20367. READING FOR LIGHTKEEPERS. October 1883. For many years various missions had been ministering to the needs of isolated communities and families on the islands and headlands of Maine. Within the far-flung reaches of the services were over sixty lighthouses, twelve Life-Saving Stations and a lightship. One such mission, the Maine Seacoast Mission, sailed on the Mission steamer Sunbeam carrying the sick to the mainland and taking supplies to those in need. Also aiding the families at the remote light stations was Messrs. W. S. Jordan & Company, who had the contract for supplying the lighthouses with oil. Mr. Jordan made it a practice to include with the loads of provisions, a selection of books, pamphlets, papers and picture books for the children. After being thoroughly enjoyed by the keeper and his family, the lot would be passed along from one station to another. Herein copied are 18 pages from a hand-written log kept by Mr. Jordan, recording packages sent to various Maine light stations. Particularly interesting are comments made by the keepers who received the packages, including excerpts from thank-you letters received. Includes also a listing by date of the keepers and stations who received packages from January 1880 until September 1883. (Photocopy $3.60).