The Portland daily press., 1898-09-02

outside it's bastions. 1t included within
its walls something over an acre. On
two sides were sally ports. the eastern one
! Icing sheltered by a redan of stockades
In the southwest angle was large cisern
to supply the garrison with water during
siege, and it included within Its walls
storehouses, shops, barracks and quarters
| for officers. To make it more effective
there was q protected passageway to the
] shore on the south, SO arranged as to
afford shelter for the boats belonging to
the garrison. From an old French copy
of an English map of this period it would
appear teat there was n greater depth of
water on the south shore of the point
| than there is now. During the fierce war
| which continued for several years. the
people abandoned their settlements here
abouts. but the New Casco Fort was kept
garrisoned and was under he command
Of Major March until 1907, when he was
succeeded by Major Samuel Moody VINO
held command until the close Ct the war
In 1918.
After the close of the war the suDJect
Of abandoning the forts on the eastern
frontier was considerably agltatea' we
can hardly understand the position as
surned by those opposed to maintaining
forts for the protection of our eastern
front tiers but there w S strong party IN
the House of Representatives. ol Massa-
chusetts in favor of abandoning ana even
of demclishing these necessary auJuncts
of it's sovereignty IN Maine. governor
Dudley WAS, however, wisely IN favor OF
preserving them, but when he went out
Of office in 17l5, the opportunity was
seized upon by those opposed to MS policy
and an order was hurried through the
House to demolish Caseo Fort, winch was
at once carried into execution.
/ have spoken of Capt. Ayprian Southack
that most energetic otficer, who took con-
spicuous part in the war which ragged
around Fort Casco. In one Of his letters
dated Casco Bay, May II, 1908, he writes
as follows to Governor Dudley.
"Sir on the 18th of May at two O'Clock
afternoon we got off the dead man from
Cousin IS island and no sign Of any
French or Indians about the Bay. At
seven O'Clock afternoon came down to the
fort (New Casco) and the next morning
we nuried the man at our heap OF
stones.
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morning, while at breakfast, I was called
upon by Captain Waite, now proprietor
| of a part of Fort Point, who desired me
| to 90 with him to the point and sec
relic which had just been unearthed by
| S ,me workmen who had been digging
near summer cottage recently erected.
| 1t was the skeleton of tall man, prDba-
bly, not over thirty years of age when he
died. Judging from the teeth. Across 1t
| lay long rapier, officers sword, almost
destroyed by rust, telling the tale Of a
hasty burial, and of the occupation of him
across whose breast it had been laid by
| friends, for such they must have feen
who placed it there. the burial nag been
made on q little point in an ancient Kitchen
hidden. or shell heap. probably because
a place of burial could be more EASILY pre-
pared here than in the land adjacent. 1t
| was q dry spot which would preserve suoh
| relics for long time, and there can be
| lutte doubt that we saw before us VIC
| tim OF one OF those early wars between
the English and their savage enemies
| The two heaps of stones, the pillars OF
witness could not have been far away !;
indeed, near them, WAS a fitting place for
the burial of victim IF those who had
disregarded a treaty Which these pillars
were. reared to commeIno crate. Who was
this silent guest whom we had peen sum.
Inoned to behold? He had been a child
beloved by mother; he had had friends
who wept for his loss, was he young
officer, buried on this little point 80 easily
designated that his body might II desired
| be found and removed home at some
| favorable time, or was here the remains
Of the man buried by Captain southack9
The world is full of mysteries which will
never be revealed. Who can ulravsl this
mystery of the skeleton at Fort Fointp
The party then took steamer and had a
delightful sail to Maekworth's island, the
summer home of Mr.. Baxter, where they
were delightfully."- entertained by Mr..
Baxter and family, and q delicious lunch
served. The afternoon was spent ex-
aiming Mr.. Bax ter's fine farm, and the
| retrurn was then taken to Portland, the
party reaching the city about $50
O'Clock, charmed with the celebration Of
the field day.
In the evening there was social meet
ing at the Historical society's rooms, thus
closing busy day. ga
Among the guests of the afternoon, in
addition to those who took part In the
morning ride. was Hon. Georges F.
| Emery of this city. ff
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