The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-02-13
IAN OLD RIVER TOWN.
A NEW WALDO COUNTY BOOK.

Waldo county literature has been much
enriched by the recent publication of a book
by Miss Ada Douglas Littlefeld OF Winter
port entitled San Old River Town." and
which is a history of Winterport (old Frank
fort) Maine The book is from the press OF
Calkins & Co., New York, and is most at
tractive Its dark green cloth cover bears
photographers reproduction of the former
"Union Westinghouse" now the Congrega-
tionalst church, which, one learns in the
chapter entitled "First and Last" was built
in 1882 The numerous illustrations, made
from photographs, are unusually good, and
careful attention to detail by the publish
ers is manifest from the time one first glances
at the book until the last page is regretfully
turned. The verse from LOngfellow on the
page preceding the index seems especially
appropriate
soften think of that beautiful town
That is seated by the sea.
Often in thought go up and down
The pleasant streets of that dear old town
And my youth comes back to me-"
These lines seem to strike the keynote of
the book, Tor throughout its pages the au-
thor's love for her home town, her reverence
for old associations and her tenderness and
understanding, are manifest. A glance at
the chapter headings assures the reader OF
something in store very different from the
usual local history, and he is not dlsap
pointed, for each chapter treats of its subject
in most interesting way. "The Country
Along the River" "Natives of the Soil,
AT the Waters" Edge in the Old Days.
sRiver Crafts" "Their Captains" "High,
WAYS and Byways," "Ihe Settlers and theil
Homes "Old Furniture and House Fur.
uishings and Firesides," ain 81" "Smel
Fishing" Here and There in the Village
and "First and Last are the captions OF
the chapters
The reader finds in the first chapter the
interesting fact that there is but one Win
terport in the United States, or in the world
for that matter; and it is said that letter
directed here without the State address will
reach its destination SAFELY This chapter
traces the town history from the time it was
part of Acadia under French rule in 100;
until 1927, when Waldo county was estab
lished with Belfast as its county seat. The
town has had the distinction of bearing
sixteen Maine counties. In the next chapter
the reader is given a glimpse of the many
strange craft that have sailed up and dow
the Penobscot, including the vessels OF
Andre Thevet the French scholar ant
priest, in 1856; of George Weymouth in 100!
tile latter the earliest known English visi
tor In I772 Col. Thomas WestbroOk camt
from the Kennebec with $50 men to ravage
the coast Miss Lttleteld says The In
dams padded up and down the liver anC
perhaps touched at this shore, but find ne
account Of the white mans footsteps, eX
cepting the Westbrook expedition
In 1859 d fort was built at Brewer, b!
the encouragement of Thomas Pownall
Governor Of Massachusetts, who urged the
settlement of the river valley, now made
possible. ''Lieutenant Joshua Treat, 8
gunsmth by trade" assisted in the cree
ton of the fort and later settled al
Fort Point. In 1874 Joshua Treat, Jr
built log house in Frankfort. where
ne lived for about 10 years. Winter.
port boosted of two log houses in 1866
owned by Ephraim Grant and John Coul,
lizard, and it is believed by some that Baron
Castine had a battery there; but proof OF
this seems to be lacking.
The diary of Frances LeBaron Goodwin
estites 10 the date of the closing of the
river in 1872 /. and other documents speak
Of the early and late departures of the ice