The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-05-29

From and after the fifteenth day of
M arch in this year, Maine became one of
the United States of America" At this
point of time Belfast, in common with
the residue Of Maine, may be regarded
as having taken "a new departure :"
Her population according to the census
of this year, was 2,026;an increase of TSP
from the year 1910. The Selectmen
elected at the annual spring meeting
were John Merriam, James McCrilis
and Nathan Swan; Benjamin Whittier,
Town Clerk. The prominent physicians
at this date were John S. Osborn, Herman
Abbott, Ebenezer Poor, Hollis Monroe,
Chauncey c. Chandler; Charles Hall, a
co mparatively young and promising ply
stefan died this year. The lawyers were
Bohan P. Field, John Wilson, Alfred
johnson, Jr., Zaccheus Porter, William
White, Joseph Williamson and Rufus B.
Allyne. Benjamin Whittier was the
Postmaster, Dudley Griffin the Fashion
able tailor" and Job White the axe-mak Z.
err and indispensable fiddler at all private
parties
The population Of Belfast was the larg-
est of any town in the county (Hancock)
save Frankfort; her population was 2127.
Efforts We're made early in the year to
have the towns of Franhfor and Monroe
set off to the county of Penobscot; also
to have Belfast made half-shire town;
both efforts We're unsuccessful; had the
last named succeeded, the creation of
the county of Waldo might have been in
definitely postponed, or deferred for
many years at least
On the seventh day of May died An
drew Leach, who was born at Glencoe,
Scotland, February II, 1853, and came
here to reside in 1905. He erected the
building still standing at the intersection
OF High and Bridge streets, now owned
by Mr.. Cakes Angler, ard occupied it
for many years as a store and dwelling.
One of his daughters became the wife of
Hon. John Wilson, another of George
Watson, Esq, who was sheriff of the
county at the time of the Separation.
1t was the uniform custom in those days
at the funeral of an adult while the
funeral procession was on its way to the
graveyard; the funeral of Mr.. Leach
was the first one at which TIE new bell
was tolled.
The Fourth of July was duly celebrat-
ed; "ushered in, to quote the language
of the Gazette of the sixth, "by the
roaring of cannon"-two small field
pieces were all we had-"and the ring
ing of bells' had only one to ring
excluding the COW bells and the bellies of
the village. Joseph Williamson, ESQ.,,
was the orator of the day. There was q
public dinner at the Sun Tavern, "served
up in Cunningham's best manner"
''Toasts were drank, accompanied by
the discharge of cannon and enlivening
airs of music" The following, given by
Hon. John Wilson who presided at the
table, is fair specimen of the sentiment
to which the occasion, and it's accompani-
ments, gave birth: "Maine an independ-
ent State. May her Legislators possess
the patriotism of Fox and the intelli-
gence of Pitt; her Judges the science of
M ansfield and decision of Holt; her Ora
tors the lightning of Cicero and the thun-
der Of Demosthenes. The people of
Belfast, and of Maine generally, to use
a slang phrase, were Feeling big"
alb out.that time. The flair SEX were
r reminded, Of course, that they were
'Heaven's last, best gift to man,"
On the sixth day of July the first num-
Der of the Hancock Gazette, the first
newspaper started within the limits of