - Conclusion of the matter -- Camden Lyceum - Goose River post-office established -J. R. Shaw and the American Citizen - Harrisonian times - Whig gun and flag staff - State election - Washingtonian cause - Celebration -The Independent Temper- ance Society - Youth's Temperance Society -Their pic-nic - Visit of the U. S. steam frigate Missouri.
1837. INDICATIVE of public feeling in regard to licensing circuses, &c., at this time, we find that the town, agrecably to an Act passed by the State, March 2, 1832, voted, "not to grant licenses to public shows and exhibitions."
During this year, about fifty persons received aid from the town, of whom one-half were children, from ten years down to three months old. In view of the fact that so many were dependent upon the town for support, it was decided, on the 8th of May, that steps should be taken to obtain a place where they could all be cared for under one roof, instead of being "let out to individuals." The ac- tion of the town was manifested by passing the following vote : - " That the selectmen be a committee to purchase the Capt. Wm. Brown farm, and receive a deed of the
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same, providing it can be purchased for $2.400." Who the bargain was made, the farm was in possession of John Keen. (who was one of the heirs of Capt, Brown, we think.) and from him it passed by deed to the town. "The Poor Farm" is situated a short distance south-west of Beech hill. in the south-westerly part of the town."
By an Act of the Legislature, passed March 8th, pro- viding for the distribution of the " Surplus Revenue," this town received its proportionate part according to the result of the census, which was soon after taken. In this place it resulted in much town meeting talk, as may be seen by the amount of room it occupies in the town records. The fand was finally divided per capita among the inhabitants, cach receiving $2.
At about this time, military orders were issued by the colonel of this regiment, requiring our citizen soldiers to meet at a designated time and place, to make choice of officers, as the term of office of the commissioned officers had expired. Punctual to the requirements of the warrant, our companies accordingly mustered, but, instead of ap- pearing in their military uniform, they were dressed in fantastic clothes. Col. T., of Thomaston. presided at the meeting, and ordered a balloting for officers. The vote was generally unanimous, but, no sooner were they chosen than they declined, and the balloting was kept up until the hour of adjournment. Col. T., satisfied with having done his duty, then dismissed the companies. Under the clerk of one of the companies, (H. B .. ) the soldiers formed into line and marched from the Yellow School-house down into the square. Perhaps a more comical sight was never before seen in this place. Some, in licu of knapsacks had a codfish on their backs; others were ornamented with the caudal appendages of diverse animals : one personated
* March, 1858, by previous vote of the town, the Poor Farm was sold to Lorenzo Brewster, for #1800.
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Hudibras ; another represented an old Continental, and thus were they appareled in the most ridiculous modes that could be suggested. On a large pair of wheels. (such as are used in ship yards.) a piece of a gun barrel, one and a half foot long was mounted. answering to an artillery piece and carriage. H. K. M. B., acting as colonel pro tem., was mounted on an old blind horse. accompanied by his aids. In front of the Colonel, one of his aids carried a bundle of hay upon which was a motto on canvas, something like this : - " Come along." When near the bridge, the Colo- nel's jade sheered off into the stream, when one of the dutiful aids came to the rescue, and led " the horse and his rider" into the road again. While the blind jade was being led by one of the aids, (J. C .. ) and was hobbling along with cautious tread, C. would occasionally look up and inquire gravely, " Colonel, does he go too fast ?" After thus marching through the principal streets, the company were disbanded, and thus for a season there were no com- missioned officers belonging to our military companies.
1838. During this year was presented to the Democratic party of Camden, through the influence of Col. Jos. Hall, the .. Democratic gun," a piece of ordnance generally used on proper occasions.
In 1839, the Legislature passed a law by which officers could be detailed from different parts of a regiment to command a company in a town where they had no officers, and oblige the men to train. Accordingly, in the spring of 1839, the Colonel of the regiment ordered one F. of Thomaston. - who held the rank of Ensign -to notify the soldiers of Camden Harbor, to meet at the town-house for military duty and inspection. Our people, in unison with public opinion throughout the State, were opposed to doing military duty under the then existing law, and so but few of our soldiers heeded the notice, and consequently did not turn out to do duty.
Shortly after, our soldiers were sued for their fines, which
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they incurred by their non-attendance. It appears that Lawyer L .. of T., had been computing how much the fines would amount to. and so, deeming it a paying operation. concluided to put it through. Our soldiers had been ap- prised of the intentions thus formed, and so were not to be taken by surprise.
The citations were put into the hands of Deputy Sheriff H., who summoned about eighteen of the company to appear at West-Camden, some four or five miles from their homes, at an appointed time, to undergo their trial. While the sheriff was on his way between Goose River and Cam- den village. he was met by Wm. Carlton, Esq., who advised him not to proceed to further extent in executing his writs, and told him he had better return home, as it was a favor- able season, and attend to planting. Sheriff H. replied, that he had a lot of good fat chickens to pick and he was bound to attend to it. He then proceeded to Camden village, where he was met by a committee of citizens, who remonstrated with him on his intended course and advised hin to desist from proceeding, as the result might prove disastrous to him. The sheriff said he knew his duty, and was determined to do it, and after thus expressing himself he started for Eaton's tavern, (where Mr. Jos. Eaton now lives,) and just as he arrived there, a crowd which had followed him over, greeted him with a volley of eggs, which flew thick and fast, until his horse and gig were got under way for him to retrace his course. His hat, in the mean time, containing the summonses, was knocked off by the pelting of the eggs, and its contents destroyed before it was replaced on his head. As soon as the sheriff could get away from his assailants, he speedily started for the westerly part of the town, where he resided, by the way of Molineaux's" Mills.
* From autographs of Molineaux's we have lately examined, we find he spelled his name as above, and not Molyneaux. Mr. Drake, in speaking of this name in his History and Antiquities of Boston, p. 758, says, it is " often spelt Molineaux and Molyneux."
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The following Monday, the abused sheriff started for Augusta, where he laid his case before the Governor. The Governor forthwith sent Adj. Gen. Thompson here to set- tle the affair. Before the Adj. Gen. arrived in town, the trial of those who had been summoned came on. The Camden Harbor companies, numbering about 180; together with other citizens, amounting in all, to between 300 and 400, went over to the trial, and found the court had ad- journed before the hour of meeting had arrived. Accord- ingly. having nothing further to do, they returned home. The Adj. Gen. soon after arrived. and proposed to settle the affair by one man having his trial, with the privilege of appealing, in case he was convicted. This proposition was at once acceded to, and A. M. was selected as the one whose name should be thus placed upon the docket. M's case was accordingly carried to the Supreme Court, where judgment was given in his favor, or, in other words, the de- cision was rendered in favor of the soldiers, based upon the argument that the court at West-Camden was adjourn- ed illegally. Deputy Sheriff H. afterward went to court, (at Belfast.) and got five or six indicted before the grand jury, for being concerned in the egging affair. As soon as the persons indicted heard of it, they immediately, by ad- vice of counsel. went to Belfast and demanded a trial. Be- cause of a flaw in the indictment, the proceedings were quashed and there dropped.
After the lapse of two years, we find the old feeling of hostility to the obnoxious military laws again aroused by Wm. S., of T., coming here to undertake to make our mili- tary companies train. In the spring of 1841 he issued a warrant for them to meet at a designated time and place, but the call was unheeded, and no one turned out. Threat- ching to sno the companies for their fines. a number of members, being thus intimidated. settled with him at half price. After repeating his threatenings several times, a number at Goose River resolved on expressing their disap- probation of his course, and, so, the next time he visited
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the place, he was assailed by a pelting of eggs. Seeking safety by flight, he was pursued as far as John Harkness' farm, and, after undergoing another ordeal, he was permit- ted to proceed home without further molestation. Notwith- standing the harsh treatment he had received at the river, a day or two after he came to the harbor, to exact fines from the soldiers. Leaving his horse fastened to a post for a short time, while he attended to the object of his mission, the animal, by means of turpentine, became irritated, kick- ed up and broke the thills and harness, which at once di- verted Mr. S's attention. The restive beast, refusing to be quieted, Mr. S. was under the necessity of leaving for home.
Notwithstanding his misfortunes, and unfavorable recep- tion here, he had the temerity, in the following spring, (1842.) to issue another warrant, calling on the militia of this town to meet at the town-house on a certain day, to attend to military duty. A large collection turned out, be- sides the companies, and, while the soldiers were forming the ranks, a company of men disguised as denizens of the forest, representing Megunticook Indians, came out of the adjoining woods and marched for the town-house. Making towards S., he drew his sword, and, with his back to the house, he brandished his weapon, declaring his determina- tion to defend himself at all hazards. One of the ** In- dians," venturing within the circle prohibited, received a severe gash in his hand. At that instant, S. rushed through the opening, followed by a number of " Indians" and oth- ers. He tried to terrify them by turning round and threat- enin to shoot them; but, disregarding his threats, they followed on, until the chase was abandoned. While on his way to Ingraham's corner, he was met by a man who was driving a very fast horse, when he was invited to jump in and ride. " No," exclaimed S., "I'm in such a harry, I can't stop to ride !"
Nothing further was done about the affair, until the next fall term of the Court hell in Belfast, where S. tried to get
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a number indicted, whom he suspected as having been engaged in it, but for want of evidence the accusations were not sustained, and the charges were dropped.
There were other transactions relating to our military troubles, which it might be well to relate, but enough has been given to indicate the unpopularity of the military laws of the time, and a step is exhibited which had the effect of finally abolishing a stretch of power, which was repugnant to the taste of the mass of the people of this State. We have not dwelt upon the peaceable measures that were adopted to avoid a clash with the laws of the State; how some of our leading citizens remonstrated by personal influence; how lengthy petitions were presented to the proper authorities, and means were taken to restrain the surcharged feelings of the masses; these might be presented in a detailed manner, but our limited space for- bids it here. We shall not go into a justification or rep- rehension of the acts of individuals, for our citizens were as much opposed to oppressive laws, as they were to. the modes that some, without their sanction, used to express a feeling of disapproval. In other towns, a similar course was pursued. While our companies generally conformed to the tenor of the law, those in the adjoining town of Union, "disregarded all laws of the State, and all the commands of all military officers in Maine, and pursued their avocations undisturbed through the year."* Mr. Sibley, in his History of Union, gives the details of the military troubles in that town, and the fareical proceedings connected therewith, which throws much light upon the freaks of the people during the period under review.
On the 22d of Dec. (1839,) a citizens' literary society was formed, called the " Camden Lyceum," of which the following gentlemen were chosen officers: -- Caleb Thom- as, Esq., President; Calvin Hervey, (now of Belfast,)
* Sibley's History of Union, p. 381.
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Secretary and Treasurer; Wm. H. Codman, Esq., E. K. Smart, Esq., and Amos Storer, (now of Belfast,) Board of Directors. Any person could become a member of the Lyceum by paying twenty five cents for a ticket, the ex- hibiting of which, was a passport to any of the meetings for three months, at the expiration of which time, a new board of officers was to be chosen. The 9th and 10th Articles of the constitution, define the performances of the association : - " The exercises of this society, at each regular meeting, shall be a dissertation and debate by such mem- bers as shall be appointed by the board of directors." 10th Art. .. Whenever the board of directors may think proper, they may substitute a Lecture for the regular ex- ercises of the society, of which they shall give notice at a previous meeting of the society."-[Records.]
Among those who gave dissertations, were E. K. Smart, Esq., John R. Shaw, Benj. Cushing, 2d, (now of Rock- Iind,) N. T. Talbot, and Hiram Bass.
The first question for discussion was: - " Does Intellect exert a greater influence than Wealth ?" The following were the disputants on the question : - Simeon Tyler, W. H. Codman, E. K. Smart, A. Storer, Jos. Perry, I. Bar- bour, J. R. Shaw, C. Hervey, and A. D. Mirick. Another question was-" Is it probable that the American Repub- lic will be in existence at the close of the 19th century :" Disputants : - affirmative, W. H. Codman, and Amos Sto- rer ; negative, Caleb Thomas and N. T. Talbot.
As some of the dissertations gave evidence of not being entirely original, and as ungenerous comparisons were some- times made, to the detriment of the most active partici- pants in the exercises, the following resolutions were offered as a check to those who were disposed to be too captious :
" Resolved -That insidious comparisons between the performances of any of its members, and accusations of pilfering from other authors, have a tendency to discourage members in taking part in the exercises of the society,
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and is a most ungrateful reward for the efforts of those persons, who may consent to favor the society with an orig- inal production.
" Resolved - That any member of this Lyceum who shall, in presence of persons not members, accuse any other member of plagiarism, or literary theft, shall be held to prove the same. by exhibiting the stolen passage, or passages, in the works of some author, and that if he neglects to do this, a committee shall be chosen by the society to wait on such accuser, for the purpose of requesting him to withdraw from the Lyceum." -[Records.]
The society was in successful operation during the year 1840, and was revived in 1843, at which time the follow- ing officers were chosen : - Simeon Tyler, President ; N. L. Josselyn, Vice President ; E. M. Wood, Sec'y ; Wm. A. Norwood, C. Hervey and E. Cushing, Board of Direc- tors; M. C. Blake, Editor. The name assumed, was "Megunticook Lyceum." Addresses were delivered by M. C. Blake, W. H. Codman and Rev. H. M. Eaton, during the season, and the remainder of the time was occupied in reading the papers and in discussions. Members were re- ceived into the society by a two-thirds vote, and paying an entrance fee of 25 cents. Ladies were allowed to vote when questions of discussion were submitted for an ex- pression of opinion.
At this time, the number of members belonging to the Lyceum, amounted to forty-one. Dec. 29, 1845, was the next time the society resumed its operations. Lectures were delivered by the following gentlemen :- Dr. Moses Dakin, of Hope, (on Sacred Music ;) Wm. H. Codman ; M. C. Blake; Col. E. K. Smart; N. T. Talbot; C. R. Porter, and Rev. N. Chapman, of Camden. On the 7th of April, 18 16, occurred, according to the Records,) the last meeting of said organization.
1840. During this year, a post-office was established at Goose river. (now Rockport,; and Silas Piper was appoint- ed postmaster.
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May 13. began to be published here, a Democratic paper, called the " American Citizen," of which Mr. John R. Shaw was editor and proprietor. Mr. Shaw came here from Winthrop, and, by trade, was a hatter. Originally, he was a whig, of abolitionist proclivities, but, being an ultraist in religion, as well as in politics, he carried his radical ideas into the church to which he belonged, and, because he could not obtain the sanction of the minister, Rev. Nathaniel Chapman, to his extreme views, he transcended the ordinary limits of christian freedom. which ultimated in the severance of his connection with the church. Thereupon he became a democrat, but his new political relation made him no more conservative in politics, or less ultra in religion.
Soon after changing his political principles, he started the American Citizen, which became the exponent of his peculiar religious and political notions.
So far as we can ascertain what articles in his paper em- inated from his pen, we should judge him to be of but or- dinary abilities as a writer. In the style of his composi- tion he was rough and impetuous, and, in driving his shafts at his opponents, he was not choice in the selection of ep- ithets, or at a loss to find words with which to express his deepest feelings.
Extracts from the following prospectus of his paper, show the individuality of the man, better than we can describe it.
" Prospectus of the American Citizen : - This paper. it may be distinctly understood. will oppose the election of William H. Harrison to the Presidency.
" We shall endeavor, in our course, to soar above those selfish and sectional considerations, which have a tendency to divide the ranks of the democracy of the country, and, in the mean time, endeavor to harmonize and concentrate our power, by holding up to view the great principles of democracy, as taught by Jefferson and carried out in prac- tice by Jackson.
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" One great object of our enterprise will be to contrast the character of an American citizen with that of a subject of a monarchy or a money aristocracy.
" The American Citizen is to be neither an office seeker's nor an office holder's organ, but is expressly for the people.
" It will observe neutrality on no subject which relates directly or indirectly to the rights, interests. or happiness of man ; for we hold, that for a citizen of this republic to be neutral, at this day, is a crime, and evinces that such an one is either a fool or a lenave.
" It will be under no human censorship, cither ecclesias- tical, civil or political, but we shall endeavor, in conduct- ing it, to assume all those natural rights and liberties peculiarly and appropriately belonging to a citizen of a republic, amenable only for the abuse of them, to God, and the laws of our country.
" We shall endeavor, (having been, for nearly ten years, led, bound and blind, in the dark and hopeless mazes of British federalism.) to labor particularly to extricate and re- store, (especially that portion of the sovereign people whom the wily leaders of the British party in America have so long held in bondage,) to the enviable and ever glorious estate of American citizenship.
" All religions will be tolerated, from Paganism up to Mormonism, but none may expect any particular protec- tion, as they must stand or fall upon their own inherent merits. We say of these, what the heroic Jackson was accused of saying of a certain class, -' Those who trade on borrowed capital ought to break.' So of these, if their invested capital stock of truth is not sufficiently large to sustain them, they ought to break.
" We shall consider no powers or chartered corporations, professions or dignition. beyond the reach of inquisition and impeachment by the sovereign people : therefore, if there be any such powers within the borders of our republic, who cannot bear the rigid scrutiny of piercing light and
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scorching truth, the people shall have the humble aid which the columns of the American Citizen may afford, to facili- tate them in piercing and scorching them, until they, in the bitterness of their souls, (if they have any,) shall cry out, enough. " JOHN R. SHAW. "Camden, May 13, 1840.
.. N. B. We shall not . be hired' to publish any Pills, ex- cept Bread Pills. and no restoratives, except Nature's sove- reign one, viz., that of free exercise in the open air."
After a career of five months, (Sept. 25, 1810.) the edi- tor made the following announcement : -- " We are compel- led to state to our readers, that, for want of sufficient pat- ronage, the Citizen must be suspended, probably not again to be revived. Our paper has been kept up mostly at the expense of a few democratic citizens, its subscription being insufficient to defray half the expenses of its publication. We regret that our pecuniary affairs are such as to render it necessary for us to take leave of the public," &c.
Mr. Shaw was doubtless honest in his course of action, and, as a man of uprightness of purpose, he was respected by those even who had occasion to censure him for his rad- icalism and eccentricities. Soon after his paper ceased, he closed up his hat business and left this place. He is now a resident of California.
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