Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-27
TAG0N EIDE.

D1xr1ELD, Sept. %, 1879.
We we're detained at Shelbuine on Friday by a
storm. Saturday the rain had ceased, but the
wind blew great guns" as people sometimes
sav and tall peaks of Mount Moriah and severa
distant sues on the opposite side Of the river
were covered with snow and ice. We became
"citv boarders" for two or three days, and spen,
our time Is best we could. Fortunately there was
an ample supply Of newspapers from city and
country, pleasant society, and good fare for man
and beast.
For want Of something else to do, your cores
pondent assembled Mount Winthrop, an elevation
Of some 1000 or 1900 feet, and obtained hne
view of the valley of the Androscoggin, with ITS
beautiful intervale farms and mountain surround
inqs Threading bis way through the forest to the
ether side Of the mountain, the village of Gorhan,
six miles distant, was very plainly seem
In shelburne one might say, there is no Sab
bath at least there is no public observance of it.
With its meeting house dilapdated and destroyed,
there might still be public services in its neat and
convenient school house, if the people were so
disposed We were told there had been no preach
ing of the gospel there for four years, except an
occasional service very few times. What with
the conflict of creeds and the indifference of the
multitude, there seem to be many neighborhoods
in the country towns which may well be termed
missionary ground.
On Monday morning. we started for home, first
riding few miles up the river to the Lead Mine
bridge, so called, where we crossed the Androscog-
gin, and then pursued our ride down the river on
the opposite side The fog, which was very dense
in the morning, soon lifted, and we had fine OPP
portunty to view the beautiful scenery as we
rode along through Shelburne, Gilead and Bethel.
If any one desires to see this picturesque country
in all its charms, we would recommend that they
travel over it both sides Of The river AS thereby
many fine views can be seen that would escape
any one who merely passed up or down one bank
of the river.
We could not resist the temptation, when we
reached Newry Corner, to leave the Androscog-
gin for q while, and direct our course up Bear
river to North Newry. The march Of improve
ment has not passed by this remote neighborhood
without making it visit. The farms and build
ings are gradually improving, and putting on new
beauties; whilst the mountain scenery retains its
grandeur and loneliness. Puzzle Mountain still
lifts its lofty summit in serene majesty, above the
valley at its foot. The moon rose clear and
bright over its topmost height, spectacle worth
miles Of travel to observe. Poplar House and its
surroundings have submitted to the tide Of pro-
gress, and are much improved in appearance and
convenience. A new school house is about to be
built, and is already under contract. City boarders
have filled up Poplar House during the summer
months, and have not all left yet.
The ride down to Dixfeld on the north side Of
the Andfoscoggin was as charming as ever, over
smooth and well travelled roads, along the banks
of the winding stream, with hill and valley, noun
tain and meadow, pasture and forest, villages
mills churches and pleasant farm houses to diver
sify the scene.
Dixfeld village, at the mouth Of Wcbb's river,
with abundant water power, at the same time that
il is the centre Of business for surrounding tov nj,
ought to be place Of much enterprise nd thrift.
1t has several mills and manufacturing establish
ments, as well as stores and shops. But within
few years, two serious fires have occurred, which
have destroyed some Of its best buildings ON the
principal street, and they have not been replaced
1t has meeting house on the top Of hill diff
cult Of access, and looking neglected and unfre-
quented; and . trotting park that probably cost
more than the meeting house, and is better atten-
ded also very pretentous hotel, where Is in most
such places, the striped pig" exhibited to throngs
of visitors, especially trotting days; all which
goes to show that more religion and not SO much
rum, more meeting house and less trotting park,
would promote the substantial prosperity of the
place. II.