The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-08-14

honorable town during vacation has given
me an opportunity to become acquainted
with its history, and to note particularly
its rich and varied antiquities connected
with the Indian tribes, which were numer.
Gus here in the carly days and at whose
hands the original English settlers were
great sufferers. Quaboag was the primitive
name of this region, derived from the
Quaboag Indians, and perpetuated today
in the QuabOag river, which winds through
the meadows OF the town, and finds its
way into the beautiful Wickaboag Lake,
now surrounded by the evidences of better
civilization.
The first settlers came here about 1860,
and not long time elapsed before they
received the rude attention Of the Nipmuc
Indians, branch OF the Quaboags. They
finally broke up the early settlement, and
for number Of years the red men had I'M
disputed possession of the territory. About
1857, however, pioneers again set their
faces towards the Quaboag regior, and after
several years of continuous struggle with
their savage neghbors, succeeded in main
tanning their position and establishing per-
manent homes. Out of these struggles
and sacrifices eventually came the prosper
GUS and happy communities now known as
the Brookfields, comprising one of the most
beautiful and fruitful sections of the old
commonwealth
The local history Of the town recounts
the savage assaults of the Ildians, the
sacrifice of English lives made in the efforts
to get an early foothold and gives the
names of the sturdy and heroic men and
women who made the present blessings
possible. And not only did the early
settlers seek the destruction of the aboriginal
foes, but they would, if possible, have
brought them under the influence of Chris
tian civilization, for it is well known
fact that John Eliot, the apostle to the
Brooktield, in trying to convert the natives
to the Christian religion.
The soil of this old town has been par
ticularly prolific in yielding up the hidden
this historic region, One OF the largest
and best collection Of relics anywhere
known has been gathered, and is well pre-
served and arranged by Messrs. David
and William L. Lincoln of Wtst Brook
field.
/ had the privilege of visiting this ex-
hibtion few days ago and inspecting its
many curiosities under the direction of the
first named gentleman, who pointed out
and explained in a very intelligent and
interesting manner the large and varied
assortment, which, during many years, he
has succeeded in accommodating. These
antiquities are properly labeled and ar
ranged in cases, with shelves adjusted for
displaying them or are suspended from the
walls, under glass covers, in symmetrical
combinations. The home is vcritable
museum of curiosities, comprising a most
valuable collection of Indian antiquities
Here are presented the articles used by the
red man in agriculture, war, hunting, per
sonal adorDment and religion Certainly
not less than 5000 articles, mostly from
this general region, have been gathered
together by these indefatigahle searcheIs
OF the soil. They seem to almost possess
an added instinct enabling them to detect
the hidden remains of this long vanished
dominion. Mr.. David F. Lincoln pa,tiru-
larly. under whose personal guidance We
were privileged to examine his sto:es u
interesting and instructive articles, is All
intelligent and enthusiastic collector Of In
dian relics. He is widely known in circles
devoted to these historic and prehistoric
pursuits His collection was solicited for
exhibition at the Worlds Fair in Chicago,
and is often visited at his quaint home in
West Brook field Some of the relics he has
given to the collection Of Indian and colonial
antiquities to he found in the public library
OF the town, and it is his intention that the
whole assortment shall ultimately be the
property OF West Brookiield, and kept in
Possession OF the Quahoag Historical Asso-
citation, an organization devoted to finding
and preserving the early remnants of this
famous locality. Already from time to
time the collection has been On exhibition
on local public occasions for the pleasure
and instruction of the people. 1t is a noble
object to which to devote the spare moments
OF public spirited citizen Mr. Lincoln
is a thrifty farmer, but has found time and
energy to devote to this incidental work
In addition to his zeal IN Indian relics
Mr.. Lincoln is skillful and ingenious in
the use of tools, and his home displays
many articles of his own handiwork, nota-
bly, an inlaid center table, comprising
know not how many hits of different kinds
Of wood and covered, of course, with In
dian relics.
1t would be in vain to attempt an enum-