The Portland daily press., 1892-08-16
Aristecratic Bangor Burglars Take
Solid Silver.
AN UHUTTERABLE ROCKLAND
SCAMP CIRCUMVENTED.
Various Other Events That Occurred in
Maine Yesterday-Boy Drowned at
Biddeford-Yachts at Boothbay-A
Famous Bridge Case Settled.

Biddeford-Yachts at Boothbay-A
Famous Bridge Case Settled.
Especial to the Press.1
BANGOR, August 15.-The citizens of
Oldtown feel, like having iollifcation
irrespective of parties over decision
rendered by the lawyers in the case that
has been brewing for years against the,
Oldtown Bridge Company. The story
of the bridge and the case is long and
interesting one and has attracted atten-
ton all over the state. The bridge, or
bridges, as it consists of two parts, was
built in 1882 and opened to the public.
The company controlling it had charter
from the state giving them the right to
collect toll for forty years. This they
commenced doing and have continued to
the present day. In 1S46, during heavy
freshet, the superstructures were carried
away. The same year a new bridge
company was formed and presented a
petition to the legislature for a charter
allowing them to construct a bridge
across Oldtown falls about half mile
above the present bridge.
The petition of the new company was
heard before the Legislative body, but be-
fore granting the right they gave the old
company the privilege of bnilding on the
site at the falls. If they did SO the char
ter of the new company should be mop
erative AS further inducement the leg
islature offered the old company a per-
petual charter and the right always to
collect toll. The matter rested there,
l,,+ +I,o ol1 oo,,poru did NOT hJ1i16 tho
new bridge where it was desired, but
simply replaced the structure which was
swept away by the freshet. This did not
make the citizens feel pleasant, as they
they had not gained what they desired,
and were no better off than ever. But
they continued to pay toll and keep still
as far as pressing the matter in the
courts. From time to time, however,
some one would bring up the question
about the legality of the company collect
ing toll after the expiration of the forty
years. The matter was brought to a head
in 1888 when Jordan d Stewart refused
to pay bill of toll amounting to be-
tween $4O0 and $500, claiming that the
company had no right to collect toll. The
case was carried to the Supreme Court
and argued before the jury, but the judge
decided that it was not case to be set
tied in that manner. Messrs. Jordan u
Stewart did not wish to give up the case
and therefore gave it to J. f. Gould of
Oldtown who engaged Hon. O. D. Baker
of Augusta to assist him, and they car
ried it to the law court, the suit being
brought in the name of the State of
Maine VS.. Oldtown Bridge Company. 1t
was argued at Portland year ago. The
Bridge Company claimed that they had
right to collect the toll, claiming that
the part they replaced was on Oldtown
Falls. and that, therefore, they had Sc
cured themselves the rights given them
by the legislature.
Messrs. Gould and Baker argued that
the bridge was not rebuilt on the falls,
and that. the company had no right to
collect tolls in 1872, when the charter
expired. 1t has been decided against the
bridge company. The substance of the
decision is as follows: That the points
claimed by Messrs. Gould and Baker are
just, and that the right of the company
to take toll ceased in 1872, the bridge not
being built on Oldtown Falls. The court
has declared the forfeiture of the COM
pany's franchise and have decreed judg-
ment of custer; and from now the bridge
will be free. The liability of other suits
following is great on account of this de-
cision, as people have been paying toll
for twenty years longer than they should,
which means considerable money for
some firms who have paid from $500 to
$400 year, as Oldtown people say.