The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-08-19
Summer in Springfield.


stance or inclination are spending the heated
term in the city, home life has its compensa-
tions. Indeed sometimes question if they do
not have the ''better part" They can live in
just as easy and "go-as-you-pease" a manner
as their circumstances and surroundings will
permit, and by attention to diet, regular habits
of sleeping, ETC., can come out the gamers in
strength and pocket in the autumn. And, dear
Mr.. Editor, if we all took that view of the stu
alton, our country relatives would also be gain
ers in strength and pocket.
Springfield is not by any means bad place
in which to pass the summer. Delightfully."-
situated OH the Connecticut river, midway be-
tween New York and Boston, with fast trains
leaving for the four points of the compass
every hour, we have all the advantages of the
larger cities. While l shall ever hold warm
corner in my heart sacred to the crooks and
rivers of Maine." yet must acknowledge that
the climate of this inland city is far superior to
that of the seaport towns of Maine to which |
was once accustomed. 1t is very rare occur
renee here to see any fog, and whole day of
continuous fog would give us all the blues.
Even the ''mists that curl from the rivers
shore,' are carly dispclled by the morning sun.
Springfield is essentially ''city of homes"
1t is probably true that no other city of her
size in the United States has so many and such
beautiful dwelling houses, as this city. We
miss the massive old stone houses with
their wide old English lawns, which are dis
tinctive part of the city of Portland, but instead
are streets upon streets of elegant modern
houses, odd shaped and unique, with towering
balconies, and smoothly shaven lawns, with no
fences to break the harmony of combined art
and nature. Among the many fine old places
of Springfield may be mentioned "Highland
Homc," the residence of the late Col. James
Thompson. for many years prominently con-
nected with the Adams Express Co.; "Fair
View, the home of Col. Homer Foot, one Of
the oldest and most respected men Of the city.
"Crescent HILL" slightly elevation, is covered
with elegant mansions, and adorned with all
the embellishments of art in the way of land
scape gardening. "Round HILL" at the north
end of the city is covered with fine old growth
of trees, and through the foliage we see more
beautiful homes. About a mile from the city,
on the Chicopee road, stands the little village
of Brghtwood. Here are clustered the extern
sive works of the 'Wason Car Co.. On the
right of the village rises a steep, thckly wood
ed hill, and through the trees we catch the
gcam of bright red mansion of peculiar con-
structon. This is the original ''Brightwood,"
once owned and occupied by the late DR.. j. G.
Holland. From this quaint house the little
village below derives its name. From 1S49 to
1866 DIR. Holland was connected with the
Springfield Republican. In 1870 he became
the editor of ScrDncr's Monthly, now the
Century Magazine. His books have been
widely read and greatly admired. His Life
of Abraham Lincoln had an immense circula-
ton, and many of his poems are household
words. He has passed "To where beyond
these voices there is peace,' and his body min
giles with dust in our beautiful and picturesque
Springfield cemetery.
Brightwood is now owned and occupied by
Geo. Fisk, treasurer of the Wason Car Co. On
the same hill is also delightfully."- situated the
summer home of Geo. Atwater of New York,
and to this comfortable mansion is given the
name of "Rocksimmon.'' Roads have been
constructed around the hill, connecting with
the main street below. Rustic bridges span
the deep ravines, and with safe horse and
light buggy, one can easily imagine themselves
riding through the heart of large mountain.
The growth of the city is now almost wholly
in an easterly direction. Several wears ago.
two gentlemen known as the Mcknight broth
arg I.r,r Ia. Of ~.
Armory and began business operations. Their
plan is to lay out and grade Il street, put in eX
cellent sewerage and sidewalks, build a fine
grade of houses. varying in price from - 900
to $4,000, and then sell to desirable people.
Thus they have impro we'd and beautied Il bar
rem waste, and locality that fifteen years ago
was the abode of the lowest class of colored
people, and locally known as ''IIayti." is to-
day the most beautiful part of the city, abound
ing with lovely little parks, adorned with
sparkling fountains, and brilliant with bloom
ing flowers and foliage plants, while the resi-
dences are perfect i'll taste and design. All
honor to the Meningitis. They have indeed
been public educators and benefactors, and the
best of it all is, the vast sums Of money they
expended have nearly all been paid to SPRING
held men, thus making business good. Their
example is good lesson i'll political economy.
Springfield is noted for its varied industries,
nearly all depending on steam for motive pow
er. To enumerate the different varieties of
goods manufactured here would occupy too
much space. 1t is also renowned for the
wealth of its churches but nat for its charitable
Institutions The city of Portland, no larger
than this, has forty odd, while those of SPRING.
field can be counted on one hand. But as Il de-
mand always causes supply, let Us take it for
granted that Springfield people are more pros
porous as Il rule than those other cities who
have better equipped public charities. The
city library building is one Of the finest i'll the
state, and contains more than $4,000 volumes.
IL Is Tree to all. The building also contains 4
fine museum of natural history and antiquities.
To the continual dweller in Springfield, the
United States Arlnory has become an old story
But the curious stranger within our gates
should ascend the State street hill, lined on both
sides with grand old trees and elegant houses,
and enter the gate guarded by the lonely sen
tlnel. lie is warranted harmless, however,
and you pass in unmolcsted. The grounds,
comprising some y acres, are enclosed with an
iron fence, and beautifully laid out with trees,
shrubhery and flowers. About 800 men are
found occupation here. The United States
Armory was formally established in 1894, al
though the germ existed during the revolution.
Much of the culture and wealth existing here
is due to the Armory. Such an old institution
cannot fail to be II public educator in more
are descendants of the Old armorers. The ar
tist or poet can gather inspiration from a visit
to the tower of the arsenal. We go up the
long winding stairs, pausing ere we reach the
top to take look at the huge bell which has
rung out its sturdy chimes at the bidding of
Uncle Sam for so many long years. AS we
step out on the little circular platform at the
summit, if the day be clear, no fairer view ever
met the eye. Below us lies the whole Connec-
ticut valley, like one vast garden. The noble
river threads its sinuOus course like silver
coil. The old mountains, Tom and Ioyoke,
outline their rugged peaks against the soft
background OF the summer sky. Far OFT in the
distance, lie blue mountains, like banks of tint
city, "whose clamrous jars" seem hrshed and
still. Fertile farms and prosperous homes
dot the green landscape, and the whole fair
scene is softencd by the purpling haze of the
summer day.
AS we retrace our steps through the beauti-
full grounds, past the piles of cannon balls and
the great guns with their open mouths, we can
only pray that the time may come when there
will be no need of manufacturing firearms.
And there comes to my mind those noble words
of Longfellow in his poem on the Arsenal at
Springfield:
"Were half the power that fills the world with
terror,
Were half the wealth bestowed on camps and
courts,
Given to redeem the human mind from error,
There were no need of arsenas or forts.
Down the dark future, through long genera
tions,
The echoing sounds grow fainter and then
cease,
And like bell with solemn sweet vibrations,
1 nf '1,ri,