The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-11
NAMES OF MAINE ISLANDS.
Many of Them Come from Physical
characteristics.

Summer visitors to Maine often mar
vel at the peculiar names of the IS
lands that are scattered along the
coast, and are curioEs as to the origin
and meaning of many of the appella-
lions. While seemingly strange, these
names are in nearly every instance
altogether appropriate and often
graphically descriptive.
RutherfordS Island was named for
the first minister who established
parish in Bristol. and to whom the
town gave the island in payment of ar
rears in salary. Heron Island was, until
bers of these birds, which came annu
allv and made their nests in the tall
pines and sDruces along the shores
Ram Island was once the home OF
fighting buck, which disputed the right
Of any one to land there. Fish Hawk
Island was once the resting place OF
those keen-eyed foragers of the sea-
Devils Limb. Devils Rock and Dew
IFS ELBOW are so named because OF
evil characteristics or suggestive form
atoms. Hog Island was once inhabited
bv manv swine which ran wild and
lived on mice and snakes. which were
then plentiful there. Mouse Island was
infested by countless numbers of these
little rodents-a wood species, origin
unknown, found on islands lying far
of the coast. This species of mice
never enter human habitation
Squirrel Island was once the summer
rels, which annually, in June, came
down from the inland woods to the
seacoast just as human beings do now
Red squirrels are found on most of the
Islands, and are a great bother to visi-
tors, as they prefer to build their nests
in cottages rather than in trees.
Haddock Island was so named be-
cause of great catches of paddock in
and The Old Woman were named by
fishermen who fancied that in these
two rocky islets they saw a resem-
olance TO an aged couple
in loving companionship.. Har~
pooh Island is so called from
the fact than an ancient harpoon was
once unearthed on its shore. Killick>
stone Island gets its name from the
fact that its beach is strewn with
stones of the right weight and shape
for fishefmen's anchors Hungry
Island is a very barren place, and Cub
Island was the nesting place of great
hooks of beautiful seagulls. The gulls
were killed in thousands and their eggs
gathered for food until the United
States government put stop to it
High Island is very lofty; Cow Island
was formerly used as pasturing
place. the cattle being carried to and
from the mainland in scows; Thief
Island is so called because a famous
robber was captured there.
various derivations are given for the
name OF Monhegan, but the coast peo-
pie are satisfied that it comes from the
observe ton of an Indian chief who
upon finding that some early voyagers
who had landed upon the island had
left exclaimed, ''Man-he-gone," The
Bush Island got its name from two
bushes that for many years were dis
tinctly visible from the sea; Old Hump
from its resemblance to q hump back
whale; The Hypocrites from their de-
ceiving lodges; Hatchet Island from
stone ak found there: Fort Island from
a redoubt that WIS built there by white
settlers as a refuge from Indians;
Gangway Island from a rocky forma-
ton upon its shore resembling the
gangway of a ship.-New York Tri-
bune