The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-12-12

ping points. Frankfort also received a
large share of the towns trade.
About the years 1S14-1815 there came
what are commonly termed the cold
years, with the result that no corn was
raised. The price scared to $3.50 per
bushel.
The question being asked if bears
were plenty in the early days we found
that in many localities they we're num-
erous, and in fact several specific in
stances were related when the settlers
had too close acquaintance with bears
for their own good health.
The dangers from severe Indian in
vasiOn had passed away before 1900, so
| Troy has no terrible Indian massacres
to record. The Indians in whole
families passed through this section,
crossing over from the Kennebec region
to the Penobscot.
1t may be we'll to state here that
Troy has not always been by its present
name. The pioneers of this State had
a convenient habit of changing the
name of their town when it failed to
suit local conditions and such was true
in Troy. First it was Bridges Planta-
ton, next Kingsville. This last name
was hardly suited to a town where its
people owed no allegiance to any king
except their own conscience, and so tn
name was again changed to Mont
gomery. This however became burden
some and so Joy was substituted. Feel
ing that they could be joyful in heart if
not in name they again made change
and it has been permanent to this day.
Troy is good, sensible name, we'll suit
ed to its citizens.
The blood of the citizens of this town
has never been of the cowardly kind
when any danger threatened the wei
fare of the country. In the War of
1872 Troy sent two men. She also sent
two to the Mexican War; In the war
of the Rebellion Il men went forth to
lay down their lives if need be on
southern fields. 1t is record to be
proud of. The early settler, Nicholas
Dodge, who afterward went to Burn
ham, served in the 18th New Hampshire
regiment during the Revolutionary
War. And it is quite safe to say that if
ever again foes threatened the welfare
of our beloved country that there
would be found men i'll Troy who would
be willing to offer themselves even as
their fathers did so many years ago.
In connection with the subject of the
wars it is well to note how men were
trained for the duties they were to
render later. When the State Militia
was organized Troy had two companies,
the Rifle Co., and the Militia Co. The
muster and inspection days came in
May and September, when all went to
Unity for review and inspection.
At the time of the so-called Blood
| less Aroostook War;" which was the
result of a dispute between the United
States and Great Britain as regard 10
| tho dor Of oi III ~
LOO soldiers went through Troy to the
scene of the difficulty in Aroostook. At
| that time the old stage road was in use
from Augusta to Bangor and all travel
was over this road.
At the time of the arbitration of the
difficulty, Daniel Webster and Lord
AShburton, as you will remember, were
! sent to settle the dispute. In question
Ing Mr.. Garcelon about this event he
says that he we'll remembers coming
! down to Troy Corner to see the dignl-
taries pass through. They went in
! open carriages, and as is usual in such
cases were the objects of much curios-
ity.
A little later Gen Winfield Scott, the
hero of the Mexican War, and Horace
Greeley, the one time editor of the
New York Tribune, went through the
| town. After the stage road went from
Waterville by the way of Durham to
| Troy Center it is reported that Horace
! Greeley went through again and stop
ped over night at Rogers Corner, and we
lave no reason to believe that this re-
/ port is untrue.
Speaking of Troy Corner reminds US
that there are some interesting facts in
connection with this important part of
our town. The first store at the Cor
ner was built by johnson & Butman,
who did thriving trade with the farm
ers i'll this section. The first store
was burned, but the lower part of the
present j. l.. Stone store is as it was
at the time of the rebuilding.
| The Union church at Troy Corner
was built in 1910 and the town house
was built in 1884. What has been
called the oldest schoolhouse was built
on Rhoades Hill. 1t has since been
replaced by newer building.
The interviews which the writer had
with Mr.. Garcelon were interesting
in the extreme. Only lack of time for
bids our telling more of his reminis
cences. He, himself, is man who has
been closely identified with the town
affairs. Mr.. Garcelon was in the
House in 1867 and was also in the Sen
ate two years. Aside from this he