Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-05-29
Greenwood.

During an outing Of eleven days, dur
ing which time we visited Locke's Mills,
West Bethel, Albany and North Water
ford we saw, heard and learned enough
to fill two or three columns If written
out in detail, but instead of that only q
few leading incidents will DO given for
want of space and time, since 1t is get
ting late.
1t is we'll known to many. but probably
not to every one, that Charles Durham
of West Bethel is our only brother, and
of family of six children we two are
the only ones now living. Also that
Joseph W. Cummings of Albany ia the
only brother of our better half, and out
of family of twelve children they two
are the only ones still living.
Both of these brothers are veterans of
the civil war and both were wounded,
the former in the leg and the latter In
the hand, thus making them cripples for
life. In view of these facts we have
made practice of visiting them once
year, usually in the spring, and while
there of calling on several other families
in the vicinity with whom we are more
or less acquainted.
While visiting Mr.. Cummings his son
Allen took us over to Albany Basins, or
rather where they used to be, since now
there is hardly vestige Of them left ex-
cept a trace of their opposite sides as
they stand at right angles to the
stream. 1t was nearly % years ago that
We visited those basins, found them
nearly perfect in form, three In number
and 80 represented on the county map.
In regard to their dimensions one writer
represents them as 80 feet deep and 40
in diameter, but how they could appear
so large is mystery unless he examined
them through a microscope. At any
rate they did not appear 80 large by
more than one-half when they were
there and ourself for the first time.
From there we rode over to North
Waterford through which the railroad is
to go-when it goes. It is busy little
village and the saw mills are making
long and short lumber as they are in
divers other places.
| The next call was on W. E. Cummings
at Hunts Corner, and found his wife get
ting along fairly we'll considering the
treatment she underwent for cancer at
the hospital recently. Also interviewed
George Cummings whose left hand was
amputated last winter. He seems to
bear his misfortune, including the death
| of his little boy, with true Spartan cour-
age.
On our way back to West Bethel we
met a man leading baby fox about six
weeks old by small chain, the little
creature often showing his wild nature
by trying to 60 the other wav. The man
had formerly been fox hunter and trap
per and gave US several points on fox
ology that were new and highly interest
ing.
Arriving at West Bethel 1t was learned
that a neighbor had been seriously in
jured the day previous, and wishing to
get the facts at first hand went out to
interview him. He was saving wood
with gasoline engine when stick was
thrown from the saw, striking him on
the face, breaking his nose and cutting q
cash in his forehead which required
several stitches to close it. The blow
knocked him senseless for a short time,
and the wonder Is that it did not kill him
on the spot.
OF course we could not think of return
ing home without calling on Edwin r.
Briggs, puzzle editor and poet. He was
feeling sad about his sons condition and
received a letter during our interview,
that he was in dying state, and the
next news We had he was dead and
buried.