The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1903-07-30
IN THE DEAD RIVER REGION
NOTES OF A "TRIP INTO THE WILDS
OF MAINE.


account of it may interest some OF your
readers. After pleasant visit with
friends in Madison, we started by team
the afternoon of June 18th for a fishing
tripin the Dead River region. The drive
along the kennebec to North Arson
and the Cowabasset to North New
Portland, through the towns of Arson,
Embden and New Portland, was among
fertile farms, with many evidences OF
thrift and enterprise among the farm
ers. Tuesday night was spent at Lex
ington Plantation, 20 miles from Madl-
son. This Plantation is mountainous,
being crossed by spur of the range
some ten miles to the west, of which
Mounts Bigelow and Abraham are
prominent peaks. There are some ex-
cellent farms in the village. We crossed
several good trout streams here, one OF
which-Sandy stream-was tished for a
short time with good success. Deer are
abundant in this section; so numerous,
it is said, that they cause considerable
damage to growing crops. Many OF the
farmers in these border towns think
the matter of damage caused by deer
should be in some way recognized by
the trainers of the game laws,
We left early Wednesday morning
with blackboard and span, in company
~, xrhnn, w will call
the clergyman, the millman, and the
engineer. Our route lay through the
plantations of Lexington, Highland,
Jerusalem, an unorganiZed section and
Dead River Plantation-l5 miles. We
could not help wondering at the excel
lent condition Of the roads, as this
region is practically wilderness, there
being no settlement for or miles at
a stretch. This route was formerly the
outlet to the Dead River region, North
Arson, so miles distant, being the near
est railroad point. Since the extension
of the Franklin and Megantic to Jeru-
salem, business has mostly turned IN
that direction. In Highland and Jeru-
salem plantations the highway extends
for OF ) miles along the top of high
horseback, bordered on either side by
marshy land. In Highland Plantation
we found the road overlooked for
short distance-a surprising clrcum-
stance. considering the extreme drouth.
On inquiry we learned the overflow was
caused by a beaver dam il the vicinity,
which had formed pond OF consider
able size. During the morning we met
teams conveying the bodies OF the vic
TINS of the league tragedy from the
camps where it occurred, three days be-
fore. some so miles beyond. The victims
were well known in this section ana the
tragedy was the subject of much earn
est comment. All seemed to be I'M
pressed with the horror of two children,
: and 9 years OF age, spending the night
alone in a cabin, miles from civilization,
with the dead bodies of their parents,
both killed i'll their presence by the
father.
The weather was loWery and threat
ening, low clouds hiding from view the
peaks of the highest mountains which
surrounded us. This was disappoint-
ing, as we anticipated near by view
OF this range. which we had always
seen from a distance. The Mt. Bigelow
House at Dead River settlement is some
three miles from the summit OF Mt.
Bigelow This mountain is the north
ernmost of the long range i'll west
ern Maine as seen from many of the
hills of Waldo county. After following
along its base for several miles Dead
River here makes an abrupt turn to
the north. Along the river for miles
north and west is comparatively mar
row belt of intervale, unsurpassed in
the State for fertility. 1t is said that
no farmers in the State get their money
so easily as those on Dead River. Their
crops find ready sale at good prices to
the lumbermen. The chief drawback
to life here is the isolation.
Our objective point was Grand Falls
Oh Dead River, II miles down the river
from the settlement, and Big Spruce
stream, three miles beyond. The pro-
prietors of the wild lands have a man
stationed at Grand Falls to look after
their interests in that section, Mr.. Alvah
Dunphy. We learned here there was
no boat in the river nearer than Grand
Falls. By telephone we engaged Mr..
Dunphy to meet us at the foot of Long
Falls, 4 IL miles down the river, with
canoes. BY the way, this telephone line
is unique affair, extending from Dead
River settlement to the Forks, 80 miles,
along the banks of the river. 1t is a
single wire, ground circuit line, the wire
running through spool or repair insula-
tors suspended from trees for practi-
cally the entire distance. 1t was erected
for the convenience of lumbermen and
river drivers, and no fee is charged for
its use.
After I, hasty dinner in deserted
farm house belonging to one of our
party we EN- barked in a leaky fiat bot
toned boat. which had not been in the