Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-09-06
The Cralgle Farm.

General Andrew Craigie has been dead
for many years, but the big patch oi
land bounded by the shore of the Little
Androsooggin River and running up on
to Allen Hill, which he salvaged from
the primeval forest, has ever retained
his name, although several men have
succeeded him as owners. It was q
gentleman's farm and the frst one in
this part of the country. Perhaps that
is the reason his name has clung to 1t so
persistently.
The town of Hebron which In early
days included the present town of Ok
ford was granted to Alexander Shepard
of Massachusetts,. He was q cartogra-
pher and was given this grant Of land
for making map of what was then the
District of Maine. He was not much of
q cOlonizer, and large portion of his
holdings passed into the hands of Gen.
ersl Craigie who was. In fact the gen.
eral was ambitious to found Q city around
the outlet of Lake Thompson, az we'll as
to settle farmers on the hill lands. He
started his city, but 1t has never grown
beyond the limits of village, although
village to be proud Of. 1t is known as
Oxford, although the first name Of
Craigie's Mills still clings to 1t az q
reminder of its founder.
General Craigie was Massachusetts
man and was what was known in those
days as an spothecary. He was q revolu-
ZIONIST in the old days and for that rea.
son became apothecary general on the
staff Of George Washington.
he did we'll In business, became
wealthy, and bought the colonial house
In Cambridge built by John Vassel, that
has been noted since the sills were laid.
During tue siege of Cambridge the house
contained the headquarters of General
Washington; and after the days Of Cen
eral Craigie was the home of the poet
Longfellow.
Out of all the land owned by Craigie,
he reserved this portion as farm for
himself and went into the business on q
large scale. Numerous buildings were
built on it but they disappeared In the
lapse of time.
The present buildings on this farm
are elegant for situation. They are
perched on a hill which overlooks the
valley of the Little Androscoggin River
The long trains on the Grand Trunk
Railway running along the farther shore
can be plainly seen, rs we'll as the new
concrete road across the Oxford Plains
and directly under the East Oxford hills.
To the south and west Ia Lake Thomp-
son, which can be plainly seen with its
stretch of shore bordering on four towns
and two counties.
Half century ago this farm came in
to the hands of Seth T. Holbrook, who
was cattle broker living In the village
of Oxford, and was carried on by him
for q number of years. Along about
1870 he built the big barn which now
stands on the place. 1t was the latest
thing in the barn line at that time and
people from Oxford and surrounding
towns came to see 1t. Afterwards he
erected the house.
BE carried on this farm largely 40 q
place to keep the cattle purchased by
him until they could be sold; therefore
it was largely devoted to growing hay and
grain for their food. He did not wholly
neglect the apple business however.
The present owner of this farm is
Charles c. Davis. Mr.. Davis is not
primarily q farmer but lumberman; |;
nevertheless he is much interested In
the farm. He has son living with him
who was educated In agriculture at the
University OF Maine, and he is the super.
intendent of the farm.
About the first thing this son did on
taking charge was to resuscitate row
of old apple trees planted near the wall
on the roadside, which had drowsed In
to senility, by pruning and stimulants.
II everybody's second childhood could
be excited into the semblanoe OF youth
as were these trees, by stimulants, who
could blame one for intoxicstion? And
fruit; II the product OF a mans brain
and body could be changed from hoary
drivel to something fair, 90 were the sp-
Piles raised on these trees, then why not
put on full steam and run until explo-
sion-until everything goes to smash at
once, like the deacon's 'one-hoss shayP"