From collection Creating Acadia National Park: The George B. Dorr Research Archive of Ronald H. Epp

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Havey, Morton-1899-1983
Havey Morton
1899-1983
Notz: Only published journalistic
interview of 3.DorR.
ACADIA
Dedication of Cadillac Mountain
Road Completes Fulfilment, of George
Bucknam Dorr's Life-long Mission-
A Boyhood Dream
Devoted to Preservation of Mount
Come True
Desert's Primitive Beauties.
By B. MORTON HAVEY
[1899-1983]
T
HE history of a nation was changing. A chapter
long since been passed down to us by parents and
of war was passing into the shadow.
grand-parents.
But the ogre of reconstruction-with its trials
Our first picture of Mount Desert, in truth, is all that
and diversities-beckoned its unfortunates to come; to
had been visioned-and more!
pass over the grill of turbulence, which is the aftermath
Our first inspiration-and it is still in the years of
of strife between countries and peoples.
youth, you will remember-is to lend the hand of man
Is it to be wondered that at such a
to the great task of conserving all
time in the affairs of our United
the fine things before us, passing
States a quiet isle off the coast of
them down to posterity for pos-
our own State of Maine should, in
terity's sake alone.
its very solemnity and peace,
It is the work of a life-time!
carry impressiveness and in-
Are we decided?
spiration?
Can we devote our life, mind
Is it to be wondered that this
and body, to this vast under-
bit of land-l'Isle des Monts
taking? Can we educate our-
deserts--its mountains silent in
selves for this single purpose?
primeval sleep, should summon
With this single objective in
anew thought of centuries
view? Can we make an actu-
past: Black-robed priests
ality of this wish of our
in romantic guise,
forebears?
steeped in learning,
It is an inborn ex-
paled from
pression of the soul-
monastery vig-
as determined, as self-
ilance, passing
sacrificing, as relig-
in the night
iously con-
among plumed
ceived, devoid
helmets cast
of all ego, as
aside by weary
is the thought
men, whose
of those black-
fondest hope,
robed men of
whether lord or
years ago,
vassal, could
casting about
be to give
in the forests,
their lives for Mr. Dorr and Franklin K. Lane, former Secretary of The Interior, photographed at
in priestly
France.
summit of Cadillac Mountain when the new road was being planned.
vestment, by
Let us slip back a moment, across the years, into those
the flickering lights of their ghostly camp fires!
days of drab, bleak reconstruction.
We are resolved!
In youth, then, we leave other quarters of the country
-leave riots, dishonesty, horrors and gruesome scenes
George Bucknam Dorr
-to come to peaceful Mount Desert.
To try and visualize the work and the inspiration of
The story of its sleepy mountains, reaching their
George Bucknam Dorr is difficult. A man now well be-
slopes into the restless ocean, adorning their tops with
yond his three score and ten years, Mr. Dorr talks but
characteristic pines and hemlocks, picturing, in them-
little of himself; if you would see his life's work-for
selves all that is strong and beautiful in Nature, has
(Continued on page 29)
Page Eleven
(1932-33).
MAINE HIGHWAYS
29
in
ACADIA A BOYHOOD DREAM
him a day, note his activities and pleasures-most all of
(Continued from page 11)
which are akin to work-and you can't help from re-
away con-
traveling
which he seeks no personal glory-you have but to gaze
turning with a lighter step and in a happier frame of
mind.
mmission,
on and visit Acadia National Park.
Incidentally (and we feel that is the proper word),
He radiates those qualities, talks on any subject you
Macadam.
he is Superintendent of the Park; is briefly rated as
wish, writes and reads in eight languages, spends his
into city.
such, together with being its founder, in Who's Who In
evenings translating from the original Greek, makes
sent pave-
America.
haste when there is need-but has a most enjoyable
Who's Who, further, tells us that Mr. Dorr is a stu-
habit of not making too much haste!
Gravel.
dent, scientist, born in 1853; an unmarried man; also
And now your patience is requested for a moment
miles-
indicates that he is well educated, has devoted much
while we go into the 'first person' part of this account.
Alternate
time to plant life, public reservations and landscape
Reportorial Tactics--and Comebacks
mariscotta
gardening.
On the day I interviewed Mr. Dorr warning was given
Travel al-
That is not exciting or particularly newsy: You
by friends that he would talk for hours on the subject
d around
would just naturally expect it, take it all for granted,
of Acadia National Park-but that I had best watch out
after meeting the man. You would know that he set
if any attempt was made to lead him onto the subject of
ituminous
out on a purpose in early life, trained his mind for
George Bucknam Dorr.
what he had to do, denied himself many privileges and
"Unfortunately, what is it you wish to discuss?" he
Macadam.
pleasures to give his undivided time to the labor ahead.
greeted, with a smile, having an inkling of what my call
posite di-
The nearest he comes to telling you that, in substance,
was all about.
5 miles-
or anything else regarding himself is, in his own words:
"Unfortunately, I would like to know a few things
"The impelling causes of what people do may gen-
about George Bucknam Dorr," was my reply.
ous Mac-
erally be found far back. What led to my own interest
"Very well," he returned, much to my surprise, and
alternate
in nature and landscape, in their conservation, and in
immediately began telling me about the beautiful hills
ou.
sharing the pleasure got from them with others came
and view thereabouts.
from years of close association, both abroad and in this
It was finally realized that he was evading the point,
country, with my father and my mother, who inherited
so, as tactfully as possible, the conversation was swung
in turn from older generations."
to the personal side once again.
For One And All
"Oh, yes, to be sure, you desire to know about George
Bucknam Dorr," he said-with apologies for using the
E
Acadia National Park is a spot for all. Classes of
quotation marks-it was simply something like that,
people, regardless of station or position, may come here
Nevertheless, my hopes were raised as he left the room
and take away enjoyment and happiness far and beyond
a moment, to return with an old family house-book.
the realm of monetary value.
Turning the pages, he finally came upon an original
And neither, curiously enough, has Mr. Dorr made nor
poem, written in pen and ink, by Oliver Wendell
attempted to make a monument to himself or family
Holmes.
from Acadia National Park. The development has been
"Would you just read that?" he invited.
his life-time's work, but he is wholly satisfied, for his
Very thoroughly I read the lines, believing that he
part, to accept in payment the knowledge that he has
was to tell me a story of his life, which, perhaps, had
done something for others; that he has given some-
an association with this verse.
thing instead of taken something.
Many have assisted him, contributed priceless efforts,
Hide and Seek
but for this brief article, their magnanimity is sought
About ten or fifteen minutes later I found him at his
that exclusive lines may be devoted to this man, now in
desk in another room. He greeted me with a smile,
the sunset of life, who may gaze upon 'his' beloved hills
took the house-book for a moment, turned to another
VERY
of Acadia and find there carved the achievement of an
page and invited me to read another bit of verse.
T OF
inherent custody.
I was most happy to do so, especially in the thought
that it was bringing me closer to the information I
AND
A Kindly Man
sought.
URS
Mr. Dorr is a kindly man; ever a gentleman in every
After the second reading was completed, I discovered
deed and act.
that Mr. Dorr had disappeared again. About ten
He has a merry twinkle in his eye, a good color in
minutes later I found him, working as usual. Just as
Y
his cheeks, the kind of a laugh you're bound to like, a
though he wished to groom me further he said:
lot of wit-and loves a prank. He makes you feel that
"Come and I will show you about."
Mass.
advanced age cannot be so serious after all! Visit with
He did-but still said nothing of himself.
30
MAINE HIGHWAYS
"No, no!". I almost shouted. "I just want to talk
with you, if you please."
"Oh, but you should see the mountain," he replied
Tarmac
with that same politeness and smile.
was
"But I've seen it a thousand times," I protested.
Pul
MAKES GOOD ROADS
"But you must see it again," he insisted.
ma
Before I could do any more insisting, I was hustled
pro
into a car, and as it's said: taken for a ride! And I
age
spent the remainder of "my interview' looking at scenery
V
from the mountain tops while Mr. George Bucknam
hig]
Dorr-I'll wager a cooky-chuckled, as he worked in
com
his modest little study in the foothills, because he had
rou
outwitted another reporter!
Stat
Honored by Congress
con
It is quite generally known that Mr. Dorr has been
as
paid a distinct honor by Congress. His work was ap-
the
preciated to the extent that the Federal government
inte:
passed a special bill allowing him to be retained as
poir
Superintendent of Acadia National Park, after he had
quir
reached the age of retirement.
term
Koppers Products Company, Inc.
There are many intimate facts regarding his life and
gene
public career which pass from mouth to mouth; which
brid
Providence, R. - Boston, Mass.
should be written, that this man might receive the fullest
toge
Distributing Plant - Portland, Me.
credit for his accomplishment.
pose
But if one wishes to be exact, he must gather the ma-
refer
terial for such an account from Mr. Dorr, and Mr. Dorr
mon
alone, and as yet he does not feel it necessary or ex-
Whe
pedient to associate his own personality with Acadia
mate
Finally he reached upon the mantel, removed a
mitte
National Park.
glass vessel which contained a fine sand; walked over
He is satisfied and happy to carry on the work of his
ticula
close by the light of a window. At last, I thought, he is
fathers for the enjoyment of humanity.
and
going to give me some personal information! That
plans
sand, I was sure, came from the rock on the top of
trict
Mr. Barrows Attends n. y. Meeting
Cadillac-and who knows but what it represented his
to su
Chief Engineer Lucius D. Barrows, who is Vice Presi-
initial inspiration in behalf of this Park?
Publi
dent of the Association of State Highway Officials of
"See how fine it is," he said, as he allowed a bit of
A
the North Atlantic States, attended a meeting of the
the contents of the jar to stream into his hand.
struct
directors of that organization, held in New York on July
"Yes, yes!" I agreed with genuine enthusiasm.
repre
15th.
He carefully placed the jar back upon the mantle.
Depa
The purpose of the session was to determine the lo-
"From the rock on Cadillac?"
the te
cation of the annual convention, to be held in 1933,
"Oh, no," came very casually, as he set about moving
proje
Atlantic City being selected.
some papers here and there. "Banks of the river Nile!"
to sul
work
He Wins the Day
requir
It was then lunch time-and I hustled through the
The BOND Co.
of the
hour, with cooperation from Mr. Dorr's efficient secre-
Voi
tary, Miss Oakes, who realized the task I had buckled up
HAROLD L. BOND, Pres.
progro
work
against.
I wondered just how long this gentleman could so
DEALERS IN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT FOR
The
courteously, but efficiently, avoid my direct questioning.
CONSTRUCTION WORK
partm
I wanted to be a good cross-examining lawyer
Burea
for about fifteen minutes!
39 Old Colony Avenue
South Boston
is Tho
"Miss Oakes," came a pleasant command. "Will you
trict N
Telephone South Boston 0764
see that this young man is given a ride up over the
the
mountain?
resente
B. Mortan Havey addreds in 1926 is
103 Essex St., Bangor, ME
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