Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1897-10-08
NEAL DOW DEAD.
A Long, Honorable and Active
Career.
The Father Of PrOhibitiOn-Of Line
ofNonogenarians.
The Fnthcr or Prohihition-Or zinc

PORTLAND, Ne. Oct. j--G'n. Neal Dow.
Maine grand old man, the apostle of tenn
perance and father of the Maine prOhluitury
law, is dead. in his 94.h year. He was run-
sciUus most Oi the time Till within an huJr yf
his death. though his voice had failed him.
and only 10y his facial expression could he
show signs Of recognition Of those who were
at his bedside. His son. Col. +. \. Dow, and
two daughters, Mrs. Emma NJ. Could and
Miss COrneiia NJ. Dow, were in constant Al
tendance upon him in his last Illness. Prior
to September 25. Gen. Dow had Teen
about the house daily. On the
morning Of that day he tainted white
attempting 10 dress, and from that moment
his family realized tlEtt the end was near.
He. too. fully realized it. though he thar dav
expressed the belief that he had sufficient
strength left to enable him To- take one more
ride about town, in order that he might -
the new church Just dedicated. A few DAYS
later he remarked to his family ION, am
SO tired, 50 weary long to be free. On
the night before his death he said to the
nurse This i the end. and il is all right.
He made several suggestions to the
family in reference to the funeral ar
rangemcntS. and told them whom
he wanted to conduct the services.
Throughout his illness he was chara'-
teri,tiraliy solicitOus for the comfort of those
about him. His death Is equivalent to the
removal Of "A Portland landmark Tor he had
been closely and prominently identified with
the city's interests longer than any other
citizen whose name is written in the pages
Of local history. 1t i, doubtful il any other
man not in puhlic life had a wider a'quaint-
anre than he. On the occasion Of his 9Oth
birthday he received messages "f CON
graduation .from every country on the
globe with Il single eNcrptlDH seventy
two years ago he made his first public
Temperance" speech as II member Of an
engine company, in q successful effort to i'll
duce the organization 10 abandon the use Of
liquor ~ AN auxiliary to its anniversary
supper. NiNtN-rlght years later he delivered
a powerful t"mperan"" addree. TO large
outdoor gathering of his fellow citizens
who had assembled 10 listen to his reply To
an eminent Jurist VIII" had taken issue
against him ON certain points relating to the
question uf prohibition. His life between
those two dates was iilled with tireiess and
faithful effort to enhance the cause OF tenn
perance. Longevity has characterized the
family Of Neal Dow, especially on the pa
ternal side, for generations. Of eight
OF his male progentOrS III direct line.
but one failed 70 reach old age. His grand
father Jedediah Dow, died ut -, his father,
Josiah, at 70 aud an own cousin ut -.
Neal Dow was the second oldest child Of
native of SeabroOk. y. H.. and the latter
of West Falmouth, Me. lie was very active
in his youth, fond of athletics, and while in
his early twenties he WAS elected chief eng-
neer ef the local volunteer fire department.
His first temperance address carried
his point at the fire compauys ami
versary celebration. \ little later he
secured vote in the Mechanics as-o-
citation to dispense with wine at an
approaching festival. As a member ot
that association he also secured an abandon
ment of the ringing Of the town bell at II
and o clock, which had long served as Il
signal for mechanics to take their dram. He
took the initiative in the organization Of II
young mems total abstinence society. He
became al ardent supporter Of General
James Appleton. an early advocate Of liquor
prohibition. In 1888 Mr.. Dow appeared be-
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