The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-09-03

O04P"uiCu ny OOg, duu came 10 w al
erford by the way of Portland, Sebago Lake
and Long Pond. At Stevens brook, now
Brdgton Center he laid in stock ST provisions
for month and boldly struck out into the will
derness. He travelled up Bear brook till he
reached his range line, and under the canopy of
heaven spent the night. He built log hut on
one corner of bis lot, and supposed he was the
only settler between Bridgton and Canada unit
one day he came upon party of Canada Indi-
ans With them he hunted and fished. Sell
ing his peltries at Stevens Brook, he spent the
winters of rs and '76 in Boston, returning to
Waterford in the spring of II, he uever again,
visited his native place. For eight years he led
this solitary life, and never was married. He
had true pioneer horror of being crowded. One
morning observing smoke in Paris, twelve miles
miles distant, he exclaimed, "I'd like to know
who is settling there right under my nose"
At his death iu 1925, he left the bulk of his
property to his nephew on the condition that
he would live upon the farm till his death.
In May, 1888, Daniel Barker, Israel Hale
Asaph Brown, Europe Hamlin and America
Hamlin, all Revolutionary soldiers, with their
families commenced to clear lots of land. The
proprietors of the town offered to those who
would clear 30 acres of land build house six
teen feet square, right In the lands. They
also promised the first boy born in Waterford
80 acres of land. Ephraim Hapgood was the
lucky man. In 1885 Mr.. Philip Howe moved
his family, wife and six children, into town.
Mrs. HIVE was the first white woman who
was permanent settler in Waterford. The
growth OF Waterford was very rapid from this
time to its Incorporation into q town in 1897.
At that time the town had n legal voters and
over sixty families.
The first saw mill in Waterford was built in
1885; the first grist mill was built by Ezra Jew
ell at about the same time
March 2, 1877, Waterford was incorporated as
town with nearly the same boundary lines as
it has to day. The first recorded town meeting
was held June Z, 1897, at the house of DIR.
Stephen Cummings, now occupied by Rev:
John A Douglass. Various appropriations
amounting to $500 were made. August 21,
1877, $3.50 was appropriated for building school
houses. Miss Emma Stone was the first school
teacher in Waterford, receiving one dollar a
week for her services. The first town officers
were, Selectmen, Africa Hamlin, Daniel Chap
lin and Solomon Stone; Town Treasurer, Eli
Longley; Justice of the Peace, Eben Rice;
Deputy Sheriff, Hannibal Hamln, afterwards
the first High Sheriff of Oxford county,; Col
lector, David Whitcomb.
In 1877 Eli Longley built the first public
house where the water cure establishment now
Is. In 1900 the first post Office in Oxford couu.
" was opened at Waterford. July ], 1898, the
town voted to call Rev. Mr.. Ripley to be their
minister, his salary was between two and three
hundred dollars year, payable iD any kind Of
produce at the market rates. The largest tax
in 1903 was paid by David McWain, $780,
The war of 1872 brought hard times to Wa
terford. Her trade was through Portland, and
Portland was practically bankrupt. The em-
barge stopped all foreign trade. and the people
found it hard TO make living. Waterford was
strong Federalist town. Jonathan Houghton
claims the honor to have thrown the first DEM
ocratic vote. February 1, 1909. the people met
in town meeting and sent petition against the
embargo act to the Massachusetts, Legislature
In 1915 '16 and II were the famous cold sea-
sons One of the Oldest citizens says that he
chopped wood all day in June with an overcoat
on. The 26th of May eighteen inches of snow
fell. In 1917 great confagratiou occurred
Mr.. Ripley was succeeded in the ministry by
Rev. j. II. Douglass, who was settled Nov z.
1921, who holds his pastorate to-day, being the
oldest settled minister in the state.
Mr. Warren paid high tribute to those gal.
liant sons of Waterford who represented her in
the recent rebellion, Of whom thirty-one sleep
n soldiers graves. He also spoke feelingly of
the late Charles F. Brown (Artemus ward)
who was native of Waterford. He occupied
about three quarters of an hour in delivering
his address, and was listened to with the clos
est attention.
OTHER EXERCISES.
At the close of Mr. :Warren's Grafton the
band played another selection, aud Rev. David
Garland of Bethel, asked blessing on the din
ner which was served in the grove near at
hand, to which the audience repaired. Tables
to the number of eighteen were prepared and
loaded with everything imaginable by the good
ladies of Waterford. About twenty-five hun
dred people partook of the feast, and yet there
was enough for more.
While the dinner was in progress horse.
which was hitched opposite the pavilion be-
coming frightened at some unusual sound,
broke down the portion of the fence to which
he was fastened. and taking it with him ran
through the street and made for the pavilion,
where quite a number of people were collected
A youLg girl named Locke, of Norway. had
her leg broken at the kuee. Mr.. Andrew Wood
bury of Sweden, a man we'll advanced in years
had his leg broken in two places. Mrs. Hob
sou of North Waterford, was badly bruised.
This served to disturb the peace and tranquility
&c f0ro .lo 1~..& ~
At the close of the dinner the audience again
assembled in the pavilion and the exercises
were resumed. The band played a selection,
and then Mr.. Kimball offered the toasts:
First-"The Fathers and Mothers of Water
ford" Responded to by Rev. VIM Warren,
ID d., of Gorham, who referred to the old
families of Green's, Plummers, Stones, Browns
Hales, Houghtons, Horrs Kgores, Lougleys,
Farrsrs, Hamlins and Rices.
Second-"Our children by birth now residents
of other countries" Responded to in an able
manner by Rev. Cyrus Hamin, d. d., Presi-
dent of Robert College, Constantinople.
Tbird-"The Clergy of Waterford" Re-
spouded 10 by Rev. DR.. Perry Of Waterford
DR.. Warren then read short record of all
clergymen born and gone out of Waterford. A
letter of regret was read from Rev T. T. Stone
of Bolton, Mass Rev. john A. Douglass the
oldest settled minister in the state, then made
a brief address.
Fourth-'The Medical Profession" Re-
spouded TO ably by DR.. Thos II. Gage of
Worcester, Mass, who in conclusion recited q
poem composed by him for the occasion
THE Legal Fraternity was then offered aud
responded to by Albert Barker, Esq, of Cole
brook. N. 81. The choir then sang selection
from DR.. Cages poem.
The toast THE American Flag" was then
offered and responded to in spread eagle"
manner by Rev. David Garland of Bethel. The
band then played 'The Star Spangled Banner
and the choir sang America"
The toast "The Professional Farmers was
offered and responded to by DR.. N. T. True of
Bethel Capt Thomas Swan then in a yery
quaint manner recited some of his early recoi-
lections of the old families of the town. Dea.
Samuel Warren of Waterford then made q
short address.
The toast "Our Next Centennial" was then
offered, and voluntary responses were called
for DIR. Hamlin, Mr.. james Shaw, DR.. John
A Douglass, jr., and DR.. (0rrin) Horr made
brief addresses. Our Next Centepnial-May
we all pass it in heaven" was responded to by
Mr.. ID. 2. Warren with short poem.
DIR. VIM. Warren then moved that a vote Of
thanks be extended to the President of the
daV A KinnhalI ESn a1so To fha