The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-10-21
Last Link in The Old Los Cabin
Club.
Interesting Reminiscent
ces of the Early Days.
A Famous Portland Political
Organization.

Quietly sitting in bis room at the
Preble House last evening, chatting mer-
rily OF the early political life Of Portland,
was MIR. George Borsyt a of Fresno, Cali
fornin, the only surviving member Of
the once famous Log Cabin Club Of Port
land.
Mr.. Forsyt h is q we'll preserved octogen-
arian, short in stature but wiry In limb,
brisk pedestrian, and as yet, man
that almost appears in the very hey day
of life's delights. He is incidentally
paying visit to his sistar, Mrs. Sarah
A. PIetle, on Cumberland strest. This
is his first visit to Portland since 1885,.
He calls with considerable glee many
of tie Incidents of the old Log Cabin
Club. The headquarters were on Ex-
change street, where the first National
Bank is now located, and for long time
wac the rendeZ. ous Of the men who held
the destiny of the city in the palms of
their hands.
As the name would indicate, the club
was organized in thoie effervesC ent politi-
cal days when the tocsin was "Tippecanoe
and Tyler Too" 1hsrs were strong men
in that club, strong men politically.
There was william Capsn who for
long time actsd as PRESIDENT, there was
Royal lincoln. at one time postmaster,
and a man who socially was all that his
name implies. Then there YVES Abner
Michall, at that time wholesals liquor
dealer on Commrrolal streest, Chief En-
gineer D1vids son Of the tire department.
Charles +. Little, whose melodious voice
as an auotio1eer used to be heard all over
the town In these days. Francis Little.
Joseph Ring, Stephen Emerson. Augustus
Fullsr, Enoch Moody, who, at that time.
had charge Of the observatory, A. p.
Pratt, Abial Somersby. John Short, VIII
liam II. Ayres, Joserh Woodbridge, Amos
Warren, William Dyer, Joseph Blazier,
Gil Illsley, editor of the Transcript,
Lewis Fox. Edkin NJ. Paten, Jacob
Lewis and Samuel Twambley.
All have now passed to the beyond with
the exception OF MIR. Forsyth, Mr.. Fuller
dying some three months ago, and, sin
g1larly enough, all the members have SO
far died at their homes in Portland.
Tie old Log Cabin Club, in its palDsy
days, exercised considerable influence in
political circles, and particularly among
the powers that lie. On small scale 1t
was what Tammany Is to New York.
While they did rot openly dictate the
nominees for office. it was known that
mora comfortable fesling would exist If
the sanction of the club was secured be-
fore picking out the Standard bearers.
And the club had some memorable jollI-
f,ation nights. It was ian every
nj ghs' club, in one sense. Members
dropped in nightly to exchange the topics
Of the hour. But there were one or two
set occasions that almost turned back the
dials of time. and when the nsws of
Grandpa Harrison's election was flashed
over the wires, the club turned loose In
pyroteohnic enthusiasm. Mr.. Forsyth
says he distinctly remembers that 1t was
very lurid night.
The rooms of the club were appropriate
ly bedeoksd on all occasions. One of the
conspicuous em5lems was a miniHtl are log
cabin that occupied place of honor, and
attached to this structure wers the names
OF the members of the club.
Inc nlck-names tnat some d the MEN,
hers of this club bore were eye-openers,
and great skill and ingenuity was dis
played in this direction. Mr.. Forsyth.
himself, bore the proud title of Napoleon
Bonaparte. The merry jest and banter
that passed between the members on Ger
bsin occasions made an almost fusiiade OF
sociability.
Mr.. Forsyth has for some time been
engaged in the grapery business in South
ern California. he served for five years
In the civil war as member of the First
Maine under Col. Jackson and he is a
trile lame in one leg by reason of bit
of indisorstion at New Orleans. He
langhingly says he tried to stop cannon
ball with his right foot