Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-11-24
Letter from Cambridge.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass, Nov. 10, Is

CAMBRIDGE, Mass, Nov. 10, 1880.
Editor of the Kenne5ee Journal:
Cambridge contains. probably, within her
corporate limits more old landmarks and heir
looms than any other city in America. In
q show window on Main street, stands an old
spinning wheel. the history of which is lost
away back in the dim. misty ages of the past.
The old curiosity is so antique that even ira
dition is silent and gives no record of the
centuries that have passed since it was con-
structed. 1t was probably built during the
middle ages, and how or when it was brought
to our shores, of course no one knows. The
first authentic account we have of the wheel
is that it belonged to man by the name of
Skinner in l646. This Skinner lived in Cam
bridge; he was dentist. and was hanged for
stealing scrap iron in about 1853 on Boston
Common. After tho execution his effects
were sold and old Cotton Mather became the
purchaser. 1t remained in his family several
years, but after he married his second wife,
she being nifty-likc. snapped the ancient
machine off with Googins' widow for q sun
dial. When Mather found ont this transaction
it is said he was terribly angry. and on his
wife's refusing to trade back, he attempted
to lock her in the bath room, but she was too
much for the old gentleman and retaliated by
breaking n lamp chimney over his head. This
affair caused a GOODNESS between them which
finally resulted in divorce. During the
witchcraft excitement. Googins' widow &C.
cused one of our old forefather's wives,
Hooker by name, of bewitcbing her wheel.
The trial was held in an old wooden building
on Maine street, near Pleasant, where the
CITY Hall now stands. The unfortunate
woman was found guilty and sentenced to
to have her eyes put out by the same wheel,
whose revolving spindle destroyed her eye
sight forever, and the horrible blood stains
are easily traced on the rim of the wheel to-
day. Another tragedy is associated with this
CHASTITY, barbsrous old relic. During the revo-
luton British SPY was captured and shot on
Dana Hill, by order of Gen. Washington.
This spy. disguised as a women, was en-
ployed as a domestic by family in Old Cam
bridge. The awkward manner in which he
stopped in the kitchen excited suspicion, and
as q test. old General ARENAS Ward ordered
the poor devil to spin. This was clear give
away and the wretched man was shot as above
stated. Fabulous sums have been offered for
the old wheel, but the owner being wealthy
refuses to sell.
Quite q singular accident happened to an
old man over in East Cambridge few days
age. lie was picking pears from a tall tree
in his garden, when he lost his balance and
fell heavily earthwa d, striking his back
across \ clothes-line, where he hung and
swung like wet stocking, two long hours
before he was discovered and taken down.
A few days after the occurrence he was out
raking up gutter leaves, but complained of
his back being out Of "kilter," a. he ex-
nreeoed it, To satisfy n whim N his folks
termed IL, . doctor was called in Who made
IN examination and found the old mans
back broken in ten places, his neck dislo.
Gated. and several ribs slowed round out Of
shape. The doctor thinks he can't live. In
conversation with the old gentleman, Satur-
~ uieht, he said he felt impressed ftom the
m. that he shouldn't recover. although he
homed to kinder paddle along till afker
Tksnk,aivine. He told quite an alFectinr
eeorv q the death Of . brother Of his zone
Yseis 40. This brothsf 80 lane, and vas
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