Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1940-08-09
By EVERETT J. WALLUM

An original 1869 map OF Europe, OF
interest to historians and OF consider
able intrinsic value to curio dealers,
is in possession of Mrs Harriet Little
Remarkably preserved and unusual
" accurate for that period, the map
was painstakingly drawn on parch-
ment bv hand for the duke Of York,
brother of King Charles II. -
Inscriptions are in the quaint old
English style and spelling. The car
tographer penned: Designed by Mon
King and Rendered into English by
Rich. Blome by his Majesty's Especial
Command"
A further paragraph dedicates the
map ITO the High and Mighty Prince,
James, Duke Of York and Albany,
Marquesse of Ormond, Earle OF Rose,
Lord of Ardmanoch, Lord High Ad-
miral of England, Knight Of the Most
Noble Order of the Garter, Sole Broth
er and Priv Councillor of His Most
Sacred Majesty. Charles the. I'd, this
map is humbly dedicated by Rich.
Blome."
Further examples of early English
spelling are found in the map titles:
Some Of the most characteristic OF
these are "Atlantick Ocean," "Parte
of Africa and geographical names
unfamiliar to us, such as British sea,
and sea of Denmark" The Arctic
ocean" referring to a group of seven
stars seen near the north pole.
Rich. Blome" was not one to shirk
the possibilities in his task. He dis
played meticulous care in coat OF
arms which adorn the parchment and
in the typical ships and whales which
marked oceanic maps of that era. The
coat Of arms is OF the famed "Oraer
of the Garter" and contains the motto
of that revered organization In French:
"Honi Soft Qui Nal y Pense," (evil he
who evil Thinks.
Mrs. Littlefield's collection also con-
tains two old books which are Of con-
siderable value to collectors of early
volumes. One is entitled The Poetical
Works of James Thompson" contains
the owners name. Thomas l.. Butcher.
with the date, Jan. 26, 1916. The other
tome bears the flamboyant title, The
Soules Conflict With 1t Selfe and Vic
tory Over 1t Selfe by Faith" This
volume, despite its decorative binding,
has marked defects in its 18th century
printing.
Another interesting document is a
deed of land from Daniel Littlefield
to Ivory Littlefield. drawn in 1869. 1t
concerns the family acreage in Maine,
first presented to the Littlefield FAM
lily by Governor Bradford. Here a large
part Of the family still lives and have
lived for eight generations.
1t is interesting to note the land
is not described according to sections
or townships, but with respect to such
homely landmarks as an odd ditch"
and "a group Of trees"
Connoisseurs of Civil war lore will
be interested in a group of letters
written in 1862 by Ed Nichols, a mem
Der of the Littlefield family, to his
sister while he was serving in the
Union army.
His first message announces his APP
pointment as cook for a company of
70 men. Il have grown quite proficient
at making pea soup and sent some to
the captain who liked 1t so we'll that
he suggested I send some down to the
colonel, which I did. The colonel re-
turned the empty dish with his COM
pliments."
Another letter, written from Wash
ington. D. c., indicates that war was
no more pleasant in those days than
now. Private Nichols complained that