Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-04-26

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Penobscot bay, its islands and the interior
towards Bangor is obtained.
Once on time Verona had postofiice
OF its own, where the inhabitants could
go, get their mail, discuss politics, crop
conditions and the outlook for the fishing
season. Not so now. The postoffice
ceased to be about six years ago, when the
postoffice department decided that there
was not enough business to warrant its
maintenance, when it was so convenient
for the Veronsites to walk across the long
Spite drawbridge to Bucksport, where
there was an office Of size and get their
mail.
Maybe the department thought that the
exercise would do them good or that by
making the trip to Bucksport they would
have larger field for gossip, but it is
more than probable that neither Of these
was right. Were it up to me to hazard
a guess as to why the Office was abolished,
should say that il was because the man
who had been postmaster and who had
conducted the only store of which the
town could boast went out OF business.
Undoubtedly that was the true reason.
Since that tame Verona has had neither
store nor postoftice, but the people have
got along very we'll, for it is handy to the
Bncksport stores, and now they've got
rural free delivery, so that they don't
much mind the loss of the postoffice,
4hnt,srI, sl,nr- "a Tor a fg,s ,-.ara
No difficulty is had by the townspeople
in naming the roads of the island On
this point they have big advantage over
most towns. They've got names and to
spare, though it is possible that some day
this may be changed. The main road is
long one, longer than that in some of
the cities, for it is ten miles from its start
to its terminus. which, by the way, is at
the starting point, for ii runs around the
island Next there is a short road some
800 yards ng, leading from this main road
down by the Mckay q Dix shipyard an
eighth of mile further down the island
is another of about half that length
which leads up to the schoolhouse at the
head OF the island, while mile down is
another short stretch. which goes to the
grounds of the Maine Spiritual camp
ground association. These are all the
thoroughfares which the town has to
care for. There are some lanes leading to
farmhouses situated a long distance from
the road, but they'are private ways.
Beside the plant of Mckay & Dix, and
near the shore of the island, stands a
house, which is one OF the interesting OBJ
jects of the island which Is always shown
TO visitors. This housa is, no doubt, un-
like any other in Maine. II is cosy and
hcmelike, but every bit OF timber and
board in 1t was picked up in the river as it
fioated by. For the most part the board
ing Is nothing but slabs, the waste OF tine
up-rivcr sawmills. 1t was built in the late
COS by a man named Brown, but is now
owned by a. W. Wardwel.
In the matter of education the town is
not behind its neighbors, for while il has
population OF but 23i and but n polls il
maintains three schools, one at the head
Of the island, one GA the west side near
the foot OF the island, and the third ON
the cast side, about half way from the
head to the foot.
But in the way of religious worship the
inhabitants must 20 to Bucksport or stay
month at the park in the summer time
For medical attendance, as well as legal
advice, the people OF the town must go to
Bucksport. for there is neither doctor nor
lawyer on the island any more than there
is telephone, telegraph or express office.
Had Mr.. Delano been SO disposed when
he was talking with me, he might have
said, and with truth:
'rain't right that Bucksport should
get the credit for salmon and smelts
shipped from there in season; they're
caught in Verona waters"
But he wasn't so disposed; still it is
true. People tell about getting Penobscot
salmon caught at Bueksport. They would
be right did they say from Bucksport, for
that is the shipping point, but the fact is
that the most of the salmon and smelts
shipped from Bucksport are caught in
Verona weirs. At the head of the island
and in plain view of the entire main street
OF Bucksport are the Whitmore weirs In
them are taken as many salmon each
spring as in any other weir along the
river. From there, extending completely
around the island, are W eirs, and in them
are taken scores of salmon every year
The majority OF the big, toothsome
smelts which are shipped from Bucksport
each winter are taken in the nets which
are hung from the old Verona bridge
which connects Bucksport with the island
And so | say Mr.. Delano might have
said. with trufh. - NTaiuff right y