Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-12-30


knowIedesd ieadsfs Of ths bar, and whose
home was in this village. NJ. eponOrd
was power in legal battle And bic hand
ling Of the famous Robbins cas- wss cne
Of the most brilliant IN tie history OF
Maine jurisprudencs.
Robbins was . sailor Of this town Who
had shipped ON IN English vssssl in New
York for trip down the Maine coast.
During the cruise the Queens birthday
was celebrated on the vessel and the crew
attempted to force Robbins to take
prominent part. Being an American, ne
refused to do 80, and this led 10 row.
The English sailors attempted to throw
Robbins overheard, but being very pow
erful fellow the Deer Isle man killed two
Of the crew and drove the others below.
He then took charge Of the vessel and
brought itinto port. The triAi that fol-
lowed was highly exciting. Sponofd wss
engaged for the defence, and, after one
Of the most brilliantly conducted cases
ever fought in the courts OF Maine, he
succeeded in clearing his client. 1t was
. great triumph and made the name Of the
Deer Iale lawyer famous all over New
England. Mr.. sponord died some ten
years ago, after long life Of usefuinsss
and activity.
Another marked character here ives
Timothy b. Pickering, who died some nf-
teen yeazs ego. This gsntlsman was the
heavy shipbuilder Of the place and IVES the
owner Of large Aset ensAssd In nshing
and tbs coasting trade. Another promi-
nent shipbuilder that has passed away
was Sylvauus Haskell. He accumulated
. large fortune in the business before it
commenced 70 decay, and this was en-
larged by other business enterprises that
were sktllfully conducted.
II there have been brilliant men in Deer
Isle who have passed away there are also
brilliant men among the living. CAPT.
Judson Terry 10 nov seventy Year, Of age
and retired from active life, but he still
remains as an important factor in the So
cial and business life Of the place. For
fifteen years he was treasurer Of the town,
and he has also filed many other positions
Of Importance and trust. Az an old-timer
0uQ y HIOmAuCuk NAtkLCn Ac - tOvSo 2AA
honored BY all the people.
And the Sponord family still lives and
is now represented by one OF the most
brilliant Of its members. Hon. Elmer p.
spofiord is the village lawyer and all
around business man. He il young
man Of exceptional ability, and has
personality that wins friends and popu-
larity wherever he may be. Our State is
likely to hear more from Mr.. Spofford in
the not distant future.
There ID small hamlet ut South Deer
Isle. and here is Methodist church,
schoolhouse and other evidences Of
cultured community. Years ago George
Tolman was the leading spirit OF this
place and was the owner OF large feet OF
fishing vessels. Near by 10 Mill creek,
where many Of the pioneers FIRST settled,
and here can be seen the old mill that was
run by the tides. There is nothing like it
in Maine. The mill was 80 built that il
could be run by the tide both going and
coming, and for this reason was q unique
thing in its way. This wss once the most
busy spot on the island, but its supremacy
has long since passed away. Old families
are still here, and the traditions Of the
early days are still maintained.
The people OF Deer Isle were loyal to
the cause OF freedom from the first, and
contributed several soldiers to the army
Of Washington. When Castine was cap
tured by the British, in 17y, the settlers
were ordered to help build the fort, and
some Of them were actually forced to work
out their 'stour,' Is it was called. Others
went away in boats and refused to give
aid and comfort to the enemies OF their
country under any circumstances what
ever. In many cases their crops were left
ungathered and their homes were deserted
rather than to labor under British victors.
They were also required to take an oath Of
allegiance to Great Britain.
A man by the name Of Page refused 70
do this, and, when threatened that nle
Of soldiers would come and burn his house,
he sent back word for them to come on.
He also said that he bad two loaded guns
and At least two Of the file would never
return to the fort. They did not come!
After the surrender Of CORVALLIS il was
. Deer Isis lady, Mrs.. Jos. Colby, who
carried the news to Castine. On reaching
the village British oficer sccostsd her
and asked what news there was from the
island. "None whatevsT," was the reply,
"but there 10 news from New York. Lord
CORVALLIS hes surrsndered, and you nj
lows bad better ct out Of hsre!" Ths
day pecvious thsss ofnuers were ready to
nag anyone Who spoke . word against
British authority, but this news tsmpssed
them down like winds to tho shorn lanb.
An ExssperatiN0 Mamma.
The small boys mother was the only
3ne who sat unmoved, while the small
boy himself-most unwelcome addition
to the informal afternoon tea-gleeful-
" galloped around the circular tabIe,
10 1nfiiv aupooA with ostvor ~h3~a