Vallee Family Pictures of the Narcissus - 1960s

J. Henri Vallee with the Narcissus in the background on March 5, 1969.

In the background, to the right, you can see the roof trusses for the

replacement summer camp that the Seashore Trolley Museum would build later

that year. The new three-room structure was to replace Vallee's summer

camp. In 1934, Mr. Vallee purchased the "body" of the Narcissus for $100

from the Portland-Lewiston Interurban in Lewiston, Maine, and then moved

to Sabattus, Maine, to become his family's summer camp. In this image,

the Narcissus was moved from its original position, which was behind the

tree seen here in the center of the image.

Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

Late last week, I received a package from Mr. Daniel Vallee. The package contained eighteen photographs of the Narcissus. Now, for many railway/railroad enthusiasts, this would signify images of the Narcissus in its glory days of being a magnificent representative of the high-speed, wooden electric interurbans of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. The PLI operated between Portland, Maine, and Lewiston, Maine, from 1914 until 1933. The Narcissus is the lone surviving piece of rolling stock from the forward-thinking visionary, W. S. Libbey. The businessman who built what became known as the "Finest Electric Railroad in All-New England". This elegant, iconic piece of railway history, Narcissus, has been in the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. Some may think an image of Theodore Roosevelt aboard during his ride on Narcissus on August 18, 1914, may have been included in the collection.

But no. The pictures of the Narcissus in this package are not of this gem, as it sits on rails in any one of the many communities it traveled through during its operating heyday. The images contained in this package are just as important in helping us tell the full life story of Narcissus. A story that is now more than 100 years old! The twenty years the Narcissus spent on the PLI rails helping to carry the 7.3 million passengers that traveled between Portland and Lewiston during that time is a very important chapter in its life, but not the only chapter. 

After the PLI ended operations, it sold many of the "bodies" of its rolling stock, including the interurbans. Mr. J. Henri Vallee purchased the body of the Narcissus in 1934. For $100! He moved it from Lewiston, Maine, to Sabattus, Maine, where it became the Vallee summer camp until 1969. Seashore Trolley Museum, in Kennebunkport, Maine, acquired the Narcissus from Mr. Vallee late in 1969. 

This past summer (2015), Mr. Vallee's son, Daniel Vallee, read his local Lewiston-area newspaper and its story about his former summer camp residence under restoration at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. He made a phone call to the Seashore Trolley Museum and made arrangements to visit the Narcissus. Daniel spent the first eighteen summers of his life using the Narcissus as his summer home in Sabattus! During his visit, he mentioned he would look through his family "archives" :) for photos of the Narcissus. 

Presented here are many of those Vallee family photos that include the Narcissus. On behalf of the Museum and the Narcissus, I want to say Thank You! We owe the Vallee family a tremendous debt of gratitude for bringing the Narcissus into their family and keeping the Narcissus safe for thirty-five years. If not for Daniel's father purchasing the Narcissus in 1934, who knows what the future would have had in store for the Narcissus? We do know the fate of its sister interurbans, Arbutus, Gladiolus, Clematis, Azalea, Magnolia, and Maine. But for a few clerestory stained glass windows from the Arbutus, abandoned sections of the right of way, repurposed power stations and carbarns, and assorted ephemera here and there, all other remnants of the "Grand Old Interurban" are gone. 

Please consider making a donation to the Narcissus Project. Funds are still needed to complete the restoration of the Narcissus.  Scroll to the end of this post to find all donation options. Thank You :)

Narcissus, snowbound on March 5, 1969. It would still be several months

before the Narcissus would make its way to the Seashore Trolley Museum

in Kennebunkport. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee

Narcissus was the Vallee family summer camp from 1941 until
1969. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

To see a short movie clip of Narcissus taken during a railroad fan trip in the late 1930s/early 40s

Click Here

J. Henri Vallee (left) with his son, Daniel Vallee, relaxing inside their

summer cottage, Narcissus. The image is dated June 1965. In the

background, you see the room that was attached to the body of the

Narcissus. A kitchen/dining room is seen in the background.

Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

Looking at the narrow doorway of the Number 1 end of the Narcissus. The

smoking compartment area is through the doorway, then onto the vestibule

of the # 1 end. The entrance to the attached kitchen/dining area is to the left,

out of sight from the angle this photo was taken. The date written on the back

of this photo is July 8, 1961. Left to Right - Venerand Paquette,

Billy Paquette, Rose Marie Paquette, J. Henri Vallee.

Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

I am very happy to report that I have received several responses to the request to ID individuals who helped with the Narcissus transition from Sabattus to the Seashore Trolley Museum campus from 1968 until late 1969. Names will be inserted as they become available.

Donald G. Curry/STM image.

The image above: Seashore Trolley Museum staff and volunteers assess the Narcissus and best practices for separating the attached kitchen/dining room. They would then move the Narcissus from this location to a location nearer the road for a better loading position. Probably the late fall of 1968. Personal recollections from Jack Murray include, "I'm in the panoramic shot of the crew getting ready to separate the el from the car body; the el will be moved back and the car body toward the road (slid on blocking, pulled with Coffin hoists) so that the new cottage could go up in the same spot. My recollection is that this was done during school Christmas vacation (1968), with the crew being myself (Jack Murray), my cousin Paul, and Russell Bryant (all students at Cape Elizabeth (ME) High School, Donald (Curry), John Coughlin, and Bill Dox (the driving force behind the project). Russell is side to the camera, striding to the left. I'm (Jack) behind him with his back to the camera." If you recognize any of these folks, please forward the name and their position in this photo to Phil Morse via e-mail at p.morse31@gmail.com or call 207-985-9723.

Narcissus in the early spring of 1969. The attached kitchen/dining room

was removed. You can see the stack of wood materials that will be used

to construct the three-room replacement summer camp.

Donald G. Curry/STM image.

Narcissus is on the far left with the utility meter hanging down. Trusses in

the background, leaning against the removed kitchen/dining room. You

can also see the remaining footings that the Narcissus had been removed

from. It was relocated nearer the road for easier loading onto the trailer.

Probably late spring of 1969. Donald G. Curry/STM image.

Seashore Trolley Museum volunteers work to position the Narcissus on

the trailer. Then, the trip to the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Sept/Oct 1969. The number 1 end is to the right. If you recognize any of

these folks, please forward the name and their position in this photo to

Phil Morse via email at p.morse31@gmail.com or call 207-985-9723.

Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

Narcissus is secured to the trailer. The tractor-trailer set up was affectionately

called the "Highway Monster" by Seashore Trolley Museum volunteers. The

Highway Monster was used by Museum volunteers to bring various streetcars,

interurbans, and related equipment from destinations

throughout the USA to the Kennebunkport campus. You can see the beautiful

three-room summer camp replacement for the Narcissus in the background.

October 1969. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee

Final farewell photo with the Seashore Trolley Museum volunteers, Vallee

family members, and other interested individuals. If you recognize anyone

in this image, please forward the name and their position in this photo to

Phil Morse via email at p.morse31@gmail.com or call 207-985-9723. Late

October 1969. Marie Vallee is third from the right. Image courtesy

of Daniel Vallee.

Seashore Trolley Museum's Highway Monster with the Narcissus receiving

final adjustments from Museum volunteers before making the trek to the

Museum campus in Kennebunkport, Maine, late in October 1969. From this

angle, you can see where the kitchen/dining room was attached. The number 1 end

 is facing the tractor. The large arch window where the top of the ladder is

placed over-identifies where the smoking compartment is located. The 

Narcissus would later make their way to Lewiston and have banners placed on

each side. These banners would advertise the need for funds to restore the

Narcissus also serves as a way to thank all the businesses that donated

materials, money, and contributions-in-kind, such as skilled labor to build

the three-room replacement summer camp. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

Daniel Vallee at Seashore Trolley Museum on July 31, 2015.

Image courtesy of Patricia Pierce Erikson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents first captivates, fascinates, then generates interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

     The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

Independent book publisher Phil Morse, holding

Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive

Film Footage of Narcissus when a Summer Camp 1938

Looking at the # 1 end of the Narcissus when it was a summer camp in
Sabattus, Maine - (1941-1969) STM Collection

Short Clip is from a fan trip in the late 1930s that happens to pass by the Narcissus in Sabattus, Maine, when it was a summer camp. The footage is from the O. R. Cummings Collection at Northeast Historic Film (P.O. Box 900, 85 Main Street, Bucksport, Maine 04416) and is used here with permission from NHF.

The 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus, was one of the elegant, high-speed,

wooden interurban coaches operating between Portland, Maine, and Lewiston, Maine, from 1914 until 1933. The body of Narcissus was purchased for $100 by Mr. J. Henry Vallee from the owner of the Sabattus Lake Diner. It served as the family summer camp until 1969, when the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport acquired it to restore it to full operating status on its heritage railway. The Narcissus is currently under restoration.

Click Here for a Restoration Update

http://oldfilm.org/collection/index.php/Detail/Collection/Show/collection_id/205

The footage is from the O. R. Cummings Collection at Northeast Historic Film. 

A full DVD of the fan trip is available for sale at the Seashore Trolley Museum Store. www.trolleymuseum.org  - 207-967-2712

For more information on the Narcissus Restoration now underway, go to the Narcissus Project Blog:

www.narcissus1912.blogspot.com

Summary of DVD contents from Northeast Historic Film:

The collection contains Maine trolley footage of the Androscoggin and Kennebec Railway, Portland Railroad Company, and Biddeford & Saco Railroad. This short amateur film was released by the Portland Division of the Electric Railroaders’ Association, and the creator shot intertitles and animated map sequences to show the routes of each trolley, the scenery along the track, and interior shots of passengers.

Biographical/Historical Notes

Gerald O. Boothby, a friend of O.R. Cummings, photographed the trolley railroad footage. The footage was taken for the now-defunct Portland Division of the Electric Railroad Association, of which Boothby was a member.

The reel has fairly heavy scratching throughout. // Along with reel 2, does contains trolley footage of Androscoggin & Kennebec Railway, Portland Railroad Company, and Biddeford & Saco Railroad. // Documents an excursion made by the Portland Division of the Electric Railroaders' Association and features extensive footage of electric trolleys/streetcars moving on city streets and through rural areas. Features intertitles with maps highlighting specific routes of the trolleys. Scenes from each route follow the intertitles. The opening title reads: 'The fans leave Portland via the Canadian National Railway.' A Group of people stands waving in front of a locomotive. The first map shows, Mechanic Falls to Lewiston route through Hackett Mills, Minot, and Auburn. The scene with the trolley leaving Mechanic Falls. Shot of a trolley coming over Hackett's Mills bridge and moving on rails beside a street. Footage of trolleys in Minot. Interior of trolley car entering Auburn. Passengers get off the trolley at Huelett Square in Lewiston. Map illustrating, Lewiston to Lake Grove route through Auburn and Perryville. Footage of the 'figure 8 route in Auburn.' Map illustrating, Lewiston to Sabbatus route through Tarr's Corner. A man, possibly a conductor, is waving as the trolley passes by on track at Tarr's Corner while another trolley waits on other tracks. View from a trolley on Main Street in Sabattus. Shots from the trolley with Maine Central Railroad tracks running alongside. Map illustrating, Lewiston to Lisbon Falls route through Lisbon Center and Frost Park. Shot of a trolley leaving Huelett Square in Lewiston. Trolley riding on the elevated bridge over Maine Central Railroad tracks. Footage of tracks in Lisbon Falls, Frost Park, and Lisbon was taken from a moving trolley.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Click Here: For the list of links to Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View

We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents first captivates, then fascinates, and then generates interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

     The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

Independent book publisher Phil Morse, holding

Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive

Libb(e)y Family Connection to Narcissus becomes Personal

First Congregational Church in Black Point, Scarborough, Maine.

The Black Point area of Scarborough is where John Libby established his

home in the 1630s. W. S. Libbey, the founder of the Portland-Lewiston

Interurban is a descendant of John Libby. And, "Surprise", so is this

blogger! - image February 22, 1952. PWM

     This blog was created in April 2015 to introduce readers to the Narcissus 1912 Project. The project features the restoration of this National Register of Historic Places vintage electric interurban railway vehicle at the  Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. The blog posts speak to the restoration of 1912, high-speed, luxury interurban, its history, and connections to its most famous passenger, Theodore Roosevelt.

This post introduces a connection to Narcissus that is quite personal to this writer.

     The Narcissus was built in 1912 in Laconia, NH, at the Laconia Car Company Works, for the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad. The PGLRR would later become known as the Portland-Lewiston Interurban and served the communities of, and between, Portland and Lewiston, Maine, from 1914 to 1933. The man behind the construction of the interurban line between the two prominent cities in Maine was W. S. Libbey.

      Early in August 2015, I had the pleasure of meeting family members descended from W. S. Libbey. A copy of a family-produced biography of W. S. Libbey was shared with me by Mark Libbey Conley. Mary is a great-granddaughter of W.S. Libbey. I found his biography fascinating. In his biography, his family wrote of W. S. Libbey, "With the same care and precision he had devoted to all his affairs, Libbey conceived of the Interurban as the fastest, quietest, most luxurious transportation yet available.....Each richly furnished car was given the name of a flower." We are restoring his Narcissus.

     Early in September of 2015, Mary reached out to the John Libby Family Association (JLFA) and asked them to invite me to attend their next annual meeting. I received an invitation flyer that explained the reunion's details, including directions to the meeting house, where the reunion would be hosted at the First Congregational Church in the Black Point area of Scarborough, ME.

     Hmmm....that church? Seems like I know that church? My mother grew up in Scarborough. Sure enough, my parents were married in the First Congregational Church in Black Point!

W. S. Libbey is a descendant of John Libby (Many Libbys, regardless of whether the name is Libby or Libbey, are descended from John Libby of the Black Point area of Scarborough, ME). The 111th JLFA reunion was taking place later in September. I attended the reunion and had a table set up with materials explaining the Narcissus project. 

This blogger's parents' wedding at the First Congregational Church

in Black Point, Scarborough, Maine. L-R, Emily True Morse (groom's

mother), Warren O. Morse (groom), Nancy Hughes Morse (bride), and

Ms Alphaetta Plummer Hughes (bride's mother). The strong Libby connection

to this blogger is via the Plummer side of the bride's mother :)

image 2-22-1952 PWM

     Now that's a coincidence! My parents were married in the church where the Libby reunion was taking place. I invited two students from the Residential Life program at Thornton Academy in Saco, ME,  to join me at the reunion.

     Allen Humphries is a board member of the John Libby Family Association. Allen had introduced himself to me at the reunion, and a few days later, was very kind to share some photographs with me that he had taken at the reunion. As it turns out, Allen had also done some genealogical research about my family. He informed me through his research that through my father's side of the family, he (Allen) and I were 11th cousins! He went on to say that I was also the 10th cousin of a couple of the reunion attendees. A week later, Allen researched my mother's side of the family and found that through the Plummer side of my maternal grandmother, Ms Alphaetta, I was descended from John Libby, the Patriarch of the John Libby Family Association. So, I was related to one-third to one-half of all the attendees at the reunion!

No wonder I've been so drawn to the Narcissus :)

Here is the Libby Tree for this writer:

1)  John Libby - b: Abt. 1602 in Broadstairs, Isle of Thanet, Kent, England
2)  Matthew Libby - b: 1663, Scarborough, ME
3)  Matthew Libby - b: Abt. 1695
4)  Zebulon Libby - b: 1737
5)  Robert Libby - b: 1769
6)  Eliza Libby - b: 1804 (married Simeon Clay)
7)  Jonathan Clay - b: 1827
8)  Ms Alphaetta Clay - b: 1854 (married William L. Plummer)
9)  Clifford L. Plummer - b: 1877
10) Ms Alphaetta Plummer - b:1900 (married Dean Marcellus Hughes)
11) Nancy Hughes - b: 1932 (married Warren O. Morse)
12) Philip W. Morse

I have sent in membership dues to join the John Libby Family Association. I look forward to learning more about my cousins and, in particular, where the W. S. Libbey branch of the family is connected to me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Click Here: For the list of links to Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View

We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents first captivates, fascinates, then generates interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

     The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

Independent book publisher Phil Morse, holding

Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive

$40,000 Matching Grant to Benefit the Narcissus Project!

We Did It!! 

$40,000 Raised!

Your Donations to the Narcissus Combined to Achieve the Goal Set Nineteen Months Ago. Raise $40,000 for the Narcissus. Meet the Challenge of the Matching Grant from the 

The 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation.

This brings the Combined Total Amount of Donations to the

National Register of Historic Places Treasure,

Narcissus, based on the 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation's matching grants, to be $100,000!  

The $40,000 donation will be the 2nd donation to the Narcissus from the 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation as a result of successfully raising funds for a matching grant. A previous $10,000 matching grant challenge was achieved in 2014.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Click Here: For the list of links to Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View

We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents first captivates, fascinates, then generates interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

     The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

Independent book publisher Phil Morse, holding

Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive

Theodore Roosevelt Grieved in Dark Harbor on Islesboro, Maine

Marine Museum at Grindle Point, where the Islesboro Ferry,

"Margaret Chase Smith" arrives in Islesboro, twenty minutes
after departing Lincolnville (ME). PWM image 10-7-2015

      New in 2022 - First Post for the Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail June 16, 2022

      First Look at Logo - "My Debt To Maine" - Logo - Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail 6-15-22

     Day two of my impromptu trip into northern and eastern Maine, to investigate a couple of towns that Theodore Roosevelt visited, had me returning to Islesboro for the first time since early in May of 1975. When I first heard of TR's visit to Dark Harbor in Islesboro, specifically to mourn the death of his youngest son, Quentin, it made me shiver a bit. I learned of TR's visit to Dark Harbor from author Chip Bishop.

     Chip is the author of the 2014 book, Quentin & Flora: A Roosevelt and a Vanderbilt in Love during the Great War. In mid-July 2015, Chip and his lovely wife, Jane, and I were visiting during a National Park Service event for the reopening of Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, NY. Chip mentioned TR's Dark Harbor visit to me in preparation for his (Chip's) book talk and signing at the Teddy Roosevelt Days event at Seashore Trolley Museum, in Kennebunkport, ME, on July 31, 2015. Chip's comments included the fact that Theodore's wife, Edith, made arrangements through their daughter, Ethel (Derby), for the Roosevelts to be guests in Dark Harbor, following the death of Roosevelt's son, Quentin. Chip's book details, on pages 190-191, Roosevelt's stay at the Derby cottage from late July until August 10, 1918, as they grieved the loss of their son to an aerial battle over France during WW I.

Could it be any more beautiful! Looking out from the ferry,

"Margaret Chase Smith", as we approach Islesboro.

PWM image 10-7-2015

This rose, painted on the ferry, "Margaret Chase Smith",
depicts the distinguished senator's fresh red rose,
which was a daily fixture, on her attire.
PWM image 10-7-2015

The weather and the view on this fall day were spectacular as the ferry made its way to the island.

Alice L. Pendleton Library, Islesboro, Maine

PWM image 10-7-2015

     I was fortunate that the library in Islesboro is open from 10 am until Noon on Wednesdays.

Library Director Linda Graf was very helpful to me. She used a book to help find some background information on Roosevelt's visit to Dark Harbor. I was able to purchase a copy of the book. The Summer Cottages of Islesboro: 1890-1930, by Earle G. Shuttleworth, Jr. This 1989 publication was printed for the Islesboro Historical Society.

Summer Cottages of Islesboro: 1890-1930,
by Earle G. Shuttleworth, Jr., 1989
PWM image 10-10-2015

     Chip Bishop's 2014 book, Quentin & Flora: A Roosevelt and a Vanderbilt in Love during the Great War, explains that Theodore Roosevelt's daughter, Ethel, was married to Dr. Richard Derby. Dr. Derby's family owned a cottage on Islesboro in Dark Harbor, overlooking Penobscot Bay. The Summer Cottages of Islesboro book provides a very nice description, with images, of the Derby cottage on pages. 42-43.

Heading to Dark Harbor on Islesboro. - PWM image 10-7-2015

The Dark Harbor, Islesboro, Maine - PWM image 10-7-2015

     As I motored around the island and the Dark Harbor area, gazing at the beauty of the landscape and seascape, Chip Bishop's words of Theodore expressing his sorrow and loss of his son, Quentin, and for the loss of the opportunity for Quentin to have married and perhaps have a family of his own, came to mind. Having two sons of my own made it a sobering thought for me.

Approaching the ferry entrance at Grindle Point, Islesboro, Maine

PWM image 10-7-2015

Marine Museum at Grindle Point, where the ferry service to
Lincolnville departs/arrives in Islesboro, Maine.
PWM image 10-7-2015

From the ferry, "Margaret Chase Smith", shortly after
departing the ferry terminal at Grindle Point, Islesboro, Maine.
PWM image 10-7-2015

     A beautiful day in a beautiful place. A place that has brought more insight to me as I continue to learn about Theodore Roosevelt and his connections to Maine and the importance of those connections to him in his life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Click Here: For the list of links to Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View

We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents first captivates, fascinates, then generates interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

     The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

Independent book publisher Phil Morse, holding

Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive

Bible Point - Island Falls, Maine and Theodore Roosevelt

Bible Point State Historic Site - PWM image 10-6-2015

      New in 2022 - First Post for the Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail, June 16, 2022

      First Look at Logo - "My Debt To Maine" - Logo - Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail 6-15-22

     I first learned of Bible Point in Island Falls (ME) from Maine author Andrew Vietze. Andrew's 2010 book, Becoming Teddy Roosevelt: How a Maine Guide Inspired America's 26th President, speaks to how Theodore Roosevelt utilized the site. (paragraph on page 48).

     Scroll down this post to find "My Debt to Maine" by TR

     On Tuesday, October 6, 2015, I headed up to check out Bible Point. Below or Click Here for the video story of the adventure along Merriman Road.

This video story is made up of stills and video clips of the walk. The description below fails to mention that Merriman Road is a gravel road along which an active logging harvest is currently taking place. The permits for the harvest are posted along Merriman Road. This made for a very interesting expedition to Bible Point. 

The description of the site at Maine.gov:

Location: From Island Falls, take the Merriman Road to its end, then follow the hiking trail along the western shore of the West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River for approximately one mile.

Bible Point, a 27-acre property near the south end of Mattawamkeag Lake, was made famous by Teddy Roosevelt, who visited the area beginning in 1878. As a young man under the guidance of his lifelong friend and guide, Bill Sewall, Roosevelt camped at the southern end of Mattawamkeag Lake and hunted and fished throughout the area. It is reported that each day, Roosevelt would take his bible and hike to a beautiful point of land at the confluence of the West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River and First Brook, where he would read the bible.  A plaque was erected in 1921 by Roosevelt's biographer Hermann Hagedorn, and it reads:

This plaque commemorates Theodore Roosevelt's love for the 

area. - PWM image 10-6-2015

"This place, to which a great man in his youth liked to come to commune with God and with the wonder and beauty of the visible world, is dedicated to the happy memory of THEODORE ROOSEVELT. Stranger, rest here and consider what one man, having faith in the right and love for his fellow man, was able to do for his country." Hermann Hagedorn

Below or Click Here for a video walk-around at Bible Point.

Walk around Bible Point video

Straight ahead to the point where First Brook (on the right, just out of sight)

merges with the West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River (seen on the right).

PWM image 10-6-2015

PWM image 10-6-2015

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This Blogger is in a selfie. PWM image 10-6-2015

Within this kiosk is the typed text of Theodore Roosevelt's March 20, 1918,

letter titled, My Debt to Maine, and a copy of the said letter in TR's own

hand. TR buttons, courtesy of Theodore Roosevelt Association :) The

buttons were removed after photo ops. To see the entire text of TR's letter,

My Debt to Maine, scroll down to the bottom of this post.

PWM image 10-6-2015 

First Brook as it enters the Bible Point area. PWM image 10-6-2015

Along the walking trail to/from Bible Point.

PWM image 10-6-2015

Along the walking trail to Bible Point. Evidence that a
Pileated Woodpecker paid a visit? PWM image 10-6-2015

Along the walking trail to/from Bible Point.

PWM image 10-6-2015

Along the walking trail to/from Bible Point.

PWM image 10-6-2015

Along the walking trail to/from Bible Point.

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Some images along Merriman Road 

PWM image 10-6-2015

The left arrow had black letters has Bible Point written on it.

PWM image 10-6-2015

Collection area for the harvested logs. Logs that have been delivered by a skidder.

Then they were stacked by the machine seen in the background here.

PWM image 10-6-2015

Harvested logs, stacked in a collection area. PWM image 10-6-2015

Starting at the top, the first star, Island Falls. The star below Island Falls

is the beginning of Merriman Road. It is about 7 miles along Merriman Road,

heading southeast, that you come to the next star. This represents where you

turn left and travel for about a mile. At the next star, Merriman "Road" ends,

and a trail for ATVs or Snowmobiles begins. Follow this trail for about a

mile, and you come upon Bible Point, the final star. The only time I saw any

signs of Bible Point was when turning left about 7 miles in, there were

a couple of plastic signs with an arrow and Bible Point handwritten on the

sign. - Screenshot 10-9-2015

After having traveled along Merriman Road, these "veins" and small, cleared

areas along the road are known. The veins are trails made by a skidder

as it harvests and drags trees to the collection areas along the road. These

collection areas are cleared areas along the road where the trees are stacked

for loading. Screenshot 10-9-2015

An expanded view of harvesting trails and collection areas.

Screenshot 10-9-2015

Sign in the yard at the original Sewall homestead in Island Falls, where

Theodore Roosevelt stayed during his three visits in 1878/79.

PWM image 10-6-2015 

The original Sewall homestead, where Theodore

Roosevelt stayed during his three visits to Island Falls in 1878/79.

PWM image 10-6-2015

     In the kiosk at Bible Point are the typed text and a copy of the handwritten letter by TR titled, My Debt to Maine. This letter was originally published in 1919 in a book titled, Maine My State, by The Maine Writers Research Club.

     Within the acknowledgments is written, "Col. Theodore Roosevelt responded to the request for a contribution to this book by sending the story, and the manuscript, written in pencil by his own hand, is a priceless treasure."

     I happen to have a copy of the book that belonged to my father. It was given to him on April 9, 1947, while he was attending high school.

My Debt To Maine
by Col. Theodore Roosevelt

     I owe a personal debt to Maine because of my association with certain staunch friends in Aroostook County; an association that helped and benefitted me throughout my life in more ways than one.
    It is (now), over forty years ago that I first went to Island Falls and stayed with the Sewall family. I repeated the visit three or four times. I made a couple of hunting trips in the fall, with Bill Sewall and Wilmot Dow, and one winter I spent three or four weeks on snowshoes with them, visiting a couple of lumber camps. I was not a boy of any natural prowess, and for that very reason, the vigorous outdoor life was just what I needed.
     It was a matter of pride with me to keep up with my stalwart associates, to shift for myself, and to treat with indifference whatever hardship or fatigue came our way. In their company, I would have been ashamed to complain! And I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was rather tired by some of the all-day tramps, especially in the deep snow, when my webbed racquets gave me "snowshoe feet", or when we wadded up the Munsungin in shallow water, dragging a dugout until my ankles became raw from slipping on the smooth underwater stones; and I still remember with qualified joy the ascent and especially the descent of Katahdin in moccasins, worn because, to the deep disapproval of my companions, I had lost one of my heavy shoes in crossing a river at the riffle.
     I also remember such delicious nights, under a lean-to, by stream or lake, in the clear fall weather, or in winter on balsam boughs in front of a blazing stump, when we had beaten down and shoveled away the deep snow, and kept our foot-gear away from the fire, so that it should not thaw and freeze;-and the meals of venison, trout or partridge; and one meal consisting of muskrat and a fish-duck, which, being exceedingly hungry, we heartily appreciated.
     But the bodily benefit was not the largest part of the good done for me. I was accepted as part of the household and the family and friends represented in their lives the kind of Americanism-self-respecting, duty-performing, life-enjoying-which is the most valuable possession that any generation can hand on to the next. It was as native to our soil as "William Henry's Letters to his Grandmother"-I hope there are still readers of that delightful volume of my youth, even though it was published fifty years ago.
     Mrs. Sewall, the mother, was a dear old lady, and Miss Sewall, the sister, was a most capable manager of the house. Bill Sewall, at the time, had two brothers. Sam was a deacon. Dave was NOT a deacon. It was from Dave that I heard an expression which after remained in my mind. He was speaking of a local personage of shifty character who was very adroit in using fair-sounding words that completely nullified the meaning of another fair-sounding word that preceded them. "His words weasel the meaning of the words in front of them," said Dave, "just like a weasel when he sucks the meat out of an egg and leaves nothing but the shell;" and, I always remembered, "weasel words" as applicable to certain forms of oratory, especially political oratory, which I do not admire.
     Once, while driving in a wagon with Dave, up, to, an exceedingly wet and rocky backwoods road, with the water pouring down the middle, I asked him how in Aroostook County they were able to tell its roads from its rivers. "No beaver dams in the roads," instantly responded Dave.
     At one of the logging camps, I became good friends with a quiet, resolute-looking man, named Brown, one for the choppers; and afterward, I stopped at his house and was as much struck with his good and pretty wife as I had been with him. He had served in the Civil War and had been wounded. His creed was that peace was a great blessing, but that even so great a blessing could be purchased at too dear a price. I did not see him again until thirty-seven years later, when he came to a meeting at which I spoke in Portland. He had shaved off his beard and was an old man, and I did not at first recognize him; but after the first sentence, I knew him and, very glad, indeed I was to see him once more.
     In the eighties, I started a little cattle ranch on Little Missouri. In the then territory of Dakota. I got Bill Sewall and Wilmot Dow to join me. By the time they had both married. They brought out Mrs. Sewall and Mrs. Dow. There was already a little girl in the Sewall family, and two babies were born on the ranch. Thanks to Mrs. Sewall and Mrs. Dow, we were most comfortable. The ranch-house and all the out-buildings at the home, ranch, the Elkhorn- were made of cottonwood logs and were put up by Bill and Wilmot, who were mighty men with the ax. I got them to put on a veranda, and in one room, where I kept my books and did my writing, we built a big fireplace, and I imported a couple of rocking chairs. (Only one would have made me feel too selfish.) The veranda, the open fireplace, the books, and the rocking chairs represented my special luxuries; I think Mrs. Sewall and Mrs. Dow enjoyed them almost as much as I did.
     We had stoves to keep us warm in the bitter winter weather and bearskin and buffalo robes. Bill and Wilmot, and I, and usually one or two cowhands worked hard, but it was enjoyable to work, and the hunting on which we relied for all our meat was, of course, sheer fun. When the winter weather set in, we usually made a regular hunt to get the winter meat, and we hung our game in the cottonwood trees, which stretched before our house. I remember once when we had a bull elk and several deer hanging up, and another time when we had a couple of antelope and a yearling mountain sheep. The house of hewn logs was clean and comfortable, and we were, all of us, young and strong and happy.
     Wilmot was, from every standpoint, one of the best men I ever knew. He has been dead for many years. His widow is now Mrs. Pride, and her present husband is also one of my valued friends.
     When I was President, the Sewalls and Prides came down to Washington to visit me. We talked over everything, public and private, past and present; the education and future careers of our children's proper attitude, of the United States in external and internal matters. We, all of us, looked at the really important matters of public policy and private conduct from substantially the same viewpoint. Never were there more welcome guests at the White House.                                                                                                                                                                   - Theodore Roosevelt
     Sagamore Hill, March 20, 1918.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Click Here: For the list of links to Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View

We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents first captivates, fascinates, then generates interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

     The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

Independent book publisher Phil Morse, holding

Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive