Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-10-11
Old Document
Describes Augusta
in "ArOOstOOk War"

The Maine Historical Society has
recently been given by Mrs. Mary
lngraham Davies of Portland very
interesting document. 1t is letter
written in Augusta February, 1899.
and is addressed to her grandfather,
Whitney Cummings, then a promin-
ent citizen of Sumner. The letter
was written by Nathaniel O. Ryer-
son, a representative to the Legisla-
Iture from Oxford county. 1t covers
briefly a few of the stirring events
that took place at the Capital from
February II, 1899 to February 20,
when Augusta was raising a contin-
gent of troops for use in protecting
the rights of Maine on the Aroostook
and st. Johns rivers, a territory that
nearly brought on war with New
Brunswick. Following is a quotation
from Mr.. Ryerson's letter:
Il have just returned from wit
held before. / have been down to the
kennebec House in Water street
where from 1000 to 1900 people were
collected to witness the departure of
a very large company of volunteers
under the command of Captain John
Ford that were expected to start for
the disputed territory in few min
utes. The windows of the houses
were fulle Of faces of the fair sex,
some crying and some laughing. The
bells were ringing. fife and drum
playing and the soldiers took up the
march the spectators advancing as
far as the Kennebec bridge, where
they opened right and left and when
the soldiers passed through, gave
them three lusty cheers"
When Mr.. Ryerson's letter was
written, Augusta was a settlement
of 1000 people, with somewhat over
50 places of business. 1t was grow
ing rapidly and was prosperous and
flourishing community. The old Ken
nebec House, referred to was located
on Water street and owned by George
w Kicker 1t was destroyed on Oc-
tober 10, 1862 by re that for a time
threatened a general conflagration.
The events that led to the depar-
ture of Captain Fords volunteers
from Augusta on February II were
extremely interesting. For a number
Of years. a strip of land between
Aroostook county and New Bruins
wick. known as the Madawaska set
Element had been in dispute, and the
Federal government had never set
tied the question of the Maine-New
Brunswick boundry. With no defin-
lite boundaries. trouble was bound to
arise with our Canadian neighbors.
On January "a. 1889. matters came to
head when Canadians entered the
territory and cut valuable Timber.
Sheriff Hastings Strickland of Penob-
scot county rushed to the border with
200 men and a brass six FOUNDER to
''repel the invasion"
For the next day or so following his
arrival. there were a number of blood
less encounters, with prisoners taken
on both sides, including a Maine land
agent captured by the Canadians
Finally. Strickland. believing he was
to be overpowered by superior forces,
mounted his horse and made a record
ride 10 Augusta where he asked for
aid. Captain Ford's company was at
once hastily enlisted, and started for
the encampment.
The Maine legislature then appro-
priated 100000 for defense. and Gov
ernor Fairfield called for draft of
10,S4s officers and men. New Bruns-
wick. meanwhile. was moving troops
and preparing for an anticipated COL