Newspapers

WELLS AND KENNEBUNK.

    [Extracts from a manuscript History of Wells and Kennebunk, by E. E. Bourne, Esq.]

     "In 1803 Stephen Sewall commenced the publication of the ANNALS OF THE TIMES. It seems to have been started under very favorable auspices, so far as regarded the patronage of advertisers. Many persons in Ports-
mouth advertised their goods in its columns, and also a respectable number in Wells and other towns in the county. But the subscription patronage was insufficient to sustain it, and the paper was continued but one year.
Occasionally the paper contained respectable communications on political questions and things of local interest. Sewall wrote the ode for the Fourth
of July, 1803, which was sung with effect on that occasion. His position as publisher of this paper not meeting his aspirations, he abandoned it in 1804, moved to Scarboro', and there established himself as a Thompsonian physician.
     "In the beginning of 1805 another attempt was made to establish a newspaper in Kennebunk by William Weeks. This enterprise was not as successful as the former. The paper was denominated the KENNEBUNK 'GAZETTE. We have a single copy of it, dated July 24. From this specimen
we are of the opinion that the people took but little interest in sustaining it. Though this was the 19th number, beside the post master's notice of letters remaining in the office, it contains but a single advertisement. The paper is made up entirely of collections, containing nothing editorial and no original communications. It was continued but a little while, when the publisher moved to Saco ; thence to Portland; then to Portsmouth, where in 1809 he became the publisher of the New Hampshire Gazette. " Another paper was attempted soon after, of which we have been unable to ascertain the name or the publisher. We believe it was called the EAGLE OF MAINE ; but no relics of it have been found, so that we know nothing of its character or of the length of its days. "A fourth paper, denominated the WEEKLY VISITOR, was started in 1809 by James K. Remick. The publisher seems to have had more sympathy from the public than his predecessors. The advertising support of a newspaper we suppose to be very essential to its success. This was very liberally given to the Visitor. A great deal of original matter was also furnished. Previous failures probably moved the people to a more active interest in its success than they manifested in the previous enterprises. The paper soon acquired a satisfactory footing, and maintained its position between thirty and forty years, though its name was changed to Kennebunk Gazette, July 7, 1821. By a wise and prudent management of the financial concerns of the establishment, the publisher acquired a very comfortable independence, which be transmitted to his son.   "All the publishers of these papers, in addition to the work of their profession, kept a book-store, supplying the public with stationery, school books, etc. "THE COLUMBIAN STAR, at Alfred, was continued but a short time. Its establishment was designed for two objects -to aid in the election of Crawford, and in the location of all the courts at Alfred. These two questions being removed from the public mind, no interest in it was strong enough for its support."