The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-08-06
The Maine Press Excursion

''The day is cold and dark and dreary, it
rains and the wind Is never weary" wrote the
poet; and but for the redeeming features of
cheerful company and the shelter of this queen
Or king-of summer hotels bis words might
be literally applied to this July day (29th) upon
the shore of Moosehead Lake. 1t Is certainly
raining in very logged and determined
fashion, white caps tleck the surface of the
lake, which stretches out before my window
the surrounding hills are yelled with mist and
the summit of kineo is hidden in clouds. The
fishing parties and the mountain-climbers are
housed, apparently for the day, and the trip by
steamer to the head of the Lake will have to be
deferred. Wood fires blaze in the capacious
fire places. the tinkle of the piano is heard In
the music room, and the click Of billiard balls
in the basement, while in the readng-room
certain scribes who carry their responsibilities
with them are shedding ink or welding pencils
But we have yet to hear the first grow. The
clean, spacious rooms, the excellent beds the
dainty breakfast-in which brook trout had
prominent place-have put every one in good
humor, to which the unvarying courtesy of the
manager and attaches of the house has greatly
contributed. The party will but confirm what
all former visitors have said as to the comforts
of the Mount kineo house, and of which it is
pleasure to speak in praise, knowing that it is
deserving of the highest commentator. But
of this and other matters incidental to our
sojourn at the lake Our George will treat in
detail. and in his inimitable way. We Shall
therefore give here only a few notes of the
journey.
The excursion began on Monday July 9th, Il
special car leaving Portland at 12.35 p NJ
attached to the Flying Yankee, bringing the
journalists from that city and places along the
route to Bangor, where the night was passed at
the Windsor Hotel. The following composed
the party: John NJ. Adams, wife and daugl-
ter, Eastern Argus, Portland; II. X. Baker,
and wife, Register, Hallowell; Miss Hattie f.
Boardman, Homo Farm, Augusta; George II.
Brickett, kennebec journal, Augusta; o. d.
Cashier and sister, Lincoln County News,
Waldoooro; Miss Rebecca S. Clark Sophie
May, Home Farm, Augusta; Albro +. Chase,
wife and son, Globe, Portland; George W.
Drlsco and wife, Union, Machas L. IL. Elwell
and wife and Miss Gpatrck Transcript, Port
land; George II. Gilman, Aroostook Pioneer,
llouton; j. A. Holman and Miss Welch,
Augusta; j. +. Hill and wife, Fireside Visitor,
Augusta; William b. Lapham and Miss Fogler,
Farm and Hearth, Augusta; Prof. Z. 5. Morse.
invited guest, Salem, Mass. Robert Martin.
Literary Companion, Augusta; Samuel G. Man
ley, Maine Farmer, Augusta: A. G. Otis and
M.i A An =
7. Pickard, wife and child, Transcript, Port
land; G. A. Pilsbury Republican journal, Bel
fast; Miss Eva o. Park and sister, Chronicle,
Pennington: George A. Quimby and wife,
Republican Journal, Belfast; 4. Rowell and
wife Honorary, Halloween; George 5. Rowell
and wife, Advertiser, Portland; f. w. Shorey,
News, Brdgton; T. Il. Smonton and wife,
Herald. Camden: Frank A. Small and wife,
illustrated Magazine, Augusta; George W.
Nickery and wife, Gospel Banner, Augusta
George III. Watkins and wife. oxford Demo-
crat, Paris; T. n. Winsow and wife, Sea
Breeze, Northport; Wallace Osgood, Augusta
Miss Weymouth.
After supper seven barges, furnished by the
courtesy of Mr.. Lemuel Nichols and Landlord
1 Ii
parts of the city and to visit Maplewood Park
which was a surprise to those who saw it for
the first time. The location. grounds and
buildings are certainly all that could be desired
and are credit to Bangor. Later in the even
| ing an informal reception was rendered the
1 Association by Hon. J. p. Bass at his spacious
residence, where with music and social inter-
course the time passed pleasantly. Mrs. W. +.
! Shaw favored the company with several choice
and finely rendered vocal selections and Mrs
Jewell, of Bangor and Miss Adams, of Port
I land-the latter the daughter of Hon John NJ.
Adams, of the Argus-presded at the piano.
! We have had occasion before to compliment
the PLAYING Of Miss Adams. whose execution
and touch are admirable and indicate very
decided musical ability. The hospitality shown
! by Mr.. and Mrs. Bass was fully appreciated
| by the visitors and they left their best wishes
when they said good night and stepped into the
| barges to return to the hotel Here we may
add good word for Mr.. f. W. Durgin. clerk
Of the Windsor, who did all in his power TO
make the party at home.
/ Tuesday morning at 10 we left the En-
change street station yo"te for Moosehead
Lake. occupying new car furnished by Sup
erintendent Brown, of the Bangor and Plscata-
| quis Railroad, and then used for the first time.
1t lacked just one seat of accommodating the
party. and if used for the purpose again, IL bay
| window will be built on to carry the odd man.
The ride to the foot of the lake was very pleas
ant one. The scenery on the latter part of the
route is particularly fine, and the sharp curves
over high trestle work as the train made its
way up from the Penobscot valley to the ee-
walton of Moosehead Lake-lO0O feet above
tide water-were decided novelty to some of
was partaken of at Walkers restaurant, and
then the party embarked on the steamer Re-
becca for the twenty mile voyage up the lake
to the kineo House. 1t was a delightful sail
and greatly enjoyed.
The schedule called for Il start on the return
trip at 1,20 A. NJ. Saturday, and this would
enable those living on the main lines of the
Maine Central to reach home that night. The
time table of the Belfast branch is however so
admirably arranged as to accommodate neither
mails nor passengers, and the Belfast delega-
ton with some others left the kineo House
Friday at 1l.20 A. NJ, coming down the Lake
on the steamer Twilight and after dinner al
Walkers restaurant taking the train for Ban
gor and the Bangor House. There had been
brisk showers all along the road, so that there
was no dust, and as the sky was somewhat
overcast the ride was enjoyable as 4 railroad
ride well could be. Next morning we took the
train for Belfast, and so ended most delight
full excursion. With DIR. Lapham in charge
all the arrangements were carefully made ant
perfectly carried out, and the participant
must ever look back with pleasure TO the
Maine Press excursion of 1855.
Letter from Bangor.
| THE HAY CROP. NUMBERING. THE REIGN OF
RUM IN BANGOR AND BELFAST.