Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-10-23
For the Democrat
MAINE WOMEN"

Under the above title the Letotaon
Journal recently gave some interesting
items regarding few of the sixty-six
women Of our state who have been max
ers of books; at the same time abiding
gracefully TO Others whose talents would
warrant them a place upon the same roll
of honor. 1t was with peculiar pride
that we listened to hear the Journal say,
IAN Oxford county woman whose poems
have occasionally benn contributed to the
Le,ciston Journal during the past ten
years under the nom de plume of Kate
Kendall in our judgement is as fine a
poet as the State has ever produced,
Longfellow only excepted" Now we
will leave it &c the DEMOCRAT, who for
half century has so impartially Judged
matters local and matters foreign, if the
Journal, compliment be not sufficient
to sedo thrill of pride through the heart
of every child Of old Oxford We seem
to see the wise old DEMOCRAT nodding
.ssent-for nothing so stirs the blood in
his veins as to near Of the success of any
born within his broad domain. Sure Of
his venerable approval, we venture a step
farther in our self-congratulations, and
claim for Buckfeld the honor Of being the
birthplace and early home of the fair
"Kate"-at mention Of whose name
memory flies back to early years, when
by her gentle sway in the school-room
she won our childish love. When, few
years later on, we had arrived at the
doubtful dignity of occasional editress OF
the lyceum paper, our position was fraught
with no little anxiety, since desirable
contributors were few, and their patience
could hardly be expected to be equal TO
our repeated demands. Poetry, real and
genuine, was especially rare in our peri
odical. and It was with profound graft
tude that we were able q, intervals to
give our audience verses from the pen Of
our friend and former teacher, Kate
Kendall" Her poems even then had a
pathos and sweetness of their own, and
II is with real pleasure we find them now
taking such high rank in the estimation
Of the Journal.
Going back 10 those days of trial in
the editorial chair, there rises to meet me
the face and form Of one. now passed
away from earth, TO whom belongs no
mean place upon the list Of talented
Maine women: as all who are aequaint-
ed with her poems will testify. Through
long wears the name Of "Oithons" was
familiar 10 the readers Of the DENocRAr,
as well as to those Of other journals in
the State; and her thoughts. ever grace
fully expressed, were always helpful to
Others. With her tender sympathy for
the sorrowing, and genuine JOY for these
who rejoiced. and her keen appreciation
Of the Divine realities of life, her
verses could hardly fail Of reaching
the heart Of the reader.
Amid all her cares, her interest in
and supper, Of the lyccum paper, as q
means Of elevation for the youth Of the
town. was q tower Of strength TO the Oft
time bewildered editress and the name
Of Mary Prentiss Cummings will ever be
held in grateful remembrance BY one to
whom she was so often "A friend in
need Mrs. Cummings was emphati-
cally an Oxford County woman; by birth,
by lifelong residence, and by an unfail-
ing love for her native hills and valleys.
To Paris, Sumner and Buckfeld be-
longs jointly the honor of her name
while the fragrance Of her memory is
scattered far aud wide, wherever her
poems were known and read.
Since these "reminiscences Are prompt
ed by the purest patriotism. and an hon.
est pride in whatever tells to the advan-
of our beloved old Oxford, it may not be
entirely smiss to recall the memory Of
a daughter Of Hebron with whom we At
one time had Sigh. acquaintance, and
who can never be forgotten by US. since
we have so often voiced our love of home
and cosntry in words OF her composing.