Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-06-23
AUGUSTA OF YORE.
hon. William c. Barton Relates Some
Interesting "reminiscences.
Building of the Kennebec Bridge and th.
County Jail.


ohe OF the smartest and most active old
gentlemen who is frequently seen upon the
streets of Augusta is Hon. William Collins
barton OF West Windsor. Mr.. Barton ia
now IN his eighty-frst year, yet his step is
Disk and vigorous, his eye bright, and bis
frame erect. He certainly gives promise of
iiving many more years of usefulness. Mr..
Barton frequently drives into this city with
his own team, and is we'll known by MANY of
| our citizens.
Few men have borne a more active mr.
more honorable part in the life of Kennebec
county than he, and none is able to relate
more Interesting "reminiscences of our earlier
HE. his memory of men and events is in
deed remarkable, and he is able to recall the
events OF the past with an exactness of date
and minuteness of detail which is really
surprising. Mr.. Barton was in the CITY the
frst of the week, and in conversation with a
journal reporter related many interesting
reeoilections of events connected with the
early life of the city.
1T doesn't look much now as it did when
the present bridge was built across the river ,
ne sad. 81 was boy then and worked for
one OF the contractors. / drove his OK team
Tor $500 month-that. would be con-
sldered pretty small wages now, but I was
glad of the chance then-yes, suppose I
hanied large part of the timber in the
bridge-with that OK team"
do you remember the builders Mr.
Baritone"
eyes, they were Ruel Williams, BENJAMIN
Brown, and Ephraim Ballad. / worked for
Brown"
''Where was the timber in the bridge OBJ
tained?"
Nearly all of it was cut in Augusta and
Windsor. There are few white oak sticks
in it-and these were cut in vassalboro."
Where was it sawed?"
'At a mill in Vassalboro, close to the
Augusta line and about six miles distant from
the bridge"
''At the time the bridge was built it was to
be a toll bridge, was it not?"
"Yes. with certain conditions. I was
chairman of the meeting of the citizens
which was called for the purpose of taking
measures to make the bridge free. | served
on the committee appointed by that meeting
to confer with Ruel Williams and others on
the subject. am obliged to confess, how
ever" added Mr.. Barton that when it came
to the test only two of us were left to face
Mr.. Williams. The others backed out"
"You served as county commissioner
several terms, did you not?"
ayes, was on the Board from 1854 to
1860"
ut must have been during your administra-
ton then that the present Jail was built"
Certainly it was. Indeed it was built
under my immediate and constant supervision,
as was appointed by the board to take
charge of the whole matter"
at was good job
Eyes, everything about it was well and
carefully done If the walls of that Jail
should crumble to pieces one momento of the
generation that hourished when it was built,
would be sure to come to light"
"What is that?"
"Well its metal box which was prepared
by the builder and set in the solid masonry,
1t contained the pictures and signatures of
all the county officers, and also the architect
and builder 1t was closely sealed, and
imagine that when the walls finally crumble
its contents will be found in good state of
preservation"
"IIoM many of those officers are living
now Mr.. Barton
II believe am the only one, and speak
ing of that | may add that am also the sole
survivor of the crew that built the Kenne bee
bridge"
You worked for the Kennebec Journal
at one time, did you not Mr. Barton?'
eyes, | travelled six months for it once.
| have always read the Journal. My father
was one of the first subscribers and be-
lieye have never failed to read an issue
since it was started"
Mr.. Barton was always noted as being
man of GOODNESS and quickness. During the
building of the Jail discussion arose as to
whether the metal gutter was put up strongly
enough to hold man. Mr. Barton speedily
settled the matter however, by stepping down
and walking the whole length of it, although
ut this time he was fifty years OF age. On
another occasion the same year. the question
arose as to whether the new iron fence abou'
the arsenal grounds could stop man. Mr..
Barton readily proved that it could not by
Ginning over it in very short time and
,pn,rautly with considerable ease. When
seen by the Reporter Mr.. Barton had come
from his home accompanied by his Wife who
although older than himself is still smart
and active. Mr. Barton is close reader and
keens A close and intelligent watch OF all the
leading questions of the day. He is good
ox,mnie of a self-made man who by push
and integrity has made himself facter in
,b, community, and: lived life of useful
moss and industry of which any man might
Justly feel proud
Church Notices.
Unitarian church; Service at the usual
,,rr. nreaching by the pastor; SUNDAY