Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-11-02

over the matters, he an
hounced his conversion to full immersion.
ana from that date practiced this form.
80 strong was his in fluence that he took
the larger part of his congregation with
MIN over to the Baptist faith. This change
came in 1905, and since that time the
Baptist church in Sedgwick has had four
Teen pastors. The old church building dis
appeared long ago, and the present struc-
ture has stood since 1887. Its bell still
calls the faithful to the worship of the
living God
Sedgwick has had its full share Of
trouble from war and rapine. During the
time when the English held the village Of
castine, they sent foresters into this town
to spot trees suitable to make masts for
the royal navy. These men came under
guards, and many depredations were COM
mitted on the people of the town. BUSH
ness OF all kinds was paralyzed and misery
spread on every side. SO indignant did
the people become that armed resistance
was organized and the old church was
turned into an arsenal for powder and
bullets. Nothing came OF this, however,
ana not shot was fired, as the English
made no direct attack ON the settlement.
Al a later date Sedgwick became promi-
nent as ship building centre, and some
OF the noblest craft OF the old clipper
| ship days were built in this town. At
that time Sedwick was much larger than
1t is to-day, as it included the present
towns OF Brooksviile and Brooklin with
their 5000 acres OF land. Benjsmin's
| river was once busy mart OF trade, while
| stately ships were always on the stocks.
made the community OF seventy five
years ago one OF the busiest along the
| coast OF Maine. There are old men here
to-day who can remember when the click
ofthe hammer could be heard on all sides,
and when the launching OF a clipper ship
was an event that drew the country peo-
Pile for miles around. The business per-
ished when that national industry went
down, and for a period OF many years
there was a deep depression.
Bat once again new life is coming. The
summer guest is here, and already beautiful
| cottages are springing up here and there.
| One Of these is occupied by Rev. Arthur
Warren Smith, who was formerly settled
here over the Baptist parish. When the
centennial OF that church was celebrated
in 1905, MIR. Smith gave an historical ad-
| dress that was replete with valuable in
formation regarding the early history OF
the town. This address was put into
,y,af, faf nd hx.c taIt b.,s
history that has ever been written OF the
early days OF Sedgwick. To its pages the
| writer is indebted for much OF the data
that may be found in this story OF the
good old town.
Benjamin's River is in reality only an
arm or estuary OF the sea that makes up
short distance above the village, OF Sedg-
wick, and ii was along its shores where
the ship-ysrds stood in the old days.
These were below the village, where the
water is deep, as vessels OF size could not
come close TO the settlement.
II Is favorite dream here that the time
| will come when ships can come into the
very heart OF the village, and this may not
be all dream. The idea eau be carried
out by building a tide gate at Byard's
| point, some half mile or lower down. This
would make deep basin where to-day, at
low tide, is wide stretch OF mud fats.
Vessels could then come up to the village
and thus an industrial activity be created.
Not only that, bat 1t would add to the
pleasure OF summer guests by creating
tine body OF water for fishing aad boating
in the very heart OF the village. Surely an
enterprise Of that nature is worth con-
sidering, and it would seem that the
| slight expense should prove no barrier to
its being successfully carried out.
Not only has Sedgwick an interesting
past but it has an interesting present and
a brilliant future. Its II, 900 acres OF land
are vell diversified into forests and tillage,
while the two ponds and dozen streams
furnish abundant power for industrial
plants as well as pleasure for its summer
guests. There is geological stratum OF
galena and copper that might, under
proper conditions, be worked with profit.
This was attempted several years ago, but
with disastrous results. On the whole, the
writer would be more inclined TO advise
sheep breeding for Sedgwick than mining,
and he believes that it would prove more
profitable. Then there is the sea, that
ever fruitful field for human industry.
With such a foundation for success, it
would seem that Sedgwick has future
that is secure.
PEOPLE OF sEDGwICK.
And interesting characters are still here.
Among these many be mentioned Horace
n. Dority, who has been resident for
more than sixty years, and who for thirty
eight years has served the people as town
clerk. We are inclined to believe that
this breaks the record OF the State for
continuous public service, and is marked
compliment in State where political
parties stupidity bring change OF public
servants. Mr.. Dority has also represented
the town in the legislature. For nine
years he served as a deputy sheriff under