Article about Capt. Ben Willard, who was born at Simonton's Cove in what is now
Date
7-1-1994
Pages
47, 72-74
Abstract
Article about Capt. Ben Willard, who was born at Simonton's Cove in what is now South Portland on Oct. 30, 1828. Capt. Willard earned his living variously as a fisherman, stevedore, master mariner, pilot and harbor master. Willard was also known as a practical jokester. This article profiles his life and particularly remembers him for the 1873 Fourth of July prank he pulled in Portland. He was behind a newspaper announcement that certain unspecified public-spirited benefactors would sponsor a Fourth of July concert in Lincoln Park to be performed by a Boston band composed of the best Italian and German talent. What the concert goers were actually treated to was a cacophony of twenty organ grinders spread throughout the park, each playing a different tune.
Subjects
Holidays Fourth of July, Willard, Ben
Recommended Citation
Barry, William David, "Article about Capt. Ben Willard, who was born at Simonton's Cove in what is now" (1994). Maine News Index - Down East Magazine. 1714.
https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/news_downeast/1714
Source
Down East