Today is the 99th anniversary of the then-largest bankruptcy in the history of Maine, which was perpetrated by none other than by great grandfather, Marion Everett Sprague from Spragueville, Maine. He owned 40,000 acres of timberland in southern Aroostook and northern Washington Counties, a sawmill in Drew Plantation on the banks of the Mattawamkeag River, and properties in Bangor and other parts of the state. Unfortunately due to a financial crisis on Wall Street, the opening of the Panama Canal, and unlucky creditor in Boston, my great grandfather went under. What he did next, however, was the best part of the story, which is that he worked for the rest of his life to repay those he could who had been negatively impacted by his bankruptcy. My grandfather remembers growing up in Danforth and working all summer long only to have his wages taken and given to a former employee or creditor of his father. THAT is corporate responsibility. I think of what has happened in Bucksport and other places and it makes me sad at how things have changed and also proud of the way my great grandfather treated people. I strive to live up to his example.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 12:27:00 +0000
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