"Blasting at Mount Mica has ceased at present, though it is predicted that operations will be resumed immediately after haying. Nothing of consequence has been found this season, though during the fall of 1881, two of the finest specimens of green tourmaline were discovered which have been found since the Hamlin boys (Hannibal and Cyrus) found theirs in 1823. Dr. A. C. Hamlin, a relative of Hannibal and Cyrus, who recently purchased Mount Mica farm, probably has the the [sic] finest collection of its specimens on record." (July 25, 1882, Oxford Democrat). "Dr. A. C. Hamlin. - Dr. Augustus C. Hamlin, of Bangor, Surgeon-General of Maine, on the staff of Gov. Robie, is one of the most distinguished medical officers in New England. He served in the army during the entire war. He was entrusted with important commands in the Army of the Potomac, as Medical Director, and in the Army of Western Virginia. He was afterward promoted to one of the highest positions, that of Medical Inspector, in the staff of the regular army; and served with distinction in the Army of the South during the famous siege of Fort Wagner, and was afterwards assigned to the armies of the Southwest under the command of Major General [Henry] Thomas. Dr. Hamlin is a man of high scientific attainments, and is a member of numerous scientific societies, both at home and abroad. - N. Y. Medical Record." (May 15, 1883, Oxford Democrat). "The lecture and camp-fire, held here last Tuesday evening, under the auspices of Harry Rust Post, G. A. R.; was a grand success in every way. The lecture by Past Commander George H. Patch on the battle of Antietam was very interesting in its language and its delivery. ... Dr. A. C. Hamlin followed, alluding to some well known characteristics of Maine regiments in the war of the rebellion, which Judge Foster, who came next, seemed to consider as being directed to him. ..." (April 20, 1886, Oxford Democrat). The Norway Light Infantry, under the direction of Captain George R. Howe, held a reception for Governor Robie, who reviewed that group. Governor Robie was a Civil War veteran, familiar with many of the former soldiers from Norway. Additional Civil War officers attended the reception including Colonel A. C. Hamlin. (May 18, 1886, Oxford Democrat ). "Tourmalines. An Interesting Collection from Mount Mica, Oxford County, Maine. [quoted from the Boston Journal]. The last week a number of splendid tourmalines from Mount Mica in Oxford County, Maine, will be placed upon exhibition at Knowlton's natural history store on Tremont Street, which will be worth the while for the gem connoisseurs of this city to examine. ... At his house in Bangor Dr. A. C. Hamlin has about a peck of the crystals, from which he will realize several thousand dollars. So noted has this deposit become that a short time since one of the Directors of the British Museum wrote that such a deposit ought not to be neglected, and urged its owners to thoroughly examine it and ascertain its extent. Thus far the pockets that have been opened have contained different colored gems, white, blue, pink and green, and it is hoped that a deposit of red crystals will be found before the ledge is exhausted. The cavities opened this year contained dark grass-green or blue-green crystals, one of which measured ten inches in length by two in diameter, and transparent in its middle third. Another crystal was seven inches long by one inch in diameter. The largest crystal is believed to be the largest ever found in any country. The cavities in which the crystals were found were filled with mud, cookeite, decomposed feldspar and crystals of quartz, at the bottom of which the tourmalines occurred lying loose or embedded in the floor of the cavity. Over two hundred perfect gems will be obtained from the tourmalines discovered, besides a number of large crystals which will be offered to scientific collections for preservation. A number of gems have already been cut by Fox of New York, in the form of brilliants, and will be placed on exhibition this week at Knowlton's natural history store on Tremont street, together with the largest crystals found and a collection of pure white beryls of remarkable brilliancy. Most of the gems that have already been cut from the discovery of this year are of a light grass-green color of great purity, with others of a very rare deep blue-green tinge. Among these is one of 12 karats weight and another of 6 1/2 karats, resembling yellow green chrysoberyl. Two of the finest gems are of a rich grass-green hue weighing between 30 and 40 karats each, which surpass in beauty and size the two famous green tourmalines in the collections of Prof. Shepard and Dr. Hamlin." (November 23, 1886, Oxford Democrat). |