Handbook history of the town of York, from early times to the present

Foreword

The historian of low or high degree of attainment is liable to the charge of plagiarism. He can only record facts and describe events and scenes which he gathers from public documents, and from the description of others, save in the matter of contemporary afifairs of which he was a witness and perhaps an incident. There are but few facts or incidents told in the pages of this book which may not be found elsewhere; and it is impossible to narrate events already penned by able writers, and to avoid likeness of expression, especially when one has not the advantage of a classically polished education. Using in part a quotation of Hon. J. C. Stewart — "To rescue from oblivion the memory of former incidents, and to render a just tribute of renown to the many great and wonderful actions both of Greeks and Barbarians, Herodotus of Halicarnassus produces this Historical Essay," is the modest introduction to the great work written two thousand three hundred and forty years ago by the "Father of History."

Eighteen hundred and twenty years ago, Josephus in his preface to his renowned work, "Antiquities of the Jews," used these words : "Those who undertake to write histories do not, I perceive, take that trouble on one and the same account, but for many reasons, and those are very different one from another, for some of them apply themselves to this part of learning to show their skill in composition, and that they may therein acquire a reputation for speaking finely; others of them there are who write histories in order to gratify those that happen to be concerned in them, and on that account have spared no pains, but rather gone beyond their own abilities in performance; but others there are who of necessity and by force are driven to write history, because they were concerned in the facts."

York is the native town of the writer of this volume, born within the sight and sound of the roaring sea; and I hope to present a biographical sketch of its birth, growth and maturity, that will be of interest and value. I wish to give, as far as within me lies, a faithful record of our wonderful past and present growth, and it has been for me a work of love — dimmed with the realization of my inadequacy to rightly perform it.

"Our Grand Old Town, with honest pride, From sea-girt shore to forest wide,

We would proclaim thy glory.

Ye men of York with purpose strong, The Wheel of Progress roll along,

And neither pause nor falter; But freely each his offering bring, The best he has of everything,

To lay upon the Altar."

York Village, Maine.