The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-08-29
GBJ W. G.l
A Tour to the Rangeley Lakes.
History of james Rangely and His Fam
lily and Other Early Settlers.
NUMBER III.

Ino people OF Rangely are discussing inc
propriety of extending town aid to railroad
from Pennington to Phillips and town meet
ing has been called for that purpose. There is
strong probability that this road will be built,
which would shorten the stage route nearly
one half, and bring the lakes within one days
ride of Boston.
In my last neglected to mention an ele-
waited tract of land over which the road passes
for two miles in approaching Rangely "city.
From this road we obtain the first clear view Of
Oquossoc or Rangely lake, with its two arms
running into the land, east and north. and Ram
Island in front, which has been purchased by
Boston parties, on which they propose to erect
several cottages. This swell of land over
which the road passes, has been converted in
to productive farms, with good buildings. One
of these farms belongs to Mr.. Joseph Nile and
his son-son and grandson of the first settler.
They raise annually 25O tons of hay, and large
quantities of grain, keep large herd of cat
tie, and 400 sheep. These are about all the
farms on the shores of the lake, which are
principally wooded-the outskirts of dense
wilderness reaching to the boundaries of New
Hampshire and Canada.
AhAS ~AhoASoSoS6Ah AohO 5JosoAA - AA>o -
string of beads. Umbagog lake, some forty
miles southwest, of which part is ia Maine and
part in New Hampshire, and from which the
river issues, is Of course the lower one, and
Oguossoc, or Rangelay lake, is the upper one,
with four others, with long Indian names, in
ter e. Rangely lake is nearly all in the
town of the same name. Within the town lin
its, are also Round, Quimby, and Dodge ponds.
In Dallas Plantation, adjoiningon the southeast,
are Gull and Little Gull ponds-the waters of
all enter the lake, and all are well stocked with
trout, aud are within easy distance Of Range
ley Village The best fishing at this season is
said to be in Kenebago lake, eight miles north,
six of which is by carry" or foot path, to the
public camp, where good board can be had.
There is daily communication with the post
office at the village.
The first settler at Rangeley was Deacon Lu-
ther Hoar, who came from Leominster, Mass,
to Portland in 1802-then to Phillips, and to
Rangeley in 1876, ''the year without sum-
mer." He had been "in," the summer pre-
v:ous and made clearing.
In May, with all his worldly goods on a long
handsled, his wife and five of his seven chill
dren on foot, the two youngest, one a girl two
months old, on the sled, they left Phillips in
hauling the sled, When the sun had thawed
the crust they were compelled to encamp until
the next morning, when they continued their
journey into the wilderness. After four days
of this kind of travel, they arrived at their
clearing and constructed a camp. On their
way the bread trough, in which was the baby
asleep, got loose and slid down hill until it
lodged against a tree. 1t was soon missed and
recovered with the baby still asleep. She is
now Mrs. Ross of Phillips. The experience of
this family was sample of that Of many
others of the first settlers of the woods of
Maine. Deacon Hoar had only two bushels of
wheat meal to- commence with in his new
home. There were focks of small birds called
''cross bills" very tame, which came round
the camp and were baited With meal under
board, which was made to fall on them.
Large numbers were taken in this way, which
with the meal were made into a stew, and for
weeks this was the only food Of the family.
When the season arrived they caught trout
and smoked them-on these, with q small
white tuber called wild cucumber" they sub
sisted until the grain and potatoes ripened and
game could be procured. A son of Mr.. Hoar,
who was then fourteen years old and helped to
haul the sled with all the property Of the
family on it, is now one of the wealthiest
farmers of the town, known now by the name OF
Joseph Nile. having had his name changed
few years ago by legislative act. HIS IS the
farm whose stock and products are named
| above. A Mr.. ToOthaker came next 70 tne
| lake-be was the father of Abner TOothaker
ESQ.,, of Phillips who is now large real estate
owner in Rangely, and "keen as brier. 4"
He and his brother worked several years for
Mr. Rngs then 'SG bom tbs oss too oI
| name.
James Rangely came to New York from
| Sheffield, Yorkshire, England--famous for its
manufactories of hardware and cutlery. In
New York he kept a wholesale store OF some
| kind. He was wealthy and loaned money, IT