New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-12
THE WHITE MOUNTAINS.

THROUGH THE NOTCH BY RAIL.
| LAST STAGE RIDE TO THE CRAWFORD HoUsE-THE
NEW RAILROAD FROM MOUNTAINEERING OF
THE ROAD.
lrROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.I
| CRAWFORD HOUSE, WHITE MOUNTAINS, N. H.,
Aug t." All out for tho Crawford House. These cars
stop here cried the conductor OF the train the Port
land and Oedensburg Railroad which reached Benis at
| $50 D. M Oh Thursday Tho few passengers who re-
NAMED. OF the many who had started In company from
Portland stepped ont and found themselves on the plat
of small station in wild and picturesque conn-
try with mountain peaks frownng in the distance Near
by stood an ordinary country stage, to which pair OF
white attached The company looked doubt
fully at it, gazed around to find companions, but see
ing made rush to secure outside seats Nine per-
sons fortunate as to do so, an equal number
being condemned to imprisonment Within Among
the utsidcrs gentleman Of middle age, In charge
of three young ades-evidenly hs neces- who were
anxious to see all they could without failing to reach
Saratoga Saturday night. " II would be 80 dn!, they
said have to spend Sunday at one OF the mountain
houses where they couldn't anything" They ex-
pected TO reach Fabyans that night and thus carry ont
their plans Perched upon the roof returned Cali
fornan in charge Of party of young men, OF boys Ihey
didn't care how far they got they had come to see the
mountains.
Once seated the piles Of baggage on the platform he
came an object OF interest Tho horses were already
overloaded how could the baggage be takeni Tho
| that they never would 20 without it. Presently the
driver and porers began png it upon the rack behind
lowered above the top OF the STAGE upon winch
several of the smaller trunks were thrown How can
these door horses carry this load nine miles " ex-
claimed one of the ladies' None OF the passengers could
guess tho riddle, and tho driver quietly took his
seat aud the reins without informing the questOner
short drive down bill brought the party to large
stable where four additional horses were In waiting
They were attached and the driver looked around
triumphantly lie gathered up Tho reins BrinS on
the pebbles" he cried TO stable assistant who gathered
mn n handful OF small stones Tho driver touched tho
whechorscs with his whip, the assistant threw stones
leaders and away went the six horses on eaop
| toward the Notch of the White Mountains Tho pace
was not maintained very long ana, except In descend
ing short bills the journey made at the rate OF
rather than three miles an hour, over one OF inc
worst and widest roads In the vicinity OF ;he White
Mountains Hold - the driver would shout every iew
minutes and coachwhcel would strike stone or sinK
into hole with jolt that brought the occupants OF out
side seats almost upon their feet Oh see those white
treesv SAID one Of the young ladies. pointing to the
white brches which constituted large part ol ne
surrounding woods Now know how these go Line lns
anywhere else" No comment was made and he speaker
wjsion never fas 70 bring Presently he horses
down steep hill on corrni nS So ns9 foot %' '
| you've heard OF jim Sloan. the famous California
driver, haven't youi" asked the Californian OF the
No, I don't know "a Ihaye" was the reply
'Wcl, he was u man lndt DifgStu th"I now
accident and the next day he overturned coach and
| Killed two passengers The young ladies looked I'M
i've driven here seventeen years, and never hurt
man or horse; replied Iehl ,o,. e,,, ,,,oo ,
The ladies did not become more cheerful. though they
We're so glad they came before the railroad was built
through On inQuiring Of the driver their uncle learned
that they could OF gel farther than the Crawford House
that night and he told them they would have 70 give up
the VISIT Mount Washington in order to get to SARATOGA
sty of the sacrifice 1t would be 80 holTid II we sonii
have to spend sunday up here wh,rs we eo sed
in safety and the party reached the Crawford iose Al
nH tno GSA inc Soch to r'cve tho horses OF tic
eighteen passengers large majority were dSaplolnca
anxious 10 do the mountains rapidly as pc.ei'f and
be done with them TIE was , immsS ra IN e same
way hut hereafter Journey over the Notch ROAD ny
h,s suffered the fate which await it everywhere.
and is superseded by the locomotive
THE NEW RAILROAD.
The Portland and Ogdcnsburg Railroad was planned by
Portland apitasfs Of bringing portion OF
the grain trade OF the West TO that city by way Of the
lake, Tho Legislature of Maine three years author
izel Portland issue bonds in aid OF the road provided
the people OF the city should favor the measure by pop
uar There hard fought battle, but the vote
was taken Just three years last month and resulted
in large majority in favor OF the road The strongest
arguments against 1t based on the difficulty OF get
ting through the White Mountains. These objections
have answered and to-day the last rail was laid ut
highest OF the Notch. 3nd excursion Train
containing projectors OF the road tho railroad dircc
tors the Guy Council of Portland. and number Of in
yted guests passed the road from Portland 10
Fsbyan's (9l miles) where it Joins Tao branch OF the
Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad, over when s
freight will pass for tho present To the West Tie
new section is 3 miles long. There not much OF
| demonstration the occasion aud no slecCh-mnking.
Tne last spike driven President Samuel j. Anier
SON and cannon walked the echoes of the mOunaina,
mingled With tho shriil sirieks Of the engines whistle.
On the VI the train from fatyan House the
party dned here taking the train for home in time to he
~ North Conway sunset. Among the excursion party
noticed the Rev UratiD 5cbns OF san Francisco. tho
successor there the ptsoiate OF the lat Thomas starr,
King and Dr. Thomas Ill., formerly President of liar-
ward University. ,
The grade Bemis to the Notch Il lie feet to the
mile and the road along the side OF tho mountaii5
most the distance artificial terrace. In several
trestle bridges have been constructed the largest
OF which 40 feet long and 80 feet high The gravel
Consisting Of di5ntegra;od granite found along the lnc
Ia OF such nature 10 form hrm roalhed ana gives
little GROUND for fear OF extensive IMAGE from washing
by Spring frcsets The people 0fPOrtand are rejoicing
over the surrounding Of the only difficulties IN the way
of the completion OF the road rs commercial channel
summer who visit the mountains 10y the way OF
Portland in order 10 look upon Orchard Beach AMI the
Islands Of CascO Bay may congratulate themselves thd
several dollars ot expense, Tour hours OF
time danger Of being invOuntiiy delay ed Ill