Daily Kennebec journal., 1919-11-20

Fort Western is the original heart
OF Augusta. Around IL grew up the
little villRge of pioneer log houses
that laid the foundation for Maine
capital CITY. Ii was the scene of all
public meetings and OF all official
happenings for many years. Fort
w e5Isrn Is the distinctive feature of
the official seal OF the CITY It's gar
rlsen building ana block house
shown On the river bank with canoes
Of Indians gliding by are stamped on
every official document. What could
be more fitting and proper than that
the Old for be restored 10 its original
form and preserved 10 the CITY as a
reminder Of the hardy men and wp-
men who dared I'd found the little
wilderness town III ancient Cushnoc?
V hat could be more firing and prop
er than that the restoration be done
by the great great great grandson
OF the first CummanuanI Of the fort
Captain James Howard, VINO may
also he called the first settler Of
Augusta. mad settled near Cusfnoc II
1735 but later returned TO Boston
=
1754 ne accompanied Governor Shir-
ley Of Massachusetts n his expedl-
rlpn 10 the kennebec and was ap-
pointed by him Cornmandant of Fort
Wesrern which was built IN that
year. He became the leading figure
N the Cushnnc settlement and also
in this entire section OF the province
Of Maine.
His daughter Margaret was mar
ried ID Captain james Patterson. mis-
being the first marriage performed
IN the settlement. From this union
is descended Guy Patterson Gannet1
whIse most gracious offer TO purchase
ami restore the Old fort Is meeting
with such an enthusiastic welcome
r-am the citizens of Augusta. The
restoration is 10 he done as u me-
mortal to MIR. Gannett's s mother, late
ly deceased.
From all sides are coming enrnu-
siastic and hearty expressions OF ap-
proval and communication Of Mr.
Gannerf's generosity and it is hoped
that no insurmnuntahle obstacles
viii be found standing in the way Of
Fort Western and Fort Halifax ar
Winslow. were built Ut about the
same time. being located by order of
Governor Shirley at the points Of
greatest strategic Importance on the
upner Kennebec. The story Of these
old forts properly begins with Lae
cuming.of the Plymouth men n 1625
They sailed up the river TO trade
with the Indians al kousslnoc, brings
ing shallop load of corn. The eEpedi-
ton was commanded by one Edward
Winsiow whose crew is described
as SIX OF We old standards When
they returned 10 Plymouth they car
ried a load Of beaver skins Of great
value. 4 trading post was estab-
Iished and maintained for more than
so wears. bus IN the course of the In
dian wars Was abandoned. The Ken
nebec patent lay dormant until I74s
when the Frankfort Plantation was
established where Dresden now
stands. The Kennebec river was ne
highway for Indians and their trenrh
allies in Canada, and the Plymouth
men felt IL necessary to gel pOsses-
sion of the river anG the trails lead
ing 10 Canada in order 10 cope WITH
their foes. Accordingly Governor
Shirley set out for the kennebec 10
make a tour of inspection The re
suit of the tour was the order for the
building Of the -wo forts.
James W North IN his History Of
Auuusta." describes the building and
original appearance of Fort Western
as follows:
During the building Of Fort Hail-
fax tat Winsiow3 committee OF the
Plymouth company were actively en-
gagged in erecting a fort at Cusfnoe,
on a point of land on the east side OF
the river on which formerly stood tns
Naw Plymouth trading house IN 162h-
The timber for this purpose was pre-
pared in Frankfort NOW Dresden)
where the wori1men could be under
the protection of Fort Shirley, and
was fpated up the river. The main
building, now standing in gooG
state Of preservation just below the
eastern end of Kennebec bridge. is
100 feet long, ~ feet wide and ls feet
high, and is built of timber making
solid walls II inches thick.
1.-The twn block houses constructed