The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-07-16
THREE TAvERNs OF mAtNsTREEr
Old Time hosteIries In Portland, and
Their Keepers.
fIIou. william Goold.l

ltIou. William Goold.
When st. Paul was carried prisoner to
Rome. 1t Is recorded that when he came In
sight of "tho three tayerns he thanked God
and took courage" Ancient Main street in
Portland, from the haymarket to the mile
post, was changed to Congress street in
1923. At that time, like Appiiforum of old.
1t had three noted taverns. When the two
currents of travel into town. one by the way
Of Stroudwater and The other over behring's
bridge, met at the head of Green street
there was no Portland street them they
came in sight Of three taverns;" but fear
THAI not many, like Paul, recollected the
source of all blessings, but impiously
whipped mp their teams, while their lips
moistened at the thoughts of the comforts in
store for them at the tavern. The first on
the way of these public houses was Her
rick's tavern" kept by Holbut Herrick. 1t
was a long, two and a half storied house,
with roof windows, on the south side of the
street, about half way between Oak and
Green streets. The property reached through
to Free street, on which were the stables,
which stood where are now Nos. 125 and 1877.
1t was owned by Mrs. Bailey of Westorook.
Herrick kept livery stable In connection
with the tavern, in front of which was pas
sageway connecting the two streets. Herrlck
was of about middling stature, active and
shrewd. lie had two Intelligent and well
educated daughters and two sons. His son
George was dissolute. He was reputed to
to have caused Morgan to kill his wife. 1t
is certain that young Herrick was obliged
ignobly to fly from Morgau's house in a
snow storm, very, very thinly clad. Herrlck
senior gave up the house In about 1880 and
moved to Green street, where he had shop
for the repair OF carriages. he. with his fam
lily, finally moved to Lake Mills, Wisconsin.
where he died at a very advanced age The
tavern-house, after Herrick left 1t, was used
for purpose Of trade.
The second Of the three taverns, going
east, was the Motley, Barker tavern, that oc-
eupied the site OF Neal Dow's Motley block,
just below Casco street on the west side.
John Motley, a joiner, came here from Bel
fast, ireland, In 1885, He soon after came
Into possession Of this lot, extending to the
upper side Of Casco street. where he had a
house. lie had large family of sons.
Thomas, the youngest, married the daughter
of Sheriff Wait, and In 1881 was appointed
by him, keeper.of the old block house Jail.
In consideration Of the smallness Of the
salary. (only fifteen pounds), he was per-
United to keep tavern in the Jail house.
which was of good size and was built for the
purpose by the county. 1t stood on the east
corner If the county lot, now Market Square
near the present U. 5. Hotel. Charles
Motley, the youngest son who died In Deer
ing In 1881 at the age Of % years, with per-
feet memory, was born in the jail tavern in
1885. Manv times in his latter years, with
much patience, he gave me minute history
Of the old jail, the tavern, the early days OF
tie Moteys, and the prlyateers OF 1872. He
made one cruise In the noted brig Dash.
Motley rec0llected Bid, who was hung for
piracy 10 1880 He was confined In the old
timber Jail many months hoping for pardon.
At Birds request, Mr.. Motley, the keeper,
allowed Charles Motley and his elder brother
to spend many hours in his cell, while he
made and rugged all kinds Of miniature sail
ing craft for them. Bird was a very mild and
quiet man. He was led to commit his crime
by the cruel treatment by his officers at sea.
When the fatal day arrived for the exccu-
ton. all the town were vending their way to
Haggetts hill, where the gallows stood, but
they met Mrs. Motley and her two boys
going over back Of the Neck, out of sight
and hearing of the execution. The Motleys
had become attached to Bird and gave up
their prisoner to the sheriff with a heavy
heart In 1893 Motley left the Jail and
tavern, and moved to the new house already
mentioned. twas built by him on the family
lot. 1t was the first spacious public house
originally built for the purpose here. Roomy
yards, sheds and stables, were then indis-
pensable for tavern, and these were the
most extensive In town. Portland Lodge OF
freemas0ns had been instituted, Of which
Motley was a member, and he called his
house "The Freemasons Arms" and had the
square and compass represented on his sign.
When he went to the new house he carried
gallows like post with an arm, where 1t
creaked In the wind for long, long years.
The Boston stage office was kept there. Mr..
Motley did not live to great age, but his
widow continued the business after his
death. and had the best Of the bachelor
Thomas and Edward Motley" who estab-
lished the noted commission house, formerly
on India Wharf, Boston, had become
wealthy, and bought the three story brick
Bryant house and moved their mother to 1t.
This house was the nucleus for building the
house Of the Catholic bishop. Col Burnham
next took the Motley house for short time
and then went to the Sun Tavern.
The Motley tavern next became the Barker
tavern. Thomas Barker, a man Of giant
pounds. who had kept tavern at Hiram,
leased the house in 1916, and sustained the
previous high reputation of the house as a
tavern. Mr.. Barker met his death from a
trifing cause. He retained his farm at
Hiram. and while on a visit to it, he took
hoe to show one of his men how to hoe corn.
He soon blistered his hand. Although he
had been in perfect health before this exer-
else and the blister resulted in his death at
his home In Portland within few days,
although he had the best medical skill of the
town to relieve him.
About the middle Of the old eastern ceme-
terry is slate stone with this inscription !:
"THOMAS RARKFR