First John King of the Mountain Author:Philip B. Turner The story of the (John Arnold family) is basically true. Of course no one had a tape recorder back then, but I have studied the available writings and have woven my narrative around those words. The village of Caribou (Maine) in the township of Lyndon had a phenomenal growth during the late 1800's. I have used the names of some people recorded b... more »y the census taker in 1870 and his spelling of their names, even if it was wrong. First John indicates John Arnold's passionate desire to be the most important citizen in his community and climb to the top of the political and economic strata. King of the Mountain is a game children play on a pile of snow. The king is on the very peak, and others try to knock him off.« less