Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-09-19
L, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1877

OF the recent fire which came near desolating
the place The fire, the failure OF the "Ameri-
can Hone & Box Company" Its principal manu-
featuring establishment, has greatly Frustrated
the commercial and business interests Of the town.
and from which they must be long time in re-
covering Excellent water power abounds on the
river which is but little used at the present time
the mills at the village being burned
Worthwhile, the next station is lively business
place, though sadly feeling the financial pressure
Of the times alike with It's negbbors. The GO
ahead energy OF its citizens will push onward, as
in the past, making 1t still more decidedly the
chief commercial and manufacturing center Of
the county and valley The splendid facilities for
manufacturing afforded by the great falls (esti-
mated seventy-five feet Of the Lamoille will not
long remain unemployed, or Of little value to the
village and town Elmore Mountain, in the imme-
date vicinity to the eastward with its rocky crest
is notable object affording fine views and salts
faction to the hardy tourist
Hydepark, three miles further on, is one of
those old towns, located high on the hills as was
not uncommon in the early day, and, considering
Its location, without water power, has preserved
its business Importance in a remarkable degree
It IL the county seat, and was formerly CONNER
cial center Of far more relative importance than
now. In recent years, towns to flourish and at
tain any great degree Of prosperity and business,
must possess ample facilities for manufacturing in
the shape of water-power, as upon that must
their continued growth in most cases materially
depend
Johnson, the next town down the valley, stands
like sentry, guarding the narrow passway cut by
the river through the main range OF Green Noun
tains. The village Is located near the eastern en-
trance to the pass It has large Touring mill,
and a wooden factory, with ample water power for
heavy manufacturing at McConnels Falls, short
distance southeast Of II in the river, which is
wholly unused. The power of operating the vii
lage machinery is obtained from the Gihon
or North branch which drains Eden, and consider
able country besides to the north and east. One
of the three state Normal schools is located here
and enjoys good degree of prosperity and pat
ronage The alluvial meadows along the river
are quite extensive in this town, and generally of
fine quality. As we proceed westward, noun
tains rise to the right of U.S. and the foot hills Of
giant Mansfield on the left
Cambridge is reached after nine miles farther
progress. short distance north OF the Centre
village the Portland & Ogdensburg railroad inter-
sects with the Burlington & Lamoille railroad.
thriving village will doubtless grow up here at
the Junction. in the future, the prospective
| Importance of these new railway lines develops.
| We are now on the western side of the Green
Mountains. Mount Mansfield rises along the
eastern border of Cambridge grim and bold, and
seemingly more precipitous than viewed from
any other position. This town is noted for its ex-
tensive and excellent alluvial meadows ESTIMATED
in "Thompsons Vermont" at five thousand
acres), and holds high rank for its agricultural
wealth. Immediately from Cambridge Junction
as the station is known the Portland & Ogdens
burg road leaves the Lamoille; turning northward
| 1t traverses a narrow but convenient valley
through Fletcher and Fairfield, TO the Missiscc
river at Sheldon. This valley offers superior ad
vantages, to grade, through which to build 9
railroad connecting the two river valleys, and re
minded me forcibly while passing through it o
the efforts of certain INSCRIPTIONS and interested
men, who in the early days of the enterprise, ad
vocated Georgia the only possible point for thu
western terminus of the Portland Ogdensburl
road, alleging that the high range of hills sep
aratng the Lamoile and Msssco valleys was al
insuperabe barrier to successful railroading, thu
ruling Swanton entirely out of the account. TIT
most cursory examination of this locality con
victed them at once of either untruthfulness o
gross ignorance. Time will undoubtedly prov
the wisdom of choosing Swanton as the western
terminus
Fletcher, as viewed from the railroad, seem
much broken in surface.
Fairfield shows much improvement over fletche
for farming purposes, with many fine farms alon
the creek, which the line follows. East Fairfel
is the only village of consequence met with whic
also affords railway station facilities to Baker,
field the adjoining town on the east. Farfel
station presents, in fact fairfield to the view
an admirable site for building a town.
Sheldon, with its mineral springs and numerou
hotels, is next reached. The village is located o
the creek, short distance south of Missisco rivei
which runs through the town in westerly d
rection When the projected railroad from thi
point to Montreal is built completed, Sheldo
must be much benefited, and may become a bus
place. The soil of this section of the Missisco va
ley compares unfavoraby with that of the l.
moille as to natural fertility being in much large
proportion of light sandy formation. 1t readil
responds to generous culture, but is less retenti,
of fertility than the stronger hardwood soil
The Missisco railroad, connecting St Adams an
. Richford, is crossed short distance west of She
don village. This section seems to be on Il
, southern edge of the great St Lawrence plain,
a no mountains appear to the northward and Il
hills seem much more subdued and lower as v
proceed. The route along the lower course of Il
Missisco traversed by the railroad was original
:, covered mainly with pine forests, little vestil
! of which, however now remains aside fro
the many miles of that peculiarly ornament
"picket" fence so familiar in pine grown
countries, alike impenetrable to man and bea'
and besides, more durable than stone wall.
y. As we approach Swanton the country improv
for farming purposes, with more even surfac
Swanton village has a splendid site, and is locat
= on both sides of the river, where considerable IA
occur. furnishing valuable water-power for o
Grating machinery. 1t surpasses in size any 9th
. village on the line of the Portland Ogdensbu
railroad west of st Johnsbury. The railroa
" now centering here, with its present facilities
labor traffic. must, in the near future, add great
to its business Importance. The railroad from
Adams to Montreal passes the eastern margin
q" the village, while the Central Vermont pass
. along the western. The Portland & Ogdensbu
" road connects with the Central and also exten
J. its line to the shore of Maquam Bay, part
:, ample docks have been constructed To accomm
date business and travel with the other lake tow
70 Swanton has long been noted for its manufa'
v ures OF lime and marble tiling for floors,
y which abundant material of superior quail
y abounds in the vicinity. We arrived at swami
at noon about twenty minutes behind schedr
y time; and Immediately proceeded to the Ia
shore where the large and commodiOus" steam
:, :, Curew, of sixty-three tons capacity, was ava
y ing us. No time was lost in embarking, and
~ were soon on the dancing wave" witho
thought ofanything but pleasure, intent on enjc
ing to the best advantage the passing hour 7
= day was resplendent with natures smiles; clea
y warm, with light refreshing breeze from
!, south The beauty OF Lake Champain from
= most any point OF view, is unquestioned and ca
not easily be excelled Maquam Bay, in beau
does not suffer in comparison with any other 81
ton OF the lake. Broad and capacious enough
III accommodate all the nayies of the world, yet
chief attractions must ever consist in the landsca
o' views surrounding II. Improved farms and wo,
" land, changing in rapid succession and end