Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-08-31
TTFTPT0 The WHITE MOUNTAINS.

The morning Of the l7th Of Aug. 1880,
broke In fair "a plasi1 spd everything
being ready, q ltty OF tssofus started To
SCI 6swd ~ or The White Mountains
asd = surros1kiings, provided ourselves
Nth I good tent and . weeks supplies.
We In our quiet homes = Kezar Falls at
q. m, and ati2, noon, W. halted Tor rest
and refreshment at the beautiful village
Fryeburg.
After we had rested about two hours,
we started to ascend the big ledge wei
known MS Jockey Cap. 1t is situated east
Of the village OF Fryeburg, distant abont
one mile. It is on the west side perpen-
didular or nearly so about $50 feet, should
say. We assembled by . xig-zag path,
winding around its northerly side. As
we approached the easterly side, u was
easy to walk on TO this wonder Of nature.
From its summit we get splendid view OF
the surrounding country. That beantlful
sheet ofwater, Lovell's Pond, the history
OF which has so long been revered, pre-
scented itself in full view.
Viewing this enchanting spot to our NIL,
we started for N. Conway In New Hamp-
shire. At about 8 p. m, we pitched our
tent about six miles east OF the village OF
N. Conway, in a grove Of splendid pines
where we enjoyed a bountiful supper well
relishsd by all. After we had put all things
in proper order and cared for horses, we
retired for the night ut an early hour
When morning dawned we were up "by
times" feeling strengthened, and soon
ready for a move onward. After an hours
pleasant ride we found ourselves In the
delightful village Of n. Conway, filed TO
overlooking with boarders from nearly all
parts of the United States. Spending an
hour or more visit ing this coveted spot,
we repaired TO Echo Lake, situated about
two miles west OF the village and at the
foot OF a magnh cent ledge, known as
White Horse The water Of this beauti-
full lake, covering several acres, Is clear
aud placid, Astounding with Black Bass
which are protected by law. The echo OF
the report OF gun or pistol Is clearly and
distinctly heard several times.
From here we went To Cathedral Ledge,
situated about one mile further north.
This ledge Is a wonder 10 behold. IL Is
900 feet in height and apparently mass oil
IL had some day fallen out from near It's
base, from 30 10 100 feet or more In height,
leaving the upper part projecting % feet
or more. There are many caves ut the
foot OF this ledge formed, no doubt, by the
large mass OF stones which appear 10 have
fallen from it's side. Here We lunched,
and then repaired TO Ellis River, two miles
further on. Here we In wonder viewed
what Is called Diana's Baths. The river
has steep descent for long wayback in
the mountains over granite bed over
which the water rushes with terrific fury
after rise from storm, carrying along
numberless stones OF all sizes wearing the
river bed In most wonderful manner. In
many places we found what | should term
spouts wo IN into the cliffs many OF which
are from 10 TO 20 inches deep aud several
feet long ana where all the water in the
stream passed ut this time.
What Is called the Baths is quite differ
emit They are holes worn into the solid
ledge by stones taking 4 rotary motion IN
the eddics upon the river bed, continuing
70 whirl until worn out an! then others
take their llaees. These Baths are round
and of all sizes, from the bgness OF = pint
measure 10 that of several feet In depth
aud circumference, and show plainly that
continual dropping will wear stone.
From here we went into the town Of Bart
lett and camped fCT the night on the
greuud Of Cyrus A. Tasker, Esq, in front
OF his beautiful mansion. Early the next
morning we started for the Crawford
\ Notch where we arrived at : 80 p. IN.
Here we viewed with wonder this natural
pass for road through these gigantic
mountains; also the many gorges and
cascades before which wished to pause
in silence and admire. At this place is
where We found the Great Out for the p.
aud a. u. X. to pass by some 1t is called
the Gate Way through the Notch. This IS
Ia very deep cut through the north eastern
spur OF willard Mountain. 1t is in a solid
rock 70 feet deep perhaps 100 or more,
and from % to 10 rods In length. Below
this deep cut Dismal Pool may be plainly
! seen which has no particular attraction
except as q natural wonder. being elevated
so high up these towering mountains.
AFTER spending q few minutes viewing the
beautiful Saco lakes, the source OF the
noble Saco river, with the Crawford House
| in the back ground, We returned TO the
Wiley house about four miles homeward,
and In this dismal glen We again tented.
The neat morning We were very much
interested by viewing the old Wiley house,
the mountain sides, the p. & o. r. r.
which runs along on the side OF Wiley
mountain 500 feet above the Wiley house,
and to hear the circumstances pertaining
to the mountain slide that submerged
the Wiley family in Aug. 1926, as de-
tailed by Edward Melcher OF Lancaster,
N. IT,, whom we met here. He was the
man who found the first two bodies Of the
Wiley family that were buried In that
dreadfa, aValanch. He said ''the sides Of
both mountains on either side OF the road