Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-10-15

tain streams IL one or tws should be carried off
next spring, travellers would not be the losers,
provided new ones substituted.
We left our teams here, aud took the cars up
through the Notch. The day was sunny aud fine
and all nature appeared to be 10 its most smiling
mood. There were just about passengers enough
ia the observation car to admit of all being seated
on the side next to the mountain scenery. The
cars are open both sides with the roof covered.
The seats are arm chairs on pivots. The CON
ductor, with the most courteous attention, was
constantly passing through the cars, and inform
ing the passengers of each object of interest.
Time and space would fail, and powers OF descrip-
ton be inadequate to describe the beautiful and
sublime scenery 10 be deserved in passing through
the Notch. The railrC ad itself is object of in
terest, passing along it does, on the side of the
mountains sometimes hundreds of feet above the
littl valley below, where the narrow public road
is seen from time to time threading its way through
the wilderness. Harris Ledge was pointed out, a
high rocky cliff on the right. The Pope's Nose is
a curious peak which rises above the neighborug
emiaenccs, and somewhat resembles a nose. The
Devils Den Is high up in the side of a steep
mountain If any devils are shut up there, the
conductor was Of opinion there enough more
out and at liberty. The old Wiley House still
stands, IN the valley, far below the railroad, and
marks of the fatal slide NAV be the side
of Mount Wiley. The old Crawford House is
also seen, where travellers were once entertained,
before the modern rush of travel to this Switzer-
land of America. Mount Crawford, Mount Web
ster, Mount Willard. and many others. raise their
rocky walls either side of the track. In the
midst of this wild scenery, on little terrace,
stands a house Of modern construction,
built of split stone, and occupied by
DR.. Bems. The house stands above the
railroad, and below it is little depot called
Bcmis station. The railroad is mostly cut into
the side of the mountains but there are several
places where it on iron uestle work. One of
considerable length is about % feet high. An
other, crossing the Wiley brook, is 80 feet high.
Before arriving at the Crawford House, the road
enters what is called the Gate of the Notch, where
the solid rock has been excavated to maze way
for the railroad and the massive walls of nature 5
masonry Use high above the top of the cars.
AT several points on the railroad we obtained
admirable views of Mt, Washington, which here
appeared much nearer than at any other point
route, the brilliant and vsriegsted autumnal foil.
age, illuminated BY the sunshine that rested upon
it, added browning charm to the beauty and
grandeur of the scenery.
Our excursion ended at the depot near the
Crawford House, which is beautifully situated on
a green and level plateau at the head of the val
ley. A pleasant little lake not far from The house
is said to be the head of the Saco river, which,
starting here, pursues its winding way through
the Notch, and then passing Bartlett and North
Conway, proceeds on its course to the ocean near
Saco and Biddeford. We took passage with a
party up Mount Willard, where a fine view of
the mountains, the valley of the Notch, and all
the surrounding scenery, is obtained A gentle
man in the party had pocket instrument in the
shape of a watch, which indicated at every point
the height Of the elevation above the level of the
sea. The extreme height OF Mt. Willard was a
little over $500 feet. The same gentleman had a
glass of remarkable power, through which distant
objects could be seen with wonderful dist met
ness.
After dining at the Crawford House, perform
ance that is not TO be achieved in a hurry, our
party took the cars to return to Bartlett. At
Bemis station, passed two excursion trains.
which had gone down the road through the Notch
from ST. Johnsbuiy Vt. and were returning.
There were thirty in all, with five engines
and the the most crowded with men,
women and children, of any rail cars we ever
saw. Every seat was occupied, every foot of
standing room, and every platform was crowded
to its utmost capacity.
We had second view Of all the charming
scenery as we returned, and at Upper Bartlett
took our teams and rode to North Conway.
PEN HOLDER.