Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-09-01

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heavy ransom. A cannon ball thrown from
the Bulwark across the Pool is now exhib-
tied to visitors as one of the curiosities of
the place. Near by is Jordan's Garrison,
built in 11l7 by Captain Samuel Jordan to
protect his family and friends from Indian
attacks. His tombstone, on the opposite
side OF he road records his disease In 174S
This place was occupied by Captain James
l.. Hill, one OF the committee OF safety in
the Revolutionary war and could its veneer
able walls spcok TO us to-day how thrilling
would be its tales Another ancient dwell
ing in this vicinity is the Haley homestead,
built nearly two hundred years ago. Not
far is the old burying ground and the re-
mains OF the chimneys of q church erected
in 1719. The forest along the west end of the
Beach near the terminus of the Old Orchard
Beach railroad, which runs from Old Orchard
to the ferry over the Saco, Is handsomely
laid out and is divided into two parks, re-
spectively called Ferry Beach and ELS
Already several summer cottages aye erected,
ON the avenues, by residents of Saco and
Biddeford. Once all this spot was the favor
lite winter home" of the Indian Tribes, who
held The Saco river IN special vcneratiOn, for
they believed that this beautiful river took
its rise in "AgOcochock," or the CLONE of
the Great Spirit" place more familiar to
us under the name OF the White Mountains,
above the line of whose shrub vegetation
they considered it sacrilege to tread. Here
their grand councils were held and in silence
unbroken, save by the surf beats upon the
shore, were their pipes Of peace smoked and
the stories Of their proves told
Prouts Neck,
which forms the eastern shore Of Cusco Bay,
isabold promOntory extending from the town
of Scarborough. 1t abounds in pic,uresqu
views and romantic hooks 1t was first
occupied by Thomas Stratton in 1881.
Twelve years later Thomas Commock re.
ceived from the Council of Plymouth tract
OF fifteen hundred acres, which included the
Neck, and in few years il became quite a
settlement and looked forward to the time
when it should become the metropolis of
Maine. 1t takes its name from Timothy
Prout, who settled there in 1928. Its early
history was but duplicate of its ncghbors
on the opposite side of the bay. A few
years OF peace and prosperity interrupted by
an Indian war.
A large garrison, erected near what is now
called GarrisOn's Cove, served as d refuge
against savage attack, and many are the
stories told of the wonderful and brave ex-
ploits of its defenders. In 1878 it was cap
t'ircd by an Indian chief named Mogg, who
""o consequently hllN u uuu inc garrison re-
stored to the settlers but the little town new
or recovered from its disheartcnine ex
periences. To-dayst is n favorite resort and
has two hotels, the Checkley House and West
Point besides several cottages for guests.
Among the list this year find tho Sc If sew
eral OF Our Burlington friends.
Pine Point.
name given TO that Iart OF the beach near
the mouth Of the Dunstan river. takes its
appellaiOn from Charles Pine, u famous
Indian hunter, VIII So daring exploits were
the theme OF many story in olden time
On the hills back of it, in the time Of The
Indian wars, stood a garrison, The spot is
was occupied by signal station, erected
during the last war with England, to watch
the approa h of vessels in tue otiing and
report the cnemy's movements to IA station
in Muujoy's Tower in Portland The place
now comprises several cottages owned by
Portland gentlemen and one hotel, the
Leavtt House. 1t is little over two miles
north of the hotels nj Old Orchard and is a
iavoritc walk for the guests along the hard
beach which lies between. Though
Old Orchard Beach
had been popular hathin, resort FIR the
II sidcnts of its vicinity for more than two
centuries, it was not til 1880, when William
Scammon, the grandson of Rev. John Fair
field, the first minister of Saco, opened the
old Fairfield House 10 The public. that il WAS
patronized from abroad and then only by
few. This house has since been moved to
the beach where it now remains bearing the
appropriate name of Camp Comfort, and on
its site stands the Old Orchard llous., built
by MIR. +. c. Staples. the largest hotel in the
place, having accommodations for five hun
bred guests. Alter the opening Of the Ports
mouth and Portland All the Grand Trunk
railroads, the place became more accessible
and genial and eccentric man named Ned
Clcmmcns, since knows us the Hermit of
Old Orchard, Il great lover of nature, came
to Old Orchard AMI built small house,
which he named The Retreat, on the beach
near tie site Of the present Sea Shore House,
where he served his transient guests
with dinners, himself being both cook and
bottle washer He was at one time an actor
and in the employment Of Barnum but dis
gust at some fancied grievance sent him from
Philadel pbia to this Beach Here his literary
talent prompted him to publish small pa
per, call; d the Goose Fare Guide and Old
orchard Bel'o1s, IL copy Of which l have
thus far failed to fluid His prophecies OF the
future greatness aud popularity Of the Beach,
then considered to he most visionary, have
long since been more Than realized. To-day
over thirty hotels aud numerous Summer cot. |
tages, many Of them noticeable for their at.
tractivc architecture and well kept grounds,
all filled with guests from al parts of the |
Cnited States and Canada confirm the sound |
ness Of the old mars views Among the |
early patrons of the Old Orchard House was
II MIR. Bull, gentleman Of wealth and re-
nncmcnt. To hlm the pa is indebted for |
a park OF great natural beauty, called Fern
Park. Over many OF its rustic seats and ar |
bors, and along its avenues, he hung notices
which are evidences Of his poetic genius |
Since his death the spot shows marks Of neg
lcct, but its many Romantic walks are made |
too beautiful by Nature herself ever 10 los-
their attractiveness.
In 1873 the Canpmectng association was
formed and II tract of some fifty acres Of
dense forest WAS purchased II is now laid |
out with dtives, on which numerous cottages
have been built. A little valley near its cen
ire has been transformed into natural audi
encc room with seats sufficient to acconmo-
date seven thousand persons, and 81 remark
able are the acousicprop rti OF the place that
the voice OF an ordinary 81 eaker At the desk can
be distinctly head by all pr, seut. Every year
this and Ocean Park, still farther south, hold
meetings Of n social aud religious character,
with distinguished speakers, which draw
often thousands OF stt'ndants for several
weeks. The drives through these parks and
the Ross woods on the road TO Saco, are
most romantic and enjoyable and often form
pleasant contrast to those along the beach.
On AN emnencc just south Of the old Orchard
House II neat llltlc Episcopal Chapel Isl.
Johns by the Sa) has just teen erected by
The guests of that denomination. 1t is crowd
"a every Sunday, being the only church in
The place, and il IS 10 be hoped that the gen
arosity of its friends will soon complete II us
lesigued. 1t is under the charge Of Rev.
Edwin f. Small, rector o; Trinity Church,
5aco.
But have nln ady made my letter too long
% describe in detail any of the PRINCIPAL
nd h. wi 4,