The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-05-29
Annals of Belfast for Half a
Century.
BY AN OLD SETTLER
(Hon. VIM. G. Crosby.)
CHAPTER XIII. (lS18- 10.

wa
citizen Mr. Daniel Lane, was the first Col
Iector of Customs at this Port. At the
time of his appointment he resided in
Portland He came here early in the
summer of this year, 1918, with his fam
lily and commenced housekeeping in the
house on High street occupied by Capt.
James Miller at the time of his decease.
He afterwards purchased the Whittier
place, the same premises occupied by The
late Alfred w. johnson, where he resld-
ed while he remained here. Nathaniel
II. Bradbury, whom we all remember as
the upright, excellent Cashier of the Bel
fast Bank for many years, was the first
Deputy Collector and continued to hold
the office until Col. Lanes successor was
appointed Noah Miller, of Northport,
was the first Inspector in charge of the
Revenue Boat. He was the Major Mil
Ter who in 1914 left Lincolnvile In a
barge with a crew well armed, and three
leagues from shore captured British
sloop bound from Halifax to Castine with
q cargo of merchandise on board valued
at forty thousand dollars. Compelled by
failing health to resign the position,
Capt. James Douglas was appointed to
succeed him. The other officers attach
ed to the office were an Inspector at Ban
gor, Frankfort and Camden.
The Custom House was first kept in
the second story of wooden building
erected by George W. Webster in 1917
which stood at the intersection of Market
and High streets, opposite the present
Phoenix House. the same building erect
ed by Hon. Ralph C. johnson the year
previous. This building was subsequent
ly purchased by Mr.. John Haraden and
removed by him in 1881 to the corner
where the building now occupied by the
Belfast Savings Bank stands. 1t was
again removed in 1S49 and converted in
to dwelling house; the same now occu-
pied by Mr. E. G. Hilton. In November
1921 the Custom House was removed to
room over the store of F. Tinkham &
Co., in the brick block on Main street
erected by Laid and Morrill,. In April
1922 it was moved back to the room
where it was first kept, and continued
there until June 1924 when it was re-
moved to rooms in the brick block before
named, and thence, in January 1929, to
the Office on High street previously occu
pied by Judge Crosby, on the site of the
brick building now occupied as store by
Mr.. Arnold Harris. In November 1884
it was removed to the rooms over the
store on Main street now occupied by
Mr.. H. H. Forbes, erected that year; it
was not again removed until new Col
lector was appointed, in 1888. During
this term of time it might have been
denominated, not inappropriately, Gus
tom House on wheels.
Col. Lane was a native of Buxton in
this State. In the war of 1912 he held
commission as Lieutenant Colonel in the
regular army, but was IN command of
his Regiment curing large part OF the
time. He was stationed for a short time
at Fort independence in Boston Harbor;
afterwards at Fort Preble, Portland,
from which station he went to the front
Ter. He was in the battle of Platts-
burgh, Sept, 5, 1914, and at several
minor engagements prior toethat date.
When the office of Collector at this port
was created his meritorious services
We're remembered and he received the
appointment. He continued to hold the
office, discharglng its duties to the entire
acceptance of the mercantile and sea
farng portion CT the community, until
1888 when Nathaniel M. Lowney, ESQ.,,
OF this place, was appointed to succeed
him. He soon after removed to Boston
and was engaged for short time in bust
ness as Commission Merchant; from
which business he retired on receiving an
appointment in the Boston Custom
House. He did not engage in any active
business after tie expiration of his Of
fic al term but devoted large portion of
his remaining days to horticulture and
kindred occupations, of which he was
passionately fond. He is we'll remen1-
bered here as an ardent, not boisterous
politician, a courteous gentleman,
faithful officer, a valuable member of
society. He died at Newtonvile, Mass,
June 8, 1873, in the ninetieth year of his
age; his remains were brought here ard
inferred in Grove cemetery.
Mr.. Bradbury was born in the town of
York in this State, Sept. 16. 1875, and
resided in that place at the time of his
appointment. Prior to that time he had
held the Office of Deputy Collector in
the Custom House at that port. He
came to this place in 1918, with Col.
Lane, and after his marriage, July 16,
1920, commenced housekeeping in the
Ryan house, then so called, on Front
street; it was burned in the fire of Octo-
Der 1865. In 1924 he erected the house
on Church street now occupied by his
widow. He was elected Town Clerk in
1925 to fill the vacancy created by the
death of DR.. Herman Abbott and was
reelected for several successive wears