Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-01
Winthrop.

On bright morning Of last week, after one
| ofthe April snow-storms, SO plentiful this
| season, We drove through the town of Win
| throp in company with our friend, Mr.. c. s.
Robbins, a descendant Of the first settler Of
the town. The new.failen snow had clothed
every tree and bush with purest drapery, and
under the rays Of the morning sun the lard
scape 2listened with wintry beauty which
would have been quite charming if it had not
been SO unreasonable. As it was we were
| surprised to find 80 much beautiful scenery in
this town. The clay of the land" is very pic
turesque. 1t consists of a succession of high
ridges divided by long and narrow ponds,
some of which are worthy to be called lakes,
and the submits of some of the higher ele-
vations of land command extensive views of
varied scenery. There are six or more ponds
within the limits Of the town, which was orig.
inally called Pond Town Plantation, and they
are drained by the Cobbosseconte river which
empties into the Kennebec at Gardiner. This
beautiful chain Of ponds, which with those in
the neighboring towns numbers forty-nine,
was the great water thorcughfare of the In
dams from the kennebee to the Androscoggin
river and the interior of the State. With so
many attractions in the way of fine scenery
and good fishing, Winthrop has high claims
as a quiet summer retreat.
The town is little more than one hundred
years old, and its inhabitants have ever been
noted for their sobriety, industry and in,elli-
nd in ,a
model New England town, having always
been forward in the Development and defence
of New England ideas. The first Sunday
School in Maine was established in this town
in 1908. The first agricultural paper in the
State was started here by DR.. Ezekiel Holmes
in 1888. The first temperance tavern in
Maine was opened in this town by Daniel
Carr, in 1898. And Rev. David Thurston,
one of the pioneers in the anti slavery reform,
who preached here for forty-four years,
claimed that he delivered in his ow pulp the
first sermon ia the United States showing the
sinfullness Of slaveholding and the duty of
immediate emancipation.
In industrial enterprise as we'll as moral
progress the town occupies position among
the foremost. The early settlers sowed the
ground with apple seeds from which have
sprung many fine old orchards, now like some
of the land, perhaps little worn out, but still
affording abundance of fruit and cider. DR..
Holmes, most useful citizen, early intro
duced the thoroughbred Jerseys, and the town
is noted for its golden butter. Several Of its
sons have made great improvements in agri-
cultural implements, the manufacture of
which is now an important branch of industry
here. Indeed the town, as might be supposed
from its abundant water power, is largely en-
gagged in manufactures. The floor Gil cloth
factories OF the Messrs. Bailey turn out yearly
| a product amounting in value to over half
million. The cotton and wooden mill also
does large business, and the manufacture of
boots and shoes. and the business of tanning
| and cutrying are carried on with success.
The principal village lies in hollow be-
tween two ponds and is compactly built. 1t
| only needs a little enterprise in the way of
building houses to attract larger population.
| Through the libefaity Of some of the leading
citizens, the villagers have recently enjoyed
a course of free lectures. Rev. Mr. Bicknell
of this city, led off with his lecture entitled
Through by Daylight" with great success.
The editor of this paper followed, last week,
| with lecture on Pompeii this week Hon.
| John l.. Stevens gave some account of his
| South American experiences, and we believe
Ex.Gov. Perham is to follow him. 1t is al
| together probable that after this free treat,
| Winthrop will, another season, organize a
regular course of lectures.
The village, we are glad to say, has good
temperance tavern, kept by Mr.. Lovejoy, a
gentleman who has had large experience as a
landlord and knows how to keep a hotel
While the Winthrop Hotel remains under his
control the traveller will be sure of clean,
quiet, orderly house, and a good table,
|OtI{1OH J'rGnSrJIDf