Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-08-08


any other to halt for while in nv
Mount Desert, and relate some really
interesting facts regarding the past
history Of the island.
When the traveller visits the south
ern portions of the United States-at
st. Augustine, in Florida, at Savannah,
in Georgia. and even at Port Royal,
South Carollna-he will find ruins and
monuments, of the French and Spanish
emigration of the seventeenth century.
The historian will not only tell you of
the descent of Admiral Drake upon
the town of st. Augustine, the con-
tests OF the Spanish settlers with the
Indians, the fights between the French
emigrants and the Spanish soldiers,
but the antiquarian will show YOU
splendid Qualifications and beautiful
architecture which had been the handi-
work of these people, who had lived
and prospered and died so long before,
and whose civilization was SO different
In all ways from ours.
The visitor at Mount Desert. if he
were 10 study and search ever so
critically, would scarcely suppose that
while in 1909 the Franciscan monk was
converting to Christianity the savages
OF Florida, his Jesuit brothers of
France, Biard and Masse, had estab-
iished colony in the vicinity of what
Is now known as Somesville. at Mount
Desert. This is not, however, the first
appearance OF the French on the is
land. IL is told that when De Monts,
a French adventurer, who obtained
from Henry ~. n charter for onc-half
OF the Atlantic coast south from Cape
breton, broke up his encampment at
the island Of st. CroiN, he sailed west
ward, and in order 10 crafty the curi-
oslty of one Nicholas d'Aubri. he put
that gentleman, who was an eccleSias-
TIC OF some sort, ashore, mt Mount
Desert, where he remained for n while.
Meanwhile the grant Of De Monts had
been surrendered to Madame De
Tuerchcville, and confirmed TO her by
tAc king. This lady was Jealous
Catholic, and with the assistance of De
u
colonies of Jesui: missionaries To set
tie ut this island in 1913, whether at
the western end, where Biard and
Masse were already located, is in doubt
hut 1t Is certain that. coming from Port
Royal, they landed at Mount Desert.
built a small fort, set up cross. ccle.
oratcd mass, and called the place st.
saviour and Mount Mansel." It Is
interesting TO know, also, that Mount
Mansel was the first land discovered
by The Massachusetts emigrant. in
1880.
Nuassaye's colony soon after this
was driven away by an expedition of
bloody Englishmen from Virginia But
'h"y afteIward returned, and in l69l
W. near OF one "CadtIiac, who eXCltcu
by the descriptions Of Aubri-who,
II will be remembered, was put on
shore a. Mount Desert-established
colonies Of Jesuit missionaries all
through this region
Much could be written Of these early
settlements ut Mount Desert. but ali
that Is known Is derived from conlrm-
poTarv reports within the island itself.
nor can its present inhabitants add one
leaf to its earliest history. Ii is said
that there are On the west side of
Noines Sound evidences of these early
settlements, but these indications must
bc very indistinct
The reader will remember that we
came from Southwest to Bar Harbor
by water and that mention was made
Of route by the land. Upon a recent
occasion resolved TO take this Journey
across the hills, and SO started of one
morning IN obedience to a prearranyed
programme. Wc-there were ladies
III the party-were 10 occupy the most
Of the day in going to the village of
NohesNllle, where We We're To stop all
hiSht' ana IN the morning take a sail
or row boat down through Somcs
Sound To Southwest Harbor, there to
NEE. the steamboat, and then proceed
on To Portland.
The first Stage Of the journey, ri le
81 ic>. Than twenty miles. va, made
win pleasure - all OF u~, fpr we saw
the mountain. tile lake, and woods, and
fields under Sky filled with gray
clouds, that most charming effect oi
equal light, Wien there is neither strong
l2ht, nor shadow, and when the chaslt
aud delicate tints of russet and yellow
aud green find their true values Al
rlVing at Somesyillc early in the after
noon. we ramblcd about thi, pretty
village, watching the workmen in the
~hip-yard, wandering along the shore.
ilned with rocks, aud beltcd with groups
oi blrche, and pine aud tir trees, and we
We're never wearied ot gazing duwL tie
sound, where sailing craft, large and
small, We're passing up and down THEN
White canvas in bright relief against the
dark masses OF the mountain beyond.
The little inn AT Somesville had more
OF comfortable, home-lke look than
any thing we had seen for a long while
II is called 'Somes House A Mr.
Somes keeps it, aud has kept il any
time these fifty years past, as have hi,
ancestors, who were the first settlers
, here. lie is also town-clerk, think
postmaster. and | know not what be-
sides. An excellent example of down
east landlord is Mr.. Somes, even il
there was portrait OF Andrew Jack.
SON hanging in our bed-ro ON
w iiat, III marcys name, do YOU want
TO go down the sound fur, when there /,
good road all the way ter the harbor?'
was The eXpo,tulation of the old gentle
man, when we were trying TO make the
arrangements for the mornings trip,
IL Is the scenery we wish to see.
Yes, | know it's what them artist
nen come here iur. Buf what it amounts
Ter, arter all tleir squattin' and fussin'
| don't know.
Inc next morning. III company with
stranger gentleman, his wife. and Child
We got into "A b. at which was adaple d
both for sails and oars. With the two
boatmen there were seven of us alto
gethcr, which, for not very large boat
was good load, to say nothing of two
or three trunks by way of baypage.-
For the first part OF our way we passed
close To the snore. where the cvergreens