Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-06-09
POINT OF MAINE.
Uncle Wise" Gives the Scribe Its Un-
written History.
A Cape Rich in the Buried Gold of
Spanish Pirates.

vicinity, have heard OF he Point of Maine .
Yet nevertheless there is such a cane or
point OF land, tEss extends prominently from
the Southern coast Of our State, into the At
lantic ocean, few miles West of the mouth
OF the Machias river. 1t is a rough rocky
point too, not so bold and high as some, We,
from the waters edge rising gradually until
the huge hill called Iron Mountain, long be-
fore sunset shuts off the sun light from the
bay at the East. The fourteen mile drive
from Machias to the lands end is most de-
lightful one and when the visitor reaches the
home of Uncle "Wilse," the hardy fisherman
who with his family, is the only inhabftant OF
the Point" as it is called for short, and
hears his cordial but rather gruff s'Glad to
see ye" and with him looks out upon the
ocean unbroken by single island; he u.s. if
lover of nature, entranced by the magnii-
cent views. The Point of Maine is trul,
most beautiful spot
But it is historical spot too Not only
have the hardy men of the life-saving station
once located here but now on Cross Island,
little farther to the East in the bay, launched
their boats in the fiercest storms and rescued
the shipwrecked sailors, but in war times it
was the sentinel station where sharp lookout
was kept for approaching vessels. During
the war of the rebellion, and the struggles
with England, the Machias bay was gsarded
most carefully. Yet the Point" is historical
in still another way but its history in this
particular has never been written nor is it
known only to those for whom Uncle Wise
takes fancy. He alone has the key to this
history and he will always hold it. The bit
which he vouchsafed TO unfold to the writer
was told with the greatest air of mystery.
This is how it happened.
The scribe not very long ago. was Down
East" and having day to himself, accepted
the invitation of government official and
other friends to visit the Point of Maine"
As many sea birds fly about the Point il
the winter, it was thought best to take along
guns and other paraphanalia necessary for u
little sport. The party when it started
on the cold December morning numbered
three. Sailing down the bay they landed in
little cove inside the bar anil making
the boat secure, shouldered their guns and
proceeded to the home of Uncle Wise,
As they approached the house built partly
under ground as were also the out buildings,
for protection and safety against the high
seas and winds. the tall form, straight as an
arrow, of Uncle Wise appeared
at the doorway and his "By the
life, glad ter see ye" welcomed them
as he shook hands, most numerically. The
scribe was introduced and Uncle Wise"
led the party into the sitting room or as the
scribe thought it, the armory for there were
nine heavy rifles and fowling pieces standing
in a row at the left of the hugh fire place and
above them powder horns and shot pouche,
of all sizes and patterns. The small window.
nearly up to the ceiling and the many doors
on the opposite side OF the room together
with the many pieces OF well handmade
furniture and ornameutatons gave Il" who'e
apartment pccularis old appearance
Divest,tg themselves of their guns, jackets
ard outer clothing upoH Il .IaIion of THEN
host, al pulled up around the fire place
/ which a hug iog, smouldering, was soou
kiudled TO ii lively haze by the judicious
application of small wood. Uncle Wise"
was well acquainted with the scribe's com
panons SO he set himself to work to make
the third acquaintance. He examined the
scrbes gun, double barreled breech loader
and the rest of the Boston rig" as he called
it, all the while dexterously weaving in al
lusons to his own eventful live such his
narrow escapes at sea and strange experiences
when he walked the quarter deck. Somehow
illusions were made to earthern pottery. The
old man was immediately whole broadside of
questions which the scribe answered as well as
his information would allow. Soon after the
old mans two sons appeared, and giving the
two other guests over to their hands for en-
tertainment, Uncle Wise taking key
from his pocket unlocked one of the many
doors, pulled the scribe into sort of state
room apartment similar to the sleeping rooms
on vessels. 1t was a dimly lighted room and
small. Seating his guest on the lower bunk
he pulled stool up from under the berth and
took position opposite to the scribe, who
all this while was terribly anxious about what
was to come next. He had not long to wait
for "Uncle Wise opened on him. "Stran
| ger" said he, II have been sorter impressed
by your remarks about pottery that yer know'd
somethn' about it. l have got a secret that
is hinged on a piece of earthenware, and l
want your opinion" Reaching under the
bunk he drew forth a box containing care
fully protected piece of pottery, evidently a
piece of an old Spanish jar, broken off so
that a portion of the handle remained on it
Such the scribe pronounced it. spanish
DIVER say" excitedly whispered 'Uncle
Wise" Yes. Spanish" replied the scribe
and he gave his reasons therefor. Now,
said the old man, swear me you'll never lisp
A word about this matter round here, and I'll
give you some facts,-my secret The
scribe swore. This secret is the part of the
history of the Point of Maine" that Uncle
wilse" can supply.
| ..praps yer noticed when yer come in,
he began, THAT clearing up in under the
woods Well that was ten year ago, the
best crop field on my land. 1t was always
warm there and the sie was easily worked
The last time run pillow share through
that Ian something happened that startled
me. think was more startled because
had had vision the night before.
dreampt | found a pot of gold in that very
spot, pile of it. But dreampt too that
7 WAS not to touch it for was warned that
;fI did something would happen to me.
Well sir, when the pillow struck aud stuck on
that spot | was startled. The boy was
driving the steers and he was surprised
Rut said back 'em back and well try II
ayin. He backed EN- aud then after hal
90, tho plow started 'em up quick. Well sir,
l.. bod. lam