Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-03

Fully 100 years ago, when Fairfield
was but a small settlement, huddled
among the islands of the kennebec river
five small white houses were built a,
what is now known as Main street
Today four of the houses are still
standing. In one of these houses lives
Charles Ames, aged s. years. with his
wife Mr.. Ames who is one of Fair
fields oldest residents came to this
town when but six years of aseaand he
says his first remembrance of Fair
field was - years ago when he rode
into town with his father in sleigh
Making his home in town since 1887 for
the most part of the time, Mr. Ames is
naturally we'll acquainted with the his
tory of early Fairfield. In this little
white house resided the father of Chas
Ames for number of years. and there
Charles Ames has resided for the past
% years, so, as is the custom of calling
houses by the surnames of longtime
residents it is known as the Ames
house. Now the Ames place is to be
removed from its site, to make way for
the building of the double track rail-
road bridge between Fairfield and West
Benton.
Violins Made by Heart"
Charles Ames might be known as
"Fairfield's Violin Maker" Within the
past 80 years or so, Charles Ames has
made % violins, nearly all of which are
scattered about and in service. He
learned his trade by book" but makes
his violins 'by heart" Each instru-
ment which leaves his hands is watch
ed by him, so that today he can place
all Of the % with the exception OF
three. When he first made violins he
allowed them to go out without his sig
nature. But since that each violin
which goes out bears the inscription
the makers name and the year. Mr.
Ames cannot play the violin, yet he is
able to make perfect instruments in de-
sign and tone which have been adj
judged so by accomplished violinists
He thinks the best violin that he has
ever made is at present owned by a
Portland man. That violin is valued
highly by the owner who says that he
would not take $500 for it. At present
there are four of Mr.. Ames' violins in
Massachusetts. one in Portland, two
in New York. one at Greenville June
ton, several in Bangor and other
places.
Receives Journal Reporter.
A short time ago the Journal repre-
sentative called TO see Mr.. Ames. In
the course of the conversation which
had dwelt upon every subject but vlo-
Inns. the question was asked or him.
DO you make violins?' He smiled
arose from his chair, and said, Il Will
prove it." Going to the opposite side
of the room, he pushed back large
American flag. apparently hung Tor
adornment alone and, there behind the
flag, were five beautiful violins, sus-
pended from two wires. He took them
down, one by one, telling about each
one in turn. One he showed and .eX-
planned that it had travelled consider
ably having been to Boston and return
and to a number of other places. An
other which was the oldest in the lot
had been built in 1906. He called at
tention to the matching of the backs
Of the instruments, the grain IN the
wood being brought out to its best adj
vantage The grain in all the vio-
Inns was so placed that most beautiful
designs were secured. The violins are
made of imported materials. maple and
nine. Ten days is required on an av-
eagre to make a violin, and two months
to finish I'D the instrument. Mr.. Ames
has never sold a violin for more than
$50 but. after leaving. him, many of
them have been sold for twice and
three times that price. He takes es-
pecial pride in watching over each vio-
lin. as one would wandering child.
He can remember to whom the larger
mart of them have been sold. who the
third and sometimes the fourth owners
are.
Very Proud Of Two.
Mr.. Ames speaks with pride OF two
violins which he made from the same
lot Of lumber. man at Greenville
Junction asked Mr.. Ames to make Tor
him a violin. the price Of which was to
be $50. About that time violin maker
in Chicago was winning some fame IN
his trade. He had carried off seven
first prizes at as many expositlons Tor
best violins. Mr.. Ames wrote to that
man asking him for some Of the wood
which he used in his violins. He re-
ceived the reply that the wood would
be sent upon the receipt Of check. Mr..
Ames, sent a check sufficient for wood
to make two violins. Four weeks later
the wood arrived and Mr.. Ames at once
set to work. He said, That was the
most wonderful wood 1 ever worked
upon" Realizing that the wood was
most perfectly suited for the purpose
the old violin maker put his heart and
soul into the work. One Of these vio-
Inns valued at 500 is at Greenville
and the other. for which the
owner would not take $500 is at Port
land. The one which was ordered by
the man at Greenville Junction was
made for a left-handed player. The
violins are not all one size. One little
one was made by Mr.. Ames for his lit