The Portland daily press., 1872-06-05
To the Kennehec.
FARMINGroN. June 8. 1872.

rAhhiNGTON, June D, loIZ
Pursuant to a cordial invitation from the
Skowhegan singers, several members of the
Pennington Society visited that place last Fri
day, and your correspondent being one of the
number thinking few "notes by the way
might interest few of the many readers of
the PRESS, now puts them in ink.
We left this place at A. M, travelling over
the finest road, and through the most beautiful
part of Franklin county-the river road to the
Falls New Sharon-thence into Somerset coun-
ty through Mercer and Norridgewock, arriving
at Skowhegan about P. NJ
The route at this season of the year is beau
tiful drive. On every hand as we journeyed
were seen fields in different stages of cultiva-
ton, and dressed in their robes of green. In
some fields we noticed corn nearly three inches
in height Everything betokening an abundant
harvest the coming autumn.
Leaving Sandy river at New Sharon we pass
along fine road running by green fields and
through pleasant forests, and after an hour s
ride we reach the first town in Somerset county
Mercer This village has every appearance
of being thrifty and enterprising; it has fine
water power, several mills, clothing manufac-
tory, two churches, school-house, and several
fine private residences. lt
Seven miles further on we strike the Kenne-
bee at Norridgewock This town has very
neat and pretty appearance, the residences in
good order-many of them fne-the streets
straight and well shaded by beautiful trees At
this place is located the Eaton Family School
for boys, also the shoe mandatory of the
Messrs Perkins, besides several mills
We cross the river at this point on a fine
bridge which has been built within few years.
The ride from this place is charming-the
road following the river bank the whole dis
lance nearly. We shortly reach an eminence
from which fine view OF Skowhegan is seen,
well repaying one for the Inconvenience of the
trip. After enjoying the scene we again start
on, and in a few moments reach the town, and
take up our quarters at the Skowhegan House.
This house has been built but a few years. and
it is model of neatness and beauty, both with
in and without. Mr.. E. b. Mayberry, the pro-
prletor, is gentleman, who spares neither pains
nor expense, to make his guests comfortable.
WIDE AWAKE TOWN.
After dinner, in company with Mr.. e. Staples
ana MI. himbail, we visited several points of
especial notice. 1t was built a few wears since
four stories in height brick, and is an honor ~
any city; it cost about $4,000, -
Your correspondent was much pleased with
this beautiful village, at the terminus of the
Maine Central Railroad. Everybody seems full
of life and energy business is driving, and a
great degree of Observation-Disclosures seems to
pervade ALL The streets of the town are straight
and clean, nearly all of them shaded by fine
trees. Many fine residences, and but few old
buildings are seen. The Kennebec runs direct
ly through the village-fine views of which are
obtained from the Skowhegan House-afford-
ing ample water power, which is improved by
mills of different kinds foundries, &c. The
town supports an ably edited newspaper, beside
one or two job printing Offices A school house
has also lately been erected, costing $4,000.
In the evening we attended concert in CO.
burn Hall which was filled, given by the sing
ers of Skowhegan, aided by those from this
pace and an orchestra of six pieces. The fol-
lowing programme was given. and we will saw
mat the vocal and instrumental solos were yery
fine. Mr. j. Kimball, conductor: ~
E1-Triumphal March-"Naamann Solo H., ,,;.u
Abbe Rice, of Pennington. ~ rhor,,.
2-Curfew ...................... : Cborus
J-March BY the Orchestra
4-Song-"Cuckoo BY Miss Rice. of Farmina.a,a
5-Song-'I ascha di Pianga," " a''s'on'
o-xionll o0io. by Miss of IT,
spano Solo, oneep Miss Taylor Of wat e4SFSs
9-Song-"Good bye, Johnnie"
Mrs. Plummer. of Skowhegan.
1o-The Heavens are Telling. .............. Chorus
ia-Gioriari2th Mass Chorus.
i%-Pano Solo. Miss Ada c. Brett, of Pennington
haiieiuJah' Chorus.
ihe audience seemed pleased with the enter