Radio Script #1297

Little Talks on Common Things
January 17, 1982

The Centennial History of Waterville tells us something about the fighting of fires in Waterville for more than a hundred years during the nineteenth century. But I recently learned something about early fire-fighting here that is not contained in the History. I ran across a little pamphlet published in 1839 that carries the title, “Constitution and Bylaws of Engine Company No. 1 of Ticonic Village Corporation, Waterville.”

But before I tell you about that pamphlet, let us see what the Centennial History did have to say on this subject. It tells us that the town was only seven years old when, in 1809, there was formed its first organization to fight fires. The town already had as fire wardens James Wood, Moses Sawtelle, Asa Redington and Eleazer Ripley. But the inhabitants of Ticonic Village felt they needed something more substantial to protect against conflagrations. So they formed a company and purchased a little hand-pumped engine, and took the name of Engine Company No. 1 of Ticonic Village. The men who formed the company, and themselves turned out to man the pump and hose, included such prominent citizens as Abijah Smith, the first town clerk; Nehemiah Getchell, builder of Ticonic Dam; James Stackpole, the first storekeeper, and Timothy Boutelle, who would become the wealthiest leading citizen.

The engine was actually a big tub, which had to be filled from pails, usually passed along in what was called a bucket brigade, then forced into a stream pumped into a hose by men using the pump handles on each side of the vehicle. It was not propelled by horsepower, but by the men themselves. It must have been quite a sight in early days to see that little pumper being pulled down the street by running men.

That is the reason why, in 1835, the inhabitants of the village set up a separate corporation within the town known as the Corporation of Ticonic Village, which under Maine law had authority to assess taxes for purely village purposes. In fact, that dual system of town and village corporation was common allover Maine as late as the early twentieth century.

In my own small town of Bridgton, in my boyhood, there were separate meetings of the Town and of the Bridgton Center Village Coporation. The original Ticonic Village Corporation had definitely defined geographic limits. It extended from the mill area near Ticonic Bridge up Main and Front Streets to the old Campus of Colby College, and up Main Street only as far as Chaplin Street. West from the river it went only as far as Pleasant Street. As the residential area grew and became more thickly settled, the area of the incorporated village was gradually increased. When Waterville became a city in 1887, the village corporation was abandoned, for by that time, inhabitants of the village far outnumbered those on the outlying farms, and what was once the western section of Waterville had become the separate town of Oakland. By that time there was a large steam engine drawn by two horses to fight the fires. The fire station was just south of the junction of College Avenue and Main Street.

By 1900 the city had two other fire stations: one in the north end on Ticonic Street, and one in the south end on Water Street. That first fire company in 1839 appointed two stewards whose duty it was to keep the hand-pumper well oiled and greased, always ready for instant use, see that the hose was not leaking and was properly dried after use, and report to the Standing Committee the need of any repairs.

If any steward should neglect his duty, he would be fined two dollars. It was the duty of the Standing Committee to control the company finances. collect and expend funds, and fine members who failed to respond promptly to fires. While the company had its own officers, the by-laws stated that it was subject to the dictation of no other person except the fire warden duly elected by the town.”

One by-law said: “Should any member on duty at a fire be guilty of disorderly conduct or refuse to obey orders of the foreman, he may be fined or discharged from the company at their discretion. It shall take a majority vote to fine such an offender, and a three-quarter vote to discharge him.” Concerning attendance at fires. a by-law said: “At the alarm of fire, each member shall immediately go to the engine and remain with it until the engine shall again be housed and the roll called. Failure to obey this by-law shall subject the offender to a fine of fifty cents.”

Membership in the company was as carefully restricted as was that of the secret societies of the time. Apparently it was as hard to get out of the company as it was to get into it. “Any member desiring to leave the company must first present a written request for withdrawal to the clerk of the company. He shall then, by their appointment. appear in person before the Standing Committee, which shall in turn make recommendation to the entire company. Withdrawal shall be permitted if a majority of the company agrees.”

This particular copy of the pamphlet seems to have been the property of J.H. Plaisted, whose name is written across its first page. He was a well known member of Waterville’s Plaisted family, prominent in the fields of medicine and banking. He was one of the town’s first citizens to enlist in the Civil War and he served with distinction. In 1875 he served with Col. Francis Heath. Gen. Isaac Bangs and Edwin Noyes as a committee to select a Civil War monument to be placed in the park that had replaced the old cemetery on Elm Street. This pamphlet is now in the custody of the Waterville Historical Society.

Now for an item about Maine colleges. Today, after thirty years of operation on its new Mayflower Hill campus, Colby has for each freshman class more acceptable candidates than it can admit and has to choose from those who want to enroll. As late as the 1920’s Colby was advertising for students in stiff competition with other colleges. Its ads were placed in school papers and yearbooks allover Maine and Massachusetts.

Recently it came to my attention that two competing ads not in either Maine or Massachusetts,were in the student paper of Phillips Exeter Academy in N. H. One ad was for Colby. the other for the University of Maine at Orono. then called the Maine Agricultural and Mechanical College. The Orono ad, signed by the president. A. W. Harris said (and dated 1899) “This college offers the following courses: classical; scientific; agriculture; preparatory medical; civil, electrical and mechanical engineering; and pharmacy. In addition to degree courses, there are short, special courses in agriculture. The annual tuition is $30. Loans covering tuition are provided for needy students. Total expenses, including cost of living, are very low. Rooms in the dormitories are free. A new dormitory has just been built for women. Military drill is required of male students. The School of Law is located at Bangor and maintains a course of two years. Tuition there is $60 a year. A diploma fee is the only other charge. For attractive catalogue or information address the President at Orono.”

Now for the Colby ad in the same paper, 1899, signed by President Nathaniel Butler. It said: “Colby College now in its 79th year, is better prepared for service than ever before. A course for the degree of Ph. D., omitting the study of Greek, has now been added. The new chemical building will be equipped and ready for use this year. With ample instruction in all departments of Moral Philosophy; English Literature; Ancient and Modern Languages; Science; Mathematics; History; and Economics, the college is well prepared to meet modern educational demands. Physical training is emphasized in its most desirable features. Thorough work in that subject is required both in the classroom and in gymnastic exercises. Athletic sports under proper conditions are encouraged. Expenses are kept at the lowest practical point. Advantages have been increased at little cost to the student. The total expense of a year, including tuition, room, board, washing, fuel, and lights need not exceed $250.

“Scholarship aid is available for all worthy students who need assistance. Prizes are offered for excellence in reading; declamation; composition; and German. For further information address the President at Waterville, Maine.”

And with that reference to two ads 83 years ago by two colleges that were then both small, provincial institutions in what New York and Boston still regarded as the wilderness of Maine, we say goodbye until next week.

Year: 1982