Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-07-25
ALLIGATOR LAKE.
Massachusetts Sportsman Writes of
John Haynes and His Camp.

WSi-hao"h tpP kNihs5sJ iiuu, " nv
first visited 1T in October, 1885, is one of
Names many lakes, beautiful sheet OF
water about four miles long and varying
in width from one-half mile to three or
four times that distance. II is located
forty miles from Bangor and four miles
from the little village OF Great Pond in
Hancock county.
Hither nearly every year for the last
twenty-o one years one or more parties OF
Springfield lovers Of the wilderness have
gone, and amply have they been repaid in
health and happiness. In this region
many lordly buck has fallen before the
rifles OF local sportsmen, says writer in
the Springfield Republican, and number
less trout and salmon have proved our
tishermen's skill. Those who have tested
Alligator lake water claim for it wonder
full medicinal qualities, which, combined
with the GLORIOUS Maine air., constitute
requisites for a sanatorium deserving OF a
larger patronage than 1t has had hitherto.
While at Alligator last summer the
writer spent an evening looking over the
camp register, or log book, and was vastly
entertained thereby. On its pages appear
the signatures of many present and
former residents OF this city, and in several
cases the records are artistieelly illustrated
by Paymaster Holt, of the Boston & Al
bany railroad, and Arthur J. Berry, form
erly Of Springfield, and now superinten-
dent of the New Home Sewing Machine
Co. needle factory at Orange.
number of veteran sportsmen, now de-
parted-Dwight Fuller, one OF the first
Springfield men who visited these shores,
Judson Strong, jr., DR.. J. X. Wiley, George
B. Clark, Horace l.. Niles, Charles II.
Allen, George II. Carter, f. L. Wesson,
John IL. Rogers, and others.
The record of the party in camp early in
October, 1891, which included Horace l..
Niles, George McGregory, Stiles Bush, II.
L. Handy, George Clark and r. V. Cooley,
states that on October 4, Niles, Bush and
Cooley captured in lake, live yearling
doe and took to Springfield. Would stand
to be petted and eat sugar from Niles
hand day after capture" This deer was
placed in our Forest park.
Another record, that of the winter party
OF 1898, illustrates the great s'chaIlenge
act'' OF Warner r. Holt and w. s. Bellows,
plunge in the ice-cold waters OF the lake
on November 10. On November 10, 1900,
Fred r. Swan killed, short distance from
this camp, one OF the largest black bears
ever taken in the State, weighing between
800 and 600 pounds. handsome rug, in
Guiding head and claws, now adorns Mr.
Swans home. Six days later Frank How
ard, OF Pittsfield, killed a smaller bear
near Alligator stream, and on November
q, 1901, Charles E. Whipple secured the
third black bear which has fallen to the
lot OF local visitors.
Record further saith that on November
Is, 1901, "Moth Balls" hove into camp
after tempestuous founder through the
snow, having been unable to start with
the balance of the party and coming in
alone after dark, over a trackless trail,
with the burden OF heavy valise; also
that on November II, 1902, said "Moth
Balls, while enjoying his after dinner
smoke in the woods, was disturbed by a
deer which bit the dust. "Moth Balls
secured his fitting and lasting title on one
of his earlier visits TO Alligator from the
fact that his fond wife had slowed away
something less than 100 balls OF moth pre-
ventive in his trunk, impregnating all his
belongings, including some cake, with
their odor.
Nearly every visitor to "Camp Union,
as it is called, has had an appropriate
title bestowed by the presiding genius,
Guide John +. Haynes, we'll beloved by all
who have been his guests Mr.. Haynes
dedicated Camp Union ON January 81,
1885, and since then has helped to make
many a Springfield man happy and
healthy. On probably only one occasion
has he ventured so far from his Businesses
as this city. Many a local man thinks
lovingly of Alligator lake and John
Haynes each day OF fifty weeks OF the
year, planning to visit both the other two
weeks. In this case realization Is always
greater than anticipation.
Women have tested the joys OF Camp
Union, and always with satisfactory re-
suits. Or. and Mrs. F. w. Hudson have
been there several times and last year took
Misses Jane F. Paige, of Westtield, and
Carolyn l.. Duncan, of Newtonville, with
them, remaining from July l to IS, fol-
lowed on August by party OF seven, in
Guiding Mr.. and Mrs. Mark Aitken, Miss 5.
Francis, of Springfield, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Warner r. Holt and their nine-years- old
SON, Arthur, of Newton Center, arriving
for a fortnights stay, which passed all too
soon.
Leaving Springfield on An afternoon
Boston and Albany train the party made
close connections in Boston with the 9.45
p. m. Boston 4 Maine and Maine
Central train due in Bangor at 4.50 a. IN.
There Liveryman NJ. F. Bracket, with
his four seated blackboard and four horses,
met the party and hurried them eleven
miles through the town of Brewer to Ed
dington, where they had delectable
breakfast at ''The Ellington, a refuge for
wayfarers deservedly celebrated far and