Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-03
4 JT.NE J.AENT.

IfiNNltAh, cuho ~, toiN'
Many Of your older readers have heard of the
million Acres" or Bingham's kcnnebcc Pur.
chase. Ia the carly days, going to the million
Acres was spoken Of as very nearly equivalent
to going out OF the world. 1t was the last resort
of those who were in debt, Or DISCONTINUED, or
distressed, TO 60 to the "Million Acres" TO settle.
1t was like leaving the haunt. of civilization and
cultivation, and taking up an abode in the wilder
ness. But the logic of everts has changed all
these things. In the Million Acres now are to
be found cultivated farms, mills, mechanics shops,
neat farm houses, fruitful fields and orchards and
thriving villages, with the inevitable school house
and meeting house at convenient intervals.
This village of Bingham Is in the Southern
tier Of townships in the Bingham tract 1t is
prosperous and growing place, very pleasantly
situated on the banks of the Kennebec, where
mill stream from the eastward emptes into the
river. The population of the village, aud the
number of dwellings as well as other buildings
fol use and trade, have largely increased within
the last dozen years. This is the last considerable
village on the road which leads up the river to-
wards Canada.
left Skowhegan yesterday with party of
friends for ride up the kenncbec. Our roate
lay through Madison and Scion to this place. In
Madison two slate quarries are being opened.
They were not on our way, and we did not visit
them. Some very fine slate for roofing has been
taken from them, but We are informed that the
works not yet fully in operation. A steam
engine has recently been placed in one of them to
free it from water. The proprietors have high
hopes of success and profitable investment.
The name of Skowhegan is derived from that of
the falls The popular legend is that man of
the name of Hogan once went over the falls in
scow, hence the name Of the falls. Every body
tells this story, but probably few if any believe it,
The name is doubtless of Indian derivation, like
many other names in this region.
The name of Madison, of course, was given in
honor of the carly President who succeeded Jeffer-
son, and who was himself one Of the fathers of
the republic, and was associated with Hamilton
and Jay in writing the Federast in defence of
the Constitution.
Why the first settlers of Scion went back to
Greece for a name, we can explain no further
than by wing that there is no accounting for
tastes, as the miscellaneous and heterogeneous
names given to cur Yankee towns a5undantly
proves.
This is productive agricultural section, as the
appearance Of the fences and farm buildings tes-
titles. The rayages Of the caterpillar or army
worm have been very destructive to fruit trees,
particularly in old orchards. Many apple trees
and some forest trees have been nearly stripped
of their leaves. But this pest, thus far, has not
reached the upper Kennebec, Long before we
olrI }ba ,o,Js oil to ha
touched and promising good crop.
Amongst other industries at Bingha the lum
Der business is the most prominent and noticeable.
A new branch of manufacture is, however, about
to be put in operation. A New Hampshire gen
tleman is building a three story building for
starch factory, and other branches, to be carried
by steam. This will open market for large
quantities of potatoes, which the farmers in this
vicinity can readily produce more abundanty than
at present. At seasons unsuitable Cor starch max
ing, the machinery and power will be used for
other manufactures.
The river system of section of the country is
a curious study. How the little springs amongst
the mountains and in the depths of the wilder
ness, accumulate and increase into iills and rivu
lets. brooks and streams, and then by uniting to-
geiher one after another become mighty river,
watering broad valley, is worthy of thought and
investigation. The springs, fed by the rains from
heaven, cheer and refresh the dweilers in their
neighborhood with pure and fresh water. The
brooks and streams water the fields and pastures,
and make them fruitful. The rivers float the lum-
Der from the forests and the commerce of the
cities and villages. And each and all varegate and
animate the landscape and make it pleasing and
beautiful to the eye, and give refinement and cul-
ture to the mind.
"The little springs the sparkling rs,
In lonely coyerts hide;
They run among the ancient hills,
And through the shadows glide
Their birth is in the wilderness,
From mountain wilds they go,
BY many winding paths. to bless
The thirsty lands below
God guards the little mountain springs,
Nor lets their channels dry;
He hovers on his cloudy wings,
From out the stormy sky;
He gives the rain and snow like WOOL
To feed their ceaseless flow,
To make the lowands beautiful,
And waving harvests grow
Pen HOLDER.