The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-01-02


Mr.. Augustus Perry. "Beltasl's grand old
man, fell into his last sleep Saturday morning
Dec. 28th at 2 O'clock, having attained the
great age of 81 years and months. He had
hoped he might reach the century mark. but
often said he ready and willing to go
when the call came. During the past year he
had several i'll turns and his relatives and
friends realized that the end was not far dis
tant All that medical skill and tender loving
care in the home could do to prolong this USE
full, exemplary life done. He suffered a
severe chill Thursday, became unconscious
from its effects, evidently suffered no pain
and his end was in keeping with his whole life.
calm and peaceful.
MIR. Perry was born in Camden, April 80,
1915, the son of Oakes and Nancy Rogers
Perry. When he was about 16 years old his
parents moved to the Head of the Tide, Bel
fast, and he found employment in the general
store of Edwin Beaman, and when 21 years of
age bought an interest in the business. In 1S4l
they moved to the city and occupied store
on the corner of Church and Main streets
al bank now stands. In 1912 they sold the
hardware branch of their business to David
and John Perce and the same year bought the
Reuben Sibley store, now the City Drug Store
continuing there for II years. when the firm
was dissolved. Mr.. Perry continued the busi-
ness in what had been the White & Conner
store and is now the Wells block He remain
tbnr hon rod he
Sibley store, where he continued business un-
til 1882 when he sold out to Charles Baker
and retired, and was at that time the Oldest
grocer in Maine. Mr.. Baker later sold the
store to Thomas W. Pitcher, its present owner.
In January, 1888, Mr.. Perry entered the
Belfast post Office as money order clerk
and held that position for about 20 years.
He was fine penman and his writing at
that time was bold and clear. He had never
sought office political preferment, but
was town treasurer in 1852 and city treas
urer in 1858 and from 1858 to 1860. His
active career ended with the close of his SER
vice in the post Office and his remaining days
were spent at his home on Cedar street with
his daughter. Miss Julia Perry. AS long as his
health and strength permitted he attended the
Thursday evening prayer meetings and the
Sunday services at the Congregational church.
of which he was almost lifelong member and
for many years deacon. 1t was said of him
on his 95th birthday "He is today more active
than many younger men, constant attend
ant at the Sunday and Thursday evening ser
vices of the Congregational church, keeps well
informed on current events and has a hearty
greeting for his many friends. He attributes
his longevity to his never having used alco-
holc drinks tobacc in any form and to his
having kept the Sabbath day holy" On his
96th birthday it was said: "Mr. Perry is
the oldest citizen of Belfast and one of the
most dearly beloved. Hardly day passes
that he is not seen down town, with his
CHEEKY smile for old and young, and he is
greeted Grandpa by half the children
in the city. With his quaint, long coat, stove
pipe hat and cane he is a typical old-school
gentleman, and his snowy hair and beard only
enhance complexion that any girl might
envy. For many years he was the oldest en-
poyee of the United State post office depart
ment." 1t may be said here that mis- birthday
anniversaries were events in which the whole
city felt an interest. They were observed by
family gatherings at his home and gifts of
flowers and other remembrances from his many
friends. In August last Mr. Perry came down
town to pay his taxes and called at The Jour-
nal office, where he was always welcome
visitor. He went to the polls in an automobile
to cast his vote in the November election and
many who saw him realized that it was his
viction and steadfast in the faith, and ever
took active interest in the affairs of the
city, State and Nation.
In 1843 Mr.. Perry married Miss Jane Porter
of Searsport, who passed away in 1881. The
memory of his good wife. the mother of his
children, ever fresh with him. Four of
their five children survive: Edward A.. who is
who has always remained at home Isabel j.,
wife of Hon. Clarence o. Poor of Belfast, and
Walter F. of Grand Forks. North Dakota. A
daughter, the wife of Capt. Phineas Pendle-
ton, died in California in 1889. He had
number of grandchildren and great grand
children in whom he took great interest and
those who were permitted to he with him
returned his affection and were glad of oppor-
tunities to do him honor.
The funeral service was held at the late
home on Cedar street Tuesday afternoon at 2
o'clock, Rev. David L. Wilson, pastor of the
Congregational church, officiating, and was at
tended by many friends of the deceased and of
the family. The masses of white flowers on
and about the casket were typical of the pure
life of him who had been called home, and to
whom the officiating clergyman, his pastor
and friend, paid a richly merited tribute. The
bearers were Messrs. Dwight P. Palmer, Rob-
ert F. Dunton, NJ. c. Hill and Ben D. Field
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, Dec. 49, Eugene Rust.
general manager of the Kansas City stock
yards since 1903. died at his home here today
after an illness of several months Mr. Rust
had been connected with the local tock yards
for 80 years. He was born at Belfas st, Me-, 81
years ago.
This was sad news to many in Belfast, Mr..
Rust's birthplace and the HON of his boyhood.
He was the son of the late Hon. VIM. M Rust,
editor of the Progressive Age, and the last of
his family his mother and sister, the wife of
Mr. George G. Pierce, formerly of this city
now of Chicago, having died severa years ago.
W6nv,a