Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-21
MAINE GOSSIP

Since the publication, last November,
of the story furnished by William B.
Brown, Esq, Of Madison, on his trip
to Katahdin, we have had several in
quiries regarding Maine mountains.
One party claimed that Bigelow was
the highest of the Maine peaks. We
submitted the question to the United
States Geological survey. From them
we learn that neither Katahdin nor
Mt. Bigelow have been surveyed by
their engineers. Their height, how
ever, has been determined with rea-
sonable accuracy, to be as follows:
Katahdin, 5273 feet: Bigelow, 414s.
There seems to be no doubt but
what Katahdin is the highest noun
tain in Maine. 1t is not by any means
determined that Bigelow is the second
highest, altho we have no advice, from
an authoritative source, that would
indicate to the contrary.-Independ-
ent-Reporter. Skowhegan.
The ferry-boat ''Hockomock" and
the torpedo-boat "Bagley' were put
overheard about the same time If
memory serves correctly, asserts The
Bath Times. The late Mayor Charles
e. Hyde was very active in the con-
struction of the ferry, designing not
only her engines but the hull, the en-
gines being installed by Ernest F.
Kelley, and Chief Craftsman Bal
combe. always claimed that she was
Charles e. Hyde's masterpiece" In
deed, with her propellers both fore and
aft, she proved a splendid ice-boat,
and on occasions has come to the res
cue of the great Maine Central side
wheeler.
About that time, there was an UNI
usual amount of ice in the harbor,
and in the river above the city; and
Mr.. Balcombe, who was fond of COM
posing parodies upon famous poems,
used to recite one which he had COM
posed after the style of "Horatius at
the Bridget
He smiled on Ferry-boat .Hockomock'
smile serene and high;
He eyed Torpedo-boat Bagley' and
scorn was in his eye;
Quoth he: The Kennebec River is
frozen to the Bay
But will 'Bagley' dare to follow if
Hockomock' clears the way'?'
He always added, with a chuckle:
The he refers to Mr.. Charles e.
Hyde"
Jacob Abbott, Names well known
author Of books for young people, was
born in Hallowell Nov. IA. 1903. He
received his education in the town
schools and later graduated from
Bowdoin College and Andover Theolo-
gical Seminary.
After he finished school he was
tutor for year then became a pro-
lessor of mathematics and natural
philosophy in Amherst college.
He was instrumental in founding
the Mount Vernon school for young
ladies' in Boston and the Abbott's In
stitute. He acted as principal at diff
rerent times for the Mount Vernon
girls school, Abbott's Institute and
Mount Vernon school for boys.
In 1926 he obtained a license to
preach and was pastor of Eliot Con-
gregational church at Roxbury. a
church which he founded. In 1889 he
went to Pennington, Maine, where he
spent most of the remainder of his
life with his brother, Samuel Pbillips
Abbott, founder of the Abbott school
commonly called Little Blue" He
died there Oct. 81, 1879.
Abbott was a prolific author, writing
juvenile books. brief histories and bio.
srapnles, religious books and a few
works Of popular science. His "RoIIo
Books" are the best known. They
contain Is volumes of boyhood life .nd