The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-12-04

Our correspondent also furnishes the
following sketch of the town Of Harmony
written by Miss Lettle M. Moody, of
Athens, while pupil of the Fall term OF
the High School In that town.
The town of Harmony is six miles
square and situated Ia the northeast part
of Somerset county, nineteen miles
northeast of Skowhegan, the shire town.
1t Is bounded on the north by Yelling
ton, on the east by Cambridge, Ripley,
and St. lbans, on the south by Hartland
and on tho west by Athens. The town
was first settled In the year 1886, then
called Vaughn town, from former pro.
prietor named Charles Vaughn. 1t is
claimed to have been named Harmony by
Mrs. Hurd and Mrs. Brown, on account
of the peacable, quiet and harmonious
habits of the settlers. The first settlers
were Trustrum Hurd and John Brown.
They came here poor men, built them a
small log house and proceeded to clear up
a farm for themselves. Mr.. Hurd set
tied where VIM. G. Bailey now lives and
Mr.. Brown where Samuel Parsons used
TO live. Their descendants are now
quite numerous In town. They we're Of
English descent. Rev. Chss. Bisby was
the first minister and DR.. Edwards the
first physician. who lived on the hill Just
ives Of where Wilbur Jacobs now lives.
No vestige Of the buildings now remain,
only the old cellar, and some juniper
trees standing that were set. out in the
front yard,
The first mill was built by Robert Ey-
ans, who also built the house where DR..
Mclaughlin now lives, which the Oldest
France house in the village. The hrst
store was built and occupied BY Joel
Bartlett.
The early settlers endured many priva.
tions and hardships. One OF the pioneers
who came here built q log house and
cleared farm, during the time be SUBJ
sisted on, the milk Of one COW. Another
1t Is said, when he first came here they
had to 60 to Kendal's Mill to mill, and
he being small boy WAS sent to mill
horseback, but having to wait sometime
for his grlst, 1t was quite dark before he
reached Athens on his way back. There
were then no roads In from there a. now,
and had to 60 by . spotted line and foot
path. As he rode along hh horse sud
denly stopped and nearly threw him OF on
looking ahead he discoveredA large bear
In front Of his horse, and, clasplng his
arms around the horses neck be gave the
horse sudden blow with Z stick, when
he passed the bear and came home safe,
although much frightened.
In 1912 there were still no grist mills
here and most Of the farmers could not
go 90 far to mill and some Of them used
TO saw OF large log and hollow it out
like mortar and pound their corn into
meal, which they sifted TO make bread.
For . rural town, Harmony was noted
for ih lumber, excellent water power
and fertile soil. The early settlers
raised abundant crops. for the soil was
new and productive, and they were pros.
porous. The nrst road built in town ex.
tended from Athens to Harmony village,
thence north by the Kimball place to the
north part Of the town.
The town Is diversified with hill and
wales, fertile ferns and forests, beauti.
full farm buildings. two thriving Villages
ana IN Intelligent population. On the
aonth Lee broad expanse Of water three
miiee long and one mile wide, dividing
this from the town Of Hsstland. This
iAkclet y called Moose pond, and on the
banks OF IN inlaad bay that makeS up iu-
g Tie land 10 situated the noted "Castle
Harmony" erected and occupied By the
wild 0ooee Club," . band Of wealthy
residents Of Boston and other places, who
COM here every summer for IL parpose
o. husaog. ashing. rest. rsllAf from
oeeo end rscseAlaoa. TAsrs ars two
avere Or streams tAat soa thsouah The
eovn, ~ Higgins through ~ os1tss md
1ea1eespa1 through IL sasassn pert.
Iooeo ~ Two dama ocsoaa ~ HAD. =
y ~ ynaage. O. ~ asst y sitsatsd ~