Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-03-24
Waterford and It's Surroundings
WATERFORD FLAT, Mar. 10Th, 1871.


Probably Nd spot in Maine Is marked
| by so much of the substantial clements
| of character as Waterford siuce its set.
Element. AS an evidence OF this, is the
fact that il has had but two settled pas
tors since the organization of the church,
in 1899 Rev. Mr.. Lincoln was pastor for
| 90 years, aud WAS succeeded by Rev.
Johu A. Douglas, who is sill the pastor
| though assisted by colleague. Rev. w.
w. Dow. Thus for ~ years only Two
men have been recognized rs the spirit
ual leaders OF the church. No rimilar
case exists in Maine ut the present time.
The effect of this state of affairs is APP
parent. They have been taught the inn
poItance OF giving their children good
education, and The result has been very
marked. A more Industrious, Intelligent
and virtuous community of young and
old cannot well be found. Instead of
growing about Inc changes made for The
elevation OF their schools. they wisely
encourage every effort in Chat direction,
and the result is. their schools and their
shoolhouscs are in excellent condition.
Over one hundred scholars are attending
the high schools in The town.
Waterford was formerly noted for its
niCknames. Every noighboIhood and in
diyidual had one. so that IL passed for y
p:oyerb that everybody in Waterford had
a nickname except GRUB Hale.
There arc numerous beautiful ponds
in the town. Astounding in pickerel. trout
perch and smells. We examined the
stomach OF pickcrel. and found eleven
good sized smells in it. making very
good breakfast lor his pickerolship.-
Smells have become land locked here, in
the beautiful pond at the Flat, and furnish
many good meals. and sport in spling
time. There are scores of ponds in Ok
ford County where smolts might be in.
trodUcod with advantage. Will not cili.
zcns living near, sec to this thing, aud
have them stocked the present spring.
Just above the pond is Mt. Tirem, an
other nickname II is as rocky and jag.
ged rs well can be- The rocks in this
immediate vicinity are all OF one kind,
and that is granite. No stray boulder OF
'nny other kind has found its way there.
It's geology is peculiar in this respect.
Among the places of interest, which
we visited, was the Water Cure establish.
ment, for ladies. nj the Flat, under the
care of W. I. Shatuck. NJ. ID. 1t is sit.
uatcd in pleasant, but quiet spot, and
is now place OF extensive resort FOR in.
yalids. where rest. medical attendance,
and good air await them. Many u sick,
weary mother and daughter from town
and country would find this an admirable
spot in which to spend little timc 10 re-
cupcrate. The doctor is well respected
in the community rs citizen. We felt,
us our wcaried brain reminded us OF rest,
that We should like nothing better than
such spot. How many persons in our
large towns arc suffering slow anil mis-
cradle death from the want OF rest away
from the constant excitement with which
Thea are surrounded We recommend
such TO put themselves under the doctor
care who will heal their diseases. If il be
possible for human aid to do it.
His establishment has been in operation
for seventeen years and is now well pat.
ronized
Among the objects of interest 10 us
was a visit 10 The residence of Mr.. JAS.
+. Shaw, about two and a-hali miles west
OF the village. He is n good farmer,
painter, house carpenter and mineralo'
giSt, all OF which he carries on success
FULLY. He has cultivated the science OF
mineralogy very successfully, and has
one OF the best arr anged and valuable
private cabinets OF minerals neatly ar
ranged in cases. 10 be found in the State.
His is an example Of what ne can do TO
make home pleasant and enrich his mind
by little attention TO any one SCIENCE
lie has rendered himself familiar with
the minerals of this part of the State and
has discovered many OF rare value.
We ound only one thing 10 complain
of in our visit here, and that was lack OF
grade in one Of the finest streets in the
County, n the Flat. Water runs into
door yards, along the middle oil the
street, where sidewalks ought to be, thus
leaving it almost impossible TO pass it on
foot, where il Nigh: easily be managed to
let The water run in the bitches where it
belongs. The town is we'll furnished
with guide boards.
The city is manufacturing village one
mile south Of the Flat The stream has
eight dams across il, which renders it
safe and valuable water power.
We passed by the cemetery located
here where lie The remains OF Artcmas
Ward whose name has so strangely
found q place in American literature.
A monument marks the spot. His
mother still resides ut the Flats. The
house at the Flats in which he was born
was recently burned. He inherits his
wit from his mother. When a boy he
was noted among his playmates for his
subsequent traits. His great power lay