From Biographical section of History of Maine - pgs 175-177
W. Scott Libbey was one of the ablest and most energetic businessmen of Lewiston and Auburn. 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 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.
W. Scott Libbey - Born in Avon, Maine, in 1851,
he moved to Lewiston in 1873, working for the Western Union for
$65 per month. He became Lewiston's foremost industrialist in
the post-Civil War period. Image from W. S. Libbey: A Man
and His Mill
and His Mill
Upon completing his education, which ended before his course at the Colburn Classical Institute, Waterville, was finished. 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 1887, 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 those early days to his friends, but when he did, it was a very interesting tale, for the frugality that he practiced to get a start in life was astonishing. One of his earliest investments was in Lewiston real estate. He purchased a tenement on Lincoln Street. At that time his capital was so limited that, even though he had bought the building, he could not afford to provide the janitor service which was required. He was equal to the emergency, however. He rose early each morning and went to the building and did the work himself, following this by visiting it again at night, after long hours in the telegraph office, and doing such work as was needed. Convinced that there was money to be made in the woolen business, he kept a watchful eye on that industry. All the time he was looking for an opportunity to secure a woolen mill at a reasonable figure, and in time he secured a lease of one of the small mills in Vassalboro. Realizing that he was not in a position to give up his certainty of a salary as 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. As soon as the business of the week in Lewiston closed Saturday night, he took the train to 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 early Monday morning. It was a strenuous life. Many men could not have stood the strain. He had a remarkable physique. A strong constitution and was regular in 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. Later Mr. Libbey 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. 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 windward, went to Dover and took charge of the mill. The story of how the East Dover Woolen Mill was made a good investment is one of keen management, hardships, and disappointments sufficient to make a volume. The hours that he put in and the obstacles that he overcame seem impossible, but in the end, his judgment was proven, and the mill paid. It was not until 1886 that Mr. Libbey ventured into the mill business in Lewiston. That year he purchased the Cumberland Mill. Five years later, in 1893, he secured the Lincoln Mill, which was operated by him in connection with the Cumberland property after that time. Mr. Libbey always felt very proud of the purchase of the Lincoln Mill 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 that?" Not only did he become one of the owners of that plant, he had an interest in others and in many other varieties of industry.
Libbey & Dingley Mill
Image from W. S. Libbey: A Man
and His Mill
Mr. Libbey became interested in the electrical possibilities of the Androscoggin River, and in 1901 he purchased control of the Lewiston & Auburn Electric Company and the American Light & Power Company 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 Company. For many years Mr. Libbey conceived the idea of a huge power plant at Deer Rips. Work was begun early in 1902 and in 1904 this plant was put in operation after thirty-one months of labor and expenditure of a considerable amount of money. The plant is today estimated as worth considerably over a million dollars.
Libbey-Dingley Dam - Deer Rips
Postcard of PWM
Original porcelain promotional sign.
O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum
Mr. Libbey was a director of the Manufacturer's 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.
Libbey Forum at Bates College
Image from W. S. Libbey: A Man
and His Mill
Mr. Libbey never took a great part in politics. In 1906 he was a candidate for member of the executive council of the State and was elected., serving with great credit during the administration of Governor 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 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 that the State ever had.
W. Scott Libbey was born in Avon, on August 27, 1851, the son of Asa M. and Joanna B. (Powers) Libbey. He was educated in the common schools of Oakland and Coburn Classical Institute at Waterville. He came to Lewiston about 1876, and in 1877 was married to Annie E. Shaw, of Lisbon. He died on May 17, 1914. Five children were born to them: Truman C., who died in infancy; Mrs. Gertrude Anthony and Harold S. Libbey, of Lewiston; Alla A., of Newton; and W. Scott, Jr., who enlisted in the Navy for the duration of the War. There are five grandchildren: Richard, Warren, Charles Anthony, and Eleanor and Channell Libbey, of Lewiston.
August 27, 1892 photo of (l-r) Alla, Gertrude, and Harold
Libbey, children of W. S. and Annie Libbey, before W. S. Jr.
was born. Courtesy of Androscoggin Historical Society.
W. S. Libbey, Sr. with W. S. Libbey,
Jr. Circa 1913. Photo courtesy
January 6, 1945, official U.S. Navy photo
of then Retired CMDR W. S. Libbey, Jr.
His WW I and WW II uniforms are in the
collection of the Androscoggin Historical Society.
Photo courtesy of Androscoggin Historical
Mr. Libbey personally had two distinct sides to his character. One of them was the restlessness, forceful, driving machine with which he spurred on men and machinery to do its utmost, and the other was the sensitive, gentle, kindly, and appreciative personality that was most lovable and which is sweetly remembered by those within the circle of his intimate friends. If he was often brusque and impetuous, he was also considerate, courteous, and kind. He had his own positive views upon all matters, which it was perhaps, as well that you respected and permitted him to enjoy unrestricted, but at the same time, his mind was open to every new thought, receptive to information, and eager to look beyond the immediate surroundings into the future, especially so far as business was concerned. He was very fond of good literature; very sensitive to praise or criticism; exceedingly generous, especially to his trusted employees; very charitable, especially where his charities could not be a matter of publicity, and withal a man of singular and positive character; a man of genius in business, of thorough-going honesty in all affairs, and of singular fidelity to his friends.
In thirty years he made a greater impression upon Lewiston and Auburn than perhaps any other man who has ever lived there. The mere recapitulation of his enterprises bears this statement out. The boy who, on the side of old Mount Blue, in the town of Avon, said to himself, as we have been told, that someday he would make his name in the world, kept his word.
W. S. Libbey depicted in a
caricature from the book,
"Men of the Hour". Notice his Stanley :)
Courtesy of DigitalMaine.com
The caption under the sketch reads:
Hon. W. S. Libbey of Lewiston
The man who dares - that's what they say,
And dares and wins, most any day,
But well he might - tho Rips come deer -
They bring in something every year.
The mills they run in our emporium
And bring to Bates an auditorium,
Tho quickly climbed, this ladder of fame -
The climb was not so very tame.
He lost and won; with equal zest
Went shooting clays for quiet and rest.
The soul of truth, with lots of fight,
He hustles to win but hustles right.
Click Here for the post on the Sudden Death of W. S. Libbey on May 18, 1914
Click Here for the post on W. S. Libbey's Newspaper stories of his Stanley Steamer
Click Here for the post on W. S. Libbey's Rare 1908 Stanley Steamer k-30hp semi-racer
Click Here for the post on Harold Shaw Libbey
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: 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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