Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-26
NO. 73.
miscellaneous.
For the Journal.
NaSSalbOrO'.

taSSalDOrO'.
An ANCIENT Town AND SOME OF THE THINGS
THEREIN.
1t was my good fortune, recently to enjoy a
brief visit TO the ancient town of Vassalboro',
and although the stormy weather, and horrible
condition of the roads rendered travelling any
thing but pleasurable, still found much to inter-
est me while there. The town itself is enc Of the
Oldest in the state land embraced besides its pres
ent territory the greater part of the town of Sid
ney, running along the opposite banks of the
Kennebec from Waterville to Augusta.) vassal-
boro was incorporated April %, l77l. Settled
about l760 by emigrants, chiefly from Cape Cod.
Sidney was incorporated Jan. 80, 1792-was part
of Vassalboro. The town was named in honor of
Sir Philip Sidney. The town is given up almos t
wholly to
AGRICULTURAL Pursuits.
Its broad and well titled acres. its neat and com
Portable farm-houses, its few but thrifty manu-
factories, strike the observer very forcbly, and
gives one longing for permanent residence with
in its borders.
Nassslboro is peculiarly farming dis
trict, and the product from her fertile fields,
feed hundreds of your own citizens, although
great part finds its way to Boston markets, and
other large commercial centers. The farmers are
hard-worklng industrious class, and while there
are few wealthy residents of the town, nearly all
are in comfortable circumstances, and lead con-
tented, prosperous lives, at peace with the whole
world
THE Town FARM,
which has for many years past been under the
supervision of Mr.. Wilbert Appleton, and is ad-
mirably managed, is under a high state of cultiva-
tlon although, am sorry to say, is not sclf-sus-
tanning, notwithstanding there are, am told, but
seven or eight. inmates there at the present
time. 1t is said that between $500 and 800 will
have TO be drawn from the town treasury in order
to make up the deficiency for the past year. L
am inclined to think there must be some error in
this estimate. for Mr.. Appleton is a careful fnan-
cer and has labored hard during his administra-
tion to make the farm a model in all respects.
The oldest inmates Of the Poor house, are PAUL.
ma Cowan and her daughter Amanda, who have
sojourned at the farm for an uninterrupted period
OF
MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS.
This mother and daughter appear to enjoy life
much more than do hundreds of my acquain-
ances, who are surrounded with every luxury the
heart could desire. 1t is true that Pauna and
Amanda have no heed for the morrow, but toll on
apparently as happy and contented as if they had
thousands of dollars at command. But such is
life! If we could all the same philosophy
WHICH luese poor people 40, tnefe Woulu De mucn
less imag mary misery in this world of ours. There
are other inmates of this ancient house, who have
passed many years within its enclosure, waiting
with Christian gnation for the sands Of life to
run out, when they will be freed from the
Iron HAND OF POVERTY
and enjoy the rest prepared for the weary on that
other and brighter shore. The farm is beautiful
ly located the borders of the WebDer
pond, of the finest sheets of water in
the State, and which is well stocked with pick
ere trout, and other varieties of the inney tribe,
many oil your own sportsmen having successfully
angled along its pleasant banks, and out in its
depths The state should prohibit the taking of fish
from this pond for a few years. IN order that they
may be allowed to accumulate more abundantly.
1t has been "fished to DEATH during the last few
years, and consequently the supply has been great
ly diminished. 1t is within my memory when
this sheet of water was one OF the best in the
State for fishing. l have frequently brought to
my boyhood's home over two dozen as handsome
pickerel as were ever fished through the ice; and
that, too, after only few hours angng-some of
them weighing eight and ten pounds But those
taken from the water now are dimlnutive in size
and the supply will certainly be soon exhausted
unless the state takes the matter in hand.
A VETERAN MASON.
From the poor-farm l wendcd my way
| to the pleasant home of one of the oldest
Mason in the State of Maine-I refer to
Captain Warren Colby. | found the venerable
gentleman seated by blazing wood lire, reading
| the kennebec Journal, which he has taken for
over twenty five years. 1t will be recoected that
| the fraternity of Augusta, visited Captain Colby
at his house a year or two ago, and presented
him with suit of clothes, and several
Masonic emblems of great intrinsic value.
lie refers with great pride and satisfaction
to the fact that he has taken every degree in the
Order, and the visit of the fraternity to his home,
was the great event of his life. Although more
than three and ten he seems to be as strong
| f,rt IL. =
everywhere honored and respected not only by his
own townsmep, but by his many trends all over
the State, with whom he has come in contact in
his official capacity as a Mason. notwithstanding
his advanced age his intellect is clear and bright
and the prospect Is that he will live Tor many
years to come.
The ASSOCIATIONS WHICH CLUSTER
around the scenes of ones boyhood always have
peculiar sacredness to ordinary mortals-at least
they have to my mind There is nothing more
inspiring to than TO visit the place of my birth.
1t Is true that Time has wrought many changes in
the old place where | was born, and where lived
until old enough to 90 forth into the world and
fight the battle of life. The forests have bees
hewn down, it is true; but
EVERLASTING HILLS.
still stand in their allotted places, lifting their
heads as if in praise 10 Him who erected them.
Years have passed since left my dear old home
to 90 forth into uncharitable world, to struggle
with privations and hardships; but have never
forgotten the instructions which received in the
home circle and in
The LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE
which stands at the corner of the crossroads
visited this, to me, sacred spot where acquired
| the rudments of a limited education. The low,
| hacked and SCARED benches remain the same
| when | left them twenty years ago. The desk
and platform IRON which the pedsgogae welded
the ferrule and rod stand in the same position q.
when | took my "speller" under my arm, aud
wended my way homeward, though the drifted
| snow OF winter, and the scorching heat of sum
mer Turning my eyes gazed beyond the school
| house to the graveyard, where the white slabs
point upward like faithful sentinels, and which
mark the last resting places of dear and valued
friends and it seemed to me to be the most sacred
| spot on earth. The thoughts which fill the mind
when amidst such scenes cannot be described.
DURING MANY YEARS
| of absence have always looked back upon these
and kindred associations connected with my early
life, with feelings of the most tender and sacred
regard and was glad to once more visit those
| 4 ,as-a