Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-19
NARRATIVE OF SUFFERING AND DEATH.


our hands for publication the following
thrilling narrative of suffering and death,
which first appeared in the Kennebec
Journal twenty years ago. 1t is well au-
thenticated, however strange and startling
it may appear. A gentleman now resides
in this city who became acquainted with
Mr.. Forbes after his hard experience
Without keeping our readers longer from
the story, we will say that it is narrative
of the extraordinary sufferings of Robert
Forbes, his wife and five children, during
an unfortunate journey through the will
derness, from Canada to the Kennebec
river, in the year 1884, in which three of
the children were starved to death
Mr.. ROBERT FORBES, not being native
of Canada, but having resided there sew
eral years, was desirous of being where
he might have more frequent opportunity
of associating with his own countrymen.
He and his wife had premeditated re-
moval to the United States of America,
when falling in company with three
Dutchmen, by the names of Midstaff. Pam
cake and Christian, were induced by their
insinuations to undertake the journey By
land; the said Midstaff engaging, for a
certain sum, that with the assistance of the
other two he would conduct them, in
twelve days time, to the settlements on
Kennebec river.
Mr.. Forbes neighbors endeavored to
dissuade him from the attempt, not only
on account of the length and difficulty of
the way, but because there was a possibility
of his being deserted by his guides in the
midst of the wilderness.
Nevertheless, being determined on a
removal, and having paid to Midstaff
large stipulated sum for that purpose-on
the seventeenth day of March, A. ID. one
thousand seven hundred and eighty-four,
they entered upon this unfortunate journey.
From Nouvelle Bois, on the river Cha
dore, they took their departure. The men
and Mrs Forbes (who was then pregnant }
ami Mr.. Forbes son John, a lad about
thirteen years old, on snow shoes.
Their provisions and other effects, to-
gether with four young children, viz. Mary
about seven years, Peggy about five,
Katharine about three, and Robert about
fifteen months old, they undertook to haul
on Indian sleighs, or handsleds.
In this manner but with great difficulty,
they pursued their way eight days; and
on the ninth, being obliged to leave the
river which they had followed hitherto,
and whereon they had travelled some part
of the time, they found the country so
broken by large and deep gullies, and so
rough and mountainous, that they con-
cluded it next to impossible to proceed
any further with the sleighs.
Here they were obliged to make halt.
And after a short consultation, having first
erected small camp. wherein to leave
the woman and children, they took the
chief part of their provisions, and as much
of the rest of their baggage as they were
able to carry on their backs; and leaving
the woman and children, about ten o'clock
in the morning, set out in quest of Mecon-
ich Pond, otherwise called Lake Cham
slore, expecting to return the next day.
But meeting with much difficulty, they
did not reach the Pond until the next day
about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
Here, being much fatigued, they left
their baggage; and Mid,taff having had
some previous notice that there was an
Indian residing not far from thence, went
in quest of him on the other side of the
Pond, where they found an old camp,
but without inhabitants and there en-
camped for the night.
The next morning, being Sunday the
9th day of March, they recrossed the Pond
back to where they had left their baggage.
When, to the great astonishment of Mr..
Forbes, his pilot, and the other two (tak-
ing to themselves the provisions and all
his other effects of any considerable con-
sequence } frankly told him that they were
determined not to return with him to his
family; and that they must now leave him
and make the best of their way through
to Kennebec.
This may well be supposed to have been
shocking indeed to one who was already
discouraged and disheartened. This, p"
said he, "struck me to the heart, and filled
my eyes with tears; it confirmed what my
neighbors had repeatedly mentioned
among their fears of what might happen
to myself and to my family"
Notwithstanding his opportunities, his
most earnest entreaties and solicitations,
they would not be prevailed to continue
any longer with him but leaving him only
one poor axe, small tirelock, and two
small loaves of bread. they departed.
With a heavy heart did this unfortunate
man then make the best OF his way back
to his family, where he arrived, with the
sorrowful tidings, that evening.
/ Here were they left, in the wide wilder,
ness, strangers to the country, destitute OF
provisions, and without compass-eight
days journey from the inhabitants in
Canada and how far from any other set
tlement they knew not. but probably not
less than an hundred and fifty miles.
The wife and son had labored under the
most terrible apprehensions during Mr.
Forbes absence, especially as he did not
return at the time appointed. Their fears
had driven them almost to despair. And
the poor lad, little before his fathers
return, had fatigued himself almost to
death, having followed their tracks for
several miles and had but just got back
when his father arrived.
The next morning they were in the most
doubtful perplexity whether to go back
ward or forward. Should they undertake
to return TO Canada, it might take them
more than double the length of time in
which they had got thus far, the river being
then about breaking up; and in that case
they must inevitably starve. While the
husband and wife were i'm this Ditiable