The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1906-08-23
AN ARTIST.EXPLORER.
Hart L. Woodcock to Visit a Haunted
Island in the Bahama Group.

Hart L. W0OdcOck to Visit haunted
Island in the Bahama Group.
Hart l.. Woodcock of Belfast, the
artist was in town the other day call
ing on friends and happened to mentlon
a somewhat remarkable trip which he
expects to take with party OF Nassau
| friends next fall to haunted Island IN
the Bahama group, in the interior OF
which white man has never yet set
| foot so far as known.
Mr.. Woodcock goes to n assau on Ihe
| island of New Providence III tne Ba-
| hama's every winter. lie palnts IN
| water colors the charming scenery OF
Nassau and the quaint bits OF NE tnat
are so much sought by VISITORS 10 tnls
| famous winter resort. The marine PIC
| lures of Mr.. Woodcock i'll particular
| are among the finest OF any New Eng
land artist, and he is rapidly becoming
recognized as a leader among marine
water color painters.
| In summer MI. WoodcOck goes to
| the island of Criehaven near Matlnlcus,
| where he paints the rocks and the sea
in her many moods, and characteristic
bits from the lives of the fisher FOLK.
Bangor people know this work well
and have for a long time admired ana
| appreciated 1t.
Ir. Woodcock will go to Nassau
ca ier than ever this year, since he has
been invited by friends there to take
part in what in these prosalc days and
times will be most novel and interest
ing adventure.
Something less than 100 miles from
New Providence lies the Island OF
Inaugua, one of the southernmoSt OF
hn bo re
square miles, and it is populated by
natives almost entirely, there being
only one white man there. He is
missionary preacher.
Out of the center of this island flows
creek, one of the few that occur in
the Bahama Islands. The farthest IN
terror Of the island has never been ex-
plored by a white man, it is sald and
it is this that the Nassau party pro-
poses to accomplish.
No native of New Providence will
ascend the creek or 60 On foot into the
interior They have an everything SUI
perstition and fear of the place, saying
when questioned that there are devils
there-yahoos they call them, men COW
cred with hair.
No amount of money can induce a
Nassau negro to make the trip and the
party will have to be content with hir-
ing the half civilized natives of the is
land of Inaugua itself for bearers and
road cutters. Even these negroes,
born and bred on the island have no
love for exploring its inland heart, and
considerable lnducement will be needed
to obtain their services. There is some
thing uncanny about the place which
causes men to shrink from disturbing
its natural peace.
The stream which cuts the island is
shallow and rapid, and for purposes of
ascent Mr.. Woodcock will take with
him one or two Maine built canvas
canoes, which he believes to be the best
possible craft for such work. Light
boats or RATS will also be used, if prac-
ticable, to carry the camp equipment
and provisions, but no one knows how
far the creek may be navigable even for
light craft, so enough natives will be
taken along to pack the camp outfit if
necessary.
The party is determined to thorough
ly explore the interior of the island
and to discover, if possible, the cause
of the ancient fears of the Bahama
natives concerning it. 1t is thought
that the yahoos may be large species
of monkey, or possibly ape, not found
on the other islands or they may be-
what.
The native population of the island
is said to be densely ignorant, having
but few historical traditions and no
legends of the islands early settlement.
Wild horses in great numbers are
found there and it is thought that they
are descendants of the animals brought
by the early Spanish settlers. This
and the curious superstition about
peculiar race of men inhabiting the in
terror make sufficiently interesting
object for the trip and the members OF
the proposed party are looking forward
| with much earnestness for the time to
arrive.
The start will be made from Nassau
in November, when a schooner will be
| chartered for the trip. 1t will anchor
off the mouth of the creek and will re-
main there as sort of base while the
| party travels into the inland recesses
of the island
| There are known to be a number of
caves on the island and this brings up
! countless possibilities and wild specu-
lations as to what this voyage of dis
covery may lead.-Bangor Commercial.