The Portland daily press., 1870-11-05
Tho Home of the Late Gov. Andrew

To the Editor of the Press:
AT the time of the decoration Of tho soldier
graves last spring, it YVES remarked by bos-
ton newspaper that had any one who visited
Mt. Auburn sought the grave of John A. An
drew, it would have been found with difficulty.
Although it is strange that Massachusetts
should, at this early day, neglect the tomb Of
one OF one of her ablest and most popular gov
errors, it is none the less strange that the pso-
pie of our State should already have SO gener-
ally forgotten Gov. Andrew, who was born and
educated among them. It is sad comment,
indeed, upon the instability of popular regard,
and the return made for the most eminent pub
lie services that he who but few days since
had endeared himself to the heart of every loyol
person, is now seldom mentioned, while the
popular favor is bestowed upon those who
without one 1.-THE of his ability or worth, man
age to keep themselves constantly and promi-
gently before the public. But believing, Mr..
)itor, that some of your readers will be in
terested in learning that the modest farm
house which was the birthplace of Gov. An
lrew, and his home until early manhood, is
still standing without material change, except
the ravages OF time, 1 will attempt descrip-
ion that shall render it not difficult to be rec
ognized by the passing traveller.
This house stands but few rods from the
Little Falls Station, on the Portland and Og-
densburg railroad in Windham. 1t is the Sec
md one from the track on the right, as the
rain goes out from the city. A low-roofed
,ne story house, it has nothing about it to at
tract. notice. Time has given its implanted
walls deep brown color; but we may suppose
hat in external appearance it remains just as
he Governor was wont fondly to remember it
From the size and fashion of the house, 1 sus.
oect that originally it had but one large chin.
aey in the centre. Now there are two, one at
,itber end, and this change may have occas.
oned some change in the rosition OF the win.
lows. Further than this there appears no in
locations of change.
Its elevated site gives it wide prospect
Fronting the northwest, it looks off to the
mountains 10 the distance. In its more imme-
date neighborhood, the country is very
ooen, and broad fields lie about it on every
'ide,-iust the surroundings calculated to de.
velop the clear sighted statesman and large
hearted man who grew up there. A few
mornings since, while writing for the train at
that station, I stroled about the premises for a
short time The fence which once enclosed a
yard in front OF the house has been removed,
md the cattle now feed quite up to the door
step. All the shrubbery has beer destroyed
Except few remains of climbing roses, which
,rowsed and trampled upon, still struggle for
life. In the field near the house are two
clu.nps of old and stunted lilacs which are left
as witnesses to the care of former owners
Some half dozen old and decaying apple trees
are scattered at unequal distances over the
field. the remains of what was once thrifty
richard. Altogether the premises are as I'M
attractive perhaps in their externaIs as the av-
arage Of farms in Maine. And yet we know
that this old house was dear to him who was
corn under its roof Upon one of his last Wis
is to this State, be drove many miles in a
heavy rain. that he might go through its rooms
md look from its windows upon the well re-
membered objects around. I. B. G.