Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-19

BUBlER COLONY.

a lew years ago we gave realistic deS-
cription of the Bubiers Of Dallas Planta-
ton, who have so long been paupers of
Lewiston, whence they originally emigrat-
ed. The account was from the Overseers
of the poor in Lewiston, but some of the
| statements showed so great degradation
prevalent among these people as to cause
doubts as to the accuracy of the pictures.
But all who have since visited the colony
agree that it is quite impossible to exag-
gerate their barbarity and poverty. A
correspondent (E. L. NJ gives the fo,-
lowing:
Mr.. j. w. Moulton of Salem, Mass.
who has been spending short season in
northern Franklin obtaining stereoscopic
views of the beautiful scenery in that re-
| gion, writes to your correspondent an en-
counter between Mrs. Betsey Bubier, the
queen among the twelve families living at
Boobytown, in Dallas Plantation.
In company with Mr.. H. P. Dill and q
guide he entered the clearing in which is
placed the humble abode. and the instant
they made their appearance. the children,
who had been left at home by the parents,
took to the woods like SO manv deer, each
| in different direction. The guide in
formed Mr.. Moulton that they had gone
after the "old folks" and that he had bet
ter be quick about his work. The advice
was needed, and good view was OBJ
tanned of the house.
At this moment Betsey and her husband
made their appearance in the clearing
armed with hoes. The instant the queens
eyes rested upon the Photographic ap-
paratus the fire flashed in her eyes, and
from her mouth rolled out a volley of
oaths which would bear no comparison
with the bitter billings-gate of Five Points,
N. I. The lingo OF Boobytown is far be-
yond New York as one can easily imag-
inc. Her hoe was swung aloft over the
devoted head of Mr.. NJ, and in her "gen-
tlest" language she bid him depart. Wis
ions of wicked Photographic apparatus
and broken head foated through his
mind, and he hurriedly obeyed her COM
mands, and prepared for flight.
But at this point it was concluded to try
the effect of mild inducements upon the
enraged woman, and with bland words.
and a handful of nickels and couple Of
silver quarter dollars he overcame the
prejudices of the whole family, so that
tuey allowed him to place them in posi-
| ton. and obtain an excellent view, and
promising to send them a dozen of the
pictures, the party took their departure
well pleased with their success.
The family appeared to have the neces-
saries of life, but none OF the comforts.
Their clothing was wretched in the ex-
treme, and one of the children. girl
about fourteen years of age. had on
dress made for person larger than her.
self, and the skirt of which was a mass
of shreds, she having run through the
thickets until it was stripped into pieces
(none of which were over two inches in
width
The house, if it may be called house,
in which they live, was originally log
hut. but as the family grew and more
room was needed, ''lean-to'' was put
on Cne side, then one upon another, un-
til it is curiosity in itself There were
no chairs, but logs of wood in their places,
no chimneys, but piece of funnel rum
ming through one corner of the roof;
in one corner of the main room was a
pen for the flock of five sheep they owned.
and thus they have lived.
MIR. Moulton, in giving his views of
them, says that were Darwin to see them,
he would instantly claim them as the last
link between the animal and human race,
for they can hardly be classed as human
beings. they have become so degraded.
-LeCistOn Journal