My late husband, Bernard Perry, grew up in Millinocket. The lure of the lakes and woods were as familiar to him as his backyard, so it is not surprising that he headed to Togue Pond as a young schoolboy for summer work.

Perhaps his knowledge of the Mount Katahdin area was well-known to his teachers at Stearns High School.

As a result, he was one of the persons named to assist in toting a large brass plaque to the peak of the mountain in the late 1920s. The plaque was installed to identify the place, Pamola Peak, the donor, Gov. Percival Baxer, and other historic data.

What may not be known by people today is that Percival Baxter was a naturalist who believed the state should own and protect the vast natural wilderness in northern Maine.

When the Legislature vetoed the ideal of buying the land, Mr. Baxter purchased the land on which Mount Katahdin rests himself and donated it to the state of Maine.

Several years after his mountaintop errand, I married that woodsman and wondered how he became involved with the carrying task. I was particular interested to learn who other members of the climbing party might have been.

To learn the facts, I boldly wrote to — yes, Percival Baxter.

You can imagine my genuine surprise when, several weeks later, I received a personal letter from that noted man that contained all the information I was seeking to know.

You may be assured that the letter is carefully enclosed in my file of Valuable Letters. Here is what it says:

“Your letter which came to me a few weeks ago recalls the group that made the ascent of Mount Katadhin in the 1920s. We had a most successful trip.

“As I recall it, Arthur Staples of the Lewiston Journal, Charles Barnes of Houlton, Willis Parsons of the Fish and Game Department, Sandy McMullen of Greenville, Roy Dudley of Stacyville, Roy Bradeen of Kidney Pond, Bert Hose of Patten and Bernard Perry were those who climbed the mountain with me.

“I know I may have missed a name but will keep it in mind and if it comes to me, will let you know promptly. I am please to render this small service.

“Sincerely, Percival Baxter.”

 

– Special to the Telegram

 

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