Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-05-08
MA'AM MAsON's BEANS.
Once the Wonder of Maine Their
Memory Still fingers.
From Youths Companion.l


A few years ago workmen excavating
for the foundation Of q summer hotel at
Bluehill, on the Maine coast, rnearthed .
mass OF solid brick masonry. Its origin
was something Of mystery until one Of
the oldest inhabitants explained the find
as beyond q doubt the remains OF Mrs.
Mason's famous "bean-kiln."
Mention OF "Ma'am" Mason's beans
even now arouses the enthusiasm OF the
surviving few OF the many who feasted on
the delectable morsels fifty and more years
ago, and memories Of the bean-kiln are
still fragrant.
In the early '40's the brickmaking BUSH
ness was active at Bluehill. A large de-
post OF the right kind OF clay, a conven-
lent supply OF suitable sand and excellent
shipping facilities, all contributed to the
success of the industry. Millions OF
bricks were made there, and shipped to
Boston in the little packets. Many a
structure is still standing in Boston built
OF Bluehill bricks.
The "brick king" Of Bluehill was Capt.
Jedediah Mason. He was typical
Yankee; shrewd, enterprising and, il such
would have been called a ''hustler." He
had the largest yard, employed more men
and shipped more bricks than any two of
the other landowners. In order to get all
there was in the way Of margins in the
business he boarded most Of his workmen
in his great house, which was as large as
some Of the taverns Of those days.
The staple and steady article Of diet was
baked beans great ''yellow-eyes," with
plenty Of molasses to give them color and
richness, and . generous piece OF pork to
''mske 'em slip down easy" although
there never appeared to be any trouble
about that with Ma'am Msson's beans.
Capt. Jed's good wife rebelled.
"Jed Mason" said she, ''sometning
must be done. Here am, working night
and day bakin' beans for those brick
makers, and they eat 'em up faster than
can bake 'em. The brick oven 10 full Of
beans all the time, and don't know what
more can do"
Capt. Jed, after several and most severe
arraignments Of the inadequate facilities
OF the culinary department, finally called
q consultation one night, after supper, Of
Scott Mooney, the head kiln builder, and
Pat Dunn, the "boss" burner, both highly
paid specialists in their lines.
The trio deliberated to such . satisfsc-
tory result that when the board adjourned
definite plan had been decided upon.
The next morning all the men who could
be spared from the yards were mustered
behind the big house, and set at work
digging q deep and wide hole in the
ground.
Several loads of big, fat rocks were
hauled and disposed OF under the direc-
tion Of Mr.. Mooney, forming q founda-
tion upon which was reared such a struc-
tnre as was never seen before, and prob
ably never will be again.
1t was nothing less than an enormous
brick oven, seven or eight times as large
as an ordinary oven, big enough to hold
fifty bean pots. 1t was built upon the
most approved scientific principles as
worked out by MIR. Dunn, who knew all
about air passages and at-retaining
qualities.
When it was completed, Capt. Jed called
out his wife to inspect the work.
There, ma'am, I hope sha'n't hear
anything more about not havin' room
enough to bake beans-not this week. u
any rate, /" said Capt. Jed.
Some one christencd the structure
"Ma'am Mason's bean-kiln." 1t was a
great success. 1t was even an improve
ment upon the old brick oven in the kit
chen, and Mrs. Mason's beans became
more famous than ever. 1t is said that
Capt. Jed hired men from ninepence to
a shilling a day cheaper than did the
other brickmakers, all on account of the
bean-kiln beans.
After the bean-kiln was in good work.
ing order, some of the neighbors begged
the privilege of baking their Saturday