Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-09-24
Correspondence of the Kennebec Journal. J
Among the Mountains.
Portland, Sept, 1879.

Among the Mountains.
Conway, N. H., Sept. %, 1879.
Improving the first opportunity of the sea-
son for a brief vacation from active labor,
we left home on Tuesday Of last week; and
after spending few days at the State FAR
in Portland, we took passage on the Portland
and Ogdensburg Railroad, arriving at tins
delightful mountain retreatl on Saturday at
ternoon, finding ample accommodations for
our party at the Conway House, kept by MIR.
l.. II. Eastman; who, by the way, may be re-
garded as the ''Prince of Landlords and was
evidently cut out for the profession Of run
ming hotel in manner that cannot fail OF
giving satisfaction to the universal public.
While at many of the Summer hotels in TINS
region dear prices and cheap cooking are the
prevailing elements to be contended with, at
this house superior cooking and reasonable
prices prevail for the entire season, from jan
uary to December We have this on the au-
thority of permanent guests, and can testify
the same from personal experience The adj
vantage of quiet and restful surroundings
must also be taken into the account in max
for spending few week or months most
healthfully apd pleasurably.
This morning dawned in regal splendor.
The rising sun gliding the submits of Mt.
Washington, Adams, jefferson and Madison
in the massive background to the northwest,
while the cone of Kearsarge in the immediate
foreground at the north, and peaks OF (ho-
corua on the west, sent back rejecting rays
along and across the Pequawket and Saco
valleys, presenting panorama OF exquisite
and unsurpassed grandeur and loneliness.
After partaking individually and collective
" of hearty breakfast and making arrange
ments for a drive to various points of inter-
est in this vicinity, our landlord drove to the
door with four-in-hand mountain team of
the observation style and pattern. whereupon
a formidable party embarked; and under the
guidance and direction of Mr.. Eastman, who
understands ''handlng the ribbons" as well
as trimming hotel" proceeded to ARTISTS
Falls" echo Lake" "The Cathedral,
"Diana's Bath" and other wonderful locali-
ties, worthy the attention of every lover Of
natural scenery, Astounding with liberal and
even prodigal profusion throughout our own
New England paradise.
Echo Lake is a perfect mirror of loneliness
when viewed as on this occasion, on a calm
and perfect autumn morning, when the re-
Election of the cliff of Mote mountain is per-
feet, to the most tiny leaf or variegated moss,
and the echo reverberating from the distant
headlands is most distinct and startling. The
cliffs of Mote mountain at points along a
range of four or Ave miles rise to the height
of 500 feet, in many places projecting in bold
and massive grandeur. forming magnificent
arches at the Cathedral and other points
along the base. The "Devirs Den" is a
point of interest, but on the occasion of the
above visit the proprietor was not at home,
though several of the party invaded his do
minions, finding cool reception, but no
flavor of sulphur! "Diana's Bath is worthy
of a more extended notice than we have
space to give. The waters of mountain
stream come dashing down the narrow gorge,
forming numerous cascades and silvery pools
where we expected every moment to see mer
maids sporting in the ripping sunlight and
spray; but as none appeared we
found ample opportunity for witnessing
the agile springing from rock to rock of
the ladies of the party, who with but
slight assistance threaded the circuitous and
rugged pathway to the highlands, from which
the mauy cataracts made a rapid descent of
one or two hundred feet until merging its
waters with the beautiful Saco. In many
places along the bed of the stream are holes
and basins of quaint forms and sizes, many
of them many feet in depth and of large di-
mansions. The locality is well named for
here might goddesses retire from the haunts
of busy life to sport in the crystal fountains,
and be famed by the cool breezes that float
down from the Overhanging mountain. 1t
was with regret we left this fairy spot, where
hours might be spent with pleasure andprofit
On our return we passed through the vii
lage of North Conway, now almost deserted
bp the transient sojourners for the heated
season. Why the multtudes should choose
the heat of summer exclusively for visiting
the mountains, we could never understand,
when the autumn presents even greater at
fractions, with its clear and bracing atmo-
sphere and ever changing beauty of varegated
foliage and gorgeous sunsets and shadows.
There is considerable business carried on in
this village, and among the most important
manufacturing establishments is Mr.. Is. +.
Sturtevants machine peg factory, under
charge of Mr.. John A. Rowell as business
manager. This factory uses about one thou
sand cords of white birch in making pegs,
and about three hundred cords of poplar
lumber is used for making boxes for packing
and shipping the same. This is the only es-
adjustment Of the kind in the world. and the
almost incalculable amount of pegs manu-
featured and used excites establishment.
About two thousand cords of oak are manu-
featured in this village into hogshead shocks,
and sold in Portland for the southern and
West India sugar trade. A spool manufactur-
ing establishment is in course Of construc-
ton, which will make an important addition
to the business of the place. Many fine
farms skirt the valley, and the entire region
has thrifty and tidy appearance.
But have already exceeded nv intended
limit and as the morrow promises favorably
for trip through the Notch and an ascent Of
Mount Washington, l will postpone farther
jottings to another leisure moment.
Very truly yours, &C.,