Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-30

IRE IN 1860.
Mr.. Nichols was succeeded in 1s49 bv
Joseph Barton, a son of the first noet-
master. He had been bank cashier
and deputy secretary of State. and i'm
later years was register of probate IN
I'll MS death which occurred by acct
dent in 1872. During his administra-
ton the Portland & Kennebec Rail-
road entered Augusta, and made
various connections by which the mail
transportation by railway became
common.
In 1853 President Pierce appointed
William $. Badger postmaster Of Au-
gusta. Mr.. Badger came to Augusta
IN lSf5 and engaged in the dry goods
business in company with johnson
huht. lie afterwards carried on a
milling business at the dam. After
reilnquishing the postoffice he bought
nan interest in the Farmer and en-
gagged in the publishing of it until his
death in>1S97. Mr.. Badger was the
youngest postmaster ever appointed in
Augusta, and administered the affairs
Vi the ONCE with marked ability. He
was reappointed by President Buchan-
an and served with entire satisfaction
10 the public until removed in 1861
James A. Bicknen was appointed
postmaster by President Lincoln. April
%. 1861. During his administration
the great fire occurred and the most
office was burned. He secured tenn
porary quarters in the -Kennebec
Journal building, and upon its compile
ton, secured a permanent lease of
the ground floor Of the Granite Bank
building, which was occupied as a post
office until the completion Of the pub
pointed by President Grant, October
IL, 1870, was the successor Of Mr.
Bicknell. About this time Augusta
became the center of periodical pub
fishing and the business Of the post
office increased at an unprecedent
rate. Mr.. Hamlen was twice reap
pointed and served nearly three full
terms with great success
Mr. Hamlen, who has since re-
NAMED in active business on Water
street. soon after retired from politics.
For many years he was known here as
a leading figure in Augusta political
circles. and was an able leader and
organizer, being closely identified with
the Morrills in their successful public
career. Mr.. Hamlin is today one of
the best informed men on political af-
fairs both local and national in Maine,
besides being full of political reminis-
cences Of earlier days
President Garfield appointed Joseph
II. Manley postmaster, May 90. 1881,
and he assumed the duties of the office
July Of that year. At the commence
ment Of his administration he leased
the store now occupied by James Z.
Fuller for sub-mailing postoffice. and
in it the vast business of newspaper
mailing was done until 1890 He also
in augurated the free delivery system.
appointing Henry A. Hall. Nathan A.
Weston, William H. Williams and ].
Frank Arnold the first letter carriers
in this city. This met with success
and the number of pieces handled by
them more than uuadrrpIa6 in tho frc+
four years. The business of the office
continued to increase so rapidly that
the quarters then occupied became too
small. 1t was at Mr.. Manley's in
stance that attention was called to
the erection of a new postofnce build
ing in the city, and through his ac-
tivity and the continued perseverance
of the late Hon. Seth L. Milliken. who
was representative to Congress from
TINS district at the time. against in
obstacles, the history of
which has never been written. that
success was at length attained. His
was a revelation TO the
people of Augusta that it had a first
class postoffice and was entitled to the
privileges of a great postal center. His
was of signal success
and ability
The position of postmaster before
the civil service act passed had
been one of great political influence
both in city and county affairs, and
aside from the honor of the position
was eagerly sought by ambitious poll
ticians. The election of Mr.. Cleveland
as President in the autumn of 1884 pre-
cipitated an exciting contest for the
possession of this office and active can
vasSing commenced soon after the re-
suit of the election was certain. Col.
Charles b. Morton a young and active
Democratic leader was the only an
nounced candidate and the contest was
made to prevent his appointment to
the position rather than for another
candidate. In the end Colonel Morton.
i.