Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1874-12-05
JOTTINGs BY THE WAY.


Next in my route is North Bennington
"a small, but very thrifty, enterprislng
town, situated-ifI l mistake not-on Hoo
sac River. There are several large mills
for manufacturing prints, also paper
mills. for the manufacture OF wall and
cuftian paper. To the west of the village,
is the palatial summer residence OF L. w.
Park, railroad man of New York. The
house, 80x130 feet, is of wood, but splen-
did in all its appointments and surround
ings. The beautiful lawn is adorned
with statues and elegant fountains. Sew
eral hundred broad acres of fine farming
lands Immediately surround the house
which, with all its appurtenances, cost
$25O,OOO.
A few miles to the S. E. is the old and
famous town of Bennington-population,
1000 1t is widely scattered-the Oldest
portion being TO the northwest, on a
ridge, while the newer and business part,
is in the valley, and near the stream.
Here stands the immense mills of the
Bennington Mfg. Co., now idle-company
having collapsed. The site, tenements
for operatives, and the mill, filled with
the finest of imported machinery, cost
$3.50, 900, and was sold for song.
To the west is Mt. Anthony, 1900 feet
high-forest-clad to its summit, on which
stands an observatory 80 feet high. Next
morning, returning to N. Bennington, 1
proceeded westward TO F. s. B., and Har-
lam Extension Junction and thence on B.
railroad to Williamstown, Mass, nearly
due east of Troy. 1t is lovely town Of
| 5000 population, standing in a narrow
valley, with mountains on nearly every
side To the south, "Grayback," and Mt.
Pisgah on the N. E. What gives it prom
inence is Williams College-one of the
irst-class colleges of New England, and
among the oldest. There are niIe college
buildings, and besides there are society
halls. The Old West College still stands
The fine new chapel is built of granite.
On the inner front wall is an inscription
to the memory of Col. Ephraim Williams
who fell In battle. He was the founder
Of the college. The gymnasium splen'
did structure-is also of granite. The
observatory contains one of the largest
and best telescopes in the country.
As my time was limited, could but
pass around 10 the different buildings
entering some, whose walls and recita-
ton rooms were, like old acquaintanees,
never to be forgotten. Memory was
strangely active, and old scenes and
events came thronging up, and demand
ing passing notice. Passing up the
steps leading from the chapel to the West
College, was forcibly reminded of an
incident that transpired on that spot ma
ny years ago. On the morning in ques-
| ton, as the classes were returning from
morning prayers, the "sophs" thought
they would here find favorable place 10
make rush" and prevent the freshmen
gaining the terrace. The Professors had
forseen that trouble was brewing, and ac-
cordingly took their places between the
classes, thinking thereby TO prevent, by
their dignity, and august presence, any
scene. But they did not weigh well the
impudence and audacity of "sophs." for
too often, they fear not God, nor regard
man. Just as the Professors had d-gained
the terrace, came the 'rush"-each class
struggling for the mastery-regardless Of
the Professors, who were most rudely
pressed and tossed about-losing their
"tiles" in The scrimmage. But freshmen
muscle was too much for sophomore dash
and impudence and they were the Victors.
Enough glory for one day Well, "boys
will be boys" is an old adage, but may
be equally well applied to boys of larger
growth
With a hurried visit to Lawrence Hall,
and Library, and look at the large and
fine new Congregational church edifice, 1
reluctantly bade farewell TO the time.
honored and classic walks of Williams
town.
Retracing my route, l made hurried
visits to Hoosac Falls, Cambridge. Salem
and Union Village, N Y, towns ranging
from 500 TO 5000. The latter is one of
the pretllcst villages in Eastern New
York
On the second day, took the Troy g.
Boston train and soon was landed IN
the former city. AS the train rolls IN from
the heights, the view of the Hudson. the
large towns in the suberbs-yiz., lansing
burgh, Waterford and Cohoes-Is excee7;
ingly fine Of the latter town. one :,oins
some idea of the large manufacurinS In
Ierests cenlered there. One of the naiIls
looms up prominently among The many
IL Is ,4lO feet long, and has .50n Iooryn
SAD SAID TO DC the largest in the world.
u, Troy will, doubtless, soon gaihe
these towns INTO her municinsI all
ana thus: like New York and limits,
Jump quickly into a city OFF, Cleveland,
Troy certainly is proti~ me irst-class
great natural advaptp CITY, and has
doubtless make her. .ges, which will
md important eit' Jne of the most thrifty
.Ies Of the State.
Mayor He - -
visit; FO .vemeyer of New York City
,ushing, L. l. on Sunday last.
1turning the train broke down and
was obliged TO walk two miles against
strong wind. He died of apopleXl
shortly after arriving at his oflica in the