Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-22


The Glen House, situated at the very base
Of Mt. Washington, was reached by our par
ty just as the shades of evening were falling
about the mountains. These elegant stages
and fat, sleek looking, noble horses that have
brought us over, and that are always in readi-
ness at the depot on arrival of the train, are
the property of the proprietors of the Glen
House, Messrs. w. & c. r. Milliken. To
run this establishment, providing fer trips TO
the railroad stations, up the mountains and 70
other places of interest, requires l2o horses
and 40 carriages. There are two stables, a
carriage house, piggery and barn. large
herd of choice Ayshires is kept. The house,
under the the careful management of its
the Association since its organization. De-
lightfu indeed would it be to take our read
er over the route visited. to witness the scenes
that so impressed US, but these must be seen
in all their grandeur and sublime beauty, to
fill the soul. Words are tame in any attempt
to describe these mountain regions, the last
ing works of the Creators hand.
The party went from Portland to Gorham,
N. H., by the Grand Trunk Railroad, where
stages were taken for the Glen House, it be-
ing their determination to ascend Mt. Wash
ington on the eastern side, by the mountain
road, as the novelties and seeming danger of
an ascent by rail, on the western side, had
been experienced by many present. The road
to the Glen from Gorham eight miles in length,
u Ia un MI ct
the Peabody river, with wild rugged scenery
on every hand-towering mountains in the
| near distance, and at your feet the river that
seems but noisy mountain stream that can
be crossed most anywhere on foot. The tow
ering New Hampshire hills that catch the eye
for miles before reaching Gorham, are mis-
present proprietors, has come to be noted
place for summer tourists. 1t will easily ac
commodate GOO guests it is lighted with gas !;
in every department has all the modern APP
Flances; the parlor is $50 by so feet and
the dining room of tie same dimensions :;
sleeping rooms light and airy; beds soft and
sweet; table loaded with good things. The
latter is served by students from Bates Col
grand opportunities for studying nature, and
more than pay their way by their services.
They are both gentlemen and scholars, and
recognize by this wise choice of vacation
labor, reminding us of the blind Millions
lines
"fhey also serve
Who only stand and wait"
grand panoramic view of the entire White
Mountain range can be obtained from the
spacious piazzas of this house.
Our party awoke bright and early on Tues
day morning, for this was to be ''the day Of
days" when the "father of Mountains" was to
be assembled. A heavy mist seemed to hang
over the mountain tops and brisk breeze
prevailed in the valley. Nevertheless the
journey was undertaken, several of the timid
ones remaining behind, content that distance
should lend enchantment to the view The
ascent was made in open carriages, the tops
being covered, by the road that winds around
that is nearly as smooth and safe as any tray
elled highway about Augusta. The six faith
full horses attached to each carriage, are well
trained and under the most thorough dsci-
pline, exhibiting almost the intelligence of
humans. But the road itself is matchless
specimen of Yankee pluck and patience, be-
ing built up on the very mountain side, and
rendered perfectly safe and comfortable for
travel. 1t is owned by corporation; was
built by the assistance of the State, as other
roads in the region Of the mountains are, and
cost some 100000. Men are kept constantly
at work upon it. Earth is scarce, little catch
places are made, to secure every atom The
average grade of the road is twelve feet in
one hundred, and the steepest grade in any
part is sixteen feet in one hundred, but that
only for a short distance. The ride is one
that will thrill the soul of every one at all
susceptible to emotion. As you leave the
thiekly wooded glen below, the vison be-
comes broader and broader. The base and
sides of this mountain, like its fellows, are
clothed with dense and luxurious forest of
trees, pine, frs, spruce, beech and birch
up are stuHttu uWaTI trees, struggling
for life, their roots grasping the cold rocks in
the almost fruitless search for soil to feed
upon. Their branches, thin and bare, all
point southwark, indicating the power of the
north wind that almost constantly holds high
carnival here. Above all signs of vegetation
or tree life, on the whitish rock, we Fl nd only
alpine plants, MOSES, lichen and the like
the very lowest forms of vegetable life. As
the road winds up over the mountain you sit
in your comfortable seat and look down thou
sands of feet into the ravine below, or in the
distance discern other mountains, which in
deed surround you on every hand-"Alps piled
on Alps" Next in height to Mt. Wash
ington, rises Mt. Jefferson Adams and Madi-
son. While Mt Washington may be most in
the mind of the tourists, there are others of
but little less importance, embracing the en-
tire group in northern New Hampshire. They
are called the White Mountains on account of
their rocky composition shining with clear
brightness at distance. Eight months of
the year they are clad in snow, and several