Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-01-10

he attended the village schools and in
the summer worked on his fathers
farm
At the age of 16 there came break
in his manner Of living. for he was
then apprenticed to learn the black
smith trade. He worked at his trade
until he was 20 years old and the eff
feet of these four years of his life was
made manifest in his splendid
physique and his unusually strong
body.
At the age of 20 he determined to
change his business and went to South
Paris, where he entered an insurance
office. This seemed to mark a change
in his whole life. He at once entered
into the spirit Of his new business and
in a few years became thoroughly
known throughout that section of the
State
During this time he became so we'll
known and had such a strong follow
ing that he became Cf great influence
in politics. During the time that he
lived there it became known that NJ
had strong convictions in the temper
ance question and also in regard to
am a Free 5oiler and Prohibitionist to
the core While | was going along the
street one day Rufus +. Stevens stop
ped me and said, 'Boothby what would
YOU fellows say to joining hands and
organizing a temperance party
wen do it,. | said. We then went TO
W. 4. Rust's apothccary store ana
asked, Doctor. will you join a new
i,arty in the temperance issue? II"
brought his fist down on the counter
yith blow that made the bottles on
the shelves rattles and said: by
George. I'll go YOU
1--WE then went to the Oxford Demo-
crat office and there issued the call 10Y
the convention at which Arson F. Nor
rilI was nominated at Augusta. FEB
%. 1854"
The results of that meeting are now
n matter of political history and 1t IS
ONLY necessary to say that Mr.. Booth
nv ever remained true to the principles
Of the party. In fact. he has often
stated that he had picked out great
many of the men who have held proml-
nent offices in the State. SO wide was
his influence at one time that men
seeking political influence from an
parts of the State went to him.
He had been present at every state
convention and at all has had voice
III determining the choice Of the party
II is q remarkable fact that while he
was one Of the men who originated III
Maine the idea of liberating the slaves
from bondage at the close 81 the tlNH
War. he also lived to see the CupahS
n
relieved from their yoke OF pohudSe
rlaced and maintained by Spain.
Mr.. B0othbys ability in picking out
etrong men in the party was something
,,,,arl,abIe II was he who was one of
Tho first TO recognize the ability OF
lanes &. Blaine and he was a warm
nersonal friend of congressman EDWIN
& Burleigh, and Messrs. Fessendeh'
Dinclev and Frye. 1t is remarhapie
fart that he voted for every Repubil-
c,n president from Lincoln to Mchlh-
ley. - 49,,
He went 10 South Paris in 1881 ana
% wears later. attracted by the Drill
liant prospects Of Watcrville through
having the Somerset kenheoec
2aiIroad put through, came to TINS
citv where he has since lived. In TINS
.;ty he carried on the same line o.
hueiness that he had in South Parls'
that of an insurance agent.
During the early years of his llvihs
in this city he became Interested III
ra;,roading and was made statioii
ogant of the station in this city. al
Tho same time he carried on the IN
,,,,r.nce business and so rapidly dlu
i grow that in spite Of his splendid
CONTINUED on page g.