Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1899-08-16
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Impressions of the Tragedy at Mount
Desert Ferry.
ELLSWORTH, ale,

To the Editor Of The american:
week ago last Sunday there occurred
the worst and ssddest accident in Han
cock county since can remember. | do
not propose to describe it or write OF it, at
least not now; but to one who stood close
to the matters of that day, with heart and
ears and eyes open. there were things to
be remem oered for life. Men differ, l
know, under such OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
are dared, benumbed; others, in spite Of
themselves, have vivid impressions that
will never fade,
Amid all the horror and misery OF it,
there are some fine things to be cherished
and remem sered. Selfshness, miserable,
craven cowardice there was, too plentiful,
as there is always when five or ten e es
OF lives come instantly into the presence
of death. But there were deeds that day
that we are glad to remember, that make
US know that total deprsyity does not
exist, that tighten and gladden. he gloom
OF that awful hour.
Those OF US tho had sught to do with
the nearer view, saw many OF these deeds
that we shall keep with US, and we shall
be kinder and bit less tsithless because
OF them.
A dear old lady had gone down. When
she came to the surface her only thought
was OF dying soon and escaping the pain
and misery of longer suffering. This Was
her wish and prayer. Beside her Was a
younger woman who, in her courage and
strength, saw the hopelessness of the
~ %
OF cheer, with decisive and wise action,
she placed the arm OF the older over some
fastenings, secured herself in q like man
ner, and finding the strength OF her friend
failing, never fsltering in cheerful words,
she gathered her other hand in her own,
placed a foot beneath her head as she
| tainted, and for hslf-hour continued by
word and strength to support her, finally
calling the rescuipg party to "come and
save this dear old LADY,. They went back
for her-I hope. l would like to know
/ that woman.
| These things were multiplied many
| times. Another type is the nurse on the
train, but not on the slip, herself i'll and
unfit for duty, who for many hours so
worked In the bringing back of life and
the care OF sick, knowing its probable re-
suits, " hose faithful help as / we'll know
saved, with other means, surely two lives,
and " no is now suffering beyond endur-
snce because OF her work that day.
/ What could have been finer than the
/ hundred deeds among the guests and
| proprietors at The Bluffs. know of them
better than most others. / would like TO
recount some OF them-little things, no
doubt more or less forgotten-but | dare
not lest 1t seem fulsome praise. Surely
the guests should have given up their
rooms; no one doubts it. Surely our
American humane instincts would bid at
/ once the opening OF the hotel by guests
and proprietors. And it was done, even to
I the trunks and wardrobes OF guests aud
( landlord, The table, the help, the whole
matter, were at the disposal of those who
needed these things. All this WAS done
exactly as We expect the managers and
guests OF one OF our good houses TO do.
But there WAS more-so much more!
/ The kindliness, the readiness to do the
little things, the infinite number OF hap
penings anticipating the wishes OF these
unfortunate guests, even in the case OF the
head of tue house snd o; hers at considera
bic pecunia-y loss. ana done so cheerfuily.
AS | said above would like to ment ION
some Of these deeds and some of these
people. But | am glad to know that men
and women live " no will do these things
as SAW them done, and fee! lit bet
ter toward this old world since that day.
f,f
piles, though true ones, OF one side, the
batter side. want TO speak OF anot her.
! don't know him, nor does ne know me,
bat | take it the man who saved more
lives than any one else in the terrible
affair was the man In authority who by
some chance happened there 1t was a
most fortunate thing hat he WAS present.
II he was a friend or even acquaintance OF
mine ! should hesitate to judge him as
do. never had seen him.
In a mail way am accustomed 10 see
ing men in peril, and know little OF the
value OF level head in danger. | had lit
tie time for accurate observation, yet |
know. or at least believe, that a much
greater panic was averted, because one
man, win sns late authority, never fal-
tered or he-itated. was proud OF him,
from the time met him-quiet, calm as a
summer mor.tjHe, re~ourceful. l know.
that the lite l did was better done be-
cause met him early that day.
1t is vel for those who carry with them
and who must carry with them whet her
they will or 10, tie memory of that aw-
fol whirlpool Of human lie, to kee;
strongly to those things of which til
above are examples. Let us get from tt
awful event, so far as possible, t.
strength that comes from seeing and aG-
miring noble things.
DR.. GEORGE A. PHILLIPS
An old building OF great historic IL
] terest ha. recentlv haen taken dam y.