Old Fort Western to be restored by the Patriotic and Generous Act 
of the Honorable Guy P. Gannett of Augusta, Maine

Sprague's Joural of Maine History
Vol. VII
Nov. Dec. 1919, Jan. 1920
No. 3
Pages 119-122

Old Fort Western to be restored by the Patriotic and Generous Act of the 
Honorable Guy P. Gannett of Augusta, Maine

In recent years we have felt that the people of Maine were sadly indifferent 
to the necessity of preserving sites and places of historical note and interest.  
We have shared with others a fear that this indifference was becoming fixed 
and permanent; that there might never be a revival in  Maine of the same 
patriotic attitude towards these things that ever animated the greatest and 
most intellectual of our forefathers, of those sturdy men who separated 
themselves from Massachusetts and erected the Pine Tree State.

Hence is was with much gratification that we learned that Hon. Guy P. Gannett of 
Augusta, member of the Maine Senate, has, in a recent letter to Hon. Burleigh Martin, 
mayor of that city, announced his intentions of presenting to Augusta the sum of $10,000, 
for the purpose of restoring Fort Western to what it was when built in 1754, and 
preserving it for all time.

Senator Gannett makes this gift to his city as a memorial to the memory of his mother.  
He is a direct descendant of Margaret Howard Patterson, daughter of Captain James 
Howard first commander of this fort.

The Journal believes to be one of the most patriotic, commendable and praiseworthy 
acts that any citizen of Maine has ever done.

Fort Western is one of Maine's important historic landmarks.  And in these days when 
all the state of the Union vie with each other in calling the attention of travelers and 
autoists to just such attractions as this, its restoration must have considerable measure 
of value to Augusta and the state at large.

Fort Western's story is of profound interest and closely identified with the fortunes of 
Plymouth Colony.  In the early days of the settlement there it was known as Cushnoc.

It begins with the year 1625, when Governor Bradford, desirous of procuring valuable 
fur products from the Indians to ship back to England for food and supplies, despatched a
 squad of Pilgrims commanded by Edward Winslow with two "shalops which their carpenter 
had built them ye year before," laden with corn.  "God preserved them and gave them good 
success, for they brought home 700 lbs. of beaver, besides some other furs."  The Augusta 
historians North and Nash believe that they went as far up the Kennebec as Cushnoc, for 
that was for a long period after an English trading post.

From the Jesuits we get much knowledge of a branch of the Abenakis nation know as the 
Kennebec Indians.  They were a powerful tribe, but more friendly disposed to the white men, 
bother the Jesuits and the English traders, than were other eastern Indians.  

It is well known that Cushnoc, - now Augusta - and from there on the Winslow was a 
favorite resort or resting place for these tribes in their journeys to and from the lakes to 
the ocean.

In 1646, John Winslow had charge of the Plymouth trading post at this place.  And here 
is a possible material for an entertaining tale.

The 29th day of August of that year saw Father Gabriel Druilettes start from Quebec, 
carrying only the missal and crucifix and a few articles of priestly necessity, with the 
Indian chief by the name of Negabamat and two or three other Abenakis where were 
to be his guides, going down rapid rivers, crossing Lake Megantic, wading through 
swamp and logans to the waters of the Kennebec.  He was to confer with other 
Catholic missionaries who were being sent forth by New France to christianize 
unknown savages.  Shortly after this he established the Kennebec mission at Old 
Point, later to be succeeded by that remarkable character Sebastian Rale, whose 
career ended in the tragedy of Aug. 23d, 1724, that is a dark chapter in New 
England history.  He was the first white man who had ever entered the Kennebec 
region from the north.  Happily surprised was he to discover another one at this 
place.  That distinguished Pilgrim at once extended his hospitality to the black 
robed missionary.  The comforts of the trader's log house were not luxurious 
but far preferable to the squalor of the Indian huts which had sheltered him thus 
far on his journey.

It was a strangely assorted couple, the sturdy Pilgrim and the pious father, each 
representing two great races, destined for the next century to wage an irrepressible 
conflict, its purpose to be no less than a death grapple for the possession of North 
America.  For two weeks they lived together as host and guest.  As neither understood 
the other's language, the conditions were not favorable for intimate and pleasant 
intercourse, but through the aid of Indian interpreters they conversed much together 
and became war friend.

And yet there are other chapters equally as interesting in the alluring story of old Fort 
Western and ancient Cushnoc.

One of the often told, yet never wearisome, opens on a bright morning on (probably) 
the 25th day, year 1775, five months after the battle of Lexington had been fought.  
It was a time of stress and strain all along the Kennebec.  The inhabitants of this 
sparse settlements from its mouth it its source were bitterly divided in sentiment.  
Americanism had burst forth on the battlefields of Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill.  
While most of these settlers were in hearty accord with the patriots, there were 
loyalists on the river led by the Reverend Jacob Bailey.  He was a man of great 
intellect and power, a natural leader of men and no less zealous and determined 
than were the followers of Washington and the Boston leaders.

All the bustle and activity in and around Fort Western.  Every man was at his post, 
every helper busy.  General Arnold and his troops were taking their last rest before 
plunging into the great northern wilderness on their proud march to invade, conquer 
and capture Quebec.  He and his officers and his soldiers must all be duly honored, 
treated and toasted according the customs of the day, for this was the most important 
point at which they had stopped on their way up the river.

The headquarters was at Esquire Howard's "an exceedingly hospitable, opulent, 
polite family," as the old records say.

On Gen. Arnold's staff was a young man of fine physical proportions, good to look 
upon, mentally keen and brilliant with a fascinating personality.  The young Indian 
girl name Jacataqua, --called by Mrs. E.C. Carll in her charming tale in the 
The Trail of the Maine Pioneer, "Queen of the Kennebec" -- a descendant of a 
noble old Sachem who once flourished at Swan Island, was following the army.  
So was comely and attractive and had formed a romantic attachment for this youth.  
These two were despatched to go to the woods and kill game for the feast.

Little could this young man, Aaron Burr, when he went forth on that joyful hunt 
in the Kennebec forests, have realized what a strange and paradoxical life fate 
was preparing for him; a brave soldier, a favorite in the highest social circles, a
n able lawyer, a sagacious politician, a great and honored statesman--United 
State Senator and Vice-President of his government.  He was to be all these a
nd then-- in a duel to kill one of the greatest of great Americans; be accused 
of and acquitted for the high crime of treason to his country; be mainly right 
but enough wrong for his real motives to be woefully misunderstood; for public 
opinion to finally condemn him to the wretched life of an outcast.

These young hunters brought in as their trophies, three bears for the festive 
board.  These were roasted whole in true frontier fashion.  Other delicious fruits 
and viands from field and forest were added.  It was truly a great occasion for 
Fort Western.  Local celebrities from other river settlement were invited guests--
William Gardiner of Cobbosseecontee; Maj. Colburn and Squire Oakman for 
Gardinerstown; Maj. Bowman, Col. Cushing, Captain Goodwin and Squire Bridge 
of Pownalborough and others were there to drink toasts to their honored guests.

And these are only fragments of what this spot represents; of what to the 
thoughtful it is a reminder of .

It is well that it be preserved.

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