Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-07-18
Many Years.
Many Changes.

Frank Poolcr of Brooklyn, N. Y, ac-
companied by Mrs. Pooler and dauGh-
ter. have been in the city for the past
week, the guests of Augustus POOler
on Birch street. The Journal man called
upon Mr. Pooler Wednesday afternoon,
having learned that he had not been in
Watcrville for Il long period of years,
and enjoyed a most interesting CONVEX
saticn with him.
Mr.. Pooler is the son of Ephraim
Poolcr and was born 60 years ago in
Watervillc in q house on Middle street,
now destroyed. At the age of IA years
he ran away from home and went to
Bangor. Here he engaged on board a
small vessel and event to sea-" His sea
voyages took him to the West Indies
and to many other parts of the world.
At the age of IS years he returned to
Philadelphia in time to engage on the
receiving ship Princess and later on the
Lancaster, man-O-war, for service in
the Civil War. Early he took a trip
around Cape Horn which consumed
about one year, and on this trip re-
lieved the Merrimac. which was. some
months later, used by the Confederates
in the famous fight against the Moni-
tor. For time he was engaged on the
transport Gen. Mcclellan. He served
the four years during the war and
then returned to Brooklyn, N. Y.
where he became an engineer and this
occupation he has followed for 40 years
having been located in the Merck build
ing
"Whcn I went away from Water
VILE" said Mr.. Pooler, 81 had nothing
in the world except a shirt, poor pair
of trousers, an old pair of shoes and a
hat. ran away from home because my
people were too poor to keep me. I have
been back to Waterville three times in
my life time, once in 1861. again in 1885
and this time. Every time 1 return
see great changes. You can scarcely
imagine what changes there are in 20
years. Why the whole town looks diff
fcrently. l used to think the Kennebec
was n very large river; it's not so
large now, but just as grand.
"Thcre are one or two things which
strike me about the people and city
here worth mentioning. The people. all
classes of them, seem to be unusually
Intelligent. They are also we'll dressed,
neat and well furnished. And then the
trees. Why 1 tried to plant one little
tree near my home in Brooklyn and 1
couldn't make the thing live. But what
trees there are here! And the lawns,
well kept, and lots of room. These
things are what make this city so
beautiful.
'My family?" asked Mr.. Pooler.
"Don't ask me about the PoOler fam
lilies. I have Travelled all over the world
and don't remember having found a
family by the name of POoler in all
the time. But here in Waterville-
WHY" and Mr.. Poo1er's inability to
finish the sentence well be understood
by consulting any city directory. There
are Poocrs from the north 10 the
south end of the city. 81 can't pick
out my nearest kinsfolk. have sisters
here and brothers They have all mar
ricd and reared big families There are
great-grcat- grandfathcrs and grand
mothers and no end of grandchildren.
And best of all to me. they are pretty
Industrious people. They don't seem to
retire when they get well along in
years. One of my sisters and one Of my
brothers is nearly 20 years old, and
they arc actively at work"
81 want to say" said Mr.. Pooler. as
a final word. that one will have to go
Il long way t. find a better little city
than this. You ought to be proud of it.
It is bound to grow and l hope it
docs"
He echoes the sentiments of many
people.
Mr. .Pooler will remain in the city
for week longer and will then return
to Brooklyn.