Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-02-13
A Lighthouse Keepers Plucky Daughte


One of the first lighthouses established
on the Maine coast was that at Matini-
Gus Island in 1927, This island is TWEEN,
ts-tive miles off the mainland and the
keepers then had hard times indeed. For
/ a long time this light was tended nv the
deughter OF the keeper while he was alb.
sent ON numerous fishing trips.
Samuel Burgess was appointed to the
light in 1855 and 10 Abbie, his 14-year-
old daughter. much os the care Of the
light was left. The keepers family con-
SISTED of an invalid wife. four small
! daughters and son. During the absence
OF the keeper the whole care of the two
lights fell to Ahbe She is recorded as
saying IN her modest way. Il took a great
deal Of pride in my lighthouse work and
tried to do my duty"
On the morning Of January 10. 1856.
when she was Il years old. terrific gale.
the one which carried away the first light
house erected on Minot's Ledge. visited
the rock. Her father was away The
story of that storm, which prevented a
landing on the rock for four weeks. is
wildly told in a letter the girl wrote to
friend. This is what the brave girl wrote
Dear : You have often ex-
pressed a desire to view the sea out upon
the ocean when it was angry. Had you
been here on the 10Th of January | sur
mise YOU would have been satisfied. Faith
el was away. Early in the day the tide
arose. the sea made Il complete beach over
the rock. washing every movable thing
way, and of the old dwelling not one
stone was left upon another. The new
building was flooded, and the windows
had to be secured to prevent the violence
OF the spray from breaking them in As
the tide came in, the sea rose higher and
higher, till the only cndurabe places were
the light towers. If they stood we were
saved; otherwise our fate was only too
certain. But for some reason, ! kr, W not
why | had no misgiyings, and | Mect on
with my work as usual. For four weeks
owing to rough weather. no landing could
be effected on the rock. During this time
we were without the assistance of any
male member of our family. Though NJ
times greatly exhausted with my labors
not once did the lights fail. Under God
! was able to perform all my accustomed
duties as well as my fathers.
You know the hens We're our only
companions. Becoming convinced as the
gale increased. that unless they were
brought into the house, they would he
lost, said to mother: 1 must Try to
save them She advised me not to at
tempt it. The thought, however. of part
ing with them without an effort was not
TO be endured, so, Selling Il basket.
Ath 0til a ANW dtNs 1Aitf lit IblltES ifti
passed and the sea fell off a little. with
the water knee deep, 10 the coop. and
rescued all but one. 1T was the work
of moment. and | was back in the
house with the door fastened, but | came
none too quick, for at that instant nay
little sister. standing at the window. eX-
claimed: Oh look Look here, The
worst sea is coming" That wave de-
stroyed the old dwelling and swept the
rock. | cannot think yon would enjoy
remaining here any length of time for
the sea is never still, and when agitated
| its roar shuts out every storm, even
drowning our voices.
That spring Mr.. Burgess left the rock
to collect his salary and secure needed
provisions. He was prevented from re-
turning by the weather, and the supply
Of food became short. Starvation star
ing them in the face. the son started
alone for the mainland in small boat
He was not seen for twenty-one days
after his boat disappeared over tue crest
of n wave in the distance In the mean
time the mother and dauhgters were
obliged to stibslst on cup of cornmeal
and one egg each day, nj the same time
in state of uncertainty about the safety
of the father and brother. Through all
this time Abbie cared for the light and
for her sick mother, by her cheerful spirit
keeping their spirits up. The father and
son returned safely.
A little romance grew out Of her knowl-
edge of the operation of lighthouses.
When her father was relieved from his
duties in 1861. and Capt. Grant and his
son came to the rock to take charge Of
the lights, she instructed them in the
/ operation Of the lights. Later in the
year she was married to the son. She
remained on the rock until 1879, then
the mother Of four children, when. a va
eancy occurring at the White Head light,
Me. her husband was appointed Keeper
and she his assistant. They remained
there for many yeafs.--Somerville Jour
nal.