The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-08-24
Washington County Notes.
NIachias Revisited.


experiences of that trip, the history of
the town, and gave personal recollections
of the place as it was known in boyhood
days. Then, as en- the visit this year,
there was a lack of time to call upon Old
friends and to visit the many familiar
scenes of long ago; but in 1890, as in 1899,
friend, and tie of that duration creates
bonds scarcely less strong than those of
kinship, AS of old the sweet, fresh
breezes swept down from the Marshtield
hills, but the railroad embankment in the
near foreground was a new feature. and
the little glimmer of water in the dis
lance was the only reminder of the broad
sweep of Middle river-at high tide. Beech
hill, where We went for beechnuts, reveal
ed its familiar outlines; but the home in
which we were honored guests, and many
of the adjacent residences, stood where
once had been fields and pastures.
Machias is one Of the Oldest towns in
the State, but is not vet finished town.
1t is keeping pace with the march of i'm
provement. 1t has grown, and we trust
Irospered, in the past nine years. 1t has
IN excellent water system and an electric
light plant, many modern dwellings, and
line business blocks, and a number of res
licences We're in process of construction
at Tie time Of our recent visit. The Por-
tel Memorial Library was dedicated Sept.
Is, 1923. 1t is handsome granite build
ue ana stands va Count street, nearly OPP
po-lte the court house 1t was the gift
Of Henry II. Porter OF Chicago a native
Of Maohas. in memory Of his father Ru-
fus X. Porter E,q, who was the princi-
pal move} in es rahlishing the Machias Ii
praIy in 1NI4, acfe. as manager for many
years, aAl retained lis interest in it until
mis- death. The collection Of books is not
as pet Large one, as there is no fund
witt Which IL JUy them OF to maintain
the library. but no doubt some one will
endew tLe library il the near future.
The ntel d at tin, library is most attrac-
tive ia the reading room is large open
fire place Of rough erante, with the man
tel-pIece above of polished black granite.
Here is the nucleus OF what may be made
an interesting historical collection, 1t
iaeiudes soHo relics Of tie Margaretja,
ard The first tavern sign put up east Of the
Neunebec II was painted in Boston and
beais tile dave of 17al, and though some
what faded is as originally painted. In
front Of the library stands the soldiers
Of tie i've different schoolhouses in
which the writer attended school not one
is Ieft az least On the original site. The
old schooilouse which stood at the cor
nar ii Court and broadway now does duty
as Il carpenters shop on Water street.
There We're then no other buildings on
tAjs siGe OF the street Now an engine
house occupies the site of the schoolhouse.
next is the residence of George W. Drisko,
where the Maine Press Association was
so pleasantly entertained in 1890 and
tDen the First UniveIsalist church, where
a reception was given us this year This
handsome editice would indicate to one
who recalls the time when only OCCASION
al services were held III the old court
room, with Rev !. A. Milliken, afterward
Judge Milliken of Clemyheld, as PASTOR
that UniveIsalism has grown and prosper
ed in Machias. The corner stone OF the
present church was laid Oct. Is, 1896, and
may well be proud Il contains d hand
some stained glass window in memoriam
OF Nj and Mrs. T. W. Cooper, members
of the well known Waldo county family of
thar name. The pastor is Rev. Selden Gil
bert. D. d. But to return to the school
houses. The first school attended was in
little building on centre street--a pri-
cate school taught by Miss Eliza LoDgfel-
low-long since swept away by the march
of improvement. We failed also to find on
Dublin side the little building in which
Miss Martha Holway taught a private
school; OF what was called the '.bell
SchoOlhouse' on Court street, where Anne
illus Thacher, brother of Peter Thacher,
welded the ruler with exceeding vigor.
Then came Libby Hail. and although
there is now Libby Hall, it is not the
one in which the writer attended school.
This year, as in 1890, The met one of his
old teachers, now Mrs. Gallison, then
Miss Caroline Burnham.
One of the interesting features of this
"Trip was visit to what is now known in
Machias as the Hemingway house, but
which had two owners before it was en-
titled to that name. 1t was built in 1850,
and at that time was considered the finest
residence in Eastern Maine. The writer
recalls two things in connection with the
buildng-one that it was very hot sum-
per, and a supply Of iced lemonade was
kept for the workmen, necessitating fire.
quett 'errands'' for sugar lemons or ice;
and another, that for several days the
atmosphere was 50 filed with smoke that
one could hardly see across the street.
The material for this house was selected