Penobscot County
MEGenWeb
Transcribed by Fran Jones Libby, David Brann, Jennifer Godwin, and Grinnell MacLeod Wood II
At the annual meeting of 1845, held March 10, Russell
Murdock was chosen moderator; Lorenzo Oak, town clerk; Daniel M.
Haskell, Luther Rideout and Stephen D. Jennings, selectmen and
assessors; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; and John P. Smith, collector. The
compensation of treasurer was fixed at four mill per dollar, and that of
the collector at two per cent. Moses G. Gordon, Jacob W. Haskell and
Jonathan C. Lawrence were chosen supervising school committee.
The appropriations were five hundred dollars for the schools, three
hundred dollars for the poor, four hundred dollars for town charges, and
six thousand five hundred and fifty dollars for roads, to be paid in
labor. The treasurer was instructed to hire five hundred dollars at a
rate not exceeding five per cent.
Of the annual State election of 1845, held September 8, the records
disclose the following results; For governor, Hugh J. Anderson,
Democrat, received eighty-nine votes; Freeman H. Morse, Whig, thiry-one
votes; Samuel Fessenden, Anti-Slavery, received five votes.
For
representative to the Legislature, Stephen D. Jennings, Democrat,
received fifty-eight votes; Luther Rideout, Democrat, received
twenty-nine votes; Daniel M. Haskell, Whig, received twenty-six votes;
Lyndon Oak, Anti-Slavery, received forty-five votes.
The
factional contest of 1843 was renewed and the result compared with that
at Exeter disclosed a failure to elect. A second trial, on September 29,
also failed to elect. At a third trial, on October 20, Lyndon Oak was
elected.
By an amendment of the State Constitution, the beginning
of the political year had been changed from the first Wednesday in
January to the second Wednesday in May. The Legislative session of 1846
was, therefore held in summer instead of winter. The members elected on
the anti-slavery issue had increased from one in 1844 to seven in 1846.
But this was only a slight indication of the growth of the
anti-slavery sentiment at that time. The Democratic speaker of the House
of Representatives, Hon. Ebenezer Knowlton, entered the Anti-Slavery
ranks soon after. A large majority of the Whigs of the Legislature of
1846 were opposed to any further concessions to slavery.
The
Legislature of 1846 was visited by Joshua R. Giddings, the robust and
fearless opponent of slavery, and member of Congress from Ohio. The
object of his visit was to bring into unity of political effort all the
opponents of slavery. He had interviews with the leading Whig of the
legislature. As a result a resolution was presented in the House by an
Anti-Slavery member, declaring in substance that the question of the
extension of slavery was of more importance than any other before 287
the American people. This was supported in a vigorous speech by Hon.
Elisha H. Allen of Bangor, and it received the votes of a majority of
the Whig members.
At the annual meeting of
1846, held March 9, Stephen D. Jennings was chosen moderator; Lorenzo
Oak, town clerk; Daniel M. Haskell, Luther Rideout and Stephen D.
Jennings, selectmen and assessors; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; Luther
Rideout, collector; and Moses G. Gordon, Stephen D. Jennings and Joseph
T. Knight, superintending school committee. The compensation of the
treasurer was five mills per dollar, and that of the collector two per
cent.
The appropriations were five hundred and fifty dollars for
schools, four hundred dollars for the town charges, three hundred for
the poor, and two thousand, five hundred for roads, to be paid in labor.
The State election of 1846 was held
September 14. For governor, John W. Dana, Democrat, received
seventy-three votes, Samuel Fessenden, Anti-Slavery, received
sixty-eight votes; David Bronson, Whig, received twenty votes.
For representative to Congress, James S. Wiley, Democrat, received
seventy-three votes; Jeremiah Curtis, Anti-Slavery, received sixty-nine
votes; Sanford Kingsbury, Whig, received twenty votes.
For
representative to the Legislature, John Walker, Anti-Slavery, received
seventy-one votes; Samuel L. Woodman, Democrat, received sixty-eight
votes; John L. Hodsdon, Whig, received twenty votes.
No choice of
representative to the Legislature. The second trial, October 5, was
fruitless. The third trial, October 26 was fruitless. On the fourth
trial, Wm. Palmer of Exeter was elected.
In 1846, Samuel S.
Clark. then a recent and valuable accession to the citizenship of the
town, entered into partnership with Lorenzo and Lyndon Oak, for the
manufacture of boots and shoes, under the firm name of S. S. Clark & Co.
A special feature of their work was quality of their goods soon gave
them a reputation that created a brisk demand in this and adjoining
towns. This was followed by a wholesale business with merchants in many
of the towns of Penobscot and Pisquataquis and other counties.
The annual meeting of 1847 was held March 8, Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator. The officers for the year were, Lorenzo Oak, town clerk; Daniel M. Haskell, Luther Rideout and David Pierce, selectmen; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer’ John Bartlett, collector. The compensation of the town treasurer was fixed at five mills per dollar, and that of the collector at two and one fourth per cent. Daniel M. Haskell, Edson L. Oak and Lorenzo Oak were chosen superintending school committee. The appropriations were five hundred and fifty dollars for schools, three hundred dollars for the support of the poor, three hundred dollars for town charges, and two thousand, five hundred dollars for roads.
Preparations preliminary to the
building of a town house were entered upon in 1847. The question of
location provided much discussion. Town meetings, religious meetings and
all important meetings had been held at the school house at the
geographical center of the town since the year 1816. Long existing
associations favored this location. It was claimed that fair dealing
with the inhabitants of the northern and northeastern sections of the
town, demanded that the building should occupy a site at its geographic
center.
The opposing contention was that the building should be
located at the center of the village, one mile south of the geographic
center. In inclement weather, citizens would be afforded opportunities
to shelter their teams within the building at the village. Many of the
strongest objectors to location in the village, would embrace the
opportunity afforded by the town meeting to visit the stores and shops
in the village, even if the building should be located one mile away
from the geographical center. Such considerations led to the selectmen
of the village site.
Aaron Hill, Luther Rideout, Daniel M.
Haskell, Russell Murdock and Lyndon Oak were appointed a committee to
select and purchase a site in the village for the proposed building.
Joseph Prescott, Luther Rideout and Samuel Skillin were charged with the
duty of preparing plans for the building and providing for its
construction by contract, which in due time, was awarded to L. & L. Oak
& Co. In the summer of the following year, 1848, the building was
completed to the satisfaction of the building committee.
The State election of 1847 occurred September
13. For governor, John W. Dana, democrat, received eighty-four votes;
Samuel Fessenden, Anti-Slavery, seventy-three votes; David Bronson,
Whig, received twenty-six votes.
For representative to Congress,
James S. Wiley, Democrat, received eighty-one votes; Jeremiah Curtis,
Anti-Slavery, received seventy-eight votes; Sanford Kingsbury, Whig,
received twenty-seven votes.
For representative to the
Legislature, Moses Ames, Anti-Slavery, received eighty-seven votes;
Stephen D. Jennings, Democrat, received sixty-seven votes; Andrew M.
Haskell, Whig, received twenty-tree votes.
A second trial for the
election of a representative to the Legislature occurred on October 4,
when the result disclosed that Stephen D. Jennings had eight-four votes,
Moses Ames has seventy-three votes, and A. M. Haskell has eleven.
Action of the Town on Proposed Amendments of the State Constitution
1st. On the question of electing governor by a plurality of votes,
yeas sixty-four, nays twenty-one.
2d. On the question of electing
senators by a plurality of votes, yeas forty-nine, nays nineteen.
3d.
On the question of electing representatives by a plurality of votes,
yeas forty-four, nays eleven.
4th. On the question of limiting the
credit of the State to an amount not exceeding three hundred thousand
dollars, yeas, sixty-five, nays one.
From
1816 to 1848 the annual March and September meetings had been held at
the center schoolhouse. In 1848, the March meeting was held in the
Congregational meeting house. Nehemiah Bartlett was chosen moderator.
The officers for the year were Charles Reynolds, town clerk; Nehemiah
Bartlett, Aaron Hill and Joseph Vickery, selectmen; Lorenzo Oak,
treasurer; James J. Chandler, collector, and Daniel M. Haskell, Edson L.
Oak and Edward H. Pierce, superintending school committee.
The
appointments were five hundred and fifty dollars for schools, six
hundred dollars for town charges, four hundred dollars for the support
of the poor, and twenty-five hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in
labor. The Treasurer was instructed to hire five hundred dollars for the
use of the town.
The State
election of 1848 was held in the town house for the first time. All such
elections had been held in the Center schoolhouse from 1816 to 1848. For
governor, John W. Dana, Democrat, received ninety-three votes; Samuel
Fessenden Anti-Slavery, received seventy-six votes; Elijah Hamlin, Whig,
received thirty-one votes.
For representative to Congress,
Charles Stetson, Democrat, received ninety-nine votes; Jeremiah Curtis,
Anti-Slavery, received seventy-eight votes; Israel Washburn, Whig,
received thirty-one votes.
For representative to the State
Legislature, Simon Butters, Democrat, received ninety-four votes; Isaiah
Avery, Democrat, received eighty-five votes; Jeremiah Garvin, Whig,
received sixteen votes.
For presidential electors, (election,
November 17,) the Democratic candidates received one hundred and eight
votes; the Anti-Slavery candidates received fifty-eight votes; the Whig
candidates received forty-one votes.
It will be noted that the
Anti-Slavery vote, which had been on the increase for several years,
fell off largely at the presidential elections of 1848. This was due to
the fact that the Anti-Slavery candidate, Martin Van Buren, did not come
up to the ideal of many of the Anti-Slavery voters of the time.
The first high school in Garland
was opened under the instruction of Lyndon Oak, in the autumn of 1848,
in the town house which had just been completed. There were many bright
girls and boys in town who were thirsting for instruction that was not
afforded by the district school. The satisfactory attendance at this
first term, inspired the hope that the school might be perpetuated, but
there was no fund for its support. The town refused aid, and no help
could be expected from the State.
At this juncture a young man of
the name of Bryant, a brother of the late Mrs. Thomas Dearborn, who was
on a visit here, offered to take the school, and accept its patronage as
compensation in full for his services. His offer was accepted, and the
result proved satisfactory.
The success of these preliminary
efforts inspired the belief that with care in the selection of teachers,
who combined ability to instruct with attractive personal qualities, the
patronage of the school would nearly, or quite, pay its expenses. If, at
any time, a deficit should occur, a few citizens of the village were
pledged to pay it, Under the conditions which have been indicated, the
school was maintained through a period of fifteen years with a draft of
only five dollars upon private funds. The school was but little known
beyond the limits of the town, but there are many men and women who have
been , and are now filling useful and responsible stations, who are glad
to acknowledge the usefulness to themselves of the garland High School
of years ago. It had the effect of raising the standard of the district
schools through the town. the teacher of the autumnal term was often
retained as teacher in the winter term of the 294 district school, to
which advanced scholars of other districts had free access.
A tornado of a terrible force passed through the
brotherly section of Garland in the midsummer of 1848. Originating in
the town of Ripley, it passed in an easterly direction, veering slightly
to the north, through Dexter and the northerly section of Garland into
Atkinson. It was narrow of scope, but of irresistible force, demolishing
buildings, trees, and making a violent disturbances of everything that
lay in its way. Fortunately for Garland, no buildings were completely
wrecked, but several mill logs in front of the Harriman house, in school
district No. 1, were turned end for end, and one had the distinction of
being deposited on the roof of Mr. Harriman's house. The barn connected
with this house was turned half way round. A well known citizen of
Garland is authority for the statement that a barn door made a mid-air
trip from Ripley over the town of Dexter and Garland into Atkinson.
The following slip from a newspaper describing one of the freaks of
the tornado of 1848, whether fiction or fact, is not more remarkable
than many well authorized stories connected with it:
"It is
related of Lamont Downing that in 1848, one pleasant summer's day, he
was trudging along the highway north of the pond near the line between
Dexter and Ripley, when a hurricane came over the hills from the west.
The air was oppressive and sulphurous and the sky black as ink. The path
of the cloud was marked by all sorts of things from the Ripley
farmhouses, flying 295 over head. The next thing the lad knew, he was
caught up also and went sailing away with the rest of the flyers.
Fortunately for him, he had not gone far when he came into the thick top
of a bog elm tree which was twisted and wrung by the cyclone, and to
this he clung with all his might. When the storm was past and folks came
looking around to find who was killed, they discovered the boy lodged in
the tree and had to get ladders to get him down from the perilous
place."
On the day of the tornado the writer, accompanied by a
friend, was at Silver's Mills in Northeast Dexter, after a load of
lumber for the Garland town house, then in process of construction. The
lumber had been loaded and the team was ready to start, when the sudden
appearance of a fearful looking cloud, surcharged with the wrecks of
houses and barns, pig pens and hen coops, driven forward on the "wings
of the wind" with terrible velocity, suggested the property of a
temporary halt. The storm having passed, the team was started, but it
soon came to an enforced halt by trees that had been blown across the
road. Axe-men soon came to our relief and removed the obstruction which
enabled us to get our load of lumber safely to its destination.
The annual meeting for the transaction of town
business was held in the new town hall on March 12. Lyndon Oak was
chosen moderator. The officers for the year were Charles Reynolds, town
clerk; Daniel M. Haskell, Luther Rideout and Andrew M. Haskell,
selectmen and assessors; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; James J. Chandler,
collector; Joseph T. Knight, Edward H. Pierce and Daniel M. Haskell,
superintending school committee. The compensation of the treasurer for
keeping and disbursing money was fixed at five mills per dollar, and of
the collector, James J. Chandler, two and one half per cent.
The
appropriations for the year were six hundred for schools, four hundred
and fifty dollars for the support of the poor and two thousand five
hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor. A special meeting was
held on May 3, at which Aaron Hill, Lyndon Oak and Stephen D. Jennings
were appointed a committee to cooperate with committee of Charlestown,
Dover and Corinth in efforts to effect the discontinuance of the
northeast country road which was laid out in 1846.
The State
elections was held September 10, 1949. For governor, John Hubbard,
Democrat, received one hundred and eleven votes; Elijah L. Hamlin, Whig,
received forty-two votes; George F. Talbot, Anti-Slavery, received fifty
votes.
John Hubbard was the successful candidate for governor.
Hon. Nehemiah Bartlett of Garland was elected State senator. For
representative to the Legislature, Loring D. Hayes, Democrat, received
sixty-nine votes; Daniel M. Haskell, Whig, received thirty-eight votes.
Loring Hayes had a majority of the votes in the class, and was
elected. At a meeting for town business on the day of the State
election, (September 10) Lyndon Oak, George Curtis and Samuel W. Knight
were appointed a committee to select a location for a cemetery, the site
of which should be in convenient proximity to the village. As a result
of this action, the cemetery now known as "Maple Grove Cemetery" was
established.
The annual town meeting of
1850 was held March 11. Andrew M. Haskell was chosen moderator. The
officers for the year were Charles Reynolds, town clerk; Daniel M.
Haskell, Sylvester Abbott and Andrew M. Haskell selectmen and assessors;
Charles Reynolds, treasurer; whose compensation was fixed at two mills
per dollar; James Chandler, collector, compensation was fixed at two and
one half per cent.: Joseph T. Knight, E. H. Pierce and Moses Gordon,
superintending school committee.
The appropriations were six
hundred dollars for schools, three hundred dollars for town charges,
three hundred and fifty dollars for the support of the poor, twelve
hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor, and a cash appropriation
of three hundred dollars for the same purpose. The selectmen were
authorized to appoint an agent to expend the cash appropriations.
The meeting for the election of
governor and other officers was held September 9. For governor, John
Hubbard, Democrat. received one hundred and twenty votes; William G.
Crosby, Whig, fifty-seven votes; George F. Talbot, Anti-Slavery,
nineteen votes.
For representative to Congress, Hastings
Strickland received nineteen votes; Israel Washburn, Jr., received
sixty-nine votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Samuel
Woodman, Democrat, received one hundred and thirty votes; John L.
Hodsdon, Whig, received fifty-eight votes; Simeon Butters, Anti-Slavery,
received six votes.
In 1850, Loring D. Hayes, Esq., of Garland,
represented his class in the House of Representatives. Another citizen
of Garland, Hon. Nehemiah Bartlett, was a member of the Senate. At this
session of the legislature there occurred a political contest of the
gravest kind.
It involved the question whether the influence of
the State of Maine should be used for, or against, the further extension
of slavery. The parties to this contest were the hunker Democrats, who
with pliant knees were ready to kneel to the behest of the slave power,
on the one side, and the Democrats who were unalterably opposed to
yielding another acre to the withering blast of slavery, on the other
side. The candidate of the opponents of slavery was Hannibal Hamlin.
Mr. Hamlin had made himself obnoxious to the slave power by his
earnest and uncompromising opposition to the further spread of slavery.
One of his most grievous offences was that he had instigated the passage
of a resolve by a previous Legislature, instructing Maine’s delegation
in Congress to oppose all measures favoring the extension of slavery.
The balloting, which began on June 20, was followed by a long and
exciting contest. As it progressed, Anti-Slavery, Whigs, and Free
Soilers, were drawn to the support of Mr. Hamlin. The balloting which
had begun June 20, was terminated by a dramatic incident on July 25. On
the first ballot of that day, Mr. Hamlin lacked one votes of an election
in the House. Loring D. Hayes, member of the House form Garland, was an
enthusiastic friend of Mr. Hamlin, but, unfortunately, he was
dangerously sick with typhoid fever at his boarding house. He sent word
to friends, "Any time my vote will elect Hannibal Hamlin to the United
States Senate, I will come to the House if you have to carry me on my
dying bed."
The annual meeting of 1851 was
held March 10, Lyndon Oak was chosen moderator. The officers for the
year were, Lorenzo Oak, town clerk; Luther Rideout, Daniel Silver and
Andrew M. Haskell, selectmen and assessors; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer,
compensation for receiving and disbursing, five mills per dollar; Samuel
W. Knight, collector, compensation nineteen mills per dollar;
superintending school committee, Daniel M. Haskell, Edward H. Pierce and
Lorenzo Oak.
The appropriations were six hundred dollars for
schools, four hundred dollars for two charges, two hundred dollars to
support the poor, and two thousand dollars for highways.
The annual meeting of 1852 was held on the eigth day of
March. Stephen D. Jennings was chosen moderator. The officers for the
year were, William F. Haskell, town clerk; Andrew M. Haskell, Daniel
Silver and John K. Haskell, selectmen and assessors; Lorenzo Oak,
treasurer, compensation five mills per dollars; James J. Chandler,
collector, compensation eighteen mills per dollar; Joseph T. Knight,
superintending school committee.
The appropriations for 1852 were
six hundred dollars for schools, three hundred dollars for town charges,
two hundred dollars and fifty dollars for the poor, two thousand five
hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor, and a cash
appropriations of one hundred dollars.
The legal voters of Garland assembled September 13, 1852, to ballot
for governor and other officers. For governor, John Hubbard, Democrat,
received one hundred and ten votes; William G. Crosby, Whig, received
sixty-one votes; Ezekiel Holmes received eight votes; Anson G. Chandler
received eighty-five votes.
William Crosby was elected governor.
For representative to Congress, Israel Washburn, Whig, received one
hundred and eighteen votes; Isaiah Waterhouse, Democrat, received sixty
votes; Hastings Strickland, Democrat, received eighty-one votes.
Israel Washburn was the successful candidate.
For representative
to the Legislature, Luther Rideout received one hundred and thirty-nine
votes; Joseph T. Knight received one hundred and eleven votes.
The town balloted for presidential electors on November 2, 1852, when
the Democratic candidate received ninety-three votes, the Anti-Slavery
candidate, sixty votes and the Whig candidate received thirty-eight
votes.
The annual town meeting of 1853 was
held on March 14. Stephen D. Jennings was chosen moderator. The officers
for the year were Lorenzo Oak, town clerk; Andrew M. Haskell, S.D.
Jennings and Eleazer Burnham, selectmen and assessors; Lorenzo Oak, town
treasurer; E.H. Pierce, superintenting school committee; Jacob W.
Haskell, collector of taxes, compensation two per cent. The selectmen
were appointed highway surveyors and field-drivers.
The
appropriations for 1853 were six hundred dollars for schools, three
hundred dollars for town charges, three hundred dollars for the poor and
one thousand nine hundred dollars for highways. Lyndon Oak, Luther
Rideout and Daniel M. Haskell were appointed to ascertain whether a
suitable home for the residence of the poor could be procured at
reasonable cost.
For governor,
William G. Crosby, Whig, received forty-five votes; Anson P. Morrill,
Temperance and Anti-Slavery, received fifty-seven votes; Ezekeil Holmes,
received sixty-one votes; Albert Pillsbury, Democrat, received
ninety-three votes. For county commissioner, Daniel M. Haskell received
one hundred and forty-one votes; Joseph Chadbourne received one hundred
and two votes; Francis W. Hill received ten votes.
For
representative to Legislature, Allen C. Tibbetts received one hundred
and fifty-one votes; Thomas K. Holt received one hundred and four votes.
Mr. Holt received a majority in the class.
The annual meeting of 1854 was held March 13. Artemas Merriam was
chosen moderator. The officers for the year were, William F. Haskell,
town clerk; John G, Jones, Joseph F. Knight and John K. Haskell
selectmen and assessors; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; Jacob W. Haskell,
collector of taxes. Compensation of treasurer for receiving and
disbursing was fixed at five mills per dollar. Compensation of collector
was two per cent.
The appropriations of 1854 were for schools,
seven hundred dollars; for town charges, two hundred and fifty dollars;
for support of the poor, three hundred dollars, and two thousand six
hundred for highways. Highway surveyors were authorized to bargain with
real estate owners, who held lands bordering upon badly drifted roads,
to reduce the height of their fences to lesson the tendency of snow to
drift.
The town voted to remonstrate against the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise, and the selectmen and town clerk were instructed to
formulate and forward the remonstrance. There was an article in the
warrant calling the meeting, to see of the town would vote to purchase a
hearse. The action upon this article was to leave the matters to the
judgment of the selectmen and clerk. This was the first action of the
town relating to the purchase of a hearse.
For governor, Anson P. Morrill, Temperance and Anti-slavery,
received one hundred and twelve votes; Albion K. Parris, Democrat,
received one hundred and twelve votes; Isaac Reed, Whig, received
twenty-eight votes, Mr. Morrill was elected.
For representative
to Congress, Israel Washburn, Jr., Whig. received one hundred and
fifty-seven votes; Samuel H. Blake, Democrat, received one hundred and
thirteen votes.
Mr. Holt received a majority of the votes in the
class.
The annual meeting of 1855 was held
March 12. Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The officers for the
year were William F. Haskell, town clerk; A. M. Haskell, John Batchelder
and William S. Haskell, selectmen and assessors; Lorenzo Oak, Treasurer;
Jacob W. Haskell, collector; J.C. Lawrence, superintending school
committee. The compensation of the treasurer was one half of one per
cent., and that of the collector two and one half per cent.
The
appropriations of 1855 were eight hundred dollars for schools, five
hundred for town charges, two hundred dollars for the poor, two thousand
dollars for roads, to be paid in labor, and a cash appropriation of one
hundred dollars.
The autumnal elections
if 1855 were held September 10. For governor, Anson P. Morrill,
Temperance and Anti-slavery, received one hundred and seventy-one votes;
Samuel Wells, democrat, received one hundred and one votes; Isaac Reed,
Whig, received nineteen votes.
For Senators. William R. Hersey
received one hundred and seventy-three votes’ Abner R. Hallowell
received one hundred and seventy-three votes; Lyndon Oak, received one
hundred and seventy-two votes; the Democrat candidate received one
hundred and one votes; the Whig candidate received nineteen votes.
The Democrat candidates were elected.
For representative to
the Legislature, Noah Barker received one hundred and seventy-five
votes; F. W. Hill received one hundred and seventeen votes.
The annual meeting of 1856 was held on March 10.
Artimus Merriam was chosen moderator. The officers for the year were,
Isaac W. Haskell, clerk; Lorenzo Oak, William S. Haskell and Noah W.
Johnson, selectmen and assessors; Franklin Taylor, treasure; Amasa
Hatch, Jr., superintendent school committee. Leonard Skillin, collector
of taxes, compensation two and one half per cent.
It was voted to
raise the sum required by law for schools, one thousand dollars for town
charges, three hundred dollars to support the poor, two thousand three
hundred for roads, to be paid in labor, and cash appropriations of one
hundred dollars each, to be expended on a monthly end of the North road,
and a like sum for the country road from Holt’s Mills to the eastern
line of the town.
Ominous
clouds rising from the southern political horizon were viewed with
apprehension by the citizens of every northern state. The slave power of
the South had long been engaged in the desperate attempt to break down
the barriers that protected the northern states the curse of slavery,
and now, the national administration was pledged to aid in this attempt.
At this juncture the political party, known as the Republican party
of Maine, was originated.
It drew into its ranks recruits from
all political parties. United States Senator Hannibal Hamlin, who had
always exerted his transcendent powers of intellect and influence in
opposition to the inroads of slavery upon free soil, was induced to
accept the nomination for governor. Entering at once upon the work of
the campaign, he addressed large and enthusiastic crowds at the centers
of population through the state.
For governor, Hannibal Hamlin, Republican, received one hundred and
ninety-three votes; Samuel Wells, Democrat, received one hundred and
three votes; George F. Patten, Straight Whig, received seven votes. Mr.
Hamlin was elected.
For state senators, William R. Hersey,
republican, received one hundred and ninety-four votes; Abner R. Hersey,
Republican, received one hundred and ninety-four votes; Lyndon Oak,
Republican, received one hundred and ninety-four votes; Amos M. Roberts,
Democrat, received one hundred and four votes; Stephen D. Jennings,
Democrat, received one hundred and four votes; O. Pearson, Democrat,
received one hundred and four votes.
For representative to
Congress, Israel Washburn, Jr., Republican, received one hundred and
ninety-five votes; Abraham Sanborn, Democrat, received one hundred and
two votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Artemus
Merriam, Republican, received one hundred and ninety-three votes; Thomas
K. Holt, Democrat, received One hundred and eight votes.
Mr.
Merriam, Republican, received one hundred and ninety-three votes; Thomas
K. Holt, Democrat, received one hundred and eight votes.
Mr.
Merriam received a majority in the representative class.
The
republican candidate for senator was elected.
Balloting for the presidential electors occurred on the fourth of November, 1856, with results as follows; The Republican candidates received one hundred and eighty-seven votes; the Democratic candidates received eighty-seven votes; the Straight Whigs received seven votes.
The annual town meeting of 1857 was held on the ninth day of March. Russell Murdock was chosen moderator. The officers for the year were, Thaddeus P. Irish, town clerk; Lorenzo Oak, Noah W. Johnson and Samuel Skillin, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Lyndon Oak, supervisor of schools; James J. Chandler, collector of taxes, with commission of two and one half per cent.
For schools, the amount required by law, six hundred dollars for town charges, five hundred dollars for roads, a cash appropriation of one hundred dollars for the road running in a southeasterly direction to the town line and one hundred dollars to be expended on the Notch road.
This election was held September
14 with results as follows; For governor, Lot M. Morrill, republican,
received one hundred and fifty-three votes; Manasseh H. Smith, Democrat,
received one hundred and two votes.
For senator, the Republican
candidate received one hundred and fifty-three votes; the Democratic
candidate received one hundred and four votes.
Steven D. Jennings
of garland was a candidate for the Senate.
For representative to
the Legislature, the Republican candidate received one hundred and
forty-nine votes; the democratic candidate received one hundred and
seven votes.
The annual meeting of 1858 was held on the 8th day of March. Artemus Merriam was chosen moderator. The officers for the year were Thaddeus P. Irish, town clerk; Lorenzo Oak, Samuel Skillin and T. J. Shaw, selectmen, assessors and over seers of the poor; Lyndon Oak, Supervisor of schools; James J. Chandler, collector of taxes, and two and a half per cent. was voted him for the service, he agreeing to allow a rebate of twelve and one half per cent. for the amount uncollected at the end of the year from the date of his bills.
For governor,
Lot Morrill, republican, received one hundred and seventy votes;
Manasseh Smith, Democrat, received one hundred and twenty-six votes.
For representative to Congress, Israel Washburn, Jr., Republican,
received one hundred and seventy-two votes; James S. Wiley, Democrat,
received one hundred and twenty-three votes.
Foe representative
to the Legislature, Noah W. Johnson, Republican, received one hundred
and seventy-four votes’ Samuel Skillin, Democrat, received one hundred
and twenty-there votes.
Mr. Johnson was elected.
The annual town meeting of 1859 was held March 14.
Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The officers for the year were
Lorenzo Oak, T. J. Shaw and Luther Rideout, selectmen, assessors and
overseers of the poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Lyndon Oak,
supervisor of schools; Edwin Hill, collector, compensation two and one
half per cent.
The appropriations were eight hundred dollars for
the support of schools, four hundred and fifty for town charges, five
hundred to support the poor and two thousand five hundred dollars for
highways. The treasurer of the town was authorized to hire a sum not
exceeding one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars at a rate of
interest not exceeding six per cent., to be applied to the making of the
Notch road.
The autumnal
elections of 1859 were held on September 12, for governor, Lot M.
Morrill, Republican, received one hundred and sixty-six votes; Manasseh
Smith, Democrat, received one hundred and five votes.
For
representative to the Legislature, Winthrop Chapman, Republican,
received one hundred and fifty-six votes; Washington L. P. Walker,
Democrat, received one hundred and eight votes.
Mr. Chapman was
elected.
The annual meeting of 1860 was
held on the 12th day of March. Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The
officers for the year were Henry C. Preble, town clerk, Lorenzo Oak,
Russell Murdock and Stephen D. Jennings, selectmen, assessors and
overseers of the poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer, compensation four per
cent.; Lyndon Oak, supervisor of schools; James J. Chandler, collector
of taxes for a compensation of two per cent.
The appropriations
were eight hundred dollars for schools, four hundred dollars to defray
town charges, five hundred to pay town debts and two thousand dollars
for highways, to be paid in labor.
This
election was help on September 10, 1860. For governor, Israel
Washington, Jr., Republican, received two hundred and thirteen votes;
Ephraim K. Smart, Democrat, received one hundred and fifteen votes.
For representative to Congress, John H. Rice, Republican, received
two hundred and fifteen votes; Samuel H. Blake, Democrat, received one
hundred and sixteen votes.
For register of probate, Joseph
Bartlett, Republican, a native of Garland, received two hundred and
thirteen votes; Henry Casey, Democrat, received one hundred and sixteen
votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Luther Rideout,
Republican, received two hundred and two votes; John G. Jones, Democrat,
received one hundred and twenty votes.
Mr. Rideout received a
majority of votes in the class.
Ballot for Presidential Electors
in 1860
The voters of Garland assembled on November 6 to ballot
for presidential electors, when the Republican candidate received one
hundred and ninety-three votes; the Democratic candidate received
fifty-three votes; the Straight Whig candidate received twenty-eight
votes.
On the same day for representative to Congress Stephen
Coburn, republican, received one hundred and ninety-three votes; Joseph
Chase, Democrat. received forty-nine votes; Scattering. twenty eight
votes.
The annual meeting for town
business was held March 11. Arteman Merriam was chosen moderator. The
officers for the year were Henry C. Preble, town clerk; Russell Murdock,
Samuel Skillin and George W. Otis, selectmen, assessors and over seers
of the poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Henry C. Preble, supervisor of
schools; James J. Chandler, collector, who agreed to collect the taxes
for two and a half per cent., and to pay twelve per cent. interest upon
the sum uncollected taxes at the end of the year.
The
appropriations for the year were nine hundred dollars for schools, four
hundred dollars for town charges, five hundred dollars for the poor,
seven hundred dollars to pay debts and two thousand five hundred dollars
for roads. The town voted to authorize the selectmen to grant the use of
the town house for concerts, lectures and kindred purposes upon
conditions as they judge proper. At a special meeting of teh town, held
April 6, it was voted to appropriate five hundred dollars to make and
repair highways.
This election was held
on September 9. For governor, Israel Washburn, Republican, received two hundred
and two votes; John W. Dana, Democrat, received eighty-seven votes; scattering,
twelve votes.
For county commissioner, John S. Patten, Republican,
received two hundred and two votes; Thomas K. Holt, Democrat, received
eighty-five votes.
For representative to the Legislature, E. H. Small,
Republican, received two hundred and one votes; Francis Hill, Democrat, received
eighty-eight votes; John W. Osgood, received eleven votes.
The annual meeting for town business in 1862 was held
on March 10. Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The officers for the year
were H. C. Preble, clerk; Russell Murdock, Samuel Skillin and James J. Chandler,
selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; H.
C. Preble, supervisor of schools; E. L. Oak, town agent; Edwin Hill, collector,
who was allowed two and one half per cent, for collecting the taxes, and was
held to pay twelve and one half per cent, interest upon the sum uncollected at
the end of the year until such sum was paid into the treasury.
The
regular appropriations for 1862 were nine hundred dollars for schools, six
hundred and fifty dollars for town charges, six hundred dollars for the poor,
eight hundred dollars to pay debts and two thousand five hundred dollars for
roads, to be paid in labor. The town voted to purchase a home for the poor, and
instructed the selectmen to look for such home, and report at the September
meeting.
For governor, Abner Coburn, Republican, received one hundred and
sixty-seven votes; Bion Bradbury, Democrat, received ninety-four votes.
For representative to the Congress, John H. Rice, Republican,
received one hundred and sixty-five votes; Gorham L. Boynton, Democrat,
received ninety-four votes.
For representative to State
Legislature, Daniel M. Haskell, Republican, received one hundred and
sixty-three votes; Stephen D. Jennings, received ninety-three votes.
Mr. Haskell was elected.
The annual
meeting for the town business in 1863 was held March 9. Artemus Merriam
was chosen moderator. The officers for the year were, A. M. Haskell,
Elisha Skinner and Edwin Hill, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the
poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Henry C. Preble, David Evans and
Edison L. Oak, superintending school committee; Lorenzo Oak, collector,
who was to collect the taxes for one per cent., and to pay twelve per
cent. upon the sum of uncollected taxes at the close of the year.
The appropriations for 1862 were nine hundred dollars for schools,
five hundred dollars for town charges, six hundred dollars for the poor,
one thousand two hundred dollars to pay debts and two thousand dollars
for roads, to be paid in labor.
For governor, Samuel Cony, Republican, received two hundred and
seventeen votes; B. Bradbury, Democrat, received one hundred and
twenty-six votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Francis
W. Hill, Democrat, received one hundred and twenty-seven votes; John W.
Osgood, Republican, received two hundred and sixteen votes.
The annual meeting for town business occurred on
the 14th of March. Luther Rideout was moderator. The officers for the
year were George S. Clark, town clerk; A. M. Haskell, Elisha Skinner and
Thomas Dearborn selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor; Franklin
Taylor, treasurer; Lyndon Oak, David Evans and Calvin P. Berry,
superintending school committee; John S. Oliver, collector of taxes,
whose compensation was one and one half per cent.
The
appropriations of 1864 were nine hundred dollars for schools, five
hundred dollars for town charges, six hundred dollars for the poor, one
thousand dollars to pay debts, two thousand dollars for roads, to be
paid in labor.
For governor, Samuel
Cony, Republican, received two hundred and nine votes; Joseph Howard, Democrat,
received one hundred and eleven votes.
For representative to Congress,
John H. Rice received two hundred and eight votes; James C. Madigan received one
hundred and eleven votes.
For representative to the Legislature, Lyndon
Oak received two hundred and eight votes; Albert Grinnell received one hundred
and eleven votes.
The legal voters of Garland assembled on the 8th of
November to ballot for electors for President and Vice President, when the
Republican candidates received two hundred and eleven votes; the Democratic
candidates received one hundred and seventeen votes.
The annual meeting for town business in 1865
was held on the 13th of March. Luther Rideout was chosen moderator. The
officers for the year were George S. Clark, town clerk; A. M. Haskell,
Lorenzo Oak and Thomas Dearborn, Jr., selectmen, assessors and overseers
of the poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Lyndon Oak, David Evans and
Calvin P. Berry, superintending school committee; John S. Oliver,
collector, compensation one and one half per cent.
The
appropriations for the year were one thousand one hundred and
twenty-five dollars for schools; one thousand six hundred dollars for
town charges; eight hundred dollars for the poor. two thousand dollars
to pay debts and three thousand dollars for roads, to be paid in labor.
This election was held on September
1865. For governor, Samuel Cony, Republican, received one hundred and
seventy-four votes; Joseph Howard, Democrat, received eighty-three
votes.
For representative to the Legislature, E. Augustus
Chandler, republican, received one hundred and seventy-four votes;
Harmon Eastman, Democrat, received eight-three votes.
The annual meeting for town business was held on March 12.
Luther Rideout was chosen moderator. The officers for the year were
George S. Clark, town clerk; A. M. Haskell, Joseph M. Gerry and Jacob W.
Haskell, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor; Franklin
Taylor, treasurer; A. W. Reed, superintending school committee; William
E. Skillin, collector of taxes, compensation one per cent.
The
appropriations for 1866 were one thousand and twenty-five dollars for
schools; two thousand dollars for town charges, five hundred dollars for
the poor, two thousand five hundred dollars to pay debts and two
thousand five hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor. It was
voted to allow twenty-five per cent. discount to all taxpayers who paid
their taxes on, or before, the 10th day of June.
This election was held on the 10th day of
September. For governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain, Republican, received two
hundred and eight votes; Eben P. Pillsbury. Democrat, received one
hundred and one votes.
For representative to Congress, John A.
Peters, Republican, received two hundred and six votes; G. M. Weston,
Democrat, received one hundred and one votes.
For representative
to the Legislature, Lyndon Oak, Republican, received two hundred and six
votes; Joel W. Otis received one hundred and one votes.
The annual meeting for town business in 1867, was held on
the 11th day of March. Luther Rideout was chosen moderator. The officers
for the year were George S. Clark, town clerk; A. M. Haskell, Jacob W.
Haskell and Joseph M. Gerry, selectmen and assessors and overseer of the
poor; Lyndon Oak and Henry C. Preble, superintending school committee;
Franklin Taylor, treasurer; A. F. Parkman, collector of taxes,
compensation fifteen mills per dollar. The selectmen were elected
surveyors of highways.
The appropriations for the year were one
thousand one hundred and twenty-five dollars for schools, two thousand
for town charges, seven hundred dollars for the poor, three thousand
dollars to pay debts, three thousand dollars for roads.
This election was held on the 9th of September.
For governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain, Republican, received one hundred
and eighty-one votes; Eben F. Pillsbury, Democrat, received one hundred
and two votes.
For senator, Isaiah Stetson, Republican, received
one hundred and eighty-one votes; John Gardner, Democrat, received one
hundred and one votes.
For representative, Amasa Stetson,
Republican, received one hundred and eighty-one votes; Eben E. Brown,
received one hundred and two votes.
The
annual meeting of 1868 for town business was held in March. Artemas
Merriam was moderator. The officers for the year were George S. Clark,
clerk; A. M. Haskell, Jacob W. Haskell and George W. Otis, selectmen,
assessors and overseers of the poor; David Evans, superintending school
committee; Franklin Taylor, treasurer, compensation five mills per
dollar; Lorenzo Oak, collector of taxes, compensation one per cent.
The appropriations for 1868 were one thousand five hundred dollars
for schools, One thousand seven hundred dollars for town charges, seven
hundred dollars for the poor, one thousand dollars for roads to be paid
in labor at fifteen cents per hour. Cash appropriations for roads were
five hundred dollars to be expended on county roads between Garland
Village and Holt”s Mills, one hundred and fifty dollars to be expended
on the road leading from N.J. Johnson’s mill to Dover line, two hundred
dollars to be expended on road leading from I. B. Royal’s to Dexter
line, seventy-five dollars to be expended on bridge over the stream near
Lewis Crowell’s mill, one hundred dollars to grade the Preble’s hill,
fifty dollars to build a road to Gray’s mill.
The selectmen were
authorized to purchase a hearse.
This election was held on the 14th of September. For governor,
Joshua L. Chamberlain, Republican, received two hundred and ten votes;
Eben F. Pillsbury, Democrat, received one hundred and thirty-one votes.
For representative to Congress, John A. Peters, Republican, received
two hundred and nine votes; G. W. Ladd, Democrat, received one hundred
and thirty-two votes.
For repsentative to the Legislature, Lyndon
Oak, Republican, received two hundred and nine votes; Stephen D.
Jennings, Democrat, received one hundred and thirty-two votes.
The legal voters of Garland assembled on the 3d of November to ballot
for electors of President and Vice President, when the Republican
candidates received two hundred and one votes; the Democratic candidates
received one hundred and eleven votes.
The
meeting for town business in 1869 was held on the 8th day of March.
Luther Rideout was chosen moderator. The officers for the year were
George S. Clark, town clerk; A. M. Haskell, Jacob W. Haskell and George
W. Otis, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor; Franklin
Taylor, treasurer, compensation five mills per dollar’ Lorenzo Oak,
collector, compensation one and one half cents per dollar.
The
appropriations of 1869 were one thousand five hundred dollars for
schools, one thousand two hundred dollars for town charges, eight
hundred dollars for the poor, one thousand dollars for debts, one
hundred and fifty dollars for the road near Johnson’s Mill, three
thousand dollars for roads, to be paid in labor, for which men are to be
allowed fifteen cents and hour.
At a special meeting held
September 6, 1869, the town voted to exempt the mill property of H. L.
Gordon & Co. from taxation for an indefinite time.
This election was held on the 13th day of September,
1869. For governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain, Republican, received one
hundred and fifty votes; Franklin Smith, Democrat, received one hundred
and three votes; scattering, ten votes.
For representative to the
Legislature, John Whitney, Republican, received one hundred and sixty
votes; Francis W. Hill, Democrat, one hundred and three votes.
A special meeting was held Autumnal Election on November 24th to take another pull on the town farm question, when it was voted to purchase such farm and property equip it for comfortable home for an unfortunate class of our citizens. Money not to exceed three thousand five hundred dollars was voted to purchase such farm and properly furnish it. Elijah Crane was appointed agent to make the selection and purchase of a farm with suitable buildings for the purpose intended.
At the opening
of the nineteenth century, the use of intoxicating liquors had become
almost universal in the United States. Its citizens were at a remove of
only a few years from the Revolutionary War. The terrible hardships of
this war had been a fruitful source of intemperance. Its results had
humbled the pride of our English cousins, who solaced themselves by
characterizing the people of the United States as a "nation of
drunkards." The use of spirituous liquors invaded every department of
life. They were at the ordination of ministers, at the dedication of
churches, at funerals and weddings. New England rum was the stimulating
agency where the combined strength of numbers was required, such as the
raising the frames of buildings, and to promote steadiness of nerve to
those who scaled dizzy heights.
Such were the sentiments and
usages at the date of the settlement of Garland. The early settlers were
generally men of good character, having been religiously educated in the
homes of their childhood, but abstinence from the use of intoxicating
drinks had found no place in the creeds of the time. In the toilsome
efforts to compel the resident forces of a new country to give place to
the homes of civilization, the stimulus of New England rum was believed
to be essential to success, It was used to inspire courage, to promote
strength of muscle, and to ward off the cold of winter and the heat of
summer. In every day occupations it was used moderately as a rule. Its
excessive use was reserved for public celebrations, such as military
inspections, musters and celebrations of public events. Corn huskings,
where its coverings, were esteemed as pleasant social events of the long
autumnal evenings. The failure to provide generous supply of a favorite
New England beverage for such occasions was attributed to stinginess.
On one such occasion, the person who had been favored by the
assistance of his neighbors, awoke the next morning to find that a
favorite two-year-old heifer was missing. After a long and fruitless
search in pasture, field, and forest, the missing animal was found tied
to a brace on the summit of a hay mow. Then, as now, the appetite for
liquor in the case of individuals was, at times, very strong. At the end
of the spring’s work, on one occasion, two men living just across the
line in Dexter, started to go to Bangor for the purchase of supplies,
prominent among which was rum, the supply of this article having been
exhausted several days earlier. Their thirst having become imperative,
they stopped at the house of Isaac Copeland, where Mark Jennings now
resides, and asked for a drink of rum. Mr. Copeland informed them that
he was out of that article, when one of them exclaimed, "For Heaven’s
sake bring out your rum jug and let us smell it!"
At military
inspections and drills which occurred early in the month of may of each
year, the pail of rum sweetened with molasses was passed from head to
foot of the company standing in line, at the opening and close of the
drill. This was a marked feature of the old-time May training. Rum was
kept on all grocery stores for the double purpose of stimulating
purchases and increasing trade. The increase of intemperance had now
become a cause of alarm to thoughtful people.
In the year 1826,
the Rev. Lyman Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe, preached a series of
startling sermons upon the increase of temperance in the United Sates,
which were given to the public a little later by the American Tract
Society. The pungency and force of these sermons are indicated by the
following extract: "In temperance is the sin of our land, and with our
boundless prosperity is coming upon us like a flood, and if anything
shall defeat the hopes of the world which hang upon our experiment of
civil liberty, it is that river of fire which is rolling through the
land, destroying the vital air, and extending around us an atmosphere of
death."
Doctor Beecher’s utterances on the inroads of
intemperance produced a profound impression upon the New England mind.
The ministry was especially stirred. Temperance societies sprang into
existence as if by magic in many a New England town. Bangor’s most
eminent citizens led in the organization of a county temperance society.
The towns in the immediate vicinity of Garland were moved to action by
the stirring appeals of Cyril Pearl, then a student of Bangor
Theological Seminary.
The first action in Garland, looking to
associated efforts in the cause of temperance, occurred in 1829. Isaac
Wheeler, Esq., one of Garland’s leading citizens, was at work in his
field with his hired man, Joseph True, both being ardent friends of
temperance. The conversation between them turned upon the importance of
organized effort in behalf of temperance, when one of them proposed that
they should step across the road to the residence of the Rev. Isaac
Wilkins, the Congregational minister, and request him write a paper
pledging them to abstain from the use of alcoholic drinks. The pledge
was signed by Isaac Wheeler and Joseph True. This led to the
organization of garland’s first temperance society. To Isaac Wheeler and
Joseph True belongs the honor of being the pioneers in the associated
temperance movement in Garland. A society was organized shortly after
which bore the names of Isaac Wilkins and wife, Isaac Wheeler and wife,
Joseph True, Ansel Field and wife, Deacon Stephen Smith and wife and
George Curtis.
Deacon Smith was chosen president and George
Curtis , secretary. The organization was effected at the house now
occupied by the Clark family. Its members pledged themselves to abstain
from the use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage and from furnishing
them to others. This movement was at first treated with ridicule by the
citizens of the town generally.
When a job requiring the
voluntary assistance of numbers to perform, was undertaken, the failure
to furnish a bountiful supply of New England rum was considered on
unpardonable infraction of a time-honored practice. The raising of
houses and barn frames were illustrative cases. In 1829 Elder John Page
asked this assistance of neighbors to raise a barn frame. Several people
who appeared in response to the request, finding that the anticipated
stimulus was invisible, refused to assist and disappeared, whereupon,
Elder Josiah Bartlett offered an earnest prayer for an increase of
strength to the men who remained. The frame was raised without incident.
Soon afterwards Rev. James J. Chandler raised a barn Frame without
supplying liquor against the earnest protest of his master workman. In
the same year George Curtis raised a barn frame without the aid of
liquor. In this case, two men demanded payment for assistance rendered.
The men who thus early engaged in the crusade against the use of rum
were not turned from their purpose by ridicule or threats.
The
temperance sentiment had reached a point in 1840 when the presence of
rum at a house or barn raising was not expected. Some amusing incidents
of the effects of rum at barn raising are related. At the raising of the
barn on the place now occupied by James Rideout several men came from
the easterly part of the town who saved considerable travel by crossing
a brook on a tree that has been felled across it.
In walking to
the site of the prospective barn, they reached the opposite side dry. On
their way over the same brook, on the same tree, they were wet when they
got to the other side nearest their homes.
In 1841, the Washington temperance movement inaugurated
at Baltimore three years earlier, which had drawn to its ranks many
citizens who had not previously attached themselves to the earlier
temperance associations, attracted the favorable attention of a number
of the citizens of Garland. A Washington society was organized. Captain
Bildad A. Haskell was chosen president and Stephen B. Dockham,
secretary. For several years its members worked with zeal and success in
advancing the cause of temperance.
In the same year the earlier
friends of temperance organized anew, adopting the name ‘The Garland
Union Temperance Society.’ The new pledge forbade the use of wine, which
was a step in advance. The friends of temperance had been aggressive
from the beginning. They had shown that the raising of buildings and
similar undertakings could be accomplished without the use of
intoxicants. The next point of attack was the hotels.
A
respectable citizen of Garland, believed that, as he expressed it, ‘the
more radical opponents of the temperance movement could be induced to
cease their strong opposition to it by a judicious sale of intoxicating
drinks.’ His explanation of such sale was to refuse it to the immoderate
drinker, and to furnish to the moderate drinker under such limitations
as would guard him against its excessive use. This theory failed to
satisfy the friends of temperance.
Some of the leading temperance
men endeavored, in a friendly way, to induce him to relinquish his
purpose, but without avail. A remonstrance against the sale of
intoxicating liquors, signed by all the town officers, and 329 leading
citizens of the town, was placed in his hands. A similar remonstrance of
a large number of women was placed in the hands of his wife. As a result
of these movements the sale of intoxicating liquors was promptly
abandoned.
The year 1848 marks the date when the open sale of
intoxicating liquors as a beverage became a thing of the past in the
history of Garland. A healthy public sentiment upon this vital subject
has been maintained by temperance organizations, under different names,
from 1848 to the present time.
In the year 1876, several members of a Reform Club of a neighboring town, visited Garland for the purpose of organizing a Reform Club. Their motives were excellent and their zeal was of the fervid type, but to their surprise they found no material upon which to base such an organization.
In 1884, an amendment of the State Constitution, forever prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and keeping for sale of intoxicating liquor for drinking purposes was submitted to a vote of the people of the State. The voters of garland gave 176 votes for the amendment and 51 votes against it.
Before roads were made in a settler would spot a
line through the woods to his nearest neighbor. If a rude bridge were to
be built across a stream, or a miry place made passable, the combined
efforts of the twp would mark the way to the next neighbor in the same
manner. Thus the lines of travel were opened through the township.
In marking these ways hills and swamps were avoided when
practicable. They were often rough and circuitous, and the more they
were traveled the worse they became. Excluded from the influence of the
sun by the heavy forest growth, they were scarcely dry from spring to
autumn. Horses were much used for carrying burdens, and it id said that
they learned to find solid footing by traveling in footsteps already
made.
The earliest
line of approach to the township, now Garland, was by the way of Bangor
through the present towns of Glenburn, Kenduskeag, Corinth and a corner
of Charleston. After leaving Charleston it extended in a northwesterly
direction to a spring of excellent water near the former residence of S.
O. Davis, thence to the site of Garland village. It was by this route
that those eighteen stalwart men, who made beginnings of homes in 1802,
reached the township. It was by this route that the heroic family of
Joseph garland, which afterwards gave bane to the town, found their way
to their little cabin by the brook-side in the northwest part of the
township.
The second line of approach, diverging from the above
line at Kenduskeag, passed through West Corinth and a corner of Exeter
to Garland. The old county road from western Piscataquis to Bangor,
afterwards made, was nearly coincident with this second line of
approach.
This was the line of travel for Moses Hodsdon and his
men from Kenduskeag to garland when building the sawmill in the later
township in 1802. The third line of approach was from a point on the
Kennebec River through the towns of Harmony, Ripley and Dexter to
garland. The Gordon and Chandler families passed along this line to
reach Garland in 1805.
Many of the most
serious hardships of pioneer life result from the absence of roads. This
is especially true of communities surrounded by other communities in
like destitute condition. The first settlers of garland were obliged to
travel many a weary mile to find a road over which a vehicle, other than
a clumsy ox-sled or wagon, could be used.
During the unorganized
condition of the township. but little was done in the way of
road-making. A few public-spirited residents, conspicuous among them was
Edward Fifield of West Garland, did what they could to induce other
residents to contribute voluntary labor to making of roads, but their
success was not encouraging. A large majority of the residents preferred
to await the application of a compulsory process.
The first road established by the town was the road from Dexter through the center of Garland to Charleston. It is six miles in length and was established April 22, 1811. Living upon or near the route of this road in 1811, were Joshua Silver, Jeremiah Flanders, Thomas S. Taylor, Amos Gordon, Simon Morgan, Joseph Garland, Jacob Garland, John Taylor, Oliver Woodward, Joseph Treadwell, Josiah Bartlett and John M. Chase.
The route of the
second road established on the same date was one mile north of the
center road and parallel to it. Beginning at the west line of the town,
it ran easterly between the eighth and ninth ranges of lots, on the
summit of the range of hills in the northerly part of the town, to a
point near the base of High Cut. There were living on or near this route
in 1811 the families of Thomas Gilpatrick, William Dustin, Philip
Greeley, Justus Harriman, John Chandler, Samuel Mansfield, Rev. John
Sawyer, William Blaisdell and Joseph Saunders.
The route of this
road was established in accordance with the policy of the original
proprietors, who had checked the township into lots of a mile square by
range-ways for roads. Some sections of this route, in the easterly part
of town, were found impracticable for public travel and were never used
for this purpose. The families in the easterly part of the town, living
on or near the abandoned section of this route, are supplied with roads
running north from the east and west center road to the line of the
abandoned route.
The third road established
in 1811, is the road running from the center of Garland village to the
west line of the town towards Dexter village. The families living on the
line of this road in 1811 were those of William Godwin, James Holbrook,
Enoch Clough, Moses Gordon, John S. Haskell and Isaac Copeland. Two
short pieces of road were established in the southwest part of town in
1811. Living upon the lines of these roads were the families of Edward
Fifield, John Hayes and Cutteon Flanders.
The fifth road
established on the 22d day of April, 1811, is the road with slight
variations, beginning where D. F. Patten now lives at the top of the
hill about two miles directly north from the center of the present
village and extending southerly through the village to a road extended
from the Exeter line. An angle in it, a half mile below the village,
gave the road a southeasterly direction. It crossed the south line of
the town about one and one half miles west of its southeast corner.
The families living on or near this road in 1811, were those of the
Rev. John Sawyer, Abner Bond, John Jackman, Ezekiel Straw, Isaac
Wheeler, William Church, John Grant and John Knight. About 1816, the
section of this road extending from the center of Garland village to its
south line, became a section of the county road from western Piscataquis
to Bangor which has been known as the old country road to Bangor.
The sixth road established in 1811 was described as extending from
Thomas S. Tyler's to Enoch Jackman's. Enoch Jackman then lived in the
house afterward occupied by Henry Calef and Asa Cram, located on the
opposite side of the road from the present residence of Edwin Greeley,
and a little to the south of it.
The seventh and last road,
established in 1811, extended easterly from a point a little south of
the village mills, to the site if the Burnham Cemetery, thence northerly
to the point of intersection with the east and west center road. There
were but two families living upon this road in 1811, William Sargent
upon the site of the present residence of James Rideout, and James
McCluer on the site of the present residence of David Allen. A few years
later the section of this road running easterly to the cemetery near the
school house in district seven gave place to the present road.
These roads were established at the first town meeting by authority of
the town, the previous meeting having assembled under the authority of
the State of Massachusetts. Their aggregate length was about twenty
miles, equal to fully one-fourth of the aggregate mileage of the roads
of the town today.
The inquiry naturally arises why so many miles
of road were required for the number of families living in the town in
1811. This is easily explained. By the policy of the original
proprietors every alternative range of lots from east to west was
withheld from sale with the expectation that these lots would ultimately
bring higher prices. This policy had the effect to scatter the homes of
the early settlers widely over the town.
The road that leads from
the southwest corner of the mills at West Garland was established in
1816. This road originally terminated at the Murdock place but upon
completion of the Avenue road in 1842 this section was discontinued.
The road running north from the east and west Center road, passing
the present residence of George Ricker, was established in 1819. This
was the first road leading north from the east and west center road
toward the summit of the hilly range. The road running north from the
east and west center road, passing the residence of E. B. Strout, was
established in 1821.
The road running north from the east and
west center road on the east line of the town was established in 1825
for the convenience of the Robert Seward place, later occupied by the
late J. Clark Richardson. The road running north from the east and west
center road from a point a few rods east of the school house in school
district No. 4, to the summit of the hilly range, was established in
1826.
Among the early residents on this road, were the families
of Eben Battles, Jacob Quimby, Samuel, Isaac, John and Stephen Ladd,
David Stewart, John Perry and John Whiting. The road extending from
Garland village to the south line of the town toward Exeter Corner was
established on the road now traveled, in 1830. The early families living
on or near this road were those of Benjamin H. Oak, George Curtis, David
Johnson, Samuel W. Knight, Israel Colley, Zebulon Knight and Elijah
Norton.
The northwest county road, which was a section of the
county road extending from Dover to Dexter, was established about the
year 1830, by authority of the county of Penobscot. In 1824 the road
extending easterly from Garland Village to the site of the Burnham
Cemetery was continued to the site of the present residence of Thomas B.
Packard, and in 1830 it was continued to the east line of the town.
There have been slight changes in the route of this road from time to
time, the most important of which was made in 1855 from the foot of the
hill, known as the Preble hill, to the Oak store.
Among the
earlier residents upon this road were the families of Enoch Clough, the
Rev. S. Rice, Daniel Ladd, Stephen Smith, William Sargent, Joseph
Sargent, Joseph Prescott, Jeremiah Avery, Gilbert Wallace, Edward
Richardson, Mark Burnham, George R. Coffin, Leonard Skillin, George
Field and Henry Hicks. The south road from Garland village to West
Garland was established in 1823. The early families upon this road were
those of Elisha Nye, Benjamin Pressey, Andrew Smith, Charles Sheperd,
Noah Parkman, Sheperd Parkman, Albert Parkman, Oreson Parkman, William,
Gideon, David and John Soule, Jonathan Lyford and the Rev. Asa Burnham.
The Avenue road was established by the county in 1835. The section
within the limits of Garland is about four miles in length. It was not
passable for heavy teams until 1844.
The road from the site of
Evergreen Cemetery to the Crowell mill site was established about the
year 1834 and was continued to the old country road a few years later.
The families upon or near this road were those of Josiah Samuel and
James Skillin, James Pillsbury and Solomon Allen. The road running from
the schoolhouse at West Garland, to the west line of the town toward
Dexter village was established in 1833. The early families upon this
road were those of Daniel M. and William S. Haskell.
The road
running from the schoolhouse in district No. 10 to the north line of the
town toward Dover village, was established in 1837. The early families
upon this road were those of James Straw, Samuel Bridge, Stephen A.
Berry, Simon French, James Hall, William Hunt and Richard Bickell. The
road extending southerly from the northwest corner of the farm owned by
Thomas B. Packard to the south of the farm owned by Thomas B. Packard to
the south line of the town was established in 1837.
The road
running west on the north line of the town from Dover to the Sangerville
road was established in 1844. The early families upon this road were
those of Mr. Merrill and Hermon Beal on the Dover side and George W.
Ricker and George W. Ireland on the Garland side. The country road
leading from the southeast corner of the town to Garland village was
established in two sections at different dates. The first section.
terminating at Holt's Mills, was established in 1858. Four years later
the route was continued to Garland village.
The notch county road
derives its name from the notch or cut through the hilly range
traversing the northerly section of the town from east to west. This
road was established in 1846 by the joint action of the county
commissioners of Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties. Its construction
had just been completed at large expense when the advent of the Bangor
and Piscataquis Railroad rendered it practically useless.
Since the advent of railroads to
this section the trend of merchandise has been to and from various
railroad stations instead of Bangor as a common center. hence the town
roads leading to and from railroad stations have become of more
importance to the public than the earlier county roads, the latter being
but little used except for local travel.
There have been but few
calls for new roads since the completion of the notch road. The total
length of roads in town is fully sixty miles. The history of the roads
in Garland, which has been briefly given, includes the date of their
establishment, their extent, the hardships of the earlier settlers in
opening channels of communication with each other and the inhabitants of
other towns, the dates of the settlement of the different sections of
the town, the names of the families who settled upon these roads, and
the date when the transportation of heavy merchandise was transferred
from the county roads to town roads leading to railroad stations.
Transcribed by Fran Jones Libby, David Brann, Jennifer Godwin, and Grinnell MacLeod Wood II
Copyright © 1996- The USGenWeb® Project, MEGenWeb, Penobscot County
This page was last updated
04/28/2025