Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-19
HURRICANE ISLAND.
shall Il become Town - Committe
Hearing.

ing, yesterday afternoon on the petition of Davis
Tilssn and Others asking that Hurricane Island
may be set off from Vinalhaven (called Carver's
Ilarbof) and be made a town. The case was
managed for the petitioners by Gen. Davis Tillson,
who was assisted by Lewis Barker, Esq, Of Ban
gor and 5. W. Matthews, Esq, and the remon-
strants were represented by Baker Il Baker of
tins city.
The case was opened for the petitioners by S.
W. Matthews, Esq, who said he appeared in be
half of the taxpayers Of the place. Hurricane
island asked the privilege of setting up
housekeeping for itself. The committee may first
inquire, who and what are your Vnahaven, out
at sea from Rockland dozen miles, eastward, is
composed of group of islands known as the Fox
island group. The value of these islands for grsnite
had b, en- certained some thirty years ago, until
in 1871, It's valuation was $500 900. lie showed
by a map the position of Hurricane island, one OF
the group, which stands out about three miles
from Niuahaven Cor CaIvers Harbor); after
getting to hat by that distance by water, you will
have to two miles further to the town house to
deposit your vote. The island support. more than
900 people, who are in the granite business, the
fishery business having measuraby failed. In
1870 this island came into the possession Of
granite company, of which Gen. Davis Iillson
was the head, who is now the sole owner.
Ii was then worth less than a thousand dollars
Gen. IIllson, educated at West Point, serving
with distinction during the war, on the return of
peace chose that island as the seat of great en-
terprise he has smitten the rock, and sweet wa
ters have gushed forth. The granite business to
Maine is worth S., 900 900 annually. Inc value
of the island has steadily increased. Its total
population last April was $50. including III school
children 1t is not simply floating population, but
there are homes established and families own their
houses. There are 90 houses, not owned by the
granite company, and IL owned by the company,
s of them quite large boarding houses, the whole
ming consider able of a village. The valuation
of the place in 1876 was $50, $50 90, and in 1870,
the year efore it was purchased, it was not con
sdered of sufficient value to tax At all. There
was ODD polls reported in 1877. The setting off is
asked, not on account Of any quarrel, but to main
tain a principle, that representation should 90
with taxation. They are taxed to pay municipal
bills without receiving anything IN return. They
paid out - for every dollar receive. There were
no business or social relations, between the two
places. There 10 no communication except by
small boats aud these not safe conveyances six
months of the year. The town officers of Vina
haven are never seen on the island unless they
come over to levy tax. We have to pay for high
schools, for which derive benefit, to
| tsin fire department, damages for injuries on
highways &C 1t is uDj ust TO Gen. Ilson, who has
built up he business of the island.
Gen. Davis IIllson next addressed the com
miitee. When he bought the island in 1870, no
be ginning had been made in operating the quar-
ries In all his preliminary OF eratlons and plans
he was discouraged by those who made preten-
SONS to superior wisdom, and had been damned
by the faint praise of others. lie introduced ma
cninety, portable steam derricks, and the like.
lie made favorable contract with the govern
inert furnish granite tor buildings at St. Louis,
Mo. He went forward with his enterprise, until
the population of the island reached 1000 and
1900. lie had allowed people 10 come upon the
i aud aud build houses and occupy them, the only
condition being that they would keep them neat
and clean, become good citizens, and not allow
any liquor on the island. They may be poor and
weak, but all the more needed your protection.
lie had built all the roads, without cost 10 the peo
PIE, aud water works at an expense OF SoOOO. lie
usd done everything 10 make the people happy and
contented in their homes. But he was taxed by
Ninahavsn for quariles Just opened, on the same
basi, quarrIes that have been worked, and was
far more valuable. He was charged for every i'm
proyement, had helped pay their taxes and their
debts, aud had no interest in the mass OF money
raised and expended by NinsILsvsn. They had
never made pauper for the town. there are
many tunes IN boistsrous weather, when it is
impossible to get to the voting place.
We pay the taxes and they do the voting. Last
year the Legislature gave US the night 10 vote sep
arately for State officers, but not municipal
officers. He had discharged = mean, contempt
lsle sneak, who bad written lying Anonymous
letters rejecting on him. la September last the
came over revised the voting list, put on
names that did not belong there, running 1t up
from IS to 200, and they came with their mob OF
voters. bringing with them tins co~srdly letter
writer, whom they made warden, against law and
gaiust sht. He confessed he had not grown good
to be IN the power of such a municipality. 1t had
been reported that he oppressed voters, and would
employ no man anless he voted for the interests
OF certain party. He denied 1t alphabetically,
and challenged anyone TO show to the contrary.
Never 10 his life had he di.cri % mated in regard
to II persons religion, race, color or condition.
Those who had made assertions to the contrary
had not dared to meet him IN court. He had
borne these insults, but now came asking for his
rights.
Cross-examned by Hon. Joseph Baker: More
than 800 persons are on the island now, rs
being stone cutters. The contracts he had with
the men stipulated that they may remain
on the island, as long as they sustain good char
acter. The granite business is almost the only
business there; the men all work for him at pres
ent. Three quarters Of the houses lsthed aud
plastefed No man shall stay on the island who
does not malntan good citizenship; that may
be depended upon. As to the psrmsucncy Of the
enterprise, he had expended there $4,000, and
paid out for labor nearly two millions OF dollars
None have stuck to his fingers, as he was in debt
now for money expended for improvements on the
island. lie thought the enterprise would be per
maEent, indeed II was his intention to make 1t
SO; the quarries were ineXhsusllbe. He had
done evei ythng III his power TO make this one
of the best communities IN the State. No person
had been arrested on the island IN the seven years
OF his ownership.
MIR. Matthews testified that there had been 10
increase ia the number of families since his &C
qualnlance with the islands, some tonr years
Mark Arey, one OF the Seectmsn of Vinalhaven,
called by the other side. He testified that the
resolutions were correct. There are some 100
acres ia Hurricane Island; soil scarce scarcely
any land capable OF cultivation. The buildings
are As cheap they could be built and construct
ed OF the cheapest material very few of the inte
riors finished. One house that the inhabitants own,
where the valuation is $500. Persons who have
houses there, are there, not for homes, but for
employ ment, simply. while the business lasts. Val
uation on lIttle lower basis than other parts of
the town. Not much properly there eXcep; own
ed by the granite company. They have little
more than their proportion of school money. When
he took the last valuation, there were some 200
pc Is, perhaps more. SlXty-three houses owned
on the land outside the company; very few I'M
deipnned. Large proportion of inhabitants for
Ell .uers some Yankees, not hat; no road tax as
ses-ed tue valuation of the island. Some of the
buliI IS contain six tcnements. For voting pur-
20 ses did not take unnatursliZed persons. spoke
about the list containing 222 names; and said that
was the list af1er 1t corrected having lost the
other list. Testified TO Creed's going over to the
island the morning Of the election. Some
of the names put the li,t at the request of
persons in Vinahaven, wins claimed te be voters
of Hurricane.
danes ROBERTS of Ninalhayen, testified that he