The Portland daily press., 1897-12-14
TRIP TO THE EAsTWA RD.
Progress among The People am ong the
Coast Islands.
To the Editor Of the Press:

To the Editor Of the Press:
The attractions of the Maine coast are
great, and appreciated by acquaintance.
! am just home from cruise that took
me beyond Pemaquid point, which is a
part of the town of Bristol, into Mus
congus bay among its islands, and it oc
CURED to me- that a few descriptive words
might be of interest. AS we go up the
bay, leaving Monhegan ten or twelve
miles behind us directly ott 1t sea, we
come first to Muscongus Island, with
Marsh island along its eastern side which
Is reckoned as part Of it, Together shey
embrace population of about W. Geo
graphically these islands are composed OF
the characteristic rock of Maine, mica
slate, from beneath which granite crops
out here and there, and notably along-the
coast; and is a source of great prosperity.
Marsh island Is an outcrop OF coarse
granite. Bremen, Long island, is fur-
Their up the bay. Fir and spruce are the
forest growth on all. The thin soil is
uninvittng to the labors OF the husband
man. And yet, it might be turned to far
better account, and as the hshlng inter
on decline, the existence Of the people
viii depend very much upon their fidelity
10 that soil. 1t contains in promise vast
q 3res of cabDages, and other garden sauce
ind family crops, Tor themselves and
their armies of summer visitors. There
are about twenty-five houses on Muscon-
GUS, including an admirable schoolhouse
for such q community. The island has
never been incorporated, receives no
school money (save SIS contributed among
tnenselyes) takes care of its own poor,
and has no representation in the legisla-
ture-a fine specimen of American self
government. Besides the little cemetery
near the middle Of the island there is an
ancient Indian burying ground at the
northern end where bones have been dug
up, beads, etc. have been found and a
brass kettle has been exhumed Here is
where the famous Indian chief Samoset,
tn friend of the white men WAS buried.
No far from1here he was basely kidnapped
W a few companions, by nefarious
e glish captain, and carried to England
a slave, where he fell into the hands OF
Christian friends who gave him some idea
of the better way, taught him little
English and sent him home, where in the
time of direst need he appeared with
words of welcome and deeds of kindness
s,the Pilgrims at Plymouth. New
E gland owes him a monument; not
Only on the principle of "garuishing the
sepulohres Of the righteous, !" so common
in this worll of hypocrisy but for the
very sincerity of gratitude. And right
over across the sound, at Round Pond,
is the splendid material for such monu-
ment-a large deposit..of fine grained, dark
granite, susceptible to very high polish,
a block of which stands beside a little
stone cutting shop near the quarry that
bears out all that can be said for its
beauty. The quarry was opened a few
years ago by New York parties, we were
told; and closed by one of those stupid
andEclumsy strikes, SO often fatal.to mani
fold industries which would develop re-
sources and Bless labor.
We were glad to find more hopeful,
industrial outlook for the inhabitants
of the island, than was expected. Their
chief occupation is lobster fishing, and
laborious one it Is. Last year it seemed
to be declining. This season it is on the
up grade. Those able to own large boats
are doing well. The lobster has a way OF
crawling into deep water asithe cold
comes on; and This friends have to follow
him, Small boats do not furnish their
owners..a fair chance. For. the FIST, time
we heard fisherman say that the law
forbidding the taking Of short HOLSTERS is
actually helping them. The law is
working well. The fish warden, has been
a blessing in disguise. The little lob
sters, liberated reluctantly, are coming
back full sized when needed most-and
they are worth 10 cents apiece, Of course
there are a few people unable to avail
,enselves OF the good luck. They need
D In and are worthy of it. But what is
liter all most noteworthy to though5ful
observer is the moral and spiritual i'm
provement. quietly and deeply manifest
cd One seesit as he meets the people i'll
social and public assemblies. A well
established Sunday school, with besson
helps and q weekly paper is sustained
among them, and a very interesting Y.
P. s. G. E in which old and young have
a,shars. There is also a living, working
church, under the pastoral care of Capt |
Allen, the coastwise missionary, who |
makes his home among them on the ISL
and for the present. 1t is plain that the |
community is enlisted in this movement |
They believe in it. And we'll they may. |
1t Is to be hoped that mo wolves ind
sleeps clothing" will be permitted to-
break in and scatter the flock. The free
dag school which was aided by friends
in this and supplied with books and maps
laid aside By our school board, under the |
care of a very excellent and faithful |
teacher, has done admirable work for !.
two terms. They look forward to the1
coming spring for another year OF the |
same. Visitor.