The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-10-16
THE EDES FALLS AFFAIR.
Mr.. John T. MaxfieId Defends the
People Of the Village from the
Charge OF outIawry.

To the Editor Of the Press:
All accounts that have been published at
various times in most of the State of Maine
papers in regard to the State fish weir and
Matching houses situated in this town have
been falsel and misleading. As the facts in
the case have never been published and as
the subject is getting to be an interesting
one, respectfully ask space in your
columns to publish them. This is In thu in
terest Of justice to all.
The Matching house is situated at Edes
Falls and has never been injured in any way
by evil disposed persons, in fact no dem on
stration was ever made against it by any
one.
Below Edes Falls. five miles by river and
three by carriage road at or near the bridge
ON the Portland and Bridgton road. is stu
ated the States fish weir.
On the morning of October 8, 1887, body
of men disguised made their appearance al
the weir and Immediately proceeded to
liberate the land locked salmon confined In
the pound and in cars. At the time this
occurred Mr.. Hartman was in charge of the
weir, and dwelt iu little camp near by.
When he came out he was Informed that If
he kept quiet he would not be harmed. As
he was confronted by nearly IS men, this
seemed the only and wisest course for him to
pursue. Only one man carried gun and
that was not pointed. The damage to the
weir, cars &C.. was trivial. Two dollars
would pay the entire expense of refitting
The salmon thus liberated did not exceed So
Although all published accounts claim dam
ages to the extent of nearly $4,000. As the
loss consisted principally Of the salmon this
would be S75 each, rather high price. In
stead of destroying any of the appurtenances
n nc oil fhaxr
carefully avoided doing any more damage
than was necessary to llberate the fish. A
stig ma has been placed upon Edes Falls as
being the locality where the crime was
instigated and successfully executed. Why
this is so no one knows. Judging by the
previous good character and high moral
worth of the people 1t would be just as
sensible to place the crime upon any other
locality, for certainly more law abiding
Falls.
In regard to the trouble at the Weir only
one man has been arrested at Edes Falls, a
quiet in0ffeHsive young man, honest and
trustworthy. For years he was our popular
stage driver and mail carrier. All the other
suspects" live several miles away.
In the Weekly Argus of October 8, their
correspondent writes considerably at length
about this matter His little novel Is named
Brought to Justice" He il not contented
with characterizing us as race of criminals,
but goes on gibly and says that we are the
most inhosptable people he ever saw. He
was either crank, or he has never had
good opportunities for judging human ma
ture.
In the Lewiston Journal, and copied into
last weeks Bridgton News, was another
little stab in the backs Of the good people Of
Edes Falls.
In conclusion will say that have always
been in favor of the fish and game laws, aud
the States method of propagating fish, and
have done what little could for its advance
ment. A good healthy public. opinion is also
in favor of the enforcement Of the fish and
game laws. 1t is safe to say that at present
there are five in its favor where there was
but one ten years ago. The scurrilous attack,
of which too much has been already pub
lished, will have a tendency to weaken
rather than strengthen public opinion. 1t Is
also well known that for years previous to
the putting in of the States fish weir less
than dozen persons had the benefit of nine
tenths of all the salmon that came into the
river. The strangest thing of all Is that so
many people sympathize with them.
JOHN L. MAXFIELD.
Edes Falls, October 13.