Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-10-29
NUMBER ~.


the annual running of the logs. This
dangerous and exciting employment in
variabiy drew him TO the head waters To
start the "drive." When he arrived At
manhood no heard OF the extensive lum-
bering at Mirimachi, n. b., where be
went and pursued for while his early
employment.
| When he was about 25 years old MIR.
Smith concluded tina, this was rather e
limited business for him, and ia pursu-
snoe OF design TO engage in trade be
came 10 Portland and went into the ex-
tensive grocery store. wholesale and re-
tail. OF Capt. Alpheus Shaw on Middle
st., opposite the foot Of Fee streot-not
for salary, but to learn the business.
Here he found John Is. Brown, then about
twenty years old and also Alvin Higgins
from Gray, now q millionaire In New
York city. These Iwo had served reg
ular mercantile apprenticeship at the
business, snd they all boarded In Capt.
Shaw's family. This was before porters
were employed TO open and sweep out
stores-neither did coal fires then keep
the counting-room warm all night; but
it WAS the "boY's" duty TO build the wood
fire, commencing by striking a light with
flint and steel. All grooors then sold
liquor in large or small quantities, and
the early arrival in town of the lumber
teams. made it necessary 10 have the
stores open in winter before light. 1t
! should be mentioned that Capt. Shaw
was the hrst grocer who quilted the II
quor traffic in Portland. from prinsiplo.
In this store and under these circam-
stances commenced the acquaintance OF
Two men who wero afterwards. leading
business men Of the town. In 1926. Mr..
Smith from his small earnings had saved
| Sl000-Mr. Brown, five years his junior,
was working for small salary. and bad
not accumulated much. They we're mer-
chants in embryo, and concluded that
they could as we'll sell their own goods
as Capt. Shaw's. "blor.on's Block" on
the corner OF Congress and Brown streets,
had been built one year. One OF tho
stores had not been occupied, which they
concluded TO lease. and Mr.. Brown gave
his note to Mr. Smith for $500 OF the
SlOO0-"Smith and Brown" became a
| firm, and grocery store was opened on
the faith OF the partners. and the thou
sand dollars as capital. From this small
beginning has grown two gigantic feat
ureS. MIR. Brown paid his note at malu-
rity and has preserved II 90 q memento
Of his 6rsL business venture. The part
nership continued eleven years. when IN
1887, Mr.. Smith sold TO hr. Brown Ills
interest in the store. but for years after
wards they owned real estate in COM
pany; aud now the douglas farm"
though which St. John Street has been
opened, is held in the name OF Smith and
Brown, having never been divided.
At this time the Eastern land specula-
ton had begun TO wane and Mr.. Smith
found himself largely involved in it, and
for three years be devoted bis time TO ex-
Treating himselt-not without much anx
iely tor the result. which was finally fay-
orable.
Mr.. I C.Hersey and his brother Thom-
IS, were doing large business In the
Market house. (old City Hall buildingD
now occupied by Kendall s. Whitney.
Thomas Hersey died Of consumption and
The senior brothers health was precsri-
ous-he accepted Mr.. Smith as q partner
in lS4l, under the old name Of 1T. c.
Hersey IL Co. Mr.. Hersey has always
expressed gratitude TO Mr.. Smith. saying
tha. he saved his lie, by his voluntary
assumption Of the out door labor at the
lumber yard and wharf, which was very
arduOus at inclement seasons. Mr.. Smith
mad been Injured 10 exposure, and had
hardy osnstitution. He retired from the
tirm in 1858.
He had long been director In the
Casco Bank, and was chosen president OF
that institution annually for several years.
He was the protector OF the First NATION
al Bank, and was its first president. De
vas also prominent in the promotion OF
the project OF railroad connection be-
tween the city and Canada, and was q
director Ia the company.
Mr.. Smith accumulated large estate;
more than double the valuation Of all the
property, real and personal, OF mis- ma
tive town. A large number OF his build
ings were destroyed in the fire OF 1896,
which he immediately rebuilt in an i'm
proved style. He built the extensive
wharf now owned by the Boston Il Maine
Railroad, fox which the company paid
him $50, 900.
About 1881, MIR. Smith married Miss
Mary Holmes, ward OF Capt. Shaw's,
whom the writer remembers as lady
possessing rare wit and beauty. She died
during the second year Of their married
life. The present Mrs. Smith was Miss
Susan, daughter OF James d. Hopkins.
ESQ; member of he Cumberland Bar,
who died in 1840, aged 68. In his
Courts and Lawyers Of Maine" Mr..
Willis says OF him, "Mr. Hopkins was
for several years leading member of
the bar, and had more business than any
other member. in the carly part of this
century. For industry and patient labor,
he was pattern to young men who are
seeking preferment in lile." A lady at
my elbow refreshes my memory OF MIR.
Hopkins and his three motherless daugh-
ters, who were constant attendants with
Us at old St. Paul's church, on what is
now Pearl street, more than half cen.
tury ago.
His tribute 10 the memory OF his two
wives (the first Of whom died within
three months of their marriage) as ex-
pressed in their epitaph, is model OF
elegance. 1t commences thus--I quote
from memory. "God hath Withdrawn
the spirits, and here mingle the ashes OF
the wives OF James d. Hopkins" These
are the closing words. "A monumental
stone Is not the memorial Of their virtues.
They are recorded in the heart of hus-
band" Mr.. Smith has been confined to
his house for several years. From de-
feet In his vision. he stepped ir an exca-