Daily Kennebec journal., 1875-09-18
A IV4GGON RIDE.

| RUMFoRD CORNER, Sept. lG, 1870.
What is the origin of the word Wagon !" Is
it not derived from the peculiarties Of this mode
of travel. With the vehicle and the horse, over
hill and dale, past farm and forest village and open
country, we scag-on. No wonder the lexicog-
raphers disagree as to the photography Of the
word, some spelling it "wagon," ard others, coin
Gliding with popular usage, have adopted the
modern style Of wagon" Bat, however the
word sprung up here in the interior, without die
tionaries or earned pathological treatses, should
pronounce it, from its shape and sound. true Anglo
Saxon.
Talking about names, suggests some queries
about the cognomcns of the towns we have passed
| through on our ride. Winthrop probably derived
its name from the early Puritan Governor, who,
though educated, refined and gently nurtured,
with few others of the class, cast in his lot
for the sake Of relg ion, with the sturdy pilgrims,
mostly rough in their culture and manners, stern
in their religious tenets and practices, yet rich in
sound principles and constituting the best material
of which to build State. The Winthrop family,
in its various descendants and connections, still
holds high place in Massachusetts, and New
England.
Wayne was doubtless named for Gen. Anthony
Waype of revolutionary fame, mad Anthony as
he was called, man fun of dash, spirit and pat
| riotic fire. "a
Livermore derived its name from one OF Its early
settlers, Deacon Elijah Livermore, one OF those
pioneers who penetrated the then wilderness
and with stout heart and strong arm subdued and
cleared and cultivated it, until the once wilder
ness now blossoms as the rose.y 1t 1t town OF
fine farms, with many large houses and barns, as
well as broad fields and pastures, indicating years
Of prosperous culture. Ii has produced q great
mn mber of active and successful business men,
some of whom may be found ON the hcnneoee'
and others scattered far and wide
We passed night, by invitation, al Nofianuf
the elegant mansion which the Washburn brotn'
ers, one Of the most distinguished Of Lvermore
families, have built for their aged father, Israel
Washburn, senior. The old patriarch still enjoys
good he alth and clear mind, though upwards OF
ninety years of age and entirely blind This fine
residence with its beautiful surroundings, oceu.
pics ono of the most picturesque situations any
where to be found. having a very extensive pros
pect on every side, diversified by hills and val
in the distance, and in one direction the church
spre and white buildings Of a distant village.
Leaving this interesting place, we pursued cur
Journey up the Androscoggin, and found our next
resting place here. l do rot propose to weary
your readers with repetition of the charms OF
this charming and picturesque river, but assure
YOU that it has lost none Of its attractions land We
are not willing to abate the least from the praises
we have -retoforc bestowed uponit
| We are so in love with it that after our thirty
miles ride yesterday, and we had put our horses In
comfortable quarters, we went With one consent to
the river and chartered the rope ferry to take our
party across and back between the two villages OF
Rumford Corner and Rumford Point, to ENJOY
still more the view up and down the river In this
romantic spot. and the pleasure of floating across
in this "odd kind of steamboat" as Boston lady
once called it. ....--- H.