USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Portland > The Portland reference book and city directory, 1850-51 > Part 16
USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Portland > The Portland reference book and city directory, 1850-51 > Part 16
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The flats, near the foot of High Street, which sold some 18 months since for $3200, were recently re-sold for $ 10,500.
29th. The Martha Washingtonians had a Grand Levee, at the City Hall.
MARCH.
&d. The bells were tolled, and the flags of the shipping were hoisted at half mast to-day, as a testimonial of respect to the late venerable John Quincy Adams :
3d. The funeral of Eleazer Wyer, for many years well known as an enter- prising business man in this community, took place this afternoon. He died on the evening of February 28th.
A meeting of the citizens was held at the City Hall this evening, for the pur- pose of discussing the propriety of loaning the City's Credit, to the A. & St. L. Rail Road.
7th. The District Court commenced a session to-day.
8th. Last evening, an association of firemen was organized in this city, by the choice of officers, &c., to be called the Relief Association of the Portland Fire Department.
10th. A lot of brandy, which had been seized for alleged infringement of the Revenne laws was sold by the U. S. Marshall, at auction. The proceeds were over 83000.
13th: News was received that the treaty of peace with Mexico, was confimred by the U. S. Senate.
16th. The " Sons of Temperance." held a Grand Levee at the City Hall. Ad- dresses, Music by the Brass Band, &c., formed the chief attraction of the evening. Cold -thermometer at sunrise, 4 degrees above zero.
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224 EVENTS IN 1848.
19th News received of the Revolution in France, which took place 21st, 22d and 23d of February-Louis Philippe was driven from his throne.
A total eclipse of the moon this afternoon .
20th. A concert was given at the City Hall last evening, by the Hauser Family. 231. Dr. Valorous P. Cooledge, was 'found guilty of the murder of Edward Matthews at Waterville, to-day.
24th. The Portland Transcript, recently passed into the hands of E. E. Gould, Esq. and began to improve in appearance, as well as in spirit.
25th. Jonathan Morgan of Portland, has just published an edition of the New Testament, translated from the Greek by himself, with explanatory notes, &c.
Last night, two stores and goods belonging to F. Newbegin, at Keazer Falls, were destroyed by fire-loss, $4000.
APRIL.
3d. The Banks of the city, declared their semi- annual dividends, payable to-day' as follows ;- Canal Bank, $ per ct .. Casco, 3 1-2, Merchants, 4, Manufacturers and Traders' 4, Bank of Cumberland, 3 1-2 per ceut.
4th. Annual Municipal Election to-day. The Whigs carried the election.
Yesterday morning, between 2 and 3 o'clock, the Methodist Church at South Paris was destroyed by fire.
Last evening, a dairing robbery was "committed on the person of a Mr. Jacoha Mail driver between Saco and Limerick. He had obtained the sum of 8700 at Saco, for Mr. Cole, Inn-holder at Limerick, and while on his way to the latter place, was accosted by a stranger, who stated that he was much fatigued, and re. quested the favor of a ride. Jacobs kindly assented, but the stranger, seeing a favor able opportunity, knocked Jacobs out of the wagon. At the same moment another" wagon drove up containing an accomplice, and the two beat the poor mail driver into a state of insensibility, when robbing him of the $700, they left him. Two hours after, he was found still insensible, laying in the road.
6th. The bark Acadia, from Newport, Wales, arrived here yesterday, with 350 lous of rails, for the Montreal Rail Road.
The steamer Huntress, commenced her regular trips for the Kennebec to- day .
10th. The members elect of the City Council, assembled for organization to-day.
13th. The Annual State Fast. In the evening, the Sacred Music Society gave a Concert at the Third Parish Meeting House.
Mr. Samuel Whittier, formerly keeper of the Whittier House, fell in an appo- plectic fit this morning, and died almost instantly.
14th. The "first salmon of the season," was served up at the Elm House.
15th. The Daily Argus states that at present, there are 20 steam engines in op- eration in this city. Three years ago there were 7.
The second trial to elect a Mayor yesterday, resulted in the election of Eliphalet Greeley.
16th. Yesterday afternoon, a young man named Elijah Babb, was drowned on the Presumpscot River. at Saccarappa, by the upsetting of a boat ; there was another man and two females in the boat, who were nearly exhausted when rescued
17th. Hon. Asa Clapp. esteemed the wealthiest citizen of Portland, died at his restdence, on Congress Street, at half past 1 o'clock this afternoon.
19th. The house of Mr. Alvin Emery, West Falmouth, was destroyed by fire, last night.
A temperarce society, called the Telgraphic Spike Society, has been lately or- ganised in this city. It derives its name from the circumstance that its originators indicated their determination to abstain from alcholic liquors, by driving each a spike in the telegraphic pole, corner of Green and Portland Streets.
25th. A seaman, yesterday, fell from the main top gallant yard of the brig Frances Ellen, as she was going down the harbor, and was so severely injured that he died in the course of an hour or so.
26th. The dwelling house of Mr. Joseph Cressey, of Gorham, was destroyed by fire, last night.
29th. The remains of the late Capt. M. E. Merrill,and Lt. J. D. Bacon, saiu in the
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Mexican War, were received here to-day, with military honors. The body of Capt. M. was subsequently taken to Brunswick, that of Li. Bacon, to Buxton. MAY.
4th. The twins Macomber, gave a concert at the City Hall last evening.
5th. The Grand Encampment and Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., commenced sessions in this city yesterday
The latter elected Allen Haines, Esq., of this city, Grand Master.
8th. An express train of cars commenced running on the Boston Rail Road, to- day, in connection with the Penobscot boats.
9th. The foreign arrivals at this port, from January Ist. to date, were 96-in 1847, the arrivals for the same period, were 61.
10th. The annual session of the State Legislature commenced at the capitol, to-day. The amount of exports, from this port, from January Ist. up to Ist. inst., were $306,956 08-for the four first months, in 1847, 8261,584 64.
16th. Yesterday, the brig Ariel, which left this port on Monday, struck on Boon Island Ledge, and was subsequently beached at Wood Island Harbor.
18th. The thermometer, at noon to-day, stood at 82 in the shade.
The Cumberland and Oxford Canal, opened for business to-day, and several boats passed through the guard lock, the first of the season.
$3d. The steamer Halifax, plying between Waterville and Augusta, burst her boiler, this morning, while on her downward trip. Six persons were killed out- right, and several wounded by the explosion.
The new steamer Fawn, built at Harrison, (on Long Pond) commenced running on that sheet of water and via the connecting ponds and river, over Sebago Lake, to-day. This is the first steamboat that was ever on those waters.
25th. Lewis Cass was nominated Democratic candidate for President, at the Baltimore Convention to-day.
80th. Last night, about 12 o'clock, a seaman named Cobb, was knocked over- board from the steamer Gen. Warren, and drowned.
JUNE.
4th. This morning. between 3 and 5 o'clock, the bakery of Mesers. Davis & Slater, the stable of Mr. Charles B. Varney, and a small unoccupied house, be- jonging to Mr. Gustavus Holm, on Willow Street, were destroyed by fire.
6th. News was received of the ratification of the treaty of peace by the Mexican Government.
The elegant new Steamer Senator, Capt. Seymour, arrived here yesterday af- ternoon, to run ou the Penobscot route.
The U. S. Hotel yesterday opened with a new landlord, Moses Woodard, Esq.
8th. One hundred guns were fired to-day, on Mi. Joy, in honor of the nomination of Zachary Taylor for the Presidency.
John Neal has recently taken the editorial chair of the Transcript.
12th. June, Titus & Co's. great Menagerie and Circus, entered the city to-day.
17th. The steam ferry boat Elizabeth, was launched on the Cape Elizabeth side to-day.
23. Thermometer at 84 to-day noon.
24th. Notice of the appointment of Hon. R. P. Dunlap, of Brunswick, to the Collectorship of Portland, received from Washington.
80th. A fire this morning destroyed the joiners shop of Messrs. Roberts & Bolton and the Tallow Chandlery of Horton & Trow bridge.
JULY.
Ist. The brig Machegonne, 195 tons burden, was launched yesterday from the ship yard of Mr. Joseph W Dyer, Clay Cove.
3d. A Fair of the Ladies' Bethel Association opened at the Exchange Hall, this evening, to continue over the 4th. 15
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4th. The anniversary of Independence was not observed with much formula- The bells were rung at morning, noon and evening, and flags were displayed from the observatory during the day-and there was a scanty display of fire works from a platform in front of the City Hall in the evening.
`The Sons of Temperance of this city went on an excursion to Biddeford, by the cars.
5th. The Steamer State of Maine commenced running on the Bangor route to-day' She is a magnificent boat.
The Montreal Rail Road was opened to North Yarmouth yesterday.
6th. The usual accounts of casualties from the use of fire arms on the 4th, in the papers.
10th. Jonathan Morgan, Esq., delivered a lecture on astronomy at the City Hall. 12th. A splendid display of the Northern Lights.
15th. Hon. R. P. Dunlap entered upon his duties as collector of this port.
19th. The Maine Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church commenced its annual session at the Chesnut Street Church. Bishop Hedding presided.
The Kilmist Family gave one of their pleasing entertainments at the City Hall.
A census of the city, just completed, makes the number of inhabitants, 19,013.
21st, A concert at the City Hall, by Messrs .. Barnekoy, Hegelund & Leman. George F. Emery, appointed Clerk of the U. S. Circuit Court, vice John Mus- sey resigned.
Wendall P. Smith was elected City_Marshal, on the 19th. in place of Asa Baily resigned, but declined accepting the office.
23d Last evening, a pleasure boat, containing ten persons, was struck by a squall off Diamond Island Ledge, and upset, and eight of the ten found a watery grave.
The persons saved, were W. J. Smith and" Stephenson, those lost, were the wife and three children of Mr. Smith, three children of Mr. John Whyley, gunsmith, and Joseph Brookbsy, an adopted child of Mr. Whyley.
27th West's original picture of Christ healing the sick, commenced exhibiting at the Temple Street Church.
AUGUST.
Ist. Annual meeting for choice of officers, of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence Rail Road: Josiah S. Little subsequently was elected President, Charles E. Barrett, Treasurer.
3d. Last evening, Rev. Alexander King of Dublin, Ireland, delivered an address at the Third Parish Church, on the " religious condition of Ireland "
Yesterday, Mr. Ezra Sprague of this city, while at work mowing at Westbrook, suddenly dropped down in the field, and died shortly after.
5th. This afternoon a considerable portion of the paper establishment belonging to Messrs. Day & Lyon of this city, af Congin Falls, was destroyed by fire ..
8th. The Protection Engine Company, No. 4, of East Boston, arrived in the city by the noon train of cars, and took dinner at the Verandah, at 5 o'clock, P. M., guests of the " Portland" Engine Company, No. 5.
The Salem Mechanic Light Infantry, arrived by the same train, but passed im- mediately through to Augusta, by the steamer Huntress.
9th The Eagle Engine Company of Bangor, arrived by the steamer State o1 Maine.
11th. The large tavern house, called the City Hotel, kept by Messrs. Ryerson & Stowel, was destroyed by fire, about 1 o'clock this morning. The Eagle Engine Company of Bangor, rendered efficient aid on the occasion.
14th. Mr. Francis A. Libby, of Longly & Co's Express, was crushed to death, between two of the cars at Kennebunk Port, this afternoon, while on his way to this city.
16th. A grand Pic-nic was given at North Yarmouth, on the occasion of the closing of the Academy's summer term. Many ladies and gentlemen attended from this city, an extra train being run on the Rail Road for their accommodation.
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EVENTS IN 1848.
The citizens voted to-day, to accept the Act authorizing the city to loan it credit for one million dollars to the A. & St. Lawrence Rail Road.
19th. The bark " Scott Dyer," was launched this afternoon, from the ship yard of Charles Jordon & Son, foot of Park Street.
21st. An Irishman, recently from Boston, had both ofhislegs cut off, by being run over by the dirt train, on the Rail Road at North Yarmouth, and died soon after.
23d The Atlantic Engine Company, No. 2, went on an excursion to Boston. 24th. Democratic County Convention at Gray.
. The " Extinguisher" Engine Company, No. 20, arrived here, on a visit from Boston, yesterday.
Rev. Adam Wilson recently sold out the Ziun's Advocate, ( Baptist.) He was the originator of the paper.
31st Passengers over the Rail Road, to North Yarmouth, last week, 1147. Capt. Nathan Noyes fell dead, in Falmouth, while mowing to-day.
SEPTEMBER.
Ist. The fare on the Rail Roads, to and from Boston, has been reduced from $3 to 82.
2d. At noon to-day, as the steamer Huntress was about leaving her berth, at the Rail Road Wharf, for the Kennebec, ber boiler exploded, forward, sweeping away the wheel house, and everything in that direction." There were about two hundred persons on board, but none happened to be in the line of the explosion, and none were hurt. The portion of the head of the boiler, above the wood work. was rent open, and lapped down on deck, and through the aperture thus made, every drop of water in the boiler was forced out, by the power of the steam, causing the boat to recoil so powerfully, as to snap asunder her cables, and leave her adrift. For a while, all was confusion and terror on board, in the midst of which, one man jump- ed overboard, but he was rescued.
At the time of the explosion of the Huntress's boiler, a person was sleeping in a chaise, nearly in range of the ejected steam and water. Another chaise immediate. ly contiguous, was dasbed to pieces, but this one escaped unharmed. The concusion did not even awake the sleeper, and about 5 o'clock, he roused up, and yawning as though the top of his head would come off, enquired if it was'nt "about time to start !"
6258 persons passed over the Rail Road to North] Yarmouth, from July 20, to Angue! 31.
4th. The Tiger Engine Company of Bangor, visited our city, bringing with them their handsome " tub," by the steamer State of Maine. They numbered 100 strong.
John Knight, son of Capt. George Knight of this city, while on a shooting ex- cursion on the Scarboro' marshes, was drowned in Nonesuch River.
7th. Signora Biscaccianti gave a concert this evening, at the Exchange Hall. 8th. Last evening, a stable in the rear of the New England house, head of Green Street, was destroyed by fire.
Ilth. Annual State election. Wm. Goodenow, Elisha Trowbridge and Henry Carter, were elected Representatives for this city.
14th Bark Cabargo was launched from Knight's ship yard to-day.
Last night, in coming into the harbor, the ship Humphrey Purinton got ashore on Diamond Island Ledge. [She was loaded with Rail Road iron which had to be partly discharged before she could be got off.]
16th The Locomotive " Montreal," from the Portland Companies Wors 's made her trial trip on the Montreal Rail Road to-day.
20th The house of Jeremiah Woodman, on Vaughan Street, was broken open and robbed.
28th Mr M Ormsbee, residing on Oxford Street. was recently robbed of 8700 in gold, which he had concealed in his collar.
29th The Ladies of this city, presented an elegant banner to the Portland Division, Sons of Temperance this evening, with appropriate ceremonies, at the Exchange Hall.
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John Van Buren, son of the Ex President, addressed a political assemblage at the Exchange Hall last evening.
OCTOBER.
3d By a statement in some of the papers, detailing the Post Office revenue in the several States, it appears that last year, Maine paid the largest amount of any State in the Union -being 8539,440.
The several Banks in the city, have lately declared their semi-annual dividends as follows ;- Canal, 3 per ct, Casco 3 1-2, Merchants, 4, Manufacturers & Traders 4, Bank of Cumberland, 3 3.4.
6th Rev Benj Titcomb, who died recently in Brunswick,at the age of 80, printed the first newspaper issued in Maine, the Falmouth Gazette, now Portland Advertiser. The number of deaths in Portland, for the six monthts, ending Sept 30, was 207.
11th The Annual Fair of the Cumberland Agricultural and Horticultural Society was held at Westbrook. John Purinton, Esq, delivered the address.
Mr Joseph Harmon, of Gorham, while riding in a wagon, was so severely injured by the accidental discharge of a gun which he had with him, as to cause his death.
18 The carpenters shop of Theophilus Ilsley, head of High Street, was destroyed by fire last evening.
The Express train for Boston, this evening carried over nine hundred passengers. NOVEMBER. :
Ist Last evening, while proceeding home from his shop, Mr David Hodgson was assailed by a scoundrel, who sprang from a dark alley between two buildings, near the corner of India and Fore Streets, and struck him a blow on the head with a club ; but Mr Hodgdon turned upon his assailant, and soon put him to flight Mr H bad his trunk in his hand, and the object of the assilaint was doubtless robbery
Sd. The flags of the shipping in the harbor, were hoisted at half-mast, as a token of respect to the memory of Capt. Joshua Knight, whose funeral took place, to- day.
4th. Last night a collision took place on the Eastern Rail Road, near Lynn, be. tween two trains, which proved most derastrous to life and property. Five per- sons were killed outright, and six others wounded.
7th. The day for choice of electors for President of the United States.ª
9th. The first snow of the season fell to-day.
10th. The shop of Dudley Cammett, Pump and Block maker, head of Portland Peer, was almost destroyed by fire last night.
11th. Last evening, the steamer State of Maine, built for the Bangor route, made her last trip. She is an elegant boat, and has proved too expensive in her arrange. ments for the amount of her traveling patronage in this quarter.
16th. The Annual Thanksgiving day.
17th. Was celebrated by the "Whig" portion of the community, in honor of the election of General Taylor to the Presidency. Cannons were fired at intervals during the day, and flags were displayed at prominent points, and in the evening. many houses were illuminated, and a torch-light procession marched through the principle streets.
18th. Last evening the handsome castellated gothic structure, owned by Mr. Henry Rowe, corner of Congress and St. Lawrence Streets was considerably dam- agod by fire-supposed to be the work of an incendiary.
20th. A violent gale of wind from the North East.
92d The Lyceum opened this evening, with a lecture from Rev. Mr. Giles.
23d. The joiners shop of James Robinson, the blacksmith shop of Abner Bagley and the cabinet makers shop of Mr. Jonas Clark, near the head of High Street, were destroyed by fire last night.
34th. Mr. Dempster gave a concert at the City Hall.'
27th. The jewelry store of Mr. George Grueby, and the hat and fur store; of Messrs. Boothby & Harmon, on Middle Street, were destroyed by fire. .
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¿DECEMBER.
Quite an excitement in regard to emigrating to California, for the purpose of dig . ging in the gold mines there, has recently sprung up-termed the California Fever.
4th. The Rail Road was opened as far as Lewiston to-day.
The cholera was introduced into this country, by the packet ship New York, which arrived at New York on the 2d inst.
17th. A two story wooden house, corner of Brackett and Carlton Streets, owned by Henry Williams, was nearly destroyed by fire.
20th. The stove store of Samuel A. Nash, and the clothing store of Wm. Abbot, Jr., on Middle Street, were much damaged by fire this morning.
21st. The " Christian Chapel," Temple Street, was much damaged by fire .- Same evening, eight stores were burned at Saco.
23d. The first number of a new paper, called the " Scholars Leaf " made its ap- pearance, M. B. Walker and J. O. Barrett, editors and proprietors.
Yesterday, Mr. Samuel A. Lawrence, Rail Road ticket master at North Yar- mouth, was struck upon the head by the falling of a water pipe, and died soon after.
24th. This morning the block of stores, corner of India and Fore Streets, owned by Mr. Lewis Dela, were ruined by fire.
27th. The St. Lawrence & Atlantic Rail Road was opened to-day from Long- ueil, near Montreal, to St. Hyacinth, a distance of thirty miles.
Yesterday noon, the ship " George Turner" was launched from the ship yard of Turner & Cahoon, at Cape Elizabeth.
28th. This morning between 6 and 7 o'clock, the building of the Westbrook Bank was destroyed by fire.
1849.
JANUARY.
2d. By an article in the papers to-day, under the signature of the Surveyor of the Port, it appears that the whole amount of shipping built in this District in 1848, was 12,252 tons
3d. An attempt was made to set fire to the three story wooden house, owned by Issac Sturdivant, near the Exchange, ou Lime Street.
6th. A fine Locomotive, called the Machigonne, has been turned out by the Portland Company, for the Atlantic Road this week.
The losses by fire in Boston, in 1848, amounted to $347,800.
8th. A Glee concert, was given at the Exchange Hall, by Messrs. Wheelock, Pennell and Shaw and their pupils.
News received of the loss of the brig Geo. W. Knight. Capt. Munroe ; che mailed hence last Wednesday, (3d inst.) for Matanzas,and same night was capsized. Charles Noyes was drowned in the cabin.
10th. The office of Mesers. Turner & Cahoon on Maine Wharf, and the large wooden building on Union Wharf, called the Magazine, were last evening de- stroyed by fire. Incendiarism.
The Congregational County Conference, commenced a session a at the ThirdParish, yesterday, and continued in session through to-day.
Deathe in Bangor, in 1848, 261.
15th. The new brick school house on Congress Street, for the accommodation of Female Grammar School, No. 2, and one of the Primary Schools, was occupied for the first time to-day.
18th. This morning, between 1 and 3 o'clock, four wooden stores on Long Wharf were destroyed by fire. They were occupied mostly for storage.
27th. News received of the wreck of the brig Telegraph, which occured near Sagua. 30th. The treasurer of the Widow's Wood Society, acknowledged the receipt of $753,39 cts. being amount of the collections in the several churches of this city.
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EVENTS IN 1849.
FEBRUARY.
6th. The cabinet makers shop of Mr. William Haskell, corner of Congress and Chesnut Streets, was nearly destroyed by fire this forenoon.
The average temperature for the month of January here, was 17 degrees above ! zero, 2 1-2 degrees colder than the average of January, for the last 30 years.
8th. A fire last night destroyed the stores of A. H. Putney, Lynch & Stevens, and Oliver Hartshorn, near the head of Centre Street.
10th. Last evening. the Casco Engine Company, No. 1, had a supper at the U. S. Hotel, on which occasion, they presented their Ist. Director, with a costly silver trumpet.
13th. A car at the Atlantic & St. Lawrence Depot, took fire this morning, and was consumed.
16th. The funeral of Major Van Ness, late Comander of Fort Preble, took place to-day from the U. S. Hotel, with military honors.
21st. An account of the loss of the brig Oscar, of this port, appeared to-day in the newspapers. She went ashore at Scituate, on the 18th. in a snow storm, and soon went to pieces. Owned by J. B. Brown, insurance $ 13000 on vessel and cargo. Passenger and freight trains commenced running to Mechanic Falls, over the Atlantic Road on the 19th.
23d. A fine new Engine for the Volunteer Company, No. S, was exhibited in front of the Exchange to-day. She was made by Hunneman & Co., of Roxbury, Mass.
27th. A two story wooden house on Danforth Street, owned by Mr. Edward Kelly, was destroyed by fire last night.
MARCH.
Ist. Mr. Peler Wadsworth writes to the Advertiser, an account of the first frost and snow in each year. in Hiram for the last thirty nine years, by which it appears that the earliest frost for any year, during this series, was August 29, 1827. the latest. Oct. 4, 1828 ; the average for each year. Sept. 15. The first snow during the time, was Oct. 12, 1836, the latest Nov. 30, 1845.
5th. A Grand Inauguration Ball, at the Exchange Hall.
6th. Gen. Taylor's Inaugural Address received by telegraph, was issued by the Advertiser yesterday, some six hours after its delivery in Washington.
Last night, the blacksmith shop of Mr. Stephen Emerson, and the carriage paint- ing shop of Mr. Joseph E. Hodgkins, near the head of Federal Street, were partial- ly destroyed by fire.
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