Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-21
CAPITOL GOSSIP.
The Activity Of Maine Men at
Washington.
Gallant Service ola WaterviIIe Hero
Officially Recognized.
President Dole Coming Gen. Richards Army
Reorganization Bill.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 20-(SpeciaD.-
Men of the third Congressional dis
trict, particularly from the counties OF
kennebec and Somerset, have had nc
small place in the events of the week
just closed at the National Capitol
The dispatches from the Pacific coast
announce that President Sanford 3.
Dole of Hawaii, will soon be on his
way to Washington to assist in the
passage of the bill to make Hawaii a
territory of the United States. But
what is of more interest, is the an
nouncement that Mr.. Harold Sewall OF
Bath, is contesting with Mr.. Dole To
become the first governor of the terri
tory. Mr.. Sewall, as most Maine peo-
pie know, went to Hawaii some
months ago as the minister of this
government but ceased to hold that
office when annexation was accom-
pished. Later he was made a special
agent of the treasury.
President Dole, now governor of
Hawaii, under appointment of Presi-
dent Mckinley, can in way be reck-
oned as a Somerset county man. His
father and mother, before they went to
years ago, resided at Skowhegan and
Mr. Dole taught Bloomfield Academy
II is not improbable that President
Dole, or Governor Dole speaking more
correctly now, will visit Somerset
county this winter. He will probably
have more time on his hands when he
comes to Washington again. than ne
had last winter. While Maine people
have long been prominent on the Pa
cific coast. George c. Perkins of Ken
nebunkport. La Fayette Grover of
Bethel. and John McGraw of Penob-
scot county, Maine men having served
as governors Of California, Oregon and
Washington states respectively, Ken
nebec and Somerset county men have
long dominated i'll the affairs of Ha-
wall. Luther Severance of Augusta.
and later John l.. Stevens, also of Au-
gusta, were both prominent United
States ministers to those islands. Now
it is rather noticeable that the son of
former Somerset county people, Presi-
dent Dole, should be fighting for the
governorship of the territory and H.
w. Severance. son of Luther Sever
ance of Augusta, in Kennebec county,
lucrative federal office in the islanus.
that of collector of customs at Homo
lulu.
Then another former Augusta man,
Frederick Leslie lockwood of Begota.
South America, has been here during
the past week. He is registered at the
Hamilton hotel, where Representative
Dingley and Maine people stop. For
ten years Mr.. lockwood was connect
ed with the revenue cutter service but
eleven years ago he severed his con-
nection with the government and
struck out for himself in South Amer
lea. He is probably the greatest South
American traveller in this country.
having visited nearly all of Central
America. Cuba, and about every Re-
public in South America. Mr. Rock
wood has prospered in that far off
country and speaks enthusiastically OF
the trade prospects. He will return
there at an early day. His mother and
married sister live at Fairfield Me,
the latter being Mrs. Frederick Bragg.
Hardly less notable than the events
just mentioned was the honor con-
ferred the past week upon Major F. w.
q
eran of the Third Maine Regiment.
Major Haskell is still here and has had
many congratulations on the receipt of
the medal. which was first told in
Maine through the Kennebec Journal.
General Hyde of Bath, Honorable Ar
thur Sewall of the same city. and Dr.
J. f. Hill of Augusta, all of whom have
been here during the past week, con-
graduated the major on his reward
long due him. Late in the week he re-
ceived AZ letter from General o. o.
Howard, formerly of Leeds, Me-, and
now retired from active army service,
expressing satisfaction at the bestowal
of the medal.
The correspondence in connection
with the medal is very interesting and
is given here in full. The first letter,
of which Major Haskell has knowl-
edge, in connection with the medal was
written by General Howard 1t reads
as follows:
! Broadway N. Y,
October 81, 1898
Adjutant General of the Army. Wash
ington, D. c.
Dear General Corbin: A friend has
Informed me that Major F. w. Has
kelfs conduct. at the battle of Fair
Oaks. at which l was so desperately
engaged. has been brought before the
Department. He was at the time a
sergeant in my regiment Cthe Sd Name
Volunteersl. On that occasion he did
what might have been considered the
duty of a commissioned officer. He
sprans To The front and led three com
panies of his regiment, cheeting them
on, crossing Il small stream. and as
cending the other bank, thus keeping
the companies abreast of the Fortfeth
New York. 1t was under a whitening
fire and as gallant an act as any man, 4
commissioned or noncommissiohed Off
GER or private performed in the war
In my judgment Haskells conduct SO
brave, SO gallant and SO much beyond
what duty demanded. entities him TO
the medal of honor given by the gov
eminent for heroic deeds.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant.
ss45 81 %. O. Howard,
Major General U. s. Army retired).
The first official notice that Major
Haskell had of the award Of the medal
came in the following letter:
War Department, Washington,