Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-01-05

tie river. rsther than 70 sny intslIisspt
purpose o. desire 70 improve their con-
dition.
Among tbs rscosds Of ~ fssvolutionsrv
war d tia pay roll Of about forty Indians
Of the Psnobscct trtbs, and the patriotic
Daagbters had . short time previously
erected monument to thsir memory on
the village green Of Indian islsnd; the
dedication OF the monumsnt Wa to
take placs that day and was the cesebrs-
ton We had timed our visit to attend.
The stone, which 10 Of Msine granite.
stands on the site OF the old fort, Mauka.
losa, and il inscribed I'm honor Of the
Indian Patriots Of the penobscot and
other tribes OF Maine, for their loyal
service during this Revolutionary War.
Erected By the Maine Daughters Of the
American Revolution"
The scene Is most impressive; rarely in
deed has celebration OF any kind, had 40
unique q setting. The island itself lies
like great emerald on the bosom Of the
river, whose giittering waves eau be seen
through the trees.
The resident priest, attended by AGO
iytes. biesses the monument and thanks
the. Daughters for their gifts.
Governor Nicola and former Governor
Francis are present In gubernatorial ar
ray, and express their thanks, and one
member OF The tribe delivers an address
in his native tongue. Groups Of stolid-
looking, brown faced mon and women
move about among the gqssts, their chill
dren in festive attire sing sougs, wave
flags. and even give in costume . quaint
old Indian dance to the weird singing &C.
Compartment furnished By Johnny Nep-
une, while cveryw here 60 the Rsnsle sis
ters, gliding quietly about, intsut upon
the comfort Of their visitors and adding
dsft touch nov and then to psriscs the ar
rangements.
After the exercises afs over re partake
OF bountiful rspsst and are than free to
finger for an informal Wait among the
people. Many invite rs into their houses,
and there We find some Of the very aged
members OF the tfihe-those who have not
been able to take active part In tbs days
festivities and from them hear many an
interesting tale Of ancient island tradi-
tion and arc shown . variety Of treasured
relics costumes and bits Of embroidery
belonging to oid-tims cercmontals, curious
symbolic carvings, and even hunting i'm
PIGMENTS and tools in use long years be-
fore . white man ever trod the opposite
shores.
But our interesting day IL drawing 10 q
close; the sun drops low, and long shad-
ows begin to darksn over the river, 20 we
Join the children In their salute 10 the
flag, bid all goodbye and take our way
down the grsss- grown road 10 tue little
pier. where the great batteau IL waiting to
carry rs to the other side. But tbs wind is
high, and the current fierce and terriiy-
ing; we hear the roar Of "white water
not far away, ana trembic 1t the thought
OF embarking on trip 20 hazardous.
Our ferryman - Peter Neptanc seeing
our looks OF fear, exclaims reassuringly -
"Boat, she eli right! Arms beg and
strong! Punt you DER all safe tree
meenit more!'
So We Chamber in, and ~ we cit clutch
Ing the sides OF the boat, try TO remember
that this powerful man 10 called BY his
mates the best boatman on the river, also
that he his probably made hundreds OF
trips In rougher water than this. More
over, we would NOT IL re could, trsspsss
further upon the hospitality Of our dusky
friends BY waiting until morning tor
quieter seas, aud we cou,d not. " wc
would, for no white person 10 allowed 70
remain upon the lonely little isssno sftsr
10 O'Clock At night.
While we have bsen TINS thinking, the
boat has shot scrs-ss 10 The Old Town
side and we are safely landed. We pause
for . moment and loot back 70 the wooded
island with it, tiny houses, lie church,
and the great white cross cleaning BY tho
waysids, and - ws recall IT, interesting
History and the many curious De9snds
and traditions 10 which ~ have listened,
surrounded By tie descendanss Of . once
powerful tr1be, re iesl that or day has
been pleasantly and probably spsnt with
people hose characteristics type- owing
10 occasionsi tntermarriaess with other
nationalftiss and the compelling inrusds
Of ctviiisa tion II slovly vanisking, not
only from the Penobscot valley, bat from
the entire Nsw England shore.