Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-12-18

On the eastern slope of the principal range Of
the Green Mountains which passes through GEN.
tra Vermont, is the memorable slide Of 1897.
1t is situated near the border of the towns of
Lincoln and Fayston. The summit OF this range
at this point, attains an altitude surpassed by
only few peaks in the whole chain of the
Green Mountains-being but few feet lower
than the celebrated Camel's Hump, which is dis
tinctly seen rearing up its bold, bare peak some
twelve miles distant directly in the north.
The mountain, here, continues in one unbroken
chain for some distance north and SOUTH and
the summit varies by only few feet for some
five miles, though here and there slight says and
small peaks huddled along on this range, among
the highest OF which, are those at this part of the
range. The ascent up the eastern slope of this
mountain, at the slide, and in its near vicinity, is
much more steep, and abrupt, than that Of Cam
els Hump, if we except the very cap of that
peak. The slide starts within very few yards
of the very summit of the bold old mountain and
makes one continuous sweep to its base which
from the peculiar arrangement Of the uplands
and hills adjacent, terminates in an extensive
and deep valley. Its course at first for few
rods only, was nearly north east, at which paint
in consequence of slight sag in the mountain,
is veered little to the south, and then taking
a course directly east it sweeps boldly and i'm.
petuously down the "rock ribbed" side of the
mountain to the distance OF more than half
mile when meeting bold spur, its course was
again turned to the north east and directly down
the valley. From this point it swept furiousy
and irresistby on down between two giant hills
for the distance of something like a mile. At
the head of the valley rises one of the forks of
Mill Brook, one Of the principal branches of
Mad River, which empties into the Wnooski
some seven miles west of the capital of the State
The head of the valley is bounded by two bold
spurs Of the mountain rising from the very bed
OF the brook, Of which that upon the south bank
atiuins to much the highest altitude. It being
heavy mountain by itself, and having bold
turn where it meets the main range, (which runs
north to the southwest, and there being heavy
sag dividing it from the principal range it forms
deep basin whose outlet is down the narrow
q channel of the brook. 1t finally, howowever
+ becomes engrafled into the principal range a
little further south, and goes looming up to lis
i, lofty summit. This is the bold spur, which
t turned the gigantic moving mass down the mar
/. row pass in the valley. The cause of this won
derlul event, is supposed TO be that long rair
T. which was falling at the time, SO soflened the
% soil that it started from its rocky bed; and wher
IT once the mass had began to move, it swept witt
" a constantly increasing velocity down the whole
" side Of the mountain and, even, by its accu
N mulated strennth, was carried far down the val
20 ley itself. These who visited the spot at tht
N time, tell us that nothing but overwhelming
10 ideas Of sublimity, stupendous power, awe ant
terror filed the mind. 1t is truly sublime t
" see the majestic Niagara plunging from its diz
y, zy height, into the awful chadron, the abys
n. of waters below. But, how terribly and awful
o sabine it must be, to see the massive tores
20 with gigantic rocks come sweeping down frou
10 the awful solitudes Of the mountains height
from the cradle Of the winds and the home
the Storm King. Trees were driven end owe
end, and the trunks Of the mightiest birch, {