Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-15

tivation. new and convenient out build
ings have been erected. Some little re
pairs to the house and a coat of pain
will make this an attractive place. Mr.
Carter carries on an extensive garden
both vegetables and fruits.
A few rods beyond we come to the
cemetery. This little enclosure. we are
sorry to say, has been very much neglect.
ed. Possessing many natural beauties In
the way of pleasant location and fnetrees
it had been allowed to grow UP. to bushes
| the trees were untrimmed and an I'M
cared-for look about the whole place.
| But this year has seen a change; the
fence has been repaired and painted.
trees trim hn;ss+ grass . mown. and many
| This spot has been used as a cemetery
many years; Some of the stones bear
date as far back as 1908 and some of the
| unmarked graves are much older
Greater improvements are contaminated
| for another year.
The land on both sides of the road be-
low for some distance was a part of the
old Burns homestead, which was one of
| the Oldest farms on the road Since the
| last of the family died the land has been
sold to different neighbors; Chas Buck
| nam owning part. the rest by E. s.
Smith and Others But little land remains
with the house, which has been somewhat
repaired, a new barn also having been
built. This place was ''abandoned'' for
several years after the tragic death of
one of the occupants. Miss Betsey Burns
This old lady went out for short walk
as she was accustomed to do, and it is
supposed became bewildered. and wander
ing until overcome by fierce autumn
storm. lay down to die. Her body was
found some ten days after in the corner
of an out-of-the way field two or three
miles from home. Meanwhile the most
intense excitement prevailed. Hundreds
of people Joined the search. and the most
Impossible and exaggerated stories were
being told. After the funeral the old
home was shut up and stood gloomy and
fOrbidding until lately. 1t is now trans
formed by gay flowers about the door and
bright light in the windows onights
and has become homelike place. 1t is
occupied by Mr.. Merrill and wife, who
prefer living on the road. to their own
farm which is some distance off it, Just
beyond is small house owned by E. S.
Smith. Opposite stands the schoolhouse.
Not the little red schoolhouse" this
time. for this is painted a neat straw col
or, and with it's floating flag makes a
good appearance. but alas! as we open
the door and look in we find few scholars
occupying the comfortable seats. A good
schoolroom nicely fitted and furnished
but few children to use it. 1t is some
times whimsically called the Burns In
stitute.' but in years past it was an in
stitution worth mentioning. 1t was a
noted school both for fine scholars and
able teachers. Many who have been con-
nected with the school have become dis
tinguished in various ways; one I will
iIItHtlou lGIy years ago Il young man
from Bowdoin college came to teach the
school. He was in the class with Long
fellow. Franklin Pierce and other noted
men. He taught the school acceptably
and went his way. This young man was
Alpheus Feltch afterwards governor of
Michigan. U. S. senator from Michigan
being in the Senate with the Hon. j.
w. Bradbury of Augusta. and until re-
Gently with Mr.. Bradbury the only living
members of that old-time assembly. Mr..
Fetch died within a year.
AS we come to the farm on the hill
owned and occupied by Mr. Walter Long
fellow. we see at once that the spirit of
Improvement has been felt here. To
casual observer this commOdiouS brick
house did not seem to need much repair
ing; but Mr.. Longfellow thinks different
ly. All the chimneys have been torn
down and rebuilt, roofs shingled, new two
changes both inside and out. Mr.. Long
fellow is a successful raiser of fruit, both
small fruits and apples.
Leaving this pleasant spot we will go
down the hill a few steps to the home of
Mr.. B. F. Sanford. Here we may with
truth use the old saying. Everything in
apple-pie order" This house, which was
years ago tavern, is a relic of the time
when the daily stage coach was a de-
light to all the small boys on the line
and to be a stage driver the height of
their widest dreams. Governor King
used to make this house his halfway
stopping place when on his way from
Bath to Kingfield, with a crew of men to
do his haying. Mr.. Sanford. though
somewhat advanced in years. carries on |
his farm with success and order that |
might shame many younger man., Next |
We come to the farm of Samuel G. Buck
nam. Mr.. Buchanan has made extensive |
changes to his buildings the past sum- |
mer Getting tired of an inconvenient !
of Out-buildings. he thought |
he would join in the general movement |
!, l..
this work is completed it will save many |
steps besides adding materially to the
good looks of the premises. AS we no.
tice the beautiful trees along the front we |
remember what was told us by gentle
man living in the far West, but whose |
boyhood was spent on this place. He said |
that when a boy about twelve years old. |
he dug up and set out that row of trees
one Sunday while the the rest of the |
family were at church, and he added |
1.-The severe punishment he received from
his father for desecrating the Sabbath, |
did not prevent them from growing.
Again we will turn from the main road |
to notice few places on Maple street. |
which are always classed as a part of this |
neighborhood. AT the top of the hill is |
situated the quiet home of William |
Faunce and mother. To say that this |
place is always kept the very pink of
Next we will look at the imposing resi-
dence owned and occupied by Judson Cur
rier. This old mansion, (Which by the
way used to be the home of one of those |
old-time big families that, unfortunately |
are becoming very rare. 1t is told that |
eighteen attended school from that house |
one winter. which number included the |
teacher) l believe had been neglected
for many years and fast going to ruin |
when it was bought not many years ago, |
by New York family, who put it in per-
feet order. within and without, making
beautiful home. Death and ill-health
making these people feel that they did
not care to keep the place longer, it was
sold to Mr.. Currier. who is one of our
most enterprising young men and will, no
doubt. still further improve it.
At the foot of the hill lies the home
stead of Mr.. H. S. Parker of singing
school fame. One who had not seen this
place lately would hardly know it. First
Mr.. Parker repaired the barn. whose
brilliantly painted sides make quite a
landmark and this year the house has
been transformed Now neatly painted
and blinded it nestles under the trees.
making pretty picture from the main
road.
To resume our trip down the main
street we will next come. on our right, to
the place at present occupied by Mr.. Z. S.
Smith. Trim and we'll ordered, this place
has an air of thrift which. somehow.