Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-24
Centennial of Town of Berwick
Celebrated Today and Thursday

South Berwick, Me-, June 23.-The
town of South Berwick. which was in
corporated Feb. IL, 1914. Will observe
its Tooth anniversary in an elaborate
manner June "a and %.
South Berwick was originally settled
at what was called the old Quamphe-
gan Landing, which was incorporated
in 1873. The first explorers found the
land a thick wilderness inhabited only
by wild animals and a few Indians
near Quamphegan Falls. The woods
and rivers were well filled with fish
and game
The first settlement was probably
made as far back as 1924 in the days
of Humphrey Chadbourne. In 1643
Chadbourne bought a tract of land
where Berwick is now located, the
first Indian deed ever recorded in the
county. laundering at that time be-
came an important industry, and as
early as 1850 d sawmill was erected by
Richard Leader on the river known as
Newichawannock. The mill did such
a prosperous business that the present
name of Great Works River was de-
rived from the extensive operations on
the little stream. A corn stamping
mill was also built along this river in
1854
The settlement gradually increased
until the outbreak of the Indians in
1875, when the whites were forced to
endure severe hardships for nearly 10
years.
The Indians began their onslaught
in September, 1874, with an attack on
the house of John Tozier. He had gone
to aid settlers in Saco. leaving his
home with Is women and children I'M
guarded. The attack was first discov-
cred by O. girl of Is, who closed the
door of the cabin and held it with her
own arm while the other members OF
the family escaped to the woods.
The savages cut the door down with
their tomahawks only to find the brave
girl alone The Indians, led by An
drew, a Saco Indian chief, and Hope
hood of Kennebec, two Of the fiereest
chiefs of the Maine Indians turned on
the courageous girl, and after leaving
her dying continued in pursuit of the
fugitives The family escaped except
two small children, one of which was
klileu, Wn1ie Tile oNLtt was iAEAH S~f
by the Indians for nearly a year.
Meantime the heroine revived after
the departure of the Indians, and by
strenuous efforts she managed to crawl
on her hands and knees to garrison,
where she later recovered.
The next day the Indians burned TO
the ground the dwelling Of Capt Win
coll. who with a number of settlers
followed the savages in an unsuceess-
full effort to capture them.
Soon after the Indians appeared on
Little River and shot down many set
tiers who were at work in the saw
mill The house of Richard Tozief
was next attacked, when Mr.. Tezier
was killed and his son taken into cap
tiVity.
Roger Plaisted. who had charge OF
the party seeking to suhdue the IN
dams. was attacked from ambush py
the eavages while he and his followers
were loading bodies of the fallen set
tiers on vehicles to carry them off for
burial
The oxen, frightened at the sudden
yolley, ran away, leaving Plaisted ana
his men to the mercy of the Indians.
Although the party numbered less
than % they made a gallant stand IN
the face of the enemy, but were grad
ually cut down.
Roger Plaisted and his two sons
were buried near the old battle grounu
on the old road from South Berwick To