The Portland daily press., 1862-07-09
SKowHEGAN. July 2, 1862.

4
Quarry-Oid Poiat-Fdther Rosle-Iade-
pendence Day.
SKowHEGAN, July 2, 1862.
| Messrs. Editors
CHANGING TO take ride this fine morning TO
the pleasant neighboring village of Norridge-
/ wock, it occurred to me- on my return, 10 send
4 you few facts in relation to that place. There
are few villages in Maine which strike the trav-
eler as moFe rich in quiet beauty. The smooth.
wide streets, with their rows of over-arching
trees, and the great river sweeping by, make a
pleasing picture for the eye to rest on. A
graceful air OF antiquity hangs about the place,
which is in not disagreeabe contrast to the
smart ne,cness characterizing most of our
Maine villages. The inhabitants are noted for
their intelligence, refinement and genial hospi-
tality; and, altogether, il would be hard to find
more delightful place for summer sojourn
South Norridgewock is place of considerable
activity and business, but the north side, where
the county buildings are situated, must bear
the palm for beauty
The torn of Norridgewock is quite large
comprising an area of some 260O0 acres. and
contains some of the best farms in the State
The cultivation of the soil is the chief occupa-
ton of the people,'who by their industry and
thrift have in most instances accumulated a
fair share of this worlds gear
On Dodlin mill, in the south part of the town,
is a granite quarry, from which large quanti-
ties Of fine stone are annually excayated-
Limestone is also found i'm abundance. but be-
ing mixed with slate, is unfit for building pur-
poses.
Some four or five miles to the northward of
the village, at the confluence of the Kennebec
and Sandy rivers, is "Old Point" the site of
the ancient village of the "Norrdgewogs,r and
the scene of that cruel massacre in which the
faithful Jesuit Missionary, Father Rasle was
slain, thus putting the seal of martyrdom to
the testimony of fve-and-thirty years of de-
voted labor among his Indian disciples. 1t is
beautiful spot. The two streams, gliding
peacefully into one, sweep gently round the
point; the fields wave with grass and grain :;
the hoarse murmur of the rapids above comes
softened by distance, on the ear; all around is
so simple and wild-it requires but slight eff
fort OF the imagination to go back to the time
when birch canoes were skimming on the sur
face of these rivers, and the dusky children of
the forest chanted here the impressive ritual of
the Church of Rome. The plain stone monu-
ment of Rasle, which had been overturned by
some vandal hand, was recently restored by
the citizens of Norridgewock, with appropriate
ceremonies. 1t is to be hoped that no one will
again disturb this tribute to the memory of one
whose heroism and devotion, all sects must re-
cognize.
am told that the ladies of N, patriotic and
humane, have inserted i'm the programme of
festivities, for the coming anniversary of the
eft of sick and wounded soldiers. Success to
their good work.
cannot learn that our own people have
made any arrangements for any special demon
stratlon on the approaching 4th. There will
be the usual parades, trial of fire engines. and
fast trotting horses, ringing of bells at inordin-
ately early hours, and perpetual salvo of
squibs and crackers from sunrise to sunset
All this is as 1t should be. / wish there were
more of it. Letpeople rejoice in any manner
which seems to them good If. / could have
my way, not only the squibs and crackers, but
all the big guns and little guns, every old fowl
ing-piece, pistol and ancient musket, every
thing, in short, which could be fired.-except
the Southern hcart'-should 80 OF in one
| grand burst of jubilation and glorifcation.