The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-08-15
RUEIFORD FALLS.
Notes of an Excursion 80 the Great Falls of
the AndroscOggin.

On wednesday morning, Hon. VIM. L. Put
man, President of the Rumford Falls and
Buckfield r. R., with company of officers of
the road and invited guests, left Portland on
an excursion to the famous falls which are the
objective point of the railroad, starting at Me-
chanic Falls, and completed as far as Canton
OF the party from Portland were Hon. Sulli-
van q. Andrews, treasurer of the road, I. L.
Lincoln, ESQ., superintendent; R. G. Bradford,
general ticket agent, George 9. Lord of Bos-
ton, president of the Boston & Maine R. R.,
Hon O. e. Jose, Capt. I. S. Washburn Cbas.
A. Brown, treasurer OF the Sebago Board Com
pany, Charles d. Brown of the Androscoggin
Pulp Company, e. B. Denison, treasurer of
Androscoggin Pulp Company, Hugh j. CHS
holm, the railway news agent, S. L. Stephen
son, OF Gorham, Geo. e. Bird, ESQ.,, and Wal
ter Allen. On the way James Irist of Hartford,
W. e. Mann of Canton and Waldo Pettingll
OF Rumfordjoined tho party.
While waiting at Mechanic Falls for the
starting OF The special train on the branch road
the party visited the works of the Denison Pa.
per Manufacturing Company, Mr.. Dsnison,
the president of the company, who has devel-
oped this important industry here from small
beginnings and still actively superintends the
business, accompanying the party and explain
ing the various processes OF turning the pulps
which is received in bales from Canton into
paper suited to various purposes. When the
special train was IT ady it vas found that the
Car intended for the party had been beautifully
decorated with evergreen vines and flowers, for
which, as they. were told by Conductor Moore
they were indebted to the ladies of Canton At
Buckfald a half hours stop was made, during
which the party strolled about the pleasant
village, attention being especially directed TO
the house wherein Ex-Gov. Long of Massachu-
sets was born, now the residence of Hon. Geo.
D. Bisbee; Canton was reached about noon
and an excellent dinner served for the excur
sionists at Hotel Swasey. Hon. John P. Swa-
sey OF the Governors Council met the party
here, but was unable to accompany it as he
had been expected to do.
Soon after dinner, two of Taintor's stages
one drawn by six horses, the other by four
drew up at the Hotel and the party arranged
themselves agrseably and, in spite OF the rain,
comfortably, for long ride up the valley. The
rain descended very steadily ell tho afternoon
but itlWas poweriess to dampen the spirits of
tue excursionists, and the effects of cloud and
mist on the surrounding mountains, never
dense enough to veil them wholly, only made
the pro >pect more beautiful, while the FERTILE
well-ke IT farms nearer the river showed their
wealth of verdure and crops to great advan-
tage. The Trip was made on the west side to a
point above the falls where thu river was
crossed by a ferry. Here much amusement
was caused by lad, who, mistaking the pro-
cession for a circus company, was eager to as
certain when and where the show was to be
given.
Driving down the east side halt was made
of the head OF the falls, and while tie stages
proceeded down the road the excursiouis,s ar
rayed III rubber uniforms and under uinbrel-
las, careless of vet feet anu dra bbed trousers
made their way through woods and fields, and
over craggy rocks along the side of the great
raging caterac5 for long distance, enjoy
ing tue wildness, sublimity and facin ations of
the grandest waterfall in New England Seats
being resumed the journey was continued down
the river to the lovely village OF Dixfield where
all were generously entertained for the night
at the excellent inn. AT the next morning
the homeward trip was begun, a ride of ten
miles along road of many and various charms
bringing the party TO Gilbertville, where after
an inspection of the interesting works of the
DenisoD PGlp Manufacturing Company aud
the Canton Lumber Company the special car
attached TO the regular train was taken for
home; but exchanged when the Grand Trunk
road was reached for seats in Presidents Lord -
drawing room car. Portland was reached soon
after noon.
The railroad from Mechanic Falls to Cam
ton was projected In spirit of enterprise in
full faith that some day the valley Of the An
droscoggln would be the location of large and
profitable industries. The completion of the
road to the falls which afford the finest water
power in New England, now wholly
unimproyed, awaits the beginning ofssuch im-
proVement bnt ever since the road mas been
under lis present management it has contribu.
ted to stimulate business enterprises in all the
region 1t penetrates. 1t is maintained in ex-
celent condition, road bed, track, rolling stock,
stations, etc, all being thoroughly good aud ia
the best order. The question of its future de.
ponds upon other enterprises of which it will be
necessary part. How soon the great manu-
featuring power now running absolutely to
waste within fifteen miles of its present termi-
nus will be utilized cannot be definitely told,
but 1t Is understood that men of enterprise are
having their attention directed to the matter,
and II no chsck or encouragement is given to
the development of manufacturing interests in
this country 1t would seem probable that the
opportunity here available will soon be taken
advantage of. The distinguished civil engin-
eer j. Herbert Shedd of Providence has lately
made careful inspection OF the falls and his
report OF their capacity and value a source
OF power Tor manufacturing purposes only con-
firms all that has heretofore been thought by
competent judges concerning their value. The
gentlemen who are interesting themselves in
this property are confident that it will be want
ed IN early future and are perfecting plans to
facilitate thesschemes of any who may be pion.
GERS in establishing manufactures at this place
where there Is q natural water power greater
than that at Lowell or Lawrence, greater, in
fact than any in New England, with many ac-
cessor1es or great advantage for tn snstenance
and prosperity of large population. The enter
prise capital and energy which have built up
Lewiston could make another and larger
Lewiston on the Upper Androscoggin The
opportunity waits for the men who are capable
of using it.