Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-08

perlntendent of Public schools, has re-
turned from a very enjoyable trip, his
fist ocean voyage, which although not
so long in distance and time as trips
might he. was of unusual interest to
him. being his first interview with the
ocean.
1t took the nature of week passed
With Seacoast Missionary Mcdonald In
the latter's cruiser Sunbeam, ana the
time was devoted to visiting the coast
a towns and islands from Bar Har-
hor to Jonesport He was accompa
by Adeltvrt w. Gordon of the schooi
department. general agent for schools
in unorganized townships and Supt. or
Schools Frank E. McGouldrick OF Bar
Harbor. Mr.. Mcdonald - of course
master Of his vessel and he has a crew
Of two. DR. Thomas, after highly
praising the fine time he had, remark
cd with a very noticeable twinkle in
lis starboard eye:
And although it was my first sea
VOYAGE. I was not sick, even though 1t
was at times what is called hubby
The other two chaps-but there, you d
better ask them. was not sick" and
the emphasis was on the mot The
Goctor continued:
The trip was started at Bar Harbor
IN Monday, Oct. I. The Sunbeam iE
fine craft commodious and well fit
ted for the use Of the missionary. who
is constantly on the water. going from
r,lace to place on the entire Maine
coast. looking after the men, women
ad children in those isolated places. all
of whom know and love him. His Il a
great work.
We visited many places stopping
here and there. Among them were Egg
Rock lighthouse. Petit Menan light,
Nash's Island, Jonesport, Corea and
Cranberry Isles. We found fine lot
Of people, far more content than ono
would suppose. but to a person de-
plorng the lack of educa tional facil-
tiles for their children We found about
100 children in those lighthouse sta
tions. They have what schooling their
fathers and mothers can give and the
visits twice a year of the travelling
teacher.
For insta1'e. we found on Egg
Rock five children. three of whom are
Of school age. Their mother holds reg
ular school see,tons. in addition to
caring for her family and home. That
is fine so far as 1t goes, hut they need
further development lind education.
Nash Island has enough children for
a school by itself. I talked with the
pnpils in the grammar grade AT Gran
berry I.ies. All but three We're born
on the island They had never seen
wheat growing. although they knew
about its use. They were bright. woll
dressed and attractive They We're sll
we'll versed in the methods and mys-
teries of the fishing business, but
man, things that should he theirs
through proper schooling. were lack
ing.
We found at one lighthouse seven
children. five of them Of school age.
The government allows for that colo
ny. in charge OF that important light
for the mariner. the sum Of s51 per
week to naintain 1t, but not cent for
the education Of the children there is
olated.
Il found a fine people. bright. intel
ligent and industrious. 1t Is to be re-
GREETED that their location and occu-
patton should deprive their children Of
the means Of securing enough educa-
ton to take them out Of their present
surroundings and enter the business
Of tho world, and 7 propose taking the
matter up with the government Off
cia,, AT Washington. to see il some
thing cannot be done to provide
schools for them. They are worthy OF
II and II is their right.