Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-05-22

as a most kindly and benevolent person.
Mr.. Rangeley's greatest public work
was road constructed through "a grand
aud savage pass" of the Saddleback
range. Its cost was set down at $4,000,
but the road itself is now wholly oblit
Grated. The new road is spoken OF as
"wholIy uninteres,ing" in comparison.
The present writer can say nothing as to
the location of this ancient highway. but
repeats the tradition respecting it as re-
ceived from gentleman from Boston
who personally knew Mr.. Rangeley, and
who visited him in his retreat several
times prior to lSl0-who is. indeed. the
authority for all these interesting par
liculars concerning this really notable
and agreeable character.
But we have yet to reach Rangeloy.
Pennington is the point from which to do
1t. This pleasant village OF two or three
thousand inhabitants lies at the terminus
of the Audroscoggn branch of the Maine
Central Railroad. days ride from Bos-
ton-haii days from Portland. There
is little TO interest the traveller on his way
thither, alter he leaves the latter city, the
route lying through region that is un-
inviting, with scarcely an exception -
But when he strikes the Sandy River
Valley, and crosses it by the curious
curved irestle which brings him 10 the
end OF his railroad ride, he finds himself
introduced to views which. for their kind.
are nowhere surpassed. not even along
tho lar-famed Conway Meadows. Far
mington is the shire town Of Franklin
County, and brisk and energetic place.
There is much in and about il which
might detaln the excursionist TO his en-
joyment before pushing on up the valley
10 the lakes and the mountains. The
mountains are in full sight before him.
and we can not wonder that. yielding to
their alurements. he turns his back upon
The pleasant walks and delightful drives
which the village and its environs afford
in every direction. and hastens on over
the forty miles of staging which yet re-
main.
The road closely follows the river, a
tributary OF the kennebec. for twenty
miles along well cleared uplands, through
fertile intervales, under the bold sides OF
of Days Mountain. past the The pictur-
turesque uspension-bridge at Strong
or over it, if we ike to make the detour
OF a mile to see another thriving village
OF Maine-and so on to Phillips, the next
most important town TO Pennington in
the county. consisting Of an upper and
lower village. provided with excellent
hotels, and supporting bank and other
belongings Of an enterprising and busi-
ness life. The telegraph wires accom-
pany tho traveller as far as here, and
here, the stage supplenenting the rail-
way. Boston is kept within days ride.
The town takes its name from the hon.
orable Phillips family of Mass chusetts,
by some OF whom it was formerly owned
and opened for settlement when Maine
vas only district OF the Old Bay State.
The Phillipses and Benjamin Weld, of
Boston, were extensive owners OF wild
lands in this part OF Maine and the towns
of Weld, Salem, Avon. Strong. Madrid.
and others were all carved out of their
broad possessions. Mr.. Rangeley had
the same ambition OF great proprietor
ship, only be pushed further into the for
est; and the domain which be selected,
by the variety of its surface and the ex-
cellence of its soil. attests the sagacity OF
his choice.
Leaving Phillips. the road to Rangeley
first climbs massive spur, from which
magnificent views are obtained OF Mount
Blue. Mount Abraham, and other impos-
ing ranges. and thence descends into the
Madrid basin. in traversing which it re-
covers the Sandy River, from which it
had parted at Phillips. TO leave it no
more until it is lost in its source. the
Sandy River Ponds, Mt the base OF Mount
Saddeback, just before entering Range
ley. Passing the little village OF Madrid,
the road presently begins the ascent OF
Beech Hill rough barrier to the engaging
region that stretches itself behind it,
The tourist now finds himself fairly lace
to face with the wilderness, though this
frs. taste OF it, Beech Hill, is not the
most pleasant. He will be good round
hour and half in reaching its summit;
but the tedium of the effort will have
ample compensation if it be his fortune,
as it was The writer's in the summer OF
1875, to see therefrom bear in all the
liberty of his natural estate: Bruin had
come ont of the woods into a clearing,
across the deep ravine which the road
skirts at this point, and was making him
self busy with the strawberries which
grew plentiiully among the stumps and
bushes. He rose on his launches mo
ment 10 attend TO our excited sautations,
and then unconcernedly resumed bis
berrying His unconcern was destined
not TO last, however, for, day or two
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