Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-01-05
THE TARRATINES.
VISIT TO THE LAST OF GREAT
TRIBE AT OLD TOWN.
DEDICATION OF MONUMENT INFECTED
IN HONOR OF INDIAN PATRIOTS
or REVOLUTIONARY WAR
tPort,amd Expvess.I

Portland Erpvess.I
| About q year ago . yachting party on
on I summers cruise along the coast OF
| Maine, finding necessary few dsys in
| terruption, visited one OF the largest OF
| the Penobscot river towns, making from
there side tripe to places Of interest near
| by. One OF the party expressed wish TO
visit Indian island at Old Town, and -
there was soon to be q patriotic ceieers-
] ton upon the island, we OF the party
" hose former homes were nearby chose
| that day for our visit, as We knew the
tribe would be out In full force and gals
attire, and that whatever there was oil
interest to stranger would be much 10
| evidence. for at such times the Indian
| feels hiu.seif to be the King on the Kings
Land and is careful that any remaining
vestige Of ancient glory shall be brought
| forth and given its foil value.
We left Bangor early on fair June day
for the trolley ride Of twelve miles to Old
Town. The road winding along the Pc
nobscot is bordered by green fields and
PEACEFUL looking little farms until Orono
10 reached, where We find larger and more
stately residences, secluded by fine old
trees BETTING the dignity Of ''coiiege
town., and soon we are passing through
the beautiful campus OF the University Of
| Maine.
| As we near Old Town, member OF the
party asks to b told what manner OF
people We are going to visit; having read
the terms governor and lieutenant and
the names 10 Attieu, Pcte Sockaiexis and
Jim Sockabason ~ among the most noted
OF the island residents, her ideas had be-
come confused, and ranged all the way
from wigwams to gubernatoriai mansions,
so We in turn related hat 10 known re-
gardidg the history OF this tribe.
Early In 1900 there were 5000 Indians
living in that 10 nov the State Of Maine,
but famine and disease reduced their
numbers, ana later. after war with the
Mohawks in which they suffered defeat.
these survivors OF the Aborigines, the
Tarratines, were driven to the Penopscot
river where they settled on Indian island
about the year 1889.
The tribe was Roman Catholic, and In
1858 . mission was established among
them named Psnansxi, meaning eold
town" and they are oitenest spoken OF an
Old Town Indians though they do not live
in that city but on their island opposite
the town.
When one wishes to visit them he goes
to Indian ferry, At the upper end OF Old
Towns principal business street, and II
the ferrymsn is not there the signal flag
Is, and rs room ~ 1t Is hoistcd, the big
batteau starts out from the opposite shore
propelled by the powerful arm Of some
big brown islander, who shoots the great
boat straight to your feet, no matter how
strong the current nor how high the
wind, and in Ave minutes has you safely
landed on the other side.
In former years the Indians, both men
and women, were frequent visitors to the
residence section OF Bangor, going about
from house to house carrying Immense
bundles OF baskets. and also articles made
from birch bark and deer hide. II Q
housekeeper CHANGED to zee, coming up
the path about noontime, Sol Neptune or
Mollie Molasses or Sabattis Mitchell,
called "Big SABBATH, she would hasten to
Get out . substantial luncheon upon q
porch table, for unless this prscaution
were adopted, the visitor (whc ways ex-
pected to be fed and was rarely diaap-
pointed) might invite himself to join the
family circle.
They usually seemed desirous, however,
Of making nome return for their food, and
would offer . basket OF sswsstie grass"
or, II they saw children In the family
group, toy canoe or bow and arrow.
The squaws woe tall beaver hats with
ball tops, and banda Of gay ribbon tied
about the crowns. Their gowns were ILL.,
fitting and siouchy, but they were sure to
have strings Of beads and bright gew-
gaws Of various kinds hung about their
brown necks, and an old clay pipe tucked
away IN some pocket.
Now, however, conditions arc changed
and they stay more closely 1t home. An
agent appointed BY the State acts for
them and sells their work At store In
Old Town Close BY the ferry, 80 here Is NO
longer need for them to carry II. about the
streets.
When Maine, in 1870, became . state,
she assumed all obligations remaining
between Massachusetts, and tbs Indians;
they then became wards OF the State OF
Maine.
They are allowed to elect governor, .
lieutenant and representative to the
Legislature nom their own people, Of
whom there remain about $50, and - the
years move ON they become outwardly-
more civilized.
Their drsss has followed, ina crude
way, the prevailing fashions, and many OF
their houses are supplied with pianos,
graphophones and snowy curtain
draperies.
The Young peopls fortunately for than.