George E. Cousins dressed as Uncle Sam riding his
"high-wheel" "Penny-farthing" bicycle on Main Street,
Kennebunk, during the U.S. Bicentennial parade.
George and Sylvia Cousins owned the Old Corner Grocery.
George was a guest of former POTUS, Theodore
Roosevelt during August 18, 1914, as they traveled
by train to Lewiston and then on the Narcissus,
as passengers from Lewiston to Portland. The Narcissus
is currently being restored at Seashore Trolley Museum :)
Photo courtesy of Brick Store Museum.
Updated 2-5-2024
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 and his various visits to Maine.
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 describe "Star 1" shown on the list (key) above - Kennebunk August 18, 1914
Until last week, I was unaware that Theodore Roosevelt actually had a direct connection with my hometown, Kennebunk, Maine. I knew, that on several occasions, over many years, he was a passenger on trains that were in Maine, but I had read that his trains generally passed through the railroad station in Kennebunk after he was POTUS. There may have been times that he was a passenger on a train stopped at the station, but it would have been during a time before he became President of the United States in 1901 when he was simply a passenger like everyone else.
There is a need for additional research on TR's stop at the Kennnebunk railroad station in 1912 when he was the Progressive Party candidate for President. This visit is mentioned in the 1914 newspaper article when it refers to the size of the crowd greeting TR in 1914 was about twice the size of the crowd that was at the station to greet him on his 1912 campaign visit.
On the occasion of TR's August 18, 1914, visit, he was traveling in a private car named, the "Hester," and the train did stop at the Kennebunk station where Roosevelt engaged with local residents who had gathered at the station to try and catch a glimpse or perhaps receive a handshake.
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Theodore Roosevelt's private railroad parlor car,
"Hester" - Lewiston Evening Journal
August 18, 1914, page 9
This is the Sandford & Cape Porpoise waiting station on
Summer Street. Constructed in 1902 on the northwesterly
end of the bridge passing over the B&M Railroad on Summer
Street in Kennebunk. It was designated as the electric railway's
Kennebunk Station, complete with a lunch counter
and restroom facilities. It was a short walk across the
street and down the hill to the B&M Kennebunk railroad station.
A strong likelihood that some folks used trolleys to
travel to the Kennebunk railroad station to try and see Roosevelt
on August 18, 1914.
O. R. Cummings Collection
The B&MRR passenger station at Summer Street, Kennebunk
was where a couple of hundred local residents were to try
and connect with Theodore Roosevelt on August 18, 1914.
Many were successful :) PWM Postcard Collection
The first newspaper clipping that I read that mentioned Roosevelt's train stopping at the Kennebunk station was in the Lewiston Evening Journal, August 18, 1914, on page 9. It was a simple statement; "At Kennebunk, a Lewiston Journal reporter boarded the car and was immediately ushered into Col. Roosevelt's apartment."
I was very surprised to read an account of a train of Roosevelt's stopping at Kennebunk. Based on the wording of how the reporter was rushed aboard the train and into Roosevelt's apartment in the private car, I wasn't thinking that Roosevelt didn't take any time to engage with local residents who may have been present. Roosevelt was greatly admired by Maine residents, so, it was not unusual for many local residents, to gather at the local stations even if Roosevelt's train was going to be passing through.
Theodore Roosevelt's train stopped at
the Kennebunk railroad station to pick up
a Lewiston newspaper reporter.
Lewiston Evening Journal -
August 18, 1914, page 9
However, there have been times in the past, that I have been pleasantly surprised when I have taken the next steps to extend the research in hopes of finding more details. So, I reached out to local historian, Sharon Cummins, who is on staff at the Kennebunkport Historical Society. I shared the Lewiston newspaper clip briefly mentioning the Roosevelt train stop at the Kennebunk train station and asked if, when she had a chance, could take a look at local Kennebunk newspapers that issued papers during the days around August 18th for any additional coverage of Roosevelt's stop in Kennebunk.
Sharon was successful in locating a wonderful accounting of Roosevelt's stop at the Kennebunk station and his engagement with local residents, in the August 19, 1914, issue of the Kennebunk Enterprise.
The next day, August 19, 1914, the story of
what took place at the Kennebunk railroad station
the previous day was told in the Kennebunk Enterprise.
Ibid
One welcomed visitor that Roosevelt greeted at the Kennebunk station was, George E. Cousins, of the Old Corner Grocery and a resident of Kennebunk. George, an "enthusiastic Progressive," was invited to join Roosevelt during his travels for the rest of the day. This happened to include them both being passengers on, No. 14, Narcissus, 1912, high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI).
I smile when I read the opening sentence of the paragraph that begins with "The special car "Narcissus"..."
This article states that the Narcissus reached the Falmouth Hotel (at) about 5:45. Well, the Narcissus actually stopped at Monument Square. Roosevelt was then transported by automobile to the Falmouth Hotel on Middle Street, just a short distance from Monument Square.
Ibid
Ibid
I also reached out to Leanne Hayden, Collections Manager at the Brick Store Museum, and asked if she could look through the museum's collection for local news, etc., about Roosevelt's train making a stop at the Kennebunk railroad station and perhaps info on George E. Cousins. I recalled my grandparents and my father mentioning George over the years.
Leanne located a write-up on Roosevelt's stop at Kennebunk on August 18, 1914, in the Eastern Star. The article mentions George Cousins being a guest of the former POTUS and that Mr. L. R. Williams of Ogunquit, a candidate for Representative, also journeyed with Roosevelt and Cousins on the train to Lewiston, then as passengers on the Narcissus from Lewiston to Portland.
Eastern Star August 19, 1914
Courtesy of the Brick Store Museum
Ibid
Ibid
The body of the Narcissus has been at the Seashore Trolley Museum campus since it arrived on Halloween, October 31, 1969. It had been the summer camp for the Vallee family at Sabattus Lake for more than thirty years before arriving at the Trolley Museum. The search for mechanical and electrical components that could be used by the Narcissus for its restoration would take place over the next fifty years. 1999, is when I first started working on moving the Narcissus project forward at the Museum. Restoration on the "Elegant Ride" continues and if you visit the restoration shop at Seashore Tolley Museum, you can see the Narcissus as work is ongoing.
I am totally thrilled to now have a direct hometown connection with Theodore Roosevelt, Narcissus, and Kennebunk.
Theodore Roosevelt addressed a crowd on August 18, 1914,
in Gray, ME. TR is aboard the high-speed, luxury coach,
Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus.
George E. Cousins of Kennebunk is also aboard.
The Narcissus is undergoing restoration at
the Seashore Trolley Museum's
Donald G. Curry's Town House Shop, in Kennebunkport,
Maine. Photo courtesy of the Gray Historical Society
A portion of my collection of TR-related books :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts
Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem. This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!
Click Here: Donation Options
The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.
Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban
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.
Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project
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
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