History comes alive during Merrill Centennial

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    MERRILL — Surprisingly, Capt. William Merrill who founded the town that bears his name 100 years ago managed to resurface at the recent centennial in a historic re-creation of his early settlement.
    Actually, he was portrayed by resident Ken Bustard who provided a glimpse into what life was like without microwaves, automobiles, grocery stores or bottled water.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
BACK IN THE DAY — During the centennial celebration, Ken Bustard recreated the persona of Capt. William Merrill who founded the town bearing his name.
    The Captain took umbrage when asked about his campsite. “This is my home, my lodge, “ he said. “I’ve been here 100 years. This is my wall tent. I cut some local poles. We don’t carry them on the ship.”
    The real Merrill was a sea captain. This Merrill talked about bringing some things from the ship to his new residence. He pointed inside the lodge to his cot, then to his gun and hunting knife near his campfire complete with coffee pot.
    “I brought this little stove with me so in the winter we can  stay in here. I have my basic tools. But, I have to get a permanent lodge built. This will do for now.”
    When asked how he liked living on dry land, Merrill said: “It seems good. That’s why I gave up my seafaring ways and decided to settle down in here. I paid $1,946 for this little town – a good all-around deal. It took a lot of years on the ocean to save that up.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
GRAND OLD FLAG — MSgt. Rob Furrow and his son, Stockton Springs firefighter Daniel Furrow, demonstrate the proper way to fold a flag as Town Manager Candy Nevers, explained the meaning of each fold during Merrill’s centennial on Aug. 14. The event’s theme was honoring the country’s veterans.
    As he showed off his lodge, he pointed out the furnishings. But, he didn’t know anything about a kitchen.     “Kitchen? What’s that?” he asked. Then, he pointed out his cooking utensils. “These are mostly cast iron. Today they use something called aluminum and Teflon. I don’t know what that’s all about. There’s our campfire. We do all our cooking outside. They have things today called stoves or something like that.”
    The captain gets water from a nearby stream. He noted that one of the villagers gave him “a bottle of water in something they call plastic. That’s quite an invention.”
    When it comes to provisions, Merrill said “the hunting was good.” Antlers stood at the end of a fence. “That’s all that’s left of a little buck from early spring. Very tender meat. There’s good meat around here.”
    Long Johns were hanging on a rope not far from the buck’s antlers. Merrill said his underclothes needed to air out for a few days.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
HISTORIC VILLAGE — During its 100-year anniversary, the town of Merrill recreated how founding father Capt. William Merrill might have lived in the early days. 
    A lovely garden was nearby but Merrill denied any personal connection to it. “I didn’t do that. It’s too feminine for Capt. Merrill. I think some of the womenfolk did that. Mrs. Merrill might have had something to do with that. She’s not here today. It smells good.”
    The captain said his neighbors were good people. But, they had not brought him a housewarming gift yet. “You got one for me? That would be nice.”
    Then, tongue firmly implanted in cheek, Merrill talked about the neighbors.
    “There’s the Nevers clan up there a ways. We got our concerns about them. And, down in the town of Oakfield, we’re hearing bad things about them. Merrill’s pretty good. Here you got law-abiding citizens.”     “Then, there’s a Bustard clan up the road there and they are awful poachers. If we can get them under control, I think we’ll be all right.” There may have been a trace of a smile on his face at that point.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
CENTENNIAL BABY — Misty Roy holds her daughter, 7-month-old Haley McGary, Merrill’s Centennial Baby. In front is big sister, Hannah May McGary, 2.
    “Ken Bustard is one of my ancestors,” he said. “That’s my brother who lives up there. He’s the poacher. But, I’m not a poacher” Merrill said adamantly.
    “The town’s grown a lot. We got good people. They’re friendly — wicked friendly.”