Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-21
STATE HOUSE.
Figures on Bounties Paid by
the State Since 1868.
Bears, Wolves, Seals, etc., Cost State
in That Time, $66,l85
Interesting Relics From the Attic oil the Capt.
tol-New Corporation.

5. department of agriculture, at Wash
ington, the State treasurer is making VI
q list showing the amounts paid by the
State in bounties on animals.
This department is making up report
of the amounts paid by each of the states,
and the results of the destruction of in
furious animals and birds.
Until comparatively recently the boun
have been included in rolls of accounts.
Going as far back as 1863 up to date, in
! Guiding, bears wolves, seals, and what
crows there were, 500, 1855, 356 has been
paid out.
In the animal line bears have been
those sought for, and it is this beast
which can take upon himself the satisfac-
ton OF knowing that he has been the
source of no end of trouble. and consider
able expense to the State in times past,
and present.
1t is interesting to note some of the
the amount paid out in 1868, as far back
As any figures can be found on this sub
ieet, was $l02. Is. The next year $3.50
was paid. After this until 1874, Il steady
increase year by year, is noticed, until
1873, when, most xplainably, the sum
paid dropped to Sl45, from SlS25. 1t has
been suggested that that year must have
been a bad one for blueberries, and the
animals We're scarce in consequence. In
1876 there was paid $685.; in 1877, $1,000
The figures since then have showed
much variance, which is not to be won
dered at as this animal like most others,
are apt to change their location from vari-
Gus causes
The crow bounty laws were in effect
only in 1890 and 1891. During these years
*5,o70.f5 was paid out. The law soon
was killed, as the results did not seem to
warrant the expense, and it was thought
hest to let each farmer do his own hunt
ing. 1t is interesting to note that in
these years the amount paid on the ami
mails, was only 1895, over $1,000 less than
for Crows
The first year that a bounty was put on
seals, in 1892, sil was paid out, the next
year showing little increase. With a raise
in the bounty from $50 seal to Sl.0O,
business took a jump and these animals
became worth the powder.
The figures prepared by the State treas
urer on this subject win be of great as
sistance to the department and furnish an
interesting study.
Among the interesting old relics which
have been found in the attic of the State
to the Speakers desk at the time of the
old bank robbery in 1919, and behind
which the money was hidden.
1t will be RECALLED how on Jan. / Of that
year, the late George W. Allen, cashier Of
the Augusta bank, found, on unlocking
the vaults, that a robbery had been com
mitted, some $50, 900 having been made
away with.
When, later, confessions were made by
the robber, at midnight a party was led
to Representatives hall, where the young
man showed where the money was hidden.
He had crawled in and there concealed
the stuff.
The old drawer, historic In being con-
nected with one of the most unique and
skillful robberies known, was recently
thrown out of the old attic window, and
will soon be used as kindling wood. 1t
was too bulky for any use.
Hon. John W. Chase, president of the
Granite Savings Bank, can recall the day
when the late Ruel Williams, then presi-
dent of the bank, was told of the recovery
of the money. Mr.. Chase was then an
Office boy in the bank which was robbed.
Among the other relics still left is part
Of the great chandelier which formerly
hung in the rotunda, and the fountain
which stood near it. There are also the
remains of an old stone fireplace which
did duty before hot air furnaces, steam
heaters and other modern appliances were
in use.
Hon Llewellyn Powers of Houlton, was
a visitor at the State House, Friday. He
went to Bangor in the afternoon.
The following new corr Grafton filed its
papers at the secretary OF States office.
Friday:
The T.. d. Somers Co., organized at
Portland, for the purpose of doing bust
ness in dry goods, groceries, country
products, boots and shoes, clothing,
Yankee notions, hardware, etc, with
SO, 900 capital stock, of which $500 is
paid in. The officers are President,
George G. Cary of st. Johnsburv, VT ;
treasurer, +. d. Somers of South
Peacham, Vt.