The front page of the Lewiston Evening Journal, May 18, 1914. Announcing
the passing of W. S. Libbey, the extraordinary man that built, what would
become the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Winfield Scott Libbey was the driving force behind what became known as the "Finest Electric Railroad in All-New England", the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. July 2, 1914, was the date that public passenger service would begin. His passing, just a few weeks before the opening of his beloved interurban line, was felt by the members of the communities of the Auburn-Lewiston twin cities area in a very personal way. W. "Scott" Libbey was a well-respected man beyond the borders encircling the twin cities, and this post recites the story of this amazing man from the Monday, May 18, 1914 issue printed in the Lewiston Evening Journal.
There will be a blog post on July 2nd to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the official public opening of what would become the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
To read more about the life of W. S. Libbey, CLICK HERE to read the W. S. Libbey biography as published by the W. S. Libbey grandchildren.
Lewiston Evening Journal, May 18, 1914
SUDDEN DEATH OF HON. W. SCOTT LIBBEY
Prominent Lewiston Financier and Business Man Died Sunday Night in Wayne.
HON. W. Scott Libbey
____
Hon. W. Scott Libbey of Lewiston, prominent in the manufacturing and financial circles of New England and the East, died very suddenly Sunday evening at his summer home in Wayne. He had been in poor health for a considerable period, but the immediate cause of death was apoplexy, an attack of which he suffered at almost 5 o'clock that afternoon. Mr. Libbey was in his sixty-third year.
In his death, Lewiston and Auburn lose one of their ablest and most energetic businessmen. He was a man who had grown up in these cities, who earned his first money here, and who, by careful investments in property and business in these places, through his own keen business sagacity and remarkable foresight and judgment increased those early earnings into a fortune of magnitude. In accomplishing this he made a reputation for himself as a businessman, which was known throughout the length and breadth of New England.
The story of his life is an interesting one. It shows what persistence will accomplish. He started as a poor boy, who had to figure out how to make ends meet and died a man of wealth, influence, and importance, not only in his own city but in his State and an entire section of the country.
Upon completing his education, which ended with his course at the Coburn Classical Institute, Waterville, Mr. Libbey became a telegraph operator and in 1876 came to the Western Union office in Lewiston as its manager, which position he retained until 1880, resigning of his own accord to devote his entire time to other business interests. From the start of his career, he was determined to get ahead and reach a point where it could be said he had achieved success. It was seldom that he talked of these early days to his friends, but when he did it was a very interesting tale, for the frugality which he practiced to get a start in life was astonishing.
As said, from the first he was determined to get on in life. With that idea in view, he studied the business world and mastered its various intricacies so that when he made the venture into active affairs as a businessman he knew what he was doing.
In no better way can the thoroughness with which he went into things be shown than the story of how he mastered telegraphy. He had been actively engaged as an operator but a short time when he had, one day while receiving a message, had occasion to, as it termed in the telegraphic business, an occasion to "break;" that is, to ask the sending operator to repeat a word. The man at the other end of the wire made a disparaging remark. Mr. Libbey did not reply. To himself, he said: "If a man can get one word without having it repeated, he can get them all." From that day until the day he retired from active service on the wire no one ever knew "W.S." as his wire signature was, break because he had missed something; he always got the message correct. He sometimes broke to correct errors that the sender had obviously made.
So skilled an operator was he that it was common practice for him to play a game of checkers with a companion in the office while receiving a message he never missed a move on the checkerboard or a letter on the wire. He was considered one of the best operators in New England.
For the greater part of the period that he managed the office in Lewiston, he received the Associated Press report for the Lewiston Journal. The report, while not so extensive in those days, as today, was handled in a much different manner. At that time the typewriter was not common. I had not been drafted into the telegraph business. Operators took all messages with either pen or pencil and receiving a 2500 or 3000-word report a day was fully as laborious as taking 14,000 to 15,000-word reports of the present.
Began Investing
One of his earliest investments was in Lewiston real estate. He purchased a building on Lincoln Street. At that time his capital was so limited that, even tho he had bought the building he could not afford to provide the janitor service which was required. He was equal to this emergency, however. He rose early each morning and went to the structure and did the work himself, following this by visiting it again at night, after hours in the telegraph office, and doing such work as was needed.
This was followed by other investments, as his capital increased and he was able to broaden out his interests.
One of the first important deals which he made and which gave him a considerable advance in building capital, was when he ascertained that the mills of these cities were using a particular kind of hardwood. He kept alert and soon located a good-sized track of lumber of that kind. He negotiated for it at a low figure. After holding it for a short time he sold the same to the mill people at a good advantage of what he paid for it. This considerably augmented his working capital and enabled him to further branch out.
Convinced that there was money to be made in the woolen business he kept a watchful eye upon that industry. All the time he was looking for an opportunity to secure a woolen mill at a reasonable figure.
In time he secured a lease of one of the small mills at Vassalboro. Realizing that he was not in a position to give up his certainty of a salary as a manager of the Western Union in Lewiston, he retained that position and continued the work. From Monday morning until Saturday night, he devoted himself to the telegraph office. The remainder of the week he gave to his woolen mill interests in Vassalboro. soon as the business of the week in Lewiston closed, Saturday night he took the train for Vassalboro, from which point he walked three miles to his woolen mill. At the mill he worked all day Sunday, arranging plans for the coming week, walking back to the station, and coming home on Sunday night.
It was a strenuous life. Many men could not have stood the strain. He had a remarkable physique, a strong constitution, was regular in his habits, used neither alcoholic drinks nor tobacco, and was careful of his diet. He stood the test splendidly, made the mill pay, and saw his capital and business increase.
About the time this investment reached a prominent place, Mr. Libbey entered into a partnership with Henry M. Dingley, his present business associate. Mr. Dingley was the son of former Congressman Nelson Dingley. They secured a small woolen mill in the town of Dover. It was not a paying proposition, but Mr. Libbey felt sure it could be put upon a profit-producing basis; Mr. Dingley shared his opinion. Realizing that it was necessary to have personal supervision of the plant if it were to be made a paying investment, Mr. Libbey engaged another operator, paying the salary from his own pocket, to work in the telegraph office in Lewiston, and so, retaining the management, as an anchor to windward, went to Dover and took charge of the mill. The story of how the Eat Dover Woolen mill was made a good investment is one of keen management, hardships, and disappointments sufficient to make a volume. The hours he put in and the obstacles, he overcame seemed impossible, but in the end, his judgment was proven, and the mill paid.
Bought Lincoln Mill
It was not until 1880, that Libbey & Dingley ventured into the mill business in Lewiston. That year they purchased the Cumberland Mill. Mr. Libbey always felt very proud of this, because it was the first mill he was ever in. In speaking of this to intimate friends he frequently remarked that his thought on the occasion of that first visit was: "Will I ever have money enough to own a mill like this?" Not only did he become one of the owners of that plant, but had an interest in others and many other varieties of industry.
Thirteen years later, in 1893, they secured the Lincoln mill, which has been operated by them in connection with the Cumberland property since that time.
This firm became interested in the electrical possibilities of the Androscoggin River, when in 1901 they purchased control of the Lewiston & Auburn Electrical Light Co., and the American Light & Power Co., and consolidated them under the name of the former company. This light and power interest was added to in 1906, by the purchase of the Mechanic Falls Electric Light Co., Soon after going into the electrical field, Mr. Libbey conceived the idea of a huge power plant at Deer Rips. This was put in operation, after 81 months of labor and an expenditure of $800,000. This plant is today estimated as worth considerably over a million dollars.
About the first of Mr. Libbey's outside speculations, tho he was scheming in all directions, was the opening of the quartz mine in Dresden. He was the first to see there was money to be made in working the quartz deposits in Maine. While he was still manager of the Western Union office in Lewiston. He would work at the office until the close of business hours on Saturday, then take the night train to a station about five miles from his mine, and walk the remaining distance. He would be busy at the mine until Sunday night, taking time enough to walk to the station when he would return to Lewiston by the night train, to be at his post on Monday morning. Despite the remonstrance of his physician who told him that such conduct would kill him. The doctor gave him a severe lecture one night, as he came staggering into his office, hardly able to stand, from what was then considered heart disease, but which later Mr. Libbey claimed was due to trouble in the stomach.
One day a friend looking over Lincoln Mill saw one floor covered with big casks of a stock that he knew was little used in their business. Asked what he wanted of such a quantity, Mr. Libbey said: "A manufacturer insisted on our purchasing it. The company named a price that we had no idea would be looked at, but to our surprise, the bid was accepted." Later, Mr. Libbey said they probably made $10,000 on the lot. This is a sample of luck, such frequently fell to him, usually as the result of hard work.
When the Evening Journal needed a room to set up a reserve press Mr. Libbey leased a floor in Lincoln mill, and in consequence of a breakdown in the regular press, the Evening Journal was issued for several days from Lincoln mill. His fertility in plans for making the mill pay was surprising. For a time they made woolen cloth, and to dispose of their output they organized a big tailor shop and turned out heavy overcoats in quantity, which sold at a cry low price.
His Railroad Venture
In the year 1908, Mr. Libbey and his partner became interested in the project of building an electric railroad from these cities to Portland. At first, they took a block of stock in the road but eventually purchased all the stock, underwrote the bonds, and built the line, which will be opened within a few weeks for traffic.
This is one of the finest inter-urban lines in the country and has been the hobby of Mr. Libbey since he first became interested in it. He has taken personal charge of its construction and equipment and were making many plans for its management and opening.
On Saturday night, last, the writer met Mr. Libbey who then showed a trait of his character which, while unknown to the general public, was well understood by his friends: "I want you to say," said he, "in the Journal on Monday, that the smallest fare which will be collected on the road will be ten cents; also say that cars will stop only at designated points; that the first stop after leaving the Auburn waiting room will be at Littlefield's Tavern. I understand that certain people are selling building lots out along the line on the representation that it will be a five-cent fare and that the cars will stop anywhere. This is wrong, and I want people warned."
Incidentally, he owned invested property, timberlands in the West, and factories and real estate near Garden City, Long Island. At one time he was engaged in extensive real estate dealing with the Jackson Brothers Realty Company of New York and it was on his complaint an investigation was made by the New York state authorities resulting in the indictment of Edgar R. Jackson, head of the realty company.
Mr. Libbey was a director of the Manufacturers National Bank and was a trustee of Coburn Classical Institute. He always took a deep interest in Bates College and only a few years ago donated to that college a large society building known as Libbey Forum.
Mr. Libbey never took a great part in politics. In 1906, he was a candidate to be a member of the executive council of the State and was elected, serving with great credit during the administration of Gov. Cobb. He was a member of the sub-committee of that council which selected the site of the school for the feeble-minded, which was then established. It has always been claimed by those who understood the facts of that purchase that his business acumen, devoted to the interests of Maine saved the State many thousands of dollars in the purchase.
During that term, he gave to the State the same good judgment and careful attention to detail, as he always gave his own business, His associates on the board regarded him as one of the ablest men among them and one of the best councilors which the State had ever had.
Hon. W. S. Libbey
W. Scott Libbey was born in Avon, on Aug. 27, 1851, the son of Asa M and Joanna B. (Powers) Libbey. He was educated in the common schools of Oakland and at Coburn Classical Institute at Waterville. He came to Lewiston about 1876, and in 1877, was married to Miss Annie E. Shaw of Auburn.
Besides a wife, he is survived by four children, Mrs. Gertrude Anthony and Harold S. Libbey of Lewiston, Miss Alla Libbey of New York City, and W. Scott Libbey, jr., of Lewiston.
He is also survived by five grandchildren, Richard, Warren, and Charles Anthony, and Eleanor and Channell Libbey of Lewiston.
While a man who did not go into society greatly he had a very wide circle of friends and acquaintances, while his business associates are a legion.
It had been known for several years that he was in poor health, but of late he had appeared stronger than for a long time, so that the news of his death Sunday night, came as a great shock to all.
Appeared Well All Day
Sunday morning, in company with his sons and his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Harold S. Libbey, and two grandchildren, he went to the summer home in Wayne in his fine touring car. He spent the day going over the place with his sons, discussing improvements.
After dinner, at which he ate heartily, he accompanied Dr. Barker, a dentist of Wayne, about the place. At about 5 o'clock they were seated in the barn and Mr. Libbey was explaining plans for alterations to the building. About fifteen minutes before the attack came Dr. Barker noticed that his companion's talk was becoming disconnected. Next, Mr. Libbey rose, and exclaimed as he did so; "Oh, my head!"
He then started to walk toward the house, staggered, and fell. He called for his son Harold, who quickly came.
To the son, Mr. Libbey talked for a few minutes. He realized that it was the end and gave instructions for certain things he wished to be done.
Lapsing into an unconscious state he remained that way until 7:35 o'clock that evening when the end came.
Drs. Cheeney of Wayne, Badger of Winthrop, and Russell of Lewiston were called and were at Mr. Libbey's side as quickly and as fast as autos could take them there. While they did all possible, the stricken man was beyond human aid from the first attack. The physicians diagnosed the cause of death as apoplexy, brought on by an attack of acute indigestion causing pressure upon the heart.
The funeral will be on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock and will be private.
______
The above sketch of Mr. Libbey's business life should suggest the indomitable will and the resistless energy of the man. If he were to be required to suggest what in our opinion was the chief characteristic of Mr. Libbey's personality, we should say that it was ambition in the business world to be known as one who could overcome obstacles and carry through achievements of an unusual nature to a successful issue.
He cared little for wealth as a means of ease or luxury. He never sought a fortune so that he might have the pleasure of spending it, but he finds his enjoyment in seeing before him some large undertaking; meeting it boldly, fighting every obstacle in nature, in mechanics, and in finance, and carrying the job thru to the end. When he undertook to build the Deer Rips dam and when by the development of purchase and business propositions the property of his firm, Mr. Libbey found the greatest joy, possibly, of his life in working as a day laborer at the dam. The story of spring and summer of the first year in which work was undertaken at Deer Rips is one of such unremitting toll upon his part that probably no laborer in the city could equal.
We are still in need of funds for creating the interpretation programs that will tell this fascinating 100+-year-old story of the Narcissus. For information on donation options, scroll down this post and find the one that best fits your position. Fund 816 to help with the restoration and Fund 817 (PLI Education-Interpretation programs ) should be noted when making a donation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click Here for the post that has the short virtual 3-D video of the digital model of the Narcissus, with components added to the file from earlier this year (the gold leaf file had not been added yet).
Restoration work continues on the Narcissus. The Narcissus is more than 110 years old now and has so many incredible stories to share. The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one of those incredible stories.
The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding
the Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
the Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
Seashore Trolley Museum Promo Video
The paperback edition of Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride can be purchased online through the Seashore Trolley Museum's store website. Books purchased through the Museum's website directly benefit the Museum and the Narcissus project.
Click Here to go to the Museum Store web page to order online
Click Here to go to the Amazon page to order the ebook or audiobook online
Paperback books are available at these local bookstores in Maine:
Center for Maine Crafts, West Gardiner Service Plaza
The Book Review, Falmouth
The Bookworm, Gorham
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Nonesuch Books and More, South Portland
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by Jean M. Flahive
Illustrations by Amy J. Gagnon
Listen to a 2-minute, 30-second, Retail Audio Sample of the Audiobook
Millie Thayer is a headstrong farmer's daughter who chases her dreams in a way you would expect a little girl nicknamed "Spitfire" would run full tilt and with her eyes on the stars. Dreaming of leaving the farm life, working in the city, and fighting for women's right to vote, Millie imagines flying away on a magic carpet. One day, that flying carpet shows up in the form of an electric trolley that cuts across her farm. A fortune-teller predicts that Millie's path will cross that of someone famous. Suddenly, she finds herself caught up in events that shake the nation, Maine, and her family. Despairing that her dreams may be shattered, Millie learns, in an unexpected way, that dreams can be shared.
A resource for teachers
Companion curriculum State-standard-based units,
vocabulary, and reading activities for use in grades 3-8
are available online as downloadable resources through
Seashore Trolley Museum's website
www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Maine Historical Society has created eight companion lesson units in Social Studies and ELA that were inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These State-standard-based lesson plans for use in grades 6, 7, and 8 are easily adapted for use in grades 3-5. Vocabulary and Reading activities for grades 3-8 along with the eight lesson plan units are available free and may be downloaded through Seashore Trolley Museum's website www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Go to the Teacher Resource Page in the pull-down for more details.
A 60-second intro to Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by author, Jean Flahive
Click Here to watch the video on YouTube
Award-winning author, Jean M. Flahive
Please Consider a Donation to the Narcissus Project to help us tell the incredible story of the Narcissus through the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project.
Here is an example of how donations to the Narcissus Project now will help with the interpretation portion of the project. The interpretation programming will include exhibits, displays, and education programming. In 2019, through generous donations to the Narcissus Project, we were able to conserve, replicate, and have high resolutions digital image files made of the original, 1910, 28.5-foot long, surveyor map of the elevation and grade of the 30-mile private right-of-way of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad (Portland-Lewiston Interurban) Click Here
Thank You!
the crowd gathered in Gray, Maine on August 18, 1914.
Image courtesy of Gray Historical Society
The Narcissus as the Sabattus Lake Diner in Sabattus, Maine,
circa 1940. Photo by John Coughlin in the Kevin Farrell
Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum
L. Henri Vallee (right) and family members in the
Narcissus, when it was Vallee's summer camp in
Sabattus, Maine circa 1958. Photo courtesy Daniel Vallee
Inside the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop, the Narcissus is in the midst of major work as we strive to complete its restoration. We are now planning the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project. Donations to the Narcissus Project may be used in the future to help tell the incredible 100-plus-year-old story of the Narcissus. Your donation to the Narcissus is helping to make the dream of the project's success, a reality.
See below for Donation options -
It starts with YOU
Your Donation Matters
Make a Donation TODAY
Please Help the Narcissus.
Donation Options to Help the Narcissus Project:
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society
is the 501c3 organization that owns and operates the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME, and the National Streetcar
Museum in Lowell (MA).
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society registered with the IRS (EIN# 01-0244457) and was incorporated in Maine in 1941.
Check or Money Order ***** should be made payable to:
New England Electric Railway Historical Society
In the memo: for a donation to the Interpretation programming
please write: PLI Education Fund 817
For a donation to help with the restoration write: Narcissus Fund 816
Mail to: Seashore Trolley Museum
P. O. Box A
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Credit Card ***** donations can be one-time donations or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically each month. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3.
Online Donations - may be made by using a Credit Card:
Click Here to make an online donation through the Museum's website - When at the Donation page: Fill in donor info, etc., when at "To which fund are you donating? Scroll down to "Other" and type in 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can use email: finance@trolleymuseum.org and in the message box write:
For "Narcissus Fund 816" - if supporting the restoration
For "PLI Education Fund 817" - if supporting Interpretation programs
Donation of Securities ***** We also accept donations of
securities. You can contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3,
for brokerage account information for accepting donated securities.
BONUS ***** If you work for a company/corporation that will
"match" an employee's donation to an approved 501c3 non-profit
educational organization, please be sure to complete the necessary paperwork with your employer so that your donation is matched :)
Questions? ***** Please contact Narcissus project sponsor:
Phil Morse, narcissus@gmail.org or call 207-985-9723 - cell.
Thank You :)
Thank You for our Current Funding Partners
* 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation - 2020/2018 - Major Gift, 2017/2014 Matching Grants
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Mass Bay RRE - 2018 Railroad Preservation Grant
* Thornton Academy (Saco, ME) - Staff & Alumni - Matching Grant Challenge 2014
* New England Electric Railway Historical Society (Kennebunkport, ME) - Member Donations
* Amherst Railway Society - 2015 Heritage Grant
* National Railway Historical Society - 2016 & 2015 Heritage Preservation Grants
* Enterprise Holding Foundation - 2015 Community Grant
* Theodore Roosevelt Association - Member Donations
* John Libby Family Association and Member Donations
* The Conley Family - In Memory of Scott Libbey 2018/2017/2016/2015
* The W. S. Libbey Family - Awalt, Conley, Graf, Holman, Libbey, McAvoy, McLaughlin, Meldrum, O'Halloran, Salto, - 2018/2017
* The Hughes Family 2017/2016/2010
* New Gloucester Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Public Library Association - Pat Barter Speaker Series
* Scarborough Historical Society - PRR/PLI
* LogMein - Matching Employee Donation
* IBM - Matching Employee/Retiree Donations
* Fidelity Charitable Grant - Matching Employee Donations
* Richard E. Erwin Grant - 2017/2016
The Narcissus, with interior back-lit, stained glass windows is majestic.
Make a donation today to help restore the interior of this Maine gem.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track! Once restored,
you will be able to ride in luxury on this National Register Treasure at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
PWM photo
Please Consider Making a Donation to the project of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus. We are currently raising funds to advance the restoration and to tell the incredible story of this Maine gem.
Various News stories during the summer of 2015 about the
Narcissus and its connection to Theodore Roosevelt. TR
was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.
Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
The Narcissus - July 31, 2015. Make a donation today.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track!
Once restored, you will be able to ride in luxury on this
National Historic Treasure at
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