Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-08-29
Rtl3nfOrd Items.

Democrat will begin to think we have
either forgotten them or retired from the
society of the world. But let us adj
monish them not TO be concerned, rs we
are enjoying as much prosperity, all
things considered, as the rest OF our
fellows on the stage Of life.
Rumford, of which we purpose to give
short and fragmentary description, is
situated among The hills OF old Oxford,
and nearly equally divided by the An
droscoggin river, which flows through it
in an easterly direction; its scenery is
grand and beautiful, and the river valley
in whose basin are nestled many fertile
farms, is overlooked on either side oy Il
chain of rugged and lofty mountains
Whle.cap, the champion biueberry
mountain OF The section. has this year
more than its accustomed yield. IL is
visited 10y many persons from lar and
near, and whole families camp.out OH its
summit, and make it their home for =
season, 10 gather supply OF its precious
fruit.
This town rs il well known. il the
present proposed terminus of the Andres.
coggin Valley Railroad, and in view of
this, let US look at its general resources.
The first place that would attract at
tenion as we enter Tie town from the
east. is Abbottsvlle. Here Is situated II
saw and shinglc mill. owned by Messrs.
Adams & Putnam. who do quite al ex-
tensive business in saving and lumber
dealing. Nj, Putnam also owns large
shop where he manufactures annually, =
great quantity of sash, blinds and doors,
to supply the inccssant demand. This
place received its name and much OF it's
notolicty from peculiar genius. named
Abbott. who monopoIized lis industry for
a time but, as his ambition increased, he
retired to the mountains beyond, and en-
tered upon another enterprise. lie ST.
lected one of the highest peaks hitherto
unnaned. and called ii Mt. Iircon.-
Here, he built a large hotel and advertiS'
ed To heal inyalids with native mineral
water, to which he attributed wonder
lul medical virtue. But his water.cure
did not prove very ready success. and
he retired to another sphere, leaving his
splendid mansion almost untcnanicd, and
a lasting monument la mans vanity and
folly.
Four miles from Ab5ottsvlIo, along
The valley of the Androscoggin. is the
mouth ot Concord rivera sircam which
affords much valuable water.power as
yet unimprovcd. Following its trail one
mile toward the mountains. we come To
Abbotts Mills, II very lively place. con-
tanning a glist.mill, saw mill. and store.
Rumlord Corner is also on the south
bank OF the river. and is the central sta'
ton oil the siage.route 20 An,loycr. MGN.
leo, and Dixileld RumloId hotel at this
place, is much irequented by summer
tourists, its location being one of the
pleasantest in Oxford County.
Nestled beneath the green verdnrc OF
the sloping mountains on the opposite
bank, il the beautiful village OF Rumiord
Point. The neat outward appearance IT
its white dwelling. and lis two church
spires pointing imploringly 10 Heaven.
lend it an attractive aspect surpassed by
few of New EngIanPs pleasant villages,
Its streets are al alive with The hum ol
business, and groceries a. well IL law
and gospel. .ro literally IOalt out To the
people OF the surrounding country.
Rumlord Centre may well hc called
The h.b-of the town, anal - admirably
situated iDl business Ii contains two
hotels, three stores. church aud town
house. A new Masons hall is also being
erected, which. when finished, will he II
prominent feature oil the place. The
first floor is to- be occupied by Mr.. n. ).
Fmnum. one OF our mnst thriving mer.
chants; and when his arrangements are
completed, we shall predict Tor him more
than his usua success From this place
To Rumford Falls. is a pleasant drive OF
tour miles, passing East Rumlortl BY the
way, with its neat new church IN beai
tilul cluster OF Greenhouses We ARE APP.
priscd OF our object long before we reach
il. for we hear faint ruiubing at first.
aud noise ~ we approach which sounds
like distant thunder. The main fall is Il
sheer precipicc OF a hundred feei, over
which the whole weight ol the iscr
pours with impciuuus fury, ioamng anu
seething in the eddy below. There are
two other ca ,cades which make the tall
of water nearly Two hundred feet, com
prising the greatest cataract and best
available water.p power 10 New England.
The world would naturally inquire, why
is this waste of wealth. Great enter
prises do not mature in IA moment; and
this is the case with ours. Thei Is now
good prospect for Railroad; and the
capitalists and officers OF the road who
have lately visited the place. are enthusl.
astic over its probable future. The inn
mediate place and surl oullding country
afford I'm abundance of the best granite
for building purposes; and its whole
wnter.power eau be easily brought to
state OF utility. With all these Wtran.
tages tor lively manufacturing village,
and even a large city. how long are we
to see this great volume o! water passing