The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1904-05-12

have not like the citizens of some COM
mercial villages, consulted their taste
and their fancy, but have confined
themselves to more economical views.
The places of principal business are
built of brick The dwelling houses
! more generally are of wood. There is
a prevailing appearance of neatness
and durability. The streets in some
instances are injudiciously located; but
the general wish to repair the incon-
venience is daily correcting the evil
Church street may be mentioned as a
street well built, extending more than
half mile in direct line, being four
rods wide, and terminating at the south
on a public square of four acres, the
site of the academy. 1t may be called
handsome street.
On the west side of church street.
near midway of its length, in an open
space of near three acres inclusive of
adjacent streets, stand the new Church
and the Town Hall, large and well fin
ished buildings; the last is constructed
of brick. The courts of the county of
Waldo are held in the hall: and the
county offices also are there kept.
The whole number of houses and
stores in the town is four hundred and
fifty. The first house of two floors
erected in the town, is the Rev. Wm
Frothingham's and the first house
erected on Main street was built in
1895, by Doctor John Osborn, it was
raised upon the ground now covered by
the Eagle Hotel. James Nesmith COM
menced the business of a merchant at
Nesmith's corner in 1899; and his was
the first shop in the village. The east
bridge thrown over the river at the
village is 122 rods in length; it rests on
framed wooden piers, and was erected
at an expense of S1S,4S4. 1t was built
in 1906 a mile above this bridge che
was built in 1901 at an expense of &c.
900; the last has been rebuilt Nine
commodious wharves are built for the
uses of commerce. Boards and cord
wood, shingles and timber cut to di-
mansions, are among the articles of eX-
port. Shipbuilding is becoming an eX-
tensive employment. In 1918, the town
was made port of entry for an extern
! Sive district.
But Belfast had no more than a name
in the hey-day of New England's pecu-
liar commercial prosperity. From the
close of the revolution to the close of
the commercial warfare afterwards
waged in Europe, it contained a small
population. Two hundred and forty
| five was the census of 1890; and in 1900,
the number had increased only to GA;
and the season of great profits was now
rapidly coming to a close. No part Of
| the wealth therefore which, in so many
| instances, during that extraordinary
| period was fortuitously acquired, came
to Belfast And the town also is with
out some of the evils, which a sudden
influx of property, that comes without
| Ia1, hnf
tation, is calculated to create. Economy
| therefore, to be expected as the neceS-
sary result of moderate earnings.
| In 1910 the number of inhabitants
| was 1859, and in 1920, two thousand
and twenty-Six. The population is rap
| idly increasing, as well as the employ
ment of the useful classes. The village
affords, apothecaries, 3; booksellers, 2;
-, book binder, /; butchers, 3; brick ma
sons, 6; brick makers, 2; block maker, 1;
/ BARRIERS, ?; clock makers, 3; clothiers, 2;
cabinet makers, 3; chair maker, l; coun-
sellers and attorneys at law 10; candle
chandler, l; grocerS, s; houSeWrlghts,
| H. house carpenters, 4; inn holders, 5;
| jeweller, l; milliners, 5; meat shopmen,
| 2; meat cartman, l milk cartman, 1;
ministers resident, 3; merchants, ~;
printers, ,: painters, ,; physicians and
surgeons, s; smiths, S: saddle and har-
ness makers, 3; shoe makers, 10; sher-
| If S officers, 3; shlpmasters, 1; ship car
! penterS, 10; sail maker, /: school teach
ers, 3; tailors, 3; tanners and curriers',
3: truckmen, ?; wharfingers, I; wheel
wright, l. The number of inhabitants
is now estimated at 5000.
! The civil history of the corporation is
| In tny for tho
! first time was actually represented in
the State legislature. Deacon Tufts in
ITS did not take his seat. In 1903 Jona-
| than Wilson was the member.
1t has since been the privilege of the
| town to furnish three VIM. Crosby,
| Eben Poor and John S. kimballl sena-
tors of State, and twice representa-
tive John Wilson, in the congress OF
the United States. The Judge Alfred
johnson, Jr. of probate: a former
VIM. Crosby and the present county
solicitor Joseph williamson; former
chief judge VIM. Crosby of common
pleas; and former chief justice of ses-
sions, John Merriam
Mitchell had been appointed to cap
taincy in militia before the commence
ment of the revolution. He declined
exercising any authority under the
King, after the war began, ana no COM
pany was organized in Belfast until the
colony of Massachusetts, under the dec
laration of Independence had formed
a constitution, for their own govern
ment. Samuel Houston was Mitchells
successor in the office, and Tolford Dur
ham, and Benjamin Nesmith were his
subalterns. Durham Lieutenant Dur
ham is in his eighty second year, enjoys
good health, and all the native energies
of his mind He speaks of the conduct
of Lowell with great animation; and re-
fuses to accord to him both the merit
of good officer and of a true patriot:
The Generals management, in the mind
of Mr.. Durham, stands directly opposed
to the one, or the other. had charge OF
the company at Castine under Lowell Ill
| 1910.
Samuel Houston, Jr., who had served
during the war in Washington's guard,
succeeded his father in the command OF
the Belfast militia In 1903, company
of artillery was formed, and the year
following a company of light horse,
and in 1922 company of light infant
ry. These, with two infantry compa-
MES, compose the military present
commanders, Paul Richard Hazeltine,
artillery; David Gilman Ames, horse;