The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-08-04
A Famous Field at Mount D
historic "Reminiscences About Mount ID
sert-AneCdOte of an Old Inhabilaut.

| ElSouthwest Harbor letter to Boston Advertisar
About two miles from our hotel is locate
the famous field where one of the earlies {
settlements was made in America after the
discovery by Columbus. 1t is on the lovely
oank OF the sound, mile or two removed
from the open sea, on grassy peninsular
with mountain background and most ex-
tenslVe view of the wonders of nature
however strange it may appear to one who
mas never seen the place, that such localI-
" should be selected for such purpose, the
visitor will cease to wonder at the cboice
When he once happens to make it call.
The field is some so acres in extent. reach
ing into the sound from the bottom of ths
mountain, and lined with sandy shore.
suddenly descending into deep water, so as
TO be approached from the sea by vessels OF
the largest class. For this and other rea.
sons the place has been suggested as one ap-
propriate for naval government depot. and
| gress to that end.
The field was originally taken and oceu-
pea 2y band OF French Jesuits, who de-
signed 10 make 1t place of permanent set
tlement, and they had, after pitching their
tents there, made friendly relations with the
aboriginal inhabitants such as assured Their.
continuance as tenants of the new land.
Inc Jealousy Of the British government
would not, however, allow the settlement tn
remain and TINS endanger its title as lord of
the SOIL warlike attack was accordingly
made upon the little colony by soldiers land
ed from an English ship, and was brayelv
met by the colonists. Their leader. tbe
brave Du Thet, was savagely shot down.
nghting manfully at the head of his little
company in defence of their new home.
This ended the ARRAY, and as a conse-
quence the place was abandoned, and has
ever since remained vacant, save as the
home OF single family. The springs which
Afforded pure water to the little colony, and
the cellar where was located one of their
houses are still shown as identifcations of
the spot. A pair of millstones for grinding
corn and wheat, dug up some few years ago.
after more than two centuries of repose un-
der the sod, are now exhibited as matters Of
curiosity for visitors, near the residence of
the present occupant of the premises. Ths
old gentleman whose father commenced liv-
lug there during the last century, and who
was born in the only house then standing.
has with his wife recently died after spend-
ing long life in this lonely but beautiful
spot, and part Of the premises is now on
the market for sale.
Across the cove to the south is to be seen
the locality of brave little contest of arms
between the minute men, of the village in
the war of 1872 and the crew of a British
cruiser, who in an open boat were on their
way TO seize and destroy some three or four
sehooners which the owners had hid from
sight from the sea at the head of the cove.
As they gently rowed their boat along near
the bank to the point of their destination,
the company brRvely advanced and fred
fall Volley into the crew, killing several,
when the survivors at once retreated, and
nothing more was heard from them, and the
vessels were thus saved.
A story is told of one of the inhabitants of
the island, who, at about the same time as
the incident above cited, was out in his
yawl fishing A British vessel, passing.
hailed him, and on his coming up they
bought his fish and paid him literally for
them. They then kindly invited him, for a
reward, to 60 on board and show them the
way to the sound as pilot. He refused, and
gave as reason, You are an enemy to nv
country" This story will long be remem-
bered and told of old Capt Rich, its hero.