Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-30
A LONG LIFE.
An Augusta Couple Who Have Passed
the 50th Mark Of Welded Life,

Mr.. and Mrs. Dennis III, Getchell
whose 50th wedding anniversary. oc-
cured Il few days ago, and which was
iittingly observed as their golden we'd
ding by friends and relatives. are
among the old people Of the CITY who
have covered a longer period of life
than most people. The Journal had
a pleasant chat with Mr.. Getchell at
his home on North street, yesterday.
and listened to many interesting ancc-
dotes of times long gone by.
Mr.. Getchell was born in April. 1924.
and is consequently in his SD year,
but when the Journal representative
called he was engaged in saving wood
in the dOoryard. for the coming win
ter. though. as he expressed il. he is
not quite as partial to the big sticks
as he ancc was.
MIR. Getchell las always made his
home in Augusta and at different
times has been engaged in various
branches Of work. He says that he
with his father did the first stroke Of
work i'll connection with the construc-
ton of the Augusta dam. which is be-
heved to have been something over
~ sCoiS dSOs NllClI lie WAS Il small
boy.
He began work when he was IL
years old. driving truck teams for his
uncleS. Sumner and Anthony Gctchcll
and among other things transported
the groceries and other material to
the soldiers in camp in this city, at
the time of the Aroostook War.
Mr.. Getchell next went coasting,
sailing on a number of Augusta own
ed vessels of that time, among which
may be named the Consul" the "Ad-
vent Captain Dickinson in command
and the Somerset" Captain Heath in
command, as well as 4 number of
others. Later he went on deep sea
voyages, sailing on the London and
New York packet line. and also on the
Liverpool and New York packet line.
He followed this life for three years.
During this time he had many inter-
estinS adventures not all Of them be-
ing of a pleasant kind. Among these
We're being cast away in Il wreck at
different times. both i'm the winter sea
son. off the New England coast.
After this he engaged in ship rig
gIng. working at Bath, Wiscassct.
DalnariScotta and Augusta at different
times. He helped rig every vessel
built in Augusta, lie working on no
less than six in the yard which was
just in the rear OF where the
journal office now stands. Mr.. Gctch-
ell says that in those early days the
Island on the east shore Of the river
WAS no larger than Il good sized wood
pic ana that the vessels nc sailed with
IN and out of this port easily sailed
around the then little island.
For the past 46 years Mr.. Gctchcll
h"" been engaged in house painting,
ana has done work on many an Au-
Eusta home. Among other incidents in
lhis connection is the fact that he
mas painted the Fowler house or State
street 46 times. 4 fact which was not
ed III the Journal on the occasion of
the last painting.
Among other work done by Mr.
ietchell is more or less prospecting,
ne having been the party who discoy-
cred tn" gold in the Swift river region.
IN the town of Byron. later taking a
party to the place, who have conduct
ed the mining
MIS- Getchcli is Ii years younger
man Mr. Gctchcll, and was formerly
MISS Louisa NJ. Marson of Pittston.
md she too enjoys vigorous old age.
rive children have been born to Mr..
ma Mrs. Getchell. all but one of whom
ire living at the present time. They
Ire Frederick II. and William II. Of
ms Guy. James A.. now of Waterville.
ana Miss Carrie e, also of this civ
Nho has been connected with the
& Hill Publishing House for
he past 20 years.