Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-09-30

of the beautiful peninsula which was visited
by the Maine Historical Society on Tuesday.
The details IF DAulnay's feud with lie
Tour. of St. Castin's wild life, and of the
brave assault OF Wadsworth's little army.
and of Wadsworth's subsequent capture and
escape from Fort George, make up a story
of surprising interest.
A few rods below the ramparts of Fort
George stands the State Normal school.
The fort is now the property Of George il.
Witherle, public-spirited citizen, who
bought il to prevent its destruction. The
Young men of the Normal school have taken
the parade ground for a base bali field. The
site Of the old French fort is occupied By
the dwelling house of Mr.. George II. Webb.
The people Of Castine had made elaborate
preparations for the visit of the Historical
Society Workmcn under the direction of
Mr.. S. T. Moves had been employed to I'M
cover the remains of the old French fort.
A committee, of which Mr.. W. II. Wither-
lie was chairman and all the ladies Of Castine
we're members, had prepared a collation. in
the Normal school building. and a great va
rie,y of relics were ON exhibition at the same
place. Carriages were in waiting at the
wharf Mr.. Witherle presided at the din
ner. which was admirably served. The
Rev. Mr.. Winslow of Castine said grace.
After the repast, meeting of the society
was held. Secretary Packard presiding in
the absence of President Bradbury. The
Rev. A. +. Ives made a formal address Of
welcome. in behalf Of the citizens of Cas-
tine, to which DIR. Packard replied. X. X.
Sewall. Esq, chairman of the committee on
field day, reported some reasons which had
led the committee TO select Castine for visit
tation, and suggested that here, possibly,
might be found the site Of the mysterious
Fort NoIombcgua. said to have been built
by the French Ilugenots more than 800
years ago. Mr.. Moves, already mentioned.
exhibited a variety Of documents iilustrat-
ing the British occupation Of Cas,ine during
the Revolution and the war Of 1912. Mr..
Joseph l.. Stevens. of Gloucester. Mass. in
the name of his father. the late DIR. Stevens
of CastIne, presented to the society a eollec-
ton Of specimens Of the coins found by Cap
tain Grndle in 1910, six miles up the Baga-
duce river. These coins were of various
dates from 1912 to 1852. and were probably
buried by st. Castin during his high, from
Governor Andres in lGss. They were most
IL sold and melted, and the finder got about
$500 for them. but DIR. Stevens secured a
few specimens, which will be- preserved IN
the cabinet of the Historical Society. Sec
rotary Packard accepted the GIFT in behalf Of
the society. Mr. A. r. Adams, of Castine,
exhibited great variety of Indian, French
and Revolutionary relies. DIR. G. 4. Wheel
err. n resident member Of the Society, and
the author of history of Castine. described
Fort Pentagoet and Fort George. Mr.. \.
&. Tenney Of Brunswick moved and Mr.. T..
II. Elwell Of Portland. seconded vote Of
thanks to the citizens of Castine for their at
ten,ions.
Then the company rode down 70 the
shore where the foundations OF the old
French fort have been uncovered. Mr.
Webb, the owner of the premises SAYS that
the well was discovered u years ago hy
four men who came from Bangor, and found
1t By the help of a mineral rod" in the
night time. They said afterward that they
were told TO search for it BY a spirit medium,
who proved to be a woman who had form
erly lived in Castinc. They found no treas
ures, and were greatly disappointed. The
present excavations show that the fort. what
ever it is, does not answer the description OF
the work built by D'Aulnav and surrendered
by the English 10 the French in 1910 The
probability is, tina, that fort was DESTROYED
By the Dutch in 1876, and that the remains
now existing mark the site Of new work
erected by 81. Castin. The work will prob
ably be uncovered. and minute description
Of It will be prepared by DIR. Wheeler.
The people Of Cas,ine we're greatly inter
ested in the proceeding At q Z. NJ. the
steamer depsrted westward with most of the
visitors, but several of the members Of the
Society remained at the Castine house until
the next day. This house wa, occupied by
General Gosselin as the British headquart-
ers IN isli, and his office on the lower floor
is still pointed out. Tradition saws that b..
was never sober after Z. NJ, but nobod,
initiates his bad example at the Castine
House of the present day. "Wednesday. the
small party which remained, crossed over to
Belfast, arriving too late however to take
the afternoon train homeward. Thursday
they completed their journey, and so ends
one Of the most pleasant Of the annual ex-
cursions of the Maine Historical Society.