August 26, 1902, the caption states: "President
Theodore Roosevelt Delivering Speech at
Biddeford, Maine" However, research shows this
location is not the train station in Biddeford.
It is Old Orchard Beach.
Photo: Harvard University - This image is from the
Doris A. and Lawrence H. Budner Theodore Roosevelt
Collection, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University
Update 11-3-2022
I first started researching Theodore Roosevelt in 2010. As a volunteer at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, overseeing the Narcissus project (Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914), I felt the need to learn more about Roosevelt's visit to Maine. That initial research piqued my curious nature to want to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt.
Twelve years later, that seed of curiosity has taken root and blossomed, into the development of what is the: Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail: Connecting Maine Communities. Insight throughout the State of Maine is what this trail provides by tracing and describing Theodore Roosevelt's connections with each of these communities.
Each community is identified with a star with a number or
a moose with a letter. The key to the logo landmarks is below.
Each moose represents a community that has an indirect
connection with Roosevelt, meaning he may not have paid the
community a visit, but there is a meaningful connection to
Roosevelt in that community. The stars indicate a community
that Roosevelt visited and probably engaged with the people
and or the local geography. As research continues, other
communities will be added to the logo.
Logo: "Designs by Reece" - Reece Saunders
Over the ensuing weeks, each of these
communities/landmarks with its Roosevelt
connections will have a separate page describing
details of TR's connections. Each will also
have a link(s) to local resources/venues.
Key by "Designs by Reece" - Reece Saunders
Today, we start with "Star 2" shown on the list (key) above - Biddeford
The metaphor of "going down the rabbit hole" pretty well captures many of my experiences, over the years, including this one. As I attempt to clarify what initially may seem a fairly simple piece of information to confirm or refute, I frequently find myself presented with a variety of unexpected twists and turns related to the research subject matter. More rabbit holes to consider investigating.
While researching President Roosevelt's schedule for his two-day Maine visit during his 1902 tour of New England states, up popped the photo at the top of this page. The caption caught my interest as Biddeford was not listed in the itinerary of Maine stops in the presidential schedule, for August 26 and 27, 1902. Scroll down the page for the short piece on his March 23, 1912, and August 18, 1914 stops at the Biddeford railroad station.
of President Roosevelt's train tour that included communities
in Maine. A stop in Biddeford was not listed. August 26, 1902,
issue of the Lewiston Evening Journal EXTRA 8:30 p.m.
So, I visited Biddeford's McArthur Public Library to search through their extensive microfilm collection of vintage local newspapers. I located the story of the president's train unplanned stop and brief speech (excerpt below) and in addition, read a feature story about a local Biddeford resident, Fred C. Watson, who was a cowboy working for Roosevelt in the Dakotas during 1884 and 1885! For me, this was like uncovering a valuable nugget of gold while prospecting in a new rabbit hole :) With much help from Renée L. Burkett, Archivist/Special Collections Librarian, more intriguing information about Fred. C. Watson was learned. But first, before we move on to Fred's rabbit hole, below is the excerpt from the local newspaper describing the unplanned stop at the Biddeford train station:
Although no stop by the president had been anticipated in this city (Biddeford) there was a crowd of three or four hundred people at the Western Division station awaiting the arrival of the train, and when it was seen to slow down there was a tremendous straining of necks to ascertain what the cause was.
It soon developed that the engine had a hot box. As soon as the train came to a standstill there was a rush for the rear car, and to the delight of the crowd, the president appeared on the platform. He was cheered lustily as he emerged through the doorway, bowing to the right and the left.
The president made a short speech in which he referred to the state of Maine as a place where men who are a credit to the nation are brought up.
Somebody in the crowd presented the president with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and then the train began to pull out (to travel to the first scheduled stop in Maine at Old Orchard Beach). The crowd gave three rousing cheers to which the president responded by bowing and waving his hat.
Biddeford Weekly Journal, Friday Morning, August 29, 1902
Initially, I was happy to find the evidence to verify that TR's train did indeed stop at the Biddeford Station. However, a new rabbit hole presented itself as Renée and I spent some time viewing the photograph that described TR making a speech to the crowd from the platform of his train while stopped at the Biddeford train station.
I'm familiar with the train station and the local neighborhood surrounding it. The buildings in the image did not look anything like any of the buildings of the time (1902) near the Biddeford train station. Renée and I separately looked into period photos, postcards, maps, etc. of the 1902-area neighborhood of the Biddeford station and we both agreed, that the photo was not taken at the Biddeford station. We still are seeking evidence to support the actual location of the station in the photo. Stay tuned for updates in the future :)
Now for the Fred C. Watson story...
Renée, at McArthur Public Library in Biddeford, has been great to work with on this research. When I mentioned to her about discovering the "nugget" of Fred C. Watson in the newspaper feature, she started looking through the Library's resources and found more information on Fred! Thank you so much, Renée.
Here we go...
Below is the Biddeford Weekly Journal, Friday Morning, August 29, 1902 story about Fred C. Watson that I saw while looking for the Biddeford train station info. I split the screenshot into three sections so that the text could be read without me retyping it all :)
.jpg)
Ibid
Ibid
.jpg)
Ibid
Below is an excerpt from the Biddeford Daily Journal, August 27, 1902, with the story of Fred meeting up with President Roosevelt at the train while it was stopped in Old Orchard Beach on August 26, 1902.
Ibid
Renée found that Fred C. Watson was a native of North Saco, Maine, and later lived in Biddeford, after returning from the Dakotas. Fred was a blacksmith and was active in the Townsend Family Reunion Assoc. Fred's mother was Georgianna (Townsend) Watson. And she found that Fred had donated, to the library, his pair of spurs (Item 31597) and a branding iron (Item 31634) from the Dakotas while he was there in 1884 and 1885.
The description of the spurs: Item 31597 - spurs belonged to Fred C. Watson of Biddeford. He was a blacksmith, and as a young man traveled to the western frontier to work at the Elkhorn Ranch, which was owned by Theodore Roosevelt. The ranch was run by two men from Maine, Bill Sewall, and Wilmot Dow, and that may be how Watson ended up working there. The blacksmith's workshop was completed in the spring of 1885 when Watson was 20 years old. Upon returning to Maine, Watson worked at Townsend Brothers carriage makers in Biddeford and eventually was the foreman at the blacksmith shop at Saco-Lowell. He retired from Saco-Lowell in 1937.
The description of the branding iron: Item 31634 - iron with the letters "S" and "E", forged by Biddeford blacksmith Fred C. Watson around 1885. Watson worked as a cowboy and a blacksmith out on the western frontier to work at the Elkhorn Ranch, which was owned by Theodore Roosevelt. The ranch was run by two men from Maine, Bill Sewall, and Wilmot Dow, and that may be how Watson ended up working there. Upon returning to Maine, Watson worked as a blacksmith at Townsend Brothers carriage factory and then at Saco Lowell shops.
I returned home and did some online research that also turned up a photo of McArthur Library on the Maine Memory Network.
.jpg)
Photo from the McArthur Library Collection as posted on the
The Townsend Brothers manufactured carriages at 9 Jefferson
Street in Biddeford from about 1890 until 1910. The crew
from the Townsend Brothers Carriage Shop are (left to right):
David Berry, Fred Watson, Charles H. Townsend,
Jesse Charles Townsend, John Alden Hanson Townsend,
George E. Townsend, and Alonzo Kimbal Circa 1900
Having seen Watson's description of his spurs and branding iron from Elkhorn Ranch, I looked through William "Bill" Sewall's book on Theodore Roosevelt. I happen to have a first edition copy and did find a couple of pages that did not include Fred Watson's name, but perhaps a reference to him.
On page 31 Sewalll mentions..."There were six of us; three were natives of Maine...". He went on to describe that four of the six were old experienced cattlemen "...except myself and one other." The six of them went on a 500-mile trek through the Dakotas. On page 32, Sewall mentions "Myself and the boy went with me..." I wondered if "the boy" might be the 20-year-old Fred C. Watson.
Page 32
I looked through a few other books and found the same story that Sewall recounted on page 182, in Theodore Roosevelt in the Badlands by Roger L. Di Silvestro.
I emailed the Biddeford Historical Society asking about the train station (Paul McDonough did reply and stated his research also clarifies that the train station in the TR photo is not the Biddeford train station) in the TR photo and reached out to a couple of my TR historian friends asking if they were aware of Fred C. Watson at Elkhorn Ranch...nope. I then emailed Erik Johson at the Theodore Roosevelt Center at Dickinson State University. Erik replied that he had found Fred Watson in the 1885 Census. He attached the complete census and within the email, he included the names of all the "Mainers" listed in the census. Sure enough, there is Fred. Erik was not able to match the "S" and "E" branding iron with any ranch in the area. He did email a request to the Stockmen's Association to see if they may have a record of the brand.
1885 Census of Billings County, Dakota Territory:
I forwarded the materials from Erik to Renée. Renée in turn used the info to do some additional research on the "Townsend" side of Fred Watson's family tree. She found that Fred's mother, Georgianna had died very young, at age 29. This may have led to Fred becoming part of the Townsend clan (his mother's family) that went to the Dakotas...as seen in the 1885 census. Renée sent a list of the 1880 Census...seen below.
Samuel Townsend
in the 1880 United States Federal Census
Name:
Samuel Townsend
Age: 29
Birth Date: Abt 1851 Birthplace: Maine
Home in 1880: Bismarck, Burleigh, Dakota Territory, USA
Street: Meigs Street
Dwelling Number: 153
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Frances Townsend
Father's Birthplace: Maine
Mother's Birthplace: Maine
Occupation: Laborer
Neighbors: View others on "page"
Household Members
Age Relationship
Samuel Townsend 29 Self (Head)
Frances Townsend 24 Wife
Ernest Townsend 6 Son
George Townsend 4 Son
Townsend 2 Daughter
Renée also sent me some other newspaper clippings related to Fred Watson. The story below of Fred with Boy Scouts while camping at Kennebunk Pond in 1932 has some cool personal TR-related stories.
Biddeford Daily Journal, Monday Evening, August 8, 1932
Ibid
Ibid
.png)
Ibid
Ibid
As Renée and I hopefully find additional information relating to the Roosevelt train stop (that is not Biddeford :) and perhaps on Fred Watson, I'll update this page.
March 23, 1912
Lewiston Saturday Journal, March 23, 1912
- page 18
August 18, 1914 - Also included a stop at the Saco train station where the former POTUS engaged with people at the station, from the steps of his car.
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-running 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 on a monthly basis. 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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