Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1864-08-25
"reminiscences of Mount Kearsarge,

Mr.. EDITOR Having noticed in sew,
cral of our Western newspapers con
flicting statements in regard to kear,
sarge Mountain, since its achievement
of notoriety from its naval namesake
in the victorious encounter with the
Alabama, | fancied that true version
of facts by one from a town wherein
the mountain is partly situated, and
who has many time and oft driven
the herd to and from its declivities,
might perhaps be acceptable to your
readers.
In one paper it is stated that "thcro
are two kearsargc mountains in New
Hampshire" Now the one referred to
"near North Conway" must be only
locally known by any other than its
geographical name, Pequawkct Noun
tain, while little southwest of Con
way is a mountain known only by the
name of Connay's Peak. The asser-
ton that Kearsarge Mountain proper
is the highest mountain in Hillsboro'
county," is all very true as far as il
goes, but it doesn't go far, for the oh.
vious reason thatKearsarge Mountain
is not in Hillsboro' county. Hillsboro'
may well boast of its big men and
steep hills, but Merrimac county of its
great men and great mountain.
According to actual surveys, kear'
sarge is 246l feet high, and is situa,
ted wholly in Merrimac county-most.
ly i'm the towns of Sutton, Wilmot,
Warner and Salisbury. From its sum.
NIT may be seen several other noun.
tains, as we'll as lakes, rivers and val.
leys. Its topmost surface discloses a
species of dark grayish granite.
1t is very common for eycursionists
to carry with them hammer and
chisel for the purpose of carving their
names and places of residence in this
enduring rock. Hundreds of names
may there be found of persons from al
parts of the United States. Some ot
these names have been there many
years, and may remain there for ages
The most famous places for troutinp
are found in the brooks of the noun
tain ravines tending TO the Warner
and Blackwater rivers, these to the
Contoocook which empties into tht
Merrimac river at Dustin's Isle, theme,
onward to the ocean.
Kcarsargc is general place Of re
sort, during holidays, by all classes
Many are the fisticullis " that hav,
taken place upon its rugged summit
While many 60 there to breathe it
cool, fresh air, and gaze upon the pic
turesque scenery which so profusel,
greets the eye, others Climb its rugge'
height for the sole purpose of display
ing their pugilistic skill. Often hav
the challenges been sent from eithe
side for this purpose The younl
"bloods" and wonld-be "bullies" il
towns, sometimes on the south side 0
the mountain, sometimes on the north
sending to the opposite the challeng
to "climb to the summit of old Keal
sarge and see who has the best fe
lows"
Well do l recollect circumstanc
that occurred but few years sine
which involved the name of yer
popular and successful politician, VIII
} had excited the envy of his jealou
political opponents to such an exten
that, by some means his name wa
carved in the granite in one Of tn
, most conspicuous places upon the sun
. nit, with various titles prefxed. Iii
,, friends determined to erase the offer
! sive inscription during an excursio
on Independence day. Having arri'
ed and commenced operations, II
other side soon came along and toe
exceptions, which not being heede'
: some of the scientific passes were soc
0 brought in play, resulting in RAP
, strides being taken down the mou
, tain side, in which the south-siders
I. came ont first best in the scuflle, sc
j ond best. will say the gentleman r
{ ferred to has been for nearly thr'
$ years an officer i'm the Federal arm
!, being now prisoner of war and OF
, of the hostages in Charleston, S. g.
/ In the town of Salisbury, situat,
g at the eastern extremity of the mou
tain, the great Webster first Dire
: breath, beneath the shadows of Kes
|, sarge. Near by is the ancient TOW
of Boscawen, where he and his brot
e er Ezekiel commenced the practice
law. Here resides the old gentlem
who in after years was the overseer
pl Webster's farming affairs. He deligl
he in nothing more than to converse wi
5. old or young in regard to Daniel w,
81 ster. l have often been told that {
ID Webster brothers were very noticeal
Of in their law affairs, even at that eal