, 1874-05-17


Hill River, tributary entering the Connect
cut River at Northampton, Masa., and the route
Of yesterdays disastrous food, is q small but
rapid stream having its rise in Goshen, about
I twenty miles distant, and following sharply
defined course through the hill country until it
reaches the level Of the Northampton meadows
Its course lies wholly within the territory Of tho
Towns Of Northampton. Williamsburg, and Co.
shen; and tho valuable water power it affords
has built up the important manufacturing vii
1ag& OF Florence and Leeds in Northampton,
and OF Haydenyile and Skinnerville III Williams
burg. In tho centre village of Williamsburg the
| stream is made to operate some small establish
ments; and in tic centre OF Northampton "fau
! Of water" enough remains for some tri1ing To-
cal use. As is customary throughout New Eng
! land, aud as is notably known Of the Lowell
system OF water supply, the resources Of this
petty stream haTe been 1usbunded and used to
the utmost degree. Extensive reservoirs, or
artificial ponds, hold the spring surplus against
the time of midsummer need; and one Of these
reservoirs near the headwaters of Mill River,
breaking its bounds. has sent desolation and
death through all the prosperous valley.
1t is now many years since the writer lived in
Northampton and WAS familiar with the localities
wherein this terrible scene is laid. At that day,
more than twenty years ago, the village Of Flor
ence about two miles distant from Northamp-
toms town-hall, was the seat OF silk-thread man
ufacture, and so took its name that its product
might be called Florence silk." Leeds Village
about two miles further up stream, WAS the
home Of the Musgraves, prosperous manufac-
turers Of woo]en gooda, after the style
Of Leeds. IN old England, whence
tho MusgraTcs had come. At another distance |
Of about two miles is Haydenyille, taking its |
name from the Hon. Joel Hayden, the founder |
Of its industries, at that day most conspicuous !
in the manufacture OF gold pens. The Village Of
skinnerville is OF more recent growth, and d. !
yides the distance between Hayden7ille aud
williamsburg, being about two miles from |
either. In process of time each Of |
these manufacturing villages has assumed !
larger Importance, and Florence, which took /
name for the sake Of its silk thread, has, in turn.
given its name to well-known sewing machine
made there; while Leeds and Haydenville have
each introduced new industries, aud Mil River
has been made to do duty at every available step
on its way. But however great has been the ma
Eerial change, the Typographical situation can
ha7o undergone no change. The river runs for
miles through deep cut between lines Of hills
. valley hardly wider, at any p1ace, than It's
owa required course. The mill-sites were in
cuttings Of the Hldo-hil1s; the homes Of the
'perativaa were located within the narrow limits
# the valley, or on the hill-sides, wherever site
:ould be found OF made; the travelled highway
an along the hill-sides, crossing and recrossing
he stream to find the most available path. and
Fas, at best, difficult and expensive road to
maintain. Along such confined course great
olu1ne OF water, suddenly started on its work OF
destruction, would Esre no other alternative |
'ut to destroy everything within reach. Sum |
aer Visitors to Northampton and Mt Holyoko /
TM recall this stream, which winds to the SOUTH /
Test Of Round Hill, aud enters upon the slug
ish end Of its career p