The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-31
HE WAS PILOT
OF THE WOODS
Adirondack" Murray Fully
Describes John PIumbIy.
WAS MOST REMARKABLE man.
Could TraVll In the Woods al All Hours,
= aad Was Not Dependent on Sun,
~ Moon or Stars.

John Plumbly. who guided the Rev. w.
III. ii. Murray through the Adirondacks
when the latter was laying the founda-
tion for his fascinating book on that will
derness more than 20 years ago. died re-
Gently
Mr. Murray. now living I'm Guilford. Conn.
has prepared new LECTURE on "Old-Time
Life and Guides In the Adrondacks," in
which he pays this tribute to his old
friend:
'He taught me a faultless knowledge of
the woods. the name and nature OF plant
and herb and tree. the languages of the
night and the 9ocultism OF silent places
and soundless shores.
II nunderingyH .expounded to him the
knowledge OF & skies. the names OF the
stars, OF plan&teSand consultations, and
OF the splend2< Deyond that was invisible
as yet, and would forever be luntil our
eyes became clearer and purer.
He had most gentle and manneriy
reticenoe, and that sweetest OF all habits
in man or woman-the habit Of silence.
WAS REMARKABLE MAN.
He could look and see. listen and hear,
and sag nothing. He was natured for re-
ception of all fine impressions. that come
10 tho best and the finest OF the earth out
OF the still depths OF woods and the quiet
ude OF far-reaching, moon-lighted waters.
His knowledge of woodcraft was. intui-
tive.
He knew the points OF the compass
sensationaily. He was an atom whose ma
ture mysteriously held IL in reciprocal
connection with the magnetic currents OF
the world In the densest woods, ON the
darkest nights. he was never bewildered,
never at fault.
He was independent OF sun, or moon.
or stars. He could lay his course with
out sight. All trails were blazed trails to
him. In the tangle of swamps. I'm the hor-
rble interlacing of windfalls, amidst
darkness which made eyes vain, he held
steadily oil the course that could save.
HE was the only guide | ever knew OF
either race-red or whitehall could not
| In any circumstance lose himself or his
way.
"They tell mo that he Is dead IL is a
| foolish fashion of speech. and not true.
| Not until the woods are destroyed to the
| last tree, the mountains crumbled TO their
| bases, the lakes and streams dried up to
their parchod beds, and the woods and
| wood life are forgotten. viii the saying
| become fact.
TYPE THAT IS DEATHLEss.
For John Plumbly was so much of the
| woods. the mountains. and the streams
| that he personihed them. He was OF a
| type that is deathless.
Memory. affection, Imagination. liter
| ature. until these die the great guide OF
the woods will live with ever-enlarging
| ufe az the years are added 10 years and
! the lovers of nature and of sport multi
| ply.
Thou rememberest the signal I was
/ wonted to give thee when coming up the
| river through the mist and the cleaning ?
4 Thou shalt hear echoes of the piece later
on. as L am borne down the river men
boat on but once. seeking signs of the
shore where thou hast found quiet camp.
| Honest John.
| Happy meeting and good cheer God
/ grant US, old friend. And goodly souls
| will join us as the years drop away. and
| the fellowship OF wood lovers and wood
saints will be ours forever and ever"