davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09
AUGUSTUS EARLY DAYS.
The Building Of Fort Western and the Gene
sis Of the City We Love.
First Known Cushnoc Next Fort Western Then Halowe.
Then Harrington, and at Last Augusta

First, unbroken, primeval forest,
stretching back from the rugged shores
of a beautiful river that flows un-
fettered to the sea. No echo of human
industry to break the silence of the
savage region. Only the red man and
his wild beast companions wandering
in undisputed possession through the
pathless forest depths. Then a rude
wigwam village on a little fertile pla-
teau where the fires burn a niche in
the forest. close by the river rapids
that mark the head of the tide. Next
the English trader. greedy for gain,
exchanging glittering beads and tin
sci trappings, pleasing to the eye of
the simple child of nature, for rich
cargoes of skins and furs; and the gen.
tie Jesuit missionary bearing the mes
sages of natures God to those whose
gods have been self and nature. Then
again long years of desolation and
drearness; no priest, no trader; only
the vengeful savage in hideOuS array
of war, stealing Stealthily along the
river highway for who's" control ma
tions across the sea are contending.
Then the coming of the white man.
this time bearing the ak as well as the
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

posed by the lower village. the petl-
tion. however, prevailed with the Mas
sachusetts Legislature, and on February
20 1891. the Middle and North parishes OF
Hallowell were incorporated into
town by the name Of Harrington, the
present city of Augusta. On June y,
1897. by act of the Legislature, on PEE
tition of the inhabitants, the name OF
the new town was changed to Augusta
Augusta embraced about two-thrds
the limits of old HallOwell, and over
one-half the population and valuation
A wear later the population was LAO.
Both towns were benefited by the divi-
sion. Augusta, no longer embarrassed
by Hook opposition, began at once
MANY local improvements. It's devel-
opment, however, was slower ana
along different lines than that of Hal
lowell, which by virtue of it's location
became after a few decades the COM
mercial metropolis Of the river.
The name Harrington had been given
the new town, at the suggestion OF
Amos Stoddard, the representative TO
the LEGISLATURE, in honor of Lord Har-
rington, an English patriot and an
honored minister of George II. Just
why this name was so quickly dropped
and Augusta selected in its place is
not clearly shown by the historian. 1t
is certain that the name Harrington
was not acceptable to the citizens and
they at once petitioned the Legisla-
ture, without giving any reasons. to
have the name changed to Augusta.
Tradition says that inasmuch as mi
gratory fish were then common for
food and commerce at the old Cushnoc
rapids here, the wits of disgruntled
Hallowell graphically corrupted the
name of Harrington to Herring-town,
which somewhat spoiled it for senti-
mental local use and injured the feel
ings of the citizens. 1t is probable.
though not certain. that the name Au-
gusta was taken from the lost town
at Small Point which the Pejepscot
Company had established about 1716.
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

ever, was permanent and pervasive in
It's results. Their ownership of the
soil became the foundation of the land
titles of today.
"A long period of Indian warfare now
came over all New England. This de-
stroyed most of the Maine settlements
and delayed the march of civilization
up the kennebec for three quarters of
a century. In 1749 some heirs of the
four purchasers of the kennebec pat
ent in 1861 appeared and claimed the
kennebec valley as their property.
This claim was confirmed, and they
took possession of their heritage under
the name of the Plymouth Company.
The company offered the region to set
tiers, and small tide of emigration
from Massachusetts at once set this
way.
In 1854 Governor Shirley. with 500 SOL
diers, came to the Kennebec and as
sisted the company in building Fort
Halifax at Winslow and Fort Western
on the site of the long forgotten trad
ing post at CushnOc. Fort Shirley at
Dresden. was already built and
manned. and these three forts were
established as chain of defenses for
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09
this time the settlement was destined
to be a permanent one

this time the settlement was destined
to be a permanent one.
Captain James Howard, with 20 men
and four cannon. was left in command
of Fort Western. The fort stood alone:
there We're no settlers near it. Hostile
Indians were all around. but the war
fare was never active and the bristling
fort never had to repel besiegers. At
length the long and cruel French and
Indian war was over and there was no
longer need of border forts. Fort
Western, like the others, was dis
mantled in 1860 and it's soldiers sent
away. Captain James Howard, how
ever, it's first and only commander, re-
mained as it's keeper, and thereby be-
came the first permanent settler of Au-
gusta. He utilized the main building
of the fort as the dwelling Of himself
and family. and later used part of it
as a store. The now useless palisades
were torn down. and the small build
ings of the fort followed them, though
one of the block houses was spared un-
til about 1884. and is still remembered
by few aged persons.
Captain James Howard may prop
erly be called the forefather of Angus
ta. He took up three lots of land for
himself and sons. and in 1867 bought
the fort lot of 900 acres and became
the private owner of the fort itself.
Later he owned much more land. He
opened a domestic store for the con-
venience of the few settlers that now
came under the liberal policy of the
company. and opened up trade with
the outside world. receiving goods for
the local trade and sending off the
products of the region In his own ves-
sci His two sons, Samuel and Will
iam at once entered into partnership
with him in the trading business.
He built a saw mill on the little
stream now known as Riggs brook,
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

transmitted. Its cost was about $780,
900, and it was opened for business
January 1, 1890. The second story is de-
voted to the use of the national PEN
sion department for Maine, General Sell
den Connor, pension agent. There are
10 clerks in the pension agency. The
postoffice employees so clerks. all un-
der civil service rules. The present
postmaster is Thomas j. Lynch, Esq.
Augustus first postoffice was kept in
the back room of little wooden store
and dwelling house on the site OF
Meonian hall, by James Burton who
was appointed postmaster August II.
1894. He held the Office for .y0rs,
and in 1906 was f0llowed by Sam)ol
Titcomb, grandfather Of 15dell Tit
comb, Esq. Since, then the 10Stmasters
in order have been Nathan Weston.
1910. John Kimball. 1919; Robert. c.
Ypse, 1874; Joseph Ehandler, 1880; VIII
EaIn tsll.ar1
kins, 1871: Daniel G. Weston, 1873:
=Asaph X. Nichols, 1874; Joseph Bur
ton, son of the first postmaster. 1S4S;
William s. Badger, 1855; James A. Bick-
nell, 1861; Horace H. Hamlen, 1870;
Joseph II. Manley. 1881: Samuel B.
Fowler, 1;S5; Joseph H. Manley. 1889;
Walter D. Stinsop. 1892; Thomas j.
Lynch, 1894.
For 20 years before the present build
ing was erected the postofiice occupied
the first floor of the Granite National
bank building. When the great. fire
occurred in 1865 the postoffice. then in
North's block, was burned out, and for
some time thereafter was located In
the counting room of the Kennebec
Journal.
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

lily, the village consisted or seven log
houses, all on the east side. the homes
of about 30 persons. Many more lots
We're taken, however, and two years
later ten more were occupied, while the
grim old forest was fast retreating
before the settlers ak. In 1861 the
whole region had been surveyed, and
for the first time divided into sections
and lots. Many of the bounds then
established are perpetuated today in
division fences and in town lines and
highways.
The name Cushnoc was no longer
used, and the settlement was known
as Fort Western. In III came the
most important event in early local
history, the incorporation of Fort
Western as a town by the name of
Hallowell. The act of Incorporation
was passed April g. 1771, and under
the warrant of Captain Howard the
first town meeting was held at the
fort, May %. The town included the
present territory of Augusta, HallOw-
ell. Chelsea, and most of Manchester
and Farmingdale, 65,715 acres in all.
and it was given the name of Hallowell
III holOA VI benjamin liAhO"Cib d A1oo-
ton merchant who was a member Of
the Plymouth Company and owned a
large tract in what is now the south
erly part of the city of HallOwell.
There were about 30 voters at the first
town meeting, but the exact population
at that time cannot be known.
Most of the settlers were grouped
around the fort, and this was the only
place of business. There were no
roads except the old military road
built by Governor Shirley to Fort Hall
fax. The present Site Of Water street
was an unbroken forest. though there
was mill on what is now called
Bond brook, which soon stimulated
greatly the settlement on this side of
the river. The first child born among
the settlers was Elias Taylor. February
II, 1862.
Two miles below the fort, on the west
side of the river, a little settlement
was growing up. having been begun by
fease Clark and his sons in 1862. AT
the time of Incorporation this was but
a small and loyal suburb ofthe parent
Village around the old fort. II became
known as the Hook" village, cor
ruption of it's old Indian name Kedum-
cook or BumbahoOk, while the upper
village became distinctly known as the
Fort. 1t was not long before rival
ry spranS up between these two pai Is
of the new town of Hallowell. which
was manifest in the town meetings. In
the management of town affairs
and the election of town officers their
interests often clashed. and jealousy
and bitterness resulted that injured
both villages. AS time went on the viii
lagos We're of nearly equal size, though
the Fort retained its lead and cap
tured most of ths- -public honors-~Onl
once was the town meeting ever held
at the Hook.
For quarter of a century Hallowell
struggled on in the wilderness. gaining
gradually in population and prosperity
in spite of the depression of the long
war for liberty and the bad influence
of it's internal strife. The location OF
the kennebec bridge at the Fort in
stead of at the Hook was the climax
of the troubles between the two villages.
and it was evident there was no
relief save in a division of the town.
The movement for division came from
the Fort and consequently was op-
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

were all of solid plank, and Governor
shirley declared the fort to be
'.strong defensible magazine" The
ACCOMMODATING cut shows exactly the
annearance of Fort Western in 1854.
When the fort was completed the
little army and the workmen returned
to Boston, and the Plymouth company
was in fortified possession OF the an
cient patent. The raising OF Fort
Western was the second colonial occu-
nation of Cushnoc. The fort stood on
the ruins of the old trading house. and
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

about a mile north of the fort. Near
by he built stately frame dwelling in
1910, which was for many years the
manor house of the hamlet. 1t was
burned in 1866. He became the magis-
trate of the settlement, and in this
capacity, perhaps, his best remem-
bered act was the solemnization in
1863 of the marriage of his daughter.
Margaret, to Captain Samuel Patterson.
This was the first wedding at Fort
Western. Captain Howard was for
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

the scattered English settlers and to
hold the region against the French and
Indians. The forts were built by the
Plymouth Company, not by the gov
ernment Fort Western was designed
as an auxiliary to Fort Halifax, the
remote outpost, and for the storage Of
supplies destined for the upper gar
rison. Its location at the head Of nav
igation and it's commanding position
on the river made, it Of much impor-
tance.
In building Fort Western the land
company lodged it's employees at Fort
Shirley, and prepared the timber from
the adjacent Forest protected from the
Indians by the fort cannon and the
muskets of the province soldiers. Then
the timbers were launched into the
river and towed in RATS up to Cushnoc.
where they were given their allotted
places in the walls and sentry towers
of Fort Westerhs This was late in the
summer of 1754.- The main building Of
the fort. whk3f.is still standing in
good state of preservation and in use
as a tenement house, is familiar to al
Ausustans. 1t is 100 feet long, 81 wide
and IS high, and is built of timber
making solid walls IL inches thick.
There were also two block houses, con-
structed of heavy timber 20 feet square
with projecting upper stories, and SEN
try boxes on top. These were built 10
the southwest and the northeast OF the
main building. There We're two other
buildings, small sentry boxes IL feet
square, and palisade connecting
these four buildings enclosed the main
building and a parade ground l6Ox6z
feet outside this palisade and ~ feet
from it, was, on three sides. another
nalisade. On the fourth side was the
river bank, about 30 feet from the in
nor nalisade. The door and windows
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

musket; the building of fort with
bristling palisades and froWning can
non to awe the few remaining forest
wanderers and shield the settlers.
Then the calm of peace and the growth
of log huts around the dismantled fort;
the ring of the AK in the great forest,
and the hum of life in the home of the
hardy pioneer. Then, as the years fly
by, the growth of the settlement to a
village and Il town; streets and houses
ON the hillsides in place of the retreat
ing forest; the river spanned by
bridges and harnessed to turn the
wheels of industry. Then, at last, the
town a beautiful city, the center of a
populous and prosperous region; state
ly plies OF stone and brick forming
great public institutions and the seats
of business; shaded streets bordered
by the happy homes of thousands, and
above the trees the tapering spires
of many churches
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

many years not only the most infiuen-
tial man in the settlement but the most
prominent in this region. He was an
ardent patriot during the Revolution.
and as magistrate was member OF
the court that tried the Tories. He
was regarded as the father and bene-
factor of the town, and he and his
sons had the confidence of ALL When
the town of Hallowell was incorpo-
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

The story of the early days Of Angus
la must be full of interest to all The
sons and daughters of the city. There
is much of the romantic in it, and II
begins farther back than most ale
aware. over two centuries and hall
ago it was a trading post bearing the
old Indian name of CushnOc. A CEN
tury later it was Fort Western an Ou,-
post of civilization. Then it became
Hallowell, struggling town in the
Wilderness. Just a century ago last
February it became a town by the
name of Harrington, and on June .,
1897, its name was changed to Augusta.
In lS49 Augusta became a city.
Augusta had it's beginning on the
plateau, now centrally occupied by the
remains of old Fort Western, at the
eastern end of the bridge. Here a Cen
tury and quarter before Fort West
ern was built, enterprising traders
from the newly established Plymouth
colony built trading house for tiaf-
tic with the Indians. 1t was an ancient
fishing place known as Cushnoc, and
here the red men had long had vii
lage. On account of the rapids abov-
IL w DIS the llcdu VI udNlSdllOll Ilu lllt
Pilgrim fathers found it a most advan
tageous place for the establishment of
trading post From 1923 to 1860 they
came here for a time every year and
enjoyed good profit from their
shreWd barter with the natives, who
thronged here from all the neighbOring
region. These traders, let it be re-
membered We're the illustrious men
founded the Plymouth colony, and
among those who came to Cushnoc on
these trading trips We're Edward Wins
low, Governor Bradford, John Alden,
Miles Standish, John Rowland and
others. Thus the Pilgrim fathers We're
remotely the pioneers of Augusta, ana
the vicinity of the old fort, and OF
Bowman and Williams streets were
trod many times by the same feet that
consecrated Plymouth Rock. No spot
on the river is more interesting IN It's
historical associations than the site Oh
the ancient Cushnoc trading house.
For a time the trade hOurisheo'
then it languished and grew proftless,
and in 1861 the colony sold the kenne-
bee patent to four men. They tried 10
revive the trade, but failed in a few
years and left the river forever, and
Cushnoc was again in the undisturbeo
possession Of the impoverished rec
men. The work Of these traders, how
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

Picturesque Augusta. crowning the
hills that rise from the river. lies In
beautiful region, and in all directions
radiate roads that are the delight OF
persons walking, driving or wheeling.
whether you go out to lovely Ham
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

The growth of the settlement was
not rapid, though the company was
liberal in it's policy to settlers. In 1852.
eight years after the fort was built and
two years after it had been left to the
keeping of Captain Howard and fam
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

rated in 1771 he was one Of the first Sc
lectmen. and was the town treasurer
for nine years. After 33 years resi-
dence here Captain Howard died May
A. 17S7 at the age OF Sb years.
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

One Of the prettiest spots nsAugusta
is the little triangular park Wounded
by Grove, State and Chandler streets,
with it's border of stately elms, its
fountain and its imposing monument to
the memory of the heroic sons of Au-
sRusta who gave their lives for the Un-
ion This monument was erected In
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

mond's. or over to Togus. or up the
river road. or along the Bond Ukook
road, or out into the country In any
direction, you find yourself among the
richest scenic beauties Of New Eng
land. 80
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

business that has made Augusta rank
so near the top among the cities of the
country in the amount of mail matter
Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-06-09

Paul Revere, the rider bold. once tar
ried in Augusta, though the circum-
stances of his visit were not such as to
add many laurels to his brow. He was
a member of the ill-fated Castine expe-
dition of 1779. which fled back through
the Maine wilderness. and stopped AT
Fort Western few days Tor food ana
rest.
Among the worlds distinguished men
who have honored Augusta by their
presence and been the guests OF Its
neonle may be mentioned the Bour-
bons, Louis Philippe and Talieyrano:
who were travelling In America In l791
and stopped for day at the house OF
Joseph North, on the present site OF
Granite bank.
The Monte Vista journal., 1897-05-29
:. x.s.l.,. vlv,ssetssa.

Congress is asked to set an example
for the states In the regulation OF vivi-
section and other surgical experiments,
and one Of the Senate committees ~
ported a bill which was prepared BY
the Humane Society. 1t provides that
anesthetIcs shall be used In all sur.
gical experiments upon living animaiA
so-called incubation experiments, how
ever. being exempt. 1t requires all sur
geons and other persons who desire TO
make experiments to obtain licenses
therefor. which are not granted untii
the board Of health Is satisfied OF the
integrity and ability Of the applicant.
vivisection In public. with the excep'
ton Of medical and surgical s6hoolA
In prohibited. and no spectators can be
allowed except those who are studying
medicine and surgery. All experiments
In vivisection are to be under the su.
pervision of the board Of health, which
has the power to interrupt or prohibit
any practices that are inhumane and
prosecute and punish those who COM
nit them. The board Of health has the
power to appoint inspectors. who have
the right to appear nt any time at clin-
les and other surgical exhibitions.
The Monte Vista journal., 1897-05-29
D,neren. Name. For Waves.

They have curiously different names
for waves about the coast of Great
Britain. The Peterhead folk call the
large breakers that fall with a crash
on the beach by the grim name Of
"Norrawa (Norway carpenters" On
the low Lincolnshire coast. as on the
southwestern Atlantic fronting shore
OF these islands. the grandly long. un-
broken waves are known as "rollers." :"
Among East Anglians heavy surf,
tumbling In with an off-shore wind or
In a calm, is called by the expressive
name Of 'slog." while well,marked
swell, rolling In independently of any
blowing, is called "home." There is
no wind" n Suffolk fisherman will say,
"but nasty home on the beach," Suf.
folk men also speal; of theN"bark" OF
The surf. and sea covered with foam
Is spoken Of rs Feather white" The
foam Itself is known as spoon drift"
So In the vernacular we have 1t: "The
sea was all Il feather white with spoop
drlft."-New York Marine Journal.
The Monte Vista journal., 1897-05-29
Foreign Notes.

There are nearly 1000 building socie-
ties In the united Kingdom. with an az
gregate membership Of nearly 100000.
An absolutely freproof chimney, fif-
ty feet high. has been built OF paper In
Breslau. 1t is'she only one Of the kind.
Two new telephone cables, each with
two circuits, are to be laid across the
English channel at once. This will
make practically six lines for the Lon
don-Paris service.
A large syndicate has been formed In
London to buy up all the poultry COM
ing into tho market. In anticipation Of
an enormous demand during Jubilee
week. The birds are being kept in cold
storage.
In Belgium q railway carriage has
been fitted up rs a hospital. 1t con-
tains twenty-four beds with wire
springs. and complete outfit Of medi-
cal and surgical appliances.
Aluminium helmets have not proved
entirely successful In the German
army. the saving in weight being more
than Offset by the metals storing heat.
even to blIstering the foreheads Of the
Welrers.
The Monte Vista journal., 1897-05-29
UllIr,,.. M.,nr Mrmn.ra

Gilieu. Col. May 2:-Ai las this
morning. after mn all.nlIht session. the
Town Council voted . 10 I. To remove
q. w. Keith from the Office ~ mayor.
I'll" charges leading 10 Mr.. Kciih-
removal were filri Wit, the city clerk
several days ngo. but were allowed Ia
rrunin unconsIi.rrd ,intii after the
result of the contest for his sent. which
wns pending In III" County Court. Ind
been decided. The contest was dcci,i,
cd In favor Of Mr.. Keith ins, Tuesday
mud tonight he presided for the nr-,
time ns n fuii.dcdgcd mayor only Ia
he voted out of Office.
The nction Of the council tonight
hn- caused considerable excitement.
although not wholly unexpected. The
council viii meet tonight IA elect n
mayor 10 MI the vacancy. md II is pre-.
stineti TINT Jnmcr parfe'. who contest.
rd Mr.. kcith's election. win ,g MP
pointed.
The Monte Vista journal., 1897-05-29
TWO KILLED AND ONE INJURED.
'Hrsy R"turning To k-rscy From the
Sre"s at Greeley struck by = Gulf
Train,

Greeley. Colo. May 22.-A serious
Incident occurred two iiiles west OF
h"rs"y tonight. 10y which two persons
lost their lives and one other was Sc.
rionsly injured. III. dead are HE
warren and Mrs. HE Warren. and
'he injured James Warren. They Were
all residents Of Kcrscy. which Is on
the Julcshurg branch OF the Union Pa
citc \ Gulf road, ten miles east of La
Sale.
The party had been To Greeley In
attendance NJ RingIing Bros. for the
evening performance. When crossing
the Gulf track their wagon was struck
by an extra. II is claimed that War.
fch WIS attempting 10 cross ahead OF
The train. which was approaching rap
ldly' ana the train men assert the ne.
ciden' was due io Warrens own care.
lcssn,ss.
Warren was instantly killed. hut
Mrs. Warren lived for two hours after
III. accident. suffering intensely from
til" injuries she received.
James Warren was removed TO the
hospital In this city. where It was
found u" Ind four ribs broken and was
Injured Internally otherwise. besides
lclnc badly bruised. II is not thought
ont his Injuries viii prove fatal.