Ford’s Corner store
Unless you’ve been reading Dr. ON Bradbury’s “Norway in the 1940s” carefully, you’ve never heard of names like The Temperance Watchmen, the Druclaian Society, or the Catephormical Society.
Humans are social by nature and seek out groups with similar interests and concerns. Organizations tend to be established for a defined purpose or purpose, as determined by segments of society. This was the case in the early days of small struggling communities like Norway. The process of establishing the identity of these groups often created unique names.
Let’s start with the temperance warden. According to Merriam-Webster, abstinence is “abstaining from the use of intoxicated substances, or strictly speaking, sobriety.” I see where this is going.
The temperance movement began in the early 1800s. Excessive use of alcohol was common, especially among those engaged in heavy labor. Many thought alcoholic beverages were safer than potentially contaminated water. In 1851, Maine was the first state to outlaw the manufacture and distribution of alcohol.
In 1845, a group of dedicated young enthusiasts met weekly in the second floor hall at Ford’s Corner. As Bradbury described them, “They saw little of the world. In the innocence and simplicity of their hearts they believed they could take it back and make it better.” They were…” They were temperance wardens.
Once, in the darkness of one night, word reached them that two barrels of wicked vice, presumably rum and whiskey, were being brought to Harrison from a Norwegian village, in violation of recent laws. rice field. (Licensing laws were already in force in Maine, but not in Oxford County.) Guards decided that a commission to oversee the movement of contraband should be appointed. On high ground near the lake where the Commission could easily see the movement along the road from the town, the Watchmen stood lookout. No information was given regarding their intended response to the above illegal shipments. Perhaps they will surprise the unsuspecting driver, convince him to return to Norway with a load of spoiled drinks, and save the residents of Harrison from temptation.
However, after setting up an observation post this night, wind, thunder, thunder and heavy rain forced the Committee to take refuge in a nearby house. Teamsters, who had been previously informed of the impending trap, held their horses out of sight from the lookout. When the storm was in full force, he drove the wagon unnoticed through the darkness, dutifully delivering the cargo to Harrison’s destination. Temperance found no further details about his continued exploits of Watchmen.
The next group of interest, also from the 1840s, is the Druclaian Society. This was a literary group organized within the Norwegian Liberal Institute. The association held weekly public meetings called Lyceums. At each lyceum, a publication called “Catyrian Lill” was released. (A lil is defined as a very small book.) Offerings presented in a lil often include poems and conundrums. These conundrums were questions involving wordplay about local individuals and locally known information.Example: “Why is a scholar like a tired horse?” Answer: “He
About Tucker. The scholar may have been a member of the Tucker family, who ran a harness shop in town.
A third example of a group with a unique name and purpose is the Catphormical Society. Dr. Bradbury describes the group as leaning towards Behemian. Could it have meant bohemianism (an unconventional lifestyle that pursues music, art, literature, or spirituality)?
Most of the members seem to have been farmers drawn from Greater Norway. The organization arose during his first decade of the 1800s, and by 1828 the group had grown so large that it had to occupy the upper floors of the recently built Red Store on Ford’s Corner. This may have been the first fraternity founded in Norway, predating the Masons, Odd Fellows, Grange and the Knights of Pythias. As such, members took care of themselves when they needed help due to illness or other unfortunate circumstances.
Participants were initiated by explaining their purpose, demonstrating an association handshake, and presenting a password and membership test. Gatherings included speeches, storytelling, singing, and the occasional spiritual revelry. When a member died, a meeting was held to remember the deceased because of his positive traits and deeds and his wise words. The ceremony concluded with a toast to his memory.
At some point the group decided not to admit any more members. So half a century later, when there were only her two remaining members, the last member to die was mourned in the customary way, a drink was served, and the symbol of the categorical association was kept for the last time.
The Norwegian Museum and Historical Society is open to the public on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm. Visit www.norwayhistoricalsociety.org.
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