National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-04-24
Black River Valley.

talns OF plymouth, runs south twelve
miles into Ludlow, thence east elev-
en- miles through the central part of
Cavendish into Weathersfeld,
thence south twelve miles and joins
Connecticut river in Springfield
The waters of no stream in Vermont
propel such variety and amount
of machinery as do the waters Of
Black River. 1t is remarkable for
the great number of mill privileges
that it affords; and is literally dot
ted with mills and factories its whole
length.
On this stream, in Plymouth, there
is large number of mills. Soon
after it enters Ludlow, there is a
woolen factory at Grahamsville. -
Three OF four miles from there, at
Ludlow village, is a very large wool
en- factory, machine shop and saw
mill. Two miles east, at Smithvlle,
| (Ludlow) there is comb factory,
milestone factory, and saw mill
One mile east, in Cavendish is a
large chair factory, doing extensive
business-the company was lncor-
pOrated at the last session of the
! Legislature. One mile further east
at Proctorsville, there is large
woolen factory, and an extensive
tannery. One mile east, at Dutton-
vile, there are two woolen factories
on large scale. One mile further
east, at Whitesyille, (Cavendish, } is
a large Touring mill, saw mill and
rake factory, doing an extensive
business. Between Duttonsville
and Whitesvile are Black River
Falls, one Of the greatest curiositles
of the kind in the State. Between
this place and Upper Falls, in Wealth
ersfeld, there are several mills at
the Falls a saw mill; cotton Fac
tory has been destroyed here by fire.
Two miles further is Perkinsville,
with a cotton factory, and a mill
with gangs of saws for preparing
the soap-stone, of which here is
manufactured the beautiful stoves
so much sought for throughout the
country. There was destroyed by
fire here a woolen factory, 1lO feet
in length, 40 feet wide, four stories
high, which manufactured 750 yards
of cloth per day. \ few miles below
in North Springfield, with Touring
and saw mills. Three miles further
still in South Springfield, with large
wooden and cotton factories, a paper
mill, iron foundry, novelty works,
and an oil mill besides various
other mill and machinery. Here
are made baby jumpers aad all man
ncr ofjumpers. There is probably
the greatest variety and amount of
articles manufactured in this village
of any place in the State. There
are two banks here. In all the large
villages the buzz of an army OF
spindles- and the eiatter of a host OF
power looms may be heard.
At all the points alluded to, where
: this river moves variety of machin-
, cry, there are thriving villages. \
) little village has recently sprung W
q at Grahamsville. Ludlow has be
! come a kind of New Amsterdam,-
full of enterprise, with three church
es, an academy, eight or ten stores
etc. 1t is central point, securing
trade from the surrounding country
! Proctorsville is lively business
! place, has two churches two stores
: bank and fine hotel. buttons
Vile has two churches, two store:
:. and a hotel. Modern innovations
are not disturbing its quiet at pre-
sent. South Springfield is young
! Chicago, and the hum of business il
constantly heard there.
These villages have well selected
libraries, well conducted schools
D and the inhabitants of this vale,
are reading, thinking, intelligen
f people. There is noble spirit o
$ patriotism here, a spirit of enter
s prise, but the ardent spirit is Danish
q ed. That accounts for the thrift
e and prosperity. From the numbe
V of churches named, you may wei
t imagine Mr.. Editor, that there is
e powerful moral influence exerte,
:, here but it is to be remembers,
- that it is exerted only upon thos
Il who come within its reach.
If The natural scenery in man
V places in this valley is truly beaut
s iul and romantic. An intelligen
Vt lady from Geneva travelling her,
e remarked that she was forcibly r,
/. minded of the scenery in Switzel
land. ! think, Mr.. Editor, that yo
e once resided III this valley for
short time !. but it was long ago
Wonderful changes have been e
iectcd ; and if you would make
trip through this region in the sun
lc mcr or autumn, will venture [
lc say that you wouldexclaim with til
Is queen of old, "rhe one halt has n,
)f been told me-" X. f..
Ip -u0nfpeIier Freeman.