Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-08
The Malta War

The Malta War trouble grew from
the acts of lawless squatters who
took possession of land to which
they had no title and who resisted
the attempts of the lawful owners
to drive them away or collect rent.
Many of the settlers in the town had
long enjoyed undisturbed possession
and often the real land owners when
they appeared asked an unreason-
able price for the land knowing that
the settler had greatly improved it
and would be unwilling to leave his
home.
To protect themselves in their
rights. real or fancied, the settlers
banded together and made common
cause in measures of resistance and
finally proceeded so far as to set at
defiance all lawful authority. Sur
veyors were threatened and intiml-
dated; sheriffs shot at and wounded
and their horses killed; the Jail at
Wiscasset was forcibly opened and
some of the prisoners confined for
offenses were liberated. Many out
RACES were perpetrated by the squat
ter settlers in the towns adjoining
Augusta, They generally donned the
DISGUISE of Indians. Some of the
rich land owners whom they hated as
their oppressors lived in Augusta
and many threats were made against
them. The city was alarmed for the
safety of it's public buildings and -
of the principal inhabitants organ
lied under the name of the Augusta
PATROL TO do night watch duty
They took turns regularly in making
the rounds of the principal streets.
The motto of the organization was
"Custodia est Cbypeus THE watch
is our protection" General Sewali
and DIR. Cony did the first nights
watch. January 10, 1908.
Matters were getting worse In
neighboring towns and surveyors. Of
ticers and land owners took their
lives in their hands. Reuel Williams
received letters threatening his life
and the destruction of his dwelling.
On the evening of March To, 1SOS,
the Jail was burned and the court
house set on fire. The Jail fire was
set by an inmate. Edward Jones. and
il was thought that the court house
fire was started by an agent OF the
squatters. So alarmed were the
citizens that General Sewall ordered
out the Augusta Light Infantry and
they continued under arms during
the night.
In 1908 the Massachusetts Legis-
lature passed 4 so-called BETTER
ment Law" for the relief of the
settlers, but they did not regard 1t
as an adequate measure. the town
Of Malta, now known as Windsor.
was the scene of much trouble and
from the acts of violence there the
war takes it's name. In Malta the
first and only life of the war was
taken Paul Chadwick, surveyor,
was shot September 8. 1S09, by nine
men disguised as Indians. The men
hid in the woods but after several
conferences between their friends
and the officers, seven of them came
out and gave themselves up. they
were confined in the new Jail which
was strongly guarded both inside and
out.
The friends of the prisoners soon
began to regret their surrender and
fearing thar the full penalty of the
law would be inflicted, began to
make plans for a rescue. Alarming
rumors were circulated and believed.
About midnight on October 3, 1909.
the day on which court convened,
about 20 men, all armed and many
in disguise, approached on the east
side of the river to the foot of Malta
Hill, about $50 rods from the bridge.
A spy who preceded them was cap
tured by two sentinels at what is
now the corner of Bangor and Cony
streets. Some of his friends rushed
forward and released him and also
carried off to the woods Major
Weeks. a citizen who was present.
Wild commotion arose In the
town. Alarm guns were fired, bells
rung and the Light Infantry turned
out, the streets were filled with peo-
pie and a general rproar ensued. At
1 A. NJ General Sewall ordered out
the two companies; and early In the
morning six companies. one each
from Augusta. Hallowell. Gardiner,
Winthrop, Readfield and Sidney We're
ordered out to protect the Jail and
assist in suppressing the insurrec-
ton. Martial law reigned in the
town the next day and after nine
o clock in the evening no citizen was