Reminiscences of Earlier Berlin II
By Louville Paine, Sulphite Mill
Seeing my picture in the last "Bulletin" brought to mind the man of whom it was asked, "Hasn't your picture been in the papers?" Quite visibly chesting up he replied, "Ahem, very likely, quite likely." "Let's see," the questioner continued, "what disease was it you were cured of?" Surely, "pride goeth before a fall." In writing these articles from memory, I have come to the conclusion that there is more truth than poetry in the quotation, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread," and that there is a liability of being relegated to Josh Billings' class of people who "know so many things that ain't so."
Reminiscences would not pass the censor nowadays, unless reference was made to "The Little Red Schoolhouse" and "The Old Swimmin' Hole." It is fortunate for historians at least, that Berlin Falls had a "Little Red Schoolhouse." It was situated on a knoll just back of the store recently vacated by Woolworth's. A roll call today could bring a response of "present" from John, William, and Hoiman Noyes; Jim Lavin, Charles Gerrish; Victor and Minnie King; Maria Mason, Dan Grover, Louville Paine; Peter and Aline Dubey; John Xilia, Mary, and Alec Coreau; Napoleon, Robert, Minnie, and Rosa Marchand; Ada Blodgett, Delia McMann, Lucy Pouliet, Fred Dyer, Jim Per- kins, Emily Jewell, Sadie Clark, Mamie Green, W. W. Burlingame, Owen and Oscar Cole. Some of the teachers were Dealbon Young, Clara Foster, Lettie Parker, Ina Crockett, Frank Burbank, Bode Mason, Nancy Folsom, Richard McGown, and Mrs. J. D. Andrews.
For "Swimmin' Holes," there were at least five, all of which were sufficiently removed as to allow the bathers to en- joy the pastime "a la Joe Knowles;" one was back and a little west of Bell's stable; one just below Hillside Avenue bridge; one at the "Bog"; one back of Albert Theatre; and one
back of the Cross Foundry.
Sunday observance was very strict. Why it was so is a puzzling question. People were not particularly interested in religious affairs, but the custom was so strongly fixed in public opinion that to do a stroke of work not absolutely necessary, play, or open a store on Sunday was regarded as a matter of particular disgrace.
Before Eagle Hall was built, the Catholics held services at the Falls in John King's house. On the map it is John McMann's. At the Mills, they used Abram Dupill's house. The Protestant services and Sunday School were held in the hall of the Berlin Mills Company, the Methodist minister from Milan usually supplying. During summer vacations, theological students officiated. Mrs. J. D. Andrews was organist, and the members of the choir were Jesse Tuttle, Frank Coffin, Eva Coffin (Hobbs) and Lizzie Jewell. Some of the teachers in the Sunday School were Frank Coffin, Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Allen, and Mrs. Spaulding.
Mrs. J. D. Andrews has the first piano brought to town. It was made by Paxon of Rochester, N. Y. Like Niagara Falls, it is "running yet." It has a good tone and is remarkably well preserved. It was bought for her when she was eleven years old, and she has had it sixty-nine years. Mrs. Ina Wilson, Mrs. Andrews, and Miss Eva Philbrook were the first music teachers in town.
The Reform Club movement that spread over the country about 1875 struck Berlin. David Walsh says that C. C. Frost, a lawyer from Auburn, Me., came and organized the club here. Without doubt it was a help to many in controlling an appetite for strong drink. Not only was it helpful in this respect, but it assisted in developing known and unknown talents, for the weekly meetings had regular programs of recitations, music, business, voluntary remarks, sometimes a set speech, exhortations to sign and keep the pledge, etc. Robert Wilson, a Scotchman, who was president at one time, had a vigorous enunciation and rolled his r's in a way that it would be hard to imitate. He would announce, "The next will be a solo by Ger-r-tie Mor-r-rill" (Cobb). The club had no meeting place, and a movement was started that resulted in the building of Eagle Hall (opposite the Revere Hotel). It had a hall upstairs and club rooms on the ground floor. Such a hall was much needed and was a real community affair.
The Catholics under Father Charland worshipped there, as did also the Universalists. Among the many other uses found for it were dances, amateur dramatics, travelling shows, a term of private "high school" taught by William Brooks, fairs, political meetings, some hotly contested elections, trials, hearings, boxing matches, singing schools, roller skating, etc. Alton Blodgett was the builder and was the first Santa Claus in it.
With the building of Eagle Hall came the ambition to "speak" in public on the stage, and the dramas, "Down by the Sea" and "Among the Breakers" were the first to be put on. The cast of characters included A. K. Cole, John Wheeler, Jim Lavin. Will Ellis, Charles Gilbert, Rev. A. J. Benedict, Mrs. J. W. Parker, Fannie Mason, Maria Tuttle, Augusta Paine, and Charles Gerrish. Later on, heavier plays were produced, notably, "Fanchon, the Cricket." And now here is a challenge. At least 45 years ago "Boston Dip," a rousing farce by George M. Baker, was played in Eagle Hall by the following cast: Jim Lavin, Mrs. Ina Wilson, W. H. Gerrish, C. C. Gerrish, L. B. Paine, Ger- trude Morrill, and Persis Chandler. All are living yet. Where can you beat it? Eagle Hall was later moved to Mechanic Street and renamed Music Hall.
H. Price Webber and his wife, formerly Miss Edwina Grey, conducted a travelling dramatic company for more than a life- time. They came to Berlin often and stayed a week at a time. About a year ago, an item in a daily paper stated that after a short retirement he had decided to start out again, being then over eighty years old. Alf and Dick Martz, Komical Brown, and the Guy Family were annual visiting showmert for years.
The milk question was a serious question. At least I thought so, when I had to walk to A. H. Gerrish's at the Cascade every other day to get two quarts of milk. One of the trips fell on the memorable May 1st, on which date over a foot of snow fell. A merry party of sleigh riders from Gorham hollered as they went by, "Hey. there, any Mayflowers around here?" I would say also, that Moses Hodgdon was thereby enabled with the help of his neighbors to get a carload of lumber that was left at his mill on the Ammonosuc by the early approach of spring, over to Milan Water Station (Copperville).
But to get back to the milk question. A. J. Howard saw the opportunity and with his faithful old gray horse, "Lijah," sold us milk at five and six cents
per quart for years. Many other things from the farm on Cates Hill he brought down and turned into cash. His buckboard loaded high with rhubarb made people stop and look. His enthusiasm was catching. He was something of a philosopher, as indicated by his maxim, "Don't get mad. It is the most foolish thing a man ever did." He was optimistic as shown by his stock story of the woman who had lost her seventh husband. She said, "If it wasn't for hope, the heart would die."
The late John Corbett claimed that H. Winslow was the first sport to go to the lake region fishing with a guide and that he acted in that capacity for Mr. Winslow. John said that, when Mr. Winslow hooked a fish it was his custom to take it in immediately. He would say, "Pull him in, pull him in. John, might as well pull him in right away and lose him as to play him half an hour and then lose him."
Frank Donahue, who died very recently in Gorham, an old time resident and a long time employee at the Burgess Mill, several years ago. talking about Berlin Falls as it used to be, said he wished he could see a picture of Berlin as it was then. I was pretty near "Johnny on the spot," as I had the old map in my pocket. He was much interested. He said he lived in the Monday house near the G. T. Station and that while he was at work by night in Winslow & Co.'s mill the house caught fire and burned down. Mr. Donahue crawled out of the window in her nightdress with the baby, Frank, Jr., in her arms. Nothing was saved. He said that Mrs. C. C. Noyes, next door neighbor, gave his wife a dress and that Gardner Paine, who was working with him, gave him a coat.
Mr. W. W. Brown was a keen business man of the old school, courtly, pleasant, and always insistent on a square deal. He was heard to admonish the clerks in the store, "Give them good measure, boys, give them good measure."
He was a lover of a good horse, and many of us remember his reliable, handsome and very intelligent horse, "Doctor," petted by everybody. We need not invoke the aid of scientists in heredity to account for this characteristic so well developed in his sons. His interest in Berlin and human
welfare manifested itself in the active form of substantial aid in building the Congregational church and the Y. M. C. A., and to many other worthy objects. Many of us have just enjoyed the annual gift of a Thanksgiving turkey, a custom established by Mr. Brown, when the crew was small. The wonderful growth and expansion of the Brown Company in business and in good works has indeed done great credit to its founder. Like many another pioneer, when Mr. Brown founded the B. M. Co. "he builded better than he knew."
Mr. Lewis Brown was a member of the Berlin Mills firm and was the first, what is now termed "Superintendent" of the Woods Department. To the men in the woods the title is "Walking Boss." The duties of the superintendent are to keep the mill supplied with logs. Mr. Brown's genial personality and efficiency made him a very popular man. A glimpse of his humorous side was caught, when as one time he was jingling some coins in his pocket, he enquired of his hearers, if they had seen the new coinage, three pieces to the dollar. On receiving a negative answer he showed them two new quarters and a half.
His untimely death in the prime of life was an irreparable loss to the community. Mrs. Brown was much interested in Berlin people and took an active part in all good work for the betterment of the town. Her home is and always has been in Portland.
Jas. W. Parker, a nephew of the late W. W. Brown, came to Berlin, a young man just out of school, with a fine hand of good old Spenserian penmanship, and an ambition and tireless energy that graduated him through all the phases of B. M. Co's business activities to a shareholder in the concern. His influence for good in community affair:, it's a fresh memory with many of us. His recreation and sports were few. He swam with the boys and engaged in swimming matches with "Brinty" Oswell, in which it was usually "nip and tuck." He boxed with Benedict, the first settled minister, referred to in a former article. One principal recreation was solid reading. He succeeded Lewis Brown as Woods Superintendent,
and later was manager of manufacture.
It is refreshing to talk with his old employees and learn of the esteem and respect they hold for him. He served as school committee in 1875. A copy of his report for that year's work is still in existence, from which we quote the following :
"District No. 6 (Jericho). Summer term taught by Miss Ada Blodgett. (Mrs. Hiram Rowell). Length of term, nine weeks, whole number of scholars ten, average nine. This was Miss Blodgett's second term in this district, and she as before gave perfect satisfaction. Fall term commenced by Miss Amelia McPherson, who kept one week but not liking gave up the school to Miss Lizzie T. Jewell (Mrs. J. W. Parker), who kept the remaining six weeks. The school made good progress, Miss Jewell as usual sustaining her reputation as a good and through teacher."
John Wilson, a man zealous in good works, a strong temperance man, and a good neighbor, tended the grist-mill and worked in the filing room. When one was in trouble, about the first thing to do was to send for John. Boston liquor dealers used to send out agents to take orders from consumers and sent the innocent looking package by express. Someone thought it would be a huge joke and directed one of these agents to John Wilson. Suddenly after he had made the object of his visit known, he found himself going down the railroad yard on high with the occasional help of John's big boot as an accelerator.
Speaking of the "Yard" brings to mind John Farrington with his huge stentorian voice, directing the movements of his big horses trained to do the shifting. At his word of command the horses would give the cars a snap sending them to the proper sidings, and always keeping out of harm's way.
"Brinty" Oswell informs me that the shifting was formerly done with oxen, sometimes by use of a pole, pushing in- stead of pulling. Ben Hubbard was the teamster. What a change ! Measuring the timber is an important part of the business. Old time scaling by the "Bangor Rule" required good judgment to estimate the discounts for quality, crooks, etc. The sealers' work was healthful and conducive to longevity. So we conclude when we note the length of time that such men as Allen, X. F. Wardwell and L. C. Beattie continued in the profession.
Mr. Wm. Ellis and his wife ran the upper (now the Brown House) and lower boarding houses for a period of years and were followed by Frank McGown. In spite of the low price of board, it was a financial success in both cases. Ruel and Will McGown were chore boys for Mr. McGown, and our genial gate-tender, Croteau, tells me that he acted in that capacity for Mr. Ellis.
Henry Marston came from Ellsworth, Me. He was an experienced lumberman and took charge in the under part of B. M. Co.'s mill. His wife ran the "Lower Boarding House" now corner of Main and 2nd St. In a few years they accumulated enough, some of the time getting only $2.62v; per week for board, to build the Cascade House, where the St. Regis school is now. In addition to the transient patronage, he catered to the summer boarder business. After selling the property for school purposes he built the Berlin House. He became Berlin's first mayor.
The G. T. burned wood in their little locomotives of that time. Their load was 22 cars. Today the load is over 70 cars, and the capacity is about double. The odd-shaped smoke stacks emitted a shower of sparks with each puff that looked like 4th of July fireworks. Jacob Dresser had charge of the wood sawing between Island Pond and Portland. He bought the Jericho farm, including the wood station, and a tract of cut-over timberland with the cord wood still on it and in 1875 moved his family there. He continued to furnish wood to the railroad until they changed over to coal.
He was employed for a time by the B. M. Co. and by the Forest Fibre Co. He served on the board of selectmen several terms. He conducted a milk and wood business until his death in 1913.
In the fall of 1875 occurred a railway event that was of much interest, material and otherwise, to people along the G. T. line including, of course, Berlin. The railway was built broad gauge, and consequently all carload shipments to or from other lines had to be transshipped, occasioning unnecessary expense and delay. The event referred to was the changing to standard gauge. Thos., and David Walsh were the foremen in charge of the two sections extending east and west from Berlin, a total of eleven miles. Some time before the change, the new bed for the rail to be moved was made level with adzes, and then with a gauge, a spike was driven into each tie so that when said rail was moved to its new bed it would butt up against these spikes. These spikes lacked about an inch of being driven clear home. Three out of every four spikes on the inside of said rail were pulled, leaving it still safe for the pas- sage of trains.
The foremen had crews distributed at certain distances apart, and the stage was all set. Just as it was growing dusk on a Saturday afternoon, the last broad gauge train, an engine and a van, bedecked fore and aft with red lanterns went through, and the hustle began. A certain part of the crew pulled the remaining spikes, another part moved the rail and another spiked it, and in 55 minutes it was all over. I understood at the time that the two Berlin sections were done quicker than any other on the line. David Walsh kindly supplied these details.
The broad gauge was 5 feet 4j^ inches; the standard is 4 feet 8J/2 inches. Right away the foreign cars began to come along, and it was some puzzle to get the names of the railroads for which the initials on the cars stood. After puzzling over L. S. and M. S. (Lake Shore and Michigan Southern), some time, Mr. Cole gave it up and said he guessed it must be, "Place of the seal" and "Manuscript."
H. F. Wardwell was the first settled doctor. What has been said about the country doctor in song and story could well be said of him.
He was practicing in Gorham and was so often called to Berlin that he decided to move here, which he did in 1878 and lived in the Geo. R. Eaton house, afterwards occupied by John Murray a long time. Later on he married Miss Mary A. Wilson and moved to the old Wm. A. Wilson place on Main Street.
He was absorbed in his profession, and it seemed that he felt his ministrations to the sick were of more importance than the fee he ought to receive (but very often did not). Even though he knew that no fee could or would be forthcoming, he never refused to answer a call day or night. There are many evidences of the strong hold he had on the people. He was very much interested in educational matters and was a member of the Board of Education, when the first High School was built. His sister, Sarah, made her home with him and was a long time teacher in the Berlin schools. Many will remember her as a teacher of unusual ability.
The first High School was built in 1885, on the site where the Burgess School stands. The building committee was J. W. Parker, G. C. Paine, and Franklin Wheeler, head millwright for B. M. Co. A whole lot of public spirit and interest went into that building. A considerable amount of material for it was delivered on the spot and charged up at cost.
It does seem as if the people took more pride in their new building than they do now with the excellent new High School and equipment. Holman Drew was the first principal with Adria Dresser as assistant.
Of all places for character study, the country store is hard to beat. The tragedies and comedies and all the phases of human activities that come to light there might well turn the storekeeper in to a story writer.
Nat Copp was an occasional customer from up river. He was original, to say the least and he seemed to pride himself in that respect. His heavy coat fastened with straps, buckles and hooks indicated his originality. His short, thick-set figure was quite like Santa Claus, and to cap the climax so to speak, he wore a tall peaked cap.
He came into the store one day rigged up as usual. George Cote greeted him, "How are you?" No answer. George repeated the greeting, adding "Can't you speak today?" After a few seconds he replied with the question, "Chromes can't speak, can they? I was down here the other day and they called me a chromo!"
Leave it to the kids to supply a title!
He happened along one day just as we had opened a barrel of pork, from which the brine had leaked out. We were trying to determine whether it was hurt or not. He came along and smelled of it and then took out his knife and cut off a piece the size of a large walnut, put it into his mouth, chewed it well, and swallowed it, tasted and then said with much emphasis and conviction, "Gentlemen, I don't know how that pork would be
cooked, but it is all right raw."
There have been many fortunes lost in Berlin, on the same principle of the school boy's composition on "Pins." He wrote, "Pins have saved the lives of a great many children by their not swallowing them." You can hardly talk with a medium old resident without his telling you of the bargain he missed by not buying such and such a piece of land that was offered him for almost a song. Now everybody with such an experience stand up and be counted.
The question of women smoking that is creating such a stir nowadays is no new question. Two generations ago nearly all the old ladies smoked. The next generation as a rule, did not acquire the habit.
This brings to mind an incident of the old lady P----- of Milan. Coming to Berlin on a frosty morning, she and another woman came into the store, and when they had taken off their heavy coats, she leaned over the counter and in a humble half-whisper inquired if we allowed smoking in the store. On being informed that we did, she got out her T. D., filled it and sat and smoked and toasted her shins by the big box stove, seemingly with the greatest of comfort and satisfaction.
Reminiscences would not pass the censor nowadays, unless reference was made to "The Little Red Schoolhouse" and "The Old Swimmin' Hole." It is fortunate for historians at least, that Berlin Falls had a "Little Red Schoolhouse." It was situated on a knoll just back of the store recently vacated by Woolworth's. A roll call today could bring a response of "present" from John, William, and Hoiman Noyes; Jim Lavin, Charles Gerrish; Victor and Minnie King; Maria Mason, Dan Grover, Louville Paine; Peter and Aline Dubey; John Xilia, Mary, and Alec Coreau; Napoleon, Robert, Minnie, and Rosa Marchand; Ada Blodgett, Delia McMann, Lucy Pouliet, Fred Dyer, Jim Per- kins, Emily Jewell, Sadie Clark, Mamie Green, W. W. Burlingame, Owen and Oscar Cole. Some of the teachers were Dealbon Young, Clara Foster, Lettie Parker, Ina Crockett, Frank Burbank, Bode Mason, Nancy Folsom, Richard McGown, and Mrs. J. D. Andrews.
For "Swimmin' Holes," there were at least five, all of which were sufficiently removed as to allow the bathers to en- joy the pastime "a la Joe Knowles;" one was back and a little west of Bell's stable; one just below Hillside Avenue bridge; one at the "Bog"; one back of Albert Theatre; and one
back of the Cross Foundry.
Sunday observance was very strict. Why it was so is a puzzling question. People were not particularly interested in religious affairs, but the custom was so strongly fixed in public opinion that to do a stroke of work not absolutely necessary, play, or open a store on Sunday was regarded as a matter of particular disgrace.
Before Eagle Hall was built, the Catholics held services at the Falls in John King's house. On the map it is John McMann's. At the Mills, they used Abram Dupill's house. The Protestant services and Sunday School were held in the hall of the Berlin Mills Company, the Methodist minister from Milan usually supplying. During summer vacations, theological students officiated. Mrs. J. D. Andrews was organist, and the members of the choir were Jesse Tuttle, Frank Coffin, Eva Coffin (Hobbs) and Lizzie Jewell. Some of the teachers in the Sunday School were Frank Coffin, Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Allen, and Mrs. Spaulding.
Mrs. J. D. Andrews has the first piano brought to town. It was made by Paxon of Rochester, N. Y. Like Niagara Falls, it is "running yet." It has a good tone and is remarkably well preserved. It was bought for her when she was eleven years old, and she has had it sixty-nine years. Mrs. Ina Wilson, Mrs. Andrews, and Miss Eva Philbrook were the first music teachers in town.
The Reform Club movement that spread over the country about 1875 struck Berlin. David Walsh says that C. C. Frost, a lawyer from Auburn, Me., came and organized the club here. Without doubt it was a help to many in controlling an appetite for strong drink. Not only was it helpful in this respect, but it assisted in developing known and unknown talents, for the weekly meetings had regular programs of recitations, music, business, voluntary remarks, sometimes a set speech, exhortations to sign and keep the pledge, etc. Robert Wilson, a Scotchman, who was president at one time, had a vigorous enunciation and rolled his r's in a way that it would be hard to imitate. He would announce, "The next will be a solo by Ger-r-tie Mor-r-rill" (Cobb). The club had no meeting place, and a movement was started that resulted in the building of Eagle Hall (opposite the Revere Hotel). It had a hall upstairs and club rooms on the ground floor. Such a hall was much needed and was a real community affair.
The Catholics under Father Charland worshipped there, as did also the Universalists. Among the many other uses found for it were dances, amateur dramatics, travelling shows, a term of private "high school" taught by William Brooks, fairs, political meetings, some hotly contested elections, trials, hearings, boxing matches, singing schools, roller skating, etc. Alton Blodgett was the builder and was the first Santa Claus in it.
With the building of Eagle Hall came the ambition to "speak" in public on the stage, and the dramas, "Down by the Sea" and "Among the Breakers" were the first to be put on. The cast of characters included A. K. Cole, John Wheeler, Jim Lavin. Will Ellis, Charles Gilbert, Rev. A. J. Benedict, Mrs. J. W. Parker, Fannie Mason, Maria Tuttle, Augusta Paine, and Charles Gerrish. Later on, heavier plays were produced, notably, "Fanchon, the Cricket." And now here is a challenge. At least 45 years ago "Boston Dip," a rousing farce by George M. Baker, was played in Eagle Hall by the following cast: Jim Lavin, Mrs. Ina Wilson, W. H. Gerrish, C. C. Gerrish, L. B. Paine, Ger- trude Morrill, and Persis Chandler. All are living yet. Where can you beat it? Eagle Hall was later moved to Mechanic Street and renamed Music Hall.
H. Price Webber and his wife, formerly Miss Edwina Grey, conducted a travelling dramatic company for more than a life- time. They came to Berlin often and stayed a week at a time. About a year ago, an item in a daily paper stated that after a short retirement he had decided to start out again, being then over eighty years old. Alf and Dick Martz, Komical Brown, and the Guy Family were annual visiting showmert for years.
The milk question was a serious question. At least I thought so, when I had to walk to A. H. Gerrish's at the Cascade every other day to get two quarts of milk. One of the trips fell on the memorable May 1st, on which date over a foot of snow fell. A merry party of sleigh riders from Gorham hollered as they went by, "Hey. there, any Mayflowers around here?" I would say also, that Moses Hodgdon was thereby enabled with the help of his neighbors to get a carload of lumber that was left at his mill on the Ammonosuc by the early approach of spring, over to Milan Water Station (Copperville).
But to get back to the milk question. A. J. Howard saw the opportunity and with his faithful old gray horse, "Lijah," sold us milk at five and six cents
per quart for years. Many other things from the farm on Cates Hill he brought down and turned into cash. His buckboard loaded high with rhubarb made people stop and look. His enthusiasm was catching. He was something of a philosopher, as indicated by his maxim, "Don't get mad. It is the most foolish thing a man ever did." He was optimistic as shown by his stock story of the woman who had lost her seventh husband. She said, "If it wasn't for hope, the heart would die."
The late John Corbett claimed that H. Winslow was the first sport to go to the lake region fishing with a guide and that he acted in that capacity for Mr. Winslow. John said that, when Mr. Winslow hooked a fish it was his custom to take it in immediately. He would say, "Pull him in, pull him in. John, might as well pull him in right away and lose him as to play him half an hour and then lose him."
Frank Donahue, who died very recently in Gorham, an old time resident and a long time employee at the Burgess Mill, several years ago. talking about Berlin Falls as it used to be, said he wished he could see a picture of Berlin as it was then. I was pretty near "Johnny on the spot," as I had the old map in my pocket. He was much interested. He said he lived in the Monday house near the G. T. Station and that while he was at work by night in Winslow & Co.'s mill the house caught fire and burned down. Mr. Donahue crawled out of the window in her nightdress with the baby, Frank, Jr., in her arms. Nothing was saved. He said that Mrs. C. C. Noyes, next door neighbor, gave his wife a dress and that Gardner Paine, who was working with him, gave him a coat.
Mr. W. W. Brown was a keen business man of the old school, courtly, pleasant, and always insistent on a square deal. He was heard to admonish the clerks in the store, "Give them good measure, boys, give them good measure."
He was a lover of a good horse, and many of us remember his reliable, handsome and very intelligent horse, "Doctor," petted by everybody. We need not invoke the aid of scientists in heredity to account for this characteristic so well developed in his sons. His interest in Berlin and human
welfare manifested itself in the active form of substantial aid in building the Congregational church and the Y. M. C. A., and to many other worthy objects. Many of us have just enjoyed the annual gift of a Thanksgiving turkey, a custom established by Mr. Brown, when the crew was small. The wonderful growth and expansion of the Brown Company in business and in good works has indeed done great credit to its founder. Like many another pioneer, when Mr. Brown founded the B. M. Co. "he builded better than he knew."
Mr. Lewis Brown was a member of the Berlin Mills firm and was the first, what is now termed "Superintendent" of the Woods Department. To the men in the woods the title is "Walking Boss." The duties of the superintendent are to keep the mill supplied with logs. Mr. Brown's genial personality and efficiency made him a very popular man. A glimpse of his humorous side was caught, when as one time he was jingling some coins in his pocket, he enquired of his hearers, if they had seen the new coinage, three pieces to the dollar. On receiving a negative answer he showed them two new quarters and a half.
His untimely death in the prime of life was an irreparable loss to the community. Mrs. Brown was much interested in Berlin people and took an active part in all good work for the betterment of the town. Her home is and always has been in Portland.
Jas. W. Parker, a nephew of the late W. W. Brown, came to Berlin, a young man just out of school, with a fine hand of good old Spenserian penmanship, and an ambition and tireless energy that graduated him through all the phases of B. M. Co's business activities to a shareholder in the concern. His influence for good in community affair:, it's a fresh memory with many of us. His recreation and sports were few. He swam with the boys and engaged in swimming matches with "Brinty" Oswell, in which it was usually "nip and tuck." He boxed with Benedict, the first settled minister, referred to in a former article. One principal recreation was solid reading. He succeeded Lewis Brown as Woods Superintendent,
and later was manager of manufacture.
It is refreshing to talk with his old employees and learn of the esteem and respect they hold for him. He served as school committee in 1875. A copy of his report for that year's work is still in existence, from which we quote the following :
"District No. 6 (Jericho). Summer term taught by Miss Ada Blodgett. (Mrs. Hiram Rowell). Length of term, nine weeks, whole number of scholars ten, average nine. This was Miss Blodgett's second term in this district, and she as before gave perfect satisfaction. Fall term commenced by Miss Amelia McPherson, who kept one week but not liking gave up the school to Miss Lizzie T. Jewell (Mrs. J. W. Parker), who kept the remaining six weeks. The school made good progress, Miss Jewell as usual sustaining her reputation as a good and through teacher."
John Wilson, a man zealous in good works, a strong temperance man, and a good neighbor, tended the grist-mill and worked in the filing room. When one was in trouble, about the first thing to do was to send for John. Boston liquor dealers used to send out agents to take orders from consumers and sent the innocent looking package by express. Someone thought it would be a huge joke and directed one of these agents to John Wilson. Suddenly after he had made the object of his visit known, he found himself going down the railroad yard on high with the occasional help of John's big boot as an accelerator.
Speaking of the "Yard" brings to mind John Farrington with his huge stentorian voice, directing the movements of his big horses trained to do the shifting. At his word of command the horses would give the cars a snap sending them to the proper sidings, and always keeping out of harm's way.
"Brinty" Oswell informs me that the shifting was formerly done with oxen, sometimes by use of a pole, pushing in- stead of pulling. Ben Hubbard was the teamster. What a change ! Measuring the timber is an important part of the business. Old time scaling by the "Bangor Rule" required good judgment to estimate the discounts for quality, crooks, etc. The sealers' work was healthful and conducive to longevity. So we conclude when we note the length of time that such men as Allen, X. F. Wardwell and L. C. Beattie continued in the profession.
Mr. Wm. Ellis and his wife ran the upper (now the Brown House) and lower boarding houses for a period of years and were followed by Frank McGown. In spite of the low price of board, it was a financial success in both cases. Ruel and Will McGown were chore boys for Mr. McGown, and our genial gate-tender, Croteau, tells me that he acted in that capacity for Mr. Ellis.
Henry Marston came from Ellsworth, Me. He was an experienced lumberman and took charge in the under part of B. M. Co.'s mill. His wife ran the "Lower Boarding House" now corner of Main and 2nd St. In a few years they accumulated enough, some of the time getting only $2.62v; per week for board, to build the Cascade House, where the St. Regis school is now. In addition to the transient patronage, he catered to the summer boarder business. After selling the property for school purposes he built the Berlin House. He became Berlin's first mayor.
The G. T. burned wood in their little locomotives of that time. Their load was 22 cars. Today the load is over 70 cars, and the capacity is about double. The odd-shaped smoke stacks emitted a shower of sparks with each puff that looked like 4th of July fireworks. Jacob Dresser had charge of the wood sawing between Island Pond and Portland. He bought the Jericho farm, including the wood station, and a tract of cut-over timberland with the cord wood still on it and in 1875 moved his family there. He continued to furnish wood to the railroad until they changed over to coal.
He was employed for a time by the B. M. Co. and by the Forest Fibre Co. He served on the board of selectmen several terms. He conducted a milk and wood business until his death in 1913.
In the fall of 1875 occurred a railway event that was of much interest, material and otherwise, to people along the G. T. line including, of course, Berlin. The railway was built broad gauge, and consequently all carload shipments to or from other lines had to be transshipped, occasioning unnecessary expense and delay. The event referred to was the changing to standard gauge. Thos., and David Walsh were the foremen in charge of the two sections extending east and west from Berlin, a total of eleven miles. Some time before the change, the new bed for the rail to be moved was made level with adzes, and then with a gauge, a spike was driven into each tie so that when said rail was moved to its new bed it would butt up against these spikes. These spikes lacked about an inch of being driven clear home. Three out of every four spikes on the inside of said rail were pulled, leaving it still safe for the pas- sage of trains.
The foremen had crews distributed at certain distances apart, and the stage was all set. Just as it was growing dusk on a Saturday afternoon, the last broad gauge train, an engine and a van, bedecked fore and aft with red lanterns went through, and the hustle began. A certain part of the crew pulled the remaining spikes, another part moved the rail and another spiked it, and in 55 minutes it was all over. I understood at the time that the two Berlin sections were done quicker than any other on the line. David Walsh kindly supplied these details.
The broad gauge was 5 feet 4j^ inches; the standard is 4 feet 8J/2 inches. Right away the foreign cars began to come along, and it was some puzzle to get the names of the railroads for which the initials on the cars stood. After puzzling over L. S. and M. S. (Lake Shore and Michigan Southern), some time, Mr. Cole gave it up and said he guessed it must be, "Place of the seal" and "Manuscript."
H. F. Wardwell was the first settled doctor. What has been said about the country doctor in song and story could well be said of him.
He was practicing in Gorham and was so often called to Berlin that he decided to move here, which he did in 1878 and lived in the Geo. R. Eaton house, afterwards occupied by John Murray a long time. Later on he married Miss Mary A. Wilson and moved to the old Wm. A. Wilson place on Main Street.
He was absorbed in his profession, and it seemed that he felt his ministrations to the sick were of more importance than the fee he ought to receive (but very often did not). Even though he knew that no fee could or would be forthcoming, he never refused to answer a call day or night. There are many evidences of the strong hold he had on the people. He was very much interested in educational matters and was a member of the Board of Education, when the first High School was built. His sister, Sarah, made her home with him and was a long time teacher in the Berlin schools. Many will remember her as a teacher of unusual ability.
The first High School was built in 1885, on the site where the Burgess School stands. The building committee was J. W. Parker, G. C. Paine, and Franklin Wheeler, head millwright for B. M. Co. A whole lot of public spirit and interest went into that building. A considerable amount of material for it was delivered on the spot and charged up at cost.
It does seem as if the people took more pride in their new building than they do now with the excellent new High School and equipment. Holman Drew was the first principal with Adria Dresser as assistant.
Of all places for character study, the country store is hard to beat. The tragedies and comedies and all the phases of human activities that come to light there might well turn the storekeeper in to a story writer.
Nat Copp was an occasional customer from up river. He was original, to say the least and he seemed to pride himself in that respect. His heavy coat fastened with straps, buckles and hooks indicated his originality. His short, thick-set figure was quite like Santa Claus, and to cap the climax so to speak, he wore a tall peaked cap.
He came into the store one day rigged up as usual. George Cote greeted him, "How are you?" No answer. George repeated the greeting, adding "Can't you speak today?" After a few seconds he replied with the question, "Chromes can't speak, can they? I was down here the other day and they called me a chromo!"
Leave it to the kids to supply a title!
He happened along one day just as we had opened a barrel of pork, from which the brine had leaked out. We were trying to determine whether it was hurt or not. He came along and smelled of it and then took out his knife and cut off a piece the size of a large walnut, put it into his mouth, chewed it well, and swallowed it, tasted and then said with much emphasis and conviction, "Gentlemen, I don't know how that pork would be
cooked, but it is all right raw."
There have been many fortunes lost in Berlin, on the same principle of the school boy's composition on "Pins." He wrote, "Pins have saved the lives of a great many children by their not swallowing them." You can hardly talk with a medium old resident without his telling you of the bargain he missed by not buying such and such a piece of land that was offered him for almost a song. Now everybody with such an experience stand up and be counted.
The question of women smoking that is creating such a stir nowadays is no new question. Two generations ago nearly all the old ladies smoked. The next generation as a rule, did not acquire the habit.
This brings to mind an incident of the old lady P----- of Milan. Coming to Berlin on a frosty morning, she and another woman came into the store, and when they had taken off their heavy coats, she leaned over the counter and in a humble half-whisper inquired if we allowed smoking in the store. On being informed that we did, she got out her T. D., filled it and sat and smoked and toasted her shins by the big box stove, seemingly with the greatest of comfort and satisfaction.
(To be continued in next months issue)
