The Republican journal., 1913-06-12
Annals of Belfast tor Halt q
Century.
RY AN OLD SETTLER
(Hon. VIM. G. Crosby.)
CHAPTER XVI. (l82l-2.)


died Laughlin Mcdonald, the Oldest per-
son in town; his age was not accurately
known. but from his own story OF MS
life and what could be learned from his
relatives he must have been nearly one
hundred and ten years old at the time OF
his death. He remembered to have seen
the Duke of Marlboro, who died ninety
nine wears before he did. He was porn
in Scotland and entered the British SER
vice when very young. He was IN Ieh-
eral Wolfe's army in 1859 and engaged
in the memorable battle of the "Plalns
of Abraham. After the capture OF
Quebec he managed to dissolve his con-
nection with the British army and event
uallv found himself located on the banks
of the Penobscot not far from where the
village of Bucksport now Is; there were
then but few scattered settlers IN tha1
region. He was residing there IN l''9
when party of British soldiers visited
the locality and burned saW-mlll, YES
sci. and five dwellings; the list OF thelf
owners embraces the name OF McDonalo'
one of the dwellings burned belonged TO
him, probably, or some relative. AFTER
that event he removed to this place. He
was hale, vigorous, and to the last d
cheerful man. He resided on the east
side of the river. About the last time ne
came to the village an old frierd met him
with the salutation, "Why Mac! you
alive YETI" "Alive?" was the CHEEKY
answer, eyes; and the Lord only knows
but IN live hundred years longer!
The s.Press" of Hancock county which,
80 far as it had local habitation WITHIN
the territory now constituting the coun-
ty of Waldo, up to this date had spoken
only through the columns of the Gazette
and the advertising show bills OF pupilc
spirited individuals who were Interested
in the improvement of the breed OIL
horses, gave utterance this year IN the
form of pamphlet; Communion SER
mon, delivered by Rev. William Froth-
ingham; published by request OF hearers:
printed by Fellowes and Simpson. IL
was followed the next year by the publ
cation in pamphlet form of very learn
ed discourse by Rev. Alfred johnson,
published by request of hearers, on
the divinity of Christ consistent with
the Unity of Cod" Embodied in the
same pamphlet is discourse by the
same author on the Humanity of
Christ"
Relfast had now become of such COM
mercial Importance that the right to
have three mails per week had been con-
coded to her; accordingly the Western
mail arrived on Monday, Wednesday and
Saturday of each week at p. M, and
left on it's return on the evening of same
DAYS; the mail from the East, via Bucks
port, also came and left tri-weekly; the
mail route from this place to Bangor was
by the way of Bucksport.
There was at this time, and for several
wears before had been library, owned
in shares. denominateC the Belfast Social
Library. 1t contained several hundred vol
umes. iudiciousiy selected, and was large
lv patronized. As its shareholders, one af-
ter another died, or removed, ard private
libraries increased, the interest IN MAIN
tanning the institution gradually dlmln-
ished until il died; whare it was buried IS
as unknown as the grave of Moses. Now
and then one of its dry bones, IN the
shape of volume substantially covered
with sheepskin and dust is turned up by
some bookworm-or Bridget-prowlng
among the heaps of rubbish in lumber
room or garnet.
On the 18th day of December, Paul
Giles, one of our most active business
men was drowned on his passage from
St. Johrs to Eastport. The vessel on
which he was a passenger struck ledge
near Campobello in thick snow storm
early in the evening, but in few
minutes slid off into deep water without
sustaining any material injury. The
CAPTAIN. who was we'll acquainted with
the locality. ordered the man at the helm
to steer a certain course which would
carry them clear of the Lodges in the
vicinity; on going aft he discovered that
the card of the compass was unshlpped,
and at almost the same moment the
vessel struck another ledge. She re-
remained on this ledge until after mid
night, the sea breaking over her, during
which time Mr.. Giles, the captain and
one of her crew were washed from the
wreck and drowned. His body was
found about the last of January, on the
shore of Casco Bay Island, near the spot
where he was drowned, was carried to
PASSPORT and buried by the Masonic
Fraternity, of which he was member.
Mr.. Giles came here to reside about
1900. He was native of Gilmanton,
N. H., and by occupation tanner. He
was the founder of the old lanyard on
the road to the Upper Bridge, now oc-
cupied by Nathan F. Houston, Esq. He
carried on for many years the business
of tanning and manufacturing boots and
shoes, employing quite number of
operatives for tlCse days. Subsequent
lv he ENGAGED in the business of purchaS-