Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-10-03
ON the ST. LAWRENCE RIVER.

ON tHc OF. ISWUcNSc WVGN.
The "Glebe Lands" across the St
Regis River, from the village, were oncs
ali owned by the Indian church, and
were cultivated under the Immediate
direction Of the first Catholic mission.
aries there; but the church no Longer
has the title. The greater portion ol
the dlstrict 10 now within the United
States, while the church building and
the home Of the resident priest are in
Canada. Il Ia q fine-looking farm dis
trict, and the Indian farmers are quite
successful with wheat and oats. Corn,
however, Ia not much cultivated iu
large quantities., but more commonly
than corn may be seen potatoes, or peas,
or beans. Some fences are Of rail- some
are Of sapllugs, trimmed; some are OF
slabs or rough boards. Some are quite
rudely made; some are fastened to-
getl,er with withes. Some Of the farms,
Instead Of having fences Of any kind Of
wood, are surrounded by rows OF piied-
up boulders, or pieces OF limestone.
One afternoon rowed for number
Of miles down the Sc. Lawrence River,
ana Was surprised to find how much
grsnder and more impressive the river
effects are than when viewed from the
deck Of IA steamer. The beautiful Islands
embosomed on the tranquil water; the
rounding shore, curving In far-reachlng
sweeps; the magnificent spaces where
the river opens out With miles OF water,
hemmed In by dark green woods, all
were unspeakably beautiful. And then
came the row homeward. The sun get
gloriously. showing an Infinite variety
of tlnts and colors upon water and sky,
the river grew somberly dark, the
islands seemed spirit haunted, and the
crv of the loon echoed with melancholy
cadences across the water. Now and
then a boat, manned by Indian hsher-
men. shot past us, and NJ we rounded
point the scattered lights Of the town
could he seen. We landed near the old
stone church, a quantity rugged, weather
beaten pile, which even In the latter part
Of the century gone, welcomed the
Indians to worship and prayer. Close
beside the church Il the little graveyard,
and sad sight it is; for the little space
was fully occupied, wears since, by
graves, and for long time past new In
terments have been made by placing the
coffins on the ground aud putting earth
on top. Thus the graveyard space is
now some feet above the level OF the
land round about, and Is held 10 place
by a wall Of stone.
On Saturday nights the Indian children
are given special wash, the floors arr
given a special scrub, and the homes are
given special setting to rights; all in
preparation for the following day. The
people are devOut Catholics, and con-
slider Il both their privilege and duty to
attend church, and II is a pleasant sight
TO see them assemble. Many come on
foot down the main street OF the village,
the men attired With neatness, and the
women with their blankets draped ar
over their heads and about
their bodies. Others come by wagon,
and some by boat. In the church one
notices at once the profoundly earnest
faces of both old and young. An aged
man, with bowed head, whispers his
prayers and counts his beads. Youths
gravely bear the tall candlesticks and
assist the priest In the service. The
women draw their blankets more closely
about their faces and listen with devout
attention. An Indian plays the organ,
an Indian choir sings, and II is indie
scribably pathetic to hear them chant
Christian hymns In Mohawk.
Some Of the barns are OF logs. and are
built In separate sections, OF equal
height, with the intermediate space
rooted over by the common roof, just
Ike type which have frequently no
liced In some portions Of Kentucky.
There are great commons. about the
Indian village, and there horses and
cattle feed, aud they may freely wander
along the roads or the village streets in-
stead. St. Regis IL most Interesting
place to visit, aud one who goes there
rannot well fall to be impressed with the
Of Indian development under
Observation-Disclosures Agricultural.