Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-29
A Romantic Incident
Of Old LOudOn Hill


and Isaac Pilsbury built a dam on
the Seavey brook, below the present
road, to furnish power for q grist
mill and grinding mill that
they had installed there. Dams and
mills are said to have come to des-
truction in a unique fashion as the
result of food that differed widely
in its origin from most Of Halo
wells floods.
One of the early local characters
whose story borders on the marvel
Gus, was an old man called Uncle
Kaler, who lived on Loudon Hill
Uncle Kaler had Finnish blood in his
veins and was reputed to be a
wizard. BY his magical art Uncle
Kaler could make amulcts that
would bring good luck TO tho sailor
love philters for despairing SWANS
and forlorn damsels, and eff1cacious
potions TO cure the cattle that were
bewitched. This weird enchanter
could also make good weather or bad
weather to order, although he
sometimes overdid the matter, as the
following tradition shows. Uncle
Kaler lived in an old house Just be-
low the mill brook, and the road
from Cobbossee to the Hook ran
close by his door. One warm, misty
evening in May. Unclie kaler heard
some horses speeding up the hill,
and stopping at the door. He opened
It and mans voice came in from
the darkness. SIS this Mr.. Kalcr?"
1t is, at your service"
"Well. my name is - and this
young lady with me is Miss - of
Pownalboro. We are on our way to
Hallowell to be married. Her rela-
tons do not like the match and are
after us hot foot. LISTEN"
Away down the river could be
heard the long drawn bay of the
hounds. You hear, old man? Now
our horses are about used up, and il
something isn't done, they will over
der. You have the reputation OF be-
ing a wind TANNER and wizard
Here are a hundred Spanish milled
dollars for the worst weather you
have got, and If it does the business,
another hundred when ] get back"
The old man made no immediate
reply, but went to a chest, and TAX
ing out a small leather bag, gave IL
to the stranger, saying. go back a
little on the road. cut open the bag,
squeeze out it's contents. throw the
bag away. and then resume your
Journey
The man did as he was told, and.
returning in short time, said, "If
you have played us false, something
will happen to you"
REST easy" said Uncle Kaler.
"Hark!" and away in the southwest
was heard a low grumbling like dis
tant thunder. 1t increased and deep
ened momentarily. till it seemed as
if cyclone was tearing the forest.
What is that?' asked the stranger.
"A cloud burst in the hills. 1t will
be a sharp hound that follows you in
five minutes. Go in peace, and good
luck go with YOU from a man who
can make good luck"
Away they dashed-through the
gathering storm and darkness,
speeding to happiness or the con-
trary, as the case may be with mar
ried people. Under the roaring
thunder and nearly deafened by the
roar and crash of the raging torrent
he had conjured the old man went
into the house. saying to himself. II
am afraid made that bagful too
strong, but 1 don't know as am
sorry, for it would never do to have
the young people caught"
The next morning the day broke
clear and beautiful. but where the
little mill had clattered merriIy,
grinding the few grists that the
neighbors brought. there was now a
fearful gorge, quilted down to bed
rock. and choked up with uprooted
trees and brush. The mill was gone.
and the big boulder that had formed
part of its foundation had been
swept away, far out into the river,
and now forms that impeachment to
navigation known as mill rock" If
anyone will take notice at low tide,
he will see a large point stretching
out into the river from the mouth of
the brook. 1t is the debris Of that
cloudburst.