Gulls Perched on Cedars

1895

The captain of a steamer that plies along the New England coast, and that was passing one of the rugged, lonely islands off the Maine shore, pointed to an enormous flock of gulls that whitened the rocks, the surface of the sea and the branches of the cedars that cling to the hard soil. "There," said he, "what do you think of that? And yet if you turn to a book on natural history they'll tell you that gulls won't perch on trees. Some fool sailors believe that the petrels, or Mother Caray's chickens, never alight, even on the water, but are always on the wing. They don't use their eyes. And some of these scientific fellows are as bad as the sailors." — Lewiston Journal.

A Tribute To The Home of His Childhood

Maine, 1916

By Rev. George B. Ilsley.

Where was it? In Limerick — one of the best of all the towns in York county, Me., encircled by hills on every side — with excellent farms and orchards, having "fine variety of hard and soft wood growth." The old academy stood upon one of its most sightly hill tops — with the village just below it to the north. From this eminence a splendid view of Mt. Washington was obtained. Except for the climb, it was an ideal spot for scholars. It was a High school, indeed! The village with its three meeting-houses and numerous stores was a centre for trade to surrounding towns. Stages ran daily to Portland, Saco and every other to North Berwick via Alfred.

Not a mile south was the home of my childhood. In 1825 grandfather and father bought one of the Felch farms, and lived together upon it, till 1856, when within three weeks they both died. Until then for 16 years it was my happy home. Working on the land was conducive to physical health and vigor.

Going to the summer and winter terms at the old schoolhouse, developed our mental abilities from the A B C's up to admission to the academy where I began to fit for college in 1856.

"How dear to my heart are those scenes of my childhood!" The making of maple-sugar was strenuous recreation — to lug up the sap from the woods and the boiling of it down to syrup! But, oh how sweet it was! Then came the putting up the gaps in the walls which the frosts had made all around the fields and pastures. It was an early spring task. In haying 5 and 6 would be mowing one after the other. It was fun for us boys to follow up and spread it; and then ride the horse to rake it with "the old revolver."

Sometimes it would be September ere we finished.

The old farm of 200 acres seemed immense to my childish comprehension. It was two miles around it. To go through the woods to the Marr's pasture, where the sheep and oxen were kept, was quite an expedition. But it was always a delight to go with father to salt the sheep!

The farm was well located, all in one solid block, bounded on the west by the Main road, on the north by the county road to Limington, on the east by Peter Fogg's pasture, and south by Isaiah Guptil's farm. (He had six boys, Moses, the triplets, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Hiram and Stillman, and five girls. At one time five in the family could not walk alone.)

To the south Ossipee Mt., 4 miles away, was the highest point to gaze upon. Shapleigh hills and plains were beyond. To the north those of Cornish and Limington appeared. The outlook, going back and forth to the village was always beautiful and inspiring. It is still so as I return to it. No other scenery is quite like it. II. No neighbors were quite so good as those just at a near by "Felch Corner". Shall I name them? Across the garden, below, was uncle Jeremiah's house, with cousins Ben and Ed. The Allen sisters, who sold out to Stoddards and moved to the village, one was my earliest school teacher. Then the Meserves, and aunt Polly and son, Nathaniel L. The Brackett Leavitt family with Shubel, Sarah and Louise; across on the corner. The FelcheS, Amos Gene, Amos Jr, and Alvan, the preacher, then beyond Major his son, Moses Fogg. Westward a bit the little Knowlton home, and then the Pierce family, Daniel and Josiah brothers; then the old wooden school house now since 1858, the brick one then, Albion Bradbury, mother and sisters, then the Doles and Gilpatricks, just on the brow of Favor's hill, where we had our best coasting in winter. Half a mile from Felch's Corner to the East way Tufts bridge. Here was the trout brook running through Bradbury's and Tufts field above the road and through Fogg's pasture south of it, and then into Cradbourne's, then into Pierce, and Gilpatrick's meadows. Do I not still see the hole where I caught my first one? Yes indeed, and going back to it 40 years later cutting away the alders I took another out of the same place. I may do it again before I'm eighty.

The new Dole, Gilpatrick, and Hodgdon saw-mill in which father had a share was a place of great attraction to me and all the boys of the neighborhood. In early spring we could get a big trout, and in summer pickerel. It was a fine place for swimming also, and for building rafts to paddle over the pond to fish and dive from when in bathing.

Many a pleasant picnic was held here, as well as on the old farm when the cousins came in summer time from Portland and Chelsea. But now the old mill is all gone.

Planting time always had some excitement about it, carting out the barn dressing, then plowing it in. Breaking up new ground required all the oxen and steers we could muster. It was a big team sometimes.

One year, Abe Guptil was the hired man, one of the twins. We began spring work April 9th and got all the planting done on May 13th. Then came the sheep washing when the flock was driven to the County Bridge over a mile away. Sometimes we boys, in ducking the big lambs, got plunged in ourselves by their vigorous resistance. This with the shearing and the marking of the lamb's ear, by splitting them was a time of great interest to us. There was nothing dull or dreary about such childhood days.

The hoeing, when the twitch-grass was stout I never enjoyed very much. But I recall one time when grandfather was about 80 and I 15. We had a race to see who would hoe his row out first. I did my best, but he beat me. Up to 83 he was a smart man to work, no matter whether it was hoeing or mowing, digging potatoes or husking corn, he was sure to do his part.

Seventy years ago we as boys had no boughten toys. We had to make our traps for squirrels, skunks and woodchucks if we caught them. Our bows and arrows to shoot with, and our kites to fly we made.

Grandpa being a cabinet-maker in Portland brought many of his tools to Limerick, and had a shop for them. This was our resort on rainy days; and we were not slow about using them to make what we felt we wanted most. At one time I strove hard to construct a violin, but failed in glueing it together. At bow-guns, stilts, traps and sleds, we became quite proficient.

When grandpa found that we had dulled his saws, planes or chisels, and each of us answered that "I didn't do it," he would make his earnest reply to us, "Nobody did it." "Nobody did it."

But we loved him if sometimes he did seem to scold us. We knew he loved us. He was a kind and great hearted, Christian man.

Every morning just before gathering about the big, round breakfast table, when all were present, was his time to furnish devotion. A chapter was read from his Bible, taken down from the dinning room shelf, then he knelt in prayer on our behalf. At every meal it was his custom to ask God's blessing on the food before us.

When the weather was too cold for the Sunday evening prayer meetings to be at the school house our dining room was the usual place for them, at early candle light, where 50 or more, by opening the sitting room, could be seated. In this he always took some part by prayer or testimony. He was a good singer and joined in every song. As a small boy I remember how I helped bring in the chairs and arrange them in rows, for men on one side and women on the other. The light-stand with the Bible and hymn book for the minister was always near the sitting-room-door. The young folks used to gather and those who were not church members used to take the sitting room.

It was grandfather's custom to have a song service after the people had gone.

It was his delight to rehearse many of the old hymns, and have us gather round and help him. With my three sisters and two brothers we had a good time of it; especially when he got out the old bass viol, and uncle Jeremiah came in with his clarionet, and if Aunt "Nodie" was there with her excellent soprano voice, those to me were pretty fine concerts. Here I took my first lessons in music. One of his favorite hymns was "How Firm a Foundation Ye Saints of the Lord." Such influences tended to draw me early into Christian life, and later all my brothers and sisters.

Our aged grandpa's example and life were a constant benediction upon us, filling the home with the sweetest of good influences. His benignant face stills hangs upon my study wall.

It was always a pleasure to be with him in the field, in the carriage, or in the old meeting house on the Hill. One of my boyish amusements in the square pew at the right of the pulpit, with closed door was the getting of flies and wasps into a paper box which was made for that purpose. In the winter Grandma had her foot stove there. Old Elder Flanders of Buxton, who had a very big nose, whom my father used to shave, before he went to church Sunday morning to supply, was one of the first I can remember. He used to put up at our house. When he blew his nose with a big red bandanna handkerchief he made a loud noise of it. In the "40's" when Josiah Tilton was pastor I remember going to the Donation Party at the parsonage and the eating of blancmange of which I still have a fondness. Then came Elder Tripp who taught one term of winter school, whereby my thirst for knowledge was much strengthened. After he came Rev. Jeremiah D. Tilton under whom I joined the church in 1854.

It is with grief I think now of the diminished membership and the closed doors on Lord's Day of the Little White church on the Hill.

Most of the people of 70 years ago are buried in the cemetery close by. What a joy it would be to go back and meet them there again as in the days of childhood.

"Backward, turn backward,
O Time, in your flight,
Make me a child again
Just for to night!"
***. (To mother)

"Many a summer,
The grass has grown green
Blossomed and faded,
Our faces between;
Yet with strong yearning
and passionate pain
Long I tonight
For your presence again.
Rocke me to sleep mother
Rocke me to sleep."
—Earnest Leslie.

"Be it ever so humble,
there is no place like home;
A charm from the skies
Seems to hallow us there,
Which, seek thru the world,
Is ne'er met with elsewhere.
Home, home sweet, sweet home."
— John Howard Payne.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

Maine Notes

Maine, 1916

The annual reunion of the 4th Maine Regiment, 2nd Maine Battery, Berden's Sharpshooters and Naval veterans was held at Grand Army Hall Friday. Conspicuous among the members present was Percy Montgomery, aged 99, who served in the battery.

Harold S. Wright, a carrier at the Lewiston postoffice, was one of a mounted delegation in the parade which greeted Theodore Roosevelt Aug. 31. As a result papers have been served on him, alleging partisanship contrary to civil service requirements.

At Dexter Friday two bolts struck the belfrey of St. Anne's Catholic church, badly demolishing one side and doing damage estimated at $500. Lightning also entered the mill of the Dumbarton Woolen Company and started a fire, which was extinguished before any serious damage was done.

Freeman Mariner, 25 years old, of Patten is on the dangerous list at Bangor hospital with a shattered shoulder, caused by the accidental discharge of his rifle, which he had placed in the bottom of a canoe on a lake at Moro.

John Scott, 80, died at Ste. Marie'es General hospital at Lewision, as the result of injuries sustained when he fell from the hayloft in his barn. Mr. Scott suffered a fracture of one hip and also internal injuries.

Think of it, for September; Seven hundred and seventy-five guests at Kineo and every one of them having the time of their lives, as well as the opportunity of seeing white frost on the trees and a temperature in the early morning of an even 30, as was afforded last Monday week.

Miss Ellen Olive Walkley, of one of the oldest families of Southington, Conn., is soon to become the bride of Rev. Dr. David Nelson Beach, president of the Bangor Theological Seminary, Dr. Beach is much older than his fiancee, nearly 70. He graduated from Yale in 1872 and from Yale Divinity School in 1876. He filled pastorates as a Congregational minister at Westerly, R. I.; Wakefield, Mass.; Cambridge, Minneapolis and Denver.

It is quite likely that the work of the Rockland Y. M. C. A., which was dropped two years ago, may be taken up again this fall, using the association's old building on Limerock street until the way can be paved for a suitable structure on the new lot, bought this year. Interest has been sustained among the boys through the medium of the High School Annex, founded by Supt. G. A. Stuart.

Portland is not likely to land the Eastern League pennant this year. Local fans have supported the team almost up to a profitable point, but the season is said to show a net loss to the owner of the franchise. Sentiment at Portland seems to be that there will be another change in the circuit in 1917.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

Republican Uber Alles

Maine, 1916

Portland Sept. 12. — Maine Republicans reinforced by returning Progressives, won a signal victory at the State election yesterday.

They elected a Governor, auditor, two United States senators, four congressmen, and wresting control of the State House of Representatives from the Democrats, will be able on a joint ballot of the Legislature to elect the other State officers not chosen by popular vote.

Carl E. Milliken led his ticket, defeating Gov. Oakley C. Curtis, who sought re-election, by a plurality of approximately 12,000.

The Republican drift extended to county tickets, the greater number of counties choosing county attorneys and sheriffs. These offices are important locally because the holders are charged with the enforcement of the prohibition law.

The vote was heavy, as has been expected, for the campaign has been waged with a determination not seen in recent years. The country was searched out for speakers of national prominence by both parties, and the greater number of these battled on national issues. The fight was particularly hot for the two United States senatorships, and the four places held by Maine in the lower House at Washington. The national defense, the tariff and the eight-hour law for railroad men loomed large in the discussions.

The Progressives, who two years ago cast 18,226 votes, returned largely to the Republican party, in the opinion of Republican leaders.

The closest fight was for congressman from the second district, where Congressman Daniel J. McGillicuddy was defeated by Wallace H. White, Jr., whose plurality was about 500.

United States Senator Charles F. Johnson, whose wide popularity had given the Democrats great hope of his return, was defeated by Frederick Hale, son of the ex-senator, whose margin was approximately 9500 votes. For the other seat in the Senate for the short term, former Governer Bert M. Fernald defeated Kenneth C. M. Sills, dean of Bowdoin college, with 12,000 votes to spare.

L. B. Goodall won from L. A. Stevens in the first congressional district by 3000. Congressman John A. Peters retained his seat, defeating John E. Bunker in the third district by 4000. Ira G. Hersey defeated Leonard A. Pierce in the fourth congressional district with a plurality of 5000.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Our Day On Earth

1916

Augusta registered its first Chinese voter this. year, Chin Bong, who runs a laundry there. He was born in Seattle 28 years ago and is married, his wife being at present in China. Previous to coming to Augusta he lived for sometime in Boston and was a voter there.

A. Leon Esty, who was in the automobile with James W. Rafter in the smash-up at the Gardiner railroad crossing of Nov. 2, 1913, has brought suit in the United States District Court of Vermont in the sum of $10,000 against the Maine Central Railroad. It will be remembered that Mr. Rafter won in his suit for damages and was awarded $15,464.99. It was claimed at the time that the gates were not properly operated at the approach of the train.

A grand record for faithful performance of duties was rounded out last Wednesday by Edward G. Wyman of Bangor, when he retired from active service at the First National Bank of that city, after 52 years of continuous service, of which 38 was as cashier. He was given an assistant and granted a long vacation, on salary. Few men anywhere has a longer or more honorable career to his credit.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 1.

Tuesday, September 12, 1916 — Editorial Comments

Maine/New Hampshire, 1916

Alice B. Glines, editor

All who ran were elected.

The spellbinders are gone; peace to them.

What is so rare as a day in June? A September day, not infrequently.

We common people get the little end; and deserve it, by voting against ourselves.

The plan to annex South Portland to Portland and raise the Portland tax rate another jog is now on foot again.

Sometimes you can tell what a thing is by taking notice of what something else isn't. The Boston Transcript says there has been "no pussyfooting" by Judge Hughes on the Adamson bill, and declares this to be "the supreme sensation of the campaign."

A woman in Portland who has married the same man three times and been divorced from him twice now wants to be divorced again. Next time she better get someone who does not get drunk to marry her, unless there is some incongruity in that program.

Our present governor's repeated disregard of the nicer things of life, the non-essentials perhaps, had much to do with calling out the huge "stay-at-home vote" which can not he reached by appeals based on the real problems of government. Governor-elect Milliken is his exact opposite in these regards.

Belknap County Pomona last week argued the question whether summer boarders and bungalow residents are more conducive to the prosperity of a town, or good roads and good markets. One trouble with this question is that it is mixed; if a town can get good roads they will not lead to markets or trains, but be laid out to suit that same summer travel. As for good markets, we in northern New England must first decide whether commerce is a good or a bad thing. Markets mean trade.

It was unhandsome of Mr. Samuel Untermeyer to put it in print, but he had no less an authority than the late Thomas Brackett Reed to back up his statement of the abilities of Maine people (Query: Are we different from, the people where he comes from?) to untangle mixed political conditions. Mr. Reed always said that it was foolish to try to discuss public questions on their merits before a mixed audience; and all he ever tried to do in his campaign speeches was to appeal to our sympathies, or prejudices, and make us laugh at his funny stories and witty hits.

President Gompers of the Labor Unions was not fair in his Portland statement of the attitude of the train men, which he said was not at all a threat. He said they merely said to the roads that if they wanted men to work on the present terms of employment they must get other men to do it. But this was in truth not in the least the attitude or the intentions of the trainmen. On the contrary, if an average of one in a hundred per week of the trainmen should really throw up their jobs for some other employment, the railroad agents would voluntarily shorten the hours, or raise the pay, whichever the men seemed to prefer.

Judge Hughes at Rockland on Saturday said, speaking of the Eight-Hour law enacted by Congress under threat of a strike by the train crews:

"This issue transcends every other issue before the American people, because it is the fundamental issue, whether or not we have a Government; and an Administration that yields to force is not an administration at all. It is being driven. It is not government in accordance with the principles of American institutions."

From which the thoughtful reader cannot escape the inference that if the railroad men had not threatened to strike, in that case there would not been any issue of the highest degree of importance for the Republican party to base its canvass on.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Keating & Shaw

Maine, 1916

Within a year's time, Keating and Shaw of Exchange street, Portland, have become one of the leading automobile accessory dealers in the entire State. They are selling their tires and tubes in every section of Maine and have recently become distributors of the Puritan Tires and tubes manufactured by the Hood Rubber Company of Watertown, Mass.

Another line which they carry is the Pressure Proof Piston Ring, for which they are the State distributors for the Boston Company.

The company is also distributor for the Hill-Smith repair parts for Ford automobiles and also State distributors for the Webber automatic carburetor, which is designed and manufactured for those who want to increase their mileage.

The Webber automatic undertakes to increase the mileage of any automobile from 20 to 100 per cent, and in these days when Standard Oil is fattening up the purses of its stockholders, the Webber is an article which it will pay the motorist to look up, not only to increase mileage, but power.

Another active branch is the vulcanizing department, the process whereby the work is done being called the fuse rubber process. The company uses the same principal in repairing all tires, and are carrying in stock, on hand, and ready for instant use, inside and outside patches, cement patches and other tire accessories which they wholesale as well as retail to garages in Portland and throughout the State.

The company was recently incorporated and has as its president R. L. Keating and as treasurer, H. Earle Shaw. They keep two men on the road constantly. Mr. Keating, who covers the territory down State, and Mr. Verner L. Smith who looks after the company's interests within a distance of 20 and 25 miles.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Bangor Strike Declared Off

Maine, 1916

Bangor, Sept. 9. — Bangor's street car strike, which has been on since Saturday, August 26, was declared off at 5 o'clock tonight by unanimous vote of the two-thirds of the strikers who had remained loyal to the union. The other third had returned to the jobs as individuals during the past two weeks.

The strike, which lasted two weeks, has been accompanied by violence, which cannot be attributed to the strikers. Bricks have been hurled through car windows, granite blocks and sleepers have been placed on car tracks, an imported workman was arrested charged with brandishing a revolver and the feeling on both sides of the controversy has run high. For a time, 80 per cent of the electric car patrons refused to ride on the cars, the electric company carried fewer passengers than ever before. Last Saturday night there was a public demonstration in favor of the strikers.

The strike was declared off by vote of the men following a conference between their leaders and representatives of the Central Labor Union, at which it developed that after September 16, support from the Central Labor Union would be forthcoming.

At the offices of the railway company tonight, it was said that few of the strikers would be taken back, as their places have been filled.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Enforcement in Bangor

Maine, 1916

Bangor, Sept. 6. — Following what is said to have been a stormy discussion with Mayor John F. Woodman, Chief of Police, Lindley W. Gilman tendered his resignation to the Mayor late this afternoon. Tonight the Mayor said that he had not accepted the resignation and probably would not and that matters would no doubt reach an amicable settlement.

Chief Gilman declined to discuss the matter more than to admit that his resignation was brought about by a difference of opinion as to how the liquor law should be enforced in Bangor at this time. The chief of police is appointed by the Mayor, who also has the power of removal.

When the electric carmen went on strike about 10 days ago, Chief Gilman ordered the saloons and bars, said to number 114, holding United States revenue licenses, to close and stay closed. Several who did not obey were promptly raided and fined.

On Tuesday morning there was a general reopening of the bars. Some of the liquor dealers said there was an understanding with the Mayor that they could resume business after Labor Day. Chief Gilman said that he could not be expected to maintain order during a car strike with all the bars open and ordered them to close again.

It is understood that today the Mayor took up the matter again favoring the reopening of the saloons and Chief Gilman passed in his resignation. The saloons are still closed.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

U. S. Crop Report

1916

Maine

Corn — September 1 forecast, 477,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 656,000 bushels.

Oats — September 1 forecast, 5,540,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 6,080,000 bushels.

Barley — September 1 forecast, 135,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 132,000 bushels.

Potatoes — September 1 forecast, 25,700,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 22,010,000 bushels.

Hay — Preliminary estimate, 1,830,000 tons; production last year, final estimate, 1,397,000 tons.

Apples — September 1 forecast, 1,550,000 barrels; production last year, final estimate, 720,000 barrels.

New Hampshire.

Corn — September 1 forecast, 798,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 990,000 bushels.

Oats — September 1 forecast, 442,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 456,000 bushels.

Potatoes — September 1 forecast. 1,940,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 1,520,000 bushels.

Hay — Preliminary estimate, 767,000 tons; production last year, final estimate, 504,000 tons.

Apples — September 1 forecast, 510,000 barrels; production last year, final estimate, 353,000 barrels.

United States.

Corn — September 1 forecast, 2,710,000,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 3,054,535,000 bushels.

Oats — September 1 forecast, 1,230,000,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 1,540,362,000 bushels.

Barley — September 1 forecast, 184,000,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 237,009,000 bushels.

Rye — September 1 forecast, 41,884,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 49,190,000 bushels.

Potatoes — September 1 forecast, 318,000,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 359,103,000 bushels.

Hay — Preliminary estimate, 86,200,000 tons; production last year, final estimate, 85,225,000 tons.

Apples — September 1 forecast, 67,700,000 barrels; production last year, final estimate, 76,670,000 barrels.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Passages From The Early History of Brownfield

Maine/New Hampshire, 1916

By Hon. Eli B. Bean.

Schools.

After the settlement of a portion of the sixty families Brown had obligated himself to settle in his grant of land, and these had erected for themselves log cabins and commenced clearing the then unbroken forest, those families located near each other began to think about schools for their children. Under such circumstances as they were then situated the question of establishing schools and erecting suitable houses for same was a problem hard to solve. Yet it was boldly and firmly met with all the means in their power and with partial success, in many cases the mothers and older children acting as teachers and some portion of the larger houses, or some out building, serving as a school room for the time being. The hardships and privations endured by those pioneers of our township would quite discourage the people of the present generation. Yet they were ever sustained with the hope of making a home for their young families. The first building erected for a schoolhouse was situated not far from the present junction of the road from Denmark, with the road to Fryeburg at East Brownfield railroad crossing, and was built prior to the incorporation of the town. It was at this schoolhouse where the first town meeting for the election of town officers was held after its incorporation in 1802. In 1806 a town meeting was again called to meet at this "schoolhouse near John Bolt Miller's" and no further mention is made of the house, either for school purposes or town business.

In 1803 the town voted to raise fifty dollars for school purposes, but there is no record of it having been expended, or, if expended, where or how. At the same town meeting the Selectmen of the town (Joshua Ames, Cyrus Ingalls and Lieut. John Goodenow) were directed to divide the town into school district and they reporting the following:

District No. 1. Beginning at Timothy Gibson, Esq., and to include all the inhabitants on and about "Beech Hill" and on the main road as far as Wilson Howard's, including Josiah Spring and his neighborhood that are in Brownfield to be one district. We recommend two schoolhouses to be built in the most convenient places to accommodate the inhabitants of said district.

District No. 2. Beginning at Benjamin and George Lord's and including the settlement on towards Fryeburg (east side Saco river) as far as school rights of land, so called, now owned by Lieut. Joshua Ames and John Howe, and we do recommend one schoolhouse to be set in the most convenient place to accommodate the inhabitants of said district.

District No: 3. Beginning at Lieut. Joshua Ames' and John Howe's land, as mentioned in the second district, and on the main road to Fryeburg line. Lieut. Asa Osgood and others in that neighborhood, also all those persons on the west side of the river, below Wilson Howard's, we recommend to draw their money, providing they will lay it out for schools in said town.

In March, 1804 it was voted to raise one hundred and fifteen dollars for support of schools in town and that each district should build their own schoolhouses. At the town meeting held in March, 1805, the town voted not to raise any money for school purposes, but at a second meeting called in April the same year, they appeared to repent of such action, and the town voted to raise $115 for schooling the present year. From this date on until 1820 the town raised various sums for schooling from $115 to $250 annually.

NO schoolhouses were built in districts No. 2 and No. 3 prior to the change in town lines in 1807 and their schools were kept in private houses. At the first town meeting held in Brownfield in 1807, after a portion of the town had been annexed to the towns of Denmark and Hiram, and the north part of Porterfield annexed to Brownfield, the town selected Timothy Gibson, Esq., John Sands and Nathaniel Merrill as a committee to divide the town into school districts and they reported as follows in October of same year and their report then accepted:

District No. 1 Beginning at Timothy Gibson Esquire's, and extending to Wilson Howard's.

District No. 2. Beginning at William Merrill's and extending to John Sand's on the Merrill road to take in Mr. Thompson and David Mansfield and "athuat" Sheppard's river so as to embrace Timothy Gibson, Jr.

District No. 3. To take all on the south side of Sheppard's river to Porter line.

District No. 4. To take all on the north side of Sheppard's river.

At the same meeting the town voted to allow any person to send their scholars to either school they chose, but that each district should retain their own school money.

School district No. 2, the Centre district, was the first to build a schoolhouse under the new organization of the town. In 1808, the district voted to build a schoolhouse and locate it "on the ridge at the foot of Dugway hill, below John Sand's" the size of the house to be twenty-two feet by twenty-six feet square, and voted to raise two hundred dollars for that purpose, selecting John Sands, Lieut. James Steele as a committee to build the house. Timothy Gibson, Jr., was clerk of the district meeting. As many of the inhabitants in the district wished to pay their tax in labor or material, a vote was taken to establish the price the committee were to allow for such as furnished. The same year (1808) District No. 1 voted to build a house, locating it in the centre between Esq. Timothy Gibson's and Wilson Howard's. The house was erected near the Maj. Stickney homestead. Daniel Gibson was clerk of the meeting and Timothy Gibson, Esq., Wm. Webster and John Stickney, selected as building committee, and one hundred and thirty dollars raised for the purpose, the house near John B. Miller's having been destroyed or abandoned.

The frame of the house was erected by Daniel Gibson for which the committee paid him thirty dollars. The following year, Dec. 30, 1809, the district voted to raise 85 dollars to finish the house and have the committee call on the Selectmen to furnish a school teacher as soon as they think proper. No record of any school in this district for the years 1808 and 1809, but they probably had schools kept in private houses during those years.

There is mention of school in 1810, when Maj. John Stickney was paid two dollars per week for board of teacher (probably Sally Mansfield) and tuition, and the district "voted to have a lock on schoolhouse, and allow any denomination go into the house to worship God."

District No. 3 voted to build a school in 1809 and locate it on land deeded to the district by Andrew Wentworth, near the Wentworth homestead. Luke Mills, Ichabod Ricker and Isaac Merrill were chosen committee to build the house. Most of the orders given by the building committee for labor and materials are now in good condition and on file with the town papers in Selectmen's office.

In 1811 an effort was made to have the town assume the expense of the schoolhouses already erected in Districts 1, 2 and 3, and finish the same for schools, also "to build such other schoolhouses in town as may become necessary." The town voted not to build any schoolhouses, but voted to aid District No. 2 to rebuild, contributing one hundred dollars for same, conditioned that the town could hold their town meetings there and that the house be free for each religious denomination to hold Sunday meetings, each denomination to have its equal share of the time. The size of the house to be 28 feet by 30 feet square, and to locate same in the forks of the road in front of Dr. Hadley's.

It was in this house Rev. Jacob Rice, the first settled in town, was preaching when he was stricken with heart failure and died within a few hours afterwards at the house of Dr. Hadley.

W. S. H.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

New Hampshire Neighbors — East Sweden

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Bisbee and Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Marr went to Lewiston to the State fair September 6.

D. T. Adams was home Sunday, Sept. 3.

Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Bisbee were in Rumford September 3.

A number went from here to the town hall September 6 to hear William M. Ingraham speak.

Fred Barton went with the Haskell family to Bridgton September 8.

Harold Porter made a flying call at H. Haskell's September 10.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

New Hampshire Neighbors — Sweden

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

Leslie Chandler, who got so badly burned by the bursting of a gasolene torch while soldering some milk cans recently, is gaining.

The remains of Miss Louise Brackett were brought from Cumberland Mills to her sister, Mrs. Martha Chandler's. The funeral was held Thursday. [*]

Sweden grange held its regular meeting Saturday evening, Sept. 9, with nine members present.

Charlie Bailey hauled stove wood for Walter Evans Monday.

Miss Mable Trimback is doing housework for Mrs. W. E. Evans.

M. E. Perry and wife and Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Moulton were in Portland Saturday, going in Mr. Perry's new auto.

Mr. and Mrs. James H. Bennett are visiting his brother, Charles Bennett.

Mrs. Fordyce Gammon and daughter Emily are visiting her sisters, Mrs. Ernest Bennett, and Cleora Saunders, also her brother, Lindon Merrill.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Saunders and daughter of Portland are visiting his father, Lincoln Saunders, at O. P. Saunders'.

Miss Marion Moulton is visiting Mrs. Charlie Bailey and Mrs. Forest Hutchins.

Miss Louisa Moulton has gone to Massachusetts to visit her sister.

George Thompson and Ernest Bennett cut corn fodder into the silo for Lindon Merrill Thursday afternoon.

Hugh Smart helped Thell Bennett get in oats and hungarian Saturday.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

[*] Note: Original newspaper breaks this line "Thurs-" followed by "Number Four. [another linebreak] No. Four."

New Hampshire Neighbors — South Sweden

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

Henry Emerson and Joe Willard made a business trip to Norway last week.

Hazel Plummer of Haverhill, Mass., is visiting her uncle, Enfield Plummer.

Mrs. Adelbert Stearns and two children of Lovell, also W. H. Smith visited at Charles Brackett's Sunday.

Royal Flint and George Thompson finished haying on the meadow Saturday.

Orin Plummer of Bridgton ridge spent Sunday at E. S. Plummer's.

Mrs. Florence Sawyer and Mrs. Carrie Adams visited at Henry Emerson's one day last week.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

New Hampshire Neighbors — West Denmark

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

Mrs. Viola M. Walker has returned to her home in this neighborhood.

Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Warren, Mrs. Robert Ingalls, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Sawyer and son Allan of South Bridgton visited at H. F. Lord's Thursday.

Mrs. Martha Ingalls and daughter, Mrs. Harlan Lord, were in Portland Friday.

Willis Thomes has moved his family to Kezar Falls.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

New Hampshire Neighbors — Brownfield

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

Mrs. Alvan Smith and son, Percy, have been in town for awhile.

Mrs. Benjamin Howard is entertaining her daughter, Eva.

Miss Winnifield Jones has returned to her home in Eaton, N. H.

Sherman McDonald came home, Sunday.

Fred Files came up from Cornish Saturday evening.

Mrs. A. S. Lynch has been entertaining Miss Rachel Weston of Fryeburg.

Miss Ruth Peckham was in Portland Saturday and visited the Longfellow mansion.

Mrs. Lucian Snow of Portland has been a guest at Spring farm.

Rev. L. F. McDonald, Mrs. McDonald and children have returned from their vacation which they spent in camp.

Merlin Butterfield is in Denmark employed in the corn factory.

EdWin Poore has had extensive improvements made on his house.

Miss Mary Peckham is teaching in Eaton, N. H.

Eugene Poore, Fred Poore and the Misses Leola Butterfield and Clair Rowe are engaged in the corn shop.

On account of the critical illness of Mr. Hawe's mother, High school will not open for two weeks. All other schools began Monday.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

New Hampshire Neighbors — Watson Hill

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

Frank Wilkinson and family from East Wakefield called to see his father Sunday for a short time. They came in an automobile.

Mrs. Ruth K. Moulton is spending her vacation on the Hill with her mother, Mrs. Sadie Kezar.

Mr. H. S. Rass and family returned to their home in Boston Saturday after spending a very pleasant summer at Hornheam Hill.

Mrs. Ida Waston[*] called on Mr. and Mrs. Eli Wilkin Sunday afternoon.

Most everyone is getting back to the city now and it leaves the summer places kind of lonesome until another year.

Mr. and Mrs. Alphonse Wilkin and son of Salem recently spent a few days with his father.

Miss Nellie Kezar spent the weekend of last week in Rochester returning Monday.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

Note: [*] Perhaps should be Ida Watson since the place is Watson Hill. Just a guess (educated), but I left it Waston.

New Hampshire Neighbors — West Brownfield

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

Mrs. Horace Mason and son Harry of East Conway, N. H., were Sunday visitors at Mrs. James Dennett's.

Miss Peggy Comstock of South Conway, N. H., was seen in this neighborhood one day last week.

Walter Mason and wife and Lester Mason of Conway, N. H., were weekend visitors at J. L. Dennett's.

Among those seen in the neighborhood Sunday were: Thomas Harmon, M. L. Rounds and wife, Clayton Spring, Ralph Miller, Harold Littlefield and Ralph Bishop.

Mrs. F. M. Chamberlain, son Earle, M. L. Rounds and wife and Ralph Bishop made a motor trip to Ossipee Corners and Chocorua lake Sunday afternoon.

Mrs. Charles Stearns with her daughter, Mrs. Jenney, and granddaughter, Miss Jenney, of Brookline, Mass., were callers at Mrs. James Dennett's and at J. L. Dennett's one day last week.

A good many people are calling to inspect Lieut. Walker's new barn these days. This barn, we are told by those who should know, will be, when completed, the equal if not the superior in finish and modern equipment of any in the state. It is 113 feet long and 36 feet wide, and will have two tie-ups, one on each side, the cows facing each other with a walk for feeding purposes between. There will be steel tracks and carriers for handling both feed and manure; the floors will all be of concrete with steel stanchions. Two large silos of glazed hollow tile are already in place. A system of ventilation is being provided, having numerous air shafts connecting with three large metal ventilators on the roof arranged to turn with the wind. The finish of the building, both inside and outside, is excellent and we are told that the cost will exceed $13,000. This barn is being built on what was formerly the John Payne farm, on the road to South Conway, which Mr. Walker purchased some time ago.

School began Monday with Miss Murphy teaching here again.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

New Hampshire Neighbors — New Boston

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

Mr. George Kennard has been helping Melvin Kennard repair his barn.

Mr. Leon Day of Kezar Falls spent Sunday with his uncle, Osgood Pendexter.

Mrs. S. P. French has returned to her home in Everett, Mass.

Mr. Stilman Chick has been helping Thomas Blake for the past few days.

Mr. Winslow Brown of Freedom called on Mr. Walter Sargent Friday.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

New Hampshire Neighbors — Porterfield

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

Rev. Fred Ward held a conference at D. Huntress' Saturday afternoon.

Mr. Wallace Durgin and family visited at Darling Huntress' Wednesday.

Miss Luella Hartford, who has been visiting her father, L. R. Hartford, has returned to her home in Hollos.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Clemmons are at D. E. Jewett's for a while.

D. Huntress was in Brownfield on business one day last week.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.