Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-12-07
An OId Pioneer.
sketch or a Brave and Worthy Oetogsna-
rIan--Ineidrnts ofa Pioneer Life.

Calvin Bradford was born ia Oxford
county. January Is 1868. died September
10. 1915. consequently on the day of his
death he was 80 years, months and 4
days o.d.
lie wa, the Only surviving brother of
tho late Richmond Bradford NJ ID al
Auburn. Meeting with reVerscs 10 bus.
mess in his native place and county, he
sought home in the northeastern part
Of The State. Setting UP with oil hi'
creditors. ho started with his family 10
make himself and them 4 home in the
then almost unbroken forest OF Aroostook
county, in the year 1887. GA arriving
at Pallen. now Il Jurishing lite village.
be fOuud only few settlers. lie found
generous welcome Ia thu house Of
Samnel Z. Leslie. until he could look
around bin. After remaining 1T Mr
Leslie's short time. lie moved his
family into The school house until log
house was built for iheir reception.
Alter living 4 short tine IN PAiten, and
no S ate land 10 be had. he went to No.
6. on the then bat bushed out road,
subsequently, The old Aroostic road. some
fifteen miles above, where land could be
obtained Tor settling. OF The State.
For four CT five yeais lhry suffered
much privation and many inconyen.
fences; and as his surviving companion
relates somo of those severe priyalions,
one or two may not be improper for US
to recount. DLrin 9 one of those severe
winters such as come TO these northern
portions OF the State, the family suffered
very much for food 10 sustain aud nour.
ish then. At one time while Mr..
Bradford was away at paiten at work 10
supply the necessities Of the family. the
larder ran low, SO mI;h - that Mrs. g.
gathered together ll.a few potato eyes
that had been saved ia tAe fall Tor seed.
boiled ihem, and wi;h the only article Of
tool in the house besiGe, il il may Le
called food, set the potato eyes and salt
before the children, to satisfy the cravings
OF their appelites Night was coming on
and no food in the house but Il little
salt; severe snow storm. The chill
dren came around their mother aud
ask ed for bread, but had 10 be put TO
bed supperless. In the morning. as Mrs.
Is. arose an went 10 the door, no road
was to be seen. only one vast sheet OF
sn ow four or five feet deep. With
cart panied for her little ones she tried
to think oil something that would keep
them from starvation. Her son went 10
the door to look out, and flock of snow
birds had lighted upon some brush that
had been hauled to the door before the
storm TO dry clothes upon. He took
piece Of brush and struck down upon the
birds, and number were killed. The
mother gathered them, picked them, and
made stew OF them, and thus preserved
the lives OF her children until Mr.. b.
came b ONE from Patten with some food
to supply them in this trying hour.
Again and again, have their lives been
preserved for days upon nothing but hay
tea. So we see here something Of their
privation in securing a home; but after
toiling hard and suffering much, with
strict economy days came to them Tor
the better.
In the after years came prosperity and
a home of plenty; and comfort succeeded
privation and suffering.
As husband, Mr.. Bradford was faith.
tul; as a father, kind, and yet ever strict
in home government; as an American
citizen always loyal true to his country;
as townsman, respected by all his asso-
ciates. Gone on before US we deeply feel
our loss; yet we hope to meet him again
beyond the toiling and the struggles OF
this mortal life. j. II. BENNETT.