The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-08-13
Early DAYS n MontYllle,

The other day, in the course of a stroll through
field and forest in North Montyille, in remote
spot | came upon bit of pasture land, whic4l,
though neglected and fast returning again to
forest, has attractions for one who takes an
interest In the early history of this section from
its intimate associations with The events of that
period. This was once the hub of the COM
opening years of the present century school
house was erected here by the scattered settlers,
probably the first structure of its kind In this
locality. To-day more unlikely site for such
an edtce it would be difficult to select. Shut
In by forest, the signs of population fail on
every hand. The road which once ran near by
was long since discontinued. The nearest high
way is third of mile away. In fact there Is
little lett besides the assurances of old inhabi-
tauts to convince one that this bush-grown
corner was once the only public gathering place
OF the community, but such 1t was, for, besides
being used AS school house this structure was
made TO serve the purposes of a town hall and
house of worship. Here it was that our graud1
parents were taught the magic of the three RI
after the primitive method then in vogue.
Otherwise their school-day experiences We're,
no doubt, very similar to those of later sener
atoms of scholars. We may fancy them griev-
ing over merited tloggings and stone bruises,
lighting and swapping dinners III moae of
school children of more recent times. The
grotesquey deformed trees in the grove near
by, which were made in their sapng days to
bow at the pleasure of children, have survived
to demonstrate the truth of the adage ''as the
twig is bent the tree inclines;" they also sug-
gest that grandparents may have once INDUCED
inI, f,,,, tt,n,,.
grandchildren. Yonder is the spring at which
these searchers for knowledge imbibed many a
refreshing draught, and to which remembrances
of cur early school-days lead us to imagine they
PAD numerous unnecessary visits. Though
that homely Old school house, with its huge
rock chimney, vast open fireplace and rough,
uncomfortable benches was, we may believe,
quite in keeping with the unpolished state of
the society of its day 1t served noble purpose
withal.
The ward surrounding this old temple of
knowledge was once used as a buryinS-grOund.
Though nature seems to have put forth her
best efforts to conceal the sacriegious neglect
of man it is still easy 10 trace among the brakes
and briers the length of half Il score or more of
graves which are marked by slabs Of rough,
unleltered stone. Will the spot where we lay
our loved dead ever be allowed to suffer like
this from the rayages of time? A condition of
neglect such as this might well have given in
SEPARATION to passages in Gray's elegy and Gold
smiths deserted village. Gray's poetieal spec
ulalions in country church-yard are recalled:
" Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire;
Hands that the rod Of empire might have
sWayed.
Or walked to ecstasy the living Tyre"
1t was here the scattered population used to
meet to listen to an occasional sermon by one
of the itinerant preachers of iong ago, who,
though often of ungraceful manner and inele
giant speech, by their mni>tratons laid down
the foundation of the churches of to-day. Here
the pioneer Sunday School in this vicinity was
organized by Il christian lady.
1t here that the first settlers of this
region met to discuss the matters in dispute
between themselves and the land proprietors.
AT one of these meetings an agent of the pro-
prletors was present for the purpose of pre-
sentng and perhaps enforcing if possible the
claims of his employers. The reception he met
with was so warm that he was glad to embrace
an early opportunity to depart on a bob-taied
nag and ruined saddle, ruined and bobbed by
the Indians" Gas the squatters who took part
IN the organized opposition to the demands of
the proprletors were KNOWN or some of their
friends. Though the squatters regarded these
agents as little better than robbers it Is to be
hoped that as body they didn't countenance
such methods of dealing with them. Uncle
Jimmy Smith, one of the first settlers of Smith
town, now Freedom, was one Of the most de-
termned and uncompromising ''Indans." At
the meeting above referred to he veheme entity
advocated the policy of driving the proprietors
and their agents into the sea the devil drove
the swine. Had they all been as persistent in
their opposition to the demands of the land
owners as was uncle Jimmy the position of
proprietor's agent would not have been de-
sirable one. 1t is said that whenever one of
these representatives approached his dwelling
uncle Jimmy would get down cold fetch 'em
ALL" as he called his fiin,-lock, and request
them to put in an immediate disappearance. 1t
business through agents with the owner of
''old fetch 'em ALL" | believe he was one of
the very few who were allowed to acquire a
title to their farms by peaceful (D possession
To one fully acquainted with all that trans
pred here in the past this spot would, no
doubt, suggest matter sufficient for a complete
history of the early days of this community.
There is something deplorable in the abandon
ment which allows these reminders of days
long past to fade into forgetfuness. l doubt
not that to many who have joined the majority
some of the most pleasant recollectiOns of their
lives have been associated with this spot. Next
to home, who that has entered the conflict of
mature life does not retain recOllectiOns vivid
and pleasing, of the old school house of their
youth and Its surroundings? May the mental
picture never change! The remembered spot
will, as this has, for it is with ruthless hand
that time works; hallowed ground, cherished
objects and fondly remembered scenes are alike
subject TO its ceaseless mutations.
JEFF DODGER.