Pittsfield on the Sebasticook

PITTSFIELD
      . . On The Sebasticook

Sanger Mills Cook




Maine Central Institute
1866–1966

Printed by

FURBUSH-ROBERTS PRINTING Co., INC.

Bangor, Maine

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PREPARED IN THE 100th YEAR

OF MAINE CENTRAL INSTITUTE

AND 147th YEAR OF PITTSFIELD

Copyright © 1966, Sanger Mills Cook

Printed in the United States of America

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To The Memory

of

Ruth Plummer Cook

My Wife

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CLINTON P. ANDERSON. N. MEX., CHAIRMAN RICHARD B. RUSSELL. GA. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, WASH. STUART SYMINGTON, MO. JOHN STENNIS, MISS. STEPHEN M. YOUNG, OHIO THOMAS J. DODD, CONN. HOWARD W. CANNON, NEV. SPESSARD L. HOLLAND, FLA. WALTER F. MONDALE, MINN. JOSEPH U. TIDINGS, MD.	MARGARET CHASE SMITH. MAINE BOURKE B. H ICKENLOOPER. IOWA CARL T. CURTIS, NEBR. LEN B. JORDON, IDAHO GEORGE B. AIKEN, VT.	COMMITTEE ON AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE SCIENCES
FRANK C. DILUZIO, STAFF DIRECTOR

    Dear Friends:

    I have always been interested in local history,
particularly when it relates to Somerset County, the
land of my birth, my childhood, and my citizenship.
It was, therefore, with real satisfaction that I learned
that Mr. Cook, a friend of long standing, had decided
to write A Story of Pittsfield.

    Such an effort as this requires long hours of
research and organization of material. It becomes a
dedicated work and must give real joy to the one who
has the urge to do it. I know this is the case with
Sanger, and I congratulate him, first, on his dedication
to write the history of this outstanding Somerset com-
munity, and, second, on the successful completion of
the task.

    I am sure it will be enjoyed by all who read it.

Sincerely,                        

Margaret Chase Smith            
United States Senator            

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PREFACE

Since becoming interested in telling the story of Pittsfield, I have discussed local history with a number of people and have occasionally suggested that perhaps they should write the story of their town. Often the reaction has been, "Oh, there isn't much to tell; it is just a typical town."

I may have had some such idea when 1 first got into the project, but it wasn't long before 1 had the feeling, rightly or wrongly, that Pittsfield was no ordinary town. It soon began to take on individuality. As it grew from a somewhat commonplace infancy, through a groping childhood, into a healthy young adult, it developed personality. It possessed a youthful aggressive spirit that was at once idealistic, yet practical. In things spiritual, cultural, and industrial, it sought the best, but with characteristic Yankee caution.

One cannot go through the experience of studying the history of his community without acquiring the feeling that it is something special. Reading old records, exploring ancient sites, and talking with elderly natives will soon convince the amateur historian that he has not been living in "a typical town."

So, my hope is that more amateurs like myself will take up the task of telling the story of their home towns. They will find it a stimulating and rewarding experience.

In this effort I am indebted to many individuals. Particularly, I wish to thank Ray Badger, Ruth Clark Bickford, Vera Brown, Martin Bunker, J. R. Cianchette, Hazel Cook, Harry Coolidge, Harry Cornforth, Grace Davis, Herbert Davis, Father Girardin, Elmore Huff, David Libby, Editor Gerald Mitchell and The Advertiser Staff, Leonice Moody, Clyde Nichols, Alma Patten, Inez Severance, Roy Simpson, Edward Stanley, Roosevelt Susi, Dana Sweet and Vernon Walker.

I am grateful for the cooperation given by the Tuesday Club, the Kiwanis Club, and The First National Bank in assembling and binding the old editions of The Advertiser. Mrs. Bessie Libbv, librarian; Mrs. Emma Anderson, former librarian; and Mrs. Paul Coolidge spent many hours on this project and deserve special mention. Having these issues bound in annual volumes has made my task of research much easier.

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The following sources of information should be acknowledged: Abbott's History of Maine; Williamson's History of Maine; Pitts-field Register (1904) Mitchell and Daggett: East Somerset County Register (1911-1912) Chatto-Turner; History of Secondary School Education in Somerset County—Bowen; M.C.f. Trustees' Records; Somerset, ss, Supreme Judicial Court—March term, A. 1J. 1881, Trustees of M. C. I. vs. Orin S. Haskell and Obed Foss, Executors of Going Hathorn Estate; Pittsfield, Its History, Resources and Government— Grindle and his pupils; "Early History of Pittsfield," a paper given bv A. J. Brackett before Tuesday Club, 1898; Maine Central Railroad, Public Relations Office, J. H. Cobb and R. J. Dole; Souvenir of Pittsfield (1907)—Loder; Maine Historical Society; The Twentieth Maine, Pullen; The Pittsfield Tunes, August 12, 1876; The Pittsfield Advertiser, (1882-1965).

Again may I express my gratitude to my many friends for the encouragement given me to tell the story of Pittsfield.

"In years to come may Pittsfield stand

Firmly for justice, truth and right,

Sending its influence through the land—

A beacon fire, a steady light."




From Centennial Poem by

Mrs. Mary B. Wingate—1919

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CONTENTS