Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-08-27
1NORRIDGEWOCk.

In the correspondence of the Boston Adj
vertser we find the following in relation to
Norridgewock, one ofour most beautiful Ken
nebec towns:
Beauty and the Beast dwell in this town.
Beauty is nature the Beasts the uncomplet-
ed railroad. look with the eye of sight
seer, not of financier. The railroad cuts
through grassy hills, makes unsightly heaps
of sand, and after crossing the river, utterly
spols the beautiful homestead of "Sophie
May" Ii follows the course of the river, ru-
lining lovely places. and it has involved the
town in tremendous debt But beauty is
here also. The river though in q decline
from the drought, has great beauty The
blue heaven is in its reflections and the hanks
are REPRODUCED with mere delicate shades than
their originals have. In the morning the
light purple mist rises from it and at night the
moon uses it for her looking-glass. Above it
stands Sunset Hill, from the top ofwhich YOU
get five-mile stretch of il, and to the west
ward the mountains are seen, Mount Blue and
the venerable Abraham, and hills richer still
in their color, bowling al the feet of their king.
Behind them sinks the sun and above them
float the clouds which make the sunsets here
so gorgeous. Right at ones feet, hidden in
trees, embosomed in foliage, sleeps the pretty
meet, shaking hands like old acquaintance.
The dust in it is rarely disturbed by passing
teams. willow tree, twenty-five feet in
circumference, ike fat alderman stands at
the street corner. An elm of most symmetri-
cal beauty is opposite. The drives around
town are fine. As you go up the river you
encounter the railroad. Its blight is seen al
you approach the ancient home ofthe warlike
Nanrantsouaks, or Norridgewocks. The echo.
ing shrek of the engine will soon be heard
where the war-whoop of the savages rang.
The track of the railroad runs near the foot OF
the hill where the British came down, when
in 1924 they sacked the village in the absence
OF the men, and massacred the women and
children and the learned old priest Sebastian
Rasles. The Indians certainly showed good
taste in selecting the site for their wigwams
and church. The river, rushing down over
rocks tumultuonsly, is rather grand, and lust
below the Sandy River enters the Kennebec
and forms calm, lake-like stream. When
the Somerset Railroad is completed and the
Lewis and kennebec road from Canada meets
it, the journey up to Moosehead Lake will be
delightful. Another pleasant drive is by the
way of Dodlin Hill (where is granite quarry
said to be of excellent quality, but as yet not
much developed) and skirlng North Pond, q
pretty stretch of sparkling blue water; then
through an odoriferous, health breathing &C.
dar wood to the top of Oak Hill, where is the
| finest mountain view in town. And there are
quite number of other very delightful drives
if one does not tire of mountains. have
come to the conclusion that Norriigewock is
the coolest spot south OF the Arctic circle, and
that the sothermal line here takes deep dip
If anybody wants absolute rest and quiet, and
comfort and GOODNESS, let him spend fort
night in this breezy, tree-shaded village OF
Norridgewock on the kennebec.