The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-01-27

The Pioneers of Maine.
History and Anecdotes Relating TO the Ear,v
Settlements.
Maine Pioneer Settlements: Olde Cascoe.
Old York. The Sokoki Trail. Pemauuid The
Land Of st. Castin. Five Volumes By Her
bert Milton Sylvester. Boston: w. B. Clarke
Co. - o''' nc
History is much like romance. esnecial-
lywhen it relates to the old Maine settle
ments, and Mr.. Sylvester, who is law
yer, but writes with the style of an es-
sayist and the sentiment of poet. has
made these old stories more romantic and
fascinating than ever. He writes a
fragment OF history, or an anecdote, re-
produces letter or some ancient docu.
ment, or a pit OF poetry, and then adds
rhapsody OF his own, the result of his
years Of wanderings in Olde Cascoe, or
Old York, or along the Sokoki Trail.
around Pemaquid, or in the Land of ST
Castin. To add to the piquancy of his
narrative, Mr.. Sylvester has drawn
many little sketches of Maine scenery or
old meeting and other Old build
ings, and they are scattered through the
| text.
Mr.. Sylvester's work is by no means
bounded by its title, for his account of
| the early settlers covers at various peri
DDS the whole Atlantic coast, nor is
either volume bound by its title, for each
contains much interesting matter reat-
ing to affairs of all early Maine settle
ments. 1t is work in which all Maine
folk will find much pleasure, especially
those who have left the old home. The
publishers have made the volumes very
attractive, binding them in the style
common in such special editions-this is
printing them with clear-face type on
phasizes the fine lines of the numerous
illustrations.
The author himself describes we'll his
work in one of the "epistles dedicatory'
which begin each volume. History
these stories are" he writes, 'but
served al fresco with something of the
flavor of the romance which attaches to
far-off happenings and things; and ap-
prehend that to each of my readers the
coloring may suggest the different dye
Like succession Of sunsets, it is ever
/ the same sun and the same horizon, yet
each set of sun is a glory by itself, as
unlike its predecessor as the human eX-
perience of one day is unlike that of
another.'
/ Ode Cascoe has romantic story that
goes back to the days when five settle
ments made up the tale of England's oc-
cupancy Of the Province of Maine, and
Mr.. Sylvester emphasizes this romance.
But he asserts that the facts stated may
be taken as authentic history, the judg
ment of the captious and opinionated
critic to the contrary Notwithstanding.
1t is not all history that the author sets
forth, for in a story of 250 years much of
it must be legend in which comedy and
tragedy are mingled. Many old houses
are pictured in this, as well as in all the
volumes, for Maine is rich in ancient re-
minders of early days. Anecdote, too,
brightens the story, and one of the old
inhabitants told the author himself in
very picturesque style the story of the
famous battle between the Boxer and
Enterprise.
Old York s story begins with the sec
ond voyage of the Cabots and with their
coming also begins a very fascinating
story. 1t is story of old houses long
since vacated by their builders and Of
the strenuous life of the early corners to
Nl%tllG. ~ ~ DdCh W lpoU 10 llhe ltth-
ing jaunt into the Wilderness but it
Mr.. Sylvester takes his readers. York
was not always known by that name. 1t
was Quack to the old Indians, and the
river was known as Accomenticus. Kit
terry Of course has a place in this story
of Old York. and some thrilling tales of
Indian nassacres necessarily are a part
of the narrative. The Sokoki trail begins
in the springs above Crawford Notch
and follows the Saco River to its mouth,
trail that has abounded in romance,
tragedy and interesting history The
story begins with an account of the Abe
nakls, the forerunners of the Sokokis,
and then flows on as smoothly as the
river that marks the trail Many rare
and interesting old documents are quoted
relating TO the settlements mentioned in
this volume, and especially Interesting is
Trelawney S account of his house on
Richmond's Island. An old Massachu-
setts law, enacted in 1852, is interesting,
in view of the general violation of it
nowadays; it provides that no person,
ether man or woman shall hereafter
make or buy any apparel, either wooden,
silk or linen, with any lace on it, silver,
gold, silk or embroidery, under penalty
of the forfeiture of said clothes Also all
gold or silver girdles, hatbands, belts,
rufus and beaver hats are prohibited. Also
immoderate, great sleeves, slashed ap-
parel, immoderate great rayles (necker-
chiefs), long wings, etc. Hereafter no
garment shall be made with short
sleeves, whereby the nakedness of the
arm shall be discovered in the wearing
thereof"
Pemaquid undoubtedly is the oldest of
the New England settlements, although
the people there were not of the home
building kind, like those of Plymouth
There was good fishing and good hunt
ing at Pemaquid and much lively fight
ing at various times The place first
was known as Pemcuit, but that was an
glicized to Pemaquid and always has
stood as the name of the place. In 1880
there were eighty-four families of about
six hundred English-speaking people, and
sit is admitted that here at Pemaquid
was the most important and populous
community and port Of entry of New
England" but it had the reputation of
being a somewhat lawless community,
Pemaquid, however, was prosperous for
time and life was lively and varied.
4 The land of st. Castin. perhaps, was
the scene of more exciting adventures
than any of the Maine settlements, and
the stories of the mendacious Ingram.
which are freely quoted by Mr.. Sylves-