Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-06-22
A FLAG wiTH A HISTORY.
Owned by William p. Prebie, of Gran.
berry Isles

berry Isles.
William p. Preble, of Gran berry Isles
has In his possession an American flag
that has history.
A generation ago party strife in Hancock
county was quite as active as 1t is now,
and far more acrimonious. Even in the
patriotic celebrations, like that OF the
Fourth OF July, the leaders OF the two
parties strove to Guido the others.
On one occasion some OF the members
OF the dominant party conceived the
idea that 1t would be grand thing to
obtain very large flag 10 quiet way,
and thereby surprise the other party, ana
certain few authorized the then Gus
house officer, collector OF the port OF
Ellsworth, to obtain the flag, assuring
him that they would pay for it II he
would send nway and get one.
He ordered the flag and the bill was
paid. After the flag was obtained, no one
offered to pay him anything, and he took
the flag to the custom house.
Two other Fourths rolled around and
he committee OF the celebration each
time came to borrow the flag. And al
though the Gust ON house officer loaned
it, without saying anything. yet be did
much thinking before expressing himself
| verbally.
On the afternoon OF July 8, previous to
| the fourth celebration after the flag was
obtained, Mr.. Preble happened to be in
Ellsworth on business, and in speaking Of
the coming celebration with the custom
house officer, who was an Intimate friend,
though political foe, he said:
"Preble, you are going home to cele-
brate. have flag that has done duty
here in Ellsworth for three Fourths for
my own party, aud not SO much as a
thank you have I got. The committee
will be after that flag his afternoon, aud
II you will give me just half price
for that flag, 1t Is yours to wave over
Gran berry Isles to- morrow"
sThe bargain was closed, and NJ Prehie
was counting out the money when In
rushed Mr.. - saying:
Isaac, we want your flag to raise at the
early dawn tomorrow"
Mr.. Preble held the money in his hand,
and the flag lay in chair between him
and the officer. He hardly knew what to
do, as the agreement had been only
verba. The Gust ON house officer said
without even giancing at his visitor:
"Gve me that money, Preble."
He took II in one hand, picked up the
flag with the other, and tossed the flag
into Preble's lap. Then turning to his
visitor be calmly said:
~ have no flag to lend now, as Preble
has just purchased it to wave himself on
Cranberry Isles Tomorrow"
There were no steam cars in those days,
but the committee, not to be outdone by
the custom house officer, Immediately
sent a messenger to Bangor, and had its
counterpart waving shortly after O'Clock
the next morning, and doubtless it was
paid for, but "Isaac" was not called upon
to assist In paying for it.
Thirty-seven years ago last Fourth the
Union meeting house at Cranberry Isles
was under construction, and a celebration
was in progress on Big Cranberry, and 1t
seemed dssirous to hoist flag on the
meeting house. With great difficulty the
men rugged that flag to a staff and nailed
it on the house at early dawn. Mr.
Preble, looking from the window OF his
home, was surprised and Mortified to zee
the beautiful flag waving so grandly in
the early morning-Union down. He
rushed to the meeting house only 10 fno
the men had gone home for breakfast,
thih king they had done commendsble
act in getting the flag flying before its
owner arose. 1t was right after long
delay, but not before nearly every person
| on the island looked and commented
n NON it,