The Somerset reporter., 1896-07-30
Annual Excursion.
The Maine Press Association in Franklin
and oxford Counties.

L he Maine 1fess Association was
fortunate this year in the route selected q,
in having favorable weather and particu-
larry fortunate In the chairman of the
committee on arrangements, Albro L.
Chase of Portland. His thorough
familiarity with the territory, wide
acquaintance with the propretors of
hotels and camps, captains of boats and
guides, his capacity to make the best
possible arrangements and willingness
to look after the minutest detail, make
him an exceptionally effective and desir-
able manager of an excursion party.
This Association for several years past
has restricted its annual excursions to
Maine, aud 10 this it seems TO us they
have exhibited wisdom 1t is pleasant
to visit other places but it is desirable
and important for Maine editors and
publishers to become familiar with
Maine localities, TO become we'll &C.
quanted with Maine people and to
acquire a knowledge of Maine resources
and Maine attractions by personal obser-
Walton. What better way can this be
accomplished than. by devoting the out
ing week of the association to this pur-
pose, and secure this information and a
good degree of pleasure at one and the
same time.
The editorial excursion party this
year was made up of the following
named people who either took in the
whole trip or part of it:
II. X. Baker and wife, Hallowen.
Col. John NJ. Adams and wife. Argus,
Portland.
Mai. E. Rowell and wife, Hallowell.
Geo. w. Drisko and wife, Union,
Machias.
NJ. y. Rich, Board of Trade Journal.
Portland.
Miss Edith Rich, Portland
Frank q. Rich and wife. Bangor.
Ernest W. Morrell and wife. Reporter
journal, Gardiner.
=. b. Burlegh and wife, kennebeo
journal. Augusta.
". Il. Gannett and wife. Comfort,
Augusta.
MIS-. l.. u DufltISiis Augusta.
Miss Ethelyn Bureigh, Augusta.
Miss May Hayes, Pennington.
Geo. II. Gilman aud wife Pioneer
Houlton.
Miss Mae Gilman, iloulton.
DR.. James II. Boyd and wife, Chicago
Geo. 5. Rowell and wife, Advertiser
Portland.
Albro f. Chase and wife, Masonic
journal, Portland.
Edward \. Chase, Portland.
Miss Mary J. Reilly, Boston.
Chas. Z. kendrick, Register, Booth
BAY.
J. Q. smith, Reporter, Skowhegan.
Henry {. Prince, Mail, Waterville.
Asher {. Kinds and wife. Press. Port.
land.
j. W. Bracket and wife, Photograph
Phillips.
J. NJ. 5. Hunter and wife, Chronicle.
Pennington.
Miss Mabel Hunter, Pennington.
Rev. j. q. Merrill. Mirror, Portland.
Mr.. Small, Times. Kumford Falls.
The party arrived.at Pennington Fri.
day evening the 18th instant, where they
were taken in charge 10y John NJ. 5
Hunter, of the Pennington Chronicle
aud committee of citizens of which
{. TarboX, one of Farmingtons hust-
ling merchants, was chairman, and thos,
who know these gentlemen and know
anything Of the hospitality Of Farming
tons citizens are well advised that the
party did not suffer any lack of atteu
ton or eouItesies. \ ride about town
an outdoor concert by Wheeler's cornct
band and an informal reception at tn,
delightful home of Editor Hunter. FIJI
dly evening, with an examination of tn,
new Normal school building and Other
places of interest, pleasantly occupied
the hours at the disposal of the party
while in the beautiful, thriving shire o
Franklin county.
Pennington village has long beer
noted for its beauty and its picturesqu,
surroundings. No,one can gainsay them
All must concede its many sided attract
ions. But when one of its enthusiastic
and prominent citizens tries to make an
unsuspecting Skowhegan ieditor testify
that Pennington is more beautiful thar
Skowhegan. as was attempted upon ouI
visit there, it is time for respectful but
firm remonstrance.
The sandy River valley from Farm.
ington to Phillips is wonderfully beautj
full. The succession of large bills auc
small mountains that succeed each other
in the Typographical formation of the
country on either side with the beaut
ful little river winding, apparently
la2iIy along the valley, the fertile farm,
between the nights and the shore, with
the "baby'', narrow gauge railroad upor
the left bank forms picture of varied,
rural loyeliness. unsurpassed for beauty
and utility in picturesque Maine.
In viewing the country that the SANDY
River drains, one can readily account for
its sudden rise in times of heavy rains
The Kennebec at Skowhegan, in times OF
freshet, first feels the. effect of the Sandy
River torrents that tumble down from
the steep sides of Franklin county hill:
and mountains, causing the little river
to Jump suddenly into big one, over
flow its banks and pour. its waters into
the larger kennebec with resistles,