Gre^or RocKs 197 



" Bunter" was affixed on account of a horny growth 

 projecting from his forehead, which he used sometimes 

 after the manner of a goat. At one time, many years 

 ago, a number of students and White-Oakers made a 

 wager with Uncle Abe, which he won by butting 

 through the heavy oak head of a molasses hogshead. 

 It is also reported that after this, some students, put- 

 ting a grindstone into a sack, told Uncle Abe it was a 

 tough cheese. The old negro gave it a terrific bunt and 

 cracked the stone, but nearly killed himself by the 

 operation. He is said later to have killed a horse with 

 which he had become enraged, by one blow of this 

 horny growth. Carroll Perry has published a college 

 book in which Uncle Abe figures in one chapter. It is 

 entitled Bill Pratt, the Saw- Horse Philosopher. 



Civilization and the selling of the streams for the 

 North Adams water-supply has caused the removal of 

 all the shanties along the Hollow Road. Only the old 

 George Adams cottage remains as an example of the 

 original type. 



The region of White Oaks formerly included all the 

 rocky hills and swamps now known as Coles ville and 

 Riverside, and has received its name from the abun- 

 dance of white oak timber in this locality, utilized 

 by the colored people in making baskets which they 

 peddle in town. Many years ago, three very large 

 white-oak trees stood east of the house known as Old 

 Stone Tavern, near Broad Brook bridge. This build- 

 ing still stands — in a deplorable condition — as a tene- 

 ment house. It is over a century old, built in the 



