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January 3, 1893, Democrat
Roxbury: Mr. Chapman has started sawing birch at his new mill. (See July 5, 1892, Bethel – James Chapman and Charles P Bartlett: new mill on Swift River).
Mason: Farmers here and all over the county are talking of the scarcity of hay. N. Mason of Albany has moved into town and is working for Mr. Bean. A.S. Bean has several teams in the woods now.
Rumford Falls: Two men died here from drinking wood alcohol. Iron for the bridge has arrived on the rail cars; it is being unloaded and hauled to the bridge site. The Power Co. has gotten the piers built for the wooden bridge that is to be constructed across the middle canal.
West Bethel: Temperature has been below zero. The aqueduct supplying Charles C. Merrill’s buildings has frozen up. There was no Christmas entertainment at West Bethel but many presents were seen passing through the mails. A.S. Bean’s mill has started up again; it had been shut down for repairs. N.W. Mason and son Otis are home for a few weeks; they have been working at Rumford Falls for the last six months.
Bethel: There was entertainment and an exhibition at Odeon Hall to benefit the Bethel Library. The wax works of Mrs. Jarley of Portland were on display. D.S.G.F.E. Thurlow of Poland installed the officers of Sudbury Colony, U.O.P.F. After the installation an oyster supper was served to the colony and friends. Howard Carter went to Portland where is employed by the Chapman Banking Co. The new pews for the Methodist church have arrived. A union of Methodist, Congregational and Universalist churches will observe a week of prayer with services held at 7:30 evenings.
January 6, 1893, The Advertiser
Locke Mills: A.L. Green is doing quite a business at his grocery store plus he is buying wood and shipping it to Lewiston. Forty couples attended a ball at Mt Abram House last week. Bacon’s Orchestra provided the music, four pieces. A number of couples from West Paris attended.
Albany: The storekeepers say they have an abundance of butter brought in by the farmers. Average price is 20 cents. Sunday gave us quite a snow storm topped with rain. The hay market is being talked up – “now is the time to sell as hay is going to be cheaper”. What do other parts of the county have to say about the hay question?
Mason: J.H. Bean our representative to the Legislature (a different district from the one Bethel is in) went to Augusta Tuesday.
Oxford County – County Government Buildings Debate for 1893: (This debate in the county newspapers will continue for most of the year.) “New buildings can be built several hundred dollars cheaper at South Paris than at Paris Hill. They can be kept in repair for less money than on the Hill.”
“Now add the expenses of water works, electric lights, janitor, corporation taxes, etc., to the expense of the new county buildings and see where the county can best afford to do business.”
January 10, 1893: Democrat
Bethel: The third lecture of the Gould Academy course took place at the Opera House. Rev E.G. Thayer delivered the lecture: subject, “Uncle Remus and his nephews”.
Rumford Falls: Water has been let into the middle canal. The chemical company started their large wheel at 2 A.M. Everything worked well. Hotel Rumford is full with 56 persons lodging there. Bids were opened for the excavation and removal of 3,000 yards of ledge near the upper dam. A fire department organization has started. There was a meeting at George Bisbee’s office, J.H. McKeeman was chose chief engineer to organize the company. A subscription paper will be started to raise money to buy 500 feet of hose and a hose carriage. J.A. Badger has made connections with the main pipe and now has city water in his store.
January 13, 1893 Advertiser.
Bethel: The Colby University Glee, Banjo and Guitar Clubs gave a concert at Odeon Hall in Bethel. This concert was arranged by Gould Academy as part of the academy’s lecture series.
Cold weather in Bethel: Hastings Bros., have kept two men thawing out and repairing water pipes for the last three weeks. Many have frozen a second or third time. It would be better for patrons to acquire the habit of shutting off the water in their home even when it is not freezing weather; changes in our latitude are so sudden.
The annual meeting of the Bethel Chair Company was held in their office Tuesday. J.H. Barrows remains president; J.U. Purington was elected secretary; F.H. Young, assistant secretary; Ellery C. Park, Treasurer; directors are: J.H. Barrows, H.G. Brown, J.U. Purington, Calvin Bisbee, W.W. Hastings, and E.C. Rowe. Net earnings were $5,546.60. Gross earnings or sales, $40,000; paid for labor about, $17,000. The concern is in a flourishing condition with a healthy supply of orders.
Gilead: A box supper and social in the town hall to benefit the Good Templars is planned for the coming Thursday.
Mason: A.S. Bean’s steam mill has started up and is sawing spool stock.
West Bethel: Bailey & Mason have dissolved partnership.
The amount of freight sent from this station during the last six months of 1892 is 2,119 tons.
January 17, 1893: Democrat
Bethel: The pews are now in and the carpet down at the Methodist church. John P. Coburn is operating with a large crew on the Faxon and Kimball land near this village. They are getting out all kinds of timber – delivering some to the station and some to the mills. Faxon and Kimball bought this land of the Chapman heirs last fall.
The Bethel Dairying Company is stocking up on ice. Large quantities of ice are being put in by private individuals.
Newry: J.S. Allen has gone to work for J.A. Thurston in his mill at Ketchum. If South Paris people want the county buildings why don’t they offer to chip in something? We would like a new town house here in Newry, and some better school houses.
Rumford Falls: Bearce & Wilson, lumbermen of Lewiston, were here last week locating piers in the river for the Rumford Falls Power Co. The main water pipe which is laid on the east side of the river from the upper dam to the paper mill froze up last week. James McGregor has a large crew of men at work on the railroad embankment back of the paper mill. Bryant & Lander, hardware dealers, have started a foundation for a large store opposite the hotel. The Banner Clothing Co. has moved its stock of goods back to Lewiston. Mr. Ridlon of Portland has the contract for the construction of the Sulphite mill. Spofford & Mitchell are laying the ties for the branch track to the rear of the paper mill. The penstocks at the chemical mill leak so badly that they have sent for the boilermakers.
February 7, 1893: Democrat
Newry: The pump at (J.A.) Thurston’s steam mill in Ketchum froze up recently, bursting the pipe and causing a three days shut down.
Gilead: We are pained to record the death of Alger Chapman, son of William C. Chapman, who died at Hebron while attending school.
North West Bethel: “Died at Hebron, Jan. 28th, Alger Baldwin Chapman, second son of William C. and Martha Baldwin Chapman, of Gilead, aged 19 years. The remains were brought home and interred in the beautiful cemetery near (the Chapman Homestead farm) where he had spent so many happy days. The principal of Hebron Academy, accompanied by eleven students with the minister from that place, came to pay their last tribute of respect to him, who, by his uprightness and manly ways had ever endeared himself to all. The floral offerings were many. Noticeable among them was a broken lute given by the senior class and an anchor from his own class of ’94. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have the sympathy of a large circle, as Alger’s death leaves a vacant plan in all hearts that ever knew him.
Bethel: The last lecture of the Gould Academy course took place at the Opera House last Thursday evening. It was a lecture by Rev. R.S. Williamson on Scotland.
West Bethel: Snow storms are light and the continued cold is freezing up the small streams to their beds, flowing the dooryards, roads and fields, in every direction but in many respects the season is favorable to lumbermen.
The Chapel Aid (dedicated to building a West Bethel church), composed of a half-dozen energetic women of this place, will have about $200 in the bank at the end of their first year. “Of course women ought to vote.”
A.W. Grover has sold much of his stock and now has hay to sell.
February 10, 1893: Advertiser
Bethel: S.D. Philbrook is confined to his house this winter. He feels the “ennui” of his situation and is pleased to have his neighbors run in and have a talk.
There was a reception in the chapel of the Congregational church for Rev. Israel Jordan and the new Mrs. Jordan on Thursday. From the Advertiser, about 150 attended; there was singing, a speech by Judge Woodbury welcoming the couple and response by the pastor.
The supper given by the ladies of the Universalist society at Pattee’s Hall last Saturday was a success and it is hoped that the next week’s supper that is to be put on by the men of the society will be as well attended.
Dr. C. D. Hills is home from the South and ready to attend to his professionals calls – and none to soon as many homes are made desolate by sickness. Mrs. (Enoch) Foster who is in Philadelphia now and plans travel soon to Baltimore also plans to be in Washington, D.C., at the Inauguration.
The ball planned for Odeon Hall on February 23 has an impressive program: Stearns and Norseworthy’s Orchestra of Norway with six pieces; floor managers E.H. Young, E.M. Walker, and D.C. Philbrook. Committee on Introductions, J.C. Billings, S.N. Buck, Wm. Foley and F. M. Allen. The concert begins at 7:45 PM. Half-fare on the G.T.R.R. Berlin to South Paris inclusive.
Attorney Frye in favor of new county buildings: “ I have always been in favor of new county buildings – For my part I would rather go to Lewiston or Portland after I once get aboard the train than to climb the hill.”
Others from Bethel in favor of new county buildings: J.U. Purington, E.C. Rowe, Ceylon Rowe, and G.P. Bean all prominent business men of Bethel say “ a convenient set of county buildings is what we need and must have, and have them located on the line of the railroad.” They also say, “We would like to have them at Bethel but we know that is out of the question. South Paris is the next best place.”
To read the list of the 52 personalities attending the Columbian Club Title Party click here. The list of names includes the book titles that each person represented. It is also Bethel Hill’s “social register” of 1893.
February 14, 1893: Democrat
Judge Woodbury of Bethel, Letter to the Editor about County Buildings: “I regret that any ill feeling is engendered and that any appeal has been made to the farmers as a class. Arraying one occupation or profession against another is impolitic and unwarranted. The subject presents itself as a simple business transaction, and appeals to every taxpayer, whether he be a farmer, mechanic or professional man.”
The letter continues to layout the financial situation at hand and as foreseen for a newly developed site of county buildings. He points out that 30 of the wealthiest men of South Paris and Norway have personally guaranteed that suitable buildings, purchase of grounds and grading shall not cost the county more that $30,000 or that this group of guarantors will personally pay the deficiency. Click here for the full letter.
Rumford Falls: Petitions are in circulation for the discontinuance of the mail routes from Bryant’s Pond to Mexico and from Bryant’s Pond to Andover and the establishment of a new route from Rumford Falls to Andover via Rumford Center and along the east side of Ellis River. There is also another petition in circulation for a mail route from Hanover via Rumford Point connecting with the Andover route at Rumford Center.
Hon. George Bisbee has been in town looking after matters of the Light & Water Company. Men are expected to finish putting up the wires for the electric lights this week. One of the dynamos for the light plant has arrived and the others are expected by March 1st. The Legislature has amended the charter of the Rumford Falls Light & Water Company so that it can issue bonds and extend its plant to the towns of Mexico and Peru.
February 17, 1893: Advertiser
Bethel: The Dixfield Amateur Club who played Thursday and Friday evenings at Bethel was highly appreciated. They make a better appearance than most of the city theater companies who visit our village.
The gentlemen of the Universalist Society did themselves great credit in entertaining last Saturday. “They say” that Mr. Park worked so hard cooking, etc., that he looked “all jagged out” and they used so much buttermilk from the (butter) factory that the farmers’ pigs went dry for a day. Mr. Ames tested all the coffee in town to get the best and when he had served the two hundred guests with coffee that pronounced by all “delicious” is it any wonder he was nearly “tuckered”? Musical entertainment followed supper and the ladies extended a vote of thanks. Do it again, sometime. It netted the Society $50.
Judge Frye and the whole delegation of Lawyers and Sheriffs left Bethel Tuesday for the seat of war at Paris.
Frank Leach has not bought out the Bethel Telegram as reported last week.
Newry: George Spinney and his two sons are getting one hundred cords of birch to the J.A. Thurston mill; Herbert Kendall will haul about forty of the one hundred cords. May Powers was ill and could not teach last Friday; school has only a few more days in the term and Miss Powers is a fine teacher.
February 21, 1893: Democrat
HEAVY SNOW STORM COVERS AREA: Monday, February 20, 18 inches of snow, February 21, wind and cold, Wednesday, February 22, another 12 inches of snow reported from Albany. Thursday the roads were impassable and no mail could be delivered. Newry reported the same conditions and no mail. Locke Mills: “We have had the most severe storm and blow in years. The snow is piled up in every direction. West Bethel: “A blizzard week has nearly passed but the blizzard? Doubtful. The snow storms of Monday and Wednesday were 12 and 9 inches respectively, with a slight one on Friday - The northwest wind has been a gale, the snow has drifted hugely everywhere except where it is wanted – the road from West Bethel to Bethel was not opened for teams to pass until Friday (February 24). The Bethel doctors having patients in this (West Bethel) vicinity, come and go on the (rail) cars.”
Middle Interval: Mr. and Mrs. Fred C. Cole have been the guests of Joseph Holt and his wife. Mr. Cole has returned sooner than he expected. The ladies will be entertained Thursday morning, Feb 22nd, by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Holt, and their daughter, Mrs. Fred Cole.
Methodist Church Dedication: The new Methodist church in Bethel was dedicated last Wednesday afternoon and evening, February 15th. Rev. Mr. Jordan of the Congregationalist church and Rev. Mr. Beem of the Universalist church assisted in the services. Presiding Elder Ladd was present and also Mrs. Ladd, who sang. The filled church witnessed an impressive and interesting programme of service. Also it was announced that a special subscription of collections would enable the church to clear its debt incurred for the rebuilding.
“The history of the rebuilding of this church (after it was struck by a tornado September 18th, 1891) has been but one continual narrative of energy, enterprise and perseverance for the attainment of the end now reached. The church has men who have the energy and will to do when required and in this case they have shown their strength. They and others have given of their means liberally to rebuild this edifice. Members of both the Universalist and the Congregationalist societies of the place have contributed and their gifts are appreciated by the people of the church. And today the M.E. society here have as fine a church edifice as can be found in this section and are free from debt.”
Bethel: Rev. A.S. Ladd delivered his lecture, “Life, some of the follies of life,” at the Methodist church last Tuesday evening to a goodly audience. And Harry Laman was here last Tuesday night at the Opera House with the comedy play, “The New England Home.”
A grand ball at Odeon Hall and the popular drama, “Millie, the Quadroon” scheduled for the Opera House on that week were postponed due to the snow storm.
Judge Enoch Foster was the Presiding Judge of the Oxford County Supreme Judicial Court for the February 1893 term held at Paris Hill. Henry Farwell, Bethel, was a grand jury member.
February 24, 1893: Advertiser
Gilead: Quoted as in favor of new county buildings: John W. Bennett, a prominent lumber manufacturer in conversation the other day said, “Yes I am in favor new county buildings as the old ones are in constant need of repair, and from a business standpoint (I) should consider new buildings the cheapest in the end.”
David R. Hastings, 2nd, of Hastings, Me., another lumber manufacturer says whatever the county puts out in repairs on the old buildings is thrown away as the county don’t own one cent in them now and would be no better off should the commissioners spend six or eight thousand dollars in repairs; the more we put into repairs the more we lose.
About 18 inches of snow here on the level and the worst wind of the season. Wild River train was blocked Monday between here and Hastings so it could get to neither place.
North West Bethel: “We are glad to know that we are going to have new county buildings instead of repairing those old shacks on Paris Hill.”
Who says we haven’t enough snow now? Monday we witnessed one of the biggest snow storms since ‘83’.
For all town meeting voters: “Yes” means new and modern buildings at South Paris not to cost the county over $30,000. Fire proof vaults, new jail, court house, etc. The cost will be 23 cents on $1,000 valuation. “No” means to expend a similar amount on Paris Hill. Which is the best location?
Gould Academy: Addison R. Saunders who fitted for college at Gould has been recently elected President of the Washington State College.
The academy’s winter term closed Friday, February 10th. Examinations were held Thursday (oral and written) and Friday (oral). Although it was stormy a number of visitors showed their interest by attending the oral exams.
For various reasons, the calendar has been changed to allow for two weeks vacation between the end of the winter term and beginning of the spring term. Spring term begins February 28th for 13 weeks.
A prize of $5 has been offered by a friend of the academy to the one who does the best in declamation at the end of the spring term.
County Commissioners Court of Oxford County: To the Municipal Officers of the Town of _____ said County: February 14, 1893.
Abstract – “You are hereby notified that it is our intention to erect new County Buildings including Court House, Offices for the several County Officers, Jury Rooms, Library Rooms and Fire Proof Vaults for the records of the Probate Office, Register of Deeds, Clerk of Courts, and County Treasurer; also Jail and Jailer’s House at a cost not to exceed thirty-thousand dollars on the following described lot, situated in the village of South Paris near the railroad station and in the shire town of Paris but more than half a mile from the location of the present County buildings, to wit – And you are hereby directed to insert the following article in the warrant for the Town Meeting and the next annual election, to be holden March next: “To see if the County Commissioners shall be authorized to erect new County buildings, etc., (as stated above). All in favor to give in their votes with the word “Yes” printed or written thereon, and all opposed with the word “No” printed on written thereon.”
February 28, 1893: Democrat
Bethel: James H Barrows (President of the Bethel Chair Company) Letter to the Editor of the Oxford Democrat concerning the proposed relocation of county seat.
Bethel, ME., Feb. 23, 1893.
Mr. Barrows made different arguments than almost all other Bethel advocates writing for the newspapers:
“What is to be saved to the county in the new and expensive undertaking? The only thing I have been able to discover, from the arguments put forth, is that those who attend court and go by the way of South Paris will save their hack fare from South Paris to Paris Hill.”
“When the court is once convened at Paris Hill, every one knows that the accommodations, not only so far as the court building is concerned, are good, but that the hotel accommodations are unsurpassed by any village in Oxford County – and besides at Paris Hill the hotels are within one minute’s walk of the court room.”
“the geographical center of Oxford County is a good way north of South Paris, and that the center of population is tending that way, I think to build new county buildings there, would be a great mistake which three-fourths of the people would in time discover and regret – Bethel Hill is a much more central and convenient place to locate county buildings, when the time comes that they are really needed, than any other point on the line of railroad.”
“When the growing place of Rumford Falls becomes a city, which it will before many years…… any one can see that there is no point on the line of any railroad in Oxford County where the county would be so well accommodated as at Bethel Hill.”
Bethel: A farmer’s institute will be held at Pattee’s Hall, Bethel, Friday, March 3rd. The programme will be of interest to all.
Wilsons Mills: John Olson fell in the woods Saturday morning, breaking some ribs and injuring his stomach. Dr. Hazelton was called for.
Newry: We are in the midst of a snow blockade. The mail carrier has not made a complete trip for a week. The constable has just gone over the mountain road on snowshoes to post the warrant for town meeting.
Albany: Chimney fire at Luther Abbott’s put out by their son as both parents were sick. Eighteen inches of snow on Wednesday, roads impassable, mail carrier had to leave his team and carry the mail part of the way on his back.
Locke Mills: Snow is piled up in every direction. The Milton crew from R.D.
This was the first annual town meeting to be held in Odeon Hall. Voted Enoch Foster to be moderator. L.T. Barker was elected Clerk; Selectmen were: Henry Farwell, Horatio N. Upton and John B. Chapman; Treasurer, J.U. Purington; (town) Agent A.E. Herrick; Supervisor of Schools, N. F. Brown; Tax Collector, S. B. Twitchell and Road Commissioner, I.G. Kimball.
For appropriations it was voted to raise $2,000 for schools, $3,000 for roads, $1,200 for care of the poor, $800 for town expenses and $1,500 to pay interest and indebtedness. For Article 26., it was voted to authorize selectmen to sell buildings at the toll bridge. For Article 28., the town voted to build a new school building in the village to accommodate a graded school and merge five original school districts. Under Article 29., it was voted to appoint a committee on the location of a school in the village and to move or dispose the present ones as they see fit. Committee for this purpose: N.F. Brown, E.S. Kilborn and J.U. Purington. These men will also be the building committee. The committee will select a lot, procure plans and superintend the building activity.
Ladies of the Library Association furnished dinner at Odeon Hall for the town meeting on Monday night with proceeds from the dinner going to benefit the library.
March 7, 1893, Democrat Bethel: On February 28th at the Opera House, “Millie, the Quadroon” was presented to a good house. A six piece orchestra of Bethel talent provided the music along with some fine vocal and instrumental pieces.
Work on the Universalist church addition is progressing well under the supervision of C.H. Adams. The addition will be used as a vestry on the upper level and as a kitchen and dining room on the basement level.
Gould Academy opened its spring term on February 28th with 80 scholars. Mr. Merriman is the principal and is rated with good satisfaction. “-there is no reason why Gould Academy should not grow to be one of the largest and best of all the schools of its kind in the state. The school needs an endowment and when some friend of education sees fit to bestow upon it a good sized fund, we shall be best prepared to make the school what it should be and what it could be.”
Last Saturday, Lucier’s minstrels performed at the Opera House in one of their first class entertainments. “While people of this village are not given to patronizing traveling troupes to any great extent, Lucier is usually give a large house.”
Odeon Hall: The (postponed) ball given last Thursday evening at Odeon Hall was a success. Music was furnished by Norseworthy and Stearns of Norway. Refreshments were served by ladies of the Universalist society.
Newry: Storm and wind about all the time for the last two weeks. The roads were never in worse condition, despite the constant efforts to make them passable.
J.S. Brown, our first selectman, was round with the town reports. He tells me he did not receive order of notice for voting on country buildings in time to insert in the warrant and was obliged to snowshoe it to Bethel and copy from theirs. Was not that a little oversight somewhere?
C. W. Godwin has moved from the Poplar Hotel in this town to Bethel. Howard Thurston is preparing to move to Berlin Falls, NH, where he intends going into the jewelry business.
East Bethel: Irving and Lillian Kimball, Albert and Walter Bartlett and Charles Young are attending the spring term of school at Gould Academy.
The roads have been almost impassable the last two weeks. Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Bean left Cocoa, Florida, on March 1st on their return trip home.
Albany: Randall Cummings of Bethel is in town selling steam cookers and plate holders. Ladies circle of 43 women met Thursday with Mrs. J. H. Lovejoy.
Charles Grover has engaged to cut 200 cakes of ice for Abel Andrews.
Theron Cummings is now hauling his hard wood lumber to Bethel chair factory instead of Willis’s steam mill in Greenwood.
West Bethel: Grover & Shaw sent a car of nice potatoes to Lewiston Thursday paying 70 cents. A.S. Bean is handling more wood and timber this winter than ever before.
Locke Mills: A majority of the voters were for the removal of the county buildings to South Paris.
Harry LaMarr Comedy Company will present “Is Marriage a Failure” at the Mt. Abram Hall Saturday evening. Dancing will take place from 10 – 12; 25 cents per couple.
March 14, 1893, Democrat Other election results: Newry: Moderator, N.S. Baker, Clerk, J.A. Thurston; Selectmen, J.S. Brown, M.L. Thurston, and W.B. Wight; Treasurer, J.A. Thurston; Tax Collector, N.S. Baker and Supervisor of schools, N. S. Baker.
Grafton: A.F. Brooks was elected Moderator, Clerk and Tax Collector. Selectmen elected were: Charles H. Davis, Joseph W. Chapman and Julian H Farrar. Treasure elected was G.A. Otis and Rufus Farrar was elected Supervisor of schools.
Votes on the county seat relocation article.
Town Yes No Bethel 295 38 Albany 64 23 Newry 37 14 Gilead 44 23 Mason 5 8 Greenwood 86 54 Hanover 30 17 Rumford 104 140 Andover 55 105 Grafton 2 6 Woodstock 37 138
Vote on moving the count seat: Thirty seven towns and plantations had voted on the question by March 7th. Hartford and Roxbury voted on March 13th and were against moving the count seat but their vote did not change the majority.
Yes votes = 3289. No votes = 2934. A majority of 355 Albany: The Oxford war is ended. – It is hoped that all will accept the verdict submissively and even cheerfully. I am informed that our town meeting was rather noisy and somewhat “rifferous” on the question of an agent to sell liquor. If we are compelled to have an agent. It is to be hoped that he will be a law-abiding man.
Hastings and Thomas have sold $50 worth of manure at their stable at Albany mills to parties in Bethel who sent a four horse team for a load. But the snow was so deep that they returned empty.
Mason: Our town meeting was a live one but very pleasant. Our people were not in the swim for new county buildings but then we have to help pay the taxes
George D Mason and Ernest Morrill have already delivered on the river and at A.S. Bean’s mill in Mason 760 cords of spruce pulpwood, birch for spool strips and cord wood for market. The latter will be hauled to West Bethel by teams and the spruce will be run down the river and the birch sawed here.
West Bethel: A.W. Grover will have an auction on March 18th when he will sell all his farming tools, stock and household furniture. Our new road commissioner, I.G. Kimball, is around on big official labors.
On the railroad: The engine on the Lewiston “scoot” burst the tire on the drive wheel directly under the engineer, George Buck, and some of the fragments were forced upward, raising the seat and engineer so high his head struck the top of the cab stunning him for some time.
Bethel: Pomona Grange met in Pattee’s Hall. A large number from Paris and other near towns attended.
The Universalist church has held a week of meetings with other churches participating.
Newry where 24 inches was reported. As a result roads were blocked and mail delivery suspended.
Gilead: Mail from Hastings had to be brought out by team as the engine that runs on the Gilead end of the line is laid up for repairs. The engine assigned to logging comes out in the night with what lumber is sawed through the day – some ten car loads.
Gould Academy students in 1857.
Abiel Chandler, Jr. wrote:
“The spring term of 1857 was the last term I attended Gould’s Academy. From a list written on one of the fly leaves of my chemistry, I find that the following other students attended during that term, under the instruction of the late Dr. N. T. True, to who is due much of the honor of building up Gould’s Academy and making it what it should be:”
Chandler named 45 classmates, 15 were girls. Selected names from this list follow:
A.S. Twitchell, now residing at Gorham, NH, one of the leading lawyers of the state. Mr. Twitchell served three years in the late war and when he returned home was ranked as Gen. Twitchell. Sarah Chapman daughter of the late Timothy Chapman of Milwaukee. John S. Locke, of North Bethel, now lives in Biddeford but for many years resided in the west where he accumulated a fortune. Samuel B. Locke, Jr., owner of the Locke mills resides in West Paris. Henry C. Locke, Bethel, went west and was murdered in his own home by a man who worked for him. The murderer paid the penalty of his crime by being hanged to the limb of a tree by a mob. Abiel Chandler, Jr., now resides at Bethel, proprietor of the Alpine House. Served three yeas in the late war, in the 4th Maine Battery, Light Artillery. Went in as a private; came home as quartermaster sergeant, Ambulance Corps, Artillery Brigade, 6th Corps. A.M. True son of Dr. N.T. True now in Bethel. Miss Mary True, daughter of Dr. N.T. True, now a teacher in a deaf and dumb school in Boston. L. Holden of Sweden now resides in the west. Is worth three millions. V.V. Twitchell, late editor of the Gorham Mountaineer. H.P. Brown, Bethel, served in the 7th Maine Regiment, Company I; killed at Antietam, Sept 17, 1862. He fell while leading his regiment. The writer was present and helped to bury him, near where he fell with a bullet through his head. Brown Post, G.A. R. is named after this noble and brave soldier. G.A. Hastings, Bethel, served three years in the war, as major in the 12th Maine Regiment. Now resides at his home in Bethel. (In 1893, Gideon Hastings was President of the Board of Trustees of Gould Academy.) Enoch Foster, Jr., Bethel, served in the 13th Maine Regiment as captain. Now resides in Bethel; is one of the justices of the Supreme Court of Maine. (Also a trustee of Gould Academy.) A.M. Carter, Bethel, served three years in the war, as sergeant in the 7th Maine Battery. Now resides in Bethel. (Carter was superintendent of the corn canning factory in Bethel for several years.) O’Neil W. Robinson, Bethel, was captain of the 4th Maine Battery, Light Artillery. Died in 1869 at his (father’s?) house (in Waterford?) from disease contracted in the army. C.S. Edwards, Bethel, served three years in the 5th Maine Regiment. Went out as captain; came home ranking as general. Now lives at his house in Bethel. Is a successful farmer, cuts about 100 tons of hay, and keeps fifty head of cattle.
March 28, 1893, Democrat
Population of Grafton: A canvass of the town’s inhabitants would find only 64 men, women and children and part of them are of foreign birth. Only eight of the town’s sixteen voters attended town meeting. Rufus Farrar, Jr. (Supervisor of schools in Grafton).
West Bethel: The roads are first class now and teams are improving them – anxious to get in “six weeks of sledding this month”. Not a large turnout at Albert W. Grover’s auction – most of the advertised property was sold, however, except for the brood mare, and ox and horse sleds.
Wilson’s Mills: At the town meeting John Olson was elected School Agent.
The J.S. Danforth has reached her destination at New Smyrna, Florida and has gone up Indian River with plenty of sportsmen as passengers.
End of Part I, 1893
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Drawing of the existing county buildings on Paris Hill that the county voters were asked to replace in the 1893 annual town meetings. |
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DEBATE CONTINUED ON THE 1892 PROPOSAL TO RELOCATE OXFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS FROM PARIS HILL TO SOUTH PARIS. |