The Republican journal., 1870-06-23

THE OLDEN TINE. Passing along the river
bahk, near The railroad track, Il few days ago, we
came to the site of the Old Dstillery one of the ey
tlncl industries OF Bella Long before the days
of Neal Dow and prohbtory laws, this distillery
transformed West India moasses into New Eng
land rum. The building stood between the present
| residence of Thomas Logan and the shore under
the bank, the springs from which afforded abund-
ance of water for the business. The building has
long since disappeared, but its outlines, with the
remains of the watts may still be seen although its
fires went out nearly forty Years ago 1t is said to
have produced an excellent quality of liquor, and
was SO pronounced by the drinkers of the tlly
who used TO saunter in to taste the brew The Old
stone wharf at which the West India traders used
to discharge their cargoes of molasseS, is IN excel
lent preservation. 1t was built by Timothy Chase
Esq, who was at that time contractor for stone
work, and afterwards built the monument ON
Steele, Ledge. Il. C. Raymond, ESQ now of Bos-
ton, managed the affairs of the listilery for some
years after its erection, The lot is now owned by
the Allyn heirs, and has been vacant Since the diS-
tillery was taken down.
The first business upon the spot after the settle
ment Of the town, was the manufacture Of eartben
ware, from the clay of the hill, by George W.
Bruce. lie lived i'll the house now occupied Can't
w. .. Alden, and his premises was the scene of a
curious phenomenon. The water from the spring,
undermined the soll to the north of the house.
causing 4 half an acre to suddenly Slide down to
thc river. Mrs. Bruce was at the time on the spot
with paul OF water in her hand, and ran from side
TO SIDE Of the travelling tract, seeking exit but met
on every hand by surrounding of sticky mud
She got Off AT the beach, when the Slide stopped
During Bruce's occupacny of the house il became
actrlosity from the effect OF lightning stroke While
the locality was visited by terrific thunder storm
The house was shattered, metallic articles melted
and curious ire ks played by the fluid.
The lady who gives is these incidents, tells the
curious result of citllen attempt pacy fright
ened family during the tempest, of which she was a
witness. Doctor Osborn, physician of the Quaker
faith, and popular practitioner of that day, went
to the house Of II neighbor to see how they fared
He found the frightened mother and children hud-
died in Il room with closed doors and windows.
"Betsev,' said he, ''thee is acting very foolish
Thee is in no danger. Let me show thee how to
do The Doctor threw open window, and sat
down by it. to prove the harmessneSs Of lightning.
At that moment there came Il terrible crash from
the clouds, which impaired to the Doctor electricity
enough TO knock him into the middle of the room !
At some future day we intend to publish series
of "reminiscences of Belfast with personal anecdotes
of the early settlers. Faithfully told they would
form a series of interesting chapters.
The statement that Carl +. Pallrey, of this city
was seventh in the rank in the graduating class at
West Point, was erroneous. He was really fourth
III the class of fftyeght The first five are entitled
to honors and privileges among them that of being
officers of engineers. The appointments to the
Military Academy and Naval School, at the ,lispos
al of Hon. F. A. Pike, We're competed for before Il
committee composed of Hon. A. G. Jewett, Hon.
Nehemiah Abbot and Rev. Wooster Parker. They
selected Paltrey of this city, and Dyer of Calais,
The latter graduated ut the head of his class at the
Naval School.
\ fisherman of this city, just returned from IN
excursion after perch and pickere, solemnly AYERS
that one night, while encamped,a mosquito perehed
near him. drew from under his wing long whet
stone and proceeded to sharpen his bill, after the
manner of a mower whetting his Scythe. Then he
went for the victim