The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-08-29

10 Saiu, W tno owner Oh LOWn5nlp NO. . OF range
second, now Rangeley, OF which he took .
mortgage, supposing that it contained thrifty
settlement, He was compelled to take the
land for his pay, and in 1920, when he was As
years old, he first explored his township, with
which ne was so well pleased that he concluded
to make it his home He built small house
on the northwest side of the lake, and cleared
up farm, which he cultivated iu the English
fashion. He built grist mill and saw mills In
which were two clapboard machines, at Indian
rock on the outlet of the lake. His dam was
built of cedar, and his mills wers of the most
permanent kind He also built house near
for his mill men, and potash factory. In the
mill he manufactured large quantities of the
best pine clapboards, which were carried by
water to the Eastern arm of the lake, from
whence he built the present stage road to Mad
rid, at his own expense. Over this road the
clapboards were hauled in winter by OK teams
to Hallowell for shipment. When they were
delivered there he received $50 per thousand.
Mr. Rangeley had a wife, three daughters
and three sons one of whom remained in Eng
land with his mothers brother, named New
bold, who owned a coal mine. The family
lived in Portland two or three years, while Mr..
removal to their new home. He built q large
two-story house adjoining the small one and
furnished it with considerable elegance. His
books, pictures and some pieces OF furniture
were brought from England. When all was
ready his wife and children came, and the es-
tablishment was kept with more style than
any within many miles. Their visitors were
sent to the house OF tenant. Mr.. and Mrs.
Rangely are represented by those remaining of
their hired help, as people of refine
a large amount Of Nancy, and his
wife had property in her own right
He was lenient with his tenants and debtors.
Notwithstanding his good qualities, there were
envious men and squatters, who tried to drive
him off when he first came. The glass for the
windows of his first house was broken In the
boxes. and on an outside door was drawn
nude figure, and the outline of heart In the
proper place, through which bullets were fired:
bot this did not intimidate him-he knew who
did it. The Rangely family were Church Of
England people, but the mother and daughter
contributed largely to the erection of q small
building which was used for school house,
and for occasional Sunday services by clergy
men Of all denominations, which they always
attended.
Mrs. Rangely was never contented in her
secluded home-it was lonely for one at her
tastes, and to add to her discontent, her eldest
daughter sickened and finally died, at the age
of eighteen, of consumption. After resi-
dence here OF fifteen years, Mr.. Rangely con-
claded to sell his interest in the township Tho
eastern land fever of that time came to his
relief. In 1886 he sold all his lands. about
1900 acres, to Daniel Bnrnham, then Of New
Hampshire, for $4,000 dollars. Mr.. Rangely
paid fifty cents an acre for it He then re-
moved his family to Portland and lived on
State street. The body of the daughter was
removed from the private enclosure on the
farm, to the public burying ground at Farm
ington. While the family were living in Port
land the eldest son came from England and
with his father visited Rangely; this was the
fathers last visit to the lake and town now
bearing his name. The situation of the Range
ly farm and buildings was one Of great beauty.
1t was on the southern slope OF long swell Of
,snd-the field in front reaching to the shore
of the lake, where he embarked in boat for
his m ;lls at Indian rock, few miles below.
These with the original dam and millhouse
are ali gons, except the mudsills in the stream,
and the stones of the gristmin which lie use
less on the shore. The first small house on the
farm and the well-house are in place. The
farm is now owned by Abner Ellis. One wing
of the residence WAS removed 70 q neignooring
farm and is yet standing. The large house
which adioined the small one was taken down
and rebuilt at the village. 1t was destroyed In
the great fire.
North Carolina, adjoining Virginia, where he
finally took dp his residence In still more Sc
cluded place, having no post office within 40
miles, There he died previous to the rebellion:
The facts relating to Mr.. Rangeley's sale OF
his township, his removal AID death, oo-
tanned from Mr.. Burnham, the purcnaser,
whom met at Rangeley. and of course they
are correct. After Mr.. Rangeley had ,eft his
neighbors began to see the value Of q citizen
of his means and position, whom they might
have retained by little kindness and sympa-
thy In 1855 they testified to his virtues and
usefulness by petitioning to the legislature to
have their town incorporated BY his name,
which was done.
At the hotel landing notice several boats Of
build entirely new to me. On inquiry learn
that they are called Indian rock boats and are
peculiar to that lake region. They are built
in the village by Mr.. Tebbetts, and are Of q
pattern of his own. They are built Of cedar
boards, less than half an 10 inch thick-'1ap
streak" Each streak Is got out to o pattern
and then the whole she'll is riveted together.
Then thin ash ribs There is no oak here),
about inches apart, are riveted in place-these
are not to shape the boat, but to strengthen 1t.
When finished they have resemblance of
birch canoe, but are wider. They are 16 feat
long-weigh from so to 100 poundsand cost $40.
They are easily transported BY wagon, or are
easily carried short distances by two men.
They are used an all the waters of this vicinity.
This year Mr. Tebbetts has built some with
what he calls goose" stern, over-hanging
like the Newport boats. This enables the
sternman to lay back on his over coat, while
his guide pulls the boat. These boats are con-
sidered safe in any ordinary weather with three
or four passengers. They are rowed with
double sculls, and the ladies at the hotel do not
hesitate to 60 out alone in them. In these
boats all the fishing and shooting on the lakes
and ponds are done. Mr.. Tebbetts Is now max
ing boats with the same upperworks, with
flat board bottom, for shallow streams, which
can be dragged anywhere by one man. -,
In my next and concluding number, shali
further describe the lakes and mountains, the
"great DAM" and q Sunday at the hotel.