The Republican journal., 1914-01-08
Annals of Belfast for Half
q a Century.
BY AN OLD SETTLER
(Hon. VIM. G. Crosby.)
CHAPTER xLvIII. (1851.)

CHAPTER XVIII. (loo1.)
According to the national census taken
last year, just completed, the population
of our town was at this time 5,O52; in
Guiding the territory set off since 1910 it
was 5, 56s; showing an increase OF popu-
latlon in the entire territory of 1,374 in
the last ten years. The population of
the county was 1929 against 1885 in
1910; S, 694 gain in ten years. According
to the State valuation of last year we
had e32 polls and 1928 79 of estate in
town. According to our town tax bills
of this year the number OF those who
paid a tax exceeding one hundred dollars
was nineteen; the largest tax, $235. 90,
was paid by Ralph C. johnson. The
number of those who paid tax in 1874
exceeding one hundred dollars, was 2l7!
The largest tax, So, 300 90, was paid by
the estate of the late Alfred W. johnson.
The course of lectures before the Ly-
ceum inaugurated the preceding fall was
continued this winter. The lecturers
were Geo. Sennott, Esq, of Boston, on
Popular Delusions concerning the Middle
Aces. Rev. Ezra Gannett of Boston on
Conversation, DR.. Charles L. jackson OF
Boston on A Grain of Corn. Geology and
Mining, Rev. A. L. Stone on the True
Mission of Woman, Rev. Horatio South
gate on the Domestic life of the Turks.
Rev. j. H. Allen of Bangor Oh American
Civilization. Rev. Calvin E. Stowe OF
Bowdoin College on the origin and his
tory of Alphabetic writing, Rev. Stephen
Thurston of Searsport on the relation OF
the Pulpit to Politics and Government,
Rev Edward F. Cutter on Iceland, Rev
Nathan C. Fletcher on the Natural His
tory of Man, Hon. N. Abbott on the
equality of Human Conditions.
The fall course commenced on the I'D
of October. The lecturers were IL. N.
Hudson, Esq, of Boston on Falstatf,
Prof. Shepard of Bangor on Charles
James Fox, Rev. T. Starr King, of Bos-
ton, on Socrates, Charles c. Hazewell,
ESQ.,, of Boston, on Roman Slavery, Rev.
William Ware, of Cambridge, on the
Usefulness of the Fine Arts, Rev. A. l..
Stone, of Boston, on Kossuth and Hun
gary, and Rev. John Pierpoint, of Med
ford, poem on Improvement.
There were other lectures and readings
during the year. Rev. C. W. Dennlson
lectured on California, and Prof. Ira
veneer gave readings from the lngoldsby
Legends and Hood at City Hall in May.
Prof. Grimes gave course OF lectures
in July on physiology, phrenology, mes
merism, &c In August Mr.. John M.
Spear, the "Prisoner's Friend, lectur-
ed on the prevention of crime and the
form of youthful offenders. and in Sep
TENDER Mrs. Lesdernier gave readings
at the Court House. Mr.. Charles Whit
new gave two entertainments in Decem-
Der. consisting of limitations of dlstln-
guished orators, and Rev. Mr.. Plerpoint
lectured on temperance.
Mr.. 7. D. Baldwin gave an exhibition
of Natural Magic in January. and Mr..
Bird, the ''Ventriloquist and Magician,
gave two exhibitions of his professional
skill in June. He was followed the same
month by Mr.. Harrington, 1.-THE great
est ventriloquist in the world, - who gave
two of his unique and fashionable en-
tertainments which had been the theme
of admiration aud delight in all the prin-
cipal cities and towns in the United
Statesl"
The first steamer to arrive was the Ad-
miral, Capt. Albert Wood. She. made
her first appearance for the season here
on the 7th of March, her last on the 5th
of April The Secor, Capt. c. B. San
ford, followed her and piled between
this place and Portland, Sedgwck and
Machias until June, when she was sold
to 90 on route between Newcastle and
Portland The Boston, Capt. Sanford,
came on in April. The Lawrence, Capt.
Charles Deering, commenced running
from this pIace to Ellsworth and inter-
mediate points in July. The Governor.
Ldpl. lUUllidS 1eOSSlo, ihi " L Va eie'''N IA
connection with the railroad; her first
trip was on the 14th of April.
at the annual spring meeting, March
18th. James P. White, Ansel Lehman and
Franklin Brier were chosen Selectmen,
Joseph Wheeler, Clerk, and Daniel Hara-
den, Treasurer. The monies raised were
So, 500. 90 for schools, 100000 for pau
pers and insane, 81, 900. 90 for incidental
expenses, 100000 for repair of high
ways and bridges. $780, 90 for engine ex-
penses. The amount of the towns in
debtedness at this time was So, 692. rs.
The fire record of this year is brief.
The first one occurred on the night of the
Oath of June. 1t was the most destruc-
tive Of property and the most disastrous
to the effective in ustry of our village
that had ever occurred. The Belfast
Foundry, erected in 1849, and a two story
building near it owned by Mr.. Samuel
Sweetsir, were totally destroyed. The
actual loss of property uninsured was
S2l. OOO. 90. On the morning of the 18th
a blocksmith's shop owned by MIR. Will
liam Frederick, which stood in the rear
of the old Farmers House stable, was