Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-02-28
A Bit OF History.

Public attention WAS first called partic-
niarly to Aioostook 10 the year 1887. The
principal part of the vast territory now EN-
braced by Ar aostook was then included in
the counties of PeBobscot and Washington.
A dispute had long existed between the
governments Of the United States and Great
Britain concerning the Northeastern boun.
Diary. By the treaty of 1888. concluded
between the two nations at the close of die
Revolutionary war, the st. John river was
agreed upon as the eastern boundary of
Maine, but after the war OF 1912, John
Bull wishing clear road from the lower
provinces to Canada. asserted his claim not
only TO the hole of the s.. John. but to all
Of the territory of Name north of the 46th
parallel of north latitude. This would have
included all of the present county of Aroos-
took north of the south line OF the town of
llodgdon In 1881 the question was referred
to the King of the Netherlands, who after
having smoked pipe or two upon II.
concluded like true Dutchman that the
easiest way tor him to get out OF the scrape
was TO split the difference, which he accord
ingly did and drew the line across the top
of Mars Hill This decision Maine very
fatty refused to accept and Uncle Sam
as sugar plum offered her million acres
of land away out in Michigan to tempt her
TO give up the territory awarded to John
Bull by the Dutehman's decision. The
bait did not take however and the matter
still remained dispute A scattered rem
uant of the Aeaisns land. after their ex-
pulsiou from Nova Scotia in 1855, wan
1ered away up to the Upper ST John and
mpIg a q M nj and . laif nDI ut ha
of the dispute to be American citizens
In June, 1887. an officer was despatched by
Congress to the Msdawsska region to take
a census of the people there and to distrib-
ute among them their share of the dividend
which Uncle Sam had declared from hi. over
stocked treasury. There upon Gov. H4wey
of New Brunswick ARE sted the officer
aud cast him in Fredericton jail. This reused
the patriotic ire of Gov. Dunlap of Maine,
who proclaimed that the soil of the State
had been invaded, and ordered the militia
to be IN readiness for active war. President
Van Buren,. however, poured oil on the
troubled waters, the Bluenose Governor
released his prisoner and Gov. Dunlap told
his troops not to shoot Just yet. Thus mat
tiers remained until 1889. the national gov
eminent in the mean time having completed
the military road in northern Maine and
placed a garrison of troops at Houitou
Early in 1889 the slumbering embers of
dispute were blown into fierce fame and
war broke out in earnest.
Trespassers from New Brunswick were
cutting Oh large quantities of valuable tim
Der in northern Maine. and soon after the
assembling of the legislature in 1889, John
Fairfield then being Governor, Land Agent
Mcintyre was directed to disperse these
timber thieves, and for that purpose Sheriff
Strickland of Bangor, WAS authorized to
raise = posse of two hundred volunteers
The number was soon filed from
the sturdy lumbermen Of the Penobscot,
and on the 9Th of Feb. 1889, Capt. Slower
Rines with his famous company of Racke-
reebos. started from Bangor on their march
TO "the 'front.'" Sheriff Strickland snd Land
Agent Mcintyre accompanying them. Ma
sardis WAS reached on the sth. and. pushing
on they caught the trespasses mapping and
made some captures.
Their success probably made them reck
less, for the trespsssers rallied and, Selling
the Land Agent when off his guard, placed
him on an ox-sled and hauled him down to
Woodstock. His parting words when cap
tured, are thus given by poet Of the period ::
kun, Strickland run, Fire, Slower. ire
Were the last words Of Mcintyre"
This order, if we remember Alright,
Strickland obeyed, but Slower diint. At
any rate the sheriff withdrew his forces TO
Mssardis, threw up Notifications, and him.
self made hasty overland trip to Auqus-
Ia, where he arrived out of breath and re-
ported ''every thing los, but honor" This
vas the beginning of the famous "Aroos-
took war" which, though fortunately
closed by pescetui measures, threatened
at one time to involve the two nations in a
fierce and bloody contest. Immediately
upon the arrival of Sheriff Strickland in
Augusta fresh troops were despatched to the
seat Of war Gov. Harvey of New Bruins
wick ordered out a thousan militia and
sent demand to Gov. Fairfield for the
witadrSwsl of the Maine troops, As he wa.
authorized by the British Government to
hold the territory BY military force and pro
posed To do 50. This demand was received
in Maine With great indignation and the ex-
element became intense. The legislature
Appropriated $500. 900 to protect the public
lands and ordered draf, Of 10000 militia
for immediate service. The streets of Au
gusta n sounded with the tread of marshallesi
host and IN weeks time the whole force
10000 men were on the march for Aroos-
took. The National Government nov
thought it high time to take hand and
Gen. Scott was sent to Maine and took up
his headquarters with his staff at the Au-
gusta House On the 5,h Of March, 1899. He
had $4,000 troops at his disposal. but prefer
red to make peace IL possible. After much
correspondence with the two beiiizerent
Governors he induced them both to with.
draw their troops, exchange prisoners and
await the peaceful settlement Of the matter
BY the two governments. This was &C.
cordingiy done and the cruel war was over
The British Lion vas all the more willing
to come to terms from the fact tina, the
American Eagle had shown his claws.
During the same month of March, 1889,
the county Of Aro0stook vas formed from
the northern portions Of Penotscot ana
Washington counties, and including the
territory In dispute. The county vas en-.
larSed in ls4s BY additions from Penobscot,