Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-07-19
The Editorial Excursion.


MARSHALL HOUSE,
YORK HARBoR, July l6, 1879.
The summer excursion to this point, OF tho Ed
itors and Publishers Association Of Maine, has been
one of unalloyed interest and pleasure to the en-
tire company, numbering in all some tn irty or
more ladies' and gentlemen connected with the
press of this State, with representatives from New
Hampshire and Massachusetts, This house is ad-
mrably located for q seaside residence, where
quiet, rest and solid happiness may be enjoyed and
where q Il the advantages of sea bathing, fishing,
pleasure riding, &C., are at command: The pro-
prietors, Messrs. E. S. & S. B. Marshall, are gen
ilemen who "know how to keep . hotel" and
ell the appointments of the establishment in incep
ton and detail, are arranged with special reference
to homehke comfort and convenience. From this
point our party has made excursions to the various
points ofnerest in this locality which We have not
at present time to describe. This is the location
OF one Of the earliest settlements of this country
dating back to the early years Of the sixteenth CEN
tury-l623-when the first permanent settlement
was made though pioneers were undoubtedly scat
tered along the coast at an earlier date. A city
charter was granted in the year l6al, and the first
election of Mayor and Alderman was held in
March, 1912 thus claiming the honor OF priority
as the first incorporated English city on this CONT
ncnt. The place was then called "Gorgeana, in
honor of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, under whose
auspices the settlement was effected. In 1863 the
Massachusetts Bay Company" came into posses
sion Of the locality and the city charter was revok-
ed, and for political or sectaran reasons the name
of York was substituted for Gorgeana. The old
Jail, and court house, the venerable church and
ancient cemetery the block house used for de-
fence against the savage raids of hostile Indians,
all dating back from two or three centuries, are
localities Of peculiar interest, each worthy extend
ed notice. did space permit.
York Beach, about two miles distant from the
Marshall House, is one Of the finest and most ex-
tensive beaches on our sea coast, and Is an ENJOY
able place of summer resort. There is also nice
sandy beach of smaller extent few rods eastcrly
from the Marshall House, peculiarly adapted for
bathing purposes; and on account of the gentle
and regular slope to deep water, almost absolute
safety from accident is ensured. A trip from here
to the Isles Of Shoals, some ten fifteen miles
distant in direct line, is of the most delight
full imaginable. Our party visited this interesting
historic locality on Wednesday last proceeding to
the islands BY steamer from Portsmouth. The
| day was delightful, and the occasion will long be
After partaking of eleg ant and substantial re-
past at the "Oceanica House" on Star island, one
| Of the group of five comprising the "lsles, we
I took boats and proceeded to Smutty Nose island,
the scene of the Wagner tragedy Of bloody mem
ory. The early history Of these islands is one OF
hereafter. Mt. Agamenticus, Bald Hill Chm, the
Cuts and Pepperell Mansions al kittery Point
interesting relics of colonial days, Kittery Navy
Yard, and other localities Of renown, can only be
mentioned by name in this hasty article, leaving
| for Q leisure hour more minute record OF one OF
the most enjoys able excursions OF our State Asso-
citation. The "rear guard of our company, who
remained faithful unto the end" will join in
singing "Homewsrd Bound" tomorrow, (Satur-
Yours Fraternally.
"HALLowELLIAN."