The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-06-08
The Rsilroaa Excursion.
ST. ALBANs, VI. june 5, 1867.

ST, ALBANs, VT, June D, 1901
To the Editor of the Press:
r did not think that Henry Ward Beecher
,ros r;obt when he said in Norwood" that st.
A,bans was surrounded by the most beautiful
and picturesque scenery to be seen in New
England; but my visit to this place after an
absence of several years and a second look from
the residence of Governor Smith over the land
and water prospects, convince me that the
reverend novelist did not exaggerate in the
least. | believe there are no landscape views
finer than those to be seen in this yicinitv.-
True, it is the bewitching and leafy month of
June, when the ground is covered with car
pet OF the richest green, the trees in beautiful
foliage and the apple orchards in full blossom;
yet, aside from all these things, the hills, noun
talns valleys end the waters of Lake Cham
PLAN make up panorama that IS surprisingly
beautiful. ~
The excursionists just as twilight fell upon
the mountains and lake, made a visit to the
residence of Governor Smith which is situated
at soma little distance from the village,
sn,l there a scene was presented that caused
every one to excam with heartfelt enthusi-
asm ..How exceedingly beautiful and pictures
this elevated spot, the lake, with its many
green islands, the range of the Green Noun
tains, many splendid farms, and the Andiron-
dack mountains in New York were in full view.
and all clad in the soft and sombre livery of
twilight. The moon more than "half extin-
guished, her crescent displayed" and hung
over the lake in all her glory and beauty
There were few clouds, which the ladies would
call sentimental" settling down upon the no.
rzon and adding much beauty to the scenery.
But will not attempt any word-painting of
that glorious scene. 1t must be seen before it
can be justly appreciated. fi.4salE
Governor Smith has a palatial residence
His grounds are beautifully laid out; SPLEEN
did fountain plays in his garden; and his fruit
trees are in full bloom. st. Adams has grown
rapidly within a few years, and many fine
mansions have been erected. There are four
splendid and costly churches and q hotel call
ed the Weldon House, of magnificent proper
tons and most admirably kept by Cool and
Mcdonald. In the house are 100 rooms, all OF
large size and finely furnished. The building
is OF brick and five stories high. The park, an
enclosure of four acres and ornamental with
house. And here let me- pay tribute TO the
dead, but not forgotten, Mr.. Welden, the first
white settler in the town, who years and years
| ago gave the land for this park to the town. A
| thoughtful, generous man, and his memory is
still green as the beautiful park he gave the
town. This magnificent hotel called the We'll
den House is named for him. Thanks, thou
sand thanks to Weldon, the first white settler
of st. Adams. Since the machine shops and
car factories were removed here from North
field, the town has made rapid strides in growth
and prosperity. There is a great amount of
work done in these shops for the Vermont Cen
trail, and many hands are employed.
The excursionists will start this forenoon at
II o'clock for Ogdensburg. The party will be
joined by Gov. Smith, his brother, member of
Congress from this district, and some others
All are in fine humor and enjoy themselves
to their hearts content 1t will be recollected
that st. Adams some three years ago was in
vaded by Confederate cut. threats who made
Canadian soil the base of their operations. The
banks were robbed and Mr.. Morris killed by
the scoundrels on the spot where now stands
the Weldon House. As may reasonably be
supposed, the atmosphere of st. Adams is diff
cult for Copperheads to breathe.
This region is the best grazing country in
New England. Great quantities of butter are
made here and of the first quality. All along
| the road from Boston to this place the country
| never looked finer than it does now Farmers
say they never saw the grass looking better,
and the prospect for orchard fruits is very en-
couraging. My next letter will be from Og-
densburg, which place We shall reach at five
o'clock this afternoon if no accidents happen.
r