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  Toonervilles of Maine, the Pine Tree State

  Osmond Richard Cummings

  Introduction

  Maine is .well known among New England's electric railway enthusiasts for its four major traction systems -- the Atlantic Shore Line Railway, the Portland Railroad, the Lewiston, Augusta and Waterville Street Railway and the Bangor Railway and Electric Company -- and for its famous Portland-Lewiston Interurban as well, but not so well known is the fact that the Pine Tree State had a number of small trolley lines, none over 15 miles in length, which were either contiguous to the larger systems or operated by themselves.

  Such roads were the Biddeford and Saco Railroad, the Benton and Fairfield Railway, the Calais Street Railway, the Fairfield and Shawmut Railway, the Norway and Paris Street Railway, the Skowhegan and Norridgewock Railway, the Somerset Traction Company (Skowhegan and Madison), the Waterville, Fairfield and Oakland Railway -- and New England's last horsecar line, the Fryeburg Horse Railroad.

  The histories of the Biddeford and Saco Railroad and the Calais Street Railway have already been published and hence are not included in this anthology. All the others have been covered in as complete a fashion as available information permitted. Many of these lines have been gone for 30 years or more -- records no longer exist and the memories of the few remaining former employees are growing dimmer as time passes.

  Also included in t his volume is a description of some of the proposed-but-never-built trolley lines of Maine.

  Among those who have furnished information for "Toonervilles of the Pine Tree State" are Edward W. Young of East Weymouth, Mass., Ernest Rowe of Westbrook, Me., Gerald C. Marble of Skowhegan, Me., Flora M. Webster of the South Paris, Me. Public Library; N. R. Longfellow of Solon, Me. and Laurence Breed Walker of Salem, Mass. Additional material has been drawn from the annual reports of the Maine Railroad Commissioners and Public Utilities Commission, the Electric Railway Journal and the U. S. Street and Electric Railway census reports of 1902 and 1907.

  Sept. 1, 1955

  O.R. Cummings / 13 Parsons Street / Newburyport, Mass.

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  Maine Sketchbook: Volume 1: An Artist's Impressions of Maine's Scenic Highlights

  Norman Merritt

  Introduction

  "Norman Merritt studied at, and was elected a life member of the Art Students League of New York.

  For a number of years he has conducted the Norman Merritt Studio-Gallery on Route 27 at Mill Cove, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

  Here, during the summertime, the gallery houses an exhibition of the artist's paintings; and is also the headquarters for his out-of-door art classes.

  An experienced draughtsman, etcher and painter, his works are owned by scores of collectors throughout the United States and foreign countries."

  Mr. Merritt died in 1994.

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  Seashore Electric Railway Annual Reports 1955 & 1956

  New England Electric Railway Historical Society, Inc.

  The New England Electric Railway Historical Society is a non-profit educational foundation incorporated under the laws of the State of Maine for the purpose of creating an historical electric railway representative of the various builders, periods, and systems. It is the world's oldest and largest organization devoted exclusively to the preservation of railway equipment.

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  Free vs. Pay-Television : [CBS Statement on Pay-Television by Frank Stanton, President, Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc.]

  Frank Stanton and Columbia Broadcasting System

  Opening Statement

  The Federal Communications Commission has asked for comments by interested parties "to determine whether the Commission should amend its rules and regulations to authorize television stations to transmit programs paid for directly on a subscription basis."

  The CBS position and reasons for it were made known at a Conference of CBS Television Affiliates held in New York City, May 19, 1955. The stations, in a secret ballot voted 107 to 2, endorsing the CBS position and urged "CBS to assume leadership for the preservation of the present American system of free home service."

  Since this matter is of concern to every family who owns a television set, we have reprinted the statement of Dr. Frank Stanton, President of Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc.

  [Also included, just for amusement, is a copy of the original correspondence from Bangor Public Library staff asking for an additional 50 copies of the pamphlet to distribute to the public]

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  Rockland Harbor, Maine: Letter from the Secretary of the Army Transmitting a Letter from the Chief of Engineers, Department of the Army, Dated June 22, 1955

  United States Senate, Committee on Public Works

  Sample paragraph:

  "Rockland has reached a point where the harbor must be improved to meet present needs of commerce and characteristics of shipping, or decline and slowly lose its waterborne commerce. The enforced practice of navigating the harbor only at high tide is a severe economic handicap to the fishing and commercial activities of the port. Loss of the asset of a useful harbor would be a major setback to the community and region, geared over its history to reliance upon the harbor and its associated industries. The State and local governments and the representatives of fishing and business interests have concluded that harbor improvement is imperative, and are planning expenditurures of over $350,000 to that end."

  Two illustrations detail the proposed improvements for Rockland Harbor.

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  Here are the Facts About the Junior League of Bangor, Maine, Inc.

  Junior League of Bangor Maine

  A new member is trained to fulfill the object of the Junior League of Bangor - "to foster interest in its members in the social, economic, educational, cultural, and civic conditions of their community and to make efficient their volunteer service." She is required to take a provisional training course which is given by competent lay and professional leaders.

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  Dedication of the Bangor-Brewer (Joshua Chamberlain) Toll Bridge

  Maine State Highway Commission

  Program of events commemorating the November 11, 1954, opening of the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge connecting Bangor and Brewer over the Penobscot River. Speakers included Doris I. Beatham, Mayor of Brewer; Arnold L. Veague, Mayor of Bangor; and Burton M. Cross Governor of Maine.

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  The Story of the Telephone in Bangor

  New England Telephone and Telegraph Company

  On June 1, 1880, telephone exchange service was introduced in Bangor. The National Bell Telephone Company of the State of Maine with Charles S. Pearl as Manager established its offices in the old library building on State Street on the site where the Bangor Savings Bank is now located.

  Although 46 subscribers had been furnished with telephone service prior to this, such service only provided a single connection with one of the other subscribers. Telephone poles were not considered necessary to this type service -- instead, connections were made to customer's premises by means of wires strung from house to house with the consent of the respective owners.

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  Maine Invites You: 19th Edition [1953]

  Maine Publicity Bureau

  This nineteenth edition of MAINE INVITES YOU is designed to help you plan for that glorious vacation which only the great Pine Tree State can offer.

  Between the covers of this booklet an endless variety of information has been arranged for the sole purpose of introducing you to Maine's limitless VACATIONLAND possibilities.

  By word and picture we hope to convey some idea of the way Nature has showered her greatest blessings on Maine -- silent, mysterious forests, the beauty of lakes and hills, the music of streams, the sweep of great rivers, the majesty of a rock-bound coast and sea-girt isles.

  That's why it's such a pleasure to send you this copy of MAINE INVITES YOU -- to assist you in planning for maximum enjoyment during your visit to Maine.

  A county index map on the opposite page and a complete index of advertisers at the back of the book will help you to locate the place that may interest you. Handy inquiry cards also are included for your convenience in requesting more specific information or reservations from advertisers.

  We'll appreciate your mentioning MAINE INVITES YOU when corresponding or conversing with those who have participated in making this book possible. This Bureau is at your service at all times to help you plan for the happiest vacation possible.

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  Motoring Thru Maine

  Maine Publicity Bureau

  A description of principal highway routes, together with an alphabetical gazetteer of towns and place names in the State of Maine, including notes of interest on each, plus outstanding places to stop, eat and shop.

  A classified index of advertisers will be found on the next six pages. It should be remembered that in Maine, as in most of New England, "town" is geographically a "township", averaging some 36 square miles. Thus several village or town centers may be included in named "town". Most such village centers, usually highway junctions, relate to the name of the town, but with the prefixes North, South, East, or West. In most such cases notation is made under the name of the Town itself. Village centers with names different from the town are separately listed.

  It is assumed that motorists will be using any standard highway map of the State of Maine. The purpose of this booklet is purely informative, with the hope that its use will make for interesting and enjoyable trips through the State of Maine.

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  Information Regarding the Maine State Prison, Thomaston, Maine, 1824-1953

  Allan L. Robbins

  This book offers the history of Maine State Prison in Thomaston, Maine, as compiled by Allan L. Robbins, warden of the prison circa 1953. Robbins describes the physical structure of the building as well as detailing the day-to-day activities within the prison. Several photographs, drawings, and diagrams are included. Publication presumed to be either 1953 or 1954.

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  The story of Welthy Ann

  Gladys Sylvester Tweedie

  Preface

  I will attempt to explain the reason for writing "The Story Of Welthy Ann," by saying that I have always been interested in learning "what makes people tick," to use a slang phrase. I had lived a few miles from the Shain farm all my life without knowing that such an unusual person as Welthy Ann* ever existed. Mere chance brought her to my attention.

  My grandparents were among the first settlers in Mars Hill, and when I was a little girl my grandmother amused me for hours at a time relating the stories of the hardships and pleasures of life in the "old days." I decided to attempt to write a "homespun story" of the town in which I was born. Going from place to place gathering material for "Mars Hill, Typical Aroostook Town" I stumbled upon some information, and some misinformation, regarding the Shain family, especially Welthy Ann. I was amazed, but not satisfied, until I had run down every possible clue.

  A friend advised me to go to Washington, and read for myself, the old newspaper accounts of the sensational trial in which she was a principal figure. Welthy Ann was a beautiful, proud, eccentric woman who was very desirable to men. With rapid strides she traveled from a log cabin in Maine, to a mansion in Washington. She knew complete happiness and deep despair; she was a victim of circumstances and of her own unwise decisions.

  I became so absorbed in the story that I lived every part of it. I was angry with Samuel Emmons; I wept for Anita in her hour of tragedy, and I suffered with Wethy Ann many times.

  G.S.T.

  *Welthy Ann, also Wealthy Ann and Welthea Anita

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  Origin of Names of Army and Air Corps Posts, Camps and Stations in World War II in Maine

  Mary Moore Allen

  Provides a brief history, including the origin of the name, for Dow Field in Bangor, Maine, Fort Foster in Kittery, Maine, Fort Levett and Fort Lyon in Portland, Maine, Fort McKinley on Great Diamond Island in Casco Bay, Fort Madison in Castine, Maine, Fort Preble in South Portland, Maine, Presque Island Army Air Field, and Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

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  Rounding Out a Century, 1852-1952: Bangor Savings Bank

  Bangor Savings Bank

  One hundred successful years have gone by since that day in 1852 when eleven public-spirited Bangor citizens met together to incorporate the Bangor Savings Bank; 100 years of peace and war; of good times and bad. And down through these years the bank has followed the same slogan with which it began service to the community -- always keeping faith with the community as its needs grew.

  Today the bank's aims and purposes differ very little from those set forth in one of the earliest pass books of a century ago, namely :

  "To afford those who are desirous of saving their money the means of employing it to advantage without running the risk of losing it, as they are frequently exposed to do by lending it to individuals who either fail or defraud them. It is intended to encourage the industrious and prudent, and to induce those who have not hitherto been such, to lessen their unnecessary expenses, and to save and lay by something for a period of life when they will be less able to earn a support."

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  Vine Street Elementary School, Bangor, Maine 1952

  Eaton W. Tarbell & Associates

  A June 1952 Architectural Forum article detailing the recent construction of Vine Street School in Bangor, Maine. Contains many photographs and architectural diagrams.

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  A Master Plan: Bangor, Maine

  Bangor City Planning Board

  Opening paragraphs:

  The Bangor Planning Ordinance, which was adopted by the City Council in 1948, provided for a Planning Board, which was to "make and adopt a Master Plan of the city." This report briefly describes the Board's recommendations for a Master Plan. After a public hearing and possible revision, the plan may be officially adopted by the Board. Thereafter it will become a guide to the future recommendations of the Board for the improvement and development of Bangor.

  This plan is not a fixed or final plan. It must be changed and added to from time to time as changing conditions dictate. In this respect the Board hopes that the people of Bangor will offer suggestions to improve the plan. The continual constructive criticisms and ideas of the citizens of Bangor are needed to make planning effective.

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  Defense of the Free World in the Atomic Age [An Address by Dr. James B. Conant for the Committee on the Present Danger, June 3, 1951]

  James B. Conant and Committee on the Present Danger

  This address, the thirteenth of a series of weekly broadcasts under the auspices of the Committee of the Present Danger, was delivered Sunday, June 3, 1951, over the network of the Mutual Broadcasting System."

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  The Danger of Hiding Our Heads [Prepared by Munro Leaf for the Committee on the Present Danger]

  Munro Leaf and Committee on the Present Danger

  Purpose of pamphlet "is to support and encourage the moves and measures of our national strength and that of our allies to the point that will make it impossible for an aggressor to challenge the united power of the free world."

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  Report of the Liquor Research Commission to the 95th Maine State Legislature

  Maine Liquor Research Commission

  To: His Excellency, Governor Frederick G. Payne and Members of the 95th Maine ,State Legislature

  Pursuant to the provisions of the 1949 Legislative Act creating the Liquor Research Commission, this report has been prepared for your guidance in determining the need for and feasibility of State action to deal with unwelcome conditions arising from the sale and use of alcoholic beverages in Maine.

  As fully as its limited resources would permit, your commission has delved into the situation with particular attention to the compulsive drinkers in our population who are often listed simply as "alcoholics." Our survey has been as impartial as possible, in a deliberate effort to avoid being stigmatized as "Starry-eyed Do-gooders" by the intemperate, or as "Secret Encouragers of Tippling" by teetotallers. Indeed, the question can be approached in no other way. The nation has seen the dismal failure of attempting to promote temperance by legislative enactment; it has also seen prohibition succeeded by a rising trend in drinking, especially among women and young people, that holds an alarming portent for the future.

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  Historic Bangor

  Bangor Chamber of Commerce

  This undated pamphlet (most likely from the 1930s to the 1950s) gives a quick overview of the history of Bangor, covering visits by Samuel de Champlain, first settler Jacob Buswell, Pastor Seth Noble's naming of the city, British occupation during the War of 1812, relations with the Penobscot Indians, and more.

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  Let's Get All the Facts about 'Quoddy

  Maine Development Commission

  What is 'Quoddy?

  'Quoddy is the familiar name now widely used to refer to the International Passamaquoddy Tidal Power Project.

  'Quoddy is a farsighted venture in international cooperation between the two great neighbors of the North American continent.

  'Quoddy in essence is a plan to harness the tremendous tides of the Passamaquoddy Bay region of New England and the Canadian province of New Brunswick for the production of cheap, ample electric power.

  This pamphlet details the plans circa June 1950, which never came to fruition, despite attempts at the time, in the past, and even into the 1960s and 1970s, for the project.

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  A Pictorial Booklet about Maine's State University

  University of Maine

  University of Maine is part of the public educational system of the State. Originally established as the State College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, the institution opened September 21, 1868.

  During its four-score years of growth, the University of Maine has made an enviable record in teaching, research. and service to the State and Nation.

  Its campus of over 200 acres is situated about a mile from the business section of Orono and borders the Stillwater River, a branch of the Penobscot.

  At the University of Maine you will find ..... A Beautiful Campus / Comfortable Housing / Varied Activities / Well-rounded Athletic Program / College of Agriculture / College of Arts and Sciences / College of Technology / School of Education / Graduate Study / Services to State and Nation

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  The Traveler: Two Decades: Random Notes

  Myron Haliburton Avery

  Maine is a vast State, compared to its New England neighbors. And, in comparison with many States of greater territory, it has long stretches of wilderness country.

  Those who have been to Katahdin want to go again. Those who haven't been often express a longing to get at least a glimpse of that section. But even most of those who have been near or on Katahdin know no more about the country to its north than they could gain from their summit viewpoint.

  An exception is Myron H. Avery, captain, USNR, a Lubee native who is the State's leading authority on Katahdin and its environs and who has been a prolific writer on the subject.

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  The Tentative School, Park, and Recreation Plan

  Bangor City Planning Board

  Summary of the Report

  The following report is a condensation of a more complete Schools, Parks and Recreation Report which is on file in the Planning Office. It indicates the preliminary ideas of the Planning Board on parts of the Master Plan.

  Briefly the report discusses the following subjects: 1) The need and the location of future elementary schools. 2) The coordination of school play areas with city recreation areas. 3) The need and the location of future recreation facilities such as Playfields // Playgrounds // Parks of all types // Indoor facilities // Swimming pools // And other special facilities

  These are tentative ideas. This report is published so that all the people of Bangor will be able to express their opinions before these ideas are adopted as parts of the Bangor Master Plan.

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  Maine the Land of Remembered Vacations 1949

  Maine Development Commission

  A newspaper editor upon returning home after recently visiting Maine wrote the following in his paper:

  "It was hard for us to leave Maine and all of its beauty and charm. Booth Tarkington has written: 'To my mind: 'Maine is the most beautiful state we have in this country, but even more appealing is its homeliness. It is easier for a stranger to feel at home in Maine than in almost any other place I ever knew. That is perhaps the reason why so many visitors cease to be visitors and get to think of Maine as home.'

  We had begun to feel what that great author felt as he penned those words. Some day we are going back to that state of 2,500 lakes and 5,147 rivers and streams; the state where the clouds sleep amid the spruce on the hill-tops; the state where the mountains meet the sea; where artists and authors capture the inspiration of the magnificent scenery and thrill the world. Maine, what a priceless collection of memories of fine people and scenic beauty we took with us as we left the state!"