The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-11-07
courses in the veins of thousands of
his descendants. That blood has en-

courses IN the veins OF thousands OF
his descendants. That blood has en-
riched the purpling slopes Of the sunny
South, and dyed crimson the alkaline
plains of the far West. It has follow
ed the flag" to Cuba and poured its
tribute in the long grass on the palm
clad hill of Ell Caney; and in the far
away Philippines, the same old blood
follows the Stars and Stripes. From
the rock-bound coast of Maine to the
Golden Gate and the open door OF
Puget Sound, the descendants OF John
Brown may be found. Many have
achieved wealth and fame and culture,
and have never heard of single case
of criminology among the descendants.
The old burying- ground, which occu-
winding Penobscot, has fallen into dis
use. There is a good fence around it
which guards it from marauding cattle,
but the long grass is never moved, and
many of the old slate head-stones,
handsome and imposing in their day,
have fallen over, and are nearly hidden
by the long grass. Among those pros
trate markers are those of John Brown
senior and junior. With infinite pains
we cleared away the dead grass enough
to read that John Brown, Senior, died
May 10, 1917, and Mary, his wife, died
in 1913; that John Brown, IT., died
October 10, 1924, his 'consort' Ruth in
1898, and his second wife, Sarah, in 1S19
The five sisters who met in Belfast that
summer, children of Harriet Brown
Clark, John Brown, Juniors, youngest
daughter), resolved that they would try
and have the stones preserved in some
suitable manner. and was detailed to
do the corresponding and interest some
of the descendants, to the end that we
might have preserved for ages to come
the record of this God-fearing honest
man and patriot. A busy professional
life gives me very little time for clerical
work outside of my own business, I'd
more than two years have flown since
our resolution was taken.
l have had plan drawn of rough
granite base, weighing some five tons,
which is smoothed on one side, to allow
the old stones to be placed on it at an
easy angle The lower parts of the old
stones, which were simply set into the
ground without foundation of any kind,
will be cut off to make them of good
proportions, but not to interfere with
the inscriptions. The names will all be
recut. and the stones fastened on the
boulder with copper bowels. Thus ar
ranged, they will be unmindful of the
frosts as the boulder will be so heavy
it will need no foundation. A Belfast
stone dealer has arranged to do the work
at an expense not to exceed $40. Half
of this sum has already been sent by
those who are anxious that the record
of our ancestor shall be preserved.
Mrs. Sarah c. sherman zone of the
great grandchildren who lives in East
Belfast, will receive contributions and
receipt for them, OF, if preferred, they
can be sent to me, as | hold that which
has been contributed. | feel sure that
you will wish to add your mite, and
thus make the interest more general in
the matter ! would further suggest
the sum of 81 zone dollar as suitable
contribution. although a larger sum
will by no means be refused. If the
preparing this letter will serve to arouse
your interest in the matter, and help
you to think with pride and admiration
of the sturdy, upright and honest old
John Brown. shall feel more than paid
for my trouble. 1t will not be long be-
fore the great grandchildfe of the old
patriot will all be accounted for i'll the
realm beyond the river, but before |
am called hence desire to see the old
records placed in position where they
will defy the elements for centuries to
come.
Believe me, most faithfully,
Your cousin and kinswoman,
Mrs. HELEN n. PACKARD,
Box SO, Springfield, Mass.