Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-09
AUGUSTA DAM.
First Built in 1887, and Four
Times Swept Away.
A Monument to the Memory of
Editor Severance.
Story of the Structure that Has Meant So
Much to Augusta.

The building of the kennebec dam
marks an important era in the history
of Augusta, and the story of it's for
times makes up a very interesting chap
tor The industrial development Of the
CITY began with this structure, and the
perseverance shown in Surmounting
the obstacles to its building and in re-
nlacing it after the disasters of nu-
merous fleshets is characteristic of Au-
gusta energy and enterprise.
A century ago about where the dam
is now was long, low, gravelly island
known as CuShnoc island. 1t is re-
corded that as early as 1885 William
Howard. the son of Augustus first per-
manent settler, declared a dam could
easily be built across the river at this
pont. Occasionally in later years the
scheme of damming the kennebec was
mentioned, and in 1918 Ephraim Bal
lard the builder of the second and
third kennebec bridges, said that for
$4,000 he could build dam across the
river that would stand. 1t was almost
half a century however, after the sug-
gestton of William Howard that the
project took any definite form.
To the sagacity and public spirit of
Luther Severance. the first editor of
the kennebec Journal, is due the active
undertaking of the enterprise that re-
shifted in the kennebec dam. In the
issue of July so, 1925, he published a
long editorial explaining the impor-
lance of a dam and the ease with
which one could be built. He went at
length into the benefits that would re-
suit, elaborated upon the details of
construction and closed with the proph
ecy that dam would soon be
built and that the time was not far dis
tant when both banks of the river,
from the bridge to the island, would
be crowded with mills and manufactO-
rieS.
This set the people talking, and at
the next Legislature an unsuccessful
attempt was made to have a dam con-
structon company chartered. During
the years that followed Editor Sever
ance kept the matter before the public
and caused its discussion in business
circles and in the local debating clubs.
Gradually the movement gained
strength and the feeling for a dam
was very strong. Up the river there
was opposition. for fear of high water,
and down river there was opposition
for fear of low water, and in the Legis-
lature the discussion over granting a
charter occupied several days. At
length the bill passed both branches
and was approved, March 20, 1884. Lu-
Their Severance was chairman of the
meeting called to accept the charter
and organize.
The company was known as the Ken
nebec Dam Company, and the capital
stock was $4,000 Asa Redington, Jr.,
was chosen president, James l.. Child
secretary and treasurer, and Daniel
Williams, Allen Lambard, James
Bridge and Lot Myrick, directors.
After the organization and the sub
scription of part of the stock, no fur
Their action was taken during the year.
In 1885 some new men came forward,
took the stock and determined to carry
forward the undertaking. In a little
while the corporation consisted OF
Reuel Williams, president; Daniel Will
liams, secretary and treasurer, and
Edmund T. Bridge, James Bridge and
Horatio Bridge, directors. These men
retained a controlling interest in the
stock, and after overcoming many dis
couragements boldly undertook the
neverbefore- tried experiment of dam
ming the Kennebec.
Colonel William BOardman of Nashua,
N. H., was engaged as engineer, and
according to his plans work on the
dam itself was begun in the summer of
1896. Large quantities of logs, stone
and cement We're procured, small
army of men set at work, and season
of busy activity hitherto unexampled
in the town followed. Winter found
the work incomplete, and the high wa
ter prevented further progress until
another dry season. The partially built
dam survived the shocks of the winter
Ice and spring freShetS, and in June,
1881, the work was again pushed for
"ard. 1t was costing much more than
originally anticipated, but the proprl-
etors We're not discouraged, and to
snow their faith in the undertaking,