Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-07-11
A BRAVE GIRL.


About two weeks ago the farm build
inxs owned by John J. Towle, Jr., o
Dixfield, were struck by lightning an,
burned. The house was built OF bricl
and was two-story house, which wheI
built more than seventy years ago, mus,
hate BEEN regarded as pretentious man
sion.
Jonathan Holman Of Sutton, Mass.
WAS captain In the French and lndiar
war" He was colonel In the Revo
lutionsry war and one Of the seven Hol
mans from Sutton who ser.ed In tn
ranks OF the continental army durins
our struggle for independence. He wa.
one Of the propric,ors Of Township No
l, on the north side Of the Androscoggir
River. 10 the Province Of Maine, which
township included the towns OF Dixfleld
and Mexico OF to-day. By the provision
of his will, "seven rights" which be
owned In said township, passed In un.
Owed thirds to three OF his sons-Jons.
than, Peter and Ebenezer.
Ebenezer built q two-story house
about three-fourths Of mile from Dix
field Common or Centre, on the west
side OF the road leading from the lower
end OF Dixfeld Village TO the Centre
Peter built two-story house at the Cen
tire; and Jonathan built the brick house
mentioned above, about mile from the
Centre, on the road that the writer pre-
sumes was the direct route, st that time,
70 East Dixfield and Wilton.
Nv father married daughter Of Peter
Holman. she being q sister to John j.
who for many years was one OF Dixfield's
most prominent men. Ny father was q
"bound appreutice" to - Allen, who
Was drowned at Shows Falls In Paris
many years ago, and whose remains
terry 10 Paris. After the death Of Mr..
Allen my father continued 10 reside In
Msine, and went with Nicholas Chesley,
who, l think, Was Paris man, and an
excellent house carpenter, TO erect the
house for Peter Holman.
Jonathan, (tbe son Of Col. JonSthsn)
died many years ago, not so long ago,
however, that do not remember him.
Peter died so long ago that have no
recollection OF him, although I attended
the funeral Of his widow. Ebenexer
lived TO the extraordinary age OF lC3
years. Amssa Holman, q son Of the
second Jonathan, by marriage, II not
more closely, WAS relstive OF the Part
ridges of Paris.
The "Proprietors OF Township No. 1"
held many Of their proprietary meetings
at James Freelsnd's inn In Sutton-this
James Freeland Is Of one branch Of the
Marbles, Carriers, and perhaps Of others
known In Paris and Bethel.
the history OF Sutton
with the histories OF Paris and Bethel,
one qualified to do the work, could give
Oxford County readers some interesting
genealogical facts.
But what l started to do was 10 men
ton the fact that Mr.. Towle, whose
were burned, has a daughter
lG years old, who Is 3 cool, clear headed,
brave little miss. Mr.. Towle was away
at the time Of the fire and did not reach
his family until his buildings were as
one man told II "a clean sweep" The
loud clap Of thunder following the sharp
n ssh Of lightning, which caused the fire,
came 80 quickly after the fash that some
Of those in the house remarked thst ait
must nave etruCk TIE udTu. On iooA-
Ing out, they found II had, and even then
the fire was rapidly at work.
Mr.. Towle's cows were In the barn
yard. The daughter vert out, drove the
cows from the yard, called younger
sister and told her TO drive them into
the pasture and put the bars up. Then
the girl wrapped her apron around her
head, went into the stable and got the
one horse, led 1t out and placed or
eau sed IL to be placed beyond danger,
went back, threw harness and robes into
the covered buggy, and hauled that
away from danger. Then she called at
tention 20 the swine and ordered the
hired man TO save or try 10 save them.
He seemed TO be dazed or fearful and did
not warm up to the occasion, but just
then Mr.. Harvey, q neighbor, reached
them, the girl told him where the hogs
were, and they were driven away and
saved. Ali this accomplished, she went
TO the house, carried her bicycle to a
place Of safety, and then helped clear
the furniture from the house. Luckily
the furniture loss was small.
III. W. PARK