The Portland daily press., 1886-05-21
lie. Jonathan Morgan was born in 1883,


he entire length of the craft and making
such noise that people named his boat
Morgan'S Rather. He tried glue manufac-
5ure and agriculture without success. He
edited several books and became infatuated
with the theory of perpetual motion. His in
gention of the coffee millIproved his only use
Formany years he was clerk
Of the First UniYerSaliSt church and tender
ly cared for his aged mother. His last days
were spent in room on Cross street and in
1871 alone and surrounded by the rubbish
which had been his ruin he died. In private
life he was exemplary and might have been
successful but for his Inventions
Mr.. Smith presented to the society an auto
graph picture of the veteran and his Office
chair.
FATHER RALE's STRONG BOX.
In presenting Father Rales strong box,
Mr.. VIM. Goold read an account of the ex-
petition under command of Colonel Thomas
Westbrook against Norridgewock having for
its purpose the capture of Father Rale. The
priest, however, escaped after hastily thrust
ing the sacred vessels into the little chest or
strong box which has through the persistent
efforts Of Mr.. GOold become the property OF
the society. Father Rale was killed by
later expedition and the town burned. The
bell from his chapel was presented to the
secretary read letter from Hon. A. K. Blk
by presenting the priests crucifx, found l6l
years after the death of the priest
The afternoon session adjourned at this
point.
Evening Session.
A little before o'clock last evening the
gentlemen of the society came to order with
the president, Mr.. Bradbury inlthe chair.
Mr. Rufus K. Sewall, of Wiscasset, moved
that committee be appointed to prepare
suitable memorial of the late Judge William
G. Barrows.
1t was so voted, and President Bradbury
appointed Mr.. Williamson, of Belfast, Mr..
Sewall of Wiscasset, and Mr.. George F.
Emery of Portland.
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
Mr.. Elwell then gave brief account of the
third annual meeting of the American His
torical Association, which has recently been
held in Washington, Mr.. Elwell spoke of
the interest attached to the meetings through
the presence of the venerable George Ban
croft who presided at the sessions. Many
distinguished gentlemen presented papers of
interest. Among them Mr.. Elwell noticed a
few of such general interest that he ventur-
ed to give an account of them to the gentle
men of the Maine Historical Society The
first was on the question: ''Did the Louis
lana Purchase include Oregon" Another
on the British Attack on Washington in
1912 showed the feebleness of the American
preparations to resist the British expedition.
But the papers which interested Mr.. Elweu
most, and to which he devoted the greater
part of his remarks were by eX-COnfederate
officers who had served under Stonewall
jackson. Colonel William Allen of Balti-
more, showed how Pope failed before Wash
ington.. Mr.. Elwell had prepared diagram
on which he represented the movements of
Stonewall Jackson ON the line of Pope's
supplies. Major Hatchkiss, of Virginia,
formerly typographical engineer on Stone
wall Jackson's staff, presented paper on
the value of Typographical knowledge in
Military Operation" in which, as Mr.. Ell
well described it, he showed that he had the
name and position OF every hill and valley. In
Virginia at his tongues end. Another in
teresting paper was by Mr.. George D. Ellis,
president of the Massachusetts Historical
Society on the Reconstruction of History"
1t related to the correction of the blunders of
earlier historians, by later research, and the
securing of new facts in relation to old
events. Mr.. Elwell thought that the re-
searches of the Maine Historical Society
were just in this line.
Dr. Burrage thought that it would be well to
get the papers of the American Historical
Association for the library of the society.
1t was left to the secretary to take action in
this matter.
THE MILITARY OCCUPATION OF PEMAQUID.
Rev. Henry S. Burrage gave his paper on
the Military Occupation of Pemaquid
during the Second War with Great Britain
Old Fort Frederick, of Pemaquid, was occu-
pied twice during the second war with Great
Britain. On Saturday, September 4, 1918,
British vessel anchored off Johns Island,
and next morning sent flag of truce ashore.
The Harrington militia was present at the
fort. But the appearance of the Enterprise
called away the Boxer. In June, 1914, the
Harrington militia was again called out On
June Both barges from British war ship
attempted to land a force, but they withdrew
when they found the militia alert. Suspect
ing, however, that the British might attempt
landing at New Harbor, the militia
barges from landing the men. DR.. Burrage
had list of names of the officers and men of
the Harrington militia, which he read.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
At the close of the paper Mr.. Sewall spoke
of recent interesting discoveries in the ruins
around Pemaquid.
Mr.. George F. Talbot who Was to have
prepared the paper on the Life of Ashur
Ware" was not present, and it was an
nounced that the paper would have to be
deferred.
At this point Mr.. Elwell took occasion to
speak of Fitz John Porter's connection with
the movements of Pope.
DR.. Bufrage illustrated Porters position,
and condemned him for not notifying Pope
of Longstreet's position.
Mr.. Bradbury was inclined to stand up for
Porter, but Mr.. Sewall prevented an extern
sive reopening of the famous dispute by
saying that in his opinion General Grants
exculpation of Porter was sufficient.
President Bradbury announced that the
next annual meeting of the society would be
held in Brunswick on Friday, June 25th.
MI. Elwell moved that a vote of thanks be
rendered to the gentlemen who had furnish
ed the papers, and that they be requested to
give their papers to the secretary. 1t was so
voted.
Mr.. Sewall thought that thanks should be
rendered for the strong box and crucifx from
the mission at Skowhegan, and the society
concurred. 1t was also voted that Mr..
Goods paper concerning the strong box be
incorporated as part of the proceedings of
the society.
Mr. W. III. Smith spoke of some letters
published by Mr.. William S. Kilby of Bos-
ton in the Eastport Standard. Mr.. Kilby
had accidentally discovered letters among
some paper rags on the wharf of the st.
John boat at Boston, which proved to be let
tiers of Mr.. Chapman of St. John, and pos
sessed of historical interest. Mr.. Kilby was
also possessor of the Lorenzo Sabine papers.
Mr.. Smith thought that he might be made a
corresponding member of the society with
advantage.
1t having been suggested that valuable his
torical sketches are now published in vari-
Gus papers of the State, the secretary was in
structed to send a circular asking the papers
to send to the society copies of such articles
as they may publish.
The society then adjourned.
Roscoe w. Turner.
The many friends Of Mr.. Roscoe W.
Turner, of the firm of Turner Brothers
Of +hic oit,r usra In bpar Of his