The Republican journal., 1913-07-10
PICTURESQUE CAMDEN, -
WHERE THE MAINE PRESS AssOcIA
TON HAD ITS SUMNER OUTING.


mountains-the mountains and the sea
are in evidence whichever way you state
it. Two of these places are islands-the
widely known Mt. Desert and the less
known but no less attractive Isle au
Haut Of the three, Camden has the
advantage of being on the main land
within easy reach of inland scenes and
Inland waters, scarcely less attractive
than the ocean front. In booklet pub
llshed many years ago the town was
given the name of Picturesque Camden,
an apt title which it has retained through
the succeeding years by common consent
OF the increasing number of summer So
Journers and visitors. This year the
Maine Press Association decided upon
Camden as headquarters for its summer
excursion, and those who enjoyed the
hospitality of the town, and of their
brother member and former president,
Mr.. J. H. Ogier, editor of the Camden
Herald, heartily approved the choice.
In his yachting days, now past, the
writer made Camden a port of call
several times every season, and had often
from an anchorage in the harbor en-
ioyed the sunsets, the changes of light
and shade on Mounts Battle and Megun-
ticook, the harbor by moonlight and the
twinkling lights of the yachts at anchor
or at moorings. On shore there were
but three objective points, the Bay View
hotel, George Mixers confectionery
store and Daily's boat yard and shop;
and the extent of Camden, the number
of its palatial summer homes, the manv
handsome private residences, and the
scenic attractions of the vicinity, were
unknown. An automobile ride rendered
the members of the association by the
Camden board of trade was therefore
a revelation. The four oldest members
present, none under 70), were assigned
seats IN the private car of Hon. J. H.
Montgomery, a Locomobile, with a
most competent and courteous chat
teur, and although one of the party has
had an aversion to automobiles she was
no less charmed than the others with
the ride of more than two hours, which
covered practically all the residential
sections of Camden, Rockport, on both
sides of the harbor, to Rockland over
the much heralded dust-proof road; out
to Chlckawaukee pond, the source of
Rockland's water supply; Rockville,
Pleasantvile, etc. Among the places of
interest seen were house one hundred
years old that looks its age, the fish
hatchery, the Cyrus K. Curtis estate,
the Megunticook Golf Club house, lime
rock quarry in operation, and Norumbega,
the stone villa built by Mr.. Stearns, the
inventor of duplex telegraphy. This was
the first of the costly residences to be
built in Camden and when built attract
ed wide attention. AS to the scenery
the vocabulary of the writer is made
quate to do it justice, but it may be
summed up by saying that there is moth
ing finer elsewhere on Gods green earth
than was seen on this ride.
The ride terminated at the Ogier cot
tage on the harbor front, and having
Toasted their eyes on the beauties of ma
ture the party were called to feast of
material things provided by our hosts,
MIR. and Mrs. Ogier, assisted by other
members Of their family. The menu
included steamed clans, done to turn,
lobster salad, rolls, doughnuts, coffee
and ice cream. The drive inland and the
Whltfs of sea air inhaled from the We
7 anda before the summons came to par
take of this shore dinner, had created
such appetites that it was feared the
party would eat our hosts "out of house
and home, " but the supply was equal to
the emergency and it is safe to say that
no one left the table hungry. The Ogier
cottage is opposite the lower end of
Negro island and commands views of the
harbor and of the ocean and passing
craft, steam and sail, bound east and
west. 1t stands on ground that was
a part of the original Ogier farm of 200
acres. extending from the shore up ever
the bill and now mainly occupied by
handsome summer residences. The
napkins used on this occasion had
view of Negro island and the words
Maine Press Picnic, Ogier Cottage,
Camden, July S, 1881 and are pre-
served by those present as souvenir
Of very pleasant and satisfying occa-
sion.
The event of Saturday afternoon was
to be the arrival of the Eastern Yacht
Club on their annual cruise to Bar Har-
DOR. They had sailed from Boothbay
n the morning but the winds were light
and battling and the sail yachts were
naturally delayed, and at night the fog
hut in to cause further delay. Several
arge steam yachts, power boats and
auxiliarles arrived late in the afternoon
Or early evening and few of the sail
yachts struggled in, and added to the
fleet at anchor OF at mornings in the
harbor made up goodly fleet in full
view from the veranda of the Mountain
View house. With their MANY liphts If