The Republican journal., 1898-04-28
Bangor Authors.

Lives and Work.
At a recent meeting Of the Nineteenth
Century CLUB, Bangor, interesting papers
were read on Bangor authors.
Miss Helen Wyer made Mrs. Ii. G.
Rowe the subject of her paper. Mrs. Rowe
was born in Corinth, but has spent the
greater part of her life in Bangor, Dur
ing the last thirty years her pen has been
very productive-mostly in prose. Her
best known work is "Retold tales of the
hills and shores of Maine'-a very popu-
lar book Another book was published
in 1895. Mrs. Rowe is particularly happy
in her description of rural New England
life.
Miss Ella Bartlett gave very interest
ing paper on Frances Laughton Mace,
who was the daughter of the late Dr.
Simmer Laughton. Born in Orono her
first poem was published in the Water
Vile Mail when she was but twelve years
of age. Her father removed to Bangor
when she entered the high school, com
plotting the course with honor. When Is
years Of age she composed the familiar
hymn Only Waiting that has been re-
cognized all over the Union as consoling
and helpful. She has written for Harper 5
Magazine, Atlantic Monthly, Century and
Scribner' S. A volume of poems under
the title Of Lyric Legends has been
universally popular. Other poems have
been enjoyed in the same degree, and al
though a resident of California, Maine is
proud to own this talented woman.
Mss Lena Goodell gave sketches of f.
H. Costello, Grace Hodsdon Boutelle who
is rapidly making a literary reputation for
herself, David Barker and Sophie May.
Mr.. Costello has written several very
good stories and writes for young people.
David Barker, schoolmaster, lawyer
and poet, was born and reared in Exeter,
Me. His poems have warm place in the
hearts of Bangor people; that considered
best is my First Courtship.''
Rebecca Sophia Clark was born in Nor
ridgewock, 1888, and as a child was noted
for her marked beauty on account of her
pure alabasta complexion and luxuriant
brown hair. Her inner life was as beau
tiful as her physical. She has done much
in her books for young children in teach
ing lessons in truth and purity She is
still resident of Norridgewock
Blanche Willis Howard's biography is
well known throughout the United
States, and her books and their characters
were discussed at quite length.
"a Group OF Theologues, by Miss Da-
mon, was very appropriate to the occa-
sion. Among these were DR.. Roswell
Hitchcock, born at East Machias in 1917,
DR.. Enoch Pond, who was made professor
OF the Bangor Theological Seminary in
1882 and remained until his death in 1882.
DR.. Samuel Harris, born East Machias
in 1914, was graduate of Bowdoin Col
lege. In 1855 he was called to Bangor Semi
nary as professor of systematic theology
and was the author of several books on
theology.
Minot Judson Savage was born in Nor
ridgewock in 1871, graduated at Bangor
Theological Seminary in 1864. He is now
living in New York and is frequent con-
tributor to the magazines.
Miss Carrie NJ. johnson had an unusu-
ally interesting paper on Sarah Orne
Jewett. After giving a vivid description
of her features, the facts of her life were
given, so little known to the public. She
was born fifty years ago at South Berwick
Me. Her education was received at the
Berwick Academy, but deeper culture
from association with her father, a man
of keen observations and wide culture.
She has travelled extensively in Europe,
Canada and the United States. For more
than twenty years she has written her
periodicals and has published success
sion of books. ''Deephaven, publish
ed in 1877, is story of New England life
in the form of a biography and has been
very successful. The later editions are
beautifully illustrated Miss Jewett excels
in short stories, which seem to be her spec
ial gift, and her portrayal of character,
habits and speech are all perfectly true,
drawn from that very rural New England
village where she was born. The local
coloring is her chief charm. ''As a
writer Miss Jewett has been described
as water colorist,'' her sketches rest
ing upon their value, not upon dramatic
qualities or strong color. She has also
been compared to canoes. She has a
more distinct style than any other Ameri-
can woman writer.
Mrs. w. L. Miller had paper on
Frances H. Shaw, native of Maine, and
educated in this State. She has written
many poems and much in prose. As
priation'' is considered her best poem,
and was read before the club by Mrs.
Miller