The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-05-01
CHAPTER vi. (1SO6-7.)

i his year, 1cOO, Was lung TeIHeIIlpeieu
as the year of the Great Eclipse. 1t
was an eclipse of the sun, and occurred
June 18th. 1t was "total at Philadel-
phia and other cities in the Union" as
the almanac predicted. Belfast, al
though not city, was not overlooked on
the occasion 1t was so dark, of course,
that the father of the family couldn't
see to read in the almanac;a lat four P NJ,
the period of the greatest obscura-
tion," the cows came home in advance
of milking time, the hens went to roost,
and the roosters began to crow as the
eclipse began to close; the number of
"digits'' eclipsed varied with the locality
and the kind of glass used for observa-
ton.
In this year the East Bridge was built;
it was one hundred and twenty-five rods
in length, and cost about eighteen thou
sand dollars; major part of the stock
was taken and paid for by non-resdents.
/ The act Incorporating Jonathan Wilson
olll IllS dSSOIldlto tIV InlllC VI
1.-THE Proprietors of the East Bridge in
Belfast" was passed March 18th, 1905.
The first meeting of the Corporation was
| held at 1.-The house of Thomas Whittier,
innholder" on the 10th day of December
of that year; at which meeting Francis
Anderson was elected Clerk, Jonathan
Wilson, Thomas Knowlton and Tolford
Durham, Managers, Samuel Houston,
/ Samuel Prescott and Jonathan White,
| Assessors; and Thomas Whittier Treas
urer.
At a meeting held soon afterwards it
was voted "that nine shillings per day
be allowed to each man that works on
the bridge, and that ten hours make a
day."
The bridge as originally built was
from point on the western side of the
river near the house now occupied by
Captain W. O. Alden; the terminus on
the eastern side was near that of the
present bridge. The remains OF some
Of the spiling of the original bridge may
still be seen at low water. In 1880, the
bridge having become very much out of
repair, portion of it was carried away
by violent gale and storm, and the
proprietors decided not to repair but to
build anew where the bridge is now To-
Gated. The new bridge was accordingly
built under a contract with James Nc
Crillis, ESQ.,, and in August 1882 a few
carriages passed it for the first time; it
was not then completed, however; there
was no sidewalk for foot passengers, nor
railing on it.
By the terms of the act OF incorpora-
ton the charter was to continue for the
term of sixty years from the day of the
"opening of the bridge for passengers.
The bridge was first opened for that pur-
pose January 1st, 1907; at the expiration
of the sixty years, December 31st, 1866,
the bridge was surrendered by the pro-
prietors, and it became, as it now is,
free bridge, sustained by and at the cost
of the city.
Jonathan Wilson, the party most ac-
tive in starting and carrying out the en-
terprise, was the first toll gatherer. His
successor was Tolford Durham. After
him came James McCrilis, who held the
Office for long series of years with oc-
casional breaks. 1t was during his ad-
ministration, when the toll gate was at
the eastern end, that the old bridge be-
came favorite evening promenade for
the girls and boys who found the walk
pleasant one, doubtless, but derived full
as much pleasure perhaps, from watch
ing the shade of disappointment that
stole over the visage of the toll-gatherer
as he came out for their pennies just as
they came within reaching distance of
the toll house and wheeled to the right
about-face. If the old bridge was in ex-
istence now. and had q tongue, it could
tell Of Bridge of Signs" elsewhere
than in Venice. 1t was famous place
too for catching founders, and Holsters
in nets m.ds Of hoops and rope yarn: the