The independent-reporter., 1910-07-14
HISTORIC VILLAGE Of
NORR|DGEWOCK
Has Interesting Story
and Beautiful Site
A Somerset Town That Is Making
Notable Advancement.


Norridgewock, rich in historical in
terest and abounding in natural at
fractions, situated on both banks of
the Kennebec and with a rich agri-
cultural section tributary, and with
many advantages as a business and
,1ustrial center, is coming rapidly
to the front, the advancement during
the past year having been greater
than during any similar period for a
quarter of a century, while the out
look for the future is exceedingly
promising.
HISTORY AND GROWTH
Norridgewock has had a notable
history 1t was originally the home
Of a powerful tribe of Indians and
the. name is said to be that of an
early chief. the meaning being smooth
water Here was established about
the middle of the seventeenth CEN
tury the Kennebec mission, one of
the most important Jesuit outposts.
Sebastian Rasle and his Indian con-
verts built chapel in the northern
part of the town of Norridgewock on
the east bank of the Kennebec and
erected comfortable houses John
Greenleaf Whittier in his poem "Mogg
Megone' graphically portrays this vii
lage and the worship of the dusky
inhabitants. Three expeditions were
sent by the English against this set
tlement, the first two proving unsuc-
cessful. 1t was in August, 1724, that
the annihilation of the mission was
consummated and Rasle killed.
John Francis Sprague in his inter
esting and valuable historical vol
ume entitled "a Maine Tragedy of
the Eighteenth Century says: "The
spot where the Jesuit of Norridge-
wock fell was marked by a plain
cross which was years afterwards de-
stroyed by hunters. The place was
designated in various ways until 1893,
when a movement was set on foot to
erect permanent monument over his
grave. The first suggestion to do
this, it is said came from DR.. Jona
than Sibley of Union, Maine. The
project was supported by both Pro-
testants and Catholics, Mr.. William
Allen of Norridgewock and Edward
Kavanaugh, afterwards governor of
Maine, being prominent in the matter.
On the 23d day of August, 1833 which
was the anniversary of the Norridge-
wock fight, a monument was erect
ed which stands there today. Bishop
ceremonies and delivered an address
Delegations from the Penobscot, Pas
samaquoddy and Canada tribes were
present"
Norridgewock' incorporation as Il
town was in 1888, but the advent OF
the pioneer white settlers was about
the time of the Revolution, Benedict
Arnold in October, 1775, passed
through here with his army on the
way to Quebec. Upon the conclusion
of the Revolutionary war settlers be-
gan to locate in that vicinity and the
town made a steady growth. On the
formation of Somerset County in
1909, Norridgewock was made the
shire town, continuing to be such un-
I'll 1871, when the county seat was
transferred to Skowhegan. Upon the
completion of the Somerset railway
the business of the town received Il
new impetus. For many years the
highway bridge across the Kennebec
at Norridgewock was a toll bridge
but the citizens in town meeting
voted to make it free and it has been
a free bridge since the first of last
April.
The census of 1900 gave the popu-
lation as 1895, but there has been
notable expansion since that time
and the figures this year will be
greatly enlarged. There are 422
polls and the valuation is $645, ,632.
The selectmen are F. l.. Ames, II. S.
Whiting and H. A. Gilman. Norridge-
wock Is twelve miles from Oakland
and eight miles from Madison, and
is on the line of the Somerset rail
way, while the distance to Skowhe
gan by highway Is five miles. Nor
ridgewock has many advantages for
varied lines of manufacturing and
parties seeking a location for new
industries will be cordially welcomed.
H. Is an important trade center and
the wants of the public are supplied
by score of enterprising merchants.
With Norridgewock's growth in
population a large volume of new
building became necessary. More
buildings have been erected the past
year than In any previous season for
twenty-five years. One of the new