Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-26
Local AMI State Menus.
Old Stagers.


viduals to thinking, who were formerly en-
gagged in the same business, which has en-
abled US to compile, in brief, history of the
old stagers now living in the State. There
may be some omissions and some errors of
dates and ages, as they are mostly given from
memory, but the items will be found of in
terest as relating to a class Of men who
fourished previous to the "fast" age when the
steam whistle superseded the crack of the
stage drivers whip.
Charles Garlic of Portland, the oldest stage
driver in the State. Began to carry mails on
horseback from Portland to Portsmouth, N.
ii. Was driver until the opening of first rail-
road into Portland and afterwards, and until
within three or four years, carried the mails
from the depot to post office; 81 years of age
last November.
Calvin Hamlin of China; drove from Au-
gusta to Bangor, from 1926 to 1910. Now
resides on farm; 6S or 10 years of age.
Amos Rollins of Belgrade; drove from Au-
gusta to Bangor, four years from 1926.
Smart and enterprising farmer; Is years old.
Nathl Holmes Of Belfast; drove from Au
gusta to Belfast from l845 to 1850. Land
lord of New England House in Belfast; "a
years old.
Jacob Sands of Brunswick for years stable
agent at North Yarmouth; bought out the
line and drove from Portland to Augusta,
from 1892 to the last of the staging; Go years
old.
Jesse Stinson of Bangor; drove from Au-
gusta to Bangor, six years from 1912; 60
years old.
Eben Woodbury. Of Houlton; drove six
years from 1915, from Bangor to Mattawam-
keag, and afterwards proprietor of the Malta
wamkeag and Houlton line; so years old;
member elect of next Legislature.
John Marshall of Bath; commenced to
drive in 1888, and driving still. Drove from
Portland to Augusta, till the cars ran TO the
latter place; since that time from Bath to
Rockland being off but year during that
time 63 years old
Mr.. Bryant of Anson; drove from Augusta
to Anson, eight years from 1910. Now a far
mer; GO years old.
Mr.. Hobbs of Portland; drove from Au-
gusta to Portland, eight years previous to
opening of Grand Trunk Railroad, when he
assumed the duties of conductor on the road,
aposition which he still holds 60 years of age.
S. T. Corser of Portland; drove from Au-
gusta to Portland by the South West Bend
route, five or six years previous to the open
ing Of the Grand Trunk. Was afterwards
conductor and superintendent of road; now
one of the Railroad Commissioners of the
State.
Thomas Chamberlain of Portland; drove
from Augusta to Portland for eight years pre-
yious to opening of Grand Trunk; conductor
on that road until within four or five years.
Now a farmer at Foreside; father-in-law to
Gen. S. +. Hersey of Bangor 60 years old.
Sumner Hopkins of Gardiner; drove two
ar three year from 1881, from Augusta to
DiYfeld. Has been for several years past
engaged as baggage master on =. & X. X. X.
at Gardiner.
Mr. Bailey of Houlton; drove from 1888 to
1860. Formerly partner of Eben Woodbury..
Mr.. Norcross Of Dover; owned the line
and drove from Bangor to Dover ten years
from from ls43. Residing somewhere in
PenobscOt county, and one of the county cosl-
missiOners; So year old.
John Merrill of Pushaw. Penobscot coun-
ty; drove from 1910 10 1913, since which
time he has kept public house and conducted
the livery business.
Hiram Reed of Augusta; drove 81 years
from 1929, as follows From Augusta to Dix
field, years; Augusta to Portland, years;
the remainder of the time from Augusta to
Bangor. He then went into the livery bust
ness in this city, in which business he has ever
since been engaged, until his stable has come
to be considered as one of the institutions OF
the place; SO years of age.
Mr.. Crowell of Readfeld; drove from Au-
gusta to Norridgewock six years ftom 1915 /;
now trader at Kent's Hill; 81 years old.
+. Black of Palermo drove from Bangor
to Belfast. 10 years. from 1888. Now far
mer in Palermo; 10 years old.
j. Black, of Palermo; drove from Belfast
to Bangor, years from 1885. Now farmer;
G5 years DID,.
Mr.. Stewart of Pennington; owner of line
and driver from Portland and Pennington,
from 1928 to 1910. Afterwards owner of
Augusta and Harrington line 20 years old.
Josiah Mitchell of Belfast; drove on Au-
gusta, Belfast and Bangor line, of which he
was part owner afterwards, from 1888 to lS4S; ;
Is years old. ...
George Lancaster of Bangor; drove eight
years from 1910. Then went to California,
accumulated considerable property and re-
turned to Bangor where he now resides; Of
years old.
Mr.. Waterhouse of lewiston; drove from
Portland to Paris and owned the route from
1885 to lS47. Afterwards conductor on the
Grand Trunk. Left cars years since. Now
landlord of Dewitt House IN Lewiston; co
years old.
v. D.. Pinkham of Augusta; began staging
in 1886, and has been in the business ever
since. Is probably the largest stage owner
an the State; about 63 years old.
4'Doty" Richards sof Augusta; driving on
>
John Holmes of Gardiner; drove for many
years on the Portland line; went to Califor-
MIA and pursued the same business; came
back TO Maine and bought the popular ''hour-
ly" line between Gardiner and Augusta, which
fourished until the steam dummy was put on.
Holmes then laid aside the reins, but has
guided the course of the excellent accommo-
dation train from its first trip to the present
time with ability and fidelity to the wants of
the public. About go years old.
David Landers of Gardiner; drove hourly
between Gardiner and Augusta for several
years previous to its purchase by Holmes.
Living comfortably at Gardiner GO years old.
Leonard Landers of Augusta; driving off
and on for Is years. Now on stage route
from Augusta to Freeport; Sc years old.
Nathaniel Hutchins of Monmouth; drove
from Portland to Augusta, six years from
1896 at one time proprietor of Augusta
House; went to California, and after return
ing bought farm in Monmouth where he is
V.,.,. toI aud hop ot sva