The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-02-23

Rock with its mournfUl memories-and
it still is the locality of paramount in
terest from the fact of itssbeing the foun-
dations tone:of New England settlement.
Popham's colony ingloriously sailed
for home within year from the date of
it's planting, yet it is pleasant to reflect
that almost unquestionably some of it's
members, enamored by the native beauty
and attractiveness Of Pemaaquid, lin
gered behind and made it their home.
The unwritten history of ancient
Pemaauid that is being slowly evolved
from the silent testimony of witnesses,
recovered from beneath the green sod,
in and adjacent to the revived fort, will
yet make the most fascinating chapter
in the annals of Names early history
They already mutely speak OF at least
four nationalities who coveted the place
beside the native Americans who were
found in possession, the English. French,
Spaniards and Dutch.
The curiously formed cache OF trape-
zoidal bricks. discovered in 1859 on the
bank of the river, point to Spanish
origin, as also do the blocks of coquinna
found along the banks of the river. The
west side Of the river is locally known
as the Dutch settlement. We know that
off Monnegan in 1907 the "fiemensa-
prototypes Of Rip Van Dam of 1872
vexed Capt. Gilbert of the Mary and
john, and had not the The Gift" hove
IN sight opportunely it is very probable
that. the Popham colony never would
have landed .on Pemaquid beach or built
Il fort on the barren rock of Sagadahoc
10 the person of true antiquarian in
stinct, as distinguished from the mere
relic hunter. the loss of hundreds of in
teresting and valuable historical me-
mentoes Of Pemaquid is misfortune OF
no small magnitude, considered from
historical standpoint. For years regret
fully has the thoughtful student of
Names EN- ryo histroy seen these only
tell-tale records pass away INTO well
nigh helpless bolivion, gratifying only the
curiosity of the relic hunters. 1t is well
that nature, the great restorer, has kind
ly thrown her mantle OF green over
many of them, where they await the re.
surrecting spade Of scientific research.
1t is pleasant to note that the citizens
of Bristol are becoming conscious OF
the great historical wealth of their town
and are taking vigorous steps to:preserve,
restore and perpetuate the intensely In
teresting souvenirs of ancient Mavoshen
by building monument on the old
foundation of the tower of Fort William
Henry, built by Gov. Philips in. 1858. Elk
cavations recently have been made around
the lower foundation which reveal a
having depbh into the earth of eight
feet. The stones are firmly laid in an
enduring cement with precision and ex-
actness, forming an eminently approprl-
ate and admirable foundation for the
proposed monument.
On Oct. 31st, 1898, the citizens of Bris-
toll held a meeting at Pemaquid Beach
and formed an organization called the
Pemaquid Improvement Association, to
cooperate with the Monumental Asso-
citation organized and Incorporated in
1872 and Differed as follows:
President-E w. Farley.
Secretary-Owen st. G lair O'Brien.
Vice Presidents-Arnold Blaney, H.
Hackleton, r. X. Sewall.
Treasurer-David Chamberlain.
Vigorous and spirited resolutions were
passed at the October meeting of the
auxiliary association, and Mr.. j. H. Cart
land. of Pemaquid Beach, was appointed
soliciting agent for the Association to
collect funds for carrying on the work.
Mr.. Garland, with commendable zeal
and activity, has entered upon his work,
and already in his immediate vicinity
raised several hundred dollars. This,
Monumental Association, will give an
impetus to the work already begun and
he an incentive to others to contribute
to so worthy an object. He has got up
card with cut of the Fort Rock and
some condensed history of the place,
which he.sells for the small sum of ten
cents. For one dollar or more he will
send the giver certificate with view
and brief sketch. =
Mr.. Garland for several years has been
interchangeable in collecting and preserv-
ing the very interesting souvenirs of
Pemaquid and it's historic fort and his
museum building over the ancient paw
ing contains many rare and curious
relics of the centuries past
Generous aid it is expected will be
proffered from all parts of the State for
it is common interest that would gath
err and preserve 1.-The treasures of history
that will, ennoble and. bless future gener-
atoms and keep green the memory of our
forefathers
WIWURNA.