The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-12-31
From The Boston Traveller.
Mount Warrington i'm Winter


Everybody knows that Mount Washington,
in New Hampshire, is visited by thousands OF
persons In the summer months, and that its
climate corresponds better with that sof Lab
rador OR Greenland than that of New Eng
land. In the winter universal desolation
reigns. there; not! even the proprietors of the
hotels upon the summit venturing from their
snug quarters below to learn what events
were transpiring upon the icy cone. The alb
orisines declared it to be sure death If any
one climbed the mountain-since it was the
sanctuary of divinities VINO would not suffer
their abode to he scanned with impunity. Their
successors first adventurousy found the sum-
mit-then erected rude places for shelter, and
finally constructed carriage road and rail
way, 50 that even the most feeble persons
could view the panorama. But sthese visits
were confined to the warmer months, with a
few rare exceptions.
HISTORY OF THE PRESENT EXPEDITION.
Twelve years ago Professors c. II. Hitch
cock and ]. H. Huntington, Independently of
each other, conceived the project of spending
the winter upon the summit of Mt. Washing
ton, but the project did not take shape till the
organization of the geological survey of New
Hampshire in 1868. They found it imposs
Bile to make the necessary preparations for oc-
1869, chiefly for want of dwelling. Hence
they sought for less elevated summit, where
single winters experience might prepare the
way for the great adventure. That peak Twas
Moosilauke-nearly 5000 feet above the ocean.
The lessee, D. G.. Marsh, of Warren, N. H.,
oblieingly placed bis house at the service of
Prof Huntington and his comrade, A. F.
Clough, OF Warren, photographer. Their
three months occupation OF Moosilauke was
| full of adventure, and experience was acquired
of the highest Importance. The scientific re-
| suits were mportant-disclosing the knowl-
| edge of violent winds there accurately meas
ured and remarkable forms of frost work rev.
er before described or photographed. Atten-
| tion was called to this mountain, and a car
| riage road became a necessity, which was
| constructed in the following summer.
ID In the month of September, 1860, the
| Mount Washington Railway Company gen.
| eronsly rendered the use of their depot upon
| the summit, to this meteorological party dur
| ing the winter; and the necessary sdpplies
were Immediately purchased and forwarded
to the mountain. The enterprise, though OF
| meteorological character, has been adopted
| by the geological survey Of ,he State, while
| the expense has been assumed by the State
geologi:t, relying upon sympai bizine pubic
to provide the fund by subscription. Nearly
enough has been subscribed to meet the
amounts already raid out Land it is hopeo that
friends will not allow the adventurous ooserV-
| ers TO suffer any pecuniary loss IN return Tor
| their labors They expect no remuneration
| for services, oplv their necessary expenses.
| While some were busly engaged in trans
porting supplies to the summit and preparing
| the building for comfortable occupation, 9TH
| crs were occupied in the less agreeable task of
| soliciting subscriptions. In the midst of pre-
| parations, the acquaintance Of Mr.. S. A. Mel
| son, OF Georgetown, Mass, was made. He
| had been lol several years one of the Smith
| soni IN meteorological observers, ard had, in
| dependently OF the others, conceived the idea
| Of spending winter among the Arctic hills OF
| New Hampshire Tor science. After an inter
| change OF views. Mr.. Nelson became identified
| wi:h the expedition.
Congless recently appropi lated fuads for
| the establishment OF Bureau of kilograms
| and Reports for the Benefit OF Commerce"
| After some correspondence with the efficient
officer in charge OF this bureau, Gen. Myer or
dered an insulated telegraph wire with suita-
| bic instruments to be sent to the mountain in
! order to facilitate the transmission Of the me-
| neurological reports, both to the public and to
| the Office of the bureau in Washington. The