The Portland daily press., 1895-11-01
AN INTERESTING RELIC.
a Wait From the Sea Now Decorating a
Show Window.

Some time ago Burgess, Fobes & Co.,
the prominent paint ana oil dealers Of
this city, made arrangements with Hon.
William Widgery Thomas, for large,
handsome show window in their Com
mercial street store. The window was
put in and has been very tastefully
decorated with the goods of the firm.
The main feature of the decoration, how
ever, is relic to which no little interest
| attaches.
Way back in the late thirties, or early
forties, when Captain Waldron COM
manded the revenue cutter sailing out of
this port, when off the banks one day,
driven out of his course by a gale, the
lookout sighted an object bobbing about
on the ocean in the midst OF lot of
wreckage. A boat was lowered and the
object picked up 1t proved to be tho
figure head of a vessel that had evidently
succumbed to the storm and foundered at
sea. Not single trace could be found
of anything that would give clue to the
vessels name or her hailing port
| The figure head was that of a man of
middle age, black hair and eyes, straight
nose, smoothly shaven face, and of quite
dignifed and impressive features. The
bust was. attired in black coat of the
period, high stock and frilled shirt. The
| figure head was brought to Portland and
presented to Mr. Charles Fobes, now
deceased, by Captain Waldron.
At that time Mr.. Charles Fobes kept
paint and oil store in the large block on
| Fore street, where the new armory is = in
process of conjunction. The occupants of
the stores were Daddy How, who Kept
little candy shop in the easterly store;
Fatty Gore. soRcalled, because he was
very, large man. had provision store
in the next; then [came Edward Smith
who also kept a provision store; then
Charles Fobes paint and oils; next
Charles Smith, groceries; Bradbury
Dearborn, meats; J. D. Moore & Son.
hardware; and at the western end Moses
Plummer, boots and shoes. This was in
1S43, and this old figure head was placed
in the window of Mr.. Fobes's store as it
now occupies the like position in that of
his son.
There is good story told in connection
with the shoe store. Some one says that
Henry Body was connected with the
store and others that he kept store on
Middle street. However, the story goes
that Mr.. Body made trip to Boston as
was customary in those days, kby sailing
| vessel, swhere he made purchase of some
very attractive shoes and slippers for
ladies. and of high cost. After his return
to Portland he placed them in the
window of the store where they were
much admired. One day the wife of a
well known citizen entered the store and
asked Mr.. Body to show her the shoes.
She tried on a pair, found she had
secured good fit, and then asked the
price. Mr.. Body told her, when she said
the price was too high. She could get
plenty of shoes in town like them, for less
money Mr.. Body was a very blunt
man, and a very strict business man. He
told the lady she could rot get such shoes
in Portland. They had just come from
Boston. During the arguing the lady
had moved towards the door. Mr. Body
followed. AS they reached the door the
lady departing reiterated her state ment.
MADAME" said Body. look ing her
square in the face, 'tyou lie aud you
know itr' The woman went off, but
later returned and bought the shoes,
paying Mr.. Boody's price without a
murmur.