The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-10-22
THE OLD SONG.
Sailors Rations and Saccarappa
Teams.

To the Editor of the Press:
salt hoss" was the generic name on ship
board, for salt beef. of whatever quality or
origin. Many of the readers Of the PRESS
seem to have a notion that early Portland
sailors were really supplied with horse beef.
like the Parissians, during the German
siege. And further that the worn out horses
Of the Saccarappa teams were slaughtered
and packed for the purpose. Formerly there
might have been barrel Of horse beef
among the stores Of some vessel which gave
ing. tub in which beef was kept on deck for
daily use. There were no horses used in
hauling the boards In question. Before writ
ing OF the hauling of lumber to Portland
Pier, for fear my own memory was at fault,
l requested the Hon. Leander Valentine,
who has resided in his native village Of Sac
carappa about 70 years. to give me some in
formation about the transportation of lum-
ber from the mills to the wharyes. To show
that 1t was hauled by oxen give his letter
below:
Hon Wiliiam Goold:
Dear Sir--Referring TO our conversation few
names OF the owners OF OK teams, and their
drivers, as l remember them, in about 1925 or
1880; then hauling boards from this village to
Daniel ConanT, living near the village; two six
OK teams. Teamsters, two sons. Daniel, Jr. and
Mai. VIM. Valentine six oxen; he lived between
Saccaragpa and Cumberland Mills. Teamster,
his son Dexter.
Capt. john Babb, lived a mile and half up the
Buxton road. six oxen. Teamster, his son James,
now living. give their military titles by which
they were then designated.
Capt. John Warren of the village, six oxen.
Capt. Fred Proctor and Capt. BENJAMIN Boody
both lived near Prides bridge, each four oxen.
Aaron WiQelOW. n
Congin, four oxen Teamster, Jose IN Libby.
Alexander Babb, near the village, four oxen
TeamSter, his son Samuel.
Only one of those named, Is now living. Per
haps nine-tenths OF the boards were at that tims
hauled green. When the road was fair, six oxeI
spring. the ruts Were so deep that the wheel:
went nearly TO the hubs. Then half the nurnbe
OF feet was load; have given you such facts
desire to know about here, win readily assIs
you on request.
Very respectfully yours
LEANDER VALENTINE.
Mr.. Valentine is not one Of the uneasy
| people OF whom spoke in my last communi'
cation, who seeks to give his village new
name, and thereby bring contempt upon the
| old one, given by the redmen who gatneIs,o
there IN the spring to spear the MINUS
| salmon while seeking higher life by leap
| over the falls. The Indian names were
| descriptive; what that OF Saecarappa mean! !
| is uncertain. but we know that now II
means energy enterprise and industry ~
tracing It TO It's origin
| 10 The Editor of the Press:
| great many wears ago trader at what
is now known as Madison Falls, Gorham
purchased in Portland barrel OF beef
This was retailed to the.millmen. When they
came to the last layer there was found
horses hoofs. The name OF horse beef be
came attached to the place and the old resi-
dents never accepted the new name anC
still talk of it as at horse beef. Thomas
| Shaw Of Standish, a noted ballad make
formulated the rhyme From Saccarap I,
sailor use" In time the sailors who usual
were furnished poor salt junk changed tn
| word millmen to sailor. This is the traditIo
| Of the origin Of the ballad and author.
l Cape Elizabeth, Me. SPIN.