The Portland daily press., 1891-05-14
FROM MAINE TOWNS.
Thrilling Accident on CousIns's
River.
EzekIeI Merrill and Daughter Tipped
Into the Water.
James Mitchell Comes to the Rescue
and Both are Saved.
Freeport.
A THRILLING ACCIDENT.

Mr.. Ezekiel Merrill and daughter, Lizzie.
started from their home at South Freeport
on Monday afternoon for Yarmouth village.
On attempting to cross that branch of Cous-
ins's river In Yarmouth spanned by what
once was draw bridge their horse became
frightened at some burning grass on the in
tervale just beyond. suddenly turning on
the bridge and backing quickly against the
railing of the bridge which gave way
and precipitated Mr.. Merrill, with his
daughter, wagon and horse into the water
below. 1t was high tide and at this point
the river has a depth on full tide of over 10
feet. Mr.. Merrill somehow got hold with
one hand Of one of the piles which support
the bridge. and with the other he rescued
his daughter from immediate drowning.
The two chung to this frail support for dear
life and raiseda cry for assistance, which
was heard by Mr.. James Mitchell. near
resident. who safely landed them again up
on the bridge by means of ropes and ladders.
Mr. Merrill is In his saith year, but is smart
man for his years. The horse was drowned.
The cause Of the accident plainly seems to
be the burning of grass near the highway
and the insecure railing on the bridge.
SOUTH FREEPoRT
Rev. Mr.. Smith, our pastor, exchanged
with Rev. l.. Reynolds of Yarmouth Sunday
J. w. Ineson Is home from New Hamp-
shire for short time.
Mrs. Jane Chase has returned from SLY
ing Point" and will remain at home this
summer.
Miss Melissa Pratt of Lawrence, Mass,
arrived at Mrs. Pierce's last Saturday and
expects to spend the summer there.
Frank Winslow has moved from the
Woodbury. house to Andrew Gould's, few
miles out of the village.
BrIdgton.
The recent cold weather with FREQUENT
frosts has kept vegetation generally at about
month. A few warm days at the present
time. however, will make wonderful
change, particularly In the appearance of de-
ciduous trees.
Our new road surveyors have begun their
spring cleaning and repairing Of the streets,
q job which Is never too early or too late
done.
A large number of shade trees have been
set out this spring In the village by citizens,
some OF whom did not wait for .Arbor Day
TO induce the necessary public spirit,
1t is reported that Elkanah A. Littlefied.
who has been living In Lewiston for num-
Der OF years, and whose residence next the
Methodist church here occupied by that So
Brldgton and occupy the same. the coming
summer.
A spark from the chimney caused lively
blaze on the roof of the Simpson house on
School street Friday noon. 1t was speedily
extinguished by few pals of water.
A new house Is being built on School street
BY VIII Simpson, presumably for rent.
There Is not at the present time desirable
rent In this village which is unoccupied, a
condition Of things which would seem to in
dictate that there Is plenty Of work In the
place and good number of workmen. A
few good tenements, II supplied, would pro-
baby be at one filed.
The upper Pondicherry mill is being
painted. very pretty dark red with brown
trimmings.
Can making has begun at the shop Of the
Bridgton Canning Company, in preparation
for the busy season. which, unless all signs
fail. is likely to follow soon.
Rev. Mr.. Parlin, at the Methodist Church
Sunday, was greeted by a full house, who
were much edited by and interested, In his
discourse.
Rumford.
Business at Rumford Falls is not booming
at present
Erastus Abbott of Franklin has purchased
the saw and single mill at Abbottsville, of
Y. X. Cary; also the farm and buildings
OF Christopher Reed.
DR.. Hiram Abbott was called to visit Mrs.
q. III. Abbot, and was taken suddenly i'll
with erysfpelas, while there, and is now
Stuart.
Fine day Sunday. Mercury up to 7So.
Trees are putting out rapidly; the poplars
are quite green. Grass Is looking well, and
did not winter kill. Farmers are very busy
about their crops.