THE PORTLAND TRANSCRIPT, May 21, 1881

                                                        IN GENERAL

          Dear Transcript.-Has that old cannon corner Fore Street and Central
     wharf a history that is known, and if so what is it?  I have an impression
     that I was told many years ago that it came from the Boxer. Yours truly,

          We do not think the old cannon referred to came from the Boxer, though
     it is undoubtedly a relic of the War of 1812. In that war many privateers were
     fitted out here, and at the close of the war old cannon became a drug (as written)
     in the market, and many of them were used as post,  of which the one referred to
     the last one left.
         
          Patents have been issued to Paul Brick, Cape Elizabeth, for preparing and
     preserving mackerel; D. A. McDonald, Rockland, boot and shoe guard; D. T.
     Noyes, Lewiston, wood drying apparatus; Charles Parent, Biddeford, music rack
     Sumner Cummings, Portland, label of Compound Extract of Sarasaparilla and
    Dock.
          The supplies of ammunition furnished the Maine Militia by Unites States
     government have been selected by Adjutant General Beal. It as manufactured
     in Lowell.
           Rev. B. D. Peck, formerly Treasurer of the State of Maine is now pastor of
     First Free Baptist Church, West Twenty Fifth Street, New York.

          FIRES IN MAINE. --- House with contents of Joshua Crocket. Prospect;
     insurance $800.  Unoccupied house of Oliver Porter, Norridgewock, loss $1,500;
     insurance, $1,000.  Mead's Hotel at Kingfield, loss $3,000; partially insured. House
     of A. V. Sweetser in Searsport, insurance $700.  Buildings of James O. Davis, Lincoln
     Center. Insurance $800. In Dunlap Block, Lewiston; lost $1,200, insured. Pulp mill
     of  Hollingworth and Whitney, Gardiner; lost $30,000; insured. Three shingle mills
     of Charles F. Todd, William Duran and Daniel Hill, with 400,000 shingles, at Baring.
     Loss $7,000; insurance $1,600. Stable of Frank N. Simpson, Biddeford, with contents,
     including one horse. Loss, $600; insured. Oxford County agricultural building,
     between Norway and South Paris; loss on building $800. insured $700; loss on
     carriages in store $1,500; insured $750; incendiary.