Personal Best: Diary
The writings of Ralph Richards reveal the inner dramas in Lincolnville around the turn of the century.
Elizabeth Hand
Twenty-first century bloggers have nothing on Ralph Richards. Born July 19, 1878, the Lincolnville native and Spanish American War veteran was for many decades the town’s rural mail carrier. From 1908 until he died in 1966, Richards kept a daily journal (www.lincolnvillehistory.org), a remarkable and remarkably entertaining account of my small town’s history, residents, weather, and gossip for almost sixty years.
The first eight volumes were discovered[for the rest of this story, see the January 2008 issue of Down East]
Comments may be edited for spelling. Profanity is discouraged. If you'd like your comment considered for inclusion in the magazine, please include your hometown and state.
Reader Comments:
RALPH RICHARDS, I BELEIVE WAS AKA TIGER RICHARDS OR TIGE RICHARDS WAS OUR MAILMAN IN CAMDEN DURING THE 40S AND EARLY 50S. I WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE OF HIS ACCOUNTS OF LINCONVILLE AND CAMDEN AS MY GRANDFATHER WAS THE ASSISTANT POSTMASTER IN CAMDEN AT THE TIME AND WAS ABOUT THE SAME AGE AS MR RICHARDS. I REMEMBER HIS NAME IN CONVERSATIONS THAT MY GRANDPARENTS HAD.
HOW MIGHT I OBTAIN COPIES OF HIS DIARYS.
I AM AND HAVE BEEN A SUBSCRIBER OF DOWNEAST FOR MANY YEARS.
FESS MILLER
CAMDEN NATIVE
LIVING IN TEXAS