The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-04-26
An Echo from Many Years Past
(By r. n Patten)

! During the years which my father
DIR. Sumner A. Patten, practiced med
icine in Piscataquis County he was
on the outskirts of civilization, as it
were, so far as physicians were con-
cerned. For most or all of the time
there was no doctor to the north,
east or west of Monsoon, where he
then lived. AS Shirley and Green
vile, both considerable towns, were
to the northward and as there was
quite population east and west, and
scattered all about the Moosehead
Lake and Chesuncook region, lie &C.
casionally had to make very
long trips into the wooded coun-
try. Some of these were real adven-
lures and he kept my young mind
fairly alive with stories of long wood
ed trails, rough voyages on Moose
head Lake, exciting times on very
rough streams and rivers and battles
with the elements in the winter
months. He had some very interest
in the vast region. Among them l re-
call very plainly his speaking Of
Nymphus Bodflsh, who lived in the
Onawa 1--WE then called it Ship Pond
valley back of Borestone Mountain.
Only recently I learned that a man
bearing this family name was still
there and wrote to ask if he was re-
lated to my fathers friend. In re-
Spouse I got the following manu-
script, which with the above will be,
L am sure, understood by the readers
of fhn Rannrtpr.
A WILD RIDE TO GET THE DOCTOR
On crisp afternoon in early Win
ter very many years ago. my father,
Nymphus Bodfsh, told me in rather
excited manner that my mother was
i'll and chat we must get the doctor
as promptly as possible. He asked
il | thought l could make the trip on
the bay mare to Monsoon. Il miles
away | was lad of twelve years.
My father was afraid to send me but
it seemed the only thing to do. The
bay mare was beauty, nine years
old and plenty. of spirit. There was
little snow and the roads were
rough Were to try to journey with
the sleigh | knew | should meet de-
feat and disaster. OF course / was
pretty young to ride spirited horse
but | had been many times in the
saddle and felt quite at home there.
| didn't stop long to consider, know
ing my mother was ill and the need
desperate. | flew to the barn, saddled
and bridled the mare and drove up
to the door. My grandmother came
a. tn nj
fast From her, learned it was just
five o'clock.
1t was pretty dark. crisp and cold,
bright and STARLIGHT ] let the mare
go her own gait to the top OF the
mountain, then I dug the spurs into
her side. She was a well trained sad
die horse and knew by that she had
to fly. | shall never forget how the
sparks flew from her shoes as she
sped over the rocks of the mountain
road. The air seemed warmer while
/ was riding.
When | drove up to Dir. Patterns
office he hurried to the door. and on
being told my orrand assured me he
would be ready in a minute. From
him I learned it was just six o'clock.
The mare had brought me over twelve
miles of very rough going in one
hour The doctor told me to put her
in the stable and let her cool down
for half an hour before | started
back
The doctor saddlcd his own horse
and set out for the Bodfish farm. ]
knew he would make good time for he
too was some rider. After half hour
| set out, not hurrying so much this
time. | met the doctor coming back
and from him learned that my mother
was all right and that | had a baby
brother. 1t happened to be the night
when my youngest brother came on
earth.
Dr. Patten was a fine gentleman,
descended from highly reputable Eng
lish ancestry. The Bodfish's were al
so of famous English family: hence
my father and DR., Patten were close
friends. When he moved away from
Monsoon | remember my father won
dered what we should do for doe
tor when we were i'll.
JOHN L. RODFISH
Herd of Deer on BigeiOw Hill