Amador ledger., 1903-05-15
SOME QUEER NAMES.
NAMES COAST ISLANDS AND THEIR
PECULIAR DESIGNATIONS.

The Animal Kingdom, Household
Articles and shipping Terms Fig
ure COnspicuously, and His Satanic
Majesty Is Not Forgotten.
Ii would be almost impossible to emu
merate the names of islands along the
coast of Maine. They cover almost ev-
cry article of household use, as well
MS gear pertaining to vessels. The AMI
maj kingdom figures conspicuously as
well as his Satanic Majesty. Just how
the names were derived no one seems
to be able to determine. Some were
named for early inhabitants squatting
thereon and getting a living from the
sea, others from incidents that have
taken place to sailors and fishermen
who have been their visitors.
E,fsherford's island was named from
the first minister who established a
parish in Bristol, and owing to his sal
airy, which was In arrears, the town
gave him a title to the entire island.
Heron island was up to recent years
the home of vast number of these
birds, which came annually and made
their nests in the top of the tall pines
and spruces which lined the shores.
Ram island was once the home of q
fighting buck which disputed the right
of any one to land there. Fishhawk
island was once the favorite resting
place of these keen eyed foragers of
the sea.
Devils Limb, DEVILS Rock and Dew
lis Elbow represent the head fireman
of the lower regions. Hog island was
once inhabited by thrifty number of
these domestic adjuncts, which ran
wild and lived on the snakes and mice,
which were plentiful Mouse island
was once infested by these rodents, as
are most of the other islands. They are
wood species and do not trouble hu-
man habitations. Just where they came
from no one knows. They are found
on islands far out from the shore
Squirrel island was once the home of
a large colony of gray squirrels which
came down to the seashore every seven
years from the inland woods. Red
squirrels are found on most of the is
lands and are not desirable residents,
for they prefer to nest in unoccupied
cottages.
Haddock island was so named from
this useful little fish, which are caught
in large quantities about its shores
Old Man and Old Woman were named
by the fishermen from supposed re-
semblance. Harpoon island from this
implement. which was dug out of the
sand there; Killickstone island because
it contained these stones for the fisher
men's use. Hungry island because of
its barren condition. Gull island is the
home of this sea bird, and its eggs,
which abound there. were often gath
cred for eating purposes until Uncle
sam put stop to it; High island for
its wooded head that looks out over
the surrounding country; Cow island
was once used as a pasture, and the
animals were transferred In scows;
Thief island from culprit who was
captured there.
Damariscotta was named by the In
dians, who made 1t a resort for pow
vows, Thrum Cup from Its peculiar
formation. Monehegan once during the
war deserted by the white, the Indian
chief landing there said, "Man he
gone" Two Bush island from two
bushes that could be seen from the
sea, Old Hump from it's resemblance to
whale back, the Hypocrites from
their deceiving lodges, which have
lured many a vessel to destruction;
Hatchet island from a stone ak used
by the Indians and found there.
Witch island was known as "Stew-
arts" 200 years ago from a supposed
owner. Two cellars and stone wall
are all the early history that is left.
Fore island from the redoubt built
there as refuge from Indian at
tacks, Gangway island from its pecul-
lar resemblance to this ships article.
Sequin island was SO named by Mogg,
chief Of the Canibas tribe of Indians,
who, discovering the white inhabitants
trying to secrete themselves in q small
cave on one side, said, "See go in"
Beaver island, in Johns bay, from
the English man-of-war named Bea-
yer that anchored behind it and
shelled the fort at Pemaquid. White is
lands are so named from the high bluff
of feldspar that glistens in the sun
light, the Motions, off Booth bay, be-
cause they are always agitated, both at
high and low water; the Washbowl
from its general resemblance to this
useful article, Peters island from an
early owner, known as the haunted is
land. Fishermen's has always been a
favorite resort for the lobster catchers,
Hen Cackle from the chickens once
raised there. Turney island from its
peculiar soil.
Needles Eye is off Thrum Cap and
forms the outer ledge of the Thread of
Life. 1t is the most treacherous point
on our shore, and many vessels have
gone to pieces there. Various other
names are found not far from here
Bulldog, Niger, Kents, Fosters, Mer-
~ island, Little Gins and Skunks Mis-
cry. Many of these islands have pecul-
lar stories associated with them.
Another reason for the name Mouse
island is its outline, which certainly re-
sembles mouse extended, with its
tail outstretched.-New York Tele-
gram.