Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-09-08
UP THE ANDROSCOGGIN.
4 Charming Little Maine village-Its
Romantic HistOry-Sacked by the In.
oaans A Famous Boston Violin
Maker-A Chum of Ole bull.
Correspondence Of The EVENING STAR.

Correspondence of The EVENING STAR.
BETHEL. Me-. September I, 1888
This beautiful little, but old, village is famed
IN history, song and story. Just one hundred
and two years ago it was bes;eged and plum
dered by a savage band of Indians from Canada,
who painted and armed with guns tomahawkS
and seaiping knives. attacked the place, robbed
and burned the dwellings, murdered some of the
Inhabitants. took others prisoners aud marched
them on foot to Canada where a bounty was
paid by the British government for their scaps
or heads Many of the descendants of those
early settlers of the place live here to recount
the thrilling incidents and exploits Of their fore
fathers Gin connection with those times that
tried mems sous') as they have been handed
down To them and many are the relics they
have preserved of those terrible events, and
. manv are the songs now sung of their honored
brave.
This Bethel where hundreds from the more
balmy breeZes of semi-trOpical summer resorts
come annually to imbibe its bracin9. invigOrat
Ing. vivifyIng breeZes. is ID miles from New
Hampshire on the banks of the meanderiny
Androscoggin river on the line of the Grand
Trunk railway. and Is surrounded with a net
work of mountain eIninences frin@ing the hOri-
zon in every direction. From many of these
submits. on clear day, may be distinctly seen
Mount Washington-the crown of the mOnarchs.
and the Mecca to which so many true believers
In the beauties of the White Mountain scenery
invariably direct their steps. 1t is not too quiet
but just quiet enough. Not too near. but just
near enough to the ''maddin0 crowd of the
CITY, 1t is not too cold, but Just cold enough
to wear overcoats and mittens every other day,
and make one wish they were in Washington
again. The drives in the neighbOrhOOd are
pleasant and diversified, and lead to many
points of interest. among which are Grafton
and Dicksville NOtches, RumfOrd and Screw
Anger Falls. Songo and Umbagog lakes.
Detained over night in Boston visited and
spent pleasant evening with the celebrated
yiolin-maker. L. o. Grover. a workman whose
products form an interesting picture and whose
mysterious skill fashions rude material into in
struments which bewtch men with their melody
and opens book of more absorbing interest
than ever author wrote or printers art gave to
the world Mr. Grover very early in life i'm
bibed an attachment for the VIOLIN which caused
his parents (whO had their Od-fashiOn notions
about instrumental music, and especially the
fiddle. as akin to devices of the deviD to think
their son insane on the subject. but he very
soon. when opportunity was afforded him to
Improve in his chosen art, conquered their pre-
JUDGES and became the most successful teacher
OF such instrumental music in New England
until attacked by diphtheria. when he was COM
PEELED to abandon that and adopt violin-making
as speciality, and he is now one OF the most
enthusiastic. skillful and celebrated mechanics
In the country. He has a rare collection of
viOlins from other countries. among which
are genuine U'sparu III SaiO. Dy the nrst
maker Of vOlns. of which there are but
three in the United States, his and
two formerly owned by Ole Bull. The latter is
an intimate friend Of Mr.. Grover always visit
Ing him when in this country. and on one occa-
sion OF his last visits SUE gested to Mr. Grover to
make an instrument which would combine all
the eNcellencies of Gaspard Di SalO Amat,
Guarnerius and Stradivarius. This he did under
Ole Bulls eye. and succeeded i'm producing an
instrument of remarkable purity and strength
of tone His work IN shin i'm hi0 hoo Mi D
idence on Union park, is indeed a curiosity.