The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-04-12
Description of Camp BeIIo Island

Description of Camp BeIIO Island,
THE STARTING POINT OF THE GREAT IRISH REPUB-
LIc-wHERE IT is LOCATED, AND ITS STRATEGIC
MPGRTANoE.
The island of Campo Bello, which is to be, IL we
are TO place credit in the Numerous reports now
afioat concerning it, the nucleus OF the great Irish
republic, a narrow piece of land stretching north
and SOUTH at the entrance to the Bav of Fundy and
many mules forms the boundary hne between the
state OF Maine and the Province of New Brunswick.
The island Is about ten miles in length, and at its
greatest widl measures probably three miles, 1t Is
indented all along its sides with numerous bays and
inlets oLe Of these, called Harbor de Lutte, almost
divides it. t l- Is, ...
The Fenians will find capital already furnished
TO their dominion lhrs is the village of Welcnpoo,
situated upon a bay o the same name, some hat 10
the south of the centre OF the island and nearly op
posite the American town of Eastport. There Is
another and larger village, OF rather collecqon OF
cal Wilson's Beach. The popula ion is for the
most part however, scattered along the west coast
and on the shores of the Harbor Lutte, which, it
might he interesting to state here, is most admira
BILE ana capaci0us harbor capable of protecting and
aho ding safe anchorage to entire navy. 1t also
possesses The, advantage of hiding its inmates from
the view of those in the adjoining waters
These features of HaIbor de Lutte have, no doubt,
been looked upon as important and valuable by the
sagacious leaders of the Feuians The distance from
Welchpoo to Eastport s atout three miles Con-
slant communication maintained between the Two
places by means OF iery-boat. The northern end
Of the island is separated from the fourishing little
town of Lubec by narrow channel, not more than
eiphth of mile across AT lhfs point tnerg is
also ferry and if the Feniaus wished to 90 over in
great numbers, this Is the locality they would pro-
badly select for their landing.
The population OIL Campo Bello was at the last
census about fifteen hundred, but now il may reacn
two thousand souls The occupation of the people
is principally fishing which in past years has be
to them exceedingly lucrative. Ihe surrounding
waters abound during the season in herring shad,
mackerel, and Goldfish Long lines of smoke houses
in which Immense numbers OF herring cured for
the American market are discernible from the wharf
at Eastport, and during the curing the xe
which is to be seen curling from their numerous
and dingy roofs, sometimes, from its density and a
peculiar state OF the atmosphere, throws such halo
around the island that it appears if partly enve-
loDed in cloud. 7'
There are but few families who may be said to
belong to the upper order upon the island, These
are Captain Robinson, the Church of England priest
and Squire Farmers. The last mentioned is the only
person residing Campo BellO who gives his entire
attention to husbandry The majority of the tnhab-
tants cultivate small plots of ground IN the vicinity
OF their dwellings but find that their time Is much
more proftably spent in catching and curing fish
At Welchpoolis the residence of the owner of the
island the Hon. j. j. Robinson retired captain IN
her Maiesty's navy. The Captain, besides being
lord of the manor, is O member of the Upper House
OF the Provincial Parliament and magistrate, and
therefore, besides his position as landlord possesses
power over his Poop in other ways. Like RoOn.
son Crusoe, che is lord of all he surveys; his right
there is none to dispute" The first line may be
true but the latter cannot be sung with due regard
1or veracity just now, while the Fenan invasion is
pending. But the Captain we are inclined to think,
rate struggle. He has himself seen service and
rather distinguished himself IN his younger years,
rious pirate in the Indies
The history of Campo Be 10 is not without interest
Some squatters had settled the nselves its north
western shore about the time of the American Revo-
lutlon but the entire island was shortly afterwards
granted by the British crown to Admiral Sir Ed
ward Owen, and called by him Campo Bello IN
honor of SIR Archibald Campbell, who at that time
was Governor OF the Province.
Sir Edu ard never resided for any length of time
on the island; but brother of his, very learned
but eccentric English gentleman and a Fellow OF
the University of Cambridge, took up his residence
on the island and lived sort of hermit life there for
nearly Iorty years. The house IN which he lived
still stands and many the curious stories OF his
eccentriclties and charities which the older peasan
try OF the is and have to tell Upon the death of Sir
Edward the island become the property Of his
younger brother, Admiral William Fttzwilham
Owen. who, after fifty years meritorious service IN
the navy devoted The remaining years of his lite Ia
the Improvement and adornment of his inheritance
He built stately and elegant mansion at Welch
pool and also erected church and school, and
ministered in every way to the comfort and i'm
After the AamiraIs dea h, which occurred few
years ago, the estate became the properY of two
daughteTs-hls only SURVIVORS One of these is the
wife OF Captain Robinson, The water between
Maine and Campo Belo is called Fuars Road il
derives IS name IRON figure OF curious shape, anO
which, at a short distance bears a strong resem
blance the torn of triar wearing the hood pecu
liar to that order. The d frar stands at the bast
of Quoddy Bluff, at the entrance to Welchpool Il
is noted landmark, and pointed out with pride L
strangers by the natives OF the surrounding islands
1t was held as object of supersntious reverence
by the Indians who formerly iohabiteh the islands
at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. ~. r. -,-,-
rous islands at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy
which said to be three hundred and sixty five ii
number, beiug one for each day in the year, GranC
Manan, which lies more seaward, is the largest
Quoddy Head before referred to, rises high aboY
all the surrounding laad, and would be, II well ful
nished with notifications, a commanding and stron
position. 1t oveIlooks the Narrows, which are tn
outlet TO the waters Of the st. Croix river and Pas
samaquoddy bay. .
The Narfows are navgable only TO ships an
steamboats, at high water. The steamers plyln
between st. John and Boston save some hours
time If they manage TO strike the tide, as Il save
them the necessity of circumnavigatng the enlr
Island in order TO reach Eastport. The easter
coast of the island Is rocky and wooded 10 Cd
beach," From IT'S position it is exposed to the vino
ano tidal flows of the Bay of FundyJ and it is prt
badly ii ON these circumstances that there is not
single hRDltation this side. Through tine inleriC
y of the island there fine groves and woode
walks and they have been for many years favori
places of resort for picnic parties from the negl
boring towns OF Eastport and Lupec.
II these happy places are now TO occupy for
time the place Of the groves Of blarneY doubt td
Eastp orters ana the people OF Lubec Will be anxlo
to negotiate with the Irish republic for the priv
leRe Of celebrating their anniversaries and festiy
their tinnQ-hOnnrad launtH, which stO