| Show THE OLD STONE MILL how newport ancient hytry II 11 den from antiquarians and 0 many a land have New ports mystery of mysteries odd sighed for omo revelation that would them sn this theory or in that as to its origin and the was to which it was put but they have sighed in vain although a during alio particularly many acx attics have been expressed and fell about the izety of the mysterious structure to gazo upon and examine men have conic purposely from across distant blaa not a few archaeologists have inspected it this summer and many 0 these gave it as their opinion that unless speedy measures were inkin for a elior ough overhauling the grand old would rapidly decay and cro long tumble into a heap of stones somo years english ivy was planted around alic old itono stono inlall and with the rapid growth peculiar to its nature soon spread in every direction until nearly every inch 0 stone was covered up about twenty four years since attention was calletto called to the fact that this ivy was rapidly working destruction to alio mill and thrusting out large quantities of mortar which caused the which many believe wore handled by while ollices aver that alio structure teas tho work of druies druids to bo loosened rendering the whole pile in ft dangerous condition the ivy was finally removed and the building resumed ita original appearance of lato years alio building has been growing shaky and finally public attention was attracted to ita condition in a very forcible way tho city author sties took hold of the matter after some delay and it is satisfactory to gearu from tho committees report that although tho work of preservation lias been somewhat expensive it and that alic old mill is now in condition to withstand for alio llio dc alve forces of alio llio elements how bad a condition tho curious structure was in may bo gathered from tho fact eliat alic report states eliat alio old mill was found to be in an unstable and dan porous condition alic upper walls were badly cracked and for about two feet down from the top alio old mortar had almost entirely disappeared from between abo this portion of the wall has now been lain in portland cement mortar alio stones being removed individually and their original position and alic joints leavo been raked out roughly to all alio characteristics of crudu rudu rubble work where any new stones acro required they were selected froni among alio sea worn ones on lie bench anro being exercised to obtain the same claas of slate and granite as was used by tho original builders centuries ago tho top of tho wall lias been cemented over iu u slightly rounded form to stop all future infiltrations of storm water where the walla were cracked bond stones have been inserted across the and all the work made secure alio arches and upper walling leavo been examined and all open joints filled in alio outer faces having been left rough anil open all thu windows cortices mort ices for beams port holes fireplaces etc linao been treated in tho same way all the old portholes port holes and one window which in the course of time had been filled up brickwork were opened and left as originally built this brickwork was evidently alio work of lato occupants fitting tho old mill for own uses and not a portion ol 01 tho ancient structure alio fact that tho mysterious old structure has placed in midi thorough order will bo mot gratifying news to readers interested in archaeology particularly as alio mill ia claimed to bo tho oldest structure in alic united states and now restored to its original appearance alio are rejoicing over its complete restoration for they regard the old stone mill as one of tho bilings to bo treasured moro than amo gold or precious 11 II 7 cor botton |
