The Portland daily press., 1901-02-09

extent did this opinion prevail that the
contractors found much difIiculty In get
Dg men to work for them.
This contractors were faithful and prac-
ticai men but there were many of the de-
tails OF the construction that were new
to them. Inc building committee, while
they held The con tractors to the terms OF
the contract realized the difficulties un
der which they labored, and aidsd and as
sisted them In every way possible, MIR
Mussey gave his personal attention to the
work. We can imagine that a man OF his
resources and pertinacity was not dis
mayed by the difficulties encountered but
rather that he enjoyed meeting and sur
mounting them. One month after the
signing OF the contract the corner stone
was laid by the venerable Deacon Samu-
el freema n with appropriate ceremonies
By the terms OF the contract, the build
ing was to be completed by the 10th OF
December, but owing to the difficulties
encountered, It was found impossible to
finish 10 at that date. 1t was, however.
sufficiently compile ted to be opened for
Eervice on February Sth, 1926, and the
dedioatory services were held, seventy
five years ago this day.
10 surmount all difficulties and to
D a.tioalIy complete this building with
IN ten months from the date of signing
the contract was certainly a very credit
able achievement. The Indictment
weather did not allow the comuletion at
that time Of all the outside work, but
on April 70, 1926, the final payments were
made and the contracts were mutually
dii charged by the contractors ana COM
IN ttees The aggregate sum paid the
builders under the contract and supple
mentary agreement was SIS, $50. IA On
May lst the building committee made
their report TO the parish, This report
Is also In Mr.. Mussey 5 beautiful hand
had been completed agTeeahiy to the con
tract and to the satisfaction and appro-
bation OF this committee 1t reeites
some Of the ditlic1lties encountered by
the contractors and the reasons therefor,
staSes that owing 20 the novelty OF the
work close estimates could not be made
OF certain parts, that the cost to the con
tractors for Jhess parts had exceeded the
sum allowed for the same and which both
contractors and committee had then con-
sldered ample, THAT IL was due to the
character of the First Parish that an
equitable allowances should be made 10
the contractors and they recommended
that as an evidence OF the regard enter
tained by the society for their faithful
ness, ability and perseverance,, the sum Of
i've hundred dollars be paid them In ad-
oi / n to the amount provided for by the
contracts - This sum was voted and
rad without dissent The meeting
house as completed contained 176 pews.
The5e psws were appraised at SIC, $50
L ley not only sold for this sum hut the
further sum OF 50, 7S9 was received for
choice of pews. The tirst choice was
sold for $50 Several OF the psws are
now owned by the descendants or the
original purchasers ana have bean occu-
pied continuously by their families since
iS26. In addition to the sum paid the
contractors. additional money was paid
for fencing and grading the grou nds and
all told aobut S25. 600 was expended.
The edifice was, when completed, a
credit to ths society and to the town.
The outside, with ths exception OF the