Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-04
Monmouth Centre.

/ waters OF ponds, broad acres, OF neat. cosy cot
tages. The goodiy town ought to have celebrated
It's centennial ere this, for history tells us that the
first settlers came from Brunswick, and moved into
the then plantation, with their families in III.
The first settlers found quite tribe of Indians,
but on the advance of the white man these melt
ed away. The settlement was first called Free
town, under the belief that the land was free TO
every settler; afterwards it was called Blooming
bore, but on January 20, 1892 the plantation was
incorporated under the name Of Monmouth, so
named by one of the early settlers, Gen. Henry
Dearborn from Monmouth, New Jersey, in the bat
| tie in which he was engaged In the same year a
| contract was made for carrying the mail through
Monmouth-this being the first mail route that was
established to lallowell and Augusta east of Port
land. The first Methodist society in Maine was
formed here in 1874, and meeting house fin
ished for its accommodation in 1896.
There are three villages in the town-North Mon
mouth, East Monmouth aud Monmouth Centre.
With Monmouth Centre this brief notice has to do.
The wealth OF the place is largely, of course, in
its agriculture, which is pursued with intelligence
and painstakng devotion Kennebec county has
justly and often been termed "the garden of
Maine" and in no portion of this "gaid den" can
there be found better farms more wel-to-do
farmers. They believe in giving to mother earth
u fair equivalent for her products, and not strip
ping her because she is naturally prolific. There Is
hardly dwelling house that bears any indica-
ton of squalor or poverty. all are in splendid
repair, and have an air of neatness that betokens
industry, refinement and the possession of home
Ia. D..
through the place, and in putting the people in
ready communication with centres Of business,
has helped the town amazingly.
The manufacturing industries of the place,
though not large, are in heathful condition and
contribute considerably to the general prosperity of
the community. There are two moccasin manuiac-
troies, one run by Judkins, Dudley 4 Owen, en-
po, ing Is men that of Blake & Co. is not IN
operation at present, but will be in readiness for
starting up speedily. There are three establish
ments for the manufacture of ready-m cloth
ing for Boston parties, on contracts W illiam
Brown, Clough 4 Walker, and Shorey & Luce.
These employ large number of girls at good
wages, and turns out goods that are eagerly
sought for. NJ. j. Metcalf, Esq, one of the most
prominent men in the town, interested and active
in the business, social moral and religious well
fare Of the place, is also of the most stirring
men in the community. He has a grst mill at
the outlet of Cochnawagan pond, in which be-
sides doing the work for farmers for miles around,
he grinds many thousands of bushels of corn
received from the large graneries of the West.
Mr.. Metcaf has also saw mill, with circular,
board and other saws. that is kept constantly in
operation. j. o. Prebe has a shingle mill in
good condition, besides this, he manufactures
collins, which he sells in all that region, being
equal to any that can be found in The larger towns.
Some excellent work is turned out at the grave
stone and monument mandatory of Colt &
Clark.
The rclig icus and social element IN tie village
have the widest opportunity for expansion. There
are two churches, the Congregationalist and Meth
odist. The former has been supplied during the
summer by Mr.. Wiswel a student at the Bangor
Theological Seminary, to the general acceptance
of the people. Rev. Mr.. kimball is the pastor of
the Methodist church. Both churches sustain
sunday Schools, and doing good work. A
hourshiug Reform club of some three hundred
members, hold public meetings every Sunday and
have been largely instrumental in freeing the town
not only from the curse of rum, but from the per-
nicious habit of cider-drinking. There were but
few drinkers of the ardent in town. the large
number joining to the club having been drawn
from the ranks Of the cider drinkers. The Ladies,
Aid Society," as auxiliary, greatly assists in the
work of the club. The Farmers Grange, as a
working and efficient organization, has secured
strong foothod at the Centre. They are just now
putting the finishing touches on an elegant new
building, some seventy-fve feet in length and
forty feet wide, the lower story to be occupied by
the brotherhood as cooperative store, the Sec
ond floor a hall for the Grange, and the third
story is being fitted up in tasty style as Masonic
Hall, for the lodge which now meets at the North
village. This will give to the fraternity new
impulse. The Grange now numbers some one
hundred and fifty members The building, which
is credit to the beautiful town, will soon be
ready for dedication
Monmouth Academy, brick building of fair
proportions, stands on elegant position, over
looking wide expanse of beautiful and dversi-
fled country. This is one of the Oldest and most
efficient institutions of the kind in the State if OF
in the country, and from its doors We're sent out
suCO Incu rs anu OtucIs, WHO won
great distinction in the world. The Academy con-
tinues to afford to the youth of the town excellent
facilities for acquiring education, it being un-
der the direction of Mr.. Pratt Principal. Sew
eral stores aSd hotel do thriving business. The
old Prescott tavern, in stage times a place of
considerable Importance, still stands, and is called
1.-THE Fort" A family "holds the Fort" Within
few years several elegant dwelling houses have
been erected at the Centre. very beautiful and
tasty modern cottage, is at the present time being
erected by Mr.. Oscar Frost. We should not for
get the Cornet Band, of which MIR. Thompson,
formerly of Augusta, is leader. This organization
is noted throughout the State as band of accom-
plished musicians. They have been in the habit
Of giving open-ar concerts at the band stand
erected near the town house.
Indeed, there are few inland villages 10 Maine
that for quiet beauty, fertility of SOIL the indus
try honesty and enterprise VI its people, and the
general healthfulncss and refinement of its social
atmosphere will compare with Monmouth Centre.
1t may well be ranked with the best towns in the
State. We may well expect tins from town that
has history Of its own, that has produced such
men as Dearborn and Chandler and Mcclellan and
Blossom and Metcalf and Stalks and Andrews
and host Of oihers--a class of men that do not