The Republican journal., 1885-11-12
Deer Hunting ut Mount Desert.
THE HUNTERS PARADISE. THE ROUTE AND THE
CAMP.

| In search of deer. The forests north of Bangor
have been his favorite hunting grounds, but this
| fall he made new departure, selecting Mt Desert
upon the recommendation of Mr.. Willard E. Page,
who for six years was employed in Halls granite
quarries on Somes' Sound, and who has reputa
ton as successful deer hunter throughout the
island. Mr.. Page understands the habits of the
deer, knows their favorite haunts, and is crack
Shot When he sights along the barrel of a trusty
rifle and shoots into a thicket there is dead deel
within half mile,
The deer of Mt. Desert island are protected by
law ten months in the year. and the shooting season
Is In the months of November and December. In
the remainder of the State the law is OF in October
The inhabitants of the island are generally averse
to visits from hunters of other parts of the State.
They are great hunters and the rifle is their insep
cradle companion We have man leading
his COW along the highway by rope, while in the
other hand he carried rifle for emergencies
Judge Johnson's party this season consisted of
himself, Jefferson f. Wilson, willard Il. Page
Charles r. Coombs, and the local editor of the Jour
nal The company was selected without regard to
occupation, but upon Investigation the business
calling of each seemed well adapted to Staying.
First Page was known to be killer, then comes
Coombs, an undertaken, Wilson. a coroner John
son, Judge of Probate who settles the estate of the
dead. and lastly the Journal local. who writes the
| obituary.
THE START
was made early Saturday morning, Oct. 81, and a
more unpropitious day could not have been select
ed. The wind blew violently from the Northeast,
accompanied by squalls, which, with low
temperature. made riding dishgreeable. 1t re
marked that person had better start on a trip at
the time appointed, regardless of the weather. and
nine times out of ten he will be the gamer. So it
| proved in this instance Before the day had much
| advanced the storm cleared away, making travel
ing very comfortable Our mode of convey ance
was A. j. Harriman's large covered wagon drawn
by Mr. Wilson's span Of black horses, which at
tract attention and admiration wherever seen. Our
route lay through the prosperous towns of Sears
port Stockton and Prospect and at the latter place
we We're fcrricd across the Penobscot by Benz.
Montgomery In the steam ferry boat Joseph 1otten,
and landed at Bucksport. At noon halt was made
at East Orland where Mrs. Josiah Gray prepared a
dinner. This is the place where AXel Hayford ran
a stave mill few years ago, and where Ford Gay,
| of Belfast, was killed. The mill is still running
The country between Orland and Ellsworth is very
uninviting and must be poor farming land. In
one section it is said the land is SO poor that the
! are pointed out. From some the rocks rot
| away and crumble into dust. \ man with PICK
and shovel can in few minutes demoli-h a huge
boulder. Another feature is the lying guide boards
along the route. 1t is said that Bucksport Is just
eighteen miles from observation-disclosures Belfast,
Castine and Ellsworth. We suppose the distance
from Bucksport to Ellsworth is called Is miles to
make the saying good, but IN reality it is more than
of it, however Frequent inquiries were made of
the passers by, no two however, agreeing. We
were reminded of the answer given by the man who
was asked how far it was to Pimco. "Wcll sir, y
said he eff you keep on that road as near as | can
calculate, it is about twenty three thousand, nine
hundred and ninety-four miles; but if you turn
about and go just the other way, YOU Will reach it
| in six miles"
We arrived at Ellsworth just as the sun was go
ing down. The city is situated in valley on the
Union river, and approaching from the west you
emerge suddenly from the forest and strike the city
at once, there being suburb in that direction. As
we descended the hill on the western side of the
/ bridge the picture presented was fine one. Sena.
tor Hale's new and elegant mansion on the hill
loomed up grandly, all the windows ablaze with the
rays of the setting sun. This is without doubt one
!
House just erected is a fine building. The hand
some inside work-doors, sash, blinds, &c.-of both
senator Hales house and the Court House, were
made by the Mathews Bros, of Belfast ELS
| worths chief business IS numbering, but we learn
| that this enterprise Is waning Mr.. Wilson, our
popular street commissioner, examined the streets,
sidewalks and crossings and did not consider them
in good condition.
InIt fl,a fo, nFI
W. r. Young. in Trenton, five miles below ELS
worth, and were most Hospitality entertained by
the Captain and his excellent wife. Capt. Young
formerly sca-captan, and like most success
full retired ship masters is thrifty farmer. This
! is shown by the neat and commodous dwelling
/ house, well filled barn, and the generally prosper
Gus appearance of the place. His farm extends to
the shore an arm of the sea which makes up be
! tween Trenton and Lamoine. 1t is here the mussel
! beds are situated, from which the farmers draw
| heavily for fertiiizing purposes. 1t is said the
mussels lasting fertilizer, particularly adapt
ed to cayey soil. During the fall and winter thou
sands of tons Of nlussels taken ont and spread
upon the land, and all the farms in this vicinity
bear testimony of the eNcellcncy of this dressing.
| The residence of the late Hon. Monroe Young is
just below, and the farm is one of the most thrifty
| in town. 1t here caught sight of our first
deer, pair of domesticated ones in yard near the
| house. The farm Is carried by Mr.. Charles
Young one of the sons of the late Monroe ouug.
Sunday morning we left Capt. Yonngs and drove
| to the bridge, which separates Trenton from
| MI DESERT,
distance of three miles. This is toll bridge and
a fee of fifty cents is paid before can drive on
| to the island. No fee is exacted on the return trip.
We drove In the direction Of Somesvile, where the
extensive granite quarries of Mr.. Z. j. Hall are
| situated, but one mile from the village bear away
to the left towards Northeast Harbor, mile and
| a half from which is camping place. Before
reaching Hadlock ponti, near which are to stop,
we are met by Mr. Thomas Manchester, the owner
of the camp, who had thoughtfully hauled boat to
the pond for convenience. Our wagon is un-
loaded at the pond the dunnage boated across and
the team driven to Northeast Harbor where it was
| cared for by Mr.. Roberts.
is situated in beautiful grove of white birch trees,
the leaves from which have fallen making velvety
carpeting several inches in thickness. The camp
was built for logging purposes and is 10 by II feet,
with she'd for oxen horses. 1t is shnged,
walls and roof and is perfectly tight. The interior
contains two hunks, scafolding for bedding, a
| stove, table, chairs, SC. Two hundred wards away
| but entirely hidden from view is iIadlock Pond.
| Near the camp is running brook which merrily
sings as 1t wends It's way through the grove to the
| pond. This affords abundance of pure water
| for drinking and domestic purposes. Wood can he
had for the gathering To the east rises Sargent's
mountain, second in height to Green mountain; to
| the south IS Brown mountain, and to the west
several minor peaks The camp is therefore In a
valley formed by the mountains that have given Mt.
| Desert world wide reputation. At the camp it is
nine O'Clock when the sun shows his smiling face
above Sargent's mountain, and at $50 NJ. he says
good night as he sinks behind Browns. The camp
Is centrally located for all the best deer ranges and
what is better than ALL is far enough away from the
public road to preclude the possibility of visitors
| In brief the camp is
HUNTERS PALACE.
| Each one took his turn at cooking, and while the
| table not spread in hotel fashion, the food
was palatable, especially after half days tramp
| over the mountains The mode of living reminded
| us of good story told of the Hon. James G..
Blaine. Some time ago Mr.. Blaine and party were
| at Moosehead Lake on hunting expedition. Each
took his turn at cooking. One Of the rules of camp
1 Al.