The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-09-02
L etter from New Hampshire Kailroad
Matters, &c.

ettcr from New Hampshire
Matters, &c.
CONCORD, Aug. %, 1871.
Travellers say the Merrmac River is one of
he most beautiful in America, and in regard
% the beauty of the scenery is the rival of the
'omantie Juniata, SO often praised in story and
song. A ride over the Concord railroad from |
Nashua to this place, on bright, cco morn
ing, the face of nature sparkling with the rain
drops which have fallen during the night, is
pleasant incident. The railroad runs close to
the river bank, crossing the stream MANY
times, but rarely goiI g so far away as to shut
out the view of the water from the passengers.
The distance between the two points is thirty
five miles, done easily, including seven or
eight stops, in about an hour and half; and |
the pleasure of fast riding is enhanced by the
satisfaction of knowing that no attempt ia ever
made on this road to pass two trains on sim
gle track There is a double rail all the way.
and we "keep to the right as the law directs"
Occasionally we shoot by train running in
the opposite direction upon the other track.
We get no warning of its approach; a momen-
tary flash of the locomotive, and bright vel |
low wall shuts out the view for an instant
By the time we can turn and look out of the |
rear window of the car the trains are far apart.
The soil on she banks of the river is light and
sandy, but as we go back toward the hills. it
improves, and occasionally we run through de-
Gently good grazing land.
Concord is pre-emnently one OF the beaut-
full cities of New England. 1t extends two
miles along the bank of the river and back
about three quarters OF a mile to the biob
land. Main street, the principal business
thoroughfare, is one hundred feet wide, lined
with elegant blocks, and in places finely shad-
ed with trees. The State House, which was
improved few years ago at an expense of
about $4,000, is a splendid building, aud
stands in the center of fine open square, fac
ing Main street, The hotels aud number of
elegant churches are in its immediate vicinity
State street. another long avenue, ha. many
elegant and costly residences, surrounded by
| spacious and beautiful grounds. A ride along
| the high land in the lear afforded bird s-eye
| view of the town and the rolling country on
| the east; and dash of a few miles into the
| country gave me sight of beautiful level
farms and fertile pastures. The farmers in the
|
ing, and L saw onions cucumbers and other
vegetables cultivated by the acre. The Bos-
ton market is largely supplied with early veg
etables by the farmers OF this vicinity. The
town is partially supplied, by the enterprise of
a wealthy and enterprising individual, with
water from the Concord river, two miles dis
tant, and the owner is now employed in en-
larging his works to increase and regulate the
| supply. The city, in its corporate capacity, is
considering the subject of introducing water
from Long Pond at an expense of $175, 900.
Surveys and estimates have already been sub.
mitted Concord has its full share of public
buildings aud institutions. Here is not only
located the State Capital, but the State Prs-
on, the State Lunatic Asylum, the Methodist
General Biblical Institute, and st. Paul's
school, belonging to the Episcopal church; the
most distant of which is but a short drive from
the State House; and taking the place as
whole it may be pronounced delightful in its
exterior and Surroundings, while the hum and
hustle If it's manufactures, the activity and
thrift of its merchants and the frequent arriv.
ell and departure of railway trains make it at
tractive to a man of practical business in
stincts.
The north end of the town is naturally as fa
vorable to manufactures as the south; but ii
has an antiquated appearance The lands
here were formerly held by conservative mer
who resisted the Entertainments of manufac
turers; so they refused to cut up their field.
when enterprise demanded it, and capita
sought place lower down, where building
sites we're more accessible. The spirit of in.
dustry, however, has affected the north end a
last and there is already shown the beginning
of new order of things in new and pretty
houses and cross-streets. Concord coacbe,
are known all over the world, and / am no
sure but a line of these stages is running nov
in Japan. The old Abbott & Downins
establishment stands at the lower enc
of the village, and covers, 1 should
think, two three acres of ground will
large and commodious buildings. A large
group of cottages, enough to make respecta
BILE independent village, occupied by workmer
in the factory, are in the immediate vicinity
Concord has large machine and repair shop
which consume much iron ard steS.. THAI,
arc "'-~ large manufactures of musical instru
menus, anu~ln tnls ps~"nh of industry Concord
undoubtedly surpasses any Inland town il
WOODEN goods are also the prod uctons of th
industrious little city. Concord is also the
GREAT RAILROAD CENTER
of New Hampshire. Eight lines converg.
/ here, as follows: The Concord, Manchester
and Lawrence, connecting at Manchester with
the Concord road; the Manchester and North
Weare road, running west 10 miles, and oper
ated by the Concord R. r. Co.; the Concord
road, from Nashua to Concord, 50 miles in
4 length, and connecting with the Boston. Con
cord and Montreal, to Wells River, VT, 9;
miles; the Northern Railroad from Concord to
White River junction, SO miles, with branch
ID miles long from Franklin to Bristol; the
Concord and Portsmouth road, to Portsmouth
via Manchester, SO miles; the Coutoocook Riv-
er road, now open to Marlborough Bridge, IL
miles; eventually to be extended to Keene
and the Concord and Claremont road, opeu
now to Bradford, q miles, The road is almost
graded to Claremont and ready for the iron
leaving gap of only about ten miles between
the Connecticut river and Cavendish VT, to
complete trunk line between Concord and
| Rutland, and thus opening communication
sOutherly by the NewYork Central via Sarato-
ga and Schenectady to the West; and norther-
Nv via Burlington and ST. AlbaE's to Rouse
Point and Ogdensburg. l am aware that many
OF your readers who are directly interested in
railroads, have all these facts at their fingers
+ ends, but the subject of railroad communica
tions is Of so much value to your city that 1
recall the attention of the people of Portland
| to the matter.
| With all these railroad advantages, the peo-
pie OF Concord are looking Tor further connec-
tons. AS a gentleman remarked to me, ''We
| are determined to complete the circle by get
ting out to Portland direct, and then we shall
be satisfied. And 1 am glad to see so deep an
| interest felt in the success of the enterprise
There are thirty-one miles of road to be built
to connect Concord and Rochester, and the
survey shows very direct route, comparative
ly free from sharp curves with light grades,
only one of which will reach the maximum of
sixty feet per mile, and that is just east of East
Concord, as it climbs out of the valley OF the
river. The route passes through well timber
ed country and crosses number of streams
Attending good water power. The local bust
ness OF the line promises to be very fair. A
survey and estimates have lately been put into
the hands of the directors, with proposal by
one of the most experienced contractors in
made public. ***
state News.
ANDROSCOCGIN