The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-10-01
The Grange Reunion at Northport.
A BEAUTIFUL. RIDE ALONG THE SHORE ROAD
THRIVING FARMS, FRUIT-LADEN ORCHARDS,
AND ATTRACTIVE HOMES,

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A BEAUTIFUL RIDE ALONG THE SHORE ROAD
THRIVING FARMS, FRUIT-LADEN ORCHARDS,
AND ATTRACTIVE HOMES.
Correspondence Bangor Whig & Courier.
For several years it has been the custom for
the Executive Committee of the Maine State
Grange to appoint meeting at some central
and convenient point in the State and extend
an invitation to all the subordinate oranges to
unite together for few days of rest recreation
and social enjoyment. This season of the year
is selected as being the most convenient and
pleasant for meeting of this character. Last
year it was held at Old Orchard. This year
Norhport Campground was selected the
place for holding the meeting, and the large at
tendance, and the ample and commodious faci-
tiles found there proved concusively that the
committee acted wisely in making their choice
of location and other arrangements. After the
three days of social and intellectual enjoyment
all returned to their homes feeling well satisfied
that these meetings are just the proper thing
after the hard labor of the haying season.
Meetings were held once and sometimes three
times a day, and were addressed by the Worthy
State Master Robie, Hon. S. l.. Mliken,
Worthy Lecturer Thing, Hon. 4. A. Gilbert
and Howard Owen, Esq, of the Maine Farm
er, W. b. Ferguson and others.
To many living at a distance the journey to
and from proved most delightful, pleasant and
profitable The ride froll Bangor by the way
of the shore road passing through Hampden,
Winterport, Frankfort, Stockton, Searsport
and Belfast affords as good an opportunity to
become acquainted with the beautiful scenery,
the valuable and desirable locations for summer
resorts, the industries that capital can be pro-
itaby invested in, as any other portion of the
State for the same distance; even their granite
bills have been made to pour forth their treas
ures. The best and most substantial evidence
of the intelligence. thrift and enterprise of its
citizens is to be seen in the beautiful and taste
full houses, the large and nicely finished barns,
many of them located upon grounds artistically
laid out with beautiful flower beds and well
kept lawns. These elegant and delightful rural
'homes" begin in Hampden and continue
throughout the whole route to Temple Heights.
Those who had not visited many of these places
for the last ten years were surprised and forci-
bly, impressed at the WonGe rfu improvements
made.
Winterport, which is at the head of naviga-
ton in winter, as Its name indicates, shows no
signs of dull times. Hon. Fred Atwoods eX-
tensiye agricultural buildings are situated Oh
the street leading directly through the town,
making it the most natural thing in the world
for the traveller TO tumble into it, He says
his business at this season of the year was new
er better.
Sear>port which commands one of the wild
est and most beautiful views on our whole sea
coast appears TO nave been selected by Il large
uumber of our retired ana wealthy Sta-faring
citizens, after travelling the world over and
Drawing for years the dangers of the deep,
the place OF all others best suited To their taste
for Il location TO build Il homestead and enjoy
the fruits of their labors. Many of these man
sions are not only patterns OF architectural
beauty. but the Whole arrangements about the
grounds delight and charm the pa>>er by, by
the neatnesS and taste displayed, eyidencins
that there j. Il little rivalry between them lis to
which shall Quito the other.
Belfast is well know and often visited by
every one far and near, and no visitor can be
found to question its wel-earned reputation
one of the most beautifully located cities IN rt-
gard to its heaith;ulnc>>, or the hospitality and
Intelligence of its people Many patrons feel
under great obligations 10 its citizens for Kind
attentions during their sujuurn at Northport.
There is no better index to the character OF the
people IN 4 locality than the appearance Of the
papers published within their precinct, and
there is 10 place Of its slIe in New England
that supports two larger OF more cNpensNely
printed papers than Belfast; the journal has
always taken the lead among weekly papers;
It i, q large and well printed sheet--llN type II
the smallest USED in Wtekllt>-lt Is always Wei
filled with original and selected matter, and
we are giad to know that ii is handsomely
supported by the intelligent people Of Waldo
county. The Age has lis friends and Is well
supported.
Tho patrons derived much pleasure from
visiting the various places of interest IN the
vicinity. The new road from Northport -
Temple Heights is in excellent condition and
seems to really unite the tive. In 4 few years
the former place will claim lis share OF notice.
it being among the best sites on the coast 1t is
We'll supplied with water for drinking purposes
by living springs whose sparkling and cool
waters are constantly flowing, at all seasons,
into the bay, and there is no lack of water for
the largest steamers at the wharf.
A return by the back route affords change
of beautiful scenery. After leaving Belfast
the road to Monroe leads for several miles
along the shore of what is called Goose Pond, a
splendid sheet of water atfording an excellent
water power at its mouth, and like all Names
inland waters its shores are fast becoming
lined with ta>tetully designed and cosy sum
mer cottages.
Nearly the first place that greets the eve
after crossing the line into Winterport is the
splendid farm of Hon. f. W. Rltchie, one of
the leading and honored members of the order
of Patrons of lIusbandry. He has removed
the stone wall from either side of the main
road thus exposing to view his fine orchard of
choice fruit; we do not eXaggerate when
say that it would pay any lover of a rich dis
play of fruit ON thrifty trees to ride the whole
distance to view this magnificent collection.
1t may be an "otf' wear, but we could see but
on. The Baldwin treeS-his neighborS say he
will harvest 800 bushels this fa-line the
street the whole width of his farm, coming so
near that the fruit can easily be reached AS one
rides along, and as we passed the fact was
demonstrated ''beyond reasonable doubt"
The Baldwin is placed by many fruit growers
at the head of all New England apples He is
not, however, confined to this variety,
every shade and color sparked in the sunlight
of his orchard. lie undoubtedly believes that
=. il tltl of, a
realizes that it is the most perfect union of the
useful and the beautiful that the earth knows,
and is willing to endorse the words of Dow H.
ing when he saws, HE who owns "A rod of
proper land in this country, and il the face of
all the pomonial riches of the day. only raises
crabs aud choke-pears, deserves to lose the re-
spert of all sensible men," After passing bis
farm we called upon IA neighbor and inquired
who owned II, and learned that it was the Hon.
Fred w. Ritche's. This neighbor is an eX-
tensive farmer and fruit raiser. Mr.. David
Libbey, and being an old friend of the Weekly
Courier, he sent us on our way to enjoy de
liciouS fruit in the shape of several juicy, melt
my. sugary Clapp's Favorile pears.
Arriving at Monroe one finds ii a cosy little
village situated in valley and can scarcely be
seen approaching it from any direction. Quite
large number OF traders and mechanics lind
plenty of business and one well conducted and
homelile public house is we'll supported Their
new iron bridge, about As feet long. built by
the Berlin Bridge Co., Connecticut, was eN-
pected to be finished by Saturday. 1t is sub
stantial looking structure resting on we'll laid
granite abutmenlS. Near this village are the
famous grounds where the Waldo and Penob-
scot Agricultural Society hold :heir annual
fairs. This year it occurs Sept, Both and Oct.
lst. These Fairs are always first class and are
well attended, being situated in a thryi ing and
wide awake community. The buildings for
the display of all farm products are large and
convenient. one of them has been enlarged to
To, e, 1i4 tl,i.,