The Portland daily press., 1885-03-27
FRYEBURG ACADEMY.
"Reminiscences of Daniel Webster as
Teacher in the institution,


The spring term of the academy opened
Wednesday morning with ovsr $50 pupils
which number will, it is expected, be increased
to nearly 200 by the time the term is we'll un-
der way. The late Valeria Goodenough Stone
of Maiden, Mass, was pupil of the academy
In 1920, and the $I0,0 900 which she gave to the
institution, coupled with the able administra-
tion of Professor A. f. Richardson and his
efficient corps of assistant instructors, has
placed the school upon the b Ugh road to pros
perity. The history of the academy is cher
ished with pride by the people of the town, es-
pecialty in connection with one of the institu-
tion's early teachers, the ilustrious orator and
statesman, Daniel Webster. To replenish his
spare excheqaer, Daniel mounted his horse in
mid-winter and plunged through the deep
SHOWS across the country from Salisbury, n
H., to this place, a distance of nearly 100 miles
He taught here two quarters-from January,
1902, till the following September-and the
trustees were SO well pleased with him that
they passed the followinglspecial vote of thanks
to him for his services as teacher:
Voted, That the secretary return the thanks of
this board 10 Mr. Daniel Webster for his faithful
services while preceptor of Fryeburg Academy.
Webster was also made the recipient of
small pecaniary present in addition to his mp-
ni6cent salary of $3.50 year. In his autobi-
ography Webster thus refers to his salary as
teacher at Fryeburg: az was to be paid at the
rate of $3.50 per annum. This was no small
thing; for pared it, not with what might
be before me, but with what was absolutely
behind me-"
Webster sold the horse which bore him to
Peqaauket to the late James Walker. When
GA visit so Fryebury in 1881, Webster made
special inquiry for Mr. Walker, anu sent to
him bis particular compliments. Webster's
store account while here your correspondent
has been permitted to examine on the ledger
of John and Robert Bradley. The first charge
Japuary ., 1902, is fcr "soap, one sxpenc6": !:
followed by ''a comb, sxpence"; "quils, one
and sixpencs', "penoil, sevenpence"; "a ring,
five shilipgs"; "a book, four and sxpence": :
etc, etc. Afterwards is charged Zone pair silk
hose, fourteen and sixpencs," a rather extrav-
sgant article, one would sappose, for country
pedsgogue. The hose were probably worn at
the famous balls Of which Fryeburg boasted in
gatherings which distinguished Fryeburg's
early days. This extravagant purchase Of
hose, however, was IN harmony with Webster's
well-known indifference in after life TO the
value of money or the cost of living.
Amos Jones Cook, who succeeded Webster
as preceptor of the academy, and who had
charge of the institution over thirty years, was
fellow student st Dartmouth College with
Webster, and was introduced to his subsequent
wife, Miss Elizabeth Mcmillan, by Webster
Tradition has it that Webster had partiality
for Miss Mcmillan, and that she was his part
ner in the first dance in Osgood's famous hall
in the Oxford House. At Webster's visit to
Fryeburg in 1881, above referred to, be called
upon Brother Cookjp' as he was in the habit
of calling him. Rapping at the door he as
sumed an incog. appearance by drawing bis
slouch hat down over his eyes. "BroJher
Cook" came to the door, and, not Immediately
recognizing him, took the liberty of lifting the
hat. On the discovery OF Wehster's large,
black eyes, however, he at once recognized his
old friend. On q subsequent occ siun Brother
Cook" visited Webster at his office in Boston
and tried the same joke on him, but to no
avail, Webster recognizing him Immediately.
According to description of Webster by an
old lady, who was one of his pupils here, "He
was all eyes," The "Fryeburg Webster
Memorial contains an engraving Of Webster
in early youth, and his piercing eyes, as thers
given, well bear out the old ladys graphic
characterization.
At his 1881 visit, Webster was invited to tea
at one of the well known families of the viii
lage, and, conversation turning upon the beau
ties of the town and its surroundings, Web
ster remarked: 1.-THE scenery of your town ia
striking. grand and beautiful; 1 was never SO
impressed with it as / have been on this visit
When / was here as teacher suppose was
ambitious, and did not notice it," To appreci.
ate the noint of this last remark it must be
borne in mind that il was uttered the year af-
ter Websters great speech in the United States
Senate, in reply to Hayne, whea Webster was
at the zenith of his fame, and when his re-
nown as an orator was worldwide. The people
of Fryeburg deem it happy circumstance
that the Atm of July oration which Webster
pronounced here while teaching in the acade-
my tfor youth of 20 the oration has no equal
in ancient or modern times,its closing sentence
being the same as that of the last speech he
made in the United States Senate half CEN
tury later,) was recently rescued from oblivion
and given to the world in "The Fryeburg
Webster Memorial"