Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1882-03-02
A RIsHlFIL lLIAGE


there isa legend connected with the
falls Of the AndrOscoggin. which le-
gend assumes the proportions Of Q
grand tragedy.
No one can stand on the shore, near
the head Of Wes. Pitch. and look down
the river at the immense waterfall
without . feeling akin to that which
comes over him when be views the
terrific impetuosity Of the rapids be-
low Niagara. As he gazes upon the
terrible ebullition Of water. he cannot
help rejecting upon his own helpless
ness If he should once be caughtin It.
grasp, and the question will some
times present itself whether man or
animal has ever passed the falls and
lived.
The legend is that two large par
ties Of Indians were once engaged in
a fight, when the defeated ones grad
ually Withdrew in their canoes in the
AndrOscoggip, pursued BY their exul-
tant enemies, until. by master stroke
Of strategy. they succeeded in decoy-
ing the victors into the rapids above
the falls.
Precisely hoa this vas done Was
never made clear to US. The only
feasible way that presented itself to
our minds was BY the vanquished
leading their pursuers over the falls
themselves. If this were really done,
it detracts from the brilliancy Of the
generalship. which was rather too ex-
pensive to become popular.
However, We win not inquire toe
minutely into particulars. The legend
is that the entire pursuing party be-
ing thus decoyed. ali went over the
falls. like 20 many sheep bounding
over stone wall. Among the foamy
waves below, their heads bobbed up
to view. resembling cocanuts. but
the breath Of life was knocked out oi
every one Of them.
II is . touching legend, and has the
merit Of charming ending, for it ism
every pen that can wind up story
by such 9 convenient disposition oi
the heavy williams at the end.
Seeh being the legend that has
come down to as from former genera
tions. it would hardly be supposed
that q white man Of the present day
has bsen found who has shot these
falls.
And yet we have the man, and his
name is George A. Newman, hailing
from Bradley, Maine, and the date
of his wonderful performance was the
9th Of July. 1875.
Mr.. Newman. it should Be stated,
is no amateur Sam Patch, who made
. voluntary exhibition Of himself by
jumping from Passaic Falls, and 9th
er dangerous places. and finally met
his death at Genesee, due perhaps
more to his carrying too much liquid
lightning. than to the peril Of the
leap itself.
The gentleman Of whom we speak
differs from the late Mr.. Patch. in
that be is not a professional Snowman,
and the daring exploit referred to
was purely an involuntary one upon
his part. Had il been otherwise. our
respect for him would be considerably
less than 1t il
Maine is noted. amongother things.
Tor the immense value Of the lumber
annually cut in its forests. This is
estimated at ten million dollars. sud
u gives employment 10 thousands Of
sturdy laborers. who cut the trees in
the north during the winter months;
these are foated down The rivers in
spring, prepared for market 10 the
nnmherless saw-mills along the coast,
and thence largely exported. As q
natural consequences, the tonnage
built annually i enormous, equaiinR
half Of thai produced in AL the rest Of
the Union.
The luEnbermen are : iovial set Of
fellows, whose rugged health and
bounding spirits make the great task
Of telling the huge trees Of the forest
seem like play 70 them.
The clear ring of their axes. as the
glittering blades sink deep into the
hearts OF the mighty gianfs. and their
CHEEKY calls 70 each other. make the
grandest of music in the woods.
There's m attraction Il the rude.
outdoor lie. where one acquires mu-
cular power and strong health. and
.An~, - 8Hn~., f....s2..--.. ~. -. : y -