Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-11-12
CRIEHAvEN.
An Interesting but not weIi-Known
Bit of Maine.

An Interesting but not WeIi-Known
Bit of Maine.
The maps OF tue United States coast
survey show long narrow strip OF land
on the border line between Penobscot
BAY aad the Atlantic ocean, says cor
respondent OF the Portland PYess. 1t is
known on the charts as Ragged Island,
but sentimental summer residents have
named II Criehaven In honor OF old John
erie, bearded Scotchman who settled
here among the rocks more Than half
century ago.
The regular ali-the-year residents now
number forty-two, but in July and Au-
gust, when the vacation tourists invade
the place. there are often from eighty to
100 persons living among the rocks ard
taking on heavy coats OF tan from the
fresh see breezes.
Students of social problems say that
residents OF this community have more
OF the real comforts OF life and less OF
iife's worries than any other people on the
globe. The island is under no form OF
government, and, though it is q part OF
the State OF Maine. the people pay no
taxes and have no officers OF any kind.
There is not a rat or a mouse In ali OF
its mile and a half of rocky length and
its half-miIe OF ledgy width. There are
no bugs In the beds, no reaches In the
pantries, no cats or dogs behind the
stoves, and no mosquitoes In the fresh
pools Of crystal water.
The island has no church in which to
worship, and no Clergyman TO tell the
people whether they are doing right or
wrong. No lawyer ever resided here and
no sheriff or constable ever came to issue
summons or to serve processes.
A kindly doctor, who lives in Rockiapd,
Is the only physician who makes pro-
fessjonai visits TO the place, and he is told
when to come by carrier pigeons, which
fly to the mainland faster han any steam
boat can take the message. As soon as
the physician receives call he iiberates
a pigeon from his loft, which bears
message, telling when to send a boat to
meet him at Matinicus, so that there may
be no delay.
There are eight COWS and three horses
on the island, but not mile OF road for
them to travel in. The horses are used
for hauling up boats, the cows give milk
for visitors. Every body. walks by Wet
worn footpatbs, which were origiua y
laid out by the cows while seeking flesh
feed among the boulders.
A summer visitor brought on bicycle
last July, but she could not use ii aud
the wheel is still in storage awaitii
shipment back To Boston.
The chief and practically the only oc-
capation OF the residents is catching lob
sters in pots covered with netting. Ev-
cry person tries 10 capture enough every
day to bring So, which is easily done when
HOLSTERS are sold to the steamers for If
teen cents a pound. As 1t takes only
about two hours to tend the lobster pots,
the islanders spend the rest of their time
in building boats, whiting driftwood
and eating HOLSTERS which are too short to
sell.
John Erickson, a gigantic Swede, is the
only celebrated man on the island. He
Ia six feet Iall, weighs 23i pounds, and
every body believes him to be the most
powerful man on earth. They talk about
his feats OF strength by the month. Last
summer, when the new iron keel for Capt.
Jones' sloop yacht came to the island by
steam, and was put on the wharf, men
wen to catch the horses TO haul the heavy
length OF iron up the pier and around to
the yard. While they were away Erick-
son spat on his hands, took up the keel
and did not put it down until he had
placed 1t under the bottom OF the yacht.
The distance was 623 feet, and the
weight OF the keel is 1 ,o40 pounds.
son of Erickson, John jr., went to
school until he weighed more than the