The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-11-11
MAIL ONCE A WEEK
An Early Carrier and His Route

Widely different from the present
daily delivery of mail even in the re-
mote rural regions was the method
employed in the early days of Somer-
set County according to the article
published herewith.
There was no postofice in this
county at the time of the first settle
ment, nor until several towns in the
county had been incorporated. and
mail route was at length established
from Hallowell through Augusta. Vas
salboro, Winslow Waterville, Fair
field by the road to Canaan BLOOM
fleld) to Skowhegan Falls, there
crossing the river to Norridgewock
village and Mr.. Gilman of Norridge-
wock, who lived across the river two
miles from the postoffice, small en-
ergetic man, everyway qualified for
the business was appointed mail car
rier to carry the mail on horseback
once week He performed the ser
vice with fidelity and punctuality. it is
said during more than a quarter of a
century on horse back the first half of
the time over bad roads; crossing the
river four times, going and coming by
ferry several years until bridges were
built or on the ice in the winter over
bad roads forty-four miles each trip.
During the latter half of his time the
roads being made passable he carried
the mail on wheels and during the
whole period personally, without
trusting to a substitute. 1t was re-
marked in sport that he rode so much
on horseback that his limbs became
bent to the curvature of the saddle
He drove the same horse over the
whole route. only stopping an hour at
Waterville to bait and rest each way
Stores for the sale of goods were
few and far between in those days
and the people on the route were in
the habit of sending to Hallowell for
small stores; and Mr.. Gilman did
everything at a very cheap rate OF
six cents a pound
Being at the stage tavern in Halo.
we'll on one occasion. when he had
rude carriage in which he carried
passengers. he dropped a passenger
from Norridgewock belonging in Bos-
ton. The gentleman thanked him for
his careful driving and remarked to
the company according to an old tale
that the Norridgewock driver was the
most extraordinary and remarkable
man. he ever met with and the best
qualified for the place he was in of
any man that he ever saw. They
scarcely passed a house or man in
the days route that had not a mes
sage for him or an errand to do;
some wanted messages carried to
others one wanted a pound of good
tea. another a pound of tobacco.
lady wanted her box filled with snuff.
and another wanted a deed carried to
the Register, and which amused him
more than all the rest was a woman
with child in her arms wanted a
pair of shoes for the child and held up
the child's foot to the driver to take
its dimensions by grasping it in its
hand; and various other errands were
to be done. The driver, good natur-
eddy said yes to them all. Some gave
him money and some would pay when
he came back. He made no memoir
andum, but trusted all to his memory,
and when inquired of about errands
done, answered promptly without hest
tation.
A historian of earlier days pays this
tribute to the old-time mail carrier:
Mr.. Gilman was a good intelli-
gent citizen, a worthy member of
the church. lived to the age of
80, and died in 1884, without an
enemy. Everyone had confidence
in him as an honest man.