Class Book COPIOUCKT DEPOSm THE AU^FHOR. HISTORY U1-- FORT FAIRFIELD AM)- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, -wrrii- LLUSTRATIONS. ■\',\ C. 11. KLLIS. lull I kaikfii:li>. ^iaink. I'Oirr FAUIFIELD riUNTINc; CO. i'"^')! Copyrighted bv C. 11. ELLIS. i.S()4. PREFACE, \\\' l"i;i\c' (.'ndt-axorccl in this histor\" to i^ixc the facts, covering" an carK' }KMit)cl. lor wliicli wc ha\o depended almost i-niirt-K- ii]ion \i'ibal aeeniinl> Liix t'li In the tii^sl scllk'is. To iIk' larLi'esI possible amount ol" siieli inCormalion (.-arerullN' eompai'ed and made reeoneilable with ilscll, we ha\e al\va\s ni\en prel'efenee lo wi-iUen accounts, whellier ol' pvTsonal or pubbc inlefcst. And so Car as pubHc records lia\ e cox ered llie ui'ountl. tliis hisloi'x will be found in perfect accord with them. Till-: ArriioR. INTRODUCTION. Upon my return Irom the West, after an absence oC more than a quarter of a century, I found many of tlie old landmarks rcmo\ ed, and matters of in- terest which had come under my personal observa- tion radically chani^ed, or entirely left out of the unwritten history ofAroostook. With the fact be- lorc nu'. that \ery soon important e\ents, without \\ hich a history of our town would be both \in- satislact(»i\ and incomplete, would be be\ond the reach of the histoiian. I commenced prepariiii;- a series of articles lor the XortJiern Leader, under the title or"'riii: IIistoky of Fort FAiRriiiLD," with the intention of subseciuentK- publishing; them in book form. That portion of the histor\ prior to 184^5 has been compiled Jroni the most reliable unwritten authori- ties obtainable. toL^ethei" with so much written re- cord as could be oblainetl: from i'*^!,^ to iSC)o b\' personal obsersation, and so much written infor- mation as was obtainable from private and otiicial records; trom 1 S()o to the present date, onlv, ha\ e we been .able to dejtend uj">on ollicial records. C. H. KLLl.S. j-'ort l-'aiilield, January, iSt)^. COXTl'XTS. C'lIAPTI'K I. I.O'. AllOX. I'cKH- <>| i;.S'. NortlKM^lern I>looclshecl. Stopping- the 'i^espassino. iniikl- in^ii" the l)()()m. I^isbantlin-- the Militia. The \'oinnteer>. LliAPTlCK 111. ri;K \iam:.\ I I'ossiissiox. State Militia. The X'olunteer I-"oree. iMiiiciin-- l-'orlitications. l^lacinu" Obstructions in tlie Ri\er. Consiructii^i^- Roads. Deciding;- to Ke- miin and Make Uomc^. Sendin-; or.t Good He- p 'Mts \^) their Old I b)n1e^. HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. CHAPTER IV. PIONEER LIKi:. vSacritlccs to be Made. I'ilgrini Fathers. Aroos- took Pioneers. First American Settlers Without Experience in Pioneer Life. Great Prisations. Without Proper Assistance in Sickness. Their Names to be Honored. CHAPTER V. ORIGINAL TITLE. In Massachusetts. District ol" Maine. Di\ ision in 1 819. Plymouth Grant. Letter D. Letter D Plantation. Deed of Massachusetts to Plymouth, Turner and Holland. Deeds from Maine to Set- tlers in Letter D. CHAPTER \T. INCIDENTS Ol'^ TUl^ W \l<. The Drafted Militia Men. The First Trespassers Seen. First Camping Ground. Mr. Johnston Sends to Tobique, N. B., to Mill. The Capture of the Land Agent. Great Excitement in New- Brunswick. The United States and Great Brit- ain. Accidental Shooting of Nathan Johnston. CHAPTER VII. AROOSTOOK WAR IN HISTORY. A Serious and Perplexing Q^icstion. Patr'o'ic De- votion to Countr\- and Fl; g. Gieat D'stance from the Settled Part of the^Sta e. An Unbro- ken Wilderness. The Aro stoo'; \'eter .ns De- serve Well from the Stite. HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. CHAPTER VIII. CAPTAINS OF THE WAR. Capt. Rincs. Capt. Parrott. Capt. Towlc. Capt. Wino-. Capt.V^anNoss. Ma j. General Rickctts. Pao-e 68. CHAPTER IX. A PIONEER SETTLEMENT. Freeman Ellis. Dea. Fowler. Stevens. Powers. Haines. The First Post Office. Page 76. CHAPTER X. OIR PIONEER MOTHERS. Our Pilgrim Motliers. The Peculiar l^rixalions and Hardships of our .Vroostook Mothers. A Tribute to these Noble Women. Paire S^. CHAPTER XI. TOPOGRAPin' AND SOH.. The High Lands. The River X'allcy. The Soil. Professor Warrings. Water Supply. Page SS. CHAPTER Xll. IIAKOSIIIPS AND PRI\Aril in 1877. Hon. N. Fessenden Supervisor. Present High School. Page 239. HISTORY OF FORT FAIR 1-II:LI). CHAPTER XXXII. ClIURCEIES. Tin-: CONCiREGATlONAL CHURCH. First Members. The Council. Union House. First Church. New Church. Rev.Mr.IIescock. Pa.U The Collins House, '" " ^^. The High Sehool Br.ileii.i:, '" " 4.i. The Windsor llc^tel, "" " 5.^^ Hopkins Brothers' Bi.ilding. " " ^W Joseph Pearee's Bloek, ' " 7X Street \'ie\v, Goodhue's l>loek, *' '* 8_:5 » Aroostook \'alle\ Slaieh kaetc-iy, " " ^"^3.. E. L. Houghton's Potato Harvest, " " 9.V Street View from Leader Cjffiee, ' " 103^ Foss' Potato House, Street View, " *' 113'' Interior Goodhue's )ewelr\ Store, '* " i^y f. l'>. Williams' Bloek, " " KU^ Cutts and Seates' l)loek, '* " K^^ i William Small and Co.'s Store, "' " ^43 The Congregational Chureh, " "' ^53 The Methodist p:piseopal Chureh. •■ - KM, HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. The Northern Leader Office, Mr. L. K. Cjuy's Residence, Mr, E. E. Scales' Residence, Mr. E. L. Houghton's Residence, Hon. W. E. Parsons' Residence, Mr. C. C. Rogers' Building, Mr. Geo. L. Foss and Fearless, Mr. Almon S. Richards, Dea. Hiram Siexens, Hon. Henry O. Perry, Hon. W. E. Parsons, Mr. Henr)- A. Haines, Mr. R. L. Baker, Mr, Joseph Conant, Hopkins Bro.'s Barn. Facing page 173 ^ u a 183V '"'■ " 193^' i.i .k 203^ U u 213V a u 223 V u u 223V .. ^-2>?>-^ ii. <.i 243 V ik ;i 253V (.(, a 263 V a a 273V U (.i 283^ . a a 293 V u u ?>o?,- HISTORY OF FORr FAIRriFLLl). CllAin'FR I. LOCATION. Tn ijS.:; pc.uc w.is ckvlarctl Ix'twccn CJivat Brit- ain aiul the- tliirtc.'ii unite,! C(;l():iic.-. and ihc Fnilccl States became a nation. The St. Croix rixer became a part ol' its ea.stein boi'.ndary. At its b.eadwaters a monument was erected under the treaty oi" 17^4. and tlie boundary line was to run due north to tlie hi-hhmdsi but wliether to the lii--hhinds between the waters ol" the St. Lawrence and the waters that run south, oi" be- tween the waters of the St. Jolui and lVnobsc\- tlie terms ol'this treaty a territory nearly as lar-e as the tixe New l-ji-land states, and iyin- east ol" the State ol" New Hampshire and known as the District of Maine, was oruani/.ed as a part ol the State of Massaciiusytts. 26 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. The lirst legislation that materially affected the interests of this territory was the action of the Massachusetts General Court, by which large grants of land were made, to aid local e;iterprises. Among these was a grant to the town of Plymouth of thir- tN-six square miles,. This grant was run out by Park Holland, a State surveyor, in 1806, who was ordered to proceed to the monument upon the headwaters of the St. Croix river, and to run due north fifty miles, and then surve\' a township of land six miles square, which was to be given to the town of Plymouth to aid in building a breakwater to protect their harbor. Soon after establishing the soutlie;ist corner of thj township, Mr. Holland dis- co\ered ( if he was not the hrst disco\erer ) tlie Aroostook river, and in running out this township he crossed the ri\ er four times. We are imable, with any degree of reliability, to tix the date of the first settlement in the present town of Fort Fairfield. Michael Russel was undoubtedly the tirst to lo- cate. His settlement was upon the south side of the Aroostook ri\er, a short distance this side of the boundary line, and within tb.e limits of Hol- land's surxey of Phmouth (xrant. fames FitzHerbert is gi\en tlie credit of being the next settler. He located at the mor.th of the brook, kn(n\ n on Sawyer's svrvey of Letter I), ] ;ts Fir^^Iierbert's brpjk. f'^v next, v HISTORY OK FORT FAIRFIELD. tlic same side ol" the ri\ or, was John Dorscy, and the next I^enjaniin \W'eks, who located at the mouth ol' what is known hv the above-named sur- \ e\-, as Johnston's Brook. We know ol" no reason lor ijivinii: their location in the order named, except it would be natural to take the tirst vacant land when one was so I'ar from ci\ ili/.ation. These set- tlers, toi^ether with others farther up the ri\ er, were here early in the twenties, if not before 1S20. Be- fore i^i.^o, Benjamin McLauigjhlin J. William A\'hite, Samuel Daxenport, William Lo\ely, Alex- ander McDouoald, Peter Fowler. Margaret Doyle, John Twaddle and William 'i\n-ner had all set- tletl aloni;: the river banks, and \er\' soon alter Anthoin- Kean. Daniel Turner. 'I'homas Suther- land. David r.urtsell. J. \V. White, Charles Wal- ton. William I^ishop. Amos Bishop, Daniel Bishop, Daniel McLauij^hlin, Martin Murray, Thomas \Vhittakcr, Robert Whittaker, Thomas Rollers and James Roied iS iiis'VOU\ OK I'OKT KAii^i-i i:i.n. hv Mr. Thomas .V. l^^ishcr's line residence. In that Near he exclianoed his propertx' witli \\"illiam John- ston for a farm at the head of the "Reach," npon which he located in 1S34 or iN:^:;. .\t the time Mr. Johnston came to the Aroostook, his brother-in-hiw, Thomas Sutherhmd. was loca- ted near the mouth ol' LcncK' brook, as known hv the sur\e\" alread\' reCerred to. and their l"amil\- re- lations had much to do with the spotted line and rcmowal of the underbrush to the head of the Reach, that afterwards became a regular portage, and shortenino- the distance man\- miles from the i-i\er line. His brother, Lewis Johnston, was then lixing upon the north side of the ri\er, nearl\- op- posite tlie mouth of the Presque Isle stream. I^p to 1S38 the principal business open to the settlers and depended upon b\' them for a living, was cutting the pine trees and manufacturing them into square timber and floating them down the riv- er to Frederickton and St. John, from whence they were shipped to England to su]T]^1\- their lumber market. In iSjo M:iinL- became an iiulejiendent stale, and the (juestion ol" her northeastern boundar\- began to be agitated. As the fact became generalU' known that lumber was being taken from her public lands and being shipped to a foreign market, dissatisfac- tion increased, until the breaking out of hostilities in 1839. ^ llls■|■()U^ ()i- I'oirr iwiu i-i i:i.i). ^9 'This, lor a lime, c'lu'ckcd tlu-ir InisiiU'ss. hut as tlu'\" \voi\' lu-arU all cli-pcmU'iU upon it for the support of their families. the\- sueeee:K'cl in exadiiiLi" the hoom that had been placed across the ri\er, and the aii'ents sent to watch o\ er and pre\ ent trcspass- inL;\ These carl\- settlers nearl\- all came (Vom homes on the St. Jolm ri\ er and recognized no authorit\- except tiiat deri\ed from the Kno-Jish crown. Some oC them held tlieir land hv patents derixed i'rom that authoritv, wliile others were located and claimed their ri^ius under the since popular, but to them, unknown doctrine of" scpiatter so\ereio-nt\\ Such was the situation and conchtion, when, in iS:>S, (Jo\ernor I'^iirfield sent an a^ent to look o\er tlie situation and report as to the lunibei' operations that were bein^- carried on b\- l^i'ox inci d lumber- men. And the conditions remained unchann'cd, when, in h\'bruary, i<>t,<^), Land-A^-ent Mclnt\rc with his posse of Maine militia-men, arri\ed upon the scene. At tliat time the onl\ ti-a\elled roads in Aroostook count\' weie' a load from l^atten to Masardis. the militar\- road Irom Mallaw amkea^" to I loulton. and a road as I'ai" noilh as Monticello. Roads had aNo been cut anions' the trees, throuiih which a sled could iu' hauled IVom the St. John ri\er to h'it/. I b-rbeii's lirook. and from the mouth of Lo\el\ brook to the head of the l\each. The one. to L'scaiH- the Aroostook lalls and rapids, and 30 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. the other to sliortcii the distance oi' the o^reat bend in the ri\ er. So i'ar as business or social rehitions were con- cerned, these people were as completelx' isolated from all parts of our State, as an\- of tlie inhabi- tants oi" the northeastern part of our sister Pro- \ince. And not until the posse and troops had been followed h\ actual settlers, and h :)mjs had been made and social relations i'ormed. was it possible for the prejudice, that the polic\- toward their trespass upon tlie lumber had caused, to be removed. ■ The coming- of t!ie posse and the Ignited States troops, and the polic\' adopted in re^'ard to tres- pass timber, created a prejudice that required the coming- of actual settlers, the makino- of homes, the forminii" of social relations, and intcrmarriao'c to wholl\- remo\e. The promptness with which their descendants responded to "Father Abraham's" call for ''300,000 more" obliterated the last parti- cle of prejudice, and united this yountr and strug- oling- communit\- in social and loyal mass, with one countr\- and one flai;\ While ?srassachusetts had asserted her rights to the northeastern territory, bv making a survey and o-rantino- lands north and west of the monument at the headw.iters of the St. Croix river, the lai\ii-uao-e oi' the lreat\- oi' 1794 and the interpre- tation tl\- sent to aia-est the ti'espassers and take- jiossession ol the cbsjnited tenitor\' in the nameot" the State. This action as a matter ol cor.rse arouseil the people in New i^rimswick, and the sentiment bc- CM^iK' iivnernl, that I'orce shor.ld be met w ith Inrcr, IILSTORY OF FORT FAIRFIEJ.D. The land a'^'cnt, who was anioni;- tlic first upon the ground, was arrested and taken to Frederiek- ton. The militia men fell baek as far as INIasar- dis. The State sent forward additional men, and a stand was made upon the bank of the Aroostook ri\ er s;)me six miles from a proN ineial settlement upon the St. John ri\ er. Acti\e preparations were made to stop the euttino- and hauling- of tlie timber, and to pre\ent that alreadx' eut I'rom being taken to market. vSo()n after the arri\al of tlie last ol' the drafted men, an order was reeei\ ed to muster out the en- tire foree, and enlist Nolunteers. who in addition to bearing arms, should engage in sueh manual labor as the State reipiired of them. I^pon the arrixal of this militar\- loree in the winter ol 1S39, tlie\- found aeti\e lumbering o]:)er- ations g(ung on along tlie banks of ihe Aroostook ri\er for se\eral miles abo^ e th.e mouth ol" tlie Prescjue l,->le, aiul i'rom the towr.shijxs ol" letter C (Easton) and Mars Hill, pine timber was hauled to the St. John ri\er in New I^runswiek. The work ol buikli ng a boom aeross the Aroos- took ri\er was eommenced, and seouting parties were sent out to arrest trespassers and eonhseate their teams and supplies. The position oeeupied h\ these soldiers was of •a most embarassiiii-- nature. Their mission here. THE UPPER BLOCKHOUSE. THE COLLINS HOUSE. IIIS•1•()K^ ()|- I'-OKT KAII< i-ii;i,i). was to break up tin- Inisiiu'ss of llu'sc settlers, ami hv so cloin'4" to tlestroN theii" li\inL;'. W liile it was neither expected noi" c1esii"able to cli"i\e tJK'in Iroiii their homes, their presence was a constant menace. 'I'heir abilit\ t > ,Lii\ c inl'oiaiiation to our enemies, and the almost positi\e assurance that their s\ni- path\- would le.id them to do so, toL:,ether with the ]')()ssibilit\ that a lai'^e armed lorce was neai" at hand, kept up a constant unrest on the part ol the soldierw 'To-dax' it can onl\' be looked upon as a m\stei"\. that untlei" such circumstances, actual hostilities did not lead to bloodshetl alon^- the entiix- bordei". The di'art«.'d men consist».'d of two distinct classes. One, and the larger class, home cares and rcsj-jonsibilitii-s macU' their soldii-i" life most distasteiul, and il was a happ\ da\ w hen tlu' oriler I'ame for iheir tlischar^e. 'i'he olhei- cla-^s (.1" actixc, entei"prisin<4-, fearless nouul;- men wore only too i!,lad to e.xchaiiLie their jiresent jiosition ioi" more work and bettei" pa\' in the \ olunteer sei'\ ice. or the second class there was all and more than the state reijuired to canx forward the work to a siicccssfid termination. ■' 34 HISTORY OF FORT FzMRFIELD. CHAPTER III. Pi: R MA NEXT POSSE.SSIOX. The organizaticMi of a military workino- force was the carrxin^- out of tlie phm to hold possession of the disputed territorx'. As soon as fortifications were established, and formal possession taken in the name of the State, the \ olunteer forces were employed in constructing- a road through the wil- derness to connect them with the United States forces, stationed at Hancock barracks, in Houlton. The township lying south of the one in which the fortitications were erected, belonged to ^^lassachus- setts, and for the double purpose of passing oyer land owned hv the State and keeping as far as pos- sible from the St. John riyer, from which point annoxing forces could be sent out, the road was laid out in a south of west direction to Presque Isle. .ifi'] IVom t!ierc to Monticr.llo and Jloulton. iiis'iom oi- r^oiri' F.\ii^i'ii;f.n. ,V^ This road throiiijli its entire distance passed over \al liable sctlliiiLi" lands, co\ ered with a hea\ \' growth of tiinhei-. with a rich, allmial soil, upon which the \e^etablc mould olages had supplied a ^•ast amount of plant food. The great contrast be- tween this and the roek\-, sterile and ora\ell\- land of the southern portion of the State was a constant reminder to these men of the possibilities of this new land: and as the work of construction pro- gressed. nian\- a choice piece ol land was selected for a luture home. And these men. together with those who came through their intUiencc and i\'pre- sentations, comprised largeK" the pioneer settlers of this and adjoining towns. In the surve\- of Letter I). Range i (the south lialf of f^ort Fairtield). the land along this road was cut up into lots with onl\- eight\' rods frontage, so as to gi\ e the largest possible number of settlers a chance for location. As a matter of course, this was the lirst located and settled land in the town, except that bordering on the .\roostook rixer. It ma\- well be claimed that the \ olunteer forces were the actual pioneers, and to them more than all others is due tlu- credit of bringing to its full fi"uition. the second stage of impi"o\ I'ment — actual settlement. In 1S4J all the land in this town along the road had been t ikcn up. and among these st'l- tlei's were found the names ol" Jonathan 1 lopkinson. 36 ^lSTOR^ OF FORT FAIRFIELD, Daniel F'alnior, \ycn'j. I), and Otis P^astman, — Brag- don. Lc\i 1 lo\l. ^Villiam. Onin and K. P. AVhitncy, luluMrd lohnslon, L'hasc, Hunt, Tucker, Lyons, Iloulton, W'in^", PaUcc, A\^iitc and l^icliaids. The Nolunteer iorcc had been succeeded l)y a conipaiu' of United States Ifoops and a building" (the sanu- that is now occupied In J)r. Deckei") was erected I'or olbcers' (juarters, and the lou.n- dation realK' laid for the ]")i-es(.-nt \ iihii^c of h^»rt l^^airlield. 'IMie \\'ebstei--Asliburton ti-eat\ liad Ik'cu ratified, tlie commissioners appointed to run the boundar\" bne:andin the summer of i S.p^, the I'nited States troops were withdrawn and the ]^ropert\' phiced in chai\ij,"e of (General Mark Ti-afton. who had been appointed a custom liouse olllcer for the phice. Tile boom which had been placed in the ri\ er to hold ti-espass timber, had been sold to a com- ]-)an\- chartered b\- the I British Parliament and re- moN ed to the mouth of the Aroostook in Xew Tirunswick tor the peacelul purpose oC holdiuLi,- the lumber, so that it could be made up into rafts be- lore it was run down the St. John ri\er to market. A dam had been built across the Fitzhcrbcrt brook and a sawmill erected, the llrm of Pattcc and Ilaxwood lormed. a store opened arid a house built, and the new enterprise christened the "lower village." The N'ouni*" men w ho had come for war. bcf^'an HISTORY Ol'^ lORl' FAIR FI I.I.I). to ciii^aii'C in the peaceful enterprise of securing- wi\es aiul niakin)mes and f.irms pon new land from wiiich their labor and toil cleared awa\ the lorest, to raise the bread for their youn^" and dependent families. The clearing of the land was a work that is hard to be understood from any point ol ob- servation attainable at the present day. Three and often four ila\>' work w a^ leciuireil l'.» I'ali the trecb 40 ULSTOKY rOKT FAlRFlliLl). lij^on a single acre, and op.c da\" more to 'do]-) ihc limbs'" ol'l" t!ic fallen trees so as to seer.re a tn.cd burn, d'rees eut down in June and )u!\ were ill l^repared to burn hv the last of AuL;"ust, or tirst of Sej^tember, but if left be\<)nd that time there \\as danii,"er of i'all rains, and a loss of a \\diole \ear be- fore the land could be ]^repared for crops. \\ ith small choppiniis, "oid\' ti\ e acres in an opening"" for the uncertain bi"ee/es o1 an .\ui;aist or Septem- ber dav to stir up the hre, it was tlie rule to ii;et, if iiot to expect, a \ er\- poor burn, often no moi'c than to burn the lea\ es and twin's and blacken the tim- ber, and 1 ha\ e seen more tlian one instance w hen that was onl\ partialK' done. Then as much more work from these inexperi- enced men was taken to cut these trees into suita- ble len^-ths to be hauled t()i;-ether iu "'piles" for burnin<4". Then ihrt-e nu-n ;ind a \-okt^ of oxen could be \ er\- l)us\' from early morning to late at e\e in hauling together, picking up and getting read\- to burn the "heaps." Then a little waiting lor them to dr\- and for the wind to blow, and the tires were set; then c.ime the stirring up and rolling tou-ether of lo<>-s, the smoke and he:it extending far into the night; then the waiting for the lires to go out, the heap beds to get cold; then came the haul- ing off of the brands, and the land was ready for the seed and harrow. The ages of the deca} ing leaves had ibrmed a thick vegetable mould upon 4 r...:-..sESi]i si iiisroio ()i- i()i. IIk' L^rouiul that i:a\ c food to the l;i(,\\ in^- ci'ops. and thi' hcaits of thr hoiu'sl loihTs and ihrii' Tainilirs were ch.eeietl b\ the rapid I \ ^K'wini;' ei( ) ^>. I nil the \ ast, dense forest shutting- or.l the Ileal and si;n- liuhl b\ 0:\\\ sent out a cold aiul ehillinLi" air liy niLilu. that, settling upon these small elearinij^s. oft- en bronchi the sad experienee ol an August frost to blight their hopes ol' an abundant erop, and doom them to another \ear ol' frost-bitten ^rain, which, after passim^- throu^li the primitixe mills ol that da\ , brought forl'i a ]iro'.lnetion that bore about the same relation to tlie beautiful '•Snowllake or "L'alla LilK" roller ]iatent of to-day. that the darkest son ol" luhiojiia does to the fairest daughter olthe Anulo-Saxon race. And it was not always that e\ en such fare as that could be obtained in suf- licieiit (]uantit\-. Mone\ could not alwa\s be had. even to pa\- the postage on a lon^ desired letter. A well buik Iol;- house, plain clothing- and simple substantial food, w .is a most desirable if not a sat- isfactor\' condition. ^Vi1ile there were hardships, piaxations and ex- posure, often, to cold and stoiaii. sickness was eom- ))arati\el\ unknown, aside IVom thai incitlenl lo the new-boin. that held no mean I'lace in the additions to our increasiuLi' po|-)ulation : and then some moth- erl\" woman, w ith an experience Liaincd by lorce ol circumstances, mounted ijpon a horse led by some- u:\j. lanlern in hand, alonj^ a bridle path or spotted 44 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. line throui^-h the wood, succcssfiilh- rilled the plaee of an experienced M. D. AVith the exception of the United States surgeon who was here with the company of United States Infantr\- and left in ]u\\\ 1843, there was no regular physician and surgeon nearer than Iloulton, and the roads were so bad it would ha^"e been a remarkable ieat to get a doctor from there in twentv-four hours. This state of things continued for nearl\- ten years, and it was not imtil 1 858 that a pinsician came who recei\ed suHicient encouragement to remain and l)uild up a practice. The great distance to mirket, necessitating ex- pensi\e transportation, added in a great measure to the otherwise alnijst insurmountable obstacles that were to be oxercome. But these braxe men and women were equal to the task. They oyer- camc eyery obstacle, they made for thcmsehcs comfortable homes, they built up a s^•stem (.f schools for their children, that laid t!ie fcr ndatio: for useful and influential li\es. As the fallin;:' of the trees and clearing awa}- the forest let i t^' < sunlight and warmth, their ind\ str ,;c*sc- . and integrity laid a moral and social Fo ii^^at' the intelligence, happiness and prosperity o^' the present. Wisely they selected, d^'ligently tliey ]:)la -te , and broadcast sowed upon a rich and fertile soiJ. And while wc gather from their imperishable har- HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. 45 \ csl. it is meet and i-i<;lit that wo remember their noble \v()i-k, and raise U) their memur\- monuments ol praise. 4^^ IIIS'r()l^\' FORT FAIRFUCLI). ciiafi7:r \'. T]\\: ()i^i(;ixAi. rnij:. 'J'hc title to all the laiul in l'^)rt 1-^iii-hcltl came ori^inalh' iVoni ^ilassachusetts. Pre\ ions to i (S u) Maine was the District of ?vfaine and a ]^ait of Massachusetts. }une i()th. i(Src). the legislature ol" that state jiassed an act, i-elatin^- to the sepai'ation ol the District of Maine IVoni Massacluisetls projH'i', and foi'mini;' llu- same into a se-paiate' and iiuk-pendent state, when it should be accejUed h\ the jK'ople ol Maine. At that time all the public- lands in Aroos- took counl\-, as well as in othcf counties in the State, except such as had been pi-e\ iousK' con- \e\ed or contracted Tor b\- parties with Mass- achusetts, were e(piall\' di\ ided between the two states. In that di\ ision of the land between Massachusetts and AFaine, townsldp 1) and alter- IIISIORN ()|- |-()|<|' I'AIK I Ii:i.|). -\ wards Letter 1) l^Iantalion, and now the southern hall of l'^)rt h^iiiiirld. became the j)i()]^L'i-t\- of Maine, and !)ein^- an cxeellent tow nship. suitable for settlenii'nt, was set apart in accordance with the laws ol'the State to be sold to aete.a.l settlers. The township of PKmonth ha\ in^^ at an earlier da\- been Li'ranted to the town of l^lxmoiith. Mass- achusetts. b\- the lenislatui'e. was con\e\ed in iSo- to that town b\- deed. 'I'he lollowino- is a tiaie cop\'. and will increase in interest as the \ears i-'o hv. 'nii; i)i:i:i). 'i'o all people to whom these pi'csents shall come. Hreetin^-: W'heieas. the Legislature of the common- wealth ol" Massachusetts, did ii,rant to tiie town of I^lemouth. a township of land b\- a resohe bearing- date tin- I'oui-lh da\ of March. ei^lUeen hundred and six. Xow. therelore know \"e. that we whose names ai'e undt-rsiLi'ned, and seals a.fhxed, appointed Agents by the (leneral Court of (."ommonwealth aforesaid, by a ResoKe passed the ril'teenth da\ of March t-i^hleen huncli-ed and lixt'ilo make and ex- ecute coin exences. antl b\ \ irtue ol" olhei" j'xtw ers Nested in us by the same and oilur Jvesoixcs: do b\' these pri'SL-nls in behall' ol' said Commonwealth, assi^'n. relinquish, and (piitclaim unto the town of l^lymouth, to be b\ them holden in tlu-ir corporate' capacity, lor the use of said low n. all the li^ht. title, and interest of said Commonwealth, in and unto a track of land Kinu- in the countx' of Wash- 4S HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. ington, CMjiial to the contents of six miles square as the same was sur\ e\ed b\' Charles Turner, Junior, Esquire, in the ^•ear eighteen hundred and se\en. Hounded as follows, viz.: Beginning- at a beech tree marked S. K. C P. standing on the eastern h()undar\ line of the District ol Maine. filt\'-ll\e inih-s noi-th of the soni'ce ol the Schoodie \\ alers, aiul I'linning north, thirteen degrees east, six miles to a lir trc-c marked sixtN-one miles, thence run- ning west thii'lecn degrees noi'th, six miles to a stake, thence running soutli thirteen degrees west, six miles to a maple tree marked S. W. L". P., t'lencc running east thirteen degi'ces south, six miles to the beech ti'ce lli'st mentioned, together with all the islands in those parts of the .\roostook ri\er which are included within the aforesaid bounds, together with all the pri\ileges and ap- purtenances, thereto belonging, excepting and re- ser\ing for the use ol Commonwealth, and as a common highwa\' torc\ er, the maiii channel of said ri\er .Vroostook in its course through the said township, containing twent\"-three thousand and f()rt\- acres, including the ri\cr .Vroostook running through the saiue, as it will more fulh' appear on a plan of said township, now lodged in the office ol the aforesaid agents. To ha\e and to hold, the aforegranted premises, to the said town of PUmouth, or their assigns, fore\"er, on conditions howexer that the s:iid (Trantees, or their assigns, shall la\' out and con- \e\' to each settler, who settled on said track be- fore the tirst da\" of January, seventeen hundred and eighty-four, one hundred acres of land (in ca-;e of the settlers decease without assignment. iiisi'oKN oi' I'OKr i'aiii. S.Mrrii. ( ( Si*j^ned, sealed and deli\ered in presence ol r.s: GliORGE AV. Coi'l-lX, MOSKS (iRKiiMJCAK. Si TKoi.K, ss, Hosrox, it)th Dec., 1S07. Aeknowletliied before Joseph Maw justice of the Peace. Commonwealth ol" M;issachusetts,I.ar.d Otlice, Boston, 12th Jan., 1S46. This certifies that tlie fore_ii"oin<4- Deed is a true copy oTthe record in tliis otlice, as fountl in Book Xo. 3, I^i<4e 27:5. Attest: (ii:oi<(,i. W. c'oiriN, Land A ^ent lor Mass. 50 IILSTOIO' ()]■■ I'OR'l" FAIl-iFIIilJ). Wliilc the deed sets forth that Charles Mhirner, Jr., made tlie sl!r^■e^^ there are well ;itt(.'sted ih)en- nients showing- tliat it was made b\ Park Ilolland, and it is to be inferred, tha.t whik' Mr/fiirnei- is the recQu-ni/cd autliorilw he tlepiitized J*ark IJelland, and that he realh' did tlie work. In 1S54 Kbene7,er Ilutehinson, L'liark's R. Whid- dtjn and Stephen B. Pattee were appointed eoni- missioners to set off kind to settkn^s who were in the township at th.e time oi' the A\"ebster-.\sh- burton treat\- in i(S_}.2, the kind to inehide tlieir im- pro^ ements; similar to the aet of Congress to cpiiet settlers on t!ie publie land. AVe are unable to hnd an\- dates b\' whieh we can determine whether the town of Phmouth set- tled the speeial number of settlers upon the town- ship or reserAed and deeded the lots to the minis- tr\' and schools. This township at an earl\- dac passed into the h;inds oF proprietors who ap]")ointcd an ai^ent, lotted the land, and from them came the title deeds to settlers. In so much ol' the towii as was included in Let- ter D township, the settlers receixed their titles di- re Jth' from thj SL.itc. HISTORY OF lOK I- I A I K FIELD. 5.? lii.\i^tI':r \i. i.\ei!)i:xis ()!• i-iii-: w ak. The lirst ck'tacliiiK'nt of ihc c]i';ilu-tl Maine iiiili- ti.i-nicii ba\ iii<4" ariMxcd al Masarclis. llicx' coni- nicnccd their march down ihc Aroostook ri\ cf up- on the ice, to more acti\ e scenes of ()i')ei'ation. It was not until llie/ \\a'i\- a lew mik's abo\ i- the m nith of I'le I're^que Isle sti'eam tliat the lir.st tres- pissers were disjo\ered, and then not until lea\inL;" the woods and i^'ettinii- on to the ice. a short dis- tance a.he.id of the troops, 1 mnietliateh a race commenced, Ivat nothing- wa-i _!4".iined until alter the\- lelc the ri\er at \\'illiam Johnston's place at the head of the R'-ich. ddv p)rta'^e was roj^h and <)"i>oked aro ind amonu" the trees, and uj^on tlic updiiil i^^ra.le the h )rs.'>, weiried hv the iunu ra.e upo:i the ri\ er, couKl not be urged beyond a walk. Th.-relore the soldiers were able to run 54 HISTORY OF lORT rAIKKIIZLD. on lb(/t ahead oi their own teams, ar.d soon ( \ er- take and eaptr.re both oftlie lumber teams and th.e men. AVith tliese. the first prisoners olthat blood- less war, t!-ie\- ret :rned t > the ri\er arid established their eamp upon tlie ncn'th side neu'h' opposite Mr. Johnston's, now kno\\i'! a> the \\'eeks p.lace. An adxanee \\as s>)(;n made aerc.ss the portage to tie ri\ er, whieh brou^'ht tl'.em within the preser.t t( v,n o! bort Fairfield, jamj-; bht/lierberi: w;ts able to afiOrd the best slielter iVom the eold of an Ar(( s- t )ok winter, and tlierefore his hor.se beea:r.e a pcip- i:l ir SLopi")inL;- pbiee lor the olbieevs. At this time Mr. Johnston sent b.is s< r, Warren A., to Tobiqr.c, (Andover) tj Tilbett's miil with a i;rist. While t'le ^rist was bc:n<^^ jroird. bry like, he decided tj take in the town, which ccr.- ; isted (^I'a : t .re and t.wcrn ;".nd a lew rr.dc licir.c::". While dc-in*^ so he learned that a party wr.s beinir crg-.'.nized to l^'o to b^itzherbert's an.d captv.re tl e (jtb.eers. .\s soon as his g'rist was he Lraincd the od.i^rc of lMi/.herbei-t*s t.penin,u\ and siieeeeded in surprisin.i;- tlu-UK and in caplurin- l.and A-ent Melntyre. and o-avr rise to the jxirody in which the oft rep:ite.l •■■Kim, Slrirkl.inil, run : tii<', Stovyr. 1".i«',' Wt'io tlu' last words .-f .Mcliil.\ v," oceurs. The capture ol" Melntyre led to a falling- back of the forces to Masardis, and Major Strickland, it is said, did not stop until he o-ot to Bangor. The second dralt supplied additional troops, and the -round abandoned was re-occupied amid con- siderable excitement, and soon an a;;ent of the Pro- vincial -overnme.U made his appearance, with authoritN from (Governor IlarvcN t) order all par- ties from the disputed territory, only t ) lind hi/n- self a prisoner and a hosta-e lor the safe return (.f Land Agent Melntyre. Governor Ilarvcy of Xcv/ Hrunswick ordered crat one thovsmd militia, and the IcLTislature of Maine voted an appropriation < f SS.ooo a!ul tlie drallin^- of ten t'nou.sand militia.. Re\()lutionar\ blood was up. and every indication pointed to open and sanguinary hostilities, when another actor appeared upon the scene. The national lllsl^)l'J^ oi" i"()U' 1"A!R1-1I:L!). took lip his quarters at the Auii'list.i House on tlie 5th da\ of Maivh, iN^(). He had thirt\- thoi;saiul laiited States troops at his eomniand. but he was a man of peace, and at once set hinisell to woi-k to bi"ini;' about a cassation (^f h(-stilities. Cjo\ ei'noi' Har- \ e\' of New Brrnswick and (jo\ ernor h^aiiiield oC Maine were induced to wit'uh'aw their troojTS. ex- cliani^'c prisoners, and submit tlvjir dis'pute t > ;irbi- tration. While this was possibK' th _' onl\- war in w liich not a single battle was iouLi'ht, it was not altogether a bloodless one. After the militia was disbanded, a company of Ignited States Infantr\- was stationed upon h\)rt Hill. occiip\ino- the blockhouse erected by the \ olui'.teer force after the militia was disbanded. One moi-nin^- alter -^'uard mountiiiL:,-, the relie\cd H'uards in dischar^Mnii" their muskets, s;iot a randopii ball in the direction of a small cle.irinu". where Na- than Johnston, a brother of Mr. \\'illiam Johnston, was at work reaping" i^rain, and produced a wound from which he cbed that daw It was not until the close of Martin \'an lUiren's administration, that acti\e neii'otiations were en- tered into to settle the boundary question. 'I'he ex- citing- political campaign of 1840, the deleatinix ol' the j)arl\- that had conli-olled the affairs of go\ern- ment for man\- \ears, the death of (Jenei-al Harri- son tliirtx' davs after his inauj:>'uration. all were iii>i<)!-;v ():■• i-{)i^r I'AiKFii:!.:). .■> / a^Minst t:iki!iLi- up tliis (jucsLion. WvA \\\1'a the in- c ):iiin;^' of Prcsiclciit TnIlt'n administiMtK);"!, with l).i:iicl W'clv.k'r S.'.Tot.irx' of State, iic ^"otiations were opened whieli euliiiinated in the W'ebster- A-^hdv.irLon tre.it\-: and in tiie s-.imme;' ci' i^^i, com- rnissior.ei's with a. detailed toree I'rom the English a ul United St ites troDps establislied t'ne b.):indar\- and set up ir.)n posts to r.iirk the sa/nj as far as the St. jolin river. That treaty settled the boundar\ bne as Car west as the Roeky Mts., and beeame the enterini^- wedg^c to a line of poliey that has sinee prewiiled, and we trust e\ er will be maintained between this and the m )ther ejuntry on all qaestions of difference that Ilia-,- arise. =' 58 JJl.^rOKV FORT J'AIRFIELD. CllAPrER vu. AROOSTOOK WAli 1\ HISTORY. 'I'Ik' dispulc in rci^MrJ t ) the noithc.isl bonn- cl;ir\' of Maine, which cuhiiinatcd in callini;' out the Stiitc niililia and building- Ibrlilicatioi'.s i]))on the Aroostook and h'ish ri\ crs, has been treated as a ver\- insi^nitieant affair, and more as a niattei^ of ridicule than as one of heroic de\"otion to home, to State rights and national i~)restige. worthy of the descendants ol the heroe.-^ of Bunker Hill, Ticon- deroo'a, Saratona, \'<)rkto\\n and 'I'renton, While each \ear adds to the importance and \alue ol the possession, it should be remembered, that but for the coura!.>v and dexotion, toil and pri- \ation and patriotism of these men, the British lla. 59 ^bt have shown t) the a.thonlic; .1 Wash- ivi^rit'nlallthe tribut irics t, the St. J..hn nvcr ,vcre unM.-^tionably Hritish waters. l>utth,sae- twn. i,.^ether with the la.t thai as early as iSo. tV-StU. nlMassa-h.s.U. had taken formal pos- so..i(.n and K.:aleai.ind larbey..:ul s:ieh an ima^^n.- nrv line, became the stron- points in our lav. -r m ;V-n-otiiti:>n ol' the Webster-Ashbmlon treaty. OMrSt^f^is w.rlhv of all honor fen" the prompt- n -,. with xvhi:h she arose t . the enier-enev, and the spirit in Nvhi:h she st.r.d re idy to nviinta,n her ''^\ carelal snrvev of the situation cann(.t but lead t ) a i-.st appreciation of the patriotism and devotion of t^.c men, v/ho, at th.c call of the State, left home n-vl bved one,; and marched into the northern wilderness in the dead of winter, t. wlu:rc they were almost sure t ) meet a ibc who wJidd -rcatly o-tnumberthem; to where they had i^ood reason t, believe and did believe that their j^om- woi Id rcvUl, opei h.,stilltie., and that the Ion- and wirv march thro;-h storm and snow, wast, a eampin;^ gro.:nd in an unbro!:en wil.lernes. tar fr.)m civiliz.iti:)n. Their <'-oin- lorth to what one has been pleased t . call a -bbodless war/* was n(A a -mere pastime, free from hardship, exposure or danger, but to ,,11 the realities of a long, revere and dangerous c unpai .-n. Thev experienced all and more ot the 6o H1^^0KY Ov rURT FAIRTIELD. realities of \v;ir, save the horrors of the battle-tlel'J, tha'i r.i:i:i\- n-.Ii;) were ia the \\'iir (1" the Relx-lli(;n. Aral raar.n' well traaiie:! s(;ldiers will a.ssure \';'a t'^at the terrible ''What is t;) he :"' was hartha- to stand up a.^aiast th;in t'^e ;iet-.ail eoala^^t (,!' the battle held. ?\rore thai! on^j hiaidred miles int.) the wilderness and ;iwa',' I'rora ei\ ilization tliese men wei:t lor \\arlike piu'poses, man\' a mile of wear\' mareh when p.o 'possible ;:ssr.r:inee eonid be i;i\"en th;it the p.ext ho;;r (a- e\ en minute woald not brini^- thiem face to face with a hostile foe; as trre soldiers alwa\"s on the alert, e^"er \vatehi'ul, alwa\s reae^■ ibr the eadl t;) battle, and deserNanLi" of all the honor that Nvor.ld ha\ e been s'a.owered iipoii them ittlie ea!l had realh' been made and th.e eonf iet had been loni^' aand sanij,Tiin:ir\'. The obstacles in tlie wa\' (A' i\'lial)le information, as to the action taken or m(y\ ements of the I-'ro- Nancial ^'oNernn^ent, or the exasperated settlers whose hiisiness had been broken r.p, jtlaced their e\ er\' m')\ enier.t a.t a L,reat disadxanta^e. 'Idiat thcY \\ere r.ot cut off" from th.eir base of supplies and compelled ta surrender or perhaps wholh' de- slroxed, can (,rAy be accounted l'(~)r, frcan t'ae reason that the op'p'jsini;" lorce was less C'uira<4e:vas or less in earnest ibr the defence of the tcrritorx" and their The re.idiajj: w!th wh.ich the-\- ^'oluntcercd after ^' HISTORY or l-ORT I'AIRFIKIJ). C'>T, bciiiii" mustered out of tlic militia, and took unoii tlicmsohcs both the duties of the soldier and the eonimon laborer, should not be loi'*j;olleii. The buiidiiiL;" ol" rorlilieations. the making" of State roads; the letting- in of li^ht. tlie sending out oC u'ood re- W lU'n m ine lasL .Maine' K'i;iMauii<. a [tcuLMMi \\ a>> presented askin^• that the soldiers ol" the Aroostook War be plaeed upon the pension roll, and the quiet and indifferent maiuier in whieh it was passed by beeame a matter of reeord. we were indeed thank- ful thai in spile of the ne^lejt and ingratitude of an uniiratelul eountrw the eonseiousness ol true devo- tion ;ind heroie ck'eds brings its own reward. Moi-e tlian half a eentui-\ has passed sinee iheii" heroie deeds beeame a pail ol liu' nation's hislor\'; ami the stamp ol" approval plaeed u]")on them, through the establishment of our r.oitheastern boundary. While we eontrast the \alle\- ol the Ai'oostook and upper St. John of to-daw w itli what it waslifl\- \ ears aLi'o. and tlu-n h)()k loi'ward to ihc ti'an.sfoi'm- inn' jiower oi' another iift\ \ ears, we ma\ realize something- of the ureal \alue ol the brinht jewel sa\ ed throuuh iheir \ i^ilanee and ilevolion to the national doiuain. ^4 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. CHAPTER MIL CAI''I"A1XS IN Tin: WAR. Tlic first captain of wlioni \vc ha\ c an\' account. Stover I^incs, was with Slicrit'f Strickland and Land Ai^'cnt Mclnt\rc at Fitzbcrbcrt's upon tliat mem- orable ni^^ht when the tii-st real experience oi' ac- tual hostilities came to their \ iew. If the land a<;ent w;is the superior otiicer, he failed to "lire, vSto\"er, lire," at his command. With that short experience he drops out of si5 Capt. Georo-o W. Toxvlc Nvas lor a t.ni..- m com- mand of the volunteers, and in ehai-v whdc budd- in- the upper bloekhouse. and in the construction ol'the State road. \rterbeino-relievedol' his command, Capt. loNvle secured the beautiful interval at the mouth ol the Presque Isle stream, and made a deli-htlul home lor those earlv days. In addition to his farmm^, he eno-:io-ed extensivelv in lumber operations. Capt.'iohn l'>. Win- relieved Capt. Towle ot l^.s command, and I'or a time was the principal olhcer, and as a matter ol course the bi-est man in the nexv settlement that was oatherin- round the post. Capt Win- was a man ol" considerable executive Mbilitv. Ik> entered heartilv into the development ol the country, and was actix e and inHuential m secur- ino- a charter from the British Parliament and the United States o-overnmcnt to hold the lumber at the morth of the Aroostook river, lor raftm- be- lure takino- to St. John Tor sale. lk>ino- cn-au-ed in the Limberin- business, he saw the necessitv^or letter transportation for short lumber around the Aroostook falls, and surveyed and commenced th^' • -n ;tru. tion of a railroad lor that purpose. , In the winter of i^r^-.\.^ He returned to his lor- nier luMue in Piscatar<>i<> oi i-OKT I Ai la I i:i,i). G^ him llu' crctlil of l^'inn' the active a<;'ciit in ihe I'ol- h)\\ iiiL^' iiicitlciU : The scouts had broii^lit woixl tliat a hiruc hocK' (if Indians was approacliini:'. when the c'aptain ad- ch-essetl liis men and ui'^ed them to he hi-a\ e and ch) their dut\. Init saiil he: "\'ou no ch)ubt w ill he o\ eij^ow ered and compelled to retreat, and as 1 am lame and cannot i^o \ er\' last, I will start now I" In 1^4,^ the captain with his command was oi-- dered to I^asti-)ort, and from there to the southwest- erii IVontier. antl became an acti\e. and we beliexe, a uselul. pai"ticipanl in the Me.\it.an war. With L'a))l. \'an W'ss, NNJiik' stationed at I'^oii i'aii'lield, was Lieut. Ricketts. \\ ho, w ith his xouul;" w ife. was L;reatl\- ri-spected b\ the settlefs. Lieut. Ivicketts became a majof-iieneral in the War ol" the Rebellion, and diel his countr\' i^ood ser\ ice. In ihr sumiiKT of iNSi). the w riter. w ith his w ile, Mrs. A. C. Raul and Mr. and Mrs. (i. W'. Hilton, matle up a jiart\" to \ iew the National L'emetei"\' at ArliuLjlon Ilein'hts, Soon at'tei" eiitei'inLi' the H'rountls, out" attention was attracted h\ a beautiful monument, and we decitled to lea\e tiie cafriaue antl inspect it. To Mill- emprise w e found that it mai'ked the ii'st- inu place of Ma jor-( Jeneral Ricketts of the I'nited Stales Arm\ ; and. as il to lemox e all doubt as lo iilciUit\, we ivad these words: "Who scr\c'd as a lieutenant, at an earfN da\ . upon our Northeastern 68 HISTORY I'OR'l' FAIR I'T ELI). Frontier."' These men all hud a plaee and worthiK- tilled it in the earl\' historx' of our town. A\'ith others. the\' did their part in brini^-in^- it to notiee, in sliapin^' its polie\' and la\in<;- the foundation for those \\'h() eame alter to enlarge and build upon. in^ioKV OK loKi- iAiKi-ii:i.n. U) CUAPTKR IX. A i'1()NKi:r >i:t-h.kmi:n'I". In September ..f 1^4-- ^^^^ Freeman Ellis. Jr. and Deueon Edward S. lM)xvler. both oi Sanovr- vilje made a trip to the then new Aroostook eoun- U-v lor the purpose ol' takin- up State land and makino- homes. At that time they found all the desirable land alon- the State road taken up. and a settlement had been commeneed on what was then 4-1 ( ' ..-.tro line 1'' r \\'hitne\- and known as the Lentic line. i.. i • Sanlord Johnston, who eame from Kennebee eoun- tv with one Hunt, (who had taken up the lot and built a house where A. 1. Rollins now lives) had taken the lots, now owned bv James Johnston and Mr. Cummin-s. upon whieh they had lelled twentv aere> of trees; and Deaeon lliram Stevens had o-one on bevond them and taken the two lots south and adjoinin- their land. up<.n wh.eh he had HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. felled five acres of trees. When Messrs. Iillis and l^'owler arri\ed on tlie scene upon tlial September mornini;- in iSp. ihe\- I'oiind a path Inished out to llie Johnston and \\"hitiK'\' ("ailing-, and tlie tii^e had done its work so I'ar as to Inirn the small brush and black the lo,us: and fi"om there to ^\v. Ste\ens' opening-, whicli was in like condition, there was onl\' a "spotted line." South oi" AFr. Stc\ ens' opcn- ini:,' was a small brook and a bi^!," ccdai" swam]^. Through this swamp and al(»n^- this line for a mile the\' tra\ellcd before deciding' upon a location. Mr. bulb's took the two lots on the west side and Deacon f^twlci- j^asscd o\ er one lot and took tlu' second one. upon the east side and adjoining- Mr. flllis" south lot. With thcii' decision made, to make homes lor theii" families in the new c<»untr\'. and land located. the\- rctui-ned to Piscataquis count\- to arrange their business to make a start carl\ the next spriuL!,'. Soon aftci" thcii" i^eturn to San^crx ilk\ Mr. I^llis commenced a corresj'xjndence with his brother. Isaac V. f>Ilis, who was then li\ in^" in i'^n ette, the result of which was that he and his bi'othcr in law. Mr. Addison Powci's, joined him the following- March, and with his eldest son ( the writer ). started with two one-horse teams, for their new location. On his rej^rcscntations. the\' took the two lots di- rcctl\" south of his and Deacon l"ow ler's lots, and that summer felled fort\-fi\e acres upon the adjoinino- attB. \k O HISTORY OK FORT FAIRFIELD. 73 jour coi'iicrs. Tliroiinh Deacon I'^iwlcr's inlliicncc a Noiiii^ man hv the name of I. W. 1*. lorcian liad located south ol' Mi-. Powei's on tlie east sitle ol tlie centre line, and felled the acres of trees, on what is now know as the r)i-\ant faiau. The Uvv was not tlone burniuL:,' in the fortN-fix e acres chopping, w hen I- \\ innate Haines from Ilallowell came to see the new countrw and was so well pleased with this sec- tion of it, that he bouL,dit Mr. Freeman Ellis' claim and also took up the State lot between Deacon Ste- \ en's antl Deacon b'owler's. making in one bod\ lour hundred and eiu"ht\ aci'cs. Mr. ICllis then went south of hi.s brother, and took the west half of the six hundred and foi't\" acre block inmnini;- south to the town line. With Mi-. I Ia\nes came a \()unn' man b\ the name ol (leorui' A. Xurse, who boui^'ht the Hunt, now Rollins, place, which then extended south one mile and joined the James John- ston I'arm. \'ounLi- Jordan returned to Sanu-erx ille th It \ e:ii" and sold his land to Mr. Leon ird Spuon- ei". who came with his famil\- in the summer ol iS||. Mr. Iliines did not mn\ e his famih' until .se\eral \ ears later, but in the nuan time placed hi-- brothel" up )n the land, and ha\ in'4' moi-e me ut> to do with, made larue impi'oN (.•nu'iit'^. not onl\ upon that land, but erected a sawmill on the brook, w Inch w.is a ureat help in building, to the settlers. in an- other w a\- he did more to beneru Aroostook coun- ts th in an\ othei" man ol tlio^e earix da\ s. Some ot 74 HISTORY OF FOR']" 1'AIR]'1EL1). tlic best blooded stock ( Tthiit d-Ax in the State came liere tlirou^'li his intUience and with his monew In those da\s, ^\•hen worl; \\'as scarce, r.(;t becar.se there was no demand for it, but because there was so little to pa\' lor it, Mr. Ilair.es was ne\ er with.- out somethini;" that could be i.secl in oiie's i'amih' to eat or wear, with which lie could p'dv Cor a da\"s work, and it was seldom, summer or winter, that he turned a need\- applicant awa\-. Before returning- to their families in Fa\"ette, ^Iv. Powers and Isaac V. P^llis erected lo<;' houses upon their land, and jointh- with b^reeman Ellis and Dea- con Fowler, built twent\-one- rods of cedar-log- bridge across the brook and cedar sv.'amp on the eastern line of Deacon Ste^■ens' land. These v/ere the first houses in the ^vlaple Gro\'e settlement. In the spring of 1844 thev with their families occupied them. Deacon I'owler mo\'ed his famih- into the log camp occupied jointh- hv these parties while felling tlie IbrtN-fn-e acres of trees and making the impro\ements the season before. Freeman Ellis mo\ ed his famib" into the Hunt h(nise on the A. I. Rollins place, and a few weeks later into a part of his brother Isa:rj's log house, and in the summer to his own Iramed h.ouse. This was soon followed by houses built by Deacon Fowler, J. W. llaincii and Leonard Spooner, and the following }"ear by DcLicoa liiram Ste^■ens. The house built b}' r^Ir. IIaine:s and occupied by his brother C']iarle:s and iiis'i'om oi' I'oin' KAiuiiij.i). / .T 1;in"iil\- for four \-cnrs, was located near tlie spot where M i\ Albert 1.. Haines' ilne residenee now stand-;. 'I'he baildinu's ereeted hv I'^-eeman lOlIis lia\ e been enlireK renioxed; tlie\' stood neaiU op- posite the buildings upon the Sjiooner Jarin. now- owned b\' Charles I)r\-ant. iil'tN- acres ha\ inij,- been sold to his son aiul buildings erected, afterwards sold to .Ml-. Alnioii S. Ricb.ards. who bought all the land taken up hv Mr. Ellis, except the south eight\- which had pre\ iou.sK passed into the hands of Re\-. El bridge Knight. In the spring ol' i S4S. Mi-. |. W. Ilaines nio\ ed his laniil\- and took the actixe nianagenieiit ol his I'ann. 'i'his for sexeral x'ears constituted the Ma- jile (jro\e settlement, with slight changes, without rem:)\-ing an\- of the old landmarks. Isaac V. El- lis bought out Mr. Powers, aiid sold liltx- acres ( which is now a p:\vl of the town I'arm ) oi'l' the south end of his original lot. to Matthew C Holster. Dj.i. Scjxeis h id sold to his brother what is now the Rediker place. Mr. Nurse had soUl to Enoch IIo\t the south part of the Hunt lot. Mr. I laines had sold a part of what is now the 1. II. Kij^t^ I"; ini to his son. (icorge W. liracirord Luinniin ;s, kisq.. and James lohnston hatl located upon and im ■)ro\ed the v.. W W'hitiuw and Sanford johuslon lotM ]. W. Haines had built a mill-hou^e. and C. II. ICIlis h.ad built a shingle mill a short distance below his saw-- mill, and a I'oad had been ojuaieil across Deacon 76 HISTORY OF FORT FAIR IF ICI.D. Stevens" east lot to the mills. .V road had been opened aeross |. A\\ Haines* north lot, west, into tlie IIo\t neighborhood. A post otliee had been established, with Deacon Edward S. l"\)\\Iei" jiost- inaster, and C II. Ellis mail contractor, with the understanding- that the postmaster should carr\ the mail to and irom the I'ort b^iirrield ollice once a week lor the i')i-()ceeds of the ollice. I ^Is'^()l-;^ oi- iok't I'aik' i-'IELD. c'ii.\i»ri:R x. oi R i'1()m:i:k motiii.rs. Sonic one lias said tliat while Nolumcs h:{\c been written abont oui' l'il«j,Tini I'atliei-s. not one line has yet appeared in re^anl to our Pilgrim Mothers, (^lite as loreible a wiater has pertinentK' raised the ([uestion. ■'Il it had not Ix'en Coi" our motlu'i's w here should we her" Whether in the deep solitude ol" a home I'ai" Ironi tViends. and onl\- hei-e and there, sepai'ated In distance too L;i-eat to remo\ e the lone- liness that eomes to us from tlu' eonseiousness ol' iinaL:inai"\ or real e\ ils h\ which we are surround- ed, and be\ond out" power to resist: to be aroused IVoni our i-e\ eiics b\ the sci'cech of the hannless ow 1. the howl of the luniLirx woH'. or the ci'ack of the huntci-'s or hulian's rille. oi" in the bi-oader but not less loneK home upon the \ a^t praii'ic. where iVoiii morn until ninlil tlu- e\e m i\ look out onl\ to see one unboundetl lielil of loneliness, and if pei\hance at times it is bi-oken. to be followed HISTORY OF FORT FAIR RUM J). hv suspense, not knowing' whether friend or foe is eoniin1). and all who were the sunliL;-ht of those rough but 1iapn\- ]')i()neer homes. Anioni;- the \"ounLi" women who eommeneetl married life am(^nL;' the earl\- settlers ot our to\\'n^ Mrs. llenr\' Currier stood jire-eminently al)o\ e all oth.ers, as a wile, m(;ther and helpmate. A\niile she h;is ^one o\er to the border land, her lar^e lamilx' ha\ e ^"one out from hei" iulluenee and training', and b\' theii" li\c's and example are a etjntinued honor to her name. AMiile we eannot :n"i\e an extended list, we eannot forbear mention of the name of ?^Irs. Jesse .V\erill, who did her W(U"k well and has q-one to her re\\'ard. 'idu're ma\- be others who suffered more pri- \ations, and w hose heroie toil and suffering's are deser\ ing of mention, and who did as mueh in the moulding ot our soeial surroundings, but as this part of our histor\- must be from personal obser- \ation, and it is not our purpose to extend this line of obser\ ation beNond a single chapter, we can go no farther. The real worth and true womanhood of these worth\- and de\()ted motliers of this \-oung eolonw are beheld in the clearest and most perlect light, in the uselul. inlluer.tial and commanding li\ es ol their daughters — the mothei's of to-da\-. And as tile Roman matron pointed to her children and saitl : "These are nw jewels," the imperishable names of their children honor e\ er\" profession, strengthen every institution and aid in building up STREET VIEW, GOODHUE S BLOCK. AROOSTOOK VALLEY STARCH FACTORY. iiisroRv OF i-x)K'r i'airi-ij::li). 83 all the walks oi' life. While wo rejoice that the W()i"kl iiiox es and that woman s intliienee-is more anil moie coming" to be a pow ei". ne\ lt can she rise to a hi^hei- eminence. ne\ er shall slu- know a hinher Tame. ne\ er shall a hriuhter halo L:,ather around her name, than the sacred cndearini;- name ol' mother, that li\es. brightens and daz/.les in the life work of her dexoted sons. ^^4 IIlSrORY OF FOK'I' FAIRJIELI). CHAPTER XI. TOFOCiKArm' AM) SOIF. Tlicre is no part ol' I'oit I'';iir!K'ld that is more tlian six miles clistaiU from ib.c .Vrocstook ri\cr; there are no liigh liills or hiuii barren hiPiJ. Tlie lii^hest land, whieh \v;is ealled b\" the earl\- settlers- '•th-e Mountain," is in the southeast p;irt (;l'tlie town. i:e;ir the western town line: it is not onl\- suseepti- ble ol'er Iti\ ation, but was amon^the lirst lan.d t:deinL:," located u|);)n il. and the r(>;id i'n:\)] Pies(|ue Isle to the ^ illa.pj ofl'^ort l'\iirt!ekl jiasses o\ er it. On the same roa.'J and nearer Fort I'^airfield, is the "Whitney hill," named for its lirst .settler, A\'il]i;im A\'hit!U^\-. who took it s(,(;n ;;fter ''the Mountain" Nvas settled, ;iud cleared it to th.e \ erv summit. These high lands were Iree from Si:v.vc, an 1 \cr\' iTi'oducti \'e. and no doul-»t thi^se hiij,'h cle\;itions were soi-ohi en aeeoiin.t of ilieii' ht ;i~ i^' Jjss liable to frost, ll!s■|■()l^^ oi" lour r.\i u i i i.i.d. N^ The wliolc town with ihc exception of that ini- nu'chalc-l\ upon cither side nl' the |-i\ei- i> nnclii- latinL; and rolling-, and now that the trees in its \alle\s and npon il^ hillsides aie eleai'ed awaw it l^resents one of the most beautiful j^anoranias the e\'e of mortal man e\ er rested upon: \ar\inLi' as he ascends each hill top, and as he drinks in the beaut\- of his surroundinus. the lastappcarinii- more iKMutiful then its immediate predecessor. As seen in the earl\- forties, with here and there a small opening' cut in the \ ast i'orest ol maple, hirch. in- teis)ici'sed \\ ith hei\' and there a pine and hr. sencl- inLi- their slender, beautiful dressed lorm hea\ en- ward o\ cr-topij'icd hv stateU' pines lookiuLi' out from ab(i\eand t^)wn upon the beautiful scenei'x. seen in its best in the months of June and )ul\ ; as the sun- liuht rested upon it. and the gentle bree/es rustled its iireen, luxuriar.t foliaiic it stood unsurpassed in all the hind. 'l"he land .'doiiLi- the ri\er is le\ el, and in places broad, beautifu.l iiiterNals spread out before xou. and in an earlier period no doubt, marked a larucr and broader ri\ er fi'om w ln\ h the waters swej")t on to the sea. The soil of I'^ort l"'aiitield i-- like that of the lower Aroostook \alle\. '"It rests u)")on a loun- dation of argillaceous rock which is but a few k-et below the surface, rre(|uent!\" croppinii' out, es- ]HciilI\- upon the sides of the liills. 'IMiis rock is 86 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. composed hirgclv of cliu" with a mixture of silica (sand) and lime. Its decomposition b\' tlie action of fVost and heat and n^.oisture. is in lact the material oC which the soil of the Ai^oostook \alle\' is made; lor ai^'cs this decomposition has been _<2,'oin^' on and has made the surface of earth in the uplands of the entire region, of the richest and most ]ii'oducti\ e (jualitw"" It was from this fountain, the earl\- settlers drew, and some of them were so well repaid that the\' came to the conclusion that fertilizers would ne\ er be needed upon this land. It is these lastini^- cjualitics that makes the land after all these \ears respond so readiK' to the use ol' phosophates, and^"i\e the abundant and almost unprecedented Aield of ^■e^•etables, i^-rains and o-rasses. Limestone is found in \ arious places and Professor W^areino-. ( f Ncnv ^'ork, came to the Aroostook at an earl\da\- to deli\er an address be- fore the X. Aroostook Aoricultural Societ\', ^\ hen J. ^\ innate Haines was President and C II. Ellis Secrctarx'. and throuLi'h whose inHuence lar^elw he was induced to conu-. After extencliuL!,- his \ isit iVom Pi^escpie Isle, where the fair was held, to the beautil'ul farms ol' John .Vllen in ''(i,'" and Winslow Hall and I\'or\- Hardison in "H," ties into the Aroostook, neai" the L'ollins House. Tlu' Lo\c'l\ bi'ook rises in the town ol" !^res<|ue Isle and entei"s tlu' Aroostook i'i\ cr one mile abo\ e the \illane; it is a reliable watei" power. On the north sjtle ol" the Aroostook ri\ei' the Ilurd brook, alter lunniuL;- thi'ouLih the- north pait of the tow II ol" h'ort haiiticld. conus to tlu' ri\er one-hall" mile this side of the boumlaix line: op- posite the \ illa!4"e is the Xelson brook, and three miles abo\ e. the Amsden brook, alter waterini;- a lar<4e breadth of land, joins the Aroostook rixer. ss HISTORY OI' VORl lAlK II ]:L1). These, too-cther with a lar^'e number of beautiful fountains of sparkling' water sj^rin^iiiLi' up oiit o1 the eartli, abunclantl\- siii^p-ifl to man. 1I1S'1'01<\ Ol' I'OKT 1'A1KI-Ii;i-I). Sc; ■ CIIAPTKR XII. Il.\!<:)>:i II'S AN!) I'K 1\ A'lMONS, Sonic men h;i\c made a record by their patient sni:'t'erin;i% wb.ile a nir.eh larger cla^s are renunn- bered more !"or their pliysieal endurance, tlie pri- \ations thcT ha.\e experienced and the liardshijis endr.red. rather thian lor what they ha\ e reall\- ac- complished. No where is tliis truer than in the ear]\- settlement of the Aroostook \ alley. N'ery Few of thesj settlers were possessed ol'any me ms other tlian what they earned b\ their daily toil. With hei\\- forest 1) remoN e from t'leir land, with e irl\ frost to injure their crops, they were ciTiii- IK-lled to en.^Muc in small lumber operations, or to «,^o from home l!iroi!«xh the- ^^ inter and work in t;ie limber woods. And too often alter a hard win- ters' w )rk.t;ie extren'ely hi,4"h price at which uoods ]v.n-chas,'d on ihe 1 )n,u- time credit ofa lumber op- eiMtion, and hauled with teams from a far away m irket, had t > 1h' sold, wov.ltl i:se i;]") e\ cry dollar, e\en with th.e mo.^t prudent: management of alru- gal and ind'Sirious ho 'sewilc. And to tliosc who 90 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. had no faniih- to siipjiort, the lian^'iiiL:,' up oi" the (h'i\'c, or total failure of their eniplo\er. \\'as no un- usual experience. Potatoes, then as now, wei"e a sure crop. The hoe struck thiouLi'h the turl and lilted so as to droj') a potato under i^ and ]:>ressed down with the foot, could sai"el\- be left until har\ est time, \\'ith the assurance of an abundant return. Oats wei'c usual- h' a safe crop, and e uonv stands in this viUa-e upon which the carpenter work was done with the lull understanding that an nrder was to be -iven on the store, at one dollar p.-rdaN.and that buckwheat pancakes and mo- lasses u as the best board thai c.uldbelurmshed. 9+ HISrOKV OF FORT FAIKJ'IELI). The wcar\- hours of toil, and the exposure to c^>]d and storm, Mas often more endurable than the destitution and pri\ations that was the lot of loxed (jnes, deprixed of the necessities of life, and tlie comfort of a home that all should enjow In the winter of "44-45 a bo\- who had knoxx n but little of the hardships of life, xx'as at work in the lumber woods s:)me txx'cntx' miles from home. In uiidxx'inter such a decree of homesickness came oxer him that hj obt lined le:ixj of abs.uice for a fexx' daxs to \isit his home. But that comfcHlless home and destitute familx", was harder to endure than all his past loneliness. So xxith a neii^'hbor's horse and sled and one to return xvith it, he started back to th.e xvoods, i^-oin*^- bx' the xvax' ol his eni- ]~)lo\er"s store, to whom he told of the destitutioii at home, and "took up" all his work h;id couie to and all there was a prospect of earning' lor the re- mainder of the x\inter, and sent it home to help the familx' and xx'cnt on his wax' rejoicing-, to daxs of toil and exposure to wliich he had nexer been inured. As \ye i^'o forth and behold the broad lields, the beautiful' homes and 'the prosperous and wealthy farm'.'rs that make up (nw con.imunitx' to-da_x', it i-; indeed difiicult to realize the labor, pri\ati;)ns, hardships and sufferings that laid the i(;)undati:)n aiid made the present possible. It is difficult to oix e them the place they deserxc in transforming IIIS'IOKY Ol- l-OR'l- lAIRIIi:iJ). 93 the xvlldcrncss of desolation and -loom, into tlu- beautirnl panorama that iVom our hill-tops da/./les the eve of the beholder, while it entranees his vision, and leads him to exelaim: -'Hiey xviselv seleeted. nobl\ planned, and worthily perlormed. They rest IVom their toil'and privations, and their works are the foundation upon whieh others shall reap a rieh reward. ¥' lii.s'iom oi" i'-()R'i' AIKl-IIOLI). L'lIAPTKR XIII. LOOKIXC; I'.AfKW AU H. Ill March. i''^4.^. a bo\- in his cii^htecnlh \car loll scliool and liomc in a quiet \illaii"c in central Maine, and started out on w hat prox ed to be a se\"en da\s" journex", to the then almost unknown ^Vroostook countw The entire part\- consisted of three men and the bow and two one horse loaded teams. The roads were bad. snow deep, and it was \er\- difficult Liettino- past teams that wei'e met. There was \er\- little i^-oinii' Faster then a walk, and upon I'isin^- ground all walked. It was a tii-esome and dreary journey, and before its end a lull two leet oi snow \\'as added to that before fallen. After lea^•ino• Lin- coln \illao-e. there was onK here and there a house in a small clearing- until Mattawankea^' Point was reached, where there was a tavern, a store, two or tliree small houses and a blacksmith shop. lits'i'oKV {)V I'oK r r \iKi!i;i.i>. ^)7 |-'f(»ni iIk- "point' to the mnulli ol'tiir Aiooslook road wo passed oxcran unsettled eountry. not an inhabitant for tlie whole distance, and the land too l^oor to raise timber of an\' si/e. At the niouth of the Aroostook road there wa^ a tavern (hotel was not known in those da\ s ) and two kiru'e stables. 'Inhere was a t.i\ ern at Molunkus, the ""Letter A House" and onl\- two or three settlers until we were within li\ e niileN ol' Houllon. lloulton was a t|uiet halniet. with Ilaneoek i^irraeksand a re^i- nienl of I'nited Slates troop> nearlx' one mile away. .M'ter lea\ iuii" lloulton we passed a few small opcniuii'S before ari^ix in^' at (leneral W'ellinu'ton s ( Montieello ). tVom tliere to Ketehunrs ( IJridiiV- watt^-r) we jiassed throu^'h an u.nbroken wilderness, as before, until w ithin three miles ol" I'^iiibank's ( Prescjue [sle). with the exception of Thorn's, a Iol;- house hall w a\ between r)ridu'ew ater and i^-es(|ue Isle, where a halt was almost uni\ersally made for dinner, to bail the team, or for a drink of something- stroULicr then water. IW-fore arrix inii' at i'^airbanks" we |\isse(.l two small openings with their small lou" houses, occupietl b\ Dea. Rose and lliram llaiilison and theii' lamilies. and possibly there minht have been two or thri-i' ollu-rs. l-'rom Pres(|ue Isle we jiassetl the X'eranus ^'handler place (a \ er\ small beuinnini^) and alter ci'ossinu- the west line oj' -"Lettei I)" ( h'oi t h'air- tield). found the roadsiiles dolled with small open- 98 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. inos wlierc Jonathan Ilopkinson. Daniel (j. Palmer. Mr. Hrai^don, Benjamin I), and Otis Eastman, Le\ i IIo\t. William Whitnew (Jrrin AVhitnex', limit. Tneker and Lxon had just eommeneed im- proxements. It was a loni;-, \vear\- j()urne\', with \er\- little to interest or lift the dark vail that seemed to settle as a jiall over the N-oimi;," life. It was a i^'oini^- out, without .Vbraham's Faith, '"not knowiuL:,' w hith.er he went." It was a )ourne\ a\\'a\' Irom liome. a\\a\' Irom xouul;,- ass(Knates, awa\' from all that had made up a happw hopeful. jo\()us lil'e. It was the beginini;- of a se\ ere but \aluable diseipline. It was the sehool of personal ri^dianee and self disei- pline, it was the puttinij,- awa\" of b()\hood and enterini;- upon the roxal road ol reliant nianhood. Our hrst da\- in h'oit h'airfield was April 5th, Our lirst effort at a dax's woi^k was euttin^- iee, whieh \\'as nearh' or cjuite three feet thiek in the .Vroostook ri\er. .V eharter for a boom at the mouth of the Aroostook had been obtained I'rom the I)ritisli Parliament. C'apt. ]. I), ^\^ino■ had pur- ehased the .\roostook boom from the State, and was en_-or, on account of deep snow and bad roads. Ilaitlships and i^rivations were the lot of all tlie seUlers. Late spring's and e.irl\- frosts w ei'e I'xperienced lor sexeral subsequent \"ears. LuniberiuL;' seemed to be tlie popular emplo\-ment, but most of these new settlers who had nexer hid any experience in that business, were in- deed luck\- if a winter's li\ iuL^- for tliemselx es and families w.is realized li^)m their iinestment, but a more common experience was to come out in debt. Aroostook at that earl\ da\- was fortunate in the class of settlers that came to m:\ke iiomes. Thex' were men who came with dependent families, and used up all their meaiis before the\ had beiiun to experience the hai'dshi]is and ]~)ri\ations that came thick and fast. It is true the\ were haixl working- men with indom- itable wills, with courage to lace the most discour- auiiiL;- surroundiiiiis. Thex heroicall\- remained and lacetl ;dl these prixations and ti-iais lor the sim)")le but efl'ective reaxm, that ihei'e \\a.> nowhere the\- coukl no, and the\" had nothing- t.) go with. Like their heioic aiuestors \\ ho two hundred and t\\e:> t\ -three years before came o\ er in llie MaxHoucr, they had risked all to better their condition, they had s(>ld all their possessions, ar.d with tlieir t!e- pender.t families had lucateil in thesj farawa\ loi- lOO IIISTOKV OF FORI FAIRl'IELI). est homes. And as all i-)!)ssibilit\" ol' rctiirnini;- was cut ol'l" when the Ma\ floxNcr raised her anchor and hoisted sails for her return xoxa^e, — so the\- were here to i;"o lorward, hei"e to subdue these For- ests, here to let in the sunlii^ht, that it miij,-ht warm the soil, dr\ up the dampness, chan^'c the seasons, and make this drear\- and Forbidding desolation the garden of the State. The\- were hereto stay: for to turnback w. is death, tlieir onK' wa\' was to do or die. Tvike them the\ were firm beliexers in an on errul- ing and gracious I^roNidence. To them the seed time and the h:ir\est were a \erit\-; to them hard- sliip and prixations were a discipline, and with them the minister, the church, the schoolhouse and the teacher, were as necessar\- as the bi'cad and cloth- ing lor tlieir Families. Faith in (jod inspired in them Faith in themscKes. and Failure became an impossibilit\-, and success became assured. Like them, present dut\- and faith in a brighter and more prosperous future was their guiding star. The for- est fell before the woodman's axe, and the waving grain 'was gathered, and the work of transformation steadiK' and persistenth' went forward. Like them, they builded better than they knew. If we turn back to the chxse of the first Fifty years of the Pl\-mouth Colon\- and carefully stud}- its his- torw we shall tind that it in no way compares with the rich har\est that has been gathered from the toil. }')riN'ations and indomitable \\ill (T" the Aroos- took pioneers. STREET VIEW PROM LEADER OFFICE li:s|-()KV Ol" lOlM" lAlKl llll.l). '^'.^ CilAl'li-:R Xl\'. i.r.i ri:K d im.ania'iion. h was not to be expected that American eili/ens would be content to t'oie-o the prixileoe ol^i voice in the selection of their riders. Our Torefathers resisted the liritish crown because of t ixation without representation. Oar lathers planned T-.r representation w ilhout taxation. Tn; lc/i>li:.irc ia th ; wlntr; ol' i S p) pi^^J.l an act. Tor the or.uani/ation ol' plantations for election purposes. This organization -ave all the ri-hts ol franchise, in the election of State, national and countv olVicers, and consisted ol' a board (^1 as- sessors and clerk, and ni ide wj prjvision for raisin- nione\ b\ taxation lor any purpose whatever. At Ihe S.-pteniber cdection in iSp> the nearest ,,la:e (M'xotin- was I loulton, and L'apt.John I'.. Win-, 1). K. llobir; ol' l^esqne Me and Alnion S. Kichards went t . Ilouhon to \ ote al the State eleclon. I04 lIIbTORV OF FORT FAIRl-'IELD. On October 19, 1840, ''Letter D" and Ph-mouth Grant inRan^-c 1, "Letters F, G and H" and Eaton Grant in Rans>-e 2 and Townships 12 and 13 in Rans^e 3 were or^'anized as Pres(]iie Isle plantation, and Veraniis Chandler, Silas Blod^ett and Isaac Mc- Donald were chosen assessors. On September 4, 1841, '"'Letters D and E"and Ph-niouth Grant Rani with ihUirR iis fr(Mieriil n^ those in 1o^vn^ nvvmt in nvli^ v' II1S■|•()1<^ Ol" l-OKl' KAIK I- ! i;i.i). lo; (operation. At these carlv plantation mcctinns part\- lines wei'e strietK' drawn, as it was all im- portant that our side eontrolled the deeision as to w h(» had the riuht to \()te. and experienee had not lu-en slow to teaeh tliat it niacK- a \ ast dilTerenee w hether the applieant I'or the hi,L;h honoi- of east- ing- a ballot intended to vote for or ai^ainst the parl\ wlio eontrolled the polls. Often times at the annual plantation eleetion exeitement i-an hiiih. l''\ er\ man within the territorial limits, would be found at the pollinii' plaee, and if b\" reason of siek- n?ss one was detained at home. the\' wei'e so e\ en- 1\- di\ ided as to affeet the result. While a larue proportion of the new settlers were menoldeeided eon\ ietions and stroni^' partisans, there was alwass an element open to eon\ ietion. and the sti'ono'er intluenee and other indueements wei\' a faetor that was to be taken into eonsideration in the fmal results. The annual '"Mareh meetini^*' — whieh was held in April — and tlu' State and national eleetions, wei^e important events, together with the fouith of Iul\-. that brought tin- j^eople together, kept the tiirs ol' l")atri()tism burniiiL;-, and Kit an abiding- eonseious- ness in r\ er\ minil that the future destiiu' ol' state and nation depended upon their intluenee and xote. 'i'he strange antl unaeeountable tliin^' was, that so man\' unreasonable and ridieulous things eould be enaeted in the name oflibertx and ecjual rii^hts. io6 IIIS'I'ORV OI-' I"()I^' i"Aii^i"[i:i.i). without in t'lc Icnst clestroNin^ I'n.ith in. or losinjj,' I'cspcct lor, the sacred rites of th.c haUot, Kacli and c'\ cr\- ccniini;" together for ck'Cti(;n pnrj^oscs was a cli\ crsion and recreation. Ivich election was a reminder tliat we. although conipletel\' isolated Irom Tornier h(,mes ar.d IVieauls, were .\nieiican citizens, \vith all the inherent power of an\- others, or with other e(ji!a! numb-ei"s in the richest, most ]")opuloi:s and oldest portion oi" the land. A care- ful stud\' of situation from the standpoint of resudts conxinces us that the ballot was tpiite as much a l^ower in keepinii,' up the spirit ofpatriotism, and in winning- to oui" form of o-()\ crnment and institutions those familiar witli and loxal to another, as in its intlu.ence in decidin;^- elections and intluencinL!,' g'ox- ernmcp.tal affairs. Fn this we do not wish to he understood as in an\- \\"a\' belittlinLj,". or placing' a l;)w estin.iate u.pon this secret, silent but omnipres- ent power in American politics. I^^rom the e::rliesL settlement ii. New England, the righ.t of rc] reser.tation had been a cherished thought, a component part o1 true and dignilied manhood. A goxernment b\- the pe;>ple, coupled with "we are the people.' became the central idea ol ecjual and exact rights. Tile ballot became m;)re and m:)re the p^wer for all that was right and the destroNcr of all that w;;s wrong. in those plantation days the number HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIFLD. 107 ()(■ ballots c.'ist in pi-oportion to the actual niinibcr of Notcrs was Li,Tcatcr than in olcU'rand more thick- 1\- populated eoniniunities. And it' we mistake not. as intelliuent and eonseientious ballots were east as in an\ part of the land. ,3 io8 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIEIJ). CHAPTER X\\ IM.AN'JWTIOX MFFTIXGS. The lirst political ()r<2,'anizati()i"i in this town was cl't'cctcd in r(S42 under the vStatc law. It was for election purposes onl\- and was under the name of "Letter 1^ Plantation." I'he organization was effected hv the choice of a moderator to preside at the annual meeting, which was ibr the election of plantation officers, to consist of three assessors who were to be judges of tlie right of franchise, pre- side and keep order at the annual elections, receive, sort, count and make offiei;d returns of the ^"otes; and a clerk, who kept a correct record of all proceed- ings at both the annual spring election of planta- tion officers, and of the September election returns. To this was added tlie important dut\- of posting all notices of intentions of marriage, and for the moderate sum ol' tift\- cents to supply the interest- ed parties with a certificate, setting i'ortli that such duty had been legally peribrmed. HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. 109 The election of plantation ollieers N\as con- sidered a matter oi' considerable importance. Party politics often ran lii^h, and with parties about cquallx- di\ idcd, some s'harp practices were resort- ed to in carrvinu" the day. The names of Whii^- and Democrat were olten held up and their principles ad\ ocated with as much earnestness as il the most sacred ri^-hts, and present, if not eternal interests, were invohed. At one election it was e\ ident that a most determined iluht was to be made. Mr. Atl- dison I\)wers. who had made many jxa-sonal friends, was the \\'hig candidate for moderator, antl when thj vote was declare:! it was seen that he had been elected hv onl\- one majority. Hie next \()te, lor clei-k, was looked forward to with much anxiety. The Democrats had j^laced in nomination a \ cry popular and estimable younu' man: the \\'hiu> had also put in nomination a youn^- man who had cast liis first vote that mnrnin;^- lor m )der.Uor. Tiie can- \-ass became c]uite e.xcitinu-, and the two candidates did not lack interest in the proceedings. In the hei<^ht of the excitenrjnt the Democratic candidate a]")proached iiis competitor and (;ffered to exchanue \()tes wilh him. This )iropo:^ition was Ikitly relused. and su|->plemented \\\\h the remark, — "that he did U'A propcjse to be cheated by such a trans.iction. This reply was promptly resented, as it had a right l«) be, from the islnndpoini in which it luulbeen re- eelNeO. I"'"!- no me m1i" knew ihnl y'uin;.,' niiiii I lO IlIS'l'OKY ():■" FOiri' FAIRFIELD. would question ibr a moment tliat if lie had in cx- clrmg'c lor his ow:i \ ,)te, t iken th'j one for his W'lii^- opp;)nenL, he \v.)uld h:i\ e m )st sajredl\- dep;)sited it in the baUot box. .Vnd when a demand was m;ide Ibr the reas;)n Ibr m ikin^- saeh an insinuati )n, a most p()siti\e denial was made of ha\ inL;- done so. rVat when asked what he did mea!i, he said: *'^'ou would ha\ e h r.l a ehanee to xote for a lo^•al Whi^% and I should he eompelled to \(>te for a Demoer.it." 'I'he Wdiii:,- then stepped up to the polls and east a xote for himself amidst heart\' eheei\s. And wlien the xotes were eounteil and it was found that he was eleeteil h\- an inereased ma- joritN'. more than one attributj.l his elejtion to that reply. These plantation mjetini;\s pro\"ed olreil benefit to the new settlement, be reason of tlieir brin^in^" toi>-ether the two distinct and separ.ite elasses who made u]^ this settlenunt: those wlio were made citizens and ^■oters be the W'ebster-Ashburton treat\- and th'ose wlio came here Irom •"outside" (an\where beNond the loni;- and dre ir\' uoods from Mattawamkea;;" Point to Houllon). In 1840 these tw;) classes were absoluteh' distinct and sepa- rate from e:ieh otiier: the one here by authority from the Britisli ero\\n, and in hearty symjiathy with their customs and institutions; the other hnal to and proud of their Americanism antl Republican instituti(jns. Something'- luore allurine.' than the HISTORY OF FORT FAIRI I l.l-D. II3 scttino- up of a ^-ovcrnnTJiit for wliicli iItjv 1i;u1 no respect, was rcqMircd to call them out. and the political excitement and parly opposition was a \aluable adjunct in hrinoin,^- this really forei.u-n element into harmony and unity with their Ameri- can cousins. Among the active workers in lormin^- and brin_u-- \ivx into harmony these distinct and separate, if not opposing- factions, Capt. Stephen B. Pattee, lion. John B. Trafton, George A. Nurse, K. Parlin Whitney. Charles R. Paul Elbridge W. Wait." and Almon S. Richards were the most successful and elTicie^' ^^ "-kers. It is, however, ext.-emely doubtful i w >-.dd have succeeded if it h r.l not h22:\ r >g up of a new lin: of diff ji'- ,. ; ^s and li;'. h" bitcles 0.1 pirLy linj'.. While agitaiio.i ..ad discussion of party politics went on, not only at election times but through the year: and the tariff, the national bank, and i-nternal improvements became interesting subjects for evening discussion at home, among neighbors, and in the lumber camps; they did not disturb social relations or personal friendship. The real importance and scKual power of the plantation meetings will never be appreciated, save bv those who were active participants, careful observers and earnest sUidents, not only ot the institution itself, but of its inlluence upon the entire commuaitv; and then onlv when they come to 114 IIISrOKV OF I'OR'l" FAIKI'IELI), realize that its m\stic power lias made ol these eontlietiiii^- elements one people, broader in their opinions, more liberal in their prineiples and more de\ oted to their eountr\- and their homes. lIIS'i'OKN Ol' lOK'l' lAlKI Ii:i.l). I I CllAPlKR W'l. A MOOSl-: lir NT. In ihc fall of 1S44 some of the Maple (iro\c set- tlers had seen traeks and other marks that eon- vineed them that there were moose near by. 'I he ibilowino- March, with over four leet of snow and a ii'ood crust. the\- ori^-anized a moose hunt. One or two of the party had seen a bear and a wolf amonii" the mountains of old Oxford county. A\ ith these exceptions, the fox and the rabbit were the largest wild uame they had e\ er seen, and the liab- its of tlie moose and the manner ol" huntinr of the meat, started in pursuit of the other mo g"oing a little o\er a mile from where the\' left the tracks the dav before, the}- came up- on the mo( '■ le clump of evergreen trees, ijD lam • . ) niMkc another start through the de. ■ h ird crnst. One or two good shots 1 .', which proved to be an old - . nearly or quite as large as both of tlie tw o-^s e;ii-oids I:'" ^ ''le day before. Thus ended the nv mt, the inexperienced hunters believing they had killed all that were in t'le \-ard. But in this they were mistaken, as it afterwards appeared. Before any of the moose were seen, the leader of the herd became alarmed and broke awa\- from his companions, aiul made for the lowlands at the head of the b'itxherbert brook, where a more experienced hunter succeed- ed in securing him a few days later. ^^'hile the moose meat was a most desirable addition to the scantv larders of several pioneer families, the ex- citement of the chas J prepared the way for raids uj^- on moose, caribou and deer, that soon dro\ e them from this and the town south of us, and was a haj">- pv di\ersion from the quiet oi' the long and dreary w inters. irS HISTORY OF FOI^T FAIRFIELD. CHAPTER XVU. ix'ri':RFs'i'ix(; fac'I's. Wc arc not able to obtain a full list of jM'iccs in the .Vroost(X)k at an carl\- cla\", but in i-'^.^i a store was opened at the mouth of the Aroostook ri\er in New Brunswick where thev bou^-ht pii:e timber of the settlers at $3 per ton and paid in goods at the folloM'in<4" prices: Inferior prints :;o cents per ^'ard. l'hc\' tore webs ol' sheeting' in two lengthwise, and sold it half width at 50 cents per yard. Tobacco at v$i.5o per pound, boots from $(S to v$9 per pair, flour at $16 and herring at $iS per barrel. i\\'iM^io'ris:\r. Lo\e of coimtrx' and de^■otion to its institutions induced Captain John Ik AVing to start out on a horse back ride ol tilU' miles to cast his \ote for State and count\- officers; at Presque Isle he was joined by Mr. I). K. Ilobart. The\' had gone l^ut a little o\"er a mile when the^■ came to a small chopping belonging to Mr. Almon S. Richards. Mr. Richards had no horse to ride, but by an ac- comodating arrangement the\- ''rode and tied,' and HISTORY OF I'OKT FA 1 1< I 1 1: IJ). 1 K) the two horses took the three men to Iloulton in time to \()tc. All three ol' these men were amoiiL;- the fn-st \oters at the Pres(|ue I^le ):)lantation election the same year. |L sTRF OF I'm: im:a(. i:. In the sprini;- oi" i S4 i John 1). W'inuantl William Johnston were ai')i'»ointecl jusliees of the Peace and Almon S. Richards Deputy SheriiT. He held this office lor two \ ears, and in iS_^^ Joseph h'ox Nvas appointed, and in 1N44 Charles W. I)ouii-hly. In 1^4.:; Daniel Lihb\- lu'ld the office t)!' Justice of the I\'ace. Some of the earliest marrianes in the \ alle\- were perlornKd In him and \\'illiam John- sion, who were both \ er\ popular with the youni^" ]->eo]'»le of that day. IIII-: MAIL. — i'o>i' oFi-iei:. The nearest post olhce in 1840 was at Houiton, and arranuements was entered into by the xolun- teers with Da\ id l)ubar, to ^o to Iloulton once in two weeks aial brinu' them mail ar,d lake their letters there to mail. These trip.s w eic all made on loot and the mrdl hiVj: returned on iiis back. In the spring ol' 1N41 Daniel Libby agreed to carr\- the mail at Sio per trip, but was not obiigetl t' go ol'tener th.en ( nee in four w eek>, and llu- ^.ime season W'airen A. lohnston was appoiiUeil special messenger I'or the United States otVicer>. and made trips to Iloulton a^ the business of the p:)st required. This ser\ ice w.is strictly for the I20 HISTORY OF FOKT FAIRFIELD. ♦ rc^Tilars who came here in September 1841, and consisted of a company of United States Infantr\- under command of Captain Van Ness, with Lieutenants Michaels, Ricketts, and ^NlcCall; Dr. Coolidge, surgeon; Majcr Graham, paymaster; and \¥. II. Cary, commissary. These troops re- mained h.crc until September, 1843, when the)- were ordered to Eastport and subsequently to the Rio Grande, and to participate in the war with jNIexico. FIRST MITL. In the winter of 1840, Dudley F. Leavitt secured a grant of three thousand acres of land in this town- ship, upon the condition of building a mill for tlie benelit of the settlers. Leavitt sold out to Pattee and Frisbee, and in the fall of 1841 the mill was so nearly completed that they commenced sawing. In 1842 the tirm was changed to Pattee and Hayward. THE FIRST HOUSE. The tirst framed house built in the township is now occupied b\- ^Nlr. A. P. Wellington. It was built hv James Fitzherbert near the mouth of the Fitzherbert brook, and was the one from which Land Agent iNIcIntyre was captured in the Aroos- took war. The lirst house built by private enter- prise was the Pattee house, built of squared hevrn timber, and for several ycar^ occupied by Hon. Jesse Drew. It is a low, red house, in front of iiisrom ()|- |-()iri:K. Re\. Alphonso Korrers was the lirst settled 124 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. minister in tlic township. lie seeiired a ^rar.t cf a lot o(" land I'roni tlie State, \\hieh he soon sold, as he had alread\- loeated a lot in a i^ood Methodist nei^'hborhood. I'he loi granted to h>ldei' Rogers is the one now owned and oceupied by Mr. Harry C Townsend. Tin: iTRsT se'iiooL. Charles Sti\ er, one of the '•ei\il posse,'"' taught the tirst sehool in Fort Fairfield in the winter of i(S39-4(). This sehool was kept in a loLi" building on the Fort Hill, and was eomposed of the follow- ing families. ^ iz: V>'illiam Johnston. Nathan John- ston, James Fitzherbert. John Dorse\-, .\bel Hr.m- ]1^iry, John Rediker and Da\id Bu.rtzell. J'll^ Sr !5A15IFS. The hrst male ehild born in Fort Fairlield Nvas F^dward. son of John DorseN-, born in 1825, the first baby borii to any eoming alter or in eonneetion with the \\-;ir. was a girl balw at th.e United States otiieers* (juarters on F(,rt Hill, arid elaimed ibr her pa.rents. Lieutenant and Mrs. James Rieketts, and was ehristened '" Aristine," that being the pro- nuneiation gi\ en b\- the earl\- settlers to the Aroos- took. 'ririL i-iR.s-i; i)i:ai"ii. llie tirst to meet the dread di.^tru\ er in the r.ew settlement was John Bubar, of M'hom an earh' settler saws: -"He died in October, r;S2S, and ^^Ms JIIS-|'ORS OK KOjiT l'AlRl-|i:iJ>. 12 buried upon the bank oC the Aroostook ri\cr. I spbl a pine tree into boards and hewed and jilaned tlieni for hiseollin: lu' beini^- the first liunian beini;' who (bed in wliat is now h^)rt h\iii1ield." 126 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. e'lIAPTKR XIX. W IfFi'TICX R IXOl-J 1). Tlic lirst record oF Inciter I) plantation, except tlie simple fact ol' orLi^'aui/ation. and election returns in the olFice of the secretar\- of State, in which the lirst board oi olFcers was ii,i\en. is a warrant issued b\' li.^\^ Hyde. E. \\\ Iloyt and l^honias tannery. assessors of Letter I) j^lantation. to Mark Tralton jr., constable, requestini;- him to warn the le^'al Noters to meet at tlie school house near Fort Fair- held on Monda\-. the iith da\- of Apial, 1S53, to act on the lollowin^" articles: ist. To choose a Moderator to preside at said mcetini;,'. 2d. To choose a Plantation L'lerk. 3i'd. To choose three Assessors. 4th. To choose a School L*()mmitteec. c;th. To choose a Treasurer. 6th. To choose Constables. 7th. To choose Sur\e\"ors ol Lumbei'. (Sth. To see what action the Plantation will take in reii;ard to the lei2,al sale of spirituous liquors. HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. 12' This was dated llic I'oiirth da\- ol' April. i.S:;:>,aiul attested to h\ II. W. ll\(lo. plantation clerk. At this meetinL^-. I^orter K. l\oss was eho^en moderator: llenr\- W. Ihtle, elerk. Alnion S. Riehards. Porter K. l^oss antl James iiishop, as- sessors. l\e\ . K. Knij^'ht and Oseo A. I'dlis. sehool committee ; L". II. F>llis. tax collector (and not one dollar of mone\' was Noti'd to be collected); C II. Kllis, C'hai-les I lai'mon and Stephen I^. Phipps. constables; and I"]. \\\ AVaite and Jesse S. A\erill, surNCN'orsoi" liimbei". On the eighth ailicK- of the warrant it was xoted. "that a man be appointed bv the assessors as a le^al a^ent Ibr the sale ol' spirituous litpiors, lor medical and mechanical pur- poses." The onl\ other plantation meeting- was at the September election, when i ^9 \()tes were cast for ii'o\ern()i\ At this meetiiiL;' Stephen I). Pattee re- ceixed one hundred and twent\-se\ en \(>tes lor representative to the Ici^islature, beinu' thirtx-ei^ht more than the partx' candidate secured Tor li,()\- ernoi'. In iS^.j.. Addi^(»n Powers was moderator ; II. \\ . II\cle. clerk; and l''reeman l^llis. jr., )onath;in IIo|"»kinson and Jesse S. Axerill. assessors. At this meetini;" Mark Tralton. Ji.. was chosen con- stable and collector, but as in the \ear bcCoic no monex was i-aised to be collected. At the March meelinL;- in iN^^ .\ddison Powers 128 HLSTOKV Ol'^ FOIi'l' l-'AIUiMl::i.U. was ao-ain chosen moderator, and Bradibrd Cum- min<;s. clci-k: l^^'conian Ellis, ]\\. Addison l^owcrs and A. I. Ivollins, assessors. At tliis meeting- there were two articles lookini;' to the raising- ol" nionev'. One for niakinii,- and re- pairing- roads and one lor the snjij^ort ol" schools. The first was j^assed o\ er without action, and a \"()te w.is taken to raise ('our hundred dollars lor the supi^oit ol schools, and carried, but at this ineelin^' as well as the two preceediiiL!," it. alt'iou^-h an article in the warrant called lor the election of a treasurer, no record is found that woudd indicate that an\"one h:id been ch:)se;i. On the 7th of Ma\", iS^S- :i second plantation meetinii; was held, at which Kdward S. Fowler was chosen moderator, and it was \"oted to raise lour hundred dollars ior the support of schools and six hundred to make and repair roads, and the supei"in- ter.dino- school committee and assessors were made a committee to dixide the plantation into school districts. At this mectinii,- Bradibrd Cum- miuLi's was chosen plantation treasurer. .\t the Mai"c!i meeting- of i.S:6. IIenr\- \\". rT\de was chosen moderatoi^. l>radlbrd Cummini^s. clerk, and H. \V. Hyde, Osco A. Ellis and Eben Richard- son, assessors. .\t this meetin^i' fiour hundred dollars was raised lor the support ol schools, one thousand dollars ibr roads, and one hundred dollars to de1ra\' ]')lantation charu'cs. IIISTOKV Ol- FOlM" FAIKl li:i>l). 129 Al tliis nijctin^- tlio warrant made no proNision Tor llic e-leclion oT a plantation trcasarcr, and slran^cas it ma\- appear, tlK' records show no action in re-^ard to tliat m iller. At this meeting- it was xotcd to hold future plantation nieetin^-s at the "Black Schoolhousr. ' (at the m;)uth of the Maple (jrove road). On the 24th da\- oF March, a called nieetinu' was held at the "lUack Schoolhouse,"' at which a num- ber of ehani>-es were made in the schc):)l districts, but no treasurer was chosen. At the March meetinu" of 1S57. Tliram Stevens was chosen mcKlcrator, and \\'i!liam V. Ilopkinson clerk; K. Knight, Hiram Ste\ens and i>. Cum- ming-s assessors, and ^^'illiam F. Ilojikinson treas- urer. 130 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. CHAPTER XMII. Till': FOKT rx iast- man's house now stands, a blockhouse, and cook- house on the bank of the river, near where Mr. A. v. bihln's buiklin-s stand; Mr. Johnston's tax ern. where Mr. T. A. h'isher's residence stands, and the stable opposite, on the north side of the road: Mi. John ])orse\"s lo^ house, near where the L". 1*. K. dei^ot now stands, and a timber Iiouse and store combined at the lower \ilkme. and I'^it/.herbert's house at the mouth ol" the I'^it/.herbert brook. lU- sides the b)rt. otbcers and soldiers' tpiarters. com- niissiirx- store, blacksmith shop and cookhouse on Iw.rt Hill, these constituted all of I'ort l^^uriield in the spriui^- ol" iS.p;;. Alon^ the fixer banks m \ ery small clearings were, of the most humlde kind, the homes of the iirst settlers. In the sprin^Li" ol" IN];, there \x ere. in the territory noxx embraced in the toxx n of 1m. rt I'^iirtield. the b.Uoxxinu" settlers. — and possibly others whose 'name> \x e hax c tailed to obtain. — xi/: William )..hn>ton. Stephen Ik Tattee. J. H. Win.u, Klbrid-e W. Waile. Alni-.n S. Kichard-. lliram Stex ens. 134 HISTORY OI'^ FORT FAIRFIELD. \\'i]li;im Whitnc\-, T.o\i II()\t, Jonathan Ilopkin- son, Daniel G. Palmer, Benjamin D. Eastman, Otis Eastman, IIenr\ C. Currier, Orrin Whitne\", E. l^arlin \Miitne\-. Freeman Ellis, Jr., Isaac F. Ellis, Addison Powers, Edward S. Fowler, Daniel Lib- by. Nathan Johnston, James Fitzherbert, Samuel Fitzherbert, Nicholas Dee, William Turner, James Campbell, Daniel Campbell, John Dorse^^ William Jones, CaKin P. Ste\ens, John Rediker, George Rediker, Gideon Deering, Charles Walton, Joseph Barnes, Cornelius L^■on, William Iloulton, Daniel Tucker. Sanford Johnson, John M. Hunt, Octave Carnie, Edward Johnston, Chase, Jesse S. Aver- ill, vStephen I']. Pliipps, Charles Haines. Charles W. Doun-lity, Caleb IJ. Ellis, A. W. Clark, Brag- dt)n, Josiah riunting, Samuel AW)rk, iNIiehael Mc- Kinney. Alexander McDoug-ald, Martin Murray, Joseph Nelson, John Argra\e, Abel IIumphre\", Jo- seph h'isher, Andrew Welsh, Samuel \"arney. Da- \ id Burtzell, Francis Boulier, Amos Bishop, \\'ill- iam Bishop, Joseph Findland, J. Ilolman Car\-, and the olHcers and CGmpan\- of of United States In- ' l"aritr\' stationed on the hill. The land adjoinini^ the State road had all been taken b\- actual settlers, and all the centre road (Maple Grove) within oric mile of the south line ol" the township, and lienrv C. Currier had tx)mmenced a house north of tl:e Sta'e road, and opposite the mou.th of the centre lin;.' road. The impi^oNcments uj^on the l(;ts\aried iiisi()K\ oi- i()1;t fairi ii:i.i). fro:n the falling," ol' a lew trees to liold possession, to a eomfortable house and an openino" of ten acres, but the impr()\enient would seareeh" a\ eraue more than a small \o1()KN OK FORT FAIRFIELD. 1^7 ]cssc Drew, Hiram Slrxcns. (icorLiv W. Ilaims, Stillman (iordoii. Lc\i Iloxt.jolin l-\ I-:ili>. 1 Knr\- L'. Currier and I->n()».-li W. Iloyt. The oriii-inal act of incorporation ol' the town ol lM)rt 1-^iirficlcl. niadc the Aroostook ri\cr in place ol" the township line, the north line of the town. I))' this action a lew lot> in Letter I) were attached to Sai-slield plantation and so much of the oriuinal l^lymouth Cirant as lay south of the i-i\er. a j^art ol" l*^)rt Fairfield. We have no means of determininu- the exact population ol" the town at this time, but do not think it materially differed from a pro mlu increase from 1S50 to iSCxx which would make it eiii-lit hundi-ed. In iSfx) it was nine hundred and one. with one hundred and si.\ty-se\ en polls with a valuation (,r $75,975. In iS5(). Jesse S. Avcrill was moder- ator: 11. A\'. Ihde, clerk: William K. Ilopkinson, Jesse Drew ancl (ieorue W. Haines, selectmen. k'or the March meeting of i SC)0. tlu- warrant was issued to I'reeman l\llis ji.. co^^taMe. and signed In William V . Ilopkinson. Jesse Drew and (ieor^e W. 1 laines. selectmen. At the town meeting on March 2<). iS()0. Still- man (iordon was chosen moderator: llem\ W . ll\de. clerk: William J-MIopkinson. Albion )'. Wel- .linuton and h'rederick l-"Jlis. selectmen: \ oted to raise $i,^\^(), as iollows. \i/: S450 for the support of schools, $1,000 for the repair of highways and 138 HISTORY OF FOIiT FAIRFIELD. $200 to dcfnu' town expenses. For the Mareh meeting- of 1S65 the warrant was issued to Da\ id X. Ross, eonstable; and signed bv William Small, A. C. Cai-\- and Jesse S. Avcrill, seleetmen. At this town meeting held March 13, iH6^, C. II. r^llis was chosen moderator; IIenr\- AY. Ihde, clerk : William Small. A. C. Tary and ]. IT. Randall, selectmen. .\t- this meeting \(>ted to i^aise S\v" 72:;, \\'A'. h^)r schools $700, for roads $2,500. Cor the town ]i()or$275, and lor tow 11 expenses $250. This meeting adjourned to meet in two weeks. At the adjourned meeting |. II. Randall was ex- cused from ser\"ing as selectman and .Vddison Powers was chosen to iill the \"acanc^■. X^oted to bu\" the schoolhouse from district Xo. 3 ior $450, and authorized the selectmen to issue town orders to pa\- For the same. \^)ted to raise $160 towards the pavment of a town house. In 1S65 the demand for a bridge o\er the Aroos- took ri\ er h;id become so urgent that the matter was brought bet'oi-e the legislature and an appi'o- piiation ob.tained to aid in that work to the amount of $2,500. PKiiiouth (irant. which had become an organized plantation and known as Sarsheld plantation, in the winter of i' ol' the oriiiinal Letter iiisroKY oi" i"()i;r faiki-ii:i.i). !_:;() D, Rani::c i,and PlNinouth (irant united and orjjfan- i/cd b\' k'pi"oi")ria- tion In ihe State legislature, with j^owei" to hoKl the town res]")onsible lor a )")art of the amount necessarx', and at their discretion to commence the work. At a town meetini^- held September J4, 1N57. it was Noted to extend the time lor complctiuL;- tb.e jiiers and abutments of the bridLic. At the March meetinn" in iS()S, the committee was Liixen lull jtower to close a contract with James Dovle antl to l;"<> lorward with the construc- tion ol the bridue. In No\ ember, i S^S, at a special t(iwn n:eetini,^ it became necessar\- to aulhori/e the bridge com- 140 HISTORY OF FOKT FAI R I< I ICI.D. niittec to extend the time lor tlie eonipletion oi' the bridge, if in their opinion it was expedient. The time was extended and the following- \ear tliis most desirable objeet was aeeomplished. The inerease in population and ehildi'en ol' school a<;"e made the adjustment ol" school district lines one of the most difficult questions to consider, and was the cause of se\ eral special j^lantation and town mcetiniis. IIISTOKV OF |-()R'I' lAIKIIICl.Il. ^■i:-, CIIAPTKR XXI. WKi ri-i:.\ iiisioKY — ro.NiiM i:i>. In iNyo. A. \\ Wellington, Isaac IlackL-rand R. S. llo', I. \VLM\' selectmen. The total \ alue ol real estates was Si55.57(), antl ol" personal estates ^()().- ()4() a-nd the total assessment was $7,159.;^"^. This \ear there was reeei\ ed I'rom the State treasui-er 0:1 a.-eount of sohJ.iers rurnishetl under the se\ eral calls of the President for soldiers to put down the rebellion, S5/)7S, and b\ the treasurer's rejiort it appears that 81,203.12 was paid out to soldiei>. The report for this says: ••It is claimed b}- s;)nie,that the town has the ri^uht to take Croni the money reeei\ed tlie whole anvumt it paiil out as bounties, \i/. : vS2.(\^'k5(). '•ITthis eonstruelion >)!" the law is correct there is due to soldiers $i..S_^S. -It is also ela.imed by .^ome that the town ha^ a ri-ht to take t>nly the amount it ha^ reimbursed, \i/: Sioo for the lliree \ears" men to whom it jiaicl Sioo bounty (or more), and a like proportion for a less term of sej\ice \ iz : SiScmi. If ihis con- 144 iiisioRv OK I'oirr faikj-iicld. struction of the law is correct there is (]uc to soldiers, $2.675.2 1."* A I'oot-note attached to the report of resources and liabilities sa^■s: ••Th.ese 'amounts will \ ar\- as the amount due soldiers ma\' be altered."' TheaboNcis a:i acknow- ledLicmeiit of beinii' custodian of an amount of mone\' received iVom the State tre;isurer for a specihc jmi^pose. Subse(|'.;entl\- this became a subject of dispute, and the mone\' was appropriated to the use of the town, and remains unpaid to the soldiers up.til the present time. At the March meeting- of iN(j4, (jeor<4'e W. l\!astman i"e\i\'ed the w hole subject, antl ma.de a \ er\' abk' and con- \iiui!iL;' speech in i"a\ or oiappropriatinu' the moncN' to tlu- buikiin^' ol" a soldiers* monument. There was no disa'4i\'.'nK-iU as t') the justice ol's.ich a procecd- inu', but on acc( u:U of tlu' slat*.- of lie tow n's tinaiices, it was n(/t thought ad\ isable to make the aj"))")r(v I'jriation. i>oth the honor oi' the town and justice to the deceased soldiers -ani,! iheir IViends from which it has been withheld, indicate tliat it will subset]uentl\' be done. In I'^y;, th.e lion. \. Fessenden, Almon S. Richards and I. V. Blaisdell were chosen selectmen, aiul 1- b. Hacker, town treasurer. ddie cash assessment was $0,02 1.95, as lolh)ws: for seho:d ; vSi,:^ i(\.|o, paupers vSi,ooo, town lx- jxuises Si, 200. free liii^h school ,$250. lockup vSi^o, liL!htini>- bridue vS2(). o\erla\ini>- Si:;.;;:;, suiiple- lll^ll)K^ oi-- i'()i;r iai u i- 1 i;i.i). 115 nu-ntarx- t:ix $4, State tax Siiio.^n. c,oo() Inr tlic hiLihwax s. In AiiiiT.st ol" this year the boiuK <>1" the town were issued in aeeord with thexote of the town at a meetinu' held on \o\ ember 4. 1^74. in .'dd olthe raih-oad tliat was then eoniin^-to the town, d he^e bonds wei-e to vv.n twenty ye.irs at six per eent. senii-anniial interest. Wddle it is true that the semi- annual paNinentofthe interest and the final pa\nient ol" the bond will be a hea\ y tax upon the town, there can be no (piestion but it has pro\ ed a \aluable in- ve-itnunt i'or the inhabitants ol' the town. in iSSo there were two thousand eiiiht hundred and se\en inhabitants in l'^)rt b^uitield. The \aluation ol' estates was S46S.471. X. l-\".-^senden, R. L. Baker a ul 1) .W. Conant. were selejtmjn: W. 'r. SjHMr. elerk: and J. U\ Ilaeker. ti-easurer. The eash assessment was $8,377.52. as I'ollows: State tax $\.;\^j.(y^\ eounty t ix SS():5._:5o. Sv.-hools $1,^10.40. i".o;a- (-ne thousand dollars, t )wn ex- penses one thor.s.ind dollars, interest one t'.iousand three hundred dollars, liiihtinu- brid,u-e S75. railroad sinking I'u.p.d loan S-iiS.^o. new I'oads $500. o\er- la\ inu' S;^^--7-- In iNS;. the t(.w n madi' ehoiee (d L. N. Riehartls. L". M. lloit and L. (I. Riehardson, I'or seleetmen: j. i*'. Ilaeker. treasurer; II. N.Ciood- liue, town elerk: II. O. Perry supervisor. The \aluation of estates was S5.4(),;^7o, and the p.i;niber 146 msTORv OF FOirr Fairfield. of polls six luiiKlrccl and loi'tN': thccisli tax assessed for tliat ^■car was v^ 13,436.7 7. H^c State tax had L:;one up to St, 762 and the eouiil\ tax to $990, for the support of schools, ^^2,24:; and loi- a new school- house in the xillag'e $1,600, .uul the interest on the bonded debt was $1,750. The support oi" the poor now cost the town about $1,000 a \ear. ]n TS9othe census returns ii'a\e I'ort Fairheld thi-ee tliousand li\ e hundred and t\vent\-six ir.- habitants. seven hundred and ti\e polls were as- sessed, and the real estate was assessed at $464, 15S and the personal propert\- at $i4 ; a little oxer one third ol this amount was included in the I'oIIona ino- ih e items, all lor the adxance of educational interest, \iz: l'"or common schools ,^2,800, lor free hi^h school ,^750, to purchase free textbooks for schools $600, hnishinii-, furnishing-, and repairing- schoolhouses $500, to build a schoolhouse in tlie I'lummer district ,^600, asse(.l : . ST A lie OF MAIM'.. In the \ear of our Lord or.e thousand ei^ht hundred and t'li'ty-eii^ht. An act to incorporate the town of I•^)rt I-'airlield. lU' il cDiiclcd hx Ihc Senate aint House of irprc- srii/ir fives in f.e^-islirfii re (rss:'////>/e(/. crs /o//o:.-s : Si-:i rioN I. So much ol' townshi)-) Letter I), first ranue west i'roni the east line ol" the State, in the C()unt\- of Aroostook, as lies south ol' the Aroos- took ri\er. touether with as much of the township granted to the tow n ol' Llymouth, as lies southeast- erl\- of the s;ime ri\ I'l", i> herc-b\ incoiporated into a town b\ the name ol" h'orl h^iirtield. and the in- habitants of said town are hereby \ ested w ith all the powers, pii\ ileiics, immunities and liabilities ol inhabitants ol" other tow ns. J4 I). M(M)Ri:, Dept. Secretar\' ol" State. On the I ith day of Ai^riK i S5S. William i^\ 11 op- kinson. a justice of the peace, issued his warrant to lonatiian llopkinson lor a meeting to be held at the lilack Schoolhouse, on Mondaw the i()th da\' olApril. at which time and place the meeting was hekl. and the town dul\- organized hv the choice of tin- s.-\(.'i\d town oIlicL-rs. It was not until t!ie necessit\ ol' a Itridge o\ er the Ar<)osto:)k i"i\er had forced itsi'l!" ui")on the in- habitants, that an\' seiious thought had been gi\cn to enlarging the limits of the newl\- organized town, in the legislature ol iS()- the following action in I'clation to the lu-w town was taken: ^TA'l'l;: OF MAIN];. In the \ ear oi' our Lord one thousaiul eight hun- tlred and sixt\-se\ en. An act to annex Sarstield plantation to the t.)wn ol h'oil l-'aii-fK-ld, />l' // cii acted h\ flic Sciiafc ami Iloii <: of' rcprc- sciifaf ivcy i I Lcghlatui-c ass: in bled, as fofloz:s : SKiTion I. Sarsfield plantation, composed of l*l\nionlh (irant towi^shij-), Ranue i, west from tne i^o iiisj'ORY OF Foirr faiufij:li). cast line (A' the vSt;itc, is herein* annexed to the town oC Fort I'^airtield. Section 2. .Vll uncolleeted taxes legalh' assessed in said plantation, shall be collected hv the collec- tor in said i*)lantation. and j^aid on er to the treasur- er of said town, and the lii^-hwaN' sur\ cNor shall aeeojnt with the selectmen of said town, the same as the\' arc now required to do witli the assessors of said plantation; and said town shall assume and pay all debts and liabilities of e\'erv description, of said plantation, and ma\" be sued therefore if not paid h\ them; and all rights of said plantation in lands sold or forfeited for taxe.-. therciii and not re- deemed are hereb\- transferred to said town and \csted in them as t'ull\- as the same ai'e now h.eld h\ said plantation. SiCC'i'iON 3. The school districts in said planta- tion shall remain as now or^-ani/.ed until altered b\ said town. Sicc'iTox 4. 'i'his act slia!! take ad'fect when aj:i- pro\ed h\ the Go\'ernor. L\ THE Hot r>E OF ReI'RESENTATIVES, I b\'bruary 1 1, 1867. j This bill ha\Ing liad three se\eral readings passed to be enacted. i^i:\\ js B.\kki;k, Speaker. Ix THE Senate, | February 12, 1S67. ) This bill haN ing had two scNcral readings pastrcd fo be enacted. X, A. Ijikfi:!-:, Presiderit. 11IS|■()I<^ OI' FORT FAIRl'TELD. .">.•) l'\'bru;ir\ i 2, iN()y. Apj^roN ctl. ). I .. L'li A Mr.i;i;i..\iN, ( ii)\ crnor. siA ri: oi" maim:. Oi FRi: o" 'iiiK Sfa I;l•:^.4K^ ov Siati:, f March 7. iH6-j. \ 1 hcicln- c'crtifx that the l'()rc<;-oini2: is a true copy of the oriLiinal as clei^ositecl in this ollice. I \Mi:> 1 1. L'ntHKAM-:. Dept. Secretary ol' Srale. At the same sosion of the leuishiture the fol- low iiiL^- amended leuishition to aid in the luiildinu' ol' a britlue o\ ei" the Ai'oostook ri\ er. was secured, \ i/, : siAric ol" maim:. /i(S()/z\\ Amendinii- resol\ e entitled ""Resoh e in aid of IniildinL:- a bridue on ei" Aroostook ri\er at I'^ort [''airfield. ' /\('S(>/iu'(/, That the conditions ol' resobe en- titled "Resobe in aid ol" building- a biidue o\ er Aroostook ri\er at I'^irt h'aii-field/" approN ed h\'b- ruar\- t\vent\ -third, ei^'hteen luuulred and sixty- six, be so far niodilied as to allow the land auent lo \rA\ the sum of tilleen huiulred dollars when all nccessarv abutments and pier> n-quired in the erection ol" said bridge siiall ha\ e been completed of said britlii'e and beini;- the amount in full nauied in said resobe; and said bridn'e may be erectetl without re(juirii\u' the same to be •\o\cred as im- plied ill the res(;|\e referred to; and that beloie the pa\nient ol" any s^JHi ol' money the selectmen of said town of b^)il l^iii'lieUl shall certih lo the 154 HISTORY OF FOIJT FAIRFIELD. l;ind a'4cnt that the abutments and piers ha\e been eonipleted, and iii readiness ta recei\e the super- structure, and in like niann.er when said bridii,"e shall be completed accordinii" to the intention, but wit'i the exception of the coNcrin'^- required in s.iid I'csobe. * I.\ iiiF IIoL >F OF i\i:iu^i:si:.\ iA'i'i\i:s. I r\'bruar\- 14, 1S67. ) I\ead and passed. Li: WIS Barkiir, Speaker Read and passed. In 'nii: Si:.\ ai 1;. I Kebrr.aiA' 16, 1S67. | X. A. BiKi'i:!:, Fresider.t. b\>bruar\- iS, 1867. .\ppr()\ed. |. ].. Cii A.\ii5i:ki.Ai\. (ioNcrnor. In a.ldition to the abo\e appropriation, the St.ite jKiid $1,000, and the bridge when completed cost abo:;t $6,000. The Ir.dldini^- of the bridiic, and maki!iii- passable the roads in the town in addition t ) sjhools and other town expenses, pr>)\ ed a hea\ y tax upon the inhabitants of the yoimi;- t(;wn. 'id^- records. howj\er, show a. spirit ol enterprise an.d libera! apprc-priatioiiS for the \arious dcmar.chs m;idc noon tiiern. In 1S70 th.e population w;is ei.ab'teen iiisioKV (;i" i"(ji;'r lAiKi' ii:i,i). hundred and iiinctv-thrcc. the minibcr ol' polls three hiindi'cd and si\t\-. and the Naliialion S276.S00. Al tlu' March mectinLi- oC tliis \ cai" Hon. ). 1). Tralton was chosen nioderatoi". IIenr\- \\\ ll\de clerk and A. P. Welliniiton. Isaac I lacker and R. L. Iloyt selectmen. At this meetinii' the town \"oted to raise v^.S.420. as I'olhiws: h\)r the support of schools Si.^^oo. for the sii]-)j")ort of the poor S:i:;o. to extinguish liabili- ties ol the to\N n in constructing; bridge across the Aroostook ri\er $Soo, to co\"er the bridge vSi.ooo. to pay ibr liiiht of wa\- to the bridge $20. to defrax" town chariics ior tlie \ ear S750. and lor the lepair of roads and brid^'cs $4,000. At this meeting the report ol the selectinen and the school committee who had been appointed at a subsequent meetinn-. was adopted, by which a careFul and m-)re satislac- tor\- districtinii' of the town for sch(!<)l purposes was made. 'i'he whole number of school districts in the town was twei".t\-; and the lollowiuLi- names were presented to be placed in the juror box, and accept- ed b\ the town: W'aiien S. Ames. ()lis Ames. .\mos liishoj-). Asa C L'ar\-, Joseph A. Conant. I5radford L'ummin^s. iJenoin T. Duriiin, L'harles \\\ Ivistman. \'alenline M. I'^stes. II. Lincoln boos- ter, Xoah (ioodrich. (Jec.rue W. I laiix's. John P. I lolt. John Johnston. Jophannis 1 1. Richaidson and Jesse S. Axt-rill. A^> HISTORY or I'OnT TAIUt'-nilJ). CHAPTER XXIIl. ]:xti:r PRISE, .\t an c.irlv da\' some of Fort Fairticld's enter- prising- citizens bcg'an to realize the importance of a local newspaper, and after considerable dis- cussion it was decided to arrani^e with the Rew Daniel Stickne\- who for several years had pub- lished the Su/zn'sc at Presque Isle, to publish a paper for Fort Fairheld. And in kcepino- with the arrano-ement the ^iiiroia, dated and mailed at Fort Fairtield and printed in the S/uni'sc office at Presque Isle, with Daniel Stickney, editor, and Mrs. .\. C Paul, associate editor, appeared. In reo-ard to the name the first issue said editorially: THI': AlKOKA. \W^ ha\e been Irequenth- asked, what si^-niti- cance, fitness or appropriateness is there to the name '' Aiifoi-a" lor a newspaper? ^^"e will ex- ]-)lain. .Vurora signifies the dawniny" li^ht. before sun- rise, daybreak, the mornino-. In ancient mythology she was the daughter ol' II\perion and Theo. and ins'ious ()!' I ciivi' i- Aii-ii- ii:i.i>. '57 sister of Sol and Luna, or of the ^un and moon. She rises from the ocean, dr.iwn 1\\ the ei'k'stial horses, Lampns .xnd Ph:elon, and with rosy fniLiers raises the \eil ol' li,L;ht, shedding" li^lit upon the world, until she tlies Irom the splend:)r ofdiw The abo\ e is the definition and the poetical idea of Aurora. Now Ibr its sii;-nitieance. its appropri- ateness for the name ol* a paper, published at Vorl Fairfield. This \illa^-e is farther nortli and east than any other \ illaue in this union in which a newspaper is published. In northern latitudes Aurora, or the liiiht of mornino-, shines earlier upon Fort Fair- field than upon an\- spot in the United States in which a paper is published, henee the appropriate- ness ol" the first paper published in oin- \ illa^'e beino- known as the Ai{roj\r. A careful examination of the file of this j-iapei-. in the olliee of'the clerk of courts at Iloulton. shows it to ha\e been a well i^otten up and ably conduct-, ed local newspaper; but to our surprise the amount of jiati'onaiie,- as expressed through its ad\ ertisini^' cclumns, from the h'orl h'airlicld busiiiess men. did not exceed \\h\ dollars. How much the fact that it was printed in the S/zz/r/sc olliee at Prescpie Isle had to tlo with lack of" support, we shall ne\er know. That it died before six months old is no surprise. I hi: i-ik> r \i:\\ >i'.\i'i:i^. in Septembei-. 1^75. with the cominu of the rail- load. ajipeared the liist newsjiajH-r published in 1 58 IIISTCRY CF rCIvT FAIRFIELD. I'ort I'aii'ficld. 'I'hc railroad was on the nai'row Ji,'aiio;c plan, but the paper was a broad ^au^c, clear- cut, clean sheet, idled to oNcrHowin^- with ^ood things of interest to the ]")eople oF Fort Fairfield, 'nil-: AROOSTOOK xai.lfy sfnrisk. After more than thirteen \ ears of active news- paper lil'e, the J^/csqur /s/r Sunj-isc w;is rernoxed to Fort Faii'beld and christened tlie .[I'oos/ool: l(if//<'y S/////-/s(\ and was the llrst Picwspaper e\er printed in the town. Jud^i niuKV oi' roiri- fairi-ii:m>. i^<) lia\c proNcd a success. But Mr. Orriss. who was an experienced b()()k-biiuler. had \ cry liule exper- ience as a newspaper nim. 'II1I-: NOK riii:K.\ ij:ai)i:i;. jiily 1st, ](S92, with Si,ooo pledged ad\ ertisini;- and a small siibscription list, the I-^)rt I'^iirtield Printing- C()mpan\-, — C II. Kllis business r.ianauer and editor, — comnxniced the indiiication ol" the \orlJicrii Lender, at v$i.5() a year. Ikd'ore the k2\-\(\ of its tirst \ear, a second paper, the Ih-jcoii ( which was another name lor th.e ArojrJook Ih'inocraf, which had entered upon its fourth Nohme. ) was remo\ed Irom l*rest|r.e Isle to this \illaue. With its cominu' comnicnced a struL:\^le i'or lile. and as mi,Li"ht lri\e been expected, with ll:e ;id\ t rtisiu'^- j-)atronaLie larL^eh- seemed I'or the Lduicr, tlie Hca- con was compelled to submit to the inevitable : be- fore the close ol' the iirst year it sr.speiu'ed pi bli- cation. \\'it!i the beuinninu" ol iN(>..) the Lcaihi beca-iie sell" su.staininu'. ar.d the liberal and juili- cious ad\ ertisiuL'- b\ th.e bi:sii:ess men (I" th.e \ illa_L.e assure tiie future success of a local r.ewspaper in I-'ort Fair!ield. •rm: i;aii.i: )\:). The tiiiie h;:d C(-me wh.en railroad comnu:iiic;i- tion with th.e outside wt.vkl becinr.e a r.ccessity. Tlie t..wn had been libera! in xotinii- bonds, and the w .)'\ r.;i,i:i!\ i:irried towards coi-noleti jn. ar.d the l6o HISTORY OF FOPiT FAIRFIELD. FIRS'l" TIIAIN o;-' CARS crossed the b()und;ir\' line on Satiirdaw Xoxeniber 13, 1N75. I'his was a red letter da\- for the town, as it mirked two important e\ents, — the pid:)lica- tion of the lirst newspaper and the arri\al oi the first railroad train. 'Idiere was now a general look- ing- forward to another interesting- and important da\", that woidd produce results of great moment to all the inhabitants of the town, — 'llli: FOKMAI. ol'i:XIN(i ol the Xew liruriswick railroad. In all tlicse \ears it had been a good three da\ s going to Bangor. On Tucsda\", Xoxember 30, iSy:^, the connection be- came complete h\ rail to the (^leen L'itw It was a bleak, cokl da\', \et a large compaiu' assembled. Upon the arri\ ad of thv train, the "'Stars and stripes ' and thj "'Uni')- Jajk" were hoisleJ tog^-tlur, an:l tli- historic gun oTFort Fairtield belched forth its thun- der in a national salute, At the town hall Judge Small presided. Among the Pro\incial guests were Hon. Alexander Gibson, president ol' the New Brunswick railroad, Hon. j. |. Frazier, Pro- \incial secretary Hon. I>. B. Ste\cnson, sur\e\-or general, Hon. W^m. KellcN-, commissioner of jvab- lic works, Hon. ?*Ia\'or AW'tmore of Frederickt:rn, Hon. Ma\'or Laughton ol'St. John, numbers of jvir- liamenl, editors of new s}-»apers. railroad othcials a:u] other dislinguished gentlemen. tl THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. iii.sroRY OF lOKi r.\iKi-ii:iJ). ^(^^ Speeches were made by President Ciibson, Jiidiie l'"isher of iM-cdericktun ami lloii. l-\ A. Pike ol e'alais. A bounlifiil collation was ser\ cd. and at six r. M. the company adjourned to the depot lor their return trip. lea\ in^- their lM)rt l-^iirheid friends in the happv eonseiousness that they were eonnee- chI with the outside world h\ rail. 164 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. LlIAi^'riOR XXIW '|-iii': roTA'jo iNDi s'l'jo'. 'i'lic ;id;ipt;ili()n (f Aroostook soil to the growth oL" tlic potato was carl\' obsciN cd by the settlers, but it was not until Mr. 1). (lath-ercole had built liis stai-eh 1;ietor\- that an\- one thought that potato rais- inij,' WMiild e\"er beeome a moriev-niakinii-. mr.eh less the leadinid", indi;str\ oi' the Aroostook \alle\". One of th^' jK'Jiiliiirilies (.>{' th.- ^'ankej is, tlial il' one sue- eei-ds in ^ellin^ a i^ood thini:-, he is ne\ei' allowed to enjoN- it aloM-.e. This lirst stcireh i'aetor\- was seareeh' in operation before Mr. Hedell liad or.o eomnieiiced in the Maple (7ro\-e settlemer:t. 'i'bese were th.e da\s of small thini.s; but with a sr.re lurir- ket f'oi- th.e small p/(;tat<;es at a priee wh.ieh would nc-arl\- pa\- for har\estin<4- the en.tire er<;]\ :;r.d a reasonable assurance tliat a r.iarket wordd r.lways be open lo th^em, ;.t a L(;od pa\ini;" } rice, fc r;dl tl (■ potatoes thc's' could raise, the two starch tactoricj became four, and the fame ol'the Aroostook potato w.uit out to all the land. Tlu- cm- obstacle in the wa\- of success appe;ired IIISTOUN' <^!- I"'->!! '■ I" AIKI'II'IJ). \h-. to be the drain made upon the land in the laisini;- of this erop. 'i'he amount ol' j^otash, to say nothing- ol'tlie nitrogen and jihosphorie aeid that a eroj") <»!' jtolatoes wou.ld take iVoni the soil, eon\ ineed them tliat withoi'.t some immediate remedy their farms would soon run out. A prompt and saeeessl'id remed\- was soon at hand: while there was su.s- jiicion and a hbei'al amount of doubt as to their \al- i:e, eommereial lertili/ers h.a\e steadily inereased in popularit\-, aiul to-day have become an absolute p.eeessit\- to secure the best results in this ^reat and \aluable industry b^)r a decade each years crop of potatoes has exceeded the last, anil while there has been considerable ductuation in prices, the sales ha\e been, almost without an exception, at a price that paid a liberal profit, abo\ e the cost of jiroduc- tion, ICach \ ear adds to the stren_i;th and popular- it\- ol" potat ) r.iisin.;- in t'.ie Aroostook \alley. and with tiie coming- of the Hanotatoes, at an a\erau,e of one dollar and llit\' eents per barrel, aniountiiii;" to one hundred and t\vel\e dollars and U\'t\ eents per aere. In the town of Vovi h^iirheld. in the \ear i(Sc)3, there were six stareh t'aetories in active oper- ation and estimated, ten tliou.sand tons -of stareh put on tiie market and nine million six hundred nint\- six thousand nine hundred sixt\--nine barrels ( absoluteK' assure.!, and the sue ■>•>- oI"(:irni- i 14- in this nnrth.^iM latitude will k.?j;' he best pa\ine. 'I he four-horse potato dii4i,''er i^els o\ er a \ er\" lar^e breadth of 1 68 HISTORY OF FOIJT FAIRFIELD. land ill a da\', and leaves the p:)tatoes in o-ood con- dition to pick, and it i^; claimed to injarc less pati- toes, while it oathers tliem near]\- as clean as can be done hv hand work. .Vnotlier tliino; in I'ax'or. and that g-ocs a long \va\" in ni;d-;ino- popidar this iiulustrw is the fact that it <4i\es emplovnient extendi no- through mar.\' months of th.e \ear. The preparation of the groc.nd , the planting and ciilti\ation cl'th.e crops, is ibllowed onK' hv a short rest before the har\est con:mences, which includes putting the marketable potatoes in the cellar or the potato houses, aiid hauling the small and inferior ones to the starch ('actor\' ; then the time of fall plowing and initiator\- work for another crop, .and the work of hauling and market- ing the potatoes is taken up, to continue through the winter and earl\- spring, and often extending late into April, and sometimes into ?kfa\'; when the work of raising anotlier crop sh.ould be lulh' in hand. The clim:ite, adaptation of soil, and hab- its of the people ha\e all combined to favor the value of the crop and give it tlie lead in the mar- ket, and the ad^■antage alreadv secured in the hands of the intelligent, industrious and enterpris- ing tillers of the Aroostook soil, will imdoubtedlv hold the trade, and the e\er increasing market will in The future, as in the past, kec]^ up both the de- mand and the price. ^\'ithin the last fev/ \ears farms have been sold iiisruKv OF roi.'i iaikih.m'. 169 in !•'( it I'^airhckl I'or from ^^4x00 to v'fr^ooo, contain- \uy; IVcm two to tl^icc luir.crcd acres, witli s^ood i'arni lnii!(.!in.i;s, and with one hundred acres (,r ni')re of im]vroved l.md, and the jiotatoes taken iVcm the fain:s, in two years ha\e ]^aid tl:e er.tire am ).i:it of purjh.i^j nio.vjy. While it is n >t ne- cessai'N' so far as the ]")resent is concerned, tlie lact sh')ald n')t; bj o-.erlooked tliat the Tarmers ol" I'\)rt l-\iirtield are not e\clusi\ely enii-au,ed in raising- po- t;\tt)C.s. The\- d;) nut lose si'^'ht ol" the well es- tablished theorxol" rotation in crops. I lay has been, and will continue t.) be. an important and prolitable crcp, ;;rd a i:,(.cd price will be paid I'or oats, as Iohl^- a-; lunib.'i-in^- opjrati.jns are carried on ; and as there is more oi" less hind that is remarkably well adapt- ctl l(.r LiM/inL'". th.e raising of neat .stock anil horses decs, and iindor.btedlx will continue to re. i'^ •■ ■• '■>- siderable attention. In cop-cludin^- this chapter, we call attention to tl e er,_L,ra\ ini;- rcprc; c r.tir.:n- a potato haixesL sjcne. While i'or tlie Aroostook lin-mer ol' iNt;4 it may ;ittr;ict but little attention, to Cutiire nenerations it w ill at least _ii,i\ e an idea ol' the jirooress made and er.tei i^rise I'isplav ed In the ci:iti\ at<;rs ol th.e jircs- e:n da}-. The indusLi; >'..c.i'ic- oo important a relai.. .. L - th.e de\ elGpnicnt of Aroostook coi:i;ty, that we have had taken two street \ lews, rcprc^entin^U- th.e p(.tato l,'i;.i. .rowdin tato horses, and the? 170 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRr!i:Ll>. streets hill of sleJs fr.)m which the Irjrses h;i\"e been taken at tlie dinner hour. The records of two cla\"s in March, 1894, show the sale ol" three th.oiisaiicl ii\e luip.dred and for.r thousand barrels respective! w sold and deli\ered in the Fort 1-^iirtield pot;it() ni;irket. $6,000 paid to tlie farmers in one da\" alone, for one article of produiCe iVom tliese i'arnis. is one of the results of tins industrw I . n s ■ i ■ - P; 11 Ills r()K\ oi- lORi' lAiK 1 ii:li). LllAPTER WW I 'A ST, i'i/'(> I'ulii of the j')opulation entei" the ai'm\' as from the northei'n portion ol" Aroostook eount\-. \\ hile no part ol' the entire land was so ill\- prepared to spare them. It is indeed doubtful if an\ part of the entire North felt the ef- i'eet ol the wai" so "sex eiel\' as Aroostook eountw b'rom no portion of our eounti"\" were stroULi'er and more sell reliant men sent Ibrth to battle, and Irom no ]")art was the f^n^ raid ol' loss ni'eatei". 'I'hese men went forth to do and to die. if wk^^^^ be. that the eounlr\ nnuht li\e. I^elore there was a lull reeo\ er\' from the shoek of wai". anotlu'r ile- eade hail nearlx passed awa\. Sinee iSyo. there has been a steaiK ami lajiid i^iow ih. The eominn' ol th<.' lailroad made the expoit ol a^rieultural prodiiL'tion-; not o;il\- po.-;>,ible but |^ro!ilable. The manufaeturinLi" of shoil lumbei" beeame piolitable. 178 HISTORY OF Foirr fairfield. and potato raising- took the \ cr\- first rank in agri- cultural work. (^lictlw and without an\- great pretensions, there has been a steadx' ad\anee "all along the line:"' more acres were brought under cultivation, larger and better buildings wei'c erected with pleasanter sui-roundings, until well fu.rnished. beautirulK' lo- cated and delightful homes, lorm a grand jianor.ima upon e\er\" hillside, and I'.long e\ er\- \alle\-. and make it in all that the words implw — the "(Tarden ol Maine." The extensi\e iarming indu.strx' has made centres of trade a necessity \"illages ha\e been built up. as th.e r;itvral result ( f th.e lai'ge breadth of rich, fertile land, and its adaptation to the raising in ;d:)undance. crops for which good prices and a read\" market is e\ er at hand. Idie necessai'N" accompaniment, intelligent, enterprising, iiulustrious farmers. ha\e not been found wanting, and to-da\' one ma\- tra\ el the world o\er without hnding such returns I'or the mone\' in\ ested, as can be secured from an A.roostook farm. Land that to-da\' is in a state of culti\ation. from which one hundred barrels of potatoes can be har\ested, sell- ing at fort\- dollars an acre, makes it doubK" sure that the profit of a single crop, ^vill considerabh' more than j^a\' for the land upon which it was raised. IIKSIORY t)l- FOK'l" lAlRllELl). 179 ellAl'TKR \X\1. i-\)iistent political workers. thoroiii;-hl\- de\ oted to Wiii^" principles, and u]'»on the breaking- up of the W'hi^- jiartw t!ie\' became acti\e and etlijieit Rei")ublicans. 'I'iien came lion. Isaac Hacker, lion. Jesse Diew . lion. W'asiiin^'ton Lon^' and William Small, I^s(]..all ac- ti\ e and ellicient workers lor Tree speech. iVee in- stitution^. and a ^'Lioxernment of the people, hv the l^eople and for the )")eople."' And not onh' did the\- t.dk and xote for Presitlent Lincoln, but the\' worked to sastain him in the ^reat national stiaii;"- l:1c to maintain the !4()\ ernnuaU, in harmonx with tile platform upon w hich he hail been electetl. and to perpetuate the I'nion. Their lield ol o'peration was fa\ oi-able 1 jr effcjlix e work. I'rom their own IcSo IIISTCM^Y OF FOirr I'AIl^ FIELD. town and the adjoinini^; parishes in New Bruns- wick, men were e:isil\- se.:uretl loi" the Nolnnteer ioree, tliat l;m\ e onr e()unt\- the p:)st oC honor in sendini^- the most men to the war. in proportion to the popahition, of an\- ejnnt\- in the l^nion. Their inrtuenee went out and was felt in tlie ailjoinin'^ towns and in our sister pro\ inee. l^^ort Fairfield was pre-eminent! \" ]o\al,not onlx' to the Unio'u cause, but t(; the principles iuN'oKed. From tirst to last, whether flushed b\' \ ictor\- or depressed hv disaster, her sons were read\' to bra\ e the dan^'crs of the battle-held, and if need be, L;"i\e their li\es, that the nation mii^^ht li\e. Her roll ol' honor stands u]')on the national recoixl. The names of her honored sons were found in nearK' all the State organizations. Her heroic dead, and her wounded and disabled \ eterans. represent almost e\er\- I'amiU- of that daw From tlie adjutant L!,-eneral s reports, and other sources, we are ;ible to ii,"iNe the lollowini;" imperfect ix'cord of soldiers who went to tlie war from tliis town, but as in man\' instances, the\' went to make up the cjuota of other towns, we find it impo.-;sible at t'uis late da\' t > j^i\c all; and as man\- ol' the soldiers and their friends lune failed to respond to the recpaest made of them through the yorUicrn Leader^ the local P^ipi^'i' of tho town, no doubt samj :U Icisf will fc-.l an in- justice has been d'o^'A^, TIISTOKV OK 1X)RT TAI K II i:i-I>. ■<^^ c'cnnnssioNi:!) oi-m-mcki^s. iM-ankliii M. Drew, captain and major in llu- 15th Maine Rc-inKMit: C. II. ICllis, chaplain in the iilh. and captain in tlic ;^isi Maine Rc-inicnt: Oscar A. Kllis. id and 1st lieutenant, and captain in the ist Maine L'avalrx : Klbrid-e J. Pattee, 2d and lirst lieutenant, and captain in the 15th Mauie Reu-iment: Albert W. lloyt.idand 1st lieutenant in the 15th Maine Re-inient; Whitman l^.Orcutt. _'d and ist lieutenant in the 15 Maine Re-iment. Chandler Libln, 2d lieutenant in ihc loth Maine Reuiment. \()N-e()\i MISSION i: I) ()i"i-ui:i;s. Daniel W. Haines, ser-eant. Cn. K. ist Maine Ca\alr\; Alexander McDou^ald. scr-eanl, L'o. l'", ist Maine C"a\al\-: Albert (iardiner, corporal. Co. 1-:. 1st Maine Ca\alr\; Shepherd R. lloyt, ser- o-eant, Co. I^, !3tli Maine Rc-iment: Charles R. lio\t. serueant, Co. 1^, 15th Maine Re-iment : John W. Whitten, serL;eant. L'o. 1'^ 15th Re^-iment; Allred :\larshall, corporal. L'o. I*:, 15th Regi- ment: lames Doian, corporal, Co. I- 15th Me. Regiment; Sanborn Murphy, corporal. 15th Regiment: James l'\ Luce, ser-eant. Co. I'"., .'^ist Rciiiment: .Mberl Sibly. corporal, Co. I'>, .:;ist Maine Re-iment : Charles \'. I':ilis. coriv)ral, C". \]. :; 1st Reuinienl. I'H i\ A 1 1;>. i>l Main,- C;i\alr\ : Hiram I I. l"lb- Mlnrl R. 184 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. Ilaincs, John Decker, Edward Decker, As:i E. Da^ is, R. E. Orcutt, John Currier and John (j:dlag-her, 2d Maine Ca\'alr\': Abraham R. Power;;, Joseph L. Whitmore. rst District Coliinibi:i Cavah-y: Richard Norris, sergeant. 5th iNIaine Battery: Alden C Varne\-. ist ^faine Veteran Infantry: William KniLdit. James johnstoii. ,^d Maine Regiment: Rich.ard Harmon, Abel Ilnmphrey, John B. Willette. 4th Maine Regiment: John A. Day. 7th Maine Regiment: l^riah Palmer. loLli rslaine Regiment: Warren Ilarmo:!, Edward Ross, Simon Giberson, NelsonAIeXeil. irth ?^Iaine Regiment: (iieorge W. Eastman, S;imi:el G. K.ichardson, Amos Eitzlierbert, Geor.olier, ThoiTLas Crock, Ozias Di-.nton, Tho:;. Dunn.ell, Jeremi:ih Farwell, Daniel Finn, Chas. A. Cjrass, Enoch B. Orass, George A. Groves, Vv'^m. Linidw (Tcorge N. Boltridq,e, ^S::lnlr.eI Fitzhcrbcit, l|,s;-|-,>.. V ,>!• i--f)|;T |- AIK' l"l!;i.l). I'^; (icoi-oc E. Park. Joseph E. Dow, Patrick l-\()"I!a- r;i. I'.cnjaniin W. l^cttiniiill, lulward Murphy. \()[h Maine Rc_^inK'nt: I^rastus RoLiVrs. Jolm P. Rogers, Nicholas Dec, Tiionias P\-ons, A\ arreii A. jo'iiiSLon, Daniel Hopkins, Daniel Webb, RoJeriek Powers, Wesley Chase, John S. Cor- less, janies Rediker, Xieholas McKinney, Jaines Mekinne\-, IIenr\- llopkinson, Kdward Ro^ss, Xa- thanael Liifkin, Alfred Bishop, 1^'rederiek Bishop, Simeon H. I'^ilsoni, Xoah Goodrich. William Ha- lc\. Michael Polier, IIenr\- Cirass. Daniel l^^iss. 17th Maine ReLiinient: John P. b'rink, I'^red Haines, Michael Russell, Thom.-is Russell. Patrick Russell, P^artlett, Redike: . 20th Maine Re<4'iment: Richard Powers, Ciran- \ille Ho'p-kinson, Charles E. Hoit, Henry Powers, I'hilo HewctL ]nhn Rilew jjd Mai: nient: Jc^sepli A. (.'onant, J(/shua Hoyt. Oiriii Hoyt, LaForcst \\ 'i\)wle. ( 'harks H. Townsep.d, Amos P\le. _^oth ?.Iaine Regiment: William Russell. 3 1st Maiiie Reii'iment: Asa S. Townsend. (jeorue W. Curtis, Joseph P. IVle. Wm. V. Dolley, Loria V. Johnston, William J. Saw\er, Daniel Whitmore. lames l'\ Springer, Asa C, Went worth, Adtlison \\'riuhl. While tlie record olthe Maine reuiments stands in the front rank (-f the mighty I'orce raised to maintain the national r.nilw the ist Maine caxalrw l86 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. lor lonii' sor\ ice. hard marches aiul eCCcctix c work upon tlic hattlc-hclcl. had no ccjiiaL h^)rt h'airhcld's cjuota to this i-c^'imcnt was made up o1 Nounii,' men who stood amoni^- the best; all of whom did noble ser\ice I'oi' their eountrx'. and ha\"e left a record for liiture ^'enerations that should be written in let- ters of liolit. Her soris were amonii" the best in the- se\"eral rc^'iments to which tluw were assi^'ned: ph\'sicall\', perfect men, who went forth to do or to die. ne\ ei" faltering- upon the march, and in the camp or on the battle-tield dischar^-inLi' their dut\- in a manner that won the commendations ol'the ^'cnei^als of the armw Not a call for men was made b\- the go\ernment that was not heartil\- responded to hv the \o\:\.\ men of our town, often i;"oin_ii; to make up tlu^ quota, and til'dng tn.' phue^ left \ajant hv other older and m^re p^P- loas towns; and b\- so doin^" not onK- did the wear\- marching' and hard ti^'htinii,- for otiiers, but lost tlie i:ljitir\- of tlieir arm\- life with their own town. iiisroKN oi" i-oKT I'MK I'i i:i.i). IS; • CIIAPTKR XW'Il. KIFTKl'-N'ril MAIM-: K i:(;i M I-.X|-. It was not until the orn-aiii/.atioii (>\ the 15th Rciiimcnt. that ^^)rt FairHcld Liot down to earnest work. In I'aet. up to this time the war had been looked upon as of slKsrt duration, and the opinion had pi"e\ ailed that the demand lor troops was oi' so small aeeount that it was not worth the while to make an\" earnest effort. lUit the i'aet beeame more and more apjiarent that a serious and des- jH-rate struii'ule was bel'ore U;S. Col. John Me- ("luskey. a popular lumberman, was authori/etl to organize a reniment. It was both riiiht and ]">i"opei" that the aeti\ e l^epubliean leaders, whose a^e and inhrmitii's unlitteil them to u'o to the i'ront. should, so lar as tlu-\ hail sons, uix e them as a i'ree-will oi'i'eriuLi" to their eountr\"s eause. And son^ with sueh sires, were onl\- too read\" to tlo w ith mi^ht and main, to j-iresei'v c- the national life. Uaekeil by family inthienee, j-'ranklin Drew, l-'Jliridi^e ( i. I'attee and Albeit IIo\t. were aetixe eo-workeis 1 88 HISTORY OF FOr/r FAIRFlELi). to aid in the work, and rcadilv secured (Voni among their Nounii,- iViends and acquaintances, a hir^-c and respectable following. The stern realities ol' the war had liccii lorced home upon them, and the men who ga\e their names for tiie organization of this regiment, did it A\ith the fnll reali/ati(jn of what was before them, so far as the march a.nd ba.ttle-rield were- con- cerned. I^ut their tirst experience upon the trans- ports, and a \ oxage to the CjuIF of ?*»[exico, and the gre:it change to the extreme heat ;md exposure oF a climate which was absoluteh' foreign to tlvcm. was a hardship that told more se\erel\' upon them, than upon almost an\' other regiment that exer en- tered the ser\ice. Not onl\- did Fort Fairheld send almost the last a\ailable man ir.to this regi- ment, but it was a popular rendezvous for recruit- ing. Eaton (jrant. Caribou, Sarslield, Limestone, \'an Buren and our sister Province, if not in\"aded when their sons came to our town, the\' found pulv lic sentimeiit so strong, ;ind influences almost irresistible surrounding them, that manv were ir.- duced to \-ield to the stronger force and enlist for the war. AVhile before and after, upper Aroostook rurnished honored names to other organizati(^ns, in fact to almost all that entei'ed tlie t'leld from our st:ite, the 15th was emphaticalK" our regiment, and no histor\- of our town can be complete without bemo- iiiterwo\en with its honored record. HISTORY OF FOTIT FAIRFIELH. 189 The organization of the ist Maine Cavalry, the nth. i2.th 13th and 14th regiments, had followed each other in saeh rapid succession as to be almost simr.ltar.em-.s. :^^aine's war governor, Israel Wash- burn, jr., seconded by the able and efficient adju- t.int general John l'. llodsdon, was putting lorth every effort to respond to the country's call. With each regiment that entered the field, the w.ir elor.d seemed to lower. News from the seat of war were of a depressing character. P>iill Run and I^all's liluff, the death oi' the patriotic Lyons, the Mason-Slidell complication, the disastrous drawn battles and skirmishes in Missouri, had thrown a dark cloud over the entire North. Amidst all this diirkness and discouragement to the l-nion c;iuse, the auth.orifv from the governor was received m October to organize the 15th regiment, and the lirst week in November saw. large detachments of troops gathered at Augusta. December 6th, 7th and 9th, companies A, B and C vvere mustered in- to the United States service, and before the month ended, men were mustereil into every company, and b\- January U^ih iS'jj, the regimental organization • ]. Tlicse tW(miont!is, howex er, were Under the management of such ol- cntitled to muster before a full regi- ment had be. • drill and discipline had been earefuliv atiended lo, and thus tiie f(nmdation l;iid for future work, r^l'-l-- r,-..;nirp,i. companies 190 IIISTORV OF FORT FAIRFIELD. C E and Ct, and a part ol" F, were Trom .Vruostook count^•. The iirst officers of these companies were as fol- lows: Co. L\ Charles W. Cla\"ton of ?vlasardis. cap- tain; Daniel Prescott of Presqr.e Isle, ist lieuten- ant; Zebulan Rowe of Prescir.e Isle, 2d lieutenant. Co. K, Charles !>. Smith or Iloulton, captain; John Z, Swanton of Iloulton, ist lieutenant; A\- bert IIoNt oi" T'ort f^iirfield, 2d lieutenant. Comp. r.n- V : )am.'s \\\ I Pickett of I loulton. ist lieutenant.; companx' (j, Pranklin Drew of I'^)rt P^iirfield. captain; Ransom X. Pierce of f^jrt f^air- lield, 1st lieutenant; Klbrid^-e (J. Pattee of Fcu't b^airfield. 21! lieutenant. SubsecpientlN- Wan-en Pluuimc)- of !^resc]ue Isle, and Whitman L. Orcutt ol' Vori j^^airhe'ld, were proiuote'd to 2l ha'bor on the Texan coast is in our i-)osscssioii. 1' ebrua- ry _'oth, iS0|,1()und tlnjiii on a transport startinu' on 194 ins'i-()RV OF f()i;t i-'airfield. their rctuni trip to New Orle.ins; then up the riv- er, and were ajtlxe p.irtieip.ints in thj Reil river eampaign. Lonii,' m n\'hcs and hard tiii;hts, in ^^'hieh tlie rej;- inient f'aithrull\- disjliar^-ed its dut\, is applicable to the Red ri\ er eanipai^M. In the disastrous Sa- bine Cross Road lii^-ht, the Bull Run ol' the expedi- tion, the i5Lh was in Enur's's DJ\ision, and nobly performed their part in sa\ino- the retreating arnij- from being- totally destroyed, and m:ide Pleasant Gro\c the turning pjint in the ground lost at Sa- bine Cross Road. In the hotly contested battle at Pleasant Hill the regiment was in the thickest of the tight; in fact, at the most critical moment, under the masterly management of Colonel D\-er and Lieutenant-Col- onel Murra\', their un\!elding and persistent work ti rncd the tide of battle in our fa\or. Il' there was a prominent officer in that expedi- tion wh:) returned with additional honors won, that otlL-er was B.-igidier-Generul William II. Eaurv, the c'jnin.inder of Emjr\-*s DI\ision of the 19th Army Corps. In the second brigade of this divi- sion, the 15th Maine performed its whole dutv; whether upon the march, building the dam t:) raise the Red ri\er that the g mb )ats might h: saved, or befoi'e the enem^■, the\' did t'neir whole dutv; and what that whole dutv was, is best t A " in the fol- h)\\ing general order issued "t" ihe e'osi' of the iiibTouN oi i-()i;r i".\iki-ii:li). !<)■ camo:iioM and jusL bjlorc lc.i\ in,^ l^r i1k' Army oi tlic Potoniar. "Gi:xERAi. ():^!)i:i; No. 4S. 1 1 i:.\i)(.^ Airi i:rs i()lli Aioiv Cokis. Si:MMi>i'oin\ La.. Ma\ iNlh. iSn|. '•S()//: is/oiis Kjl/i . \ r- III X Cores' — 1 1 is WW duty to express to you my appiwiation oC xour uiiilorm i^ootl conduct throi;u"li- out the late eNentful campaiiiu. 'Idiis duty is rer.- dei-ed tlie moie imperative by the false reports oi Noiir operations which ha\ e met yo:i at this point. "O.I the 7th ol" April, at th/ lirst notice tliat our troops in IV )nt were en^'aned. tlie h^irst Dixision. the onl\ troops (d" the i()th Corps then present, marched in double cpuick time se\ en miles to the iront, foi^med a line of battle under lire ol the en- enn. checked him, and drox e him back, under cir- cumstances the most trxini;- that could befall troops. The whole adxance. composed oi' eiuht or teii thousand troops, were thrown back upon you in utter ilisorder and coni'usion, pell-mell, with the enenn. ^'ou tormed lir.e ol' battle under his tire, and amidst tliis i'ri^htrul disorder, with the reuu- larit\- ol' Ibrmini^- for parade, you drove the enemy from bei'ore \-ou. and held tlie ground until ordered to fall back. ••'I'he next da\. at IMcasant Hill, you ol" the l-"iist Dixision bore t!ie biuiit ol" the i-nem/s furious at- IC)6 HISTORY OF FOr.T FAIRFIELD. t.ick; and only one brigade — that on the left — gave wa\", because its left was unsupported; but this soon rallied and joined iii the hnal charge which droNC the enem\- from the held. "On the 23d. at Cane Ri\er, ^•()u, supported b\- the 13th Ariviv Corps, found the enenn- strongh' posted to dispute the crossing of the ri\'er. Led b\- the Third I'rigade oC the ist Dixision, vou tin-ned his llank and droN e him at the point of the ba\"onet IVom tlie hill lie occuiiied. "At Alexandria. \(>u contributed N'our labor, hv da\' and night, for se\enteen da\s, under the en- gineering skill of Li^'utenant-Colonel Baile\', to the great work which reliexed the fleet from its ])cri]ous position abo\e the Calls, and restored it to the C')untr\". ''At MaPiSura, on the ist of Ma\', \'()U met the encnu' on an open plain, and supported (ai xour right hv tb.e Sixteenth Arni\- Corps, droxe him from the field. "'fhis in bi-iel, is a samm;ir\- of \"our serxices for the last two months, and 1 know when it becomes known to the countr\-. the judgement \\ ill be that \()u, at least. ha\ e done \nuv dut\- I'aithl'ulK". (Signed.) '>V\i. II. lAii:i;v, l)rig.-(Teneral (Jom man ding. Othcial. Dlncan S. \\\mjr. I^rew, upon an- other. Xo sooner arrived than the\" were hurried lor- ward to strengthen the arnn in W'e.^l X'iruinia. Then lhe\- had se\ere campaiiiiiini;" uj"* and down the \ alle\- of the Slu-nandoah, after the omnipresent iOail\-. who ne\ er failed to run awaw but did i-.ot lail to tliiht another da\-, until his \ ictoi-y was turned into defeat hv Sheiadan's ti-iiimi->hant ride fi-om Winchester. After the lidl of Richmond, the i^th was ordeied to Washiniiton. and here we miLiht expect that the work would close, but not so. After six weeks at the national capital they were tieated to another sea \n\aue. not how e\ er. to the (iulf. but to Sa\annah. (Jeor^ia. aiul from there to ( Jeor^etow 11. w lu'rc the\ were retpiiicd to perform a full \i'ar of dut\ uniler the conuuander ofthe nu'litai-\ ili^tiict of South ^'aiolina. This, one of the most tlelicate antl ditlicult tlulies that had jgS HISTORY OF FOllT FAIRFIELD. fallen to their lot, was suceessfullv perlbrmed. While for plnsieal indiirance, it is doubtl'ul if any regiment lea^ino• the State was its superior; the positions it oeeiipied and the work it performed taxed its strength bevond an\- other, and althou<4-h its number of kille.l and w.:) mdjil w.is compara- tiveh' small, its loss b\' disease and death was realh' appallino-. The .\d jiitant-Generars re'p )rt shows the following- reeord of deaths in the ser- vice: Co. A, t\vent\'-eight; Co. ]>, twentx-the : Co, C, thirt\-()ne; Co. I), thirt\'-nine ; Co. E, ibrtv-eight; Co. F, thirt\--two; Co. (i, thirt\--four ; Co. II, thirt\--six; Co. I, twentv-ei^ht ; Co. K, thirtN-eii^ht. A total of three hundred andthirt\-- nine deaths, and two hundred and nmet\-ti\e were discharged for disabilit\-. Ifwe follow the regiment from the spring of 1S62, in its \()\ages hv sea, its marches by land up- on the drear\- plains of Texas, and under the burn- ing tropical sun, and among the swamps and la- goons of Louisiana, and its summer in South Car- olina, we ma\' onl\- wonder tiiat tlie number of dis- abled did not comprise the entire regiment. IIISTOKV OF FOKT FAIRFIELD. 199 CllAl^TKR XW'III. 'iiiiK'iv-FiKsi' MAIM-: Ri:(;iMi:N'r. In the \\-i liter oF 1X64 t'.ic war dcp.irtnicnt made a retiuisition uj^on tlie State ol' Maine for two more regiments of men for t'le war. The terrible dr.iin m ide upon the able boilieil m?n in Aroosto;)k coun- ts raisjil t'vj fjuj^tion o'" t'u ad\ is.ibility of as- siL::ninLj: one of th-j companies to that county. Un- der tliese circumstances, Governor (\)ney offered ii commission to C. II. Ellis. w!i) Ind serxedas chaplain in the iith ;ind ha 1 c:)nsiderable ex- perienjc in enlistinu" m.-n for the army. A lea\e of absence from tie arm/ b.ospital at Portland, where he \\ as tlien enr-j'o ,ed. a briel interx iew with the <^o\ernor ;.t Auj^-usti, and he was on his w.iy t ) his home at Maple Cir.)\ e. The third day ol" we ir\- sta'^anLT from Han^'or was last wearing' awa\, when a hall wa^^ called to chan-e miil at a pri\.ite h)ase in a small opening-, in the townsliip ol' Mars Hill. A ^ood \no]< and a few words with the acting- postm/.ster. and a slop w.is m i.Ij until the next da\". 200 HISTORY OF Foi;r fairfield. T)cforc the close of that dnw the enlistment pa- pers of Ilenr\- (). Ferr\- and two or tliree ol' his neiii,-hb()rs were made out and signed, and the work of or^-anizinL:,- Cm. E, 31st Maine Re^'iment, had taken tangible form. Before lea\ing Augusta, an inter\ iew liad been held with Dr. Rogers of Patten, and an agreement made to gi\e his son, Edwin S. Rogers, a lieuten- ant's commission, upon the condition that he en- listed twenty men. The work went rapidh- for- ward. The great distance iVom the capital of the State, where the mi.r went into camp until the organ- ization of thi' regiment was pcrlected, placed the compan^• at a disadvantage, and although no com- pan^■ was enlisted as promptly, it was the lifth com- pany to be mustered into ser\ ice. Lieutenant Rogers, wlio was an undergraduate at Bowdoin college, immediateh' reported at the camp at .\u- gusta, and his father at Patten largeh- did the work of enlisting the men. On the iSth of April, 1864, the regiment, con- sisting of nine companies and thirty-four com- missioned officers, left Augusta (Compan\' K joined the regiment at the North Anna, the last of ]Ma\- ) in time to join Burnside at .Vnnapolis, and proceed t ) the Rapidan in time to take an ;icti\ e part in the battle of th.e Wilderness on the lOth of May. Amouii' the otlicers of the regiment there were E. L. iioiGirrox's residence. nisioKY oi' "I'oK r f.\:riii:!J). -^^M \cr\- fVv.- ni'.'i witho'.it cxp'jricncc. not niil\- in camp and upon 1.1k- niarcli, but (*ii llie balllc-lK-1'J. \\'ila OIK' oi' l\v.) c'\c;.'i")tions. l:ij cajHai'i^ ol' the .scxcral c aiipanics were competent t) lead the re;4inKMU into action. IIeni\- (). l^eiiy, tiK- lirst man enlisted in tlie comjxmx", was made orderl\- sjri;-eant, and \ er\- laru-el\- the care of the nK'ii was in his hands. Sery-eant Perr\- almost iVom the tirst had the Tnll confidence ol" both (^llicers and men. lie kept the roll of the compariw looked a'ter drav.in',;" rations {'ov the men, and a leaih, sick or di.vd">led soldier t'oand in him a true t'rientk Xo c;)n"ipan\- in the re;:;imjnt was better pro- \ ided for, and nt) soldier e\ er ^M'vC better assur- ance that his itron:otion to olllcc w(n Id be b(4h i 1 the i'nteresi: of the L;-o\ernr.K-nt, antl th.- soldiers u ul.-r his c ):ii n i v.k in the W'ildei'ne.-.-, at Sp:)tl- N\l\ai ia, id the North Ania and L'old Ilaibi )-, iIk- _^isl was <4l\en all iIk" work the\" conltl do. In tlu baUle of the W'ild.er.K'ss the lovs was t\venl\ -nine, and C'lpt. A. 11. I'ackard ::n(.\ Lient.-nanl A. b vSnow wer.- killed. At ^ o'clock a. m., on the m )rn> n;;- of Ma\- iJ'ih. the I'CLiinK'nt m ide its as- si dl ii"p >i the raiiioas 1^1 ).)d\' Ai'^Ie, an.lih' )\ e the eiK na v.r.i] u c k r( ^si : so i. < ! iIk ir wo lis. 1 i t r< t bein;'- pr.)peid\ s ijvp >rl ; 1 the-\- fell back, ar.il in ad- \aiKe ofonr re^idar lir.e, a:ol onl\ a lew r,»ds IViJin the eijiir.s W( rk, threw up ir.lrer.chmer.ts aiul 1 eid I'k" Lro'.v.ul l"o- six ckn: . .\'rain on. the iSlh, :o4 HISTORY OF FOKT FAIRJ-IELI). three sueeessixe ;iss;ui]ts were iiKide upon the eneni\""s work, willi the terrible loss ol" unc hur.- (Ired and sixt\-ti\e men. Ten were killed or.t- rii;ht and eiL;"hteen died ol their wounds, .\mong- t!ie nnniber was Captiin A. K. P. Wallace of Con> p.in\- ]>. The l.isi: e!i.irii;e at vSp jtisxlwrnia, which was on the line oT the ?vIcCook House, was made just one month al'ter the rcL^iment marched or.t of Auo-r.sta to the tane of ''The Ciirl I Left Behind Me." Dr.rinij;- th.at month c\ er or^e ;:e\enth (d' its mcii had fallen in battle. At the North Ann.i the regiment was pressed forward tj the front and assigned a position at t\\2 cxtreni: right of the line, and u hen the order came in the night t;; fall back, it obe\-ed the order like veterans, and was the List to re-ci\)ss the Chcstertield brido^e. At the Xortli Anna, Lieatenant W. O. Tibbctts and I'oy.r men were killed and several v,'o:;nded. On the zd of Jur.e, alter a few hcurs' march, t!";e\' were upon the Cold Harbor battletield, but it was not imtil the micmorable morning of tb.e 'd, thr.t the\- Vvcre ;icti\ el\' engaged. After dri\ ing in the ere- m\"s pickets, a line of battle w;is formed, and com- panic.-. E and G, Captains Ellis and Getchell com^ manding, were ordere.l t) l")rni in skirmish linj c )\ \\-i 1 i" the e itire F-(nt ol" tlu re;-imji;a' li u, and adxance, supported h\ the regiaunL. In this ch: rge tliere were twent\-nine killed and iortv- one wounded, ('apt. jnmes M. ^^'illi.^r.s aral I ie.i- iiisTOKV ()!•' I'oirr IAlRFIi:i.I'. U'liant Charles A. I'^iniiiL^ton wore anionu- the number killed. ();i the Jl'i of June, while intrenehecl near tlu ("old Harbor ballfe-tield. TJcutenant Edwin S. Ro- o-crs of Co. 1^. who had been detailed to eomniar.d (^\,, (^\ — whieh lound itsell" without a eommissior.ed otlieerable lo report lor duty — was in eomniand (A \'\c pi.kel lin- when a fierje attack was made up- on t;u- line, whieli resulted in the line b-einu- l.ro- ken and driven in, and Lieutenant Rouers beini:' wounded and taken prisoner. ("ajU. Kllis with L'o. I-', was ordered to make a counter eharue and re- store and re-establis!i the picket line. In this en- counter, se\ei-al ir.en weie killed and L'apt. L. 11. l*"llis daniierou.sK- wounded. On that da\- ist Lieut. Sb.eahan. who had been diseharued from the ist Maine Cavalry to accept a commission, joined the i-euiment. Serjeant I'er- r\-, however, luul laruely the interests and com- mand ol" tlK- re^inunt upon his hands, and shou.ld ha\e been immediately promoted to the captaincy. It was not until October the 7th that Capt. Kllis was able to rep )rt at the Annapolis hospital. I'p- on his arrixal thei-e. and examination by the snr- o-eon. it was decided that his disability was per- manent, and b\- sjiecial oitlei- of the secretai\- ol w ar, he was discharged from service. Soon alter the ^]2i.\ Maine Re-imcnt was consolidated with the ,^ist. L'ajit. Ke\s oI'L'o. K. .:;_h1. wasoixen commanti of'Co. 2(){i HISTORY OK I'Oll'l' rAIiU-TElJ). IC. ,^isU and as it was s.^\cral months before vac war clc'p;irtmcnt was satisliccl ol" the death of Lier.- tenant Rooers, there vras r.eeess.iril\- a dehi\' lu'lnre Sei"ij,cant Peri-\- o'ot his eomiiiission. Alter the battle oC the 3d ol" jiau'. aiul onl\- six weeks after lea\intion of its men, placed it at the first amon^- th.e \eteran regiments of th.e armw Witli on]\- li\e month.s in lie held it was \iitrall\- wiped out. FCi^-ht eap.- tains and two aetin^- captains had been killeJ.. Its total los.-; in <.|]i:e!\^ killed a.nd m jrtalK' wo.mde.l had I'eajhe.l ninet.'jn; a circum ;Lan.'e unpiralled in war, '1 lie (u st Pei-.nsx K a.nia lost an e(|ual luim- bci'. but its battles be^'an m June, iSSj. and ended in Api-ib iS,')3. \\'ith snch a record ofcarna^e and death, widi such dcNotion to t'ne old iki;^'. with such faithi'ul ser\ ice f(*i" one counti"\' and one thii^'. the ren'iment could well afford to ab.incb)n the tield and rest u-pon ils laurels. But such was not its inii'pose, ajul such is not its record. About two- luir.dred Iresh men were li .'ir.slc rred to its ranks, and it rem nned in tin- lield ur.til th.e cm] of the lllSrOltV 0I< FOHT r.UlU'MELD. 207 war. 'ihc uraiul total of killrtl and woiiiuU'd was six huiulifd and lwc!it\-cii4"lu ; of killed and niortal- 1\' wounded, oni.' hundred antl cin'htv-thrce, and deaths IVoni all causes, three hundred and nine. .\nioni4' tile last in the field, it was in time t > do \aliant sei"\ ice and win iniperi>hable lenown. 20S HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. CHAPTER XXIX. r.lILI)IX(J MILLS. The carl\- sclllcrs were cnc;)iir;iL;cd b\ the lil)- cral p()lie\" of the State, in assistini;- them to seeiii-e homes. Not oiiK' were the State hinds sokl to ae- tiial settlers at hrt\- eeiUs per acre, to he paid in making' roads for their own benefit, but grants f)i' hind were made to .aid in buildiiiL:,' mills loi^ the maniilaetr.re ol" lumber from \\hieh to build them liomes. 'I'he tirst o-rant of land in this to\\n- ship wa.s to I)i:dle\- V. I.eax itt, :ii:d th.e tirst mill, aided b\" the ^I'ant. was commenced Iw Pattee and I'h-isbee, who had bought or.t Mr. l,ea\itt. Mi". I'h-isbee soon sold out his iiitei'cst to Albion I\ lIa\'wood, and the mill was completed and In.si- ness eari-ied on for se\eral \-ears b\' Pattje and 1 1 a \- wood This mill, which sawed onl\ lon^- lumber, was soon supplemented with a iirst-class mill for saw- ing- clapboards, and was located on the preser.t site of Mr. \\'. A. Haines* mills at the lower \illa*j:e. and on the h'it/herbert brook. HisioRY oi" i"()i;r iAiuiii:i.:). 2in) In iN.|4 another ^rant of one llior.saiul acres was nia'Jc to f. W'in^.-itc Ilaincs, upon the condi- tion of biiilclinL;' a sawniill on tlu- lolir.ston br(;ok. r.cai" the Maple (iro\e settlenient. This mill wa-. ercjted on t'le j")icsent site oi" t'.ie i>r\ant mill, east of the Hon. James R. Thurlouiili's ("arm. 'Ihi^ \v;is sjon rollowed h\ a mill at the mouth of tlu- Lo\ e- 1\- brook, {'or sawinLC short lumber, and in which Mr. E. W A\'hitne\" canaed on an extensive busi- ness, I'oi" th(/se times, lor se\ eral \eai"s. C. II. b]llis built a shingle mill on the Johnston brook, about si.\t\" rods bel(;\v the Ilaines sawmill, aid ab )at one mile bjlow, t'ae \\'hiddea mill was bidlt, and c-perated successi\ el\' b\ Osco A. bJlis and John F. Ellis. .Mr. Willi. im A. .Sarapson bought out the shingle mill b'.:ilt b\ L". II. bJlis, and champed it o\er into a ^rist mill, and erected another buildini;- Tor a cardinix machine, and put in steam power. Deacon Hiram Ste^ ens had sold his Maple Cjro\ e larm, aiul ccannienced an(/ther back from t!ie ri\ei- and about two miles from the \ i!laL,e. I'^indin^^ a larL;e ;imoi:nt ol cedar timber on his aiul adjoinini;- land, be put in a stear.i mill and did a i^-ood busi- r.ess manufacturinn" shinules. Deacon I•^■)Ster aiul Mr. Randall bouuht the old Pattee and Hayward mills aiul proceeded t > build a urist mill. Mr. Ran- ilall S(;on died, arc) his son. John II. Randall, took his i-.tcrest i:i t':e ir.ills. .\ Mr. Parixs who had 2IO HISTORY OP^ FOKT FAI R I- I IlLD. run the carciiiiL;- inill for A\\ A. Sampson, l-xjii^lu il and reni(n ccl it to the site ( J" tlic \Miitncy mill, on the Lo\el\' brook. Deacon Foster Jind his son, Lineohi F(.ster, proceeded to Inild a ir.ill on the dani which had been pnt in to b.old \\-ater hjr th.eir mills at the \ illa':^e, wliere the Monson mill n(;\v stands. Deacon Ste\ens sold out his mill proper- ty and bought the beautiful Bishop Ihits, upon t!ie bank of the Aroostook ri\er, anil proceeded to build up his present extensi^•e business at Stexens- ville. The Howe mills, on the north side ol the rixer, were built, a dam was put in on the Johnston brook in the \illa!^-e and a mill erected; and a steam mill at the lower \illa^j;e for sawing sta\es and heading, b\- Mr. ). B. Robbing. On the darn at the Johnston brook there is n(;w a large starch factoi-\-, and the Magi II c:irding ma- chiPiC, aaul doors, s.tairs, and moulding factory. In addition to a com}->lete supply oi' lumber lor the home market, a large amourit of sIkuI lumber has b-een annualh- shipped to t'ne l^oston m;irket. But- ter and cheese factories have been established in the town, but the hirge profits on the potato crops h;i\ e been loo ;itlr;:eti\e to alh.w [\u\ other farn:- ing i^,(lustr^■ a s'j.re footing. l-^u- mar.v \ ears the nuir.ui'Ktuiipig- of split < r sluiNcd shiuLdcs was an importarit l)i:sir.ess, ai:d be I lor tlie fori urilj introduction of t'ne potato industry, llie Icmli'rinLi' bisir.css world stard I'r^l in oi r HON. W. E. PARSONS RESIDENCE. THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. HISIOKV Or I'OK'l" FAlKlli:i.l). 1 I t,)\\n. 'riu' L:rv)\vinL;- tinibcT on t'.u- luM'.lwatcrs ol t!ic I'^itzlicrbcrl Irook will si;p):;Iy loi^s for the Monson mill loi- ;i ^oiH-ralion. ami the I'ryant mill will not St iiul to m inr.l'acturL' the lumber within its reach; t!ie Haines iiiill obtains its supply n'.ost- 1\- from the headwaters of th.e I'ht/.lu'rbei-t brook, wliile the Stj\ ens manul'a Jturini;" eomiviny and the Ilowe mill obtain their sujipl)' ollumbei- Iroiii the waters of the Ar;)()st.)()k ri\er an.d its trilv.;- tai'ies. S'l'Al.".!! IW.'I'OUIKS. Tile mm wlio tirsl inxesied his mone) in a st i-reh faetorx in l'\)rt l'\iirrield was indeed a public ber.e- raet(;r. While il may be true t'nat he only looked to his indi\idual interest, and only tiiouuht oC mak- inn" m;>ne\-, his act haspr.)\cd :)l"almost in.eslimal Ic benefit t.) the town and county. Witlioct the i::- trv)duction of tliis brancli oi' m riui"a:larin;4\ tlie farmers wovdd not iia\ e been w.iri-anted in er,- HMU'in'4 in extensixe p:)tat;) raisinL;", antl w'nilc the six potato factories in tliis town dejK'nd lai-uely up- on snidl a v.l dami^e.l |).)tatjcs. in otlier sectiors of the co-.int,-. and farther iVom ihc railroads, the starch fa-t:-ries have to a l.ir;4er extent entered in- t ) the p >tito raisin;^ industry. '11k- one li-l that llirou.Lih the ^.tarcll fa^toiies, I otaloes (.a.n alvr i\s be rold abo\ e the cost ol pro- d icti,>n, i>Lice.. t'n- f irnices wlvcrj they ca:i sately rai.-e lar-'o. -.rops. .-ir.d by :o doini: be in a ^il^:Ui("A 214 HISTORY OF FOirr FAIRFIELD. to meet ;in\" clcni;ind that the ni.irkct umy make up- on them. In Tact, the stareh industr\' a:ul raisin >; potatoes ior the market b\' tlie Arv):)sI:o:)k farmers, ha\ e eome to be h)oked upon as one industrw The mills, whether to manufacture the timber into boards and shingles or the potatoes into starch, are the ci\ enu.es through which raw material is C(;n\ cited into better condition to be sliipped to the markets ol" the world, and at the same time ^'i^■e additional emphnment lor labor in the h(;me market, and b\' so much increase th.e wealth and prospcritx" ol" the cour.ti'\'. iiisToi-iY oi" i()i;r i'.\iir.d;;r.c"c' s\\ anr.cd the slrcanis whose sparkling' waters were eloseh' studied, as within their limpid depths and rushini;' easeades hi\' ih.eir ehoieiest lood: and thus, lor years, tl-.ese hard\ j-jioneeis h'\ed. h)\ed. I'elled the lorest, tilled the soil ai:d edueated their ehildren in t!ie traditions ol" the past as the\' elustered around tlie open fire oir tlie loni;,- win.ter e\enir,L!,'s. '•Fur Icariiiiio" and tor tll(■^■ sail '''llicy iie\ cr had a \vi>Ii : No scliool to lliciii was woilli a liu;, I''\c('p( a sc-lioi I if lisli."' h^)r man\- \ ears the spjuseK- settled territor\- alon^" the hauiks (A the .Arcc.stcc.k ri\ er, r.(,w tlie "(larden (;! Madne," had Uieither sehools nor sehool- h.ouses; but as new settlers eame to assist in de\ el- ( pin^' the res;)i:rees ol' the Forest, makin^- homes lor themseKes, a desire to edu.eate their ehildre:i beeanie the leading- or.e with n"iar,\- (d' them; and efforts werj made to establish a sehool where tlie \()uths (/f t'ae settlement eoudd u'ain a ru.dimentar\- edueation. Until 1S4S. desultor\- r^ttempts were made to teaeh the ehiklren; now a sehool would be held in some se\ en hv nine shantw and then in moi-e eommodious cjuarters. 'Idie hrst traditional effort to ha\ e a sehool oeeun^ed sometime in the earl\' forties, \\ hen Mrs. Lo\ejo\', wdio had aeeompanied lier husband to this loeaditw tau{ in the limits of the present town: and. soon. tluTc foUowed tb.e i"ed schoolhor.se (-1" local lame, the black schoolhouse at the L'orner. . I'attee. i'dbrid.ue W. Waite .\. S. Richards. W'm. Johnst > n and J. !>. Win--. llere in this rude sti\ijture tlu' children rcjcixed tlieir instructit)n i.i t'.ie elementar\' w.)rk of educa- cition. un.ler th.- care of I'lithful teachers: and IVom its w.dls went foi-tli m:in\- students whose career ciinobled the little, old structure as well as those wlio LiM\ e oT their substance that it mi^ht be a benellt to the lisin^' Li'eneiMtion. l^ut like man\- thinii's that ha\ e outui'own their usefulness, the room that echoeii to the meri"\' \ oices of the chikhen of lon<4' a;j"o. and within which tile eai'nest ti^'avdiei" sii-oxx- to inijtress upon the minds o!" his schol:ii"s wise and sei'io-.is truths. 2l8 HISTORY OF FOirr FAIRFIELD. tlic cUit\- of obedience and a desire for knowledge, lon^" since became the rep;)sit()ry of \'ulgar handi- work, and now stands ajros.^ tlie raih'oad tr.ick eon\ei-led into a tenement: -"Sic transit ^-Joria munch. ' .\t tlie oi-i^-anization oC the township into tlie phmtation called Letter D, the citizens chose Chas. R. l^iul snper\is(n- of schools ; and tliis h.)n;)rab!e position he fdled well and fiithfidiy foi- three ycai-s. and as mone\- was scarce and the j^ople poor, he took for his \aluable ser\ices, one ol' the teachers. Miss Agnes ('. Johnston, who was one of the suc- cessful teachers in those da\s wlien schools were rare and wages low. About 'v'^ the \illage w.is di\ided into two dis- tricts; and the citi/en.s of tlie upper distiact. in conjunction with Isaaj Ilicker, erected a two st()r\- building, the upper flat being owned and used b\- ?vlr. Hacker as a public iidl, while the lower room was litted up lor school pu.rposes. l'^)r scNcral \ears the \ illage schools were taught in these two buildings, the scholars, meanwhile, becoming more numerous as new additions to the place were made b\- people from the western part oi'the state, who became settlers of the town. Soon after the close of the \var, the two districts in the \ illage were unitt'd; the upper district con- \e\ed their sjhorol propcrtx' t ) the town, a!id the lower district sold the old school house to ^[^■. msioKV ():•' i-oiri' lAii^i-ii:!.:). J K) Ts.i i; II i:'';'ji-, w'l ) li 1 1 it ni )\ c \ I > I'l.' f ) >l ul' l-'ort Hill. While niox inn' llu- buiklinLi', llie |ilasLe!"- iiiLi^ was shaken h^om tlic ccilinu", antl other damage clone tliat clenianded sjU'ecK repair, and Mr. Il.ukei- enii"au"ed the ser\ ices of C R. I\rd, a iiij let tlie j^ris- o:'.er escajie. .\m;)ni4the earl\ tji--hei\> whose names will be rcm.-mb.'rc.l b\ th_- older i-esidents. arc found: StacN b^)\\ lei", W'm. 'ihal'ton, Mr. 'i'hompson, C"has. Ilcrrln, Mr. L'arr, Mis. Li/, dc Hcan, Mi>s Ila\- woo.b Miss St ickpole. Miss M. 1 >. Idbbx antl Miss A < '. |o!i!".ston. The unity (;1 the di.^trijts in (;nc, J4:i\ c the pe-»ple a iiplc meai-.s \. j ha. c p.urc ctjmr.udiov.Li (p.uirtcrs t!i:i:i hcret.jforc; and th'j district ]v.:rchr,scd a let ne ir t"ie rcside.ice of Wm. Small; a:":d \\\ k:k)\\~ 2ZO i:ibTUKY OF KCKT J'AIKI lELD. jiuu'tion witli Eiistcrn P^roiiticr LocIl^'c, Xo. 112, 1*\ c\; A. M., erected a laiye Iv.iiklia^- \\)V tliattinie; the Masoiis occiipxin^' tlie third ll():>r for lodi^i'e par- poses, and the other t\v.) bein^- used lor sjliools. Here was held tor se\eral \ears a t litioa hi^h seliool; t'ae people feeling" t'aat a hiLi'Iver L;rade would enable them to ajhie\e I'ar better re rails tlian the ordinar\' ecKiinion schools, as h\ the laws of the State, cerLiin studies eoald not be taui^'ht, \\hieh were of inrportance to tho:.- wlio desii-ed to become teachers. The tuition h:'_>-h scliools wei^e taught by V. \\ . Smitli, Miss V. \i. Ilinekly, Miss r:. F. Ilinekly, Miss A. E. Snrdl, Mis. M."c. Call and Miss II. L". Rin^-. AVhile tlie \illaii,'e and two or tliree oatKin;;- dis- tricts were lairh' well supplied with school houses, a lari^'e number ol" the districts ha.l none at all, or il'iU'.N", so po( r v.n apoloLN' for a h( use that sjh;)ols ecadd be kep.t in them oid\- in the sanvner. In iSyO, e\"en, althouu,-!! the town eont line.l eii;"ht hun- dred and eii^-ht scholars, and numlvcre.l twenty di.->- triets, it is not surprisin^", raidei" the old district s\-stem, to read the followinlishin- the 'di- trict svstem; but wh) will abulish itr The vo- ters in each town hive the p .wer, but in our rural towns have ivt the inclination. 1 do not think that Ine inlelli.ii-ent men. after a earclul ex- amination. cnu\d be round who would abolish the disli'ict system. Shadi- of .K|);iiU-, the schools ,,1 the town were under the ir.strr.ction el" Misses S. 1. Waite, Mar\ ^'ummin,->, M. A. Ketchum. 1.. l-:."sterlino-. .\. S. Small. O. A. Currier. M. l-- Hyde. 1.. A. l^ilnam. 1. P. llaine> and scxeral (.liier. of u hom the supervisor.. \n ere pleased to say that Ihev labored earnestly and well I'.^r tlie pupds under their care, handicapped a^ they were by a lack ol" proper apparatus. Tlie seNcral trrm- of tuiti(.n hi-h school ha-l ^-4 HISTORY OF rOKT FAIR I-IELD. Liixcn the people a chanee to learn of tlieir \alr.e; and the State ha^ inL;- passed a hiw , a.ppropriatin;;- fands to towns that wanild I'aise nionex' lorthesr.p- port ol (Vee hi'^'h sjhools, this town was not lar behind in a\ailinL;- itsjlf of the a-l\ant.i;;'e whieh this I'mul afforded, and in t'ne sjhool report ol" i.Sy:>, the saper\ isor appeals to the \ oters ol the town to a\ail t!iern;sel\es of this henihcj'.t boon in t'ne I'ollowinL;-: •■l'\)r se\ e!'al xears our hi^'h school h;is been de- pendent on tuition for s:;pport; bi:t, thrcnigh the liberal it\- ol" the le'iislatui'e, we nriy now make its blessings i'wv to all our Nor.th. \\\ i-aisifi^- this r.md we rejelxe as much from the State t.) defray the expense ol" instruction. a;id make it a //re r.s well :is a //iif/i s.diool. Let r.s by or.r \otcs open t!ie a\"enr.es to science so that ouryont'n maycoHiC without mone\- and witliont pi^ice tj sliarc its bles- sinus." :\t tlie annual t:;wn meeting- of i-Sj^, the tjwn \(;tedi t ) raise $i^() for the sr.pp( rt of a free hiiih school. Tiie tnition schocd became a tliinii' (A' the past. Net its ^cxjd work li\ ed a'.ul shone forth in the enero-y of those teachers who had tlierc recei\ed their instruction : and the mjmoi-\- of th(.se i'ait'n- iul instructors whj labored for tlieir p-upils will I'siniain a golden halo in the breasts of their schol- ars till time draws tlicir mantle about t'lcm and tlicv lie d<.^^•n to pleasant dreaiF-s, jn>T(Jl_iluni ire of educatitvial pi"OLi'ress hunti" hea\il\ uj">on the mintls olthe ]H"ople, and xcl \al- iant efforts weie made b\ the faithful fiienc's to tlispel the dark cloud tliat for \ears had Iiuul;- black 226 HISTORY OF FOirr FAIRFIELD. and lowering- above tlic cduciitional horizon in the hateful i^aiise of the ''district s\stem." As late as 1N75, the balelid effects of this octopus is ]">or- trayed in the report ol' the supervisor: and all the friends of the old district s\-stem should read the same. "Fourteen hundred dollars due Irom the town to schools unexpended: and ()id\- ,v/.v decent school- houses in town. '*Xo maps, no globes, dictionaries, charts or blackboards oi" an\- importance in an\' district in the town." And in the matter of teachers and ai;ents the i-eport reads : "It seems to me the super\isor should ha\"e the whole control of hiring teachers, instead of di\iding that responsibilit\- witli twentv- two agents who stand upon middle ground between the super\isor and the teachers. In man\' cases the actions of the agent sa\- to the super\isor. "^^)U would not certificate the teacher I hired and 1 w ill not hire the teacher \ ou certiticate." In the matter ol' schoolhouses the repoi't truth- i'ulh' sa\ s : "'I'he other sixteen buildings ai"e cold, cheerless pc/?s. unfit for a human being to tenaiit. Poor seats, and often none, unless a phink, poor floors, in fact, pnor in e\er\- respect, and the onl\- cause ol wonderment is, that tcacliers can teach, and scholars can stud\- as well as the\- do, in them. W^Iktc do.'s the resp:)nsibilit\- lie? Let the town iiisi'om oi- I'oR 1 I'AiK iii:i.i), 22y abolish the district s^■stcm. take possession of the school i-)r()pert\'. ha\ e- at its tlisposal. in addition to tlie sum now raised, piwisidx" thi' am )anl the dis- tiicts exi^eiul Idi" new schoolhoiises aiul I'cpairs, and in a comparati\el\- sliort time all t!ie school- houses can be made i^ood, or new one,-^ built wher- I'N e'l" needetl; and. uraduallw maps, globes, black- boards, dictionai'ies and such necessarv appliances will make their appea.rance. ' Alter reading" the abo\e it is i-elrcshinii- to the laithl'ul. earnest friends of education to look o\ er the town in this \ear. iSc)^. antl behold what haxoc the hand of time has made with the district s\stem and what beai.tifid lesults ha\e followed its aboli- tion. The schools of the xillai^'c are i\'all\ examples of the pronress made throu^hou.t th.e town: aiul hence these schools w ill loian the nucleus of tlu- ]")resent histoi-\ . The fall teim of free hi^h school was under the manau'cmcnt ol' Lhailes k. Ilawes. a uraduate of r)owcloin. assisteil In kraid^ 1'. ()rcult: ihc spring' term by I'-. J. Pratt wilh R. Ik Iniiais as assistant. Anions the teachers of the town ma\ be Ibuiul Misses C'ariie Richards. Nellie K. Thurlouuh. lam- ina Slocomb, Mattic J. kindlen. Lillie Hopkins. Rosr ThurloULih. Sadie T. llo\ t. Rom' I lali\ . Kate llale\. Tressa i'^indlen. f^-ankiL' j-'ai-rcl and klor- incc Ik Rollins. ^2cS HISTORY OF FOirr FAIRFljbLD. The report of 1877 sliows that the earnest work of the eilueators had pr.):laje:l ^'o;):! results, and an entering- wedgv had be^^n placed, which, if prop- erly propelled. w,)iild he ol lasting- benefit to the schools. The report states: '-Uv vote of the town the hiring- of teachers was transferred to the sii- per\is()r." And in reu;ard to school houses, — "'We have on]\- h\e schoolhouscs saitable for \\inter schools. In eiii'ht there ha\ c been no wintci" schoals on account of t'acir unhinc^s; t'ais state of things ought not to be, bat who is able to point out a remed\" r" The abo\e statement sounds strange to the stu- dent of to-da\- when he recalls that, in i''^73. the \ ablation ol'thetown was one half a million dollars, a population ol" about two thousand live hundred, some one thousand scholars, and a school fund ol $4,125, and as late as the annual meeting in >rareh, 1877, ,^1,458 (^1 the school lund remained unex- pended, ibr lack of proper school facilities. In 1876, the free high school was taught b\" K. J, Pratt, Miss L. A. Putnam assisting: and in the spring by Miss M.L'. Hunter, assisted by V. P. Oreutt. These schools were well attended, and good results Ibllowed. The teachers were com- petent, experienced and ambitious. In 1877, one new school house was built in the Powers district, and the super\ isor hails with joy this awakening ol'the people to their wants in his report. IlI.s■l■<)K^ OF i-()i;r iairfii:i.1). 229 "Witli one l.iiKlabk' exception, the sehoolliouses :\w in the s.inie contlilio:! a ^ at the close ol' last \ ear. l)istricl Xo. (\ has within the \ ear, coni- ]>leted an elenant schoolhonse, which stands as a monument t > tne liberahiN and educational standing' of the district, which has so hea\ il\ taxed itscll' for this much needed institution, and as a reproach t;) other districts, equalK' able to do in proportion to theii" \aluation, what this disti"ict lias so nobl\ doiie. it ma\ well be hoped that the erection of this new schoolhousc. now the be>t in town, ma\' excite an h.or.orable spiiit d" emulation in other districts, i'or wit'.i:)'.it comfortable houses, i^-ood and protitable scliools are an impossibilitx . 'I'hc citizens of this district were, i'.uleed. pi'outl ol' their effoiis: anil when the Innkun*^' waN com- pleted, arraniicd to ha\e il app/ropriatch' dedicated t;) tlie.cav.se (d' educaticMi: ai'.d the committee (d' arian^ements in\ited X. 11. Martin, principal (d' the hi^h sciiord, to de!i\er the tiedication speech, w diich he did from the text, •'And it wa^ in t'ne heart oT DaN id to build an hoi;.se t.> t'.ie >!<.sl lli^h Ciod." HISTORY OF FOKT FAIRFIELD. CHAPTER XXXI. SLiioo!,,'-; oi^ For T i\\irfi;:li) — l'omi.m icd. Tlic T^rcc lli^h School in the fall of 1S77 \\;is under the instinietion oC X. II. Mai"tin, I). vS., as ]^rinei]ial, assisted hv R. B. I)Uit,s. l). L'. L., both ^radi'.ates (,!' the Maine State CoIlei;e oi' A^rieii!- tin"e arid Meehar.ie Arts. Of this seliool the supeiA isor. X. I'A'ssenden, sa\ s in liis re]:)()rt: "One oftlie best, if not the best, i'ree hii^'h seliool which we lia\c' e\er had, in all vc- spects jushi'NinLi' the reputation of the teachers and the wisdom of the expenditure ol' tlie towni mone\' for Tree hi'^-h schools." The le^islati:re ol' 1S80, osten.sibh- tj curtail State e.\}")enses, s".:spended the act donatiuLi' lands lor the Tree hif^'h sjhools; and the supcr\isor, Mr, IMartin, has this to sa\' of the auction: ''In suspendini;- the act relatini;- to free Id di schools, th.e IcL^islature lias dor.e a i^ross inju.stice to our countr\' teachers, wh.ose limited meaiis will not enable t'icm to go awa^' from home to prepare tliemseh es to teach." Al.AioN >. i IIJSI7)RV OF FOI.'T FAIRFIKLI). boil/'- Nearly evciT one is supplied with wall maps, charts, blackboards, dictionaries, books oT reference, impro\ed seats and desks and commod- ious out-buildings. The value of school propert\- is estimated to be $1,200, number of scholars one thousand one hundred and se\ent\-, and a school fund of v$5.229, — a showing in which an\' town may well feel just pride, and which places this town among the foremost in the State. From i- date the needs of the increasinn- number of scholars. The sehoolhouse was completed in season to have the fall term taught therein, and the same was conducted hv Chas. A. A\^ishburn. with Miss M\rtle L. Ketchum assistant, The sehool building', both in dcsiii,'n of architec- ture and workmanship, rcllect very little credit to eithei" the town oi" parties interested in its erection, and show.s j-)lainl\- that it is the dut\- of the town, when larLie sums of mone\" are to be expended, to see that men aie chosen to superintend the e\- jUMKlitures that h:ne some knowledn'c ol' the busi- ness. The te.tehers at this peiiod compiised Misses Alice Whilnex. Isa V.. II;ii\e\. M\ille L. Ketchum. Alice Ilalew Jane lialew Annie ). l>ishop. l-Hor.! K.ickliri'. >'ir."!l. W. Tr.iftcn. L'. L'. 1 l.irvey. M. N. 1 )ie\\ . etc. Al'lei' the expir.Uion of the sjirinu' term of iSSS, Mr. W'm. L. Poweis was enii'aiied as jiiincipal ol the hiuh --ehool. with Miss Kate W'inslow ;i^ as^^ist- 2T^S HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. .'lilt; and in 1891 the first class <^Taclaated, consist- ing' of ttic lollowini;,": Misses Lulu M. Condon, flattie E. Hopkins, Cordie M. Kino-. Mr. I). Mc- Pherson Ilanew jerre II. Libbv and Sterling Fes- senden. Of the under<2,raduates there were eiii'htv- nine in attendance, with ten ]')u]")ils in tlie lirst class. Dr. A. D. SawNcr had charo-e of the schools of the town as supervisor, and marked proii;ress was made in all departments ol'school work tlirouiihout the town. The hii;h school, under the manaii'C- ment of Mr. Powers, a teacher ofexceptional qu;.d- ihcation, with a corps of able assistants, made exen better pro^-ress than the most saniiaiine had ex- pected, and placed the school amon<.>; the foremost of its kind in the State. The town Noted in 1891 to purchase text books lor the use of scholars, which addctl largeb' to the ii,"rand results achie\ed hv the teachers and super- visors. At the present v>riting. II. F. Kallock has ciiarii;e of the hioh school, with r^lisses M. F. Merrill and Flora Rackliff as assistants; and under his able manag-ement the school is still held up to the stan- dard of excellence that it has maintained for the past years, and the teachers i'ulh' sustain the en\ i- able record ol their predecessors, under the care of II. \\\ 'i'rafton, the present superxisor. To sum up: from a feeble beginnina, with few scholars, scant means and more ii>norance, the IIISTOKV OF FOIIT rAIRFIi:!.!). ^.^9 schools of the town h:nc risen from tlic lou' cabin to tlic pretentions editice which adorns the pau'c ol" this book. All praise to tliose who were zealous in the work and instrumental in brinaton ; com- munion service b\ Rr\ . Me-ssrs. Sa\age and Mer- rill; benediction b\ Rc\ . ). (1. Merrill." It is e.xceedingh- interesting to read the doings of that little compan\- ol" disciples, as there, in the 244 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. kiichen of that rude domicle, in the midst of the ''forest primeval," the}' reverently and solemnly laid the foundation of this church and consecrated it to Almighty God. I cannot forbear inserting here the following extract from the sermon of Rev. Stac}- Fowler, preached at the dedication of the first house of worship at Fort Fairheld village in 1874. Rev. Stac}' Fowler was the son of Deacon Edward S. Fowler, in whose house thirty years before the church had been organized, and was at the time a 3'oung lad. After referring to the "change and progress of thirt}- years," as also to the fact that "other hands hold the plough and other brains throb with the living issues of the times,'' — the preacher said: "But there are other and more cherished mem- ories. The organization of this church in the cab- in of my earl}- home at Maple Grove, thirt}' years ago the 8th of next October, is one of the sweetest and most inspiring memories of my life. "As if in benediction, the magniticant birch- es and maples of that primitive forest stretched their autumn crowned arms over the cabin and over the council. As if acting the part of a church spire, an evergreen spruce lifted its emerald tip a hundred and twent}- feet into the skv. "In the night the council beheld the stars shin- ing through the roof of the rude dcmicle. Miiy we not believe that those stars s\ mbolized the eves HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. 245 of God who looked down approvinol}' upon their doini^sr A}-, were they not prophetic, too, of that benign Providence who has been the guiding star — the pilhir of cloud and of fire — to this handful of disciples in all their 3ears of feebleness and toil? Only five believers gathered through the assiduity of Father Merrill, whom Dr. Gillett, then secreta- ry of the Maine Missionary Societ}-, sent hither to find any scattered sheep of our Israel in this wil- derness — only five, three males and two females, then were the germinated life of this church. Fa- ther Merrill has just gone in a ripe old age to his reward. But the church which he was instrumen- tal in planting still lives, and will continue to live to bless the communitw ''Verily God has blessed you. His banner over you has been, and is, love. He who began to plant 3'ou has made you full of growing." It is impossible for us to realize the dilTiculties and hardships which those early missionaries had to encounter, as following the courses of the streams or the ''spotted lines" through the unbrok- en forests, thev went from place to place in their eagerness to break the "bread ol" life" to the lani- ishing people. Trulv the}' "rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.'' Founded in weakness, holding their meetings from house to house, without regular or stated preaching, depending upon an occasional visit from 246 HISTORY OF FOET FAIRFIELD. Father Merrill or some other missionary laboring in this wild, uncultivated held, — it is little wonder that their growth should have been slow, and that at the close of the first quarter of a century of its ex- istence the little church numbered scarcely nvTHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The soldiers had barely taken possession of the disputed territory, before the itinerant minister was upon the oround. The Rev. John G. Pingree of the Methodist Episeopal Cluireh, eame by the way of the upper Aroostook road, in the summer ol 1839, and his mission or eircuit, extended from M.xs.ardis to the boundary line. Vpoa his arrival at the Fort he was kindly reeeived by the offieers, and liberally paid. A home was provided for him at Mr. Nathan Johnston's. Mrs. Johnston was a devout :^Ieth()d'ist, holdin<,r her membership in Frederiekton, X. B. He eontinued to visit the Fort and preaeh to the people throui^di the year. The Ibllowintx letter reeeived by Dr. I>arker, the present pastor ol" the churcii, will -'ive an idea of the lifelong- interest ofa laithful "circuit preaeh- er'' in the field he has occupied; containing as it docs, incidents of interest from life in those early davs : 250 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. '"Dundee, III, July 24, 1893. ''Dear Brolhcr:— It is true that I am not acquainted with you per- sonally, but I almost claim acquaintance from the fact that I am a Methodist preacher, though a su- perannuate of the Wisconsin conference, and that ^'ou now occupy the same field that 1 broke up in 1839-40. For some incidents and illustrations of ni}- work see ''Maine Methodism, "(E;\st Maine) pp. 68-99. I will sav some things additional, and hope to recei\e a letter from you giving a description of how things are now. I suppose that I am the only living minister that occupied that mission ground in those earh' times. "I presume that few are now li\ing at the Fort who knew me o\er fifty s'ears ao'o. Should there be an\', I would be glad to have a letter from them. "In August, 1839, ^ niade my way by water from No. 10 (Masardis) to the Fort, called on the cap- tain, introduced nnself as a Methodist mis- sionar\', and was kindly received and invited to preach in the Fort the following Sabbath; and knowing the condition of the settlement, he wisely selected me a boarding place during my short stay in the place. I preached to the soldiers, and at the .dose of the meeting, the captain invited me to stop and preach luiother Sabbath, which I did, and earl}- Monday morning the quartermarster came to my HON. HENRY O. PERRY. HISroKV OF 1-C)K 1 lAIl'JMi:!-!). -5.^ loclirinLi's and presented me with Aioas a present Ironi the olheers and soldiers. 1 was \ er\ iihid of this board arranL^enient. as there were lew laniiliL'S where il would be eon- \ enient l\)i' me to lod^e, and tiien it n"a\ e me a i^'ood ()pj)orlunit\ to \ isit all the families in the ]")lace, and to asjerlain the true eondition of the people. I staveil at Mr. and Mrs. Xathan ](jhn- ston's, residing- about half a mile down the ri\er iVom tlie l'^)rL. M\- hostess was a hiLi'hU' eultureil lad\' ofSjoteh de-^jent, a u,'ood ^Iethodist. holdinn' her m.-mbershin in I*"redeiiekton, N. !>. 1 think the\' had no ehildren, if so the l'amil\' has probab- 1\" beeome extinet, but if an\- olthe famil\' are li\- inn" and remember mj, hcjpj the\' will write n\j. "\ lelt that under the cireumstances I could not do much for the place, thouiih I ):)ieaehed there occasion:dI\' and did what I could. Aside iVom the soldiers there were no .Vmericans in the place, but all from the Pro\ince, the most ol" whom I could not reach. "Now I would like to know what bcc.ime ol' these old settlers? Did the\' become American- ized, or did the\' move awa\"r Is the chief settle- ment around the old I'ort ' Where is our church and i">.ir.-«onaL;"e located? 1 can hartllv thiid< ol the place only as 1 saw it more than i"ift\- years ago. O. how glad 1 would be to ^■isit the old Aroostook mi-sion pro\inci before I die. nnd see witli m\-cwn 254 HISTORY OF FOKT FAIRFIELD. eyes what God has wrought! But this can never be, for I am more than eight\- ^■cars old, partially blind, \cvy feeble, and patiently v/aiting for the Master, but all is well. "Ma}' I not expect a letter from n'ou in answer to this? Sometimes I almost t'ancv nnself work- ing with might and main hu'ing the foundation of Methodism in that interesting tield. Good b}e. Yours trulw J. G. PlXGREE." We are dependent upon such information as Dr. Barker has been able to obtain from the oldest members of the church, as the church re-;{)rds are \cvv meagre, and of little use in making up history. The Rev. Mr. Hatch put in an appearance, pos- sibly on horseback, probablv on foot. It was the custom in those days for ministers to make long journe\"s, \ isiting from hoise to house. The hos- pitalit\- was open handed; in many a lo >' lu is^» there was a prophets chamber — ^^possibly up under the roof a little nearer the star w-)rld t:i,t i down below. r^ike Lorenzo Dow, the'\' cam2 from nowhere, left word aroun \ that there woul \ be prea :'ii v •, — it jNIr. Nathan |ohns'on\> th.it .ve ing; it w s noise 1 about, and a houscl'ul of earnest listeners greeted the preacher. Rev. Mr. Hatch's circiit extended as I'ar as Ashland, with appoifttme.its at Caribo i and Salmon Brook, and we t'^.ink ;it other | L.ces. IIISTORV OF FOlrr rAIRFILLi). 2^^:^ In 1842 and 43, Ephraim II. Whitney, whose fa- ther liad located in this township, made iiis home at his father's, but hd'jored prineipally in Prescp.ie Isle. Re\ . Alphonso Rogers was that year ap- ]-)()inted to the >:Vroostook mission, and the follow- ing }ear men ed his family to Letter D, and he be- came the first settled minister, and received a grant of a lot of land from t'le State, bv reason of that iaet. Brother Rogers remained upon his larni for sexeral \ears, and though appointments were made to the mission, he aKva\s found work, and was in demand for weddings, funerals, and to supply when the appointed minister failed to put in an appear- ance. In 1845. Rc\ . True Page .Vdams was appointed to the circuit, lie was a dexoted. fiithful minis- ter, and being a \()ung man was able to exert a strong inlluence, alwa\s for good, o\'er the \(/ung people, while he was greath beloved In the older members of the church. lie did a good work for the church and societw and his name was \~'\^'J:, held in remembrance. Brother Adams was followed b\- Re\". Ik-njamin Lufkin. who was noted for his dexout pietv, devo- tion to itinerant work, and for his oddities and ex- treme awkwardness. Stoi')ping o\ er night with an inlluential Methodist famil\, in the nior.iing the j'ood man of the Ikuisc showed Hro. Lufkin his stock, antl iIkii matle his wa\' to the log hor.so :;6 HISTORY OF FOlIT FAIRFIELD. where he had some very fine porkers. After tak- ino- a look at them, he turned to his host and said: "Bro. L — , do \(>u think you are grow- ing in ii'race as fast as that ho^- is in si/er" With a long drawn sioh, Bro. L — replied, ''I fear I am not,'' to whieh Bro. Lufkin replied. "Bro. L — . 1 should he ashamed to be ()iitd;)ne by a hoi;-! ' It was with sueh home thrusts that the ii;ood man mo\ed a; 'ono- the people, with words ol truth arousini;- the indifferent, stirrini;" up the lukewarm, and brin^'Uii' jo\' and gladness to the bjlieNini:,- heart. I lis personal appearance was decidedly ai^viinst him. lie was six feet four inches in his stocking's; his speech was \er\- abrupt, and first impressions were alwaNS against him, but he made earnest and de\()ted friends of old and young. He was the greatest revi\alist that \ isited the Aroostook in those da\s. lie spent two u.seful years upon the .\roostook mission, .Vfter lea\ing the Aroostook, he went to tb.e western part of the State, where he married a wife much like himself in peisonal appearance and de- votion to the ?\Iaster's work. lie was a faithl'ul and respected member of the Maine conference of the r^Iethodist Episcopal Church. He hnished his work, and was called up higher se\eral years ago. Kendrick A. Meser\ y spent one or two years upon the circuit. He came in the tirst \ears ol his HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. 257 niinistrw and liacl hut little experience, but he pr()\ eel a raithfuh dexoted pastor, and chd Li'ood work I'or the Master. At the bi-eakiuLi' out ol' the war, he offered his ser\iees as eliaphnn of the loth ?^Iaine Regiment, and was elected, lie pro\ed a faithlul, de\'oted chaplain, and hv precept and example did all he could to lead the soldiers to prepare for their duty to their country and their (jod. AXHien death came it lound him with his 'jomrades at the Soldiei-s" Home, near AuMr. Levi Iloyt. The mission was sueeessfully and faithfully ser\ed by Bros. wSoule, Hartford, Iluekins, and in the absence oi' a regular Methodist supply, Re^■. Bro. Pitcher, a Christian minister, preached to them with great acceptabilitw ]>ros. Wm. P. Ray, Tree- win and Whitnev were appointed to the c.iarge. In iSSo, the presiding elder in his report to eon- jerence, said, "at Fort Fairheld a church enterprise has been inaugurated. The building is begun, but not far advanced. It is a promising tield and at an important poir't, and we earnestlv hope the church will be built."' The next year in his report he . said, "the church at Fort f^airheld is being pushed toward completion. It will be an attraeti\e church when done; it is wisel\- located and will be a strong point for Methodism in the Aroostook valley. ' In conclusion we gi\e the following hist(jrical reflections from the ]-)resent pastor. '•'"Well! it was completed, and its white tower and its spire is a landmark, as the weary traveler croxN'us the side hills and descends intotlie Aallc}-, or glancing Irom the car window, taking advantage HISTORY OF FOUT FAIRFIELD. 259 of a curve, as one approaches by tram. Us bell rinos out -ood cheer for all who come to its ser- vices: like every church, deaths and removals have done their work ol' decimation. But xve are satished that il" she is true to her past antecedents, she will not in any wise compromise with sin. U upon the bells of" th.> aNcragc Aroostojk farmer's horses, you can in future days spell out the old pro- phetic utterance— 'Holiness to the Lord,' we are sure that the Methodist Episcopal Church will stand firm-rrownin- upon all shams, and makin- herself I'elt as a power a--ainst rum and narcotics; true to (lod, and oppc.sinu- all time servino- policy. She will he an openino- gateway for the future o-caerations iat ) G.)d's beautie.d Heavenly home."' " Followin- 1V-... Avkr. .n came Hro. Skinner, ^v!l0 remained on the char-e three years. Brother Price followed. He it was that conceived the idea of havino- the present parsonajj,e rooms llnished be- neath the audien.e room of the chi rch, so that, as our present .genial presidin.-- elder sa\ s,— '"'1 he pas- tor and family lilerally 'dwell in the lua-a- ..T tl-.e Lord forever.'" r , 1 ^ Honorable mention mist be made ot the late pastors wh') labored faithfi llv in this iield,— 1 ros. Withee, Luce and Bass, and in c](-sin!«- this chap- ter of our histjrv, we hail with kindly -reetin-s all who are laborino- to establish truth and ri.uhteous- iio.ss in our midit, and with the old apostle at Apn I'oreaii, "thank Cnn\ and take coura-e. 26o HISTORY OF FOllT FAIRFIELD. CHAPTER XXXIV. C- III" R I' 1 1 1':S COXTI XL' FD. TIIF J^PlSCOPAf, CHI RCH. In the \c;ir I'Soj the Rc\ crcnd l)i-. llciirx .\. Ncclv. of New York city. Avas ccr. sec rated bishop of Maine to succeed the Rij^ht Reverend George Burgess, who h.ad died during the \ear previous. The new bishop establislied his residence ai Port- land, and entered at once zealoiish- upon liis work. Upon a liastv survey of his diocese, he was struck with the evidences of rapid growth and future prosperity of Aroostook count\', and he deter- mined to make an effort to plant the church there wlien {)pportunit\- should present itself, ^Iv. Wn^. II. Washburn, a retired sea captain, — having been attached to the chu.rch, first by her beautiful lit- urg\' — at th.is juncture, applied to Bishop Ncely, and announced his desire to enter the ministry cf the Episcopal Church.. .\s soon as Mr. W;ish- burn had complied with the canons governing such case?, he v/as admitted a candidate for hoi}* orders, and sent to Aroostook. HON. W E. PARSONS. HISTORY OF FOK T iAlRili:LU. 263 Lcaviii- l):in,--()rlK' tlro\ c north, aiul \ i^ilccl ^c\- eral Aroostook towns, and rctnriK-cl, rcportin.-- the rc.>ak (»riiis trip to his diocesan. A second trip was m:idc. the bishop aecoinpanyin,^ him. and ser- vices were lie Id at Ashhmd and some other point>. At one <>t these services the bishop made the acquaintance ol Mr. Isaac Hacker, by whom he was uro-cd to visit Fort Fairfield, and h
the sin.uin.u" school, which was tau-ht bv Deacon Small, and there enlisted a choir I'or the occasion. There was some hesitation in "lindini;- places." but all considered, that v/as a verv beany service. Requests were made at all points for Ve--ular ministrations, but ihc resources of the bishop were so limited that he wa:. unabde to maintain more than one missionary in the re- ..ion. Mr. Wasliburn was therefore stationed here, and churches at Presquc Isle, Ashland and Fort Fairfield, and the commodious rectory at the last named place, are the material evidence of his zeal. Mr. Washburn entered upon his labors at once, and missions were or-anized at Ashland first, then at Vovt Fairtield. Tii. da- of the latter was April 21st, and the ofliccrs firr. appjintcd wei-e |. B. Trafron, v.-ardc:^: J. F. Ha:kc:-, trca:urcr; C 264 IIISTORV or FORT FAIRFIELD. C. Pattee, parish clerk. Mr. Washburn hiborcd assiduoiislv, ministering to the needs of his scattered ]5eople, maintaining ser\ ices at remote stations, travelling hundix'ds of miles in search of funds to press forward the eliiirch property, and at tlie same time pursning his theological studies. ?\Ir. Wasliburn lab:)red Iutc until tlrj spring of 1^77-, during which time lie records 'three hun.dred and twenty-f )iir baptisms, one hundred and twenty-two confirmations, twenty-four marriages and sixty-fi\e burials. The aggregate \aliie of the ehm-ch prop- ert\- which he left be.iind him was ^15.000, Such a record speaks volumes for his /eal and futhful- ness. Mr. Washburn left scores of frier ds, but no enemies. Of course there v/ere those who dis- agreed with him in belief and methods, and thev sometimes took pains to have it known. Ma:n' (^f our readers will remember the cognomen applied to St. }-*aurs Church during its ]')rocess of erection, lis variation from the st\le of architecture rs^al for schoolhoiisc and meeting liov.ses, earned for it the title of "W^ishbui-n's sir.okeliouse." llvA these tilings were not serious, and as before remarked, tlie Re\'. Mr. W^ashburn is remembered witli re- spect and affection hv his friends. Tlvj ye irs of his minisLr\- were t'lj s innies'. i.i the histor}- of St. laud's mission. Members (,f \ririoi.s religious bodies who h.ad hearti^^• co-operated wit'i the people of St. Paufs, which r.:.:\: r,d ed t]e e:.!v HISTORY OF FOirr FAIRFIELD. 265 rc--al:ir services in the villa-v, h:i'-l of course with- drawn when ni;)ve:-nents tj establish their own communions were made. The members thus re- duced became disheartened by frequent chano-es in their pastoral oNcrsi^ht, with often lon^- inter\;ds durin-- which tlie church was closed, and no ser- vices held. The successors of Mr. Washburn have been as follows: Rev. R. :M. Edwards, who came to Fort Fairheld in March, 1S77; Rev. Hudson Sawyer came in 1S79; Re\. V. II. Rowse came in the summer of iS8^; Re\. W. A. Swan in the autumn of 18S9; Rev. I-. M. Wilkins in tS()0. and Re\ . (^eo. Bruce Nicholson, 1S92. Occasional services have been held durin^- in- tervals of vacancy by other clero-ymen and lay readers, but those named above are the only ones whose ministrations are recorded on the parish register. One after another they have succeeded to'^the oirice left vacant by Mr. Washburn's remov- al, but none have ever yet hlled his jilace. Next to him. Mr. Sawver has done as nr.-.ch lor the wel- fare of ihe mission as any missionary who has had charge. He was not oid\- a dcAoted pari>h priest. but he was respected as a citi/en, and entrusted with town business of importance. As supervisor of schools, he is said to ha\ e done more to increase the ethciencv of th.e schools of Fort Fairticld than 266 III?TORY OF FOrr FAIRFIELD. any man who had ever licld tliat post before liim. During liis incumbency here he buiit cliureh- es at Limestone and \^an Buren, and be^^'an one at Caribou. Going from here to Iloulton, he erected a beautiful church and rectory. lie is still main- taining liis reputation as a builder, a recent report stating that six new churches were either in \arious stages of completion or else just consccratetl. and all due to his energy. '^riie Episcopal Church in h^ort Fairticld, as else- where in ^NFainc, holds its own with difficulty. The deep inhici-itcd prejudice which has long since died out in otlier sections of the country, is as strong in Maine to-dav as c\er. In the face of that preju- dice, with irregularity in services owing to the need that ministers should have the care of from two to six stations, growth is not to be expected. A faithful attempt to pro^•ide the ser\ices and sa- craments to those who are entitled to them, is the most tiiat ma\- be accomplished. This Bishop Neel\- has Caithfulh- tried to do for upv/ards cA' twentN--h\e \ears, at a great personal effort and expense. The present othcers of St. Paul's Church are, — Rev, George Bruce Nicholson, missionary- priest; Mr. II. AA^. Trafton. warden: Tvlrs. J. C. Rackliff, treasurer; Wr. C. I.. Richards, parish clerk. HISTORY OF rORT FAIRFIELD. iG-j CIIAPTKR XXXV. cm iuiii:s — Lox'rrxLici'). 'iiiF, rRi:i: i'.api'ist cnrncii. .Vnionii- the carl\- settlers who made their liomcs in tliis townsliip, there were quite a number who were members oftlie Free T-)aptist C'liurch. but it was not until some time in the tll'ties tliat tliey were org-ani/ed into a ehuix'h. h^rom tlie first, this eliureh lias been earnest in its de\"otion to the Master, and has had within its fold a faithful and pious membership, The faithful and devoted pas- tors, who ha\ e ministered to the sjiiritual wants of the people, so far as we ha\ e been able to learn theii' names, are the l^e\ . Messrs. Purinnton, Carr, Park, Kinr.e\-, Parsons, Winslow, and the present pastor, Re\ . (leorire K. Knceland. About 1^75, Mr. j-'rederiek I'>llis. who was a member ol this communion, was chosen deacon, and laithlully served the church, until his death in 1 Sc)(x ?^Ir. LaForest Towle. who has been church clerk al- most from the lirst. was chosen deacon soon aiter Deacon FJlis* death, and at the j^resent time tills 268 lIISTOkY OF FOl'.T rAlRFlELD. both of these important offices in the chnrch. This church has constantl\- made its power felt in the community: it h.iis attracted true believers to its membership, and the young and thoughtless to its meetings. Death and removals have been at work to reduce its membership, but hv profession of faith and hv letter, others have come to fill their places, and the work of the Master has been ;id- vanccd by their devotion imd raitlil'id li\ ing. Its position in regard to all moral a.nd social cjuestiors will bear the vScriptnral test. HISTORY OV TOUT lAIKFIELD. 269 ClIAPTKR XXX\'I. eillKtllKS LON'riNL i:!). Tin-: KllCilLAR UAPTLST CIILIUH. In 1S60, the Rc_i;-iilar Ixiptisls, who had coiiK- to number about t\\ent\ -1i\ e. deeidecl to organize a . lun-eli in b^)rt b^airfield. The elmrch was o;- o-ani/.ed at ihe l^nion meetinii; house, and Dea. Daniel Foster and Mr. Jonathan Ilopkinson were clu)sen deacons, and W'm. V. liopkinson was elec- ted elerk. The Rev. (jeor^^e Ri.^by was then first pastor of the church. In the Tall of iN6;^, Mr. W. F. Ilopkinson died, and Mr. W. 11. ICstabrook was chosen clerk. The second pa.sior was a youni;- man whc.se r:air.e we ai^e un;ib!e to learii. '1 h.en ih.e K.e\. Mr. ('(jxlar.il senctl ih.e church \ery accejUabh'. 'i'hen came th.e Re\ . Mr. XeuL,ent. Th.e hist settled pi'.stor w;is the Re\ . J. \\. 1)1 lis. Soon alter th.e de:ith ol" Dei. I'oster, in iSSo, I y reason r,\ death and remoxals, and the fact that (,i!:er ieli<,i(.is sccielics wcie si iflx ir;^" lie jei - pie witli tlie preached -word, it was decided that i\ V a time, at least, it was ad\:salle r.ct to emplo}- 2 70 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. another piistor, nor to keep up separate reliuiors meetings. .\nd up to the present time, although there ;ire several in the town of that faith, there has been no eff^ rt to keep up the organization, and since the de:ith of Deacons Foster and Ilopkinson, no deacons h.aNe been chosen. HENRY A. HAINES. HISTORY ()!■" I'OR'l' FA 1 R 11 1". I . I). -/.•) LllAMTKR XXXXII. em Rciii:s — c().\ tixl i:i). 'I'liic so-.iKTv (JF i"i;ii:xi)s. Amon^- the carl\' settlers of I'^)rt l'\iiihekl, the S()eiet\- of I'^rieiuls were represented. Mary and Joseph W'inLi'ate Haines, and their eltlest dau^iiter were members ol' that soeietw AlthouLiii far re- m()\ ed IVom other members, ihev were not lor- o-c)tten, and from time to time were \ isited. and meetings were lield in tlieir peiuhborliooch In 1' within their inilu- ence, bv the devout prayer and earnest exhorta- tions of this trulv good woman. The vears in whieh the eountr\- had been suffering from the tui'moil of war and other eommunities and soeie- ties had been experieneing its e\il effeets, were ^•ears of almost unbroken prosperit\- to this people. While William A. Sampson had been aetiNe in worldl\- alTairs he did not lose his interest in the upbuilding of the soeiet\'. lie was aeti\e and in- lluential in the building of the meetinghouse. He was an easy and fluent speaker, and with his esti- mable wife, lo\ed and respeeted b\"the eommunitw With the elose of the war a new lield of labor was HISTORY OF FOUT FAIRFIKLD. ^75 opened up aiul the eall was su urgent that lie was not long in beeoming interested and at work to im- proxethe eondition of the Freedmen; this took him lust to Washington, 1). C, and then to North Carolina, subse(pientl\- he renio\ed to the West, then to California, where he died some two }-cars ago. In Sarah Partridge, the soeiety had aw in- lluenti;il and suceessful worker. In the death ol her lu'.sband, with the responsibilit}- and care of a laniiK on her hands she eontinucd her la^ A second marriage and remoxal to Kennebec, u^r a time sexered her relations with the soeiety. But death came again to her home, and a second hus- band was remoxed; then she returned and spent the remainder of her days with her children in this town. Other changes came to the society- by death and remo\ als. Rev. Wm. Penn Varney be- came the head oC the society, and the recognized j-ireacher. Additions have been made from time to time, and at the present time, it is a moral and social power in the community, exerting alike a happ}- intluence upon \oung and old. At prosc^nt there arc some thirty-five numbers. T! ;.ition of worshipers at the Maple G:u\ c L irarcii who have been in sy:-.:patliy with the jVcu-itN- and devotion of their worship, and ha\ e de- jiended very largely upon them for religious in- struction and inlluencc, have largely outnumbered the membei-s of the ^o;-ic-!\. Of the origin- 276 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. al members. Rev. AVilliam Penn \"arney and wife, Joseph Niehols and wil'e, Jonathan Estes ;iiul wife, and I.o\ina Estes are \et identified with tlie soeietw The moral inlluenee of this s(>eiet\' has been a p:)\ver in the ?v[:iple (iroxe settlement. In every <;-.UherinLi- of the people, and in all their soeial relations it has been at work Cor i^ood. l^espeet for its members has exerted a i')owerrnl inflnenee upon the \-ounL>; people of that p.irt of on.r town; to what extent it has acted upon their lixes will n )t be known until tlie final jud^anent. As the ajknowled^ed leailer, the (paiet, unob- trusi\e exemolar\- life of William Penn \'arne\' has eommanded respeet, inspii'ed eonfidenee, and been a moral force felt b\- all who ha\e been favored with his aecpiaintanee. The eomini^- oF that de\'oted band of Friends to r\Iaj^!e (iroNe in iSoo marked ari important era- in the history of the town, thoaii'h not lar^-eh" pos- sessed oF earthlv means, the\' were in comfortable circumstances; the\" were industrious and reliable; the\' li\ed the reliiiion tlie\' j^rofessed. The\- added considerable to the material wealth ui the new settlement, and their lixes and works ha\e an important place in tk.e hist(;r\- of f^)rt Fairfield. HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. 277 CHAPTER XXX\'III. niriuiiF.s — loxiiadi:!). •iiii: R().\r.\\ eATiioiJc cm lu 11. Anionii,- tlic few settlers who had made their lionies ah)n<4- the banks of the Aroostook, iiow within the limits of Vovt I'^airtield, prior to the Aroostook war. were a lew Catholie families. wIkj, as did nearl\- all the settlers oi' those da\s. eame I'rom the pro\inee of Xew l>runswiek. The eoniino oi'the troops, and other moxements consequent ui'ion the occupation of the territory b\- the State, and creation of employment lor la- bor, attracted se\eral h^-ench families, all 0I" whom were of this faith, from the upper St. John ri\er: and undoubtedh" there were some of the United States ren'ulars. who weie cpiaitered here in the earl\ forties, who were membeis ol this commun- ion. j-'i-oiii w iiai can be learned, it appeals ihat in iN_|j a subscription was started to build a church. which lesulted. in i^»j.v in the erection of a small buildinn" on the faini ol Mi'. Txiulier. about one mile HISTORY OF Foirr Fairfield. above the present village of Fort Fairfield, near the ri\er. The buikliiig was boarded and shingled, but ad- vaneed no farther lor several years. About 1850, possibly a little later, a new effort was made. A suitable lot was seeured about fi\e miles above the \ illage, and the building was taken down and removed to the new loeation, where it was put up and finished into a neat ehapel, where ser\ices were held for man}- >-ears. The large increase of population outgrew the modest little chapel, and about 1875, work was commenced on the present large church in the \\\- lage, where a large congregation is gathered at ev- ery service. We have no means of giving the names of the priests who have from time ministered to the spir- itual wants of the people. ^Vlthough man}' of these people ha\e been in very humble circumstances, and could do but little to siipport religious services, they have not been neglected. Clerg\'men from the rsladawaska set- tlement. From Iloulton and from New Brunswick, ha\e ^•isited them, and administered the sacra- ments of the church from time to time, and of late years i-egular services have been maintained. The Re^crend Father DcMerchand, who re- sides at Presque Isle, is the present parish priest and is ver}- acceptable to his people. The present HISTORY OF Foirr ^79 wcaltli, standinfj and inHucnce oi" the church, indi- cate that ere](jng tlie society will enjoy the pres- ence oI' a priest located in their nTi(1-i 28o HISTORY OF FOUT FAIRFIELD. CHAPTER XXXIX. iJL'sixEss :mi:x. I'hroii^-h all its history Fort Fairticld has been fortunate in the elass of men Avho ha\'e been asso- ciated with its business affairs. At the present time the mercantile and mechanical business car- ried on, ii ^■e^\■ cxiensive, and well conducted. ?^rr. A. C Car\- stands among the oldest merchants in this part of the count\-. lie is the present post- master and senior member of the Fort Fairtield Ch^thiuL;- CompauN'; associated with him is "Sir. Edgar I'hurlow, and his son Mr. (leorge Cary, oneofthe popular tra\ellini;; salesmen. Mr. J. F. Hacker has grown up in the mercantile business, and his business has grown with him. INIr. Hacker has been town treasurer for several years, and is now president of the Fort Fairfield Xational l>ank, and in addition to his extensi\e mercantile busi- ness, owns and manages Memorial Hall. ^Iv. Hacker is one of the solid men of Aroostook count}". William Small vS: L"o. The senior member of IIISTOKV OF l-OKT T AIK F 1 1:L1). ^^,^ this lirm has been in business lor a \oniX time. He is now quite acl\ aneed in years. Se\ eral years a^o he a^soeiated with hini^elf, under the ]^-resent iinn name, his son-in-hiw. Mr. Ciuirles W. Johnston. They earr\- a hirue stoek of general merehandise, and a line h)t ofhirniture. Their business is abl\- and successfulh- mana^(?d. In a.ldition to the Vin't Fairfudd Clothinu" Co., Mr. \\'. W. Slojomb *S: Co.. and J. !>. Wil- liams cV Cj. earry line assortmjnts of re.idy-made elothini>- and ^entlenun's furnisliinu- u-o;)ds. Mr. \iJ ). K. Bartlett 6i Co., and I'reneh liros. cvrvvA'A e\tM.i\j si ).-k oTdry <^o ).h, and in e.):"!- nejlion witli tludr stores. Mi-. M. C. Perry .V C(.., aid Miss M. A. Roulston »S: ('•>. are en-a-ed in t!ie milliner\ business. These two lines of busi- ness \v!ii. h ha\esueh intimate relati(. r,s. are in the bjst (A hands. Vov earel'ul and tasty seleeti(ui ol" ^■() >ds. for lair a-.d honorable dealings in this, as in all other lines of trade, I'ort Fairtield takes no baek seat. 'I'he 1 lardware Inisir.e^sis in the hands of Messrs. ].. K.C.ov.'v: Co., C. 1). Cults. J. S. Hall and S. K. Jc^ett. L. K. Cary cV L':^. earr\ an extensive stoek of hirdware, d.))i-.^. s ish. blinds, tinware and a-- rieultural implements, and has quite an assortment (;f other goods. Mr. C-t:s has a fmc stoek ol" gen- oral hardware, sueh as is found in a well stocked .store. Mr.. !• ^^\ Hall carries a ger.cral :=.tcck of 2J54 HISTORY OF FGirr FAIRFIELD. liardwarc, doors, windows, blinds, wa^'on makers material, and iron and steel for the local black- sniitlis. ]Mr. jewctt is a practical plumber a.nd tin worker, carrying- a line (;f stoxes, pr.mps and tube- ing, and is at the head of the lire department. The grocery trade has assumed a prominent po- sition in our village. ?>Ir. II. N. Goodhue has one of the linest and best arranged grocery stores north (;f Bangor. He has built up a large trade, in fact has grown up with his trade. lie was a Fort Fair- field bo\-, and is now one of her successful b-'si- ncss men. lie belieyes in printer's ink, and is a liberal patron of the local press, as are nearly rdl o".:r business men. Messrs. II. Knight and Co. carry a hne class of grcccrics, and arc h.avirg a good trade, and the contidcnce of the coriimunitN-. 'Slv. Knight l:as liad a long experience, iirst as manager for another nizn and since for himself He has his son asso- ciated with him. Thurlougli llichards & Company have for sev- eral N'cars been engaged in this lin.e of trade, an.d in addition, have done ;i large ov.t-side trade. ?.Ir. N. II. TSlartin, in conn.ection with his restau- rant, carries a line line of light L-roeeries. Mr. F. (). AVellington an.d Alexan.der :McDoug- ald are supplying- groccjics to thee people at the lovvcr \illage. . Hopkins I3rolivei-s, :i eu.t of who^ c ttore appears HISTORY OF FOliT I'A! Rl' 1 1- LD. 2^;. in this hisL',>r\. in addition to ihc extensive meat market, earries a general line ororojeries. In ad- dition t) their village trade thev liave a larue iarm two miles IVom town. Joseph Pearee, \vhose eiit also appears in this history, in addition to a regular meat market, has a bakerw and earries a line of groceries. Mr. A. V. (Goodhue has the finest jewelry store in the eounty, and earries a large and valuable stock. He is another of I'^ort l-^airheUrs boys who hi^ djveljpjd into a first-class business mm and has a large and paying trade. Jeffs Brothers are alsi; in the jewelry business, and earr\- a \ er\- fme iiiul selected stock of watches and sil\ erware. Mrs. .v. C. Paul earries a good line of books aiul stationerv, together with room paper and millinery goods. Messrs. Hovey lS: Partridge carry a line line of boots and shoes, and both are new men, who have been engaged in business here about a \ eai". with a good prospect of successful trade. Messrs. Cutts ^c Seates have done an extensive business in the furniture, carpets, wall paper :ind undertakers business. Messrs. K. E. Scates cS: Co. ha\ c a large line of goods, such as arc usually fou.nd in a lir^L-class drug store, and are doing :in extcnsix c business. HISTORY OF rOliT FAIRFIELD. Palmer & Holmes arc also in the same business, with a ii'ood store and a line stock of o-oods. The harness trade is represented b\' lour estab- lishments, \\A\ J. II. Watt. S. F. Lord, R. E. lUirton and (t. B. Churchill. .Ml of these ex- perienced workmen turn out i;,"ood work, and a lar. Kitk- ]riti-iek and Thomas (Janible, who are all lirst-elass merchant tailors, 'The ladies interests are well looked after by Mrs. R. !•:. Ketchum. Miss Jessie Bartlett. Mrs. Emily (iuild. Mrs. Campbell. Mrs. Crummett. Miss Clara Roulston. Miss Annie Callahan, and the Misses. Mar\ and Belle Ciraham. Mr. B. Gathercole and the Ar(K)St{)ok \'alley Starch Co. make a ^-ood market for all the small j-totatoes within reach. In addition to N. 11. Martin's restaurant. Samuel Cray. Ilenr\ Oax is. and the Clifton, furnish meals at all-hours. The Collins House, Mrs. M. i:. Collins proprie- t )r, tlie Windsor II iU^e, K. H. Tht)mpv,)n pro- prietor, and thcKrvin House. Mr. Krvin proprietor, ai-e three as i^ood and commodious hotels as are t<> be ibund in the Aroostook \alley. There are four larue and well ecpiipped li\er\ stables, kept by V. W. lUirns. J. 1>. Williams, K. J. D.)rsev and William Maines. Messrs. I^ed Osborne. A. 1'. Welch, dciue A. I'pton, (ieo. Delano, and b.lmei- Martenus. furnish excellent accommntlalions. and tl'sjilay i^real skill in the tonsorial art. (i. W. I^ichardson decs izood work at cust(;m 2cS8 HISTORY OF FOllT FAIRFIELD. made boots and shoes, and linds Fort Fairtield a i^'ood town for this business. II. W. Varn.^y li li st.Mm jtdwji- t ) run wood work i no- niaeliinerw J. G. Raeklifi'. V. C. Fjolster, II. AV. Ebbett, John 11. Priee ha\"e shops for earpenter aiid carriage ni ikino- and repairing-. h. K. Holt lias a line steam ]aiindr\% and is well patronized and is doing- a prosperous b-iisiness. Messrs. W. T. Sullivan, J. G. Cheney, J. C. Rackliff, n. r>. Bearisto, S.' D. Beckwith, W. Beckwith and J. C. Beckwith, represent the pres- ent list of carpenters and builders. G. W. Hilton, \^an Knowles, B. Durgin, George Delaite, 11. E. Rogers, are the painters and paper hangers. II. O Perry, trial justice and insurance agent, II.AA\ Perry, town clerk, and insurance agent. J. \\\'dlace is a popular and experienced photog- raphist. W. 111. Burpee is the popular dominion express agent. E. L. Houghton and W. L. Bartlett are en- gaged in the real estate business. L. X. Richards and A. P. Libbv buy neat stock, sheep and horses, and are doing a large and growing business. (ieo. E. ('hilds is also en- gaged in buying stock, selling carriages and doing a t' Oldtown, attended lectures at the Maine medical School, and li-raduated in 1S51. The lolIowiiiL;- June he started out for tiie new settlement ol" N(\ II (Asliland) and remained there se\en year;-. lie then decided to secure a new location, and in June i85. -').^ heat or cold, oltcn wilh roads so bad that his horse could oiil\- walk, in answci^ to calls, too often fVoni those whom he knew were too poor to ]")a\:he faith- riill\- dischariied the duties (jT the country jihysi- cian, and brought gladness and jo\' to maiiy an anxious and stricken household. \\ lu-re sorrow and death would ha\ e come w ithout ids timel\- and efficient aitl. in i S5 j he bought t!ie IniildinL;- upon I'ort Hill, erected b\ the United States troops who I'elieN ed the Stite militia in t!ie celebrated Aroostook war, aivd since that time has made it his home. .\t tliat tiuK'. tlie I'ort had been tiem )lishi>d. the buildinii'. buill ol" larii-e, square timber, had been taken down and sawed into boards at l^attee's mill, the stockade enlii-el\- i-emo\ed; but the parapets were in a i^'ood state ol j^reser\ alion. 'Idle roads were so poor tliat he was oblis^ed to ride 011 hoise- li;ick, and tlie most oi' the \\a\ at a \ er\ slow pace, into the \aiiou> settlements thei-e w;is only a bridlepath, whjre t'le underl.irush was removed and the wa\ markeil out b\ spottetl tiees. At tinier the roads to i'rcMpie Isle, Carib.ou and the St. John rixer wei^e almost impa>.^able. '1 h.e nearest mirket w.is BaniiMi', o.k- huntlro.l and sixty- seNcp mile^ awa\-, to which shingles were hauled and •"supplies" I'or home anil 1 ambei' operations brought back. .A trip to Iloulion took three lull da\s. if time was taken w hile there to attcr.d to Any business. 294 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. News Irom the outside world, tiiree days old, and that received but ouce a week, was the best and latest to be obtained. The destitution and actual j:>o\ crt\- that too often came to his know- ledge while engaged in the duties of his profession, were sometimes greater burdens than the fatigue of his long and tiresome rides. His diversitied and constantly ^■ar^•ing experience was his only re- creation, and in a large degree actual practice had to supply the place of books. Professional privileges were almost entirely conhned to the stud\' of medical works, and long and tiresome rides. Not until the close of the war of the Re- bellion was a semi-weekK' mail established from I loulton. It was se\ eral years after he came before any fra- ternal societies were organized. There was not a church in the Aroostook valles" except tlie small Catholic chapel some tive miles above here on the river. The early settlers were good hearted, and some of them generous to a fault, bi't buckwheat and shingles took the place of cp.n■e^.c^■, and c.en that was required t.) purchase food for a dependerit famih-. The worth\- physician ne^■er lacked for good will and good wishes, bi:t at the best there was but liitle pa\'. In some of tuesj N'cars, v»'ith a practice that made severe demands upon l.i:^ tini;' and SLrei\L'th, mone\- was so scarce tliat it was iliflijuJt to collect HISTORY OF l-Uirr rAlRllKLU. -95 enough to n;iv for the medicine used in his prac- tice. Ifenon.Lili w.is obt.iined ofsuch as the farm- ers raised to support himself and wile, his time was o-iveii to re.mdar practice, and Utile attention was paid to eollcctino- bills. The doctor's liome is the most prominent hmdmark oi' the Aroostook war. With the exception of the removal of the broa.l piazza that r.m alon^ the front of the entire buildino-, there is little chan^•e since I saw it in ICS4:;, then occupied by Capt. X'anXess, Lieuten- ant Rickets and Dr. Co;)lid,ue, of the United States Infantry. Here the doctor may still be Ibund, laro-ely relieved ol' his extensive practice hv vouno-er and more active men. joii^in-' his pro- fesssional bretliren in consultation and in answer- ino- calls near at home from those who never for- cret the old and tried physician or want to exchange lor the new. The exposure and hardships of .1 larue practice Iv.ivc told se\ erely upon the doctor, and physically he has a^u'cd beyond his years, but his brain is clear, and if necessity demanded, his hand would be as slronu" to perform as in years L:,'one b\". When the doctor settled here, the business 01 the place was lar-vly carried on at the lower part of the villa-e. or "down to rattee's."" as it was then ealled. Pallec- ami Hyde were enuaued in the mill and lumber trade. Haines and Kni-ht and ^ John Sterlin- were keeping- public houses on a 296 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. small scale, but rull\- up to the demands of the travellino- public, and while he thouuht this a i^ood place to commence the work of his profession, he nc\-er expected the bright and prosperous future that has come to our \illage, or the \indication of his o'ood judgment in choosing this for a home. While largeh- those here with him in pioneer life ha\"e gone on before him, those who still re- main join in hoping a long and sunshiny ending to a dcNOted, faithful and useful life. DR. A. D. SAWVKR. A. D. Saw\er. ^l. I)., was born in Cumberland countv. Maine, in 1^53. He attended the public schools and Litchfield academy. He attended the Maine medical school, and graduated from the Uni- \ersit\' of the citv of New York with the title of M. D., in iS'.So. ImmediateK- after gr.iduati ng. he commenced the practice of medicine at Lisbon, arid the same \ ear was married to Miss ?^Iabel C Spear. .Vfter iiA'C years' practice in this, his native town, he re- moved to 1^'ort FairHeld. Since coming to this town the doctor has been in constant practice of his profession, and lias pro\ed an able and success- ful practitioner. In addition to his professional duties, he has taken a li\ely interest in education- al matters, and from liSHc) to i,^. and receixed an education in the com-'on schools of tliat place. llis medical de- Ljree was conferred In the Maine medical school of Bowdoin Uni\ ei-sit\-, in i SSS. He opened a general practitionei' s otFice in the \ illaii'e of b'ort I'^urfield the same \ear, and commenced pract'ce. and In- close attention to his professional cUitio, lias achie\ ed a fair amount of success. His wile, whom he married in iSS--;. was a Miss Miller of (ilassN ille. L'arleton countw New Ihunswick. Tlu- doctor has (.'stablisluHl hi.^ residencL- and olhce at the l^iiapet. I'^irt Ilill. where- lie is snuiilv entrenched within the rarthw oik^ ol the old fort, from which tlir tow n takes its nanu'. oi;. I N-^. li \i;\ \.\ Ml K- I'liN . Jas. llai"\i'\ Murpiu. !M. !).. was born in .\n- 2gS HISTORY OF FOIH^ FAIRFIELD. dover. New Brunswick, Dominion of Canada, May 4th, 1866. 'I'hc Ibundation lor a practical educa- tion was laid in the Ando\er high school, julv 4, 1883, when but little over seventeen vears old, he entered a drug store as an apprentice, at Calais, After three ^^ears" experience and careful study, and ha\ing removed to iNIadison, Wisconsin, in 1886 he recei\ed a diploma as a pharmaceutist. Af- ter three \ears more of experience and studv, in 1889 he entered the medical school at Brunswick, Me., and June 24th, 1891, he graduated with hon- or, and received the title of M. D,, and on July 12 of the same year he opened an office and com- menced the practice of his prolession in this vil- lage. Dr. ?^Iurph\-, hv careful attention to business, has built up a good practice, and secured a good social and professional standing in the communitN'. The doctor is unmarried, makes his home at the Ervin House, and is devoted to his profession, witli ev- er\- indication of a successful future before him. HISTURV OF FOitT FAIRFIE1>D. 299 CHAPTER XXXXl. I'ROFFSSIOXAL MKX. IIOX. )()IL\ r.. 'IRAF'I'ON. Joliii ^. 'I'l-al'ton was the eldest son ol" (icn. ^lark Trat'ton. lie was boi-n in IVmn'c)!". Maine, where h.e spent his boNhood, and h;id the ad\an- ta_u;es of sehools. He remained in sehool one wai" after liis lather eanie to t'nis eountw ami tlien in 1844 heeaine a resident ol" this town. (Letter 1) plantation), and opened a law oliiee on Fort II ill, in one ol" the olHces \aeated hv the otheers ol" the Ignited States trooi")S. This was the introduetion ol a new s^■stel■n into tlie new settlement, and was looked upon at lii'st with sonu* tle^ree ol siispieion. While the settlers wei\" not abo\e disputes and disagreements, the\' were too poor to enn'ai^e in law suits, aiul what eould not be settled b\ a knock- down arL^ument. had been allowed to u"o b\ de- fault. . Mr 'i'r.ifton, with wisdom .md dii;nit\ far be\onil his years, soon established a reputation that ira\ e him intluenee anion;;- the settlers for l;-(;oc1, and 300 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. came to be looked up to as :i friend, who would ii'wc ad\ ice that w(nild be wise to follow, withor.t a thought on the part ol' the i-ecei\ers that it was \aluabie counsel that ouj^'ht to be paid f'oi", aiul in most instances on account (;f the po\ert\- of I'c- cei\ ers, was i:,"i\en in tlie same spirit. A\ hile for man\ \ears he was the onl\ law \ei" north of lloul- t(jn, his pa\ iuL;- practice was \ er\- small, and he found it necessar\' to en^aLte in other business to make a lixin^- lie thus became acti\el\' en^a^cd in lumbering-, milling and I'ai'uiinL;', doinn' an im- portant woi-k in the develojiment ol" the '"infant in- dustries" ol' the ne^v settlement. He was postmaster from i>S44 to ie or- ganization ol- the ,:;th Maine Re-inK-nl. and xvas r.lTerea th.c position oC one ol its held olhcers, l.i:t deeided that l.oth his c,.untr\ a,ul lus <,wn nUor- ests demanded that it should -o to another, lie has ex er remained a friend of the soldie.s. and th.e cai-.se for which tl)e\- lon-ht. Mr. Traftons hovhocal was spent amidst the n,„.t popular davs of Denxuratie sspreinacy. and iK. eante to his nrajority w hen it had obtatned a power and inllnenee possessed b> no other parte in the historvofottr country. How much th,s may huchei to-d,wif, hi, d.-.isi.a "-■'"'>:,"-■;,;;; •know.l.utth,>wedok„ow.hecas,h,slotw,th that party, and has alwavsleenaeonsistent.acfve work- er mul leader amon- its hosts. Those familiar with the political history ol or.r „,,„,,,„,, State since ,S<,o will see that th,s has been ureativ to his disadvanta.^e so lar as pot .cal p,efernK-n.was c.ncerned. Uc has devoted hm.- Vdrtohispro,essio„,main..nniu.ahi,h.vpu,at,,u, a. a counselor, eiti/.en and Inend. In .M > the candidate of l-s part> for p,_e.ide,U,al e ecter. In tS.So he was a delegate to the Dem.Ktattc .,..- ,i„„al convention at Cincinatti. l-or .nanv vears he has beer, president of the county br.v tu-seoal.'^t- 304 HISTORY OF FOliT FAIRJ-^IELD. and held in hi^h esteem hv his professional associates. Of late years he has been somewhat less active in politics, bnt is earnestly and success- riill\- engaged in his professional duties. In 1847 he embarked upon the matrimonial sea. He married jNIiss Sarah Staple of Sangerville, Me., and laid the foundation for a quiet, peaceful and hap]")\' lile. To them ha\ e been born children, ol whom two onh- h;u e lived to ^■ears of maturity: a tlexoted, loveh" daughter, the wife of C B. Rob- erts, Esq., of Caribou, and Herbert A\\ Trallon, Escp, for two years the able and efficient school directoi", under wIk^sc supervision town and \\\- lage schools ha\e n"hiintained their high standing. He has also ser\ed one term as deputy collector at this place, and is a member (A' the I:iw hrm of Ti-afton and Trafton of this \illage. HON. NKTIOLAS FESSENDEX. Nicholas Fessenden, son of llewett C and Mary T. I'essenden, and a grandson of General Samuel b'essenden of Portland, was born at Saco iri York count\-, No\ember 23d, 1847. In 1855 his father remo\ed to Eastport, in AN'ashington county, and there the subject of this sketch resided until riian- hood, obtaining liis education in the schools of Eiistport, then as now, among the be it in tiie SLUe, at the Lewiston I^^a Is acadiun r. since known as the Edward Little institute, ;!nd at l^Dwdoin c:)l!ege, w'lich h/ entjrjj i ;i iS)|. H > i-j:id !a\v wlt'i t!".e Iiis;torv ok i-()I!T fatrfikld. .V\^ late John II. French of Eastport, and also in ihc office of (ion. S. I). Lc:i\ilt. and was admitted to l->ractice at Machias in Api-il. 1S6S. After practicing- a Near in Calais, and soniethii\i;- less than a \ear in Pembroke, Mr. Fesscnden came to I'^)i-t f^iirfield in Octobei". 1S71. where he lias e\er since reside.!, IruinL;- m irried Laura 1^., daugh- ter ol' the late John Sterling-, who was one ol' the pioneers of f^)rl: f^iiriield, or, as it was Cormerly ealled. Letter I). Kanue i. The \illa" eondueinj>- to sound growth. HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. 307 II ON. M. N. DKl.W. Morrill N. Drew, son of lion. Jesse and Clara r>. Wellington Drew, was b( rn in l-^»rt l-\iirtielcl Ma\- lytli. iS()2. lie was educated in the public s;!iO)ls, iVites colleu'c and tlie I^oston unisefsity. lie i^r.uluated Troni the law department of the lat- ter institution in iSS;. and recei\ed the decree ol L. L. b^ lie was admitted to the bar in May. 1SS5. in Androsc()ii\uin countw and duriiiLi" the summei- ol iSS:; pursued the stud\- ol' law in the office ol Powers and Powers in Iloulton. In October. 1NS5. he commenced the practice ol law at l-^)rt l-^airlield. and continued the practice of his prol'ession uiitil October. iNi):;. when he re- mo\ed to Portland to lorm a ]'»artnership with Rdp'i T. \\'nite!r)-.isj, s:)n of Jud-e William Penn Whitehouse. In 1SS6 he was unanimt)usl\ nominated by the Republican countv conxcntion I'or the o'lice ol count\' altornew and was cK-cted. recei\ ini:," the I'ull pait\- vote, and lillini^- the otlice so acceptably that he receixeil a unanim!)us nomination a<;ain. and was elected. In i.SSS he was ehairman ol the Republican counts con\ention. lie leceived a unanimous nomination loi' the leuislalure in iSt)<>. and elected b\ the largest majority ever L;i\en in the district, and ai^ain in iS()2 recei\eda unanimous nomination, and was anain elected. In the leL;is- .^oS HISTORY OF KOirr FAlRI'lELn. lature he served on three committees, viz: the ju- diciary, the le,o-al affairs and taxation. In T.ScSy he was appointc;! by (governor I>urloigh one oF the commissioners to investigate the condition oF af- fairs in Madawaska territory In 1889 he was ap- I'x'inted by (jONcrnor Burleigh one of tlie commis- sioners to contract for. and purchase bind for the settlers in Madawaska territ()r\-. In the perlorm- ance of all these official duties yir. Drew has dis- played marked abilit\-, and oi\en the best of satis- faction to the public whom he has served. In 1892 he was active in forming the b^jrt b^iir- tield national bank, ainl was its president until he rem()\ed to Portland. Vov four vears and up to the time of his removal to Portland, h.e was a di- rector in Presque Isle national bank. In December, 1892, I\Ir. Drew was married to ^Nliss Sarah Louisa, daughter of Hon. Jesse Davis, of Lisbon, Maine. Hon. Morrill N. Drew has always been a Re- publican in politics, and occupied a good .position among his pai'ty associates, and as acti\e in poli- tics as has been consistent with careful attention to his professional duties. I"'^nquestionably, there is a bright future before him, and an open field, either in the line of his prolession or in the politi- cal world. WTIJJAM 'I'. s!'i:.\i;. William T. Spear, the oldest son of Reuben 1\ HISTORY OV VDIVV FA I R 11 1: 1. 1). 3"9 and ^lartha S. Spear, was born in New \'incvard, I'^-anklin coiuUn-. Maine, I^\'briiar\- i<), i''^,^;,!; li\ed in Xew Portland until .\uL!;ust, iS()2, when his par- ents eniii^rated to h^reniont plantation, now the town of Kaston. in this eoiintN', and settled on a new lot, on wliich the\- ]i\"ed until iS,)j, wlien t!ie\" s:)ld and purchased the farm at Easton centre where his father resided until ISIareh, i^^94. ^Ir. Spear's lather bein^", like main oi'the earl\- settlers of Aroostook, poor, William was brouj^'ht up to work on the farm, which he did eitlier for his father or others, u.ntil twerit\- \ears of aue. Ilavini;-, like man\' another faruK'r s bo\- in a new settlement, been depri\ ed of the pri\ilege of attendini;" school durini;' the first twent\- \ears of his life, except lor a few weeks in winter, his edu- cation practicall\- be^an in the fall of iNj.^ when he attended a term of hi<4"h school in this town, tiunht b\- lion. Nicholas Fessenden. I'^rom that time niitil 1N77 Mr. Spear spent his tiir.e in attenil- ■ipi^ our hiL;h school, with oi".e term at Ib)ult<.n acadi.nr\-. and teachinu-. In the sjirinii' of 1S77 lie entered the ollice of C. T. Daniels, ICsq,, then of Pies(pie Isle, to stud\ law. In the fall of that \e:ir he e.Uered the ollice (.T the late Jud-e II. K\ 1) )WiiesofIVjs pij IsL-, w ii!i w!iom h • w .s asio.i- ated as a student anal law partner, until No'.ember. iSSo. he ha\ in 4' Ik'.'u aelmilicd to the Aro )Sto:)k bar in I''ebru.ar\ . iJ^yS, when he rjniovcd to F(jrl Fair- lO HISTORY OF F()i;r fairfiicld. tic'ld. WiTjrc lie practiced liis profession until April, 1SS2, when r.e renioNed to Iloulton and (\)rnied a co-partnership \\ith Hon. X^inal 1). Wil- son, with wlioni he was associated until )anair\' r, 1885. PoliticalK', Mr. Speai- has al\va\s been a Demo- crat, and as su.ch. du.riuL:,- the past eii^hteen \ears has taken an acti\e interest in politics, discussing- in nearl\- e\er\' canipaii;'n political cpicstions in the press and from the stjmp. I'^-r se\ eral \ears he has ser\ed on the town and cou.nt\" coniniittees oj his part\- and been a dele^'ate to se^'eral State coPi- \entions. In 1H76 he was tlu' Democratic candidate lor register of probate, bat Nvas defeated b\' Hon, X. h\\ssenden. In iSSo hj was unanimoush' re-nomi- nated for that orilce and elected, serxinj^ I'oui- \ears. In April, I'^^S^, he was appointed deput\- collector of customs at Jloulton, and ser\ ed in that capa- it\' imtil jime, 188S, when he resigned to return to h\_)i"t h^iiriield to resume the practice ol' law. \n here he lias since resided. In iS()2, ?slr. vSpcar wiis unanimoiisl\- nominatetl as the Democratic candi- date lor jutlLic of }M-obate, but tiie Republicans e:irr\ini,^ the countw he was detV-ated. He is now ser\'inLi' as a deput\- collector ofcustoms. to which office he was appointed in June, r8',)_:>. During his residence in Presque Isle he ser\ed on the school committee, or as super\'isor, and from iSSi to \Sj, Ills ^(.)l':^ oi-- loui' i".\ik i- ii"-I.i>. .V ' OL-cupiccl l!u- ollk-r of town clrrk of l''"rl l-'.iirlK-Kl. OctnlKT I jllu 1SS5, lu' \v;is iiKiniiil In Anim- K-. ilau-hUT (.r Kc-\. Jimu's IUt.iuI. ! >. 1>.. <'l' ^t- |(.lin, N. r>., b\ whi-ni Ik- has oiu' chiltl, a s"n. jaiius h'cniu't Spc-ar. born NovenilHT i()tlK i^«)i. Wc has al\va\s taken a li\ cl\- inlcrcsl in rcliica- tional and other matins tliat trnd to build np l^'^ town, and ad\ancc the prosperity ol" .\n;osl(M;k eoinUx . |(;)1N X. r,i:ii)(.Ks. jolm N. Hrid-es was born in Medd\ bem]^<. M^- Nov. i()th, 1S66, ar.d was educated in tb.e pv.h\\c schools of his .native tt-wn and (.1" tb.e eity n[' Cal- ais. He eomn:eneed tb.e study (-1' hiw in tb.e ( th.e and with A. MaeXiehol of Cadais, v.m\ was admit- ted to the Washin-ton annUy 1 ar. jr.d-e Kniery presidiuLi", in October, iiii the \IllatJ^e of Ft. Fairrteld, and took the oMiJc made vacant bN' the remoNal of Hon. ]\I. X. Drew to Porthmd. He has secured a i^ood practice, and is making man\- friends. He is unmarried and is coimted amono- tlie most promising ^"oun^• men of the day. WILIJEKr F. nARTFETT. T\Ir, AVilbert L. Bartlett. after se\en years of hiw j^ractice, in the fall of 1893 decided to open an of- lice in the village of Fort Fairfield. Mr. Bartlett is an easv public speaker, a Republican in politics, and is building up a good practice. IlERKERT W. TRAFTOy. Herbert W. Trafton, onl\- son of Hon. John B. Traftcn and SarrJi Tnftcn cf Fcit Faiitield, was born thirty years ago. He graduated from Colb\- uni\ersity in the class of '86. He stic'icd K.w with C. B. Roberts of Caribou and with |. B. Traf- ton of Fort I-'airlield, and was admitted to the Aroostook county bar at the Februarv term of the supreme judicial court in 1891. In August of the same Near he was united in marriage to Miss Kate P. Winslow. Mr. Trafton has served one term as deputy col- lector at Fort Fairtield, and two years as schccl supcr\isor, and is actively- engaged in the law bus- iness under the firm name of Trafton and Trafton. HISTORY OF rOllT FAIRFIELD. .^3 CHAPTER XLII. PROFFSSIOXAL .Mi:X CONTIM" i: I). Ki:\-. (;i:f). i?. iiicscolk. George P). llescock was born in Abbot, Piseat- aquis eountN. Maine, in 1S42. Before bis majority be was aeti\el\- en^a^ed in tlie war ol'tbe Rebelbnn, f'aitbf'uIK perform in Li" ibe duties of a soldier until tbe battle of tbe Wilderness in May. iS^)-!- In tbat memorable battle he was wounded; this was fol- lowed b\- wear\- months in the hospital, a furlouL^h to return home, and linal diseharue for disability. \\'ith lu-.ilth inipaiied. he set himself about se- ein-ini;" a praetieal edueation, seleetin^' teaehiui:; as a profession. This he followed until the fall of iSSS, when he entered into an arranLiement with the ConLiie^ational soeiet\- of this xilla^e to supj^ly tlu'ii- jHili'iit for an indefinite time with the \ iew of beeominii- tluir pastor, should the relations thus formed j">ro\\' to be mutualK satisfaetory. On the jSth of Mareh. i SSo. he was oi-daiiu-d to the i^-ospel ministr\- and installed pa'^tor ol the l*^>rt 314 HISTORY OF FOr>T FAIRFIELD. I'^iiiiicld C(jni;'rei;ati()nal Church. Since that time I'nc Rc\'. ?^Ir. llcscock has with L;rcat acceptability discharged tlie important an.d responsible duties incumbent i;pon that (;ffice, ami is h.eld in hi^h esteem hv all the people who kr.ow hiim. i;i:\ . ). II. I'.ARKICR, M. I). Dr. Harker, the present pastor of the Methodist ICpiscopad Cluirch. was born in Shellicld. Sunbur\- eount\'. Xew l)runs\\ick. \\c graduated Irom llar\ard medical school ir, i^^<^). He practiced medicine in Xew Brunswick for thirtx" \ears. Duriui;- his medic;d "practice he was a Christian \v()rkei\ aidin.ix the local pastors in their work. Vor a louii,- time he had been sti-onL;l\- inclin.ed towards th.e work ai' the rci^ular niinisti-\-. In the spriii^" ol' I resent wife in..\pril oi" iS(S:^. She had b.een a spiiud ir.xalid i'ov fourteen x'cars : she had he'cn treated Iw man\- L,ood }^»h.\siciar,s, who h:id lailed to lu'lp h.ei-. In the sprinil," of th.".t Near, in answer to the )')ra\"cr ol faith, she receixed the healir.ii touch ol" the (ireat Ph\ sician, and from a state 01' extreme emaciation ar.d almost total pa- ralxsis, she rose immediatcK' and walked. Or.e \ eai" after her hcdini-" slie was united to Di". HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIFLD. .i^.-> I'arkcr in marriage, and for nine years they have been en,!u-agecl in earnest and Cailhri:! work inlnnld- ino- up the kinud()ni of Christ. A little one two \ e.;rs and ei^ht months old now eheers the parson- aLiC home in I'^ort h^iirlield. The doctor's tirst wife was a Miss Taylor ol Shetheld. and a nieee ol" e\'-( Jo\ ernor 'l'ille\- of Xew I'runswiek. She left live ehildren. thiee sons and two dauuhteis. Two oT his sons are in business in Oakland. Calirtn-nia. aiul the third is pastor ol" a Methodist church at Red Deer, Alber- ta countw Xoithwest Territory. Dominion of Can- ada. His dauii-hter Stella is now cashier of the international sleamshii-) comjiany. ICastporl. Me. 'J'he other daughter is at home with her parents at the l''o;t b^airlield j'larsonaiic. The ]-)astor's pi-esent relations with his society and the jK'ople of this town ha\ e been eminently j-ileasant and j^.rotitable. and the prospect is tnat the annual conrerence soon to meet at Iloulton will not break the bonds that now unite pastor and peo- pU-. Ri:\'. (;i:(). i;i;i c i: \u iioi.son. (ieorLie Uruce Nicholson was boi^n in i)oslt Poirit military academy. 'I'hat plan was abantlonetl. and he I'nuaued in busi- 3i6 HISTORY OF FOIJT FAIRFIELD. ncss. In i«82 he was m.-irricd to Miss Adelaide Smith of Boston. Subsequcntlw h;n ini;- a call to the ministry, he eni^'a^ed in a thoron^h preparation lor that work, and in IiSqi was ordained deacon in the cathedral of St. Luke, Portland, Maine. He then went to Massachusetts and was in charge, tempf)rarily, of St. James L"hui-ch, Somei-xille. In the fall of 1S92 he was stationed at h^)rt Fair- held, Maine, by Rioht Re\ei-end Dr. XceK. bishop of Maine, and also placed in charge of Caribou, and later of Limestone. In the fall of 1893 he was ad\an.ced to the priesthood b\- the Ri«^ht Rev- erend Bishop Xeel\- in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, b^)rt Fairfield. At the or^-ani/ation of the convo- cation of Aroostook, he was elected dean of the comocation. and instituted into the office b\' the bishop. i;i:\'. f;FOR(;i': k. kmuci.and. Mr. Kneeland is a \(yuno- nian who is now, after nearly two years with the b^)rt Fairiield h^ree Bap- tist Chu)-ch, ser\ iuL^- them with great acceptability. He is pro\ ino- to be a faithful and industrious pastoi\ de\()ted to his work, and in connection with his estimable wile, is doing" good work for the Master. wii.iaAM i'i:x.\ \Ai;xi-:v. ^^"ilIiam Penn \'arnev was born in Albion, Me., ^lay 2oth, 1S32. His parents were members of th.e society of Friends, and through all his years iiisioKV <)i" I'oiri' FA IK in: 1. 1). ^ ' / up to carh manhood the influence of tliat society entered laru'elx' into his so-ial surroundings. In iN5,^ lie married I>\clia Conk ol'L'hina. Maine, and in i S{k) i-emoxed to I'^at Fail field and located in the soath |iart ol" llie t(A\ n. in a new neighbor- hood made of membei's of that so- iet\-. He com- menced to make a honie in the up.hroken wikler- ness, and ujion this h)cation lie has i-emained until tlie present time. To them ha\ e been born six children, two of whcuii ha\ e passed o\ er to the bet- ter land, two are : "arried aiul ha\ e j'jleasant and happ\' bonus, within an hour's ride of tlie home of their childhood, while the Noungest two are not \et ol' aij,"e. In the ori'-ani/ation oi' the Maple (jro\ e b'tiends s)jijt\-, M •. \'a;M-' .■ t ) )k a 1 a Jti\ e and in'baential p irt, and from the iirst was an acti\ e and wortlu' member, ar.d in 1SS2. he became a i"ecoii"ni/.ed minister b\- the societ\ of \\hich he had lonu^ been a member; a position he has uninteri ujitedK tilleil until the jiresent time. ^\'hiIe hi> ministerial labors lia\e been principalK' with this societ\, Mr. \'ar- r.e\- is held in hiuh esteem in the community, and is a,cti\e and outspoken on all (]uestions of reform. Ki:\'. laaiKi i)(.i". Kxioirr. I'dbridue Knight was b<»rn in Ne\\pi»it. New ^'ork, julx i<)th, 1 ">!_'. IK- was ftlncated in the public sciiooh-. and Phillijis academy. Ando\er. Mass., where he '-per.t four \ ears in ih.e study ol T.1^ IIISTOI-fV O'S roKT FAim-llilJ). t\: hi^-'.ijr Ei'^'lish br.rijlijs, cl.issics a;i 1 cl\il ci- ^iivjcri 1 j;. lie w.i ; pi'.)i'cs.>;)r oi ni ith jni it'us ;ri 1 tliLV)!;) ;"\' in Ilijlnij; th?:)l();^-Ic i1 ins!:itiito,Pl\ni )-.il'i, New Ihinips'iiro. \VhiIc priivjip.il of L'r.if'L ^!).i:" ,' acaclcmv, Craftsburw Wthi )nt, tlu Wtoi ):it u:ii- versit\- conl'crrcJ up):"! him tlu tk'i^TCJ of .\. M. lie was inirricd DjjcmbLT roth, iS4[, in ^Mont- pclicr, \'t., to ]\liss .Vnne A\'hittcn of l>oston, ?^I;iss. She was born iii Rocliester. \'t., April 6th, iSi6. To tlieni ha\e ])een born nine ehildren: Ilerni;in Kni'^'ht, born in December, iS_j.2. and now re- siding" in b\)rt Fairnehd. Ilomcr \\\, now residing" in Boston, ?klass., Mur\- Anna, deceased, Eihi Mav, now residini;' in Presqiie Isle. Herbert 1)., — in bus- iness at Presque Isle, died in hAdiruary, 1S94, — Kl- tie, now in ijoston, ^[ass., IIenr\- Elbridi;"e, now in Colorado. Dora Eunice, deceased, and .Vdelbert II.. who noNV resides on the old homestead in Fort Fairtield. In i(S::;2 he become tiie acting- pastor ol' the Con- o-ix>i>;ati()nal Church, ^hich relation he sustained for nearh' tilteen \ears. He was social and ap- proachable, ai\d gained the eontidence of old aaul \()ung. His congregations were g.):)d, and while much ofhi^ time was taken with his official duties, he made him a comfortable home and good larm out OL the wilderness. An idea of the ministerial work ma\- be obtained when we realize tlie bad condition of t'u' mirls. and that his labors extend- insTOi^v o*/ I'oirr I'Aii^FiicLn. ;>!') cd to I.illlcton, Washburn, I .iir.cstor.c aiul nci'4"li- h(.iinL:' plaiUali( ns. In ;i single iv.(.:.lli Vc ti";i\c!ecl n\cv ihrcc huiuli'ctl inik'S in L:,()ini^- to a:ul rcUirnin;;' from riuuTals. I lis carl\ training' as a. ci\il cnLjii-i- ccv was of uootl i:sc' in llic iicw cov.ntrx'. \yv liis caiX'liil work and !j,()o'J adxice nianNclisjuiks abor.t b()unc^ar\' b"p.cs were settled. lie was for a tiir.e in the eniph^N of the State in lotting- (uit the land (*r th.e settlers under t'le W'ebster-Ashburton treatw i\n(.] lotted th.e town of Washburn loi- set- tlenur.t. As a publie speakei he was loi^ieal. earr.esl and elleetiNe, alwa\s earrxin^' the eor.\ ieiion iu his hearers th.at h.e belie\ed what h.e ]~.re;:eh.ed. Mr. Knight w;is a.n earliest anti-sla\ ei"\ nia.n, aiul w h.eii the stiaiLiuk' lor supi'eniae\- eaiv.e h.e w :is an earr.- esl Kepubliea.n. With sla\er\- destro\ed, he looked upon inten:- perap.ee as its L;reat twin (,\il. and beiiexiiiu" the oruar-izalion of a tlistinet politieal jiaity, llie best niear.s to seeure its o . ei"thr(-w, h.e hr.s lee( w.v an earr.est and e(ji'.seienli()us Proliiliitioni.^'. L'oiiiinii- to a new eounti\- willi its h.ai dships ar.d l)ri\ alior.s, lie eheeiinlU a».ee|-.ted th.e siluali<'n, ai'ul has been a I'ailhrul -.w.lI succc^sl'il W( rker in athaneinLi- its interests and i:er.eral p-rc ^ j^erily. and b\ readini;" and ^;ludy bus hej.t will ad^casl t I' its steaih- ad\ ar-t enieiit, ar.d ;il lie ;i,i,e (f ci^hty- Iwo is well jiosted in public aiffairs, aiil rn ir.terest- ini;" and iiibtnictivc convcrsiititjp.alit:'.. 3iO HISTORY OF FOirr FAIRI"IELD. CHAPTER XLIIL s()cii:'rii':.s. GRAM) AR^Fi' OF THE REl'LHLIC. It \v;is not until 18S2 that the cx-soldicrs of Fort Fairticld decided to organize a Grand Army post. This organization, perfected by tlic mustering in and election of the proper officers, brought togeth- er from time to time the '"old soldiers" and revived old associations, and kepi thj lires of patriotism burning. Since its first organization in October, i(SS2, there have been mustered into the post one hundred and twenty members. Tlie source Irom which numbers can be drawn point forward to the time when this organization must become extinct. None but men who ha\e ser\ed in the Union ar- mv in defence of the Union and ha\ e an honora- ble discharge are eligible to membership, and when death in\ades their ranks it leaves them without the means of re-hlling them. In a few short vears the- last meeting will be called to or- der, the last camptire enjoyed and the last recital of reminiscences been m.ide, HISTORY OF FORT IWI R FI ICLD. .^-:i Alicad\- tliirt\- of the veteran comrades liavc been lionorahI\- discharijed; fourteen have an- swered to tile last roll call, and others ha\ e remo\ ed to other states, while holding- their membership here, lea\ inu" man\ ^acant seats. The strong hold and kind remembrance in which this oro-anization now stands will best be understood b\" futui'e ii'enerations, from the consideration that a da\- has been set apart b\- the nation, in which all the l()\al people of the country j(Hn the (jrand Arm\" posts in decorating soldiers' graves, and assemble for memorial addresses; and in this year, A. I). iSg^, nearl\' IbrtN- \ears alter the close ol the wai-, tiie p.'ople assembled at their annual town meeting xoted to appropriate tiftx" dollars for the use ol" Kilpatrick Post, G. A. R.. to aid in ap- propiiatcK" ()bser\ ing Memorial Day. MASONS. Eastern Frontier Lodge No. 112. F. and A. M., was organized ^Ia\" Sth, 1862, and has been regu- larlv at labor until the present time. The follow- ing are the charter memliers: 1"\ \\\ Siuith. 1). W. Orcutt. K. W Whitney, j. B. Robbins. 11. F. h^.s- ter, j. i^. 'I^-afton, James Doyle. A. 1*. Wellington. H. 'I\ Durgin, Isaac Hacker and F. (t. Decker. Up to tlu- j->iesent time it has conferred the ile- gree of mastei" mason uj^on two hundred persons, counting among its membeis many ol the most re- liable citizens of tliis and ad joining towns: thirty- 'XII HISTORY OF FOllT FAIRFIELD. three li.'nc died, others li;i\e deniitted to- join sis- ter h)d!.; E. L. IIou-l:ton, S. W.; ii. S. Stexens. j. AV. ; j. S. Hall, treasurer; N. II. Martin, secretary ; II. W. TraCton, S. I).: V. L\ jeCi's,!. 1).: (). S. (linn, S. S.; \\\ S. Davidson, J. S., and S. I^ Lord, 1\ ODD I'I:llo\\s. Pioi-.eer Lodge No. 77, I. I. (). F., l'\)rt b'airlield, Maine, was instituted b\'bi-uary 2 id, iSSi. 'I'h.ei-e was ;it that time but \'\\ c Odd l^Vdlows to 1 e r.iuiul in tl.e C( r.r.ty, viz: Rc\. (7. M. Park. j. A. I^ridges. V. Jor.es, K. \V. L(.wney and J. \.\Vv/.- /.eil. These, togetlier witli sexen others upon wh(/m il e degrees were cord'erred at that time, coi-.stitutcd tile chaj'ter members of th.e lodge. The tlrst officers were as follows: I\e\ . (7. M. Park, X. G.- ]. A. Bridges, V. G.; X. II. Martin.sec- retar\-; |. C Lunt, treasurer : II. X. (loodhue, \V. ; C. 1). (Jutts, C; II. D. Mills, j. I).; S. M. (^rant, R. S. S.; V. A. Buzzell, L. S. S.; V. A. (irant, R. S. X. C;.; C. E. Powers, L. S. X. G. ; W. R. (^rant. HISTORY OF FORT rAIRFlELD. ,y'?> chaplain: A. O. Frciuli. R. S. \'. (I., and \. (i. (iillKTt, N. S. \'. (i. With the lirst \ car h)d--i's at lloullon. L'aiibou a v.l \\-c^.\ K' 1>K" w-'i-v' in^titiitj.l.thc charier ni-ni- b-rs withdrawing- I'i-'HH llic I'^tL l^iirticld lod.-c. Thcx now lia\c a hiruo and llourishin.o- lod^L^c of one Imndrcvl antl Tort:) members, and own the post ollice buikbnu-. with a hiru'c and well Curnished hall on the second tloor. Till': i:NtAMi'Mi:N'i-. On b\-bruary 24th. 1SS4, Northern Li-ht Kn- campment No. 142 was instituted, with thirteen charter members and the foHowino- otiicers: h. \\. Scates, C. \\: |. S. Stexens. 1!. P.: D. S. Jones, S. \\\: C. 1). L'ults, |. W'.: Vl. C. IV-tts. seeretar\ . and l-\ S. I'urpee. treasurer. Tiie charier members of the encampment at PrcMjue Isle hive withdrawn, and yet they lia\ e a llourishinu- membership of ei,ulity-se\ en. C\Nr>)N WAI'. \^S'). June J')lh. iSSS. L'anton W'abasso. No. 22 was instituted, with twent\-li\e charlei- members, and the I'ollowin-- ollicers: (". D. < 'utts. caiHain: (ieo. !•:. r>arllett, lieutenar.l: 11. N. (ioodhue. ensi«;n; I-:. !•:. Scales, clerk, and !'.. T. Duroin. treasurer. Alter the withdrawal of charier members Tor L'anton L'olumbia, Piescpie Isle, and Canton lloul- l(.n. lloullon. Me., this canton has lil'ty active ( uni- I'ormed) members, with L". D. Cutis, captain, and !•'. I^. Scales, clerk. .324 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. OTHER SOCIETIES. There is also a lodge of the Knights of P\thias, with Dr. J. II. Murphy C. i\ and II. T. Powers K. of R. and S,; a lod^e of the Independent Order of Foresters— G. W. Riehardson (\ R., and C. L. Riehards F. seeretar\-; the Knights of the (lolden Rule, and the usual societies o(" \ouno- people con- nected with the several churches. Both the W. C. T. U. and the non-paitisan \V. C T. U. ha\ e flourishing societies. The Chatauqua Circle has its regular meetings, and has an active, intelligent membership. Fort faii;fietj) may i, 1894. In addition to all the other advantages. Fort Fairfleld in 1894 has one of the flnest water s\s- tems in the countr^•. The qualit\- oi' the water cannot be surpassed, and with a pressure of sixty pounds to the square inch, it gives the best possi- ble pi-otection against lire. L\ing along the Aroos- took ri\ er, a perfect SNstem of sewerage can easily be secured, and within easv reach is a waterpower by which electric lights, and power for street rail- ways and manufacturing, are at her command. While broad farms dot her hillsides and \alleys, there are beautiful forests to make a \ arying land- scape, and without marring its beaut\-, many more broad acres ma}- be subdued. Iler wealthy farmers, her acti\e, enterprising- business men, her able and reliable professional iiisi'oKV ():■■ i-()i;i' i"AiiS,^(), the dispute in i-eo-ai"d to tlie northeast b.oundar\- ha\ in^- eidminated in aetual liostibties. he stood three suecessixe dral'ts in the town of SanL;'er\ ille, where he had been at work I'or about one \ear. Heing- disappointed in his hopes of bein<4- hit hv th.e draft, he was lortu- nate in tuulin^' or.e cfthe drafted men of that town, Mr. Jose}di Parslew w lio did not take kindb' to the- exposures and dan^'ers ol' the wai", wlio w:in-or, wIktc tlicir niii.ibcr was m:ulc r.p to two hundred nicn. In two da> s tb.cy were start- ed lor the Aroostook, under the CMiimand oT Lieu- tenant Dunnin^^ their destination beini;- t')wnshii-) Letter D. l\in<;- on the hou.ndary line between Maine ar.d New Hrunswiek. which is n(;w tiie south hall' of the town of Fort b^iirtield. There were many weary days oTtraNel throu-h damp sr.ow before they arrixed at lloulton, wi.ere they were allowed to remain one wliole day. to reeei\e militar\- instruetions. One da\'s mareh from Iloulton brouiiht them to th.e end cf the road in ?kIonticello. Vvi>m Montieello they made their way to Prescp/.e Lie, throu-h lumber roads wh.ere th.ey could be found, and euttini;- temporary roads the rest ol th.e way. The soldiers who were sent to Kent Fa.ir- lield before this detaehment, went through Patten and struck the Anx.stook river at >bisardis, ar.d eame down the ri\er on the iee. Prescpie Lie \ illa-e at that time consisted ol" a sawmill and gristmill combined, a small 1<»-- b.orse and framed JKirn or stable. In abor.t one month after le.i\ in^ P>an,Li-or an order reached them to dis- charge all the driifted men, and secure as many as chose to remain as \olunleers, at or.e dolhir |cr day. .\ lar-e majoritx" had seen cpiile cnou.uh « I the hardships of frontier life, and -ladly availed themselves of the opportun.ity to return to their homes. 32^ HISTORY OF FOltT FAIRFIELD. ^Ir. Stcxcns cast liis lot among the minorit}-, and bL'cam'j actively identitied witli the work of the \olunteer Torce. Those coming imder the hrst and second drafts had built a boom across the Aroostook ri\"er, near the head of what was then known as BurtselTs island, to stop the pine timber that had been cut that winter. After the militia was disbanded, the ^'olunteer force built a large blockhouse on Fort Hill, with a heav}' stockade around it, and a small one on the site where Mr. Arthur Libb\ 's dwelling house now stands, where a six pound brass cannon was mounted with grape and cannister to protect the boom. This cannon has an unwritten history. How it afterwards found its wa\- to h^ort Kent, and suddenh- and mwsteriousK" turned up in time for a 4t]i of ]u\v celebration at Fort Fairfield since the late war. and as nu'steriously disappears, onl}' to return when the bows decide to celebrate some great e\ent, are amjng the mysteries that should not be re\ealed in the lifetime of those acti\e in the exciting times. The entire ser\ ice of tlie boom was conlined to stopping timber in the spring of 1839, and that timber was nearly all used in building the abo\"c named blockhouses. While it is possible at ex- treme low water to tind the bottom of one or more piers, it would be impossible to determine its ex- iiisioRV oi' loiri' f.\iki-ii:li). <; act locatio:-.. 'l^Iic nearest post office was Houlton, and Da\ id B.ibar w.is hired by the \oliir.teers dur- ini;- the summer of iS^c) to earr\' the mail. He carried the mail on his Ixiek. and made tlie trip onee in two weeks. The m:)st of the summer of iS,^9 was consumed in constructinL;" a I'oad IVom the h'ort to Monticel- h). A force ol' ei<;"ht\' men was dixided into two crews, and alternate sections from three to fi\e miles each were built b\- them. Mr. Ste\ens had diari^v ol one of these crews until the road was completed \ ia Pres(]ue Isle to Monticello, then he was emploxed in buildini^; a bridge across the stream at Monticello. While thus eni;a«;"ed, he was ordered to *;•() to Fort Kent and take chari;e o( building- a blockhouse at tliat point, toiicther with buildiuL;- a pier in b^ish i-i\ei". This was com- pleted in tlie winter of iSt()-_|.o. II is position while emploxed b\ the State L'axe him a i:;ood chance to become acquainted with the countr\- and 1 -d to Ids dccidinii," to make a larm neai" the centre of Letter I) township. IK' fol- lowetl the lot line for one and one half miles liom the State I'oad into an unbroken wilderness, and took two beautiful (piarter sections of land, a lariie pait of wliich is now endti'aced in the \aluable farms of Messrs. James R. and Reuben Thurlou^h. in the Maple (iroxe settlement. In iS|2, the acres of tree^ weie felhd. and the 330 HISTORY OF FOlrr FAIRFIELD. i'oilowiiii;" sprino- the land was cleared and put into crop. In i^^44 larger ii-npro\ernents had been made and a house and barri h;id been erected ; and on I"ebruai"\' 23, 1N4:;, he w.is married to ?iliss Dorcas !>. Whitne\-, dauij,hter oC WilHam ^Vhitne\, wlio with his famih' h;id n:(>ved ii:to this town three or ('our \e:;rs before. yiv. Ste\ens was a ::'an oi" great phNsical force, of temperate habits, and oi' indomitable will. Onh' a I'ew \ears were recjuired to brinj^- out ol' the wilderness a beautiful, well culti\;ited i'arm. A part Irom the north side had b.een sold to his b,rother and passed into other hands, and in 1864 he sold to a Mr. Ilinklev of Bangcjr, for $2,000, aixl with his wife and ^•ouno■ family moved on to a new i'arm in the northwest part of the original I^etter D plantation. Here he went to work to make a larger farm and to add to this a valuable mill property. Finding on his farm and land adjoining a large amount of cedar timber, in 1807 he erected a steam shingle mill and at once commenced the maufacturing of cedar shingles. I'his proved a very successlul operation, and was carried o:i successfulK" i'or se^'eral \ears. While engaged in this business, in |uh% 1S67, he met witii a sad affliction in the death of his wife, leaving him with a famih- of nine children, — five sons and iour daughters. With his ii-rowinii- business interests and this HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. 3,31 ]:u'iXc CaniiK-. an carl\' marriau'c became almost a neccssit\-, and in )iiiu\ 1S6S. he was uniled for tlie second time in marriage to ?*Iiss Sarah A. (jood- hue. I'^indin^- his milling- operations so successful, and his Si)ns disposed to remain \\ith him and help car- r\' on the business, he began to look for a more desirable location. In ist \aluable pi".»niTlics on th-j Ai'oostook ri\ ei". ■riii: s i'rAi:Ns i.lmi'.i:i^ comivwy. Tlie Stexens lumber comjianN" was incorporated in li^t):;. The pi-opeit\- embraced in this company was purchased and built uji In Iliiam Stexens ami compaiu'. and has been in successful o]U'ration 33- HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. nearly cii;litccn Acars, and consists of a beautiful stretch ofinterval on the south bank of tlie Aroos- took river nearly one and one half miles in length, upon which is located their mills consisting- of six shingle machines, one clapboard machine and clapboard planer, one "rotarN"' siivr with ii,"ang edge, a lath mach.ine and board phuier, all com- plete for first class work; the power is a one hun- dred and sixt\- horse power engine, a dam at the loot.ol an island and boom extending up the ri\er, lit up h\ electric lights b\- night lor catching arid sorting lumber, making it complete lor a lirst class business. In connection with this mill there are six hue residences occupied by th.e several mem- bers of the tirm. a large boarding house, and se\eral houses built for and occupied by men in their cmplo}', with all neccessar}- outbuilding for storing manufactured lumber, and such farm build- ing and stabling as their business ar.d th.e stretch of land the\' own rccpiire, making it one of the best arranged, best located and most desirable pieces of property in the country. In addition to the home propert\' the companx' own a large mill with one of the best water powers in New Brunswick, on Salmon river, where two members of the firm arc employed the most of the time. The Salmon River mills has two more shingle saws, but in other respects is a counterpart of the home mill. iiis'J'ORV OF Foirr faii, and has the general management c^f the .Salmon Ri\er mills. A. E. Stexens is in the store, and book-keeper and secretary i.w the compan\-, at Stexensville. II. D. Stevens occupies a line residence in this village, and assists in a general cxersight of their extensive business at Stcxensx ille. 334 HISTORY OF FOIIT FAIRFIELD. The y3'.iniJi;cst son received the ad\;int;ii^-es of ;i liberal eLUjation. He is a i^-raduate of the ]Nriinj wState a;^-ri cultural eolle^-e. lie is at the Salni:);! River mills, assisting his brother in their manage- ment. .Vll tive of these sueeessCul business men have v.'iselv chosen the marriage relation, and ha\e de- lightful, happy homes and interesting families, with ever\- assurance that in the future as at present, the\- will fill a large place in the social and busi- ness relations of our town. AVith schools and religious meetings established for those in their emplo^^ Stexensville is one of the most order! \- and happ\' neighborhoods to be found in man\" a dax's traNcl. msroHY ():•• loiri" faii^ ii.i.n. LllAPriCR X!A'. cAi'i'MN >ii: I'liKx 1!. rA'i'ii:i:. SU'plK'ii Inirbank i^ittcc, son of the Rc\.J(»lin l^iUcc, was born in 1 loklcrncss. \. II., l'\'briiai-y ()l.h. iNi;;; when ab(»ut twcKc \c'ai"s okl he was lel'l lari;\'l\' to clc)X'iuI upon himself. b'or a tine he was emplo\ecl on a sehooner makini;' regular tri]")s between Han^or ami Hoston; then h.e was emploNed in a baker\' ani.1 eonleetioner, estillisl:- ment. In iN:>() he maiiied Miss Philenia \\'ai\1 (k.od- hue. and soon alter i"emo\ A'd to Aroostook eoni'ity. I'^)r a short time he was in business in Ilou.lton. in eonij^anv with Timolln b^'isbee. Mareh 17. iS:;(), he was a member o!' the l).;!'.- L^or rille eomjxanN, and undei" Lieutenant C'olt(»n reportt.Hl to tlu- eommamlinL:' ollieer ior iluty. b'rom the lirst his abilil\ as a h ailer was reeoi,- ni/ed, and lor his entire jH'iiod ol" sei\ iee (» " near- I\ a \ear. he hail ehar^c of men and was e:Uri s'.- ed with important duties. In c\)mm;md at t'.iv upper blockhouse, up > 1 ex- 33^ HISTORY OF FORT FAIRJ'IELD. ploring expeditions, and as deputy slieriff, bis du- ties were diseharged faithfully, prudently, and in a fearless manner. It was not until i<'^43 that we be.^une personally accjuainted with Captain l^attee; he was theii en- gaged in business at what was then known as ''down to Pattee's." The sawmill was in opera- tion, and he and .Vlbion \\ Haywood had formed a eo-partnership imder the tirm name of Pattec and IIa\wood. He was then hu-ing the founda- tion upon which rested the wonderful social and })olitical influence he exercised from i<'^45 to i^^55. As a business man, he was not onh' accomm3- dating but generous to the poor settlers; as a citi- zen he was social and affable; as a politician he was an indomitable worker; he was a Whig e^■- ei"\- da\- in the ^"eal■, and nc\er lost sight ot an op- ]K)rtunit\- to win men to his wa\" of thinking. No man in Port f^iirlielil \\as a'ppcaled to more fre- (|uentl\'. and from none the poor and need\' went a\\'a\' with more kind words and material aid. It is possibK' tliat his business might ha\e been mv;i-e a success, il busiiiess principles, and not charity, had been the go\ erning rule. Por all the \ears lie was in l-^)rt kairheld, he was devoted to its pros- perity he was lo\al to its public interests, he was looked up to as a leader, he was honored agi.in and again by elections, and appointed to offices, all ol' which he tilled with honor to himselF ;i:-.d tb.c i t- most satisfaction to all concerned. HISTORY OF FGHT FAIRFIELD. ^^1 In addition to his co-partnership witli Mr. Hay- wood, after Mr. Ila\\vood remo\ed to lloulton, the tirni name became Pattee and Hyde. HON. iicssic i)Ri:\\. The Drew lamiK of England descend iVom an early noble Xorman, tracing- the line thronuh cen- turies, ^lembers of the family accompanied Wil- liam the Conqueror to England, participated in the memorable battle of Ilastinos, 1060, and were o-ranted lands in l)e\()n, Hereford and elsewhei-e, enrolled in the Doomsday book. According to a preamble to the Drew pedigree, gi\ en by the kmg of Arms, ''the ancient and knightlv lamily of Drew of Devonshire are lineal descendants lri)m Richard, Duke ol" Normandy, grandfather of Wil- liam the Conqueror. Sir Edward Drew was a de- scendant of this line. John Drew, the grandfather of Sir Edward Drew, emigrated to Plymouth. Mass.. in 1660." Hon. Jesse Drew, the son of Stephen Drew, a descendent ol" John Drew, was born in 'Ihnner, Maine. September. 21st. iSoS. where he resided during his early life. He was married in May. iS^j. to Hannah T. Phillips of Turner, and there were boi-n to them H.annah (i.. tleceaseil. iM-anklin M.. Delphiua M.. deceased. Anna P.. tie- ceased, and (Jeorge E. She died at \\\y\>. August 27. 1S5J. He marrieil again December ijth.iS^j. Clara !>.. daughter of (Jeneral Joel Wellington of Monticello. and there were born to them (iertrnde. HISTORY OF f(M;t FAIRI^IICLI). deceased, and Morrill N. Jlis seeond wife died at Fort l^iirtield Oct. id. iSgy. lie died in Lew- iston at tlie residenee oi' his son, (\)]. I'^r.mk M. Drew, Adjust ,^ist, i Sgo, Vov riearl\- a hali' eeritiir\- lie was a prominent eiti/en. l"^)r man\- \ears lie \v;is a denutx' sheriff in the town of Turner, and then deput\- sheriff and jailer at Palis. in iN::;^ lie received an appoirit- nient in tlie lan.d olllce and nioNcd to Letter II, now Caribou; he Svjon lornied a j'.irtnership witli lion. W'ash.in^ton Loni;-, and with him carried on at Letter II, and subsecpieritK' at I'^)rt I'^iirtield, tile lumhei- business, until the app( ir.tment of T^Ir. Lon<4" as collector of customs at Lastport in iS6i. In June, 1S6:;, he was appointed deput\- collector of customs at I*^)rt Fairfield, and continued in this oriice for sixteen \ears. He represented the I'^ort I'^iirlield district in the legislature lor the \'ears iS(S^^-S|. This ser\ ice concluded his public career, extending o\ er a period of more tlian forts' ^■ears, and it c:\n be truth i'ull\- said, '"lie was a ^ood and faithful serwmt;" he w.is pleasant, eilicient and honest, considerate alike of the duties he owed the public and the authorit\- which he serxed. Folit- icallw ^\v. I)i-e\v was a Democrat until the forma- tion of the Republican partw which he tlien joined, and e\er adter contimied to sup-i^ort. In the I'jest sense of the word he was a born ]iolitician; he lo\ed the stud\- and practice of j^olitics, not so IIISrORV OI-" l-Oi-J'l' rAIKI'lFJJ). 3,V) mucli for tlic rowaid in tlic acquisition of otficc, as the plcasui-c and i^ratilication it alTordcd his cncjiiir- ini^- mind, and the oppoitunitx' it af'l'ordcd liim to jiromotc his ]-)()litical \ icws and aid his Iricnds. Tliis k'tl him to become a ch)sc stiulcr.t of men and mcasui-cs, and I'cw men better understood than he. how men are politicalK' intluenced. and how more skilfullN' \o bi-in^- lo pass desired ends. I lis lidelitN- and acti\ it\- in th:e supj^/ort of h.is Criends i^ave Iiim a hir^e and intlu.ential ac(iaintancc th)-ou^hout the Slate. He was jiai'ticularly inter- ested in the welfare and promotion of youn^" men; and to his kindl\- su^^-estions and intlnence not a lew men owe their earl\' political success. M •. D.cw w.i; a ivihlic spirited mi:i; h-> al- wa\s identilietl himself with the place in which he resided, antl took Li'reat interest in its growth and prosperity lie was \ er\- much attached to the town olForl h^iirrield and its inhabitants; he was. duiini; the man\- \ears he resided there, deeply in- terested in e\ ei\ thiuL;- that j-iromised lo contribute to the Lirowih. jirosjU'riU' and advancement ol the \ illai^e. I K' was ;'.c'i\ e in inducing- the New Bruns" wick rail\va\- companx' lo exteiul its road to 1" ort b^iirlield; active in ha\ inu" sidewalks buill. anil trees set out to adorn the streets, and for many \ears these will testif\ to his public spiiit ami lorethouLihl. Ml-. l)i-ew hatl a leual mind, and had h.e turn.ed 34« HISTORY OF I-Olrr FAIRFIELD. to the law in his earlier ^■ears, he would easily ha\e taken i-ank with tlie leading- la\v\ers of the State. Ihe eoint room had e\er l). .U> was deprived of the privilcuc of rcadin.^" and cor- rcspoiidciicc, whicli had been a i^rcat ]->lcasiirc to liim, he did not allow tlic darkness to cloud his liiV. lie bra\cl\- bore the intirmities ol' a_L;e, and accepted, uncomplainingly, the «;radrial wearini;- a\va\- o!' his bo:lily stren'^-cli, until at 1 ist, at tlrj riin- a'^e o!" more than fourscore years. ne\ er uK^re lo\ ed and respL'cted, in t!ie honij of liis son, as he wished it, his li!e work eiuled and all its hajijii- njss enjoNj.l, t!ij ii i d simu);-)^ canu t) him, and "death smiled upon him, as smiles silent and p.viceCul ni,n-ht upvA t!ie e ihausted laborer." Till: iiAiN::s family. josep'n Winsiiite Haines was born in Ilallowell, Maine, in 1S04. and was a member c^l" the I laines Tamil \- of Kennebec and Oxford counties, aiul a lii'st cousin of Hon. (jeorue h\ans. In i^'iS he married Miss Mary Uri^^gs of Win- throp. In 1.S47 he mo\ ed to ''the Aroostook" with liis famiU oftwelve children ; two ( a pa-r of twin<) were born after they canne here. lie bou.nht of I'^reeman I'dlis. ]r., th- kind from which he ma.le t!ie celebra.ted Haines farm in Ma]->le (iro\e. He obtained a ^rant oTIar.d from tlie State and built a mill where the Bryant mill now stands, that was of i^ieat ber.el'it to the early settler^, he ha\ in^i^: the means to c-mploy considerable help; he b.- )-u^'U \-a!.i:i'^lj impro^•c.l sto:k into the county, ;j!ul v.as an enterprisin'r. proirressi\e larnicr, and a 34^ iiisroi^v OF F()i;r fairI'^ieij). mcnihcr of the a^Ticullural socictx-, of which he ^\';ls a succcsslul ;iiul ciricicnt prcsiilciit ; he was al- so a siieeesst'iil and popular nieniber oC the State board oC aLrieultiire. I)\in^ in iNy6, at the a;j,e oC se\"ent\-tw'o \ears, hie lelt a hir^e i'aniil\-, which has occupied too hii'L;"e a phice in l'^)i"t h^aiiiield to receixe a passing' notice. Lydia K., the eldest of tlij l"aniil\-, at the ai^-j of tw'ent\', ni irried ('ale!') Ellis. S!ie liad ni ide the best possible use ol' her oppoilunities to se- cure an education, antl was a successf'ud school teacher. She lilled the position as tlie wife of an itinerant iNIethodist ministei". both in the b'.nst Maine, and Miclii_Li"an conferences. She loxalK- iollowed her husband to the south, and cared for him in his sickness. She was a true wife and mother, de- A oted to her famil\' and friends. She died in h^llis- \ille. South Dakota, Iul\- 7th, iSSf), and was kiid beside two of hei" children, who had L;'one belore, in the Libert\- cemeter\- in r^Iichiian. AbiL;"ail, the second child, left hrnu in her carl\- womanhood, and went to .Massachusetts. She subsec|uentl\- married. She has been dead for se\eral \ears. llenr\- .\. w.is hi)rn in Ibdiowelb Abun.\ i.i iS^^^. In 1S54 he was united in marriage to Miss Mar\" Krar'ces Knight, and to them were born three children. ]Mrs. Adda Ma\" Richardson, in Penns\hania, William A., proprietor of the saw IIISrOKN' OI" I'ORT FAIKKllilJ). .U3 iiiul Lii-istniill in this \ illa^c. and Kla !>.. who makes luT llollU' witli lu'l" lllotluT. Mr. I laiius w as lai-m.-l\ cnuaucd in the r.iill busi- ness, aiul in iN()S. Ik- b(nii;lU llu- sawmill al tlx- lowci- \ illaux". In iS.Si, in companx with hisson. William A., he boniiht the mill piixilcue antl rc- Iniill the gristmill, where lie was ;t.eti\ely enuaLied until t'le time of his death, in Mareh. i SS(). I le si:- - eeeded in building' i;p a i^cod propeity, and iixed and died lespeeted b\ all wlio knew him. (leor^e \\'., soon alter his majoiitN, bought lilty aeres IVom the home farm, and nKiii ied a w ife. 'I'o them wei"e born two ehildien; or.v died in his early manhood, the otiu-r married Mi". I. II. Kii)i\ ar.d is r.ow li\ inu' oi. the old homestead, \\ here sh,e was born, Mr. I iair.es making- his hon'.e with his dauiiii- ter aiul son in law. lie was I'oi- iiiany yeais th.e Maple (ir()\e j-xstmaster, has lilletl se\eral town olhees, and is a resp-eeted eiti/.en. Mar\, the thiitl dauuhtc']-, mariied Auuistr.s RaeklilT, and died in iier early womaniiocd. John W. has been a i'.aicl workinL:', ii-.di sti i(»i s and prosp.eror.s larmer. Death has a,Lain aiul a^.-.in \isileil his Ikhu-; lie is n(.w li\ inu' with his tliiul will', upon his farm on the north sii'e < 1 th.e n\er. Mr. Haines lias alw;i\s ritaii'.ed hi^ rtsicViAe m this tow n. Daniel W. llaine> scon after his maj( iit\ eniisl- eil in the i st Maine ea\-ali'> . He was a iv.CLit ex- .^44 HISTORY OF I'^OltT FAIRJ'IELD. ccllcnt soldier, and able to do almost uninterrupt- ed dut\-. lie eame home ^vith health impaired, and a few \ears elosed his earthh- eareer. . Xane\-, the Fourth daughter, married AV;irren C. riummer. He was an offieer in the 15th ^Nlaine rei^iment. The\- went to Penris\hania. where she died, lea\ ino- two daughters. .\lbert L. was also in the ist ^klaine eavalr\-; he was wounded, his horse killed, and he was taken ]:>ris()i"ier ;it Branxhwine Station in 1S63. After three weeks he was pa.roled, and after several months he was exelFUiii'ed ; he tlien joined his reg'- ment and ser\ed to the end of the war, I-n i^'47 he married Miss ?yhir\- L., daughter oF Ilenrv C and Mar\- Currier. !n 1N74 he bouglit of his fa- tlier tlie eelehrate:! Haines I'arm in INIaple Gro\ e, where he h;is resided until the present time. His daughters are both married; the oldest to ^lr. Em- mons W. Houghton, and the oth.er to \Iy. II. D. Stexens, and ha\e hne homes in this town. ^..'^r. Haines is a sueeessful Farmer, a respeeted eitizen, an acti\ e member of the agrieultural soeietv, iw d has been a member of tf.e State board of agricul- ture, and was appointed hv Cj'ov, I'odwell to tl:e l'arme)\s" national congress at Chicago in 18S6. b^'ank II. was boiMi in Hallowell in 1844, ♦^'^■'^^' ''^ 1S67 was married to ()li\e, daughter oF Herir\- C. and Marx L'urrie)" ol f^;rt b^iiiiield. I'o th.em lia\"e In^en born thrc^- children, two s.oiis aiul a dr.U'^ihtcr. HISTORY OF FOl!T KAlR l-I ICI.F). M? Six \cars a^o death came, taking- the eklcst son, at the a<4"e ol sixteen. The otlier son antl claii^litei", to^etlier with his in\alitl wile, m ike up his laniilx . His beautiful and attraeti\e home is opposite the (jraniie halL in the centre of this town. Mr. Haines is in the IVont i"aid<: ol" successful faiinei's, and in the possession of a \alual)le farm propert\- and the cnjoxment of the fiuiits ol" his toil and L\'ood man- a^ement. .Vboat o;ie lialf milj soutli of his twin brother b^-ank. ma\- be Ibund the home of i'^'cd Haines. .\t the ai^e oi" twent\-, with two brijthers in the armw when a married brother was hit b\" the draft he ri-eel\' took his place. Jlis tirst business \enture was to bu\' the farm he is now on. For a time he wa-^ in the millini;' business. In 1S72 his wife and cliildren were reniox ed bv death. In i''^75 he mariied Miss I'>mma Thuilouiih. He is in possession ol all that makes up a haj">p\'. pro.sperous, ar.d successfid laini home. He has invented a \aluable jiiece of fariii machinery and is a reliable, independent farnu-r who has made lile a success. Marcella Haines died when about ten \ears old. 'i'heodore I). Haines, after his majoritx" went to Michigan, and then to IVnnsxhania where he died se\ eral years a_s::(). Isadore I). Haines is unmarried and en^aLcd in mission.ars' work in the foreiL^ii lields. 34^> iiisroRV OF i-oirr fairfii:!,!). \vii.i.ia:m joiixs'pon. esc)^. 'I'hc parcMils of \\'illiani Johnston i-cnio\ cd in liis earl\- chiklliood iVoiii Maine on to the St. )ohn ri\ or a few miles abo\ e h'rederieton. Ilere he li\ed with his parents, enjo\in<4- siieh pri\- ilexes as the new eounti\- af't'orded. until he heeaine of" aj^e. Soon after his majoiit\- he went on to the ^lira- niichi waters and eni^a^'ed in luniberinjj,-. While there he beeanie aecpiainted with Sarah Sutherland, and soon after the\- were married. Xot beino he exchanged his larm foi" pi'ojU'rtN' in \\ Ood- stock. and some fixe \ears later sold and remoNcd on to the Aroostook ri\er. and selected a location HISTORY ()!•' l-^ORT l\\ I IU'H:i.li. ^^7 on the south side ol" the river near the liead of the Reach. lu'f'oi-e \>>^<-) he liad cut a road Iroiii his place lo the mouth olllie Lo\el\ hrook. and in tliat \ear. upon the arri\al ol tlu- land a^enl and the posse, he was probahh the onl\ man on the lower Aroostook, N\ ho had an\' s\ iiipaliu' with the Ameri- can L,o\ einmeiU. As soon as ibrmai possession was taken and a militaix' post was established, lie j")romptl\ exchanued his propert\' with Jacob Weeks and secured the ri\er front, from a short distance abo\ e the Canadian Pacitic depot to the (iellerson corner, Jlis house was located neaiK' where Thos. l-'isher s res'dence now stands, I le at once opened a public house, and this was tlie onl\' jmblic liouse in this townshij") for sexeral \ears. lie was a man calculated lo make warm person- al friends, and althouiih he kept a public liouse. it was ol'ten turned into a charitx hospital: while those who were able weie expected to pa\' their waw his door was nexer closed against those \\ ho were withoiit mone\' or in distress. Mr. Johnston was at an earl\- da\" apjiointed justice olthe peace. 1 lis business in this line, howe\er. was mostly con- tined to the occasional mai"r\ inLi' <•' a couple: what few ihsjTutcs that did occur were mostl\ amicably settled, and the otheis Iw a knockilown argument. \\ ithoul justice, jud^e or juroi-. Alter man\ chaniies had come and the intlinii- ties of (»U1 a^e were t.ikinL!' holtl upon him, he sold 34*^ - HISTORY OF FOlrr TAIUFIELD. Ill's home and lived with his dani>-htcr, T^Trs. yi. A. Eastman. In i860, his estimable wife siekened and died, and in X()vembeiMS64, the eall eame and he jiassed nxcr to join those who had ooiie 011 be- fore. William and Sarah Johnston were in the strietest sense pioneer settlers, both upon the Ken- nebej and .Vroostook rivers, experiencing- a full share of the hardships and pri\ati()ns knov/n and realized in such a life. Tn them were born nine children: one died in infancy, Charles W. Johnston in his earl\- manhood, and E!liza Burpee at lier liome in Cjrand Falls, N, I)., leaxinii' a husband and a L;,rown up son and two daui;-hters. There are now li\ini;"in Fort b^airtield the six femaining children. \i/. : Warren A., ?^Irs. a\Iar\- Waite. now li\ in^- with her dauiiiiter, ?>Irs. Sarah j. Libln-.—^frs. Frances E. Ellis, ^Irs. S. e'aroline l^stabrook, ?^Irs. A. C. Paul and Mrs. Margaret A. Eastman. GEX. VIARK TRAK'i'OX. .VmonLi" those identihed with the earl\- settle- ment of Xortliern ^Vroostook, was (jcn. ^lark Tral- ton, who came fi-om ]>ani;'()r to Vovi Fairtield in the snmmer ol' 1843. (icn. Trafton had been a person of prominence in the Sl;ite before that time. Tak- ing- up his residence in I^angor when ver^• ^•()ung^ he was at once engai^ed in actixe business, and tilled man\- important olhcial stations. He was captain of a company of ca.\a!r\- in acti\e serxice in the HISTORY oi' roirr fairkield. 349 war of iSij, .iiul shoi-tlx- alter tlie- war \N'as made a bri^^"adior-i;"enciaI ; he represeiited his chslrict in the - the caj'jital to build the lirst mills, and in connection with I>. I). P^.iStman, \v!io was afterwards joined In' (t. .\. Xourse, car- ried on an extersix e business Cor some \ ears, and laid the foundation f'oi' the preseiit lh)urishinLi' n il- la^e and town of Limestone. When the intii-mities oi" age precluded labor, the genei'al returiied to Bangoi\ where he diet! in i''^57, and was bui'ied in the l'amil\- lot at ?\b)unt Hope, witli militar\- and masonic honoi's. He held a warm ]dace in the hearts of all the first settlers of the town. Man\- of them remem- bered with gi'atitude, his words of encouragement, and his substantial aid in tiding o\er a hard place. DAMiCL i.ii;i;Y. i:s(4^. .\mong the pioneers in Aro.st )ok, tlie name of Daniel Libln' should ha\ e a permanent place. He was born in \Vinsl()w, Me., March 25th, ib'05, ar.d at the age of twent\--fou.r remoxed to Houlton; al- ter remaining there ten ^•ears, in i<^4.^ he cinr.e to Fort I'^urlield, and here both Mr. Libb\- and his I'amih" made man\' lifelong friends. In i!^47 hv de- cided to remove to Hradford. Maiia, the eld- est daughter, had married Maak 'I'rafton < f Limestone', and other members of the lamih' had formed associations that were in the tuture to idimti- i'v theni with our countw Mr. Libb)- only re- mained a short time in Bradford, and then remo\ ed to Limestone, wdiere the remainder of his da^■s HIStORY OK FORT FAIRrlKLU. 35^ were spent. He was a respeeted and intliiential eili/en. Tw iee he was elected to ser\ e the jx-ojile ol his ilistiMet in the State lei;ishitiire : time al'ler time he was elected to town offices, and lor many \ears was postmaster of Limestone. Mr. Libln went on throui^di life makini:,- f'rientls, because he was fViendlw lie was a useful, woi'tlu- and reliable citi/en. respected b\ all w ho knew him. He died at the residence of his s )n, .\m(js 15. Libln in l''oi-t I'\iirlield. October ,:;d. iS6S. He mai'ried twice, and was the father of Iwehe children. Llis dauL^hters married well, and his sons ]")r()\'ed worllu and respected citi/ens ; one ol them. Mr. .Vnios !>. Libb\, was born while lie was making- his home in l''oi1 l-'airtield, Maich 4th, iS.|h. \\'hen about ei^'hteen \ears of a^e he enteietl the store of Hon. Isaac 1 lacker as clerk. Mere he re- mained lor nine \e:ii"s, faithful and in the full con- lidence ol" his emplo\ers. Then he became a part- ner in the business with Mi'. J. \\ 1 lacker, under the lirm name of Hacker and Libby. In iN;,^ he was married to Miss Sarah |. W'aile: this union was a hapin- one, he pro\ini4' a kind and loxin^i;" husband ami father, a irood citit/.en ami an uprii^ht and honorable man. All who came in contact with him felt the intluence of his puw and noble character. .\fter ei-htc-en months ol ijradually failinLj health, on the 5th day of June, 1887, he went to join cUildicii, father, infRhcu ari.d iVicub who had 3S^ HISTORY OF roirr fa-iri'ield. f^onc before, le.ivin^- a widow and three lo\in^' eliil- dren. two daughters and a son, |erre, why is prcn- iiiiz; a J4"reat comfort aiid blessini'; to hi i motlier and sisters. He (graduated Frv)ni t!ie Fort b'airfield hii^'h' school in 1891, and is now parsidni;- a colk\:4"iate C')".n'se in B )wd:)in colle^'j, with e\ers- pr;)spe:L of a happ\', prosjTcrons and in!"]ue;iti'il fcture bcdorc ir 11], 'rili-: I'ARSON.S FAMILY. Le\i Parsons, yo.in_;-„v5L child of J jh 1 Par/ons aiul Polly Parsons, was born in Canton, Me., Dec. 23th, 1023. lie was oi\-{jn the name of his uncle, his father's bi\)t!ier, Pe\i Parson.s, wh(; was a prom- ineiit clerLiAman and re\i\alist, in the st;ite of New i i r.iipshire. One of the earl\- histories ol" New Hampshire spoke of this clerii-\-man as a leading .di\In2 (jf thj siite an 1 a grj.it preulrj;-. He is i)ndoul)tedly tlie same di\ine to whom ex-\h'ce President Morton's m(;thier w;is related, as the l;i- (;gi-aphy of y\r. Morton sa^■s that h.e was named Le\ i Parsons >.[orton for his mother's brother, a former emineiit elei'g\niian (;!' New Hampshire. This braneli of the famil\- of Parsia^s canie from Endaip.e. joh 1 1 ;;r;ons was boi'n in Xew Hp.mpsldre, bnt spjnt fu' e.irl\- ]iart (.)!' his life in L'.imbridge, Mass., ntSTORV OF i-oi'.T FAiRiii:r.i). :5.1 when lie c:\n\c t;> Oxlorcl county in t'nis st:\tc; here 1k' nianicd Polly 1 lar.nircrcl To thcni were born ten ehildren, Le\ i l^irsor.s, tl'.e subject of tb.is sketch, b.-ins;- th.e youno-cst. Le\i's pare-.-.ts, wlien h.e was a small boy, moved rrnm Oxford to S:;nrer\ ille, Piscataquis cor.r.ly, where he -rew to m:i-.hr(-d. I Ic attended the pr.b- lic schools in San.L.erviile <\v.d F(Xcroft, complet- ino- his education at Foxcroft academy. He was a classmate of ihe'late-Mon. A. G. Febroke of b^:x- crolt, who remembered him well :.s a brdliar.t youn-- man ol'tine intellect, noble character. an:k.i- tiousl and a leader in all his classes. Thus pc.sscs- sino- a liberal education for these days, which he continually added to in alter life, he had at bns comm.aixl a rr.re fund ( f inforn^ation up(.n nearly all subjects of impcrtar.ce. His interest in educa- tion il matters proved c f pxat value to his family ol" children when lie settled in a new neiyhb(.rhc.(.d remote from schools. While vouj-.u" Levi was iinishini!: V.is education m Foxcroft, th.e spirit of migration Vwis lakin,^- some of the older citi/.ens of his nei.'.ihb(Mh(^(;d to tlie new settlement in the northern part of the State, called I'^ort Fairlield. Amonu- these was b^recman Ellis, the r/.iiler at Sa.n-erville villagv, or Carlcton's Mills, as it was then called. Mr. KHis, also of Pu- ritanical stc^ck, bein- a descendant of (^cvernor l^n.T'.-rd and Dr. b'uller of the Plymo/th colony. 354 HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIFT/D. possessinii' somethino- ol'the spirit oradvcnturc and j^liick ofliis early ancestors, started with liis fam- ily, a jiioneer, into tlie wilderness oi" northern iNIaine, making a ''elearinii" at Maple Gro\e, in the present thriving town of Von l^^airtield. Pre- A ious to Mr, I'^llis lea\ ing Sangerville, however, Le\ i had become acquainted with the miller's daughter, I^ydia, a brilliant Noung lad\ of line char- acter and personal charms. Lydia set about her work with zeal in the new countr\', laboring to make pioneer lile more like that of the older town from which she had gone, and collecting the set- tlers' children, taught the tirst school ever held on what was called the ''center road" in Fort Fairlield. Ker pioneer work was comparative! v short, as Le- \ i followed in a lew vears, and, renewing his ac- quaintance, they were married in I'ort 1-^airtield, June 7th, 1S4S. They then took their long, diffi- cult journey back to Sanger\ille. Here they re- sided until 1S60, when the\- mo\ed with their fam- ily of lour boys to I'ort I'airtield, to establish a per- manent home in the Aroostook \alle\-. He soon Ibund a desirable location on a new farm in the ad- joining plantation, now Kaston, on the stage route Irom I'ort b^airtield to Iloulton. Jlere the remainder of his davs were spent, on the larm in Kaston. A tirst-class mechanic, he worked in his carpenter shop when not engaged on the farm, thus gi\ing his bo\s the advantage of HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. ;^:,^ ■A trade which {hvv used to i^-ood cITcct in stai'tini;- in life. An iiuetcratc worker, he was larmcr or car}XMUcr durino- tlie da\-, and teacher lor liis chd- dren in the lono- winter evenings, until tliey weie laro-c enouiih to i^o awa\' to school, when he woukl sacrifice e\'er\ thini;' to keep them there. carin<4- less for accumulating- propertN" than Tor s^ix ini;" his chil- dren an education and proper tiainiiiLi" lor the bus-' iness of life. Neither did he neglect their spiritu- al traininLi'. A devout Christian himself, he sur- rounded his famil\' with reIi;Lii(nis intluence. and long- before the new settlement could boast ol a schoolhouse, religious services were fre(|uently held at his house on the Sabbath day. Alwa\s courteous and thoughtl'ul ol the wellare of others, he was a good neighbor, kind husband and dexoted lather. As a citi/en he was always right on all moral (piestions. and liis intluence lelt where he resiileil. Not possessing a strong con- stitution, however, cleariiig the lorcsl and making a new farm proved too much Inr him piiysically. and becoming broken dow n in health he died at his home in ICaston. March ist. \Sqn. lie dieil as he had lived, in the faith, and nil felt at his death that a good man had jiassed away. |-'.si-)eciallv do his children remember his tireless enei-gv in iiistill- inginto their voung minds mnial and religious les- sons, and the jiossibilities ol" the I'uture; the long- winter eveniiiL:- lessons of both lather and mother ,r?(^ lILSTOHV OF Four lAJRFiFLi). between the long intcr\-als of sehoolin^* in that pi- oneer eoiinlrN- arc rememb,erecl with deepest o-rati- tiide. Such men and women at tlie heads of fam- ih'es go far to nuke us as apeople wliat we are — sell- reliant, energetic, and in man\- i-espcets the noblest nation upon earth. The children of Le\ i and L\dia P.irsons were, T.e\ i Lendall Parsons, born at Sangcrx ille, ^daine, Januar\- 14th, i."^ / Jolr.i Wilbur Parsons, born at SaiiLTcrxillc Dc- CLMiibcr ()th, i^^S-!' '."iiarriL-d Miss A unit.- lUiiIciuh al Clirtondalc, Mass., )iiiu' i^lh. iNt^j. Tlu'x now re- side at Clit'tondalc, where he is siieeessluiU' en- gaged in t!ie retail Iiniiber business, lie is also a ver\- superior nieelianic. Clarenee \'anderl\-n Parsons, born at Sangei'\ ille Jainiar\- iN, 1N57, was educated for tlie niinistiy, completing his education at the theological semin- ary at Stanll)rd\ille, on the Hudson, He is a suc- cessful, growing ]")reaeher, and a young man ol'abil- \l\\ He mar-ried Lida I"'.. Xorlhrop, at Lake\ille, N. v., b\'bruar\-, iNN^:;. 'bheii- cliikhen are X'erna .Vgnes and Leon L. Paisons. He is ncjw located at Lubec in this state. Liz/ie L'. Pai'sons, born at b'ort b'aii^held, July 7, 1861, Jii;iri-ied l-'i-aiik I )eLaite, Jain;;ny 2d, iNjt^, at Kaston, Me. 'J"he\- now reside at L'lil'tondale. near Boston, Mass., and she is the happ\ mother of two bright chikh-en, Willis b]llis Delaile, born at b'as- t;)n XoN ember (>th, iS'^o, and Maude Angela, b()ri\ December (;th, i .SS >. Leslie L. Parsons, b>)]n at lOaslon Jur.e i(\ iNoo, thj \;)iingest in the It'.iiilw is lioW engaged suc- ccssIulK' in IjHJsiness 1" )r himseli", also at C'lil'lon- dale, he being last, bu' n.ot least, in a family which remains true to its eirl\- teachings anil represents in its uK-mbers nobilit\ (»|" character, tem]">erance ail sob:ict\-. Here L\ di.i Kllii Pars-jus. widow 35^ HISTORY OF Four fairfil:ld. of Lc\i Parsons, at present makes her borne, hap- p\- in bein^- surrounded b\' lier children, her t'anii- ]\-, I'eared in Northern .Vooostook with sueli care, ni()therl\ anxiet\' and j">ra\ert'ul tenderness, pro\ - iuL;- in return a blessinq in her deebnini;- years. CAl''r. KIJ'.HIIXiFW. WAFri:. ^Ir. I'^lbridixe W. Waite was born in Peru. Ox- ford eount\-. Me., October 22i\. i(Si3, of an ances- tr\- datiuL^- back to the hfteenth centurN'. They were identilied wilh the earl\ histor\- of our - ountry, tak- iiiLi- part in the J^e\()hitionar\ \\ dv and tlie war of_ iSr2 and 1S14. and one of them was captain of one of the transports, and aided in the capture of (^le- bec in i 75^). At about twent\- \ears of a_ue he went to W'in- throp, r^Ie., to learn a trade; while there he was chosen captain of a militar\' companw At the time of the call for troops to defend the disputed terri- tor\-, he came to this countw In I.S43 he man-ied Mar\-, eldest daughter ol \\'illiam lohnston, Esq., and with his brcjther in law, Almon vS. Richards, built a double tenement house, ^vhich he occupied as a home until the time of his death. It is now occupied b}' ^^lessrs. Caleb Bartlett and Geo. McXalley. To them \^ ere born se\ en children, four of whom are noA' li\ing: Aim j:i W. of Portland, Stephen P. of Andover, N. B., Sarah J. (Mrs. Libby) of this ^•illage. and Cassias I. Waite of Tacoma, Washing- . HISTORY OF KOKT FAIRriliLD. 359 ton. Ml". W aiU' was an iiuU;slrioi:s. rcliabic ami \\'()i"th\ citi/.cn. lie was earnest in all \N'C)rks to elexate antl improve soeietx. and an aetixe and in- lluential temperance leader. llis inthienee was lelt in imjiroxini;- and monltlinL:' soeietw For sonij time bis health had been I'ailinL:', and in June, iS')f), the end eanie. A well spent, siie- eesstV.l iile work was ended, antl moiwniiiLi- iViends stood aiound all that was mortal ol'a kind husband and I'alher, a wortln and dex'oted eiti/.en. and a tiaie IViend, \l,\10\ S. KltllAKDS. Almon S. Kiehaicis was born in I .ip.cobnille, .Me., October jSiJi. i.Siy, aiul died at his home in Mai-)!e (ji-ove ( Fori h'airtield) ]unc 30, i^S^. Ml-. Rich.a:cls rema.inetl at home with his parents, working on the I'ai'm ami impro\ inij,- e\ er\ oj^por- t'.mit\- within his reach to secure an education, uv.- til he was ol" a^e. ()nl\- a few months after liis majoritx' the disjnite about the northeastern boun- dar\- cidminated in a call for soldiers \n c'rive ( Tf tin- tresjiasseis and t ik«' formal |">osession ol the Aroostook countrw Not (hawiiii;- a ticket in tb.c iirstdralt, b.e did not wait bn- a second, but promjit- 1\ t(;ok the |ilace of a dr.ifted man, ami was amonir the liist to aii'ixc upon the scene of aclit.n. In |ul\. I ''^44. he \\ ;:s married to Frances h. |,'hnston, daughter ol" William Johnston, FLsq., who had moved Uc.i;i Kenr.cl cc cor.ntv to th.c Arc <"i took 1,()0 HISTORY oi'^ roirr fairfield. ri\cr SL'\cral yc:irs before. To them were born cioht children: Mrs. Mar\' Hilton, Mrs. Carrie E. Jewett, Miss A-^-nes J. Richiirds, Mr. Geori>c Vv. Rijhards (-1' ] loulton, Ilor.tce Cj. PJchards, c;!' the fii-in of Thurloiio'h, Rich;irds ar.d Co., and Mrs. Al- ice I'^rench, and one died in inlancw lie held se\-- eral important offices; was local land agent and de- puty collector ol:' customs. lie was a siicces >f I'.l, pi^osperons farmer. For m.ore than a year before his decease he was •a c )nSrni^J i r> alid, a 1 1 a'; tim;; a ic— i- 3 i^f .^.w. I^artly to keej) liis iiiind Irom his suffering's, he de- \-oted much time to reading-; the I>iMe and Josephrs were alwa\s at hand, riiid at times, almost lost to liis surroundiniis, he would with interest pense them. Almon S. Rich;irds p(;iiticall\- wa.s a \\'hiu-, Jind upon the breaking up <.f the Whig Y'.wly he be- came a conscientious and ardent Rep; blicrvU. He was able to gi\e a ;eason ibr his political faith, and to defend ,any ]-!osition h.e took. He wa.s a ir.an cC j)ositi\e and decided opinions, an earnest Chi istian, a reliable a.iul trustwortln' citizen, a ki::d i:eigl:b(;r and a de\(;ted and loving lu.sband ;md b.th.er. Ri;\'. 15E.\ A^ilN D. ICASl^TAN. In 1842 Henjamin D. Eastman, of the E^a.st Mair.e conljren.ce, lo.a'ed a.r.d xis^ted th.e / rccs'ook for t ie purpose of selectiuig a locat'on, ar.d in the Col- Ivwing spring m<,\ed with his '; m''\ to Letter 1) pkintati;)n'."a'ad located 'On. th.e K't/ite i-oadahout oi'.c IIISTOKY OF FOiri' KA I R I"I FLO. :/^r and ();ic hall" miles this side oF the west line ol" the towr.ship, lU'sides his xounu' I'aniiU. Jesse S. .\\- erill, Sleph.en ]\. I'hipps and — Chase aeeniri]\ai^.ied him. Ml', l-'.astman devoted himsell" to elearin^- up a new farm, and in iS^pS assf)eiated himsell with (kvi. Maik 'rialton in building- mills at Limestone. Sub- seque:"it!\" b.e disposed of his interests in this eoiin- t\- and remo\ed to New Ilampshii-e. where he died se\eral \ e;irs aii,(\ (/I'iS ICAS'IMAN, .\ brother of Henjamin I)., eame to this town soon after his brothei", and proved a siiceesslid farmer, raisinti; up a good i'amily of ehildren. One son, (leon^e \\\ I'>astman. was in t!-;e I'nion arm\- an.d did i^ood ser\ iee for his eoimtry. lie p.ow resides in th.is town, a worthy and respected citizen. STF.lMIiCN i:. IMIIIM'S W;;s lor n-iore than twenty yeai-s an ;icti\e citi- zen, a i^ood ir.echardc and industiaons larmer. aiul succeeded in accpairin^- some property. lie bought the (a-iLinal 'I'ucker place at the mor.th of t!ie Ma- jile C-roxe rciad, married Miss Martha Spoor.er. and to th.em were born six children. Alter se\er- al years he sold his farm aiul bought what has sir.ce been krc-wn as the llouiihton faiiii, on the r.orth : ic'e of the Ar^.i sit ok ri\er. arnl after the deatli of his wife S(;ld auain and bousiht the mill ^Cy2 lusTHRv oi' Foirr r.\nu'ii:i,t). property nt the low^er \iIlno'e. 'Hi is he suhseciuent- ly sold, aiul nioxed to I''h)n'cl;i, where he soon thed. Mr. Chase did not remain lon^- enough to iden- tily himself with the interests oi' this town. .MR. ]i:ssi-; s. A\i:RiLf,. Ml". Jesse S. Averill pro\ed to be the repieseiU- ati\e pioneer of the partw I'^i-om the lirst he was a stead\', reliable, industrious \oiino man. He soon beeame aeqeainted with, and subsequenth- married Miss Emily Iloyt, and eommeneed a humble but sueeesslul pioneer life. To them were born ten ehildren, ol whom cii^ht ha\e g-rown to man and womanhood, and ha\e pro\ed an honor to their worthy and influential parents. Three sons reside in this town, and one daughter — ?kTrs. John Cur- lier — has until the last \ear also made her home here. The family are now lixino- in Staunton. Va., and are mueh missed from their eirele of friends in I'^ort Fairtield. where they, with the others, have hvcn doino- theii* part to add to its inlluenee and ]-)rosperit\-. The hardships and privations of earlv life told on this worthy eoiiple, and \ et ^sfr. Axerill lived to the _i^"ood ai^e of sevent^•-one \ears, and his de- \-oted wile some two years lono-cr. and died in June, iSc)2. A mono- the worthy and industrious, hard work- ing; pioneers of 1844, the name of Jesse S. Averill will always oecupy an honorable and respected iiisTom' ()[■ I'oirr r.Mi^Kir.i.i). ,V'^^ place. Aniono- the life- toilci's \v!r) hilviroJ liai'cl ;i;id lon^i; to train up tluir a^tlxj frn'i'K'^ F.>r usjt'ul- ncss and respcctabilitw and add to the wcalt'n and prospcritN" of our town. Jesse S. .Vverill and Enii- h' II. A\ erill will cxer be remembered and count- ed amon^- the lirst. MR. ADDIS )X I'<)\\i:i^^. Addison I\)wers was b:)rn in Wilton. Maine, September i^^th, iSio. In 1S25 his lather rcni()\ed his famih' to Cartha^'e. and hero his home was made until his majoritw He married, and in \^t,<-) or '40 remo\ ed to the town oi' b^aNette. where he remained until the spring' ol i S_|. t, wlien he came to the Aroostook and took land in what is now the Maple (iro\e settlement. He built a house near the Br\ant mills. ha\ inii" bouu-ht an interest in the mill of Mr. Ilain.es. lie carried on the mills for two \ears and then sold out and remoxed to Limestone and worked in the mill for I\astman and Nurse for one \ear. While there he bought o| Mr. Eastman the land taken hv him in i-'^'j^ on the Presque Isle road in this town and about one mile Irom the west line. b^>r neailv 1ort\- vears his home was upon this place. Sinee iSSS he has made his honu- with his son. Mr. Roderiek Powers, in the town ol I^aston. Amono- the earlv jiioneers. Mi. Poweis uiade man\" true and earnest IViends. and was reuarded as a reliable and tiusty citizen. He has experi- ;/^4 HISTORY OF F0I;T FAIRFIELD. eiicccl a i'ull share of the privatioiis and hardships which were the h)t of the earl\- settlers, and has done well his part as one of the useful and in- lluential pioneers of this town. l^xj)osare arid hardships ha\ e left theii- marks upon hini. and \et al'ter passing- the ei^litv-third milesloiie, he still s."ems o-ood for years of enjo\able life. Tin-: iciaas I•^\^iI^^. hreeman Ellis, senioi", was born i!i Pl\inouth, ?^Iass, in 1745,. S:^i';di l)radrord, dan«^hler (;l"(iid- eon Ih-adlbrd, Esq., of PI\-month, and the sixth ,n cC Isaac 1'. and Rv.th Ellis, was born in Weld, Maine, in I)e- cenibjr, iS^r. lie had prepr.red him^eli' i'or the law, and had been adnnitted to the bar, aiul was in a:tive prajtije when the war broke out. lie was appointed iieatenaiU in ecmipany IC, ist Maine cavali-\-. lie was a popular and s-aeeesst'ul oHieei-, idways reac1\- \'.)V duty, and fearless in the discharge (A'datv. On the 241!! of June, US64, at St. .Mary's Chiirjli, he s-.rrendered his con-:mi' si(^n and his life. ; J::,, t'u' I ■ - :. Idier he w.is. he cnC.a] his da\ s .:po:rthc battleliekl, and received a soldier's burial one mile west of Charles Cit\- Corrt House, I'.ear Wiljox Landinir, Jai'.ies Run, \'a. C.rplain I'^llis was a worthy descendaiU of a l>.;,i.m an Il'-ave Ids life in I'efence of that civiliz >ii.ui-t in Ibdland, biit failed t > lind, and ;. r. ^. >j .i uiy t;stabiished upon the bleak a I d.;\ irv ; II X.-.v Ivnulaivd shore — a civil- i l.)id and i'.ia>ler, anil t'e- "- :',:i rid-:r<.wn scddier's 365 HISTORY Ol' ruUT FAIRFIELD. ij;r.uc, he li\cs in ;i bright, brilliant and imperish- able historx- of heroic devotion and noble deeds. eA].i:!5 II. ]:i.Lis, The eldest son of I'^reenian Ellis. |i-., and Iv.miee Ellis, and the autb.or ol" this histor\-, was born in ^^'eld. Me.. Xoveniber iSth, i<^2^. 1 lis school ad- ^ antages were g.K)d. In i ■'^43 he left school to ac- eonipan\' his fathei" to the Ai'oostook. Now a new experience, and all the hardship's and pi"i\ations incident to a pioneer life, opened up before hiiii. l'"or elcNcn \ears his sch;)()l was the himber wo)ds, dri\ ing the lumber down the ri\ ers and cleariuL;,- new lands. In 1-^54 hj recei\ed his lirst aj')pointment from the Meth;)dist Episcopal Church, as preacher in charge of the ^Vest()n and Topstield charge. .\t the end ol' two x'ears he \vas appointed to \Vesle\-, Ci'awford and Xortlitield and in 185}- t:) h^ranklin and Sullixan, and in i83o to ICast jNIachias. In iSr)i he was elected chaplaiii of the iith IMa'ne regiment. In 1^64 he was appointed captain of Co. E, 31st Maine regiment, and on June 7th, iS:)4, was wound- ed; on October 7th of the same year he was dis- charged iVom the ser\ ice for total disabilit\- on ac- count of his wound. In June, 1867, he had so l.ir reco\ered as to be able to visit Michigan, and in September of that \ear joined the ^lichigan annu- al conrci-ence. ?^Iet]K):li^ t Episcopal Church, and iiisroKN oi- i-()i7 ^vls appointed m the IVntuatcr station ni that cn- luviKH- Vnr nearly ten vear> he xvas able tw do the work ol'an itinerant Nlethodist mini.ster. but a constant suft'eivr from tlie effects of his mpu v i.i thearniv. In 17:^7 1^^' ^^'^^ cnipc Ik-d to ask tor a sapernuniarv relation, and seek a diUeient eliniate. \ veil- in 'Fexas and absolute rest made some im- nn'.vJment. Then there was a return to Miehipm. ■uul in 1SS2 he removed to Dakota TernlorN . where ins wife died, and a second marria-e, to Mrs. I' ran- ees K. Richards, was contracted. W hde m South Dakota, he was activeU en-a-ed in land and l-.an business, h.catin- settlers upon the publr lands nrovino- them up at the United State, land otbce and nrosecutin- certain land cases before that ol ice. In ,SS.)heremoved to Washington, D. C, and re- eeived an appointment in the 5/st con-ress; m iSc)i Ik- removed to CliHondale. Mass., and m .Mav. iSg:. I , l-.,rt Kairlield: and in luly ol that Near h.e com- nu-nced t!ie publication of the Aor//^rn; ^-^^'f^- •I'his was looked upon as a verv unpromisinL: belcl lor newspaper enterprise. It had thrice been en- tered onlvtobe abandoned aller a short and fruit- less stru-le. It is possible because it was hard, he decided to oiveitatrial, for he has alwaxs fomd the greatest satisfaction iu succeedinn: where ,,thers fail. From his first marriacna !•' 11 lines, which occurred in iS.p), were born s. ven children, three of whom are now l\vi.i-.-Avthu, and o;i th- r,-iP^M.'>n^ which di^ ide the two great par 3'>-^ HISTORY Of fort FAIRJ'IELD. tics, lie is well posted. Earh" in life he was a'.i ardent WhiLi', and throuoii tlie war ;in earr.est Republican, and t(^ this part\- still owes allei,iance, and is alw.n s rc;id\- to discc.ss t'ne principles whicli ha\"e ^i\ cri it the strong' hold it has upon tiic American pcoj^le; he is a ready, logical and earriCSt public speaker, ar.d in tb.e west has done good arid succes^l'id car.ipaign \A'ork ; and at the age of sixL\-nine. wit'.i partial pa- ralysis of the left side, and a constant sufferer iVom the effects of his wound, lie performs as much intel- lectual labor as most men in the priir.c of life. MR. ALIJION p. V>'; I.FIXGTOX. Albion P. Wellington, son of General .> ellin_;- ton i)[' Monticello. was born in Albion, Kciv.iebcc county. ?klaine, Aiigcst 26t!i, iSi7,and w.is ma.rried t',) ^^lissT^Iyra Cj. F(;ster oi'CvX per.?\Iaii.e. ]i'ne 4th, 1S50. "Sir. V\'ellington rem( \ed to Fort b",iirtiel(' in i'^5-' ;ii"'''^ ^^■''l^ employed b\- Col.Mc^.1 sk^ i.^ his slore uPitil the breaking (.ut ol'the war. Since i(S52 Ml". Wellington has been engaged in trace aid scaling liimber; he was for se\eral \ears on.e (.f tb.e selectmen ok this town, l-nder the linchar.aiU ad- ministration b.e w;is custom house ollicer at this place, lie is an. irilluential and reiia.ble citizen ; he has been a b'felong Democra.t, and h.as don.e hispa.r-^ t\' goodi seT\ ice. LAFORFST \-. 'ro\VLI': Left his h.ome and comniciiced for hiir.self en Stale kind, wlu-n eighteen years old, where he now li\es. . In i.Sbj he enlisted in the arm^•, in the iid Maine. lie was through tlie t!iirt\- da\s seige at i\;r! I Iuds:)n. His enlistment was for rdne mc.nths, but hv si.T\ ed eleven, and then was drafted near nisToKV oi" roKT i\\iKFii:i.n. ?,^'9 t!vj cL)SC of t^c w.ir. In 1866 lie was married to Miss Mary V.. I'^tcs. 'i^) ihcni were born four ehiklren: "one dejeased, two at home. andMrs. Clara Parsons of Kasto:.. Mr. and Mrs. Towle have 10.14 been members of the h^ree Baptist Chareh. l^)r many years Mr. Towle was elerk, and now deae on, and elerk oi" the (j larterlv meet- ini;-; has held town oillees, is a sneeessful farmer, an'in lajn'.ial eiti/en and a prv)niinent member of s:)eieL\'. )AMi:S R. Till KI.Ol(iII L'lii-' L ) t'lj Ar ) )>• V)k in i S )S, and lojated where he now lives, in his bea itilid home in Manle Grove. In 1S6S he married Miss Olive Marshall. They ha\ e one daughter. He is a sueeessrul. en- terprising farmer; some yeais auo hard work be- i)\in to tell upon him. and he eonsented to aeeept r"ie l<.epabliean nomination for eounty eommission- cr. lie is now servinu" on that bo;ird in a very aj-'J-'Uble mriier. 1 le holds a very promiiu-iU place anions oar reli dde and inlluential eilizens. 'I'ne e ) nin^- of the Tharloauh lamily to Vovl Vaw- Held in 1S6S and '70, was a most \aluable aeeession to tl e 1 ( I'l h.lna , i ( t < n'y in iba .' e w l.o weie iIaH upon tile sta^e of aelion, but in th(.se who have since come to be amoui^- our most active and pro- _m-cssi\e business men. i; );)i:ru'K row i: i:s At the a^e of four years came to this town wilh his parents. At his majority he went to rrescpie Isle to work, ar.d ii- iSfVi. enlisted in the i^Hh Me. re4imjnt for tliree years, lie was twice wounded. Upon beini;- mus'.ered out of sei\ ice he returned tothistowm In iS'>7 he married M-- l-'li;/ ib.th MIS TORY OF FOl.'T FAIRFIF.LI). IFotl^'doii ofNow TIanipsliirc, 'Am] settled in Eastnn, ?>lninc, where he has siiiee resided, and made a most exeelleiU ("arm. To them have been born four eliildren, lie liolds Ins deed from the State, lie is a member oj" Kilpatiiek l^ost, G. A. R., and ol" h^rontier Lodi^e, h\ and A. M. WTFLIAM nor(;!ii'()\ Was born in Anson, Maine, icSiS. In iS:;^ he married Miss Doreas Cutts, and in iSyr mo\ ed t(j this town. 'I'lieir lamih' eonsists of a dauij,'htc>r, who is n-:arried and h'\es in L'abiVrriia, Edward L., i"eal estate a^'ent in tliis xillaiic, . lunmons \\\, a pi^osperons larmei- in this town, j\. I). Ilonahton, in Atlanta, (ja., and (leoroe C, at L. K. Car\- and Co"s, Mr. I l()ui;lit(!n is a sueeessi'nl farmer, a re- liable and trnstwortlu eitizen, a member "of th.e Cono-reo-ational Chnreh. In j^oliticshe is a Repnb- liean, and takes an interest in all matteis oij^ublie interest, WFFl.IS !•:. FARSOXS. Willis ]i. Parsons, third son ol" Le\ i I^arsons and I.Ndia Ellis Paisons, was born in Saniier\ ille. Me., \ia\- 1 6th. iS:;?. When he w;is six \ears old his pai"ents mo\ eel from San\ lew years later his lather took up a farm in the adjoining township, I'^remont plantation, now the prosperous town of Easton. Here upon the farm Willis K. i>rew to young manhood. eari\- dexeloping a taste for work as well as pla\-, and an interest in whate\er he found to do, whieh has thus far eharaeteri/ed him througii life. I lis advaneemcnt in sehool was rap- id, masteriiiLT the eommon seliool aiMthmetie when IIISIOKV OI" lORT lAl.MIII.I.l). o:il\ eleven \c'ars of n^c, with like pro^Tess in other branches. Lea\ ini;" the eomiiion selioois, he attended the hi_<;h school at l^\)rt l-^iirlield, the ae- adeni\- of I loulton, now Ricker Classical Institute, and the eity acadeni\- at lUirlin^ton. X'erniont: also trd'cinii- a i'our Nears' uni\ersity course in Kni^lish. Mr. I*arsons' lather bein^- a llrst-elass carpenter as well as a farmer, the yoaiiL;- man soon dexeloped into a li'ood mechanic, and taking- an interest in that as in e\ er\ thini;- else, when not teaching- or attend- ing- school was at work at his trade; lirst in lloul- ton, then in Iioston and other lari^e cities; he made a studv olhis business, applying- liis k:^;\\le(.^'e in a jiractieal way to his, work, and i architecture sooii became master oi ..aion, and at eighteen years of a_i;-e hid - hi vork in lioston and its nei^hborinL;- t . iun in \\'ater\ ille. Me., that he won t.ic repuLaiio.i ol be- iui;- "as i,^ood a mechanic as stood on the banks of the Kennebec." (joinii' upon the i;ro«id that all honest emploxment is honorable, he threw his en- erL;-\ into his work, and is still jiroud of the fact that NN'hen a boy he IcaiMed a tiMde. t'ne best possible capital Ibr a youn^- man who must re- Iv upon his own resources to start in life. His s\ n:- pathies are al\va\s with the laborint;- classes. Pos- sessing- a laudable ambition, a ^-reat reader as well as a close student, in looking- for a higher rield he naturallv turned to one ol'tlie jirolessions, and while still in chai-ue of a crew of mechanics be_«i:an read- inu- IJlaekstone and Kent, lie early de\ eloped or- atorical j-xtwers, anil when in BiirlinLilon aeadcmy, at iiradiiatinii- exercises, the />V/7///i,'"A/// > 'yi(iti\ rv 1(1 Sfr(!\ .' Ml ( i:i|i( 11 1\ W saui 37^ niSTORV OF Foirr iair field. l^arsons, was one of the \ cr\' best efforts of the oc- casion; in fact, wc Ikuc nc\ cr witnessed a more eommenclahle effort on the part oi" a student so youni!,'. 'i'hat Mr. Parsons possesses an acti\e, sound reasonini;- and linel\- balanced brain. toL!,eth- er with much more than ordinar\- eI()Ciitionar\- powers, was clear! \- e\ident to e\ er\-one present. llis oi-ation would Jia\e rcHected credit upon a col- leo-e oraduate. lie measured and modeilated his sentences like a \ eteran oratoi\ and I'lilh dese; \ ed the storm ol applause bestowed upon hiim. llaxini^- a taste for ]')ublic sjieakin^', wliile his companions were enL'aii'cd in other amusemerits, he was at the lecture room, listcninii; to a \\ endell Phillips, a iK'cchcr, or some of our own speakers ecpialh' capable, perhaj^s, of swa\in^- the multitude. In the summer ol' 1S77, hearino- that almost match- less oi'ator, lion. .v. Ci. Lebroke ol' b^)Xcroft. since deceased, he became deejdx" interested in his woi't- derful comniand of lani'-uaue and splendid oratory, and leaxini;- \A'ater\ ille. where he was then rea.dinii; law. entered the olllce of Mr. Lebroke as a stu.dent in the fall of t'uat \ear. lie' was adniitted to the Piscatacp.is bar. Septembei" tci'm, i(S7(S. and soon alter formed a co-pa: tnership with Mr. Lebroke, which continued as the law lirn.i of Lebroke and I'arsons Tor man\- \ears, or until Mr. Parsons was elected State attorne\- for the countv of F^iscata- (piis, when the tirm was dissohed. Mr. Parsons then erected one of the finest law offices in the State, nearly opposite on the same street. Here he ma\- be found at at an\- time bus\- at work, ar.d ris a leading member of the Piscatacpiis bar. engaged ni a large- and lucrative pi'actice, from Vvdiich he iiisroKV OK voUT F.\i:-ii-ii:i.i). .•» / ,") has already aci] lircd a comfortable competence. lie has occupied many j^ositicns of public trust, and been continually in town oilice since he be.uan the practice of law," and no man works h;irder for the dcveh)pment ol' his owii town and county than he. lie is one of the yoawj^ men who believe in the i'atare of Maine. Although with his busy life he linds little time for tlie old pleasure of sliapin^L;- architectural lines of symmetry, some of t!ie Imest residences in Pisjataquis county have been remod- eled or built nev^' under plar.s furnished for person- al friends bv Mr. Parsons. As late as 1892, th.e Congregational Church of Foxcroft and Dover e\- pei.deda lar^e sum of mo-.-.ey, ir.akin^- their chr.reh oiiipare fivorably witli the finest in the State, under liis plans and desi>;ns as chairman of the commitec. Interested in educational matters, Ik- has been irc- q a'::tlv called upon to deliver ;:ddres>es upon ci\v.- cationid tonics, and ha.s found time until late years t;) serve upon the school board of his town, and is u.AV connected with that time honored institution, l'\.\jroft academy, as secretary and treasurer. .Mr. Parsons w;is unaninK-usly nc.mir.aled lor coimtv attorney, iiud elected by a lar<;e ir.ajorily, in the summer of "1SS4, serving- in i SS5-6-7-S-() and'(}o, recei\in«4 each rc-nomination b\- acclimation, ai.d • runnino ah.ead of his ticket, lie showed .-;reat alnl- itvas a'l-rimiiial lawyer, and ccaulucted the business ()i"t!ie Slate with a lirm and stead\ hand. 'i'l:e kiws were well enforced, ami he retired from the (-llice after a lonu: service wilh.out ha\in-a single paper I'nat he haTl drawn (piasf.cd. Since that time i.c has been the eiier-elic member fr(.m Piscataqi is .)l"tlic Rev ! b •: n Stale cojumilteo. lie h;;s been 371 iiiSTo:iY oy Four FAiKi'iiiLi), 1 1 this m in oF S0\ V on the stump as a canipaii^n orator in c\ cr\- cain- piiii'n sinot' i^So, cavh- bcino- c]iiotL'(.l h\ the r-rcss a-; one oi tlie most eloquent men in Mai lie. lie is not an offiee seeker, and is averse to politie;il t -ickery and the metliods <.f tlie dema^o^r.e ; h.e i^ :in earnest Republiean, a determined ehampion what he beliexes to be ri.*>ht, and to b.is iViends. 1 )yal to the eore. vSoeialh' aiul in bnsi'iess matters liis warm friends ;ire Connd in all politieal j^arties, I 1 1H92, iiitCY tlie elose of a sharp politieal eontest '^'' '\'^c P/s('://cr/!//s ^/^3.s\v'c7v- said, "No ,_■ has worked harder, or deser\"es lion. W. K. P;irsons of b'oxerolt, -. .jtate eommittee. in this eourit\'; he .ir]\- and late, and h;is iilled the piaees speakers who ha\e been ;disenl, and r.o ni m has made better or more eon\ineinii- speeehes. "Mr. P.:irsons has been acti', el\- en^a^cd in Piseat- a iiiis count\- politics for th.e past t^\'e1\c' \ ears, is a t u)roiigh-a;(;in<;- Rcpiiblie;in. ;md like the sincere, h )norable man that he is, alwa\"s works faithlidlN' a k1 unsellislih- for tlie good oi' liis ]i;n"t\- and the ad\ancemei!t of th(,se great piincij^k'S of national i.iiport in whijn he earnestU' b-elicN es, ;in ;d)le ora- t )r and sound logician. On tlie stumj^ before the pjople he malies strong and eon\incing arguments in behalf of Ameiican industries, the ele\ation ;md continued prosperit\- oi' American labor, and in supp( ri; and defence of the progressi\e policy of the Republican party. in this campaign he h:\ii proved t;) be one of tlie most popular speakers in the State, as w^ell as an effective organizer. Though a strong partisan, Mr. Parsons never takes politics into h.is business or social relations, and has in his iiisi\)! A'_:"nes, t'le ajeomnlislied dauLihter of 1\. D. (iilnian, l*>s(|., of Foxei-olt, tlie union bein;_;" a nio.sl happ\- one. We L:i\ e a eut ol' tlieii" I'lei^ant I'esidenee, situa- [:] in a deliuhtfui cpaarter ol" that beautiful to\\ n, \Yliin-e the\- soeiall\- enjo\- their fi'iends. and the (] liet felieit\- ofa liappx' ho!iie. 'I'M:: 1^ )' .in ns r -^ mi i.-, . Ivvii-aini Kollins was boiai in Sharon, in iSon, and in iSio nianied L\clia I'dlis of Weld. 'I'o tlieni wei-e lioiai ei^Iit eliildren, feur oi" whom are n:)w li\ in^-. Mv. Rollins mo\ ed to the Afoos- t ) )k in 1S35 and settled in l-"aston. In 18(14 his wife died; subsevpaentlx he manietl Mrs. Susan j-'Jlis, w idow of the I ite Isaae 1". I'lllis, and residctl in Maple (jroxe until his death iniSNo, His old- est s )n. Axel Issachar Rollin^, was born in 16.; i, ail in 1842 minied L-niijia Ddley of A\ eld. In 1854 he remoNcd to Fort Fairtield and bous-ht the Hunt plaee. tw!» uiiles from tliis \illai;e on the .^/' HISTORY OF rOKT FAII^FIELD. Prcsqiie Isle roacl. Of his large family, Wallace Rollins is on tlve farm wb.cre lie first settled with his father; Charles A. is a blacksmith in tliis \ il- lai^c and Mrs. Angelia Rich, IMrs. Florence E, I'^oss and ,.^!rs. Lav.ra E. Guild are residents of this toM'P.. A few years :v.h) there came a g^reat affliction to .^!r. Rolliiis in the death of the companion of his earl\- manhood and m.other of h.is chikh-en. lie is still upon th.e land where lie located in 1S55. and or.t of wh.ich h.e has made a delig-litlul, pleasant hon:e. BradfoiTl Rollir.s, his r.ext \oi;iigest brother, rdso came to th.is t(;wn a.nd located in ?\laple Gro\e, M'here he died se\eral N'cars ag'o. Of his fainily, Mr. Frederick P.ollins, with his fimily, resides, inthis \-il]aL;e. r\..\:<\\:\iY. Thomas FlanPiCry came to th.e Aroc.stocd-: in his boyhocxl, before t!ie Aroostook w;ir; he was a member (;f J. \\\ White's famil\-, his mother b\- a secop.d marria,Lie ha\ing taken tliaa name. In his e;irly manhood he married into the L(v^•el^■ f;imilv, and totliem. were born v:\r.c children — tlnee sor.s and six da^ng-h-ters. Isaac, \Villi;im, ar.d Daniel Flannery are citizer:s of Fort P^airtield. aiul tb.ree (;f t'ne daughters have married husbands v/ho are citizens of t'.iis t;)wn. !;!:x()xr r. dukgix \Va ■ born in \'crm ;nt in 182:;; lie was a cirtiin in tlie old 6th ISlassaeluiseits, Gciicral liutler's f r/ji-itj rj^'im jn!:. IIj w.i; mirrie.lin iSiv^iil since i85o lias resided in Aroostook cocntw lie is :i ]xiinter and paper hanger >y trace, f.eis a number cd' ICa'-lern f^rontier ' masonic lodge, cf wliicli h.c li;is byccii iiiast. is a (puiet, iinob- trL:si\c man, a good citizen and a io\al f.'iend. HISTORY OF FOlIT FAIU I'l i:r.P. j()si:i'ii Mclioi.s. Joscjih Xichols, born in Sonth iJi'iwick in fS^S, was ni.T rictl in i-;io-cd in busiiiess in Buektield. and there- in aequired many friends, and gained <^vc:\t esteem as an honest and eonseientious business man. lie eame to b\)!t b'a.irheld adiout nS^o, ;md thereafter b'ort b^iirlield was his home until Ins deat!i, exeept t'ne ju'riod (.f eii^ht years spent at Kastport as col- leetor of customs oi" the Passamacp.'.oddv customs distiiet. l"\>r man\- \-ears he was eriLi'a.ued iy uen- eial business in this town ard \ ieinit\, and also in himberinu-, b.:i\ ini;- formed a co-j-iartnership with the late lion. Jesse Drew, ur.der the lirm name of Lon^- and Drew. 1 le ser\ etl in the exeeuti\ e coun- cil of (jov. Lot Moriill, with credit to himself ar.d his district. Later ^!r. Loni^- lor oiie session vcp- rcsented the Fort ^^lirlieUl class in l!ie State icuis- lature. in relinious belief a C'onixrenationalist, he wasalwa\s true to his ilei'.(miin;ilional creed, ar.d a lilural sujiporter of his church. .Mr. Lor-iLC sper.t tlie latest d;i\s ol" his life here in tl'.e crcvtion of a hall, wliich is to this clay a memoriad of his repaid lor the town, which for so man\- \ ears was proud I ) claim him as one of its foremost citizens. 37<'^ HISTORY OF FORT FAIRFIELD. JOHN DORSEV, Who located near where the Canadian Pacihc railway station now stands, was amon^the \er\- lirst to settle on the Aroostook ri\ er. Ol' his immediate descendants, William and Miles I)orse\- ofthis town jirc now li\inLi,'; his eldest son, Edward, was the first cliiidborn on tliis river; tw.) of his sons — Miles V . aiul Edward l)orse\- — are amon<;- the acti\ e.prosper- ors business men of onr villai^e. All ol the lar^e number ofthis name, identified with the business ir.- terests ol'this town, were ofthis I'amilw CIIAI-{IJ:S I'J. I»AI L Came to Vint Fairfield in i. '-44, and for many years worked attiie blacksmith trade. Mr. Paul is a con- scientior.s ar.d dexoted Democrat, and quite acti\e lor a man of his \ears. Mrs. A^nes C. Pau.l is a most de\ oted Republican. She has keen a \erv acti\e tempcnmce worker. She l-as held man\- importar.t public trusts; in i!' t! e t(.\vii. SAMIICI, w . CI^AM Was h')vn in lvist.Li\ e'i-ni:)rc. in i this town, and took the hind iip- () 1 whicli he now li\cs. To tlicni were born ten ehihJren. nine of whom ;ire now lixini^'. l''oi!i". two sons and two dauuhcers, make up his i.imily. Ids wil'e lia\ inu" cheil tilteen yeai's a,u-o. With the as- sistance of his dan^hter. lie has kept the family to- L^-ethei". One s;)n is in tlie west, and the oth.ei- one in M.issajhasj' ts. Mr. ('ram is a s'jccessl'ed aiid prosj")eri)as rarnu;-. antl has made a most deliuhtlid home. |()si:i'n A eoNANi" Was born in iN,:5(). and eame to tlie Ai'ot sttN.k in !S4:;;,\vith his lather. L'ol. Isaae L'onanl. beini;- then lifteen Neaisold. At the aue ol" eighteen he e<.m- meneeci I'or himseif, and married Miss J idia John- ston. To them were boin eleNcn ehildren. In Seiitembe)-. iS')J. he enlisted in the J-!tl Maine regi- ment. a!ul seixed to the er.d ( 1' liis tei m (f enlist- ment. Sineethen he has resided on the I'arm where his lather fust located. In i SjS his wife died, and soon .nf'tei-, to keep his family to^etlKM-, I'.e (leciiletl to enter into a second mania^e. Three sons and two dauLihters now resiile in this town. Mr. L'on- ant has one ol" the line farms that may le foimd in l•^)rt i'^ni field. He has made a most deli-htlul home.antl in e\ cry way has made a success in lilc. lie i.-^ one ol'onr i/ulejUMulent and |'>rosix'roi!S larm- ers. A line likeness ( f himiiiax be ibmul in this \ obMr.e. 3 Ho HISTORY OF FClrr FAIRFIELD, Giccji;ui-: V,. ini/iox Was horn in Exeter, in I'S^^. ][c was in tl:c war of the Rehelhon, and a.ller its elose eanie to Fort l^^airrield, and has since resided in the west and in Massachusetts, lie is now li\ iny- with biis third wile. lie is now eno-aged iii eai^riage paint- ing-, and has one of the largest and best arranged painting establishments iii Northern Aroostook. After nine years in the west, with th.ree years in jNIassachusetts, and a trial ol" Washington, 1). C, and other places, his iiist choice is the \i-o;.str;ok valicw. -MR. lA THi:i; K. CAKY Was born in Turner in 1S3S, and in 1859 was mirried -to :Miss Ellen EraeiV.rd, tl:c Vngluh generation fVom Gov. Bradiord of tlie Plymoiith Colony. He was a faithi'id soldier in tlic l^nion army. Their laniih' consist ot' four chikh^en, Edward K. Carv, IMrs. E. E. Houghton, IMrs. W. S. Davidson .rs. J. r>. Robbins, who is one ol! tlic active e'luislian wjrkers oi' th.e' present day. * |. r.. i;or.r.!NS Wasb.rnin II opj, M dn-. in i S.^)- Atthea-e of twentv-livc he m irrie.l IFiniet L. ^^ aUcr of KiU Uni )n. To th.m wcr. born tw) c^ul- dr.n, who died in childhood. In September, i. 0:, henr)vedtothist()wn; i:- twoa- -.-H i-^';^'^ 1 T., M:uch, iSr)^ ; ^1 nrirria^e ^ v.-ith Li/./.ic S. Foster; to born Lour daughters; two died in chiK^.- his wife di \vas entji ihcm weri jiood; ^' PciHe ' J. marn I'H io\ i : 1 1' .\':"i .\rn d A c 1. i:\ji ;.i -•;.: b.-iir^' s jnior \'. lie was an ir.teiesied .u-d i. iiipdiv.l h •■•■-■• deprive 1 ! ol' the 1 )•.! ■ ■c vear .., :i r ;_ ii 1 1^1 • 1 , II 1.- ;■! u • 1 . a 1 al ».l V r( rtinate in c-c:;pin.ii- came home j.l him ami HISTORY O:^" rORT FAIIIFIEL!). l''i\)!:i wiiijh he is now totalK- ('.i.^all'vcl. I:i .uS( 6 h: mir/ljJ Mis; Mcllij i'!cl)ridc, and in ibS/ rc- rii.)\ c 1 t ) For'; I'airticlcl. His famih' c{m-.s!slS (.i* a v.i.'c a;i:.l o:ic d mglUcr. I lis hcir.c is o:-. a ^ir.a!l i[:.\\ a.lj )inin'4 t!ic \ilLiL;C i:ic;)rp();M!.i ):i. CAl'T. AZIAI. W. ri 'ITIAX. Ci!:>t. Putrna:! comes oC the old Rc\ (jh;ti(;n:;r\' stojk and is ti'iic tn his anccstiA'. lie \v;is bnnic ., , ill Ilo-.dton. Ml' was cipt.ii i of Co. G. 2 2:1 Maine, and faitli- CiilK seiAcd until the end.oi' the war. ('apt, Vui- man is married and has resided in I'Ort Fairheld since; h.e is a wcn'tlu' ai".d iiiTu.MUial citizen, is a member of Kilpatrick Post Cj. .\. ]i., aiul is now dep'-itv sheriff a-nd an aeti\e and reliable Repub- lican.' i.'i^iiAixi) ;.. iJAjviJ' Wjisl crn inAV(;cdst(:ck.N.P'..in 1H27 : when ; 1 ( i t ilve\'cars old liis p.'ireiUs i c n: