Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-04-09
SAVE FORT HALIFAX.
Famous Old Relic OF French and
Indian War at winsiow.

monument marking the northern limit OF
a long and blody series Of battles between
the English and the Indians on the
Kenuebec, Is the ancient blockhouse
known as Fort Halifax, situated at the
confluence OF the Kennebec river and Sc
bsssicook stream, In the town OF winslow.
For century and half the old fort has
stood there, 10 latter times a tottering
ruin, regarded affectionately by students
OF history and an object OF curiosity TO
passengers Ia Maine Central railroad
trains, passing within fifteen feet.
Within the past week revival OF In
terest In this relic OF the 18th century wars
has been created BY q movement on the
part OF the Maine Central railroad COM
pany toward Its repair and preservation.
The railroad managers say that II the
company can be assured that the old fort
wili always be controlled by some person
or association interested in Its preserva-
ton Is an object Of historical interest,
they will pay the expense OF whatever
work may be necessary for Its restoration
and protection.
II has been generally supposed that the
title to the land upon which the fort
stands lies In the Maine Historical society,
bat such is not the fact, the land being
owned by the lockwood company which
operates the cotton mills at Waterville.
The Lockwood company several years ago
offered to transfer the property to the
historical society, but the offer has never
been accepted.
Some years ago repairs were made upon
the fort through the efforts OF s. /.
Abbott, OF winslow, but the ancient
structure Is now in need of further at
tention to save it from falling into ruins,
and the railroad company's move, which
| is likely to meet with success, Is timely.
! 1t is proposed to repair the building,
grade The lot and fence the property In,
while 1t is also desirable that something
should be done towards providing pro-
lection sgainst fire. A planning mill is
close by, the railroad, within few feet, is
an additional menace, and the timbers OF
the old house are so dry with age that,
once taking fire, they would burn like
finder.
II was in the year 1854 that, after many
bloody encounters between the English
settlers and the Indians on the Kennebec,
the government OF the province Of Mass
| Rehusetts Bay decided that special effort
| must be made to gain absolute control OF
the river. The French still claimed the
Kennebec as the western boundary OF
their possessions In the province OF
Maine, and In the movement for control
| of the river Governor Shirley inaugurated
! a systematic method of procedure against
bot b the French and the red men.
Word came to the governor that the
French were building fort at the head
waters OF the river. and at about the
same time Fort Richmond, which had
Just been built by the English at point
Just above the present village OF Rich
mond, was visited by band OF sixty ln-
dams, who warned the occupants that IL
they did not leave the region at once, the
Indians French brothers would come
down the river and drive them away.
This condition OF affairs becoming known
to Governor Shirley he caused the general
assembly to be convened.
The assembly authorized the governor
to build other forts on the Kennebec, as
far up the river as he deemed advisa BILE.
The governor opened negotiations with
the then famous Plymouth company, and
made arrangements with them for the
construction of two forts-one by the au-
tporities at Teconnet, and the other by
the Plymouth proprietors at Cushnoc.
rhis was in the early part of l75i. When
the river opened that spring, an expedi-
ton of 500 men under Gen. John Wins
low set out, soon followed by Governor
Shirley, and on point OF land formed by
the confluence of the Kennebec and Sc
basticook, three quarters of mile from
Teconnet, a fort was built. to which the
name fort Halifax" was given.
This fort originally consisted of three
block bouses, connected by stockade,
and was capable OF accommodating 400
men. IL was first commanded by Capt.
William Lithgow, with 100 men In the
garrison.
Very soon after the completion OF the
tort and the arrival of the garrison. an
assault was made upon 1t by the Indians,
who killed one soldier and captured four
| OF hers. Ga Nov. D, l7o3, party from the
tort, while in the nearby woods, cutting
timber, were attacked by Indians, and
one of their mum Der was killed.
HosttIities then broke out between the
Englisb ON one side and the French and
Indians on the OF her, although nominally,
France and England were at peace. The
Indians generally joined the French In
operations elsewhere but enough oil them
remsined on the Kennebec to make
trorbte for the garrison of Fort Halifax.
In 1885 one white man was killed near
reconnet, and another was captured
while on his way to Fort Halifax from
Fort Western, down the river. Two men
were killed at Teconnet in l15o, and In
the spring of 1857 Ave men of hunting
party from Fort Halifax disappeared.
Capt. Litbgow, attributing this loss TO
the Indians. sent ten men down the river