The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-03-11
Matters and Things on the Penobsoot.

To the Editor or the Press:
People in the western part of the state i'm
agne, that there 10 much connected with the
history of Old Town, that is worthy of notice,
many interesting narratives having originated
in this vicinity. It is net strange then, that
an "Oxford Bear" should take the earliest OPP
portunity to visit Old Town. At first sight
it seems insignificant, scattered as it is over
SO much territory, giving ore an idea of "iew
people in small land But when one has spent
part Of day looking about, he finds many
things interesting. This place has water priv
ileges superior to any in Inc State, which are
wonderfully improved. At Upper Falls
there is an extensive mill corporation running
sixty saws. Below the Falls, are mills owned
by Gen. Yeazie, and Dwnal of Bangor, to-
gether with large sash factory. These men
have done much for this place, and are in some
respects two OF tue most active business mem
in the State. There is an extensive block be-
low Old Town village, at ''Great Works." and
still farther below at Upper Saltwater, where
great quantities of lumber are annually manu-
featured. This is on the direct route to the
numbering regions, through which at certain
seasons OF the year there is steady tide of
travel, supporting three commodious hotels,
all ofwhich are well patronized, and managed
after the 'city STYLE" the proprietors, evident
ty having served faithfully for some gears as
clerk, IN some big hotel. They have bank
in 1ourishing condition with a capital of
100000. They have six elegant churches,
and an academy, besides many pleasant resi-
dences. To stranger this village appears in
many respects Ikea city; he finds instead of
petty stores, large blocks of dry goods and
extensive manufacturing houses. 1t being
the only market place for the surrounding
country, of any note, its trade is immense for
place OF its size.
Bangor, Old Town and Milford Railroad isl
the Oldest road in the State and running
right smart" Gen. Veazie, after purchasing
this route, built the famous long bridge, said
to be the longest in the State, over to Milford,
connecting that place with Bangor by rail. at
cost Of S95,000- In summer they support a
inc of steamers, after the "lugn arrangement,
to accommodate travel "up river" The main
boom, 2 IL miles above the village, through
which all the logs passing down The river are
taken, after being RATED, will give one some
idea of the amount of lumber passing down
this river yearly. Old Town village is situa-i
ted on Marsh Island, containing about 5000
acres. It's said that Orono, az Indian chief,
sold it to Marsh for gallon of whiskey, upon
which, he RECALLED himself, probably to realize
the warming effects of the "fire-watern No
one will visit Old Town, without going over
to Indian Island. This is above the falls, and
reached by ferry. There are but 5OO-266
males, and PA females remaining OF that pow
erlul tribe that once held undisputed sway
over this territory. They informed us that
more than one fifth Of their voting population
have gone to the war, and that consumption,
disease formerly unknown, is now carrying
of many OF the tribe yearly. Those that re-
main, gain ststenance by hunting and fishing,
also by the less primitive occupation of farm
to go into their dwellings and see them make
baskets of every size and style. The squaws
manifest much pleasure in showing how the
pragum" is prepared and fitted for braid
ing, exhibiting more skill and industry than
the men They build their houses, finishing
and furnishing them much as we do our cot
tages, GLOWING our mode of living, having
laid aside nearly all of their savage CUSTOMS
They have school and church, and seem to
avail themselves OF every privilege, calculated
to raise them from ignorance and barbarity.
They keep constant supply of baskets, boats
and many other articles both useful and orna-
mental, to sell to white company" feeling
very grieFed, if one does net purchase some
trnket before leaving the island. They have
1000 acres of land in all the islands belonging
TO Them, well wooded and capable of making
good farms. Maine made treaty with the
| Indians, which was to the effect, that they
should have this land. not liable to taxation,
and he provided with an agent who should de-
clare yearly dividend from the income ne
cessary to meet their wants, but beyond the If
power to SELL 1t seems sad to see this rem
nant OF once powerful tribe, fast passing
away at the approach of the white man, and
though they seem to be happy, yet If their
history is called up, the fire of retaliation and
revenge is reused, showing the mighty strug-
gle within. Forgetting their savage cruelties,
we can but admire their noble traits, and as
we see them fast disappearing from the land,
almost wish, that they had never been molest-
ed, bat allowed to roam the forests unrestrain-
ed, TIL 4called by their Great Manitou to hunt
in the spirit land" above. j. NJ. K.