Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1896-08-06
AMONG THE ISLANDS.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HUNT
ING FOR TREASURE.
ON THE TRAIL OF THE GOLD HUNTERS
A NOVEL SUMMER SETTLEMENT
ISLAND HOMES.

/
ISLAND HOMES.
County Commissioners Aiken, Richard
son and IInckley took a trip among the
islands OF Hancock county last week. 1t
was trip for business, but it was not un-
mixed with pleasure. The trip will doubt
less prove profitable one for the county
of Hancock, as many of the islands which
! have heretofore been assessed wild
lands were found under profitable state
of cultivation, with good buildings and
live stock. The commissioners estimate
that on the islands visited by them there
were at least 900 sheep.
The commissioners sailed away from
Bluehill Wednesday in the little but
staunch steamer Gertrude" Capt. Lunt.
The first stop was at Capt. Babson's Cot
tage City on Little Deer Isle, where they
were entertained for the night.
This little cottage settlement is worthy
| of more than a passing mention. Here is
summer resort conducted on some
what novel and apparently successful
plan. Capt. Babson, of "Punkin' Island"
| light, is the proprietor. There are fifteen
cottages and "boardlng house, The
cottages are furnished, and are run in
connection with the boarding house.
Board is high s5.25 a week but then
there are extras gratis. In the first place
the use OF the furnished cottage is
/ thrown in Then there are sail boats and
row boats at the disposal of guests, be-
sides other conveniences. The price of
board covers everything. At present
there are $50 guests at the place. DO they
enjoy themselves? Go ask them or, bet
ter still, go next year and see If they are
not back again.
On Thursday he commissioners began
the serious business of the trip. Hog
island Was the first visited, and here
farm was found. Beach, Bear, and
! Western islands were next visited.
Pickering island, containing 30 acres,
is owned by a DR.. Collins, Of New York.
| Here there is farm, and orchard of one
thousand young apple trees. There are
/ two cottages. The buildings are some
whit curious in structure, the windows
/ being heavily shattered, and barred with
/ iron on the inside. In one building the
whole lower floor, about 6OX30, is one
hall, with huge fire place i'll each end.
Overhead sleeping apart ments. The
buildings are not at present occupied, and
| Dir. Collins, whereabouts are yeiled in
mystery.
Bradbury island contains n fine lot of
wood and large pasturage. 1t is covered
with sheep. On this island the COM
mssioners got on the trail of the treas
Hre hunters. \ large excavation, APP
parently made within a few month
showed where some misguided enthu-
siasts had vainly searched for Capt.
kidd's buried treasure.
| The commissioners visited Little Spruce
Spruce Head and Bar islands, b. fore
going to Eagle island, where the second
night was spent with Capt. James Quinn.
! On Eagle island there are six dwellings
and stables, with stock for farms. The
island is under good state of cultivation.
On this island is the Eagle Island light
house, kept for the past sixteen years by
/ Capt. Ball, of Hancock. The commits
sioners were shown through the light
house by Capt. Ball, who received them
/ cordially.
/ On Friday the commissioners resumed
| their tour of the islands. Butter island
1 was the first visited, and the commits
| siCners thought they had struck a mill
tary camp. The island is owned by
/ Boston company, and at present there is
a tenting club in camp on the island.
i There are twenty-five tents in the camp.
! This is one of the prettiest islands in the
harbor, sloping evenly on all sides from
| the water to the apex almost in the centre
of the island. The island contains about
go acres, and on it there are two dwell
! ings with stables. Most of the land is
| tillage; there is but little wood land.
Marshiel island, containing $40 acres, is
| heavily wooded, the commissions esti-
mating that there are from fifteen to
| twenty thousand cords of wood on it
There are also a dwelling and stable.
Old Harbor island is well wooded, with
two cottages and two barns.
Friday night the commissioners We're
entertained at Goose Cove, by Capt. Lunt,
and returned home Saturday.
!