Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-11-30
DAN W. PETTENCILL
ENDS LONG SERVICE AS
STATE MAIL CARRIER
Retires Tonight After 80 Years
as Mail Carrier at the State
House-Will Be Much Missed

After having for the past 80 years made
daily trips between the State House and
the Augusta postoff1ce as carrier of the
mail which comes to the Capitol, Daniel
w. Pettengill, the veteran who has dur
ing that time faithfully performed the
duties of that position, will retire from
service tonight and from now on will
take things easy One who does not stop
to think can have no idea of the miles
that Mr.. Pettengill has footed during the
long years that he has been carrying the
mail back and forth, but he figures in an
off-hand way that he has travelled some
thing like S0,120 miles, or more than three
times around the terrestrial globe. For
the past generation ne has made four
trips day. Uncle Dam" as his friends
call him, is one of the best known en-
ployes of the State and his kindly smile
and genial manner will be greatly missed
by many. and all will unite in hoping that
the restful days which have now come to
him will be many and filled with happi-
ness.
There is no one at the State House now
who was there when he began, and only
Ave persons are living who were employ
ed at the State House when he began to
carry his first letters in 1882
They are United States Senator Edwin
c. Burleigh. who was at that time clerk
In the office of the State treasurer; Maj.
Charles j. House, who was then clerk in
the educational department; Charles r.
Written, who was then clerk in the
office of the secretary of State Gen.
Eanrv Cpra oua Of A rhl,rn who uae nj arlx
in the adjutant generals office; Nelson
A. Luce of Vassalboro. who was State
superintendent of schools.
There was a total of q persons en-
ployed in the State House in 1882, and
Mr.. Pettengill has seen this number grow
to 100 who are now occupants of the big
granite pile. He has seen departments
double and quadruple in size and almost
am army of employees come and go from
the State House.
Mr.. Pettengill was such a familiar fig-
ure between the State House and the
postoffice and his trips are made at such
regular Intervals that people along the
business thoroughfare could almost time
their movements by his going and COM
ing. His genial disposition and accom-
welcome everywhere, and few officials
who have gone out of the State House
in the last quarter of century will be
more keenly missed.
Hr. Pettengill, as mail carrier to the
Capitol, succeeded Daniel Campbell Of
Dexter He was appointed by Gen. B.
F. Harris, then superintendent of
buildings, and Mr.. Rettengill has the
unusual distinctionE Of having served
under IL different Governors and
through Is Legislative sessions, while
he has seen two extensive remodel :
ings of the governmental building.
At one time, when he handled the
early morning mall, Mr.. Pettengill
was obliged to be at the State House
at A. NJ. and his duties did not cease
until 6 or p. NJ. but of late years
the early morning mail has been elm
mated as part of his duties. He has
been enabled to ride part of the time
to and fro on the electric cars, but
his service began 10 years before there
were any electric cars In Augusta.
Mr.. Pettengill was born in Sanger
Vile, secured his early education in
that town and remained there until
he WAS 10 years VI age. 11C CiiiASNCo AZ
Co. f Of the 18th Maine Infantry.
which subsequently became merged
into the LIST Maine Heavy Artillery
and he was a member of Co. M %
the latter organization and afterward
orderly sergeant. He served three
years in the war and was twice
wounded at the battle Of Petersburg.
Mr. Pettengill is a member of the
LIST Maine Heavy Artillery Association.
His occupation after the war at in
tervals was that of milling and farm
ing. In the 80 years that he has serv-
ed as mail carrier he has been Off
duty for sickness or other reasons
just SO days. He is just little past
70 years of age and resides at Ill
SewaH street He is married and has
two sons, Charles s. of this city and
Ray W., instructor of German at Har-