River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-07-28

tains, each grander than the other
because of some particular charm of
its own. AS the train, climbing up
ward, winds around Mount Wiley,
clinging to the stupendous cliffs, an ex-
cellent view is afforded of the old vii.
ley house site, long yellow barn be
ing the only landmark left to tell the
tale of long ago. In 1898 the old Viii.
ley house was built, and in 1926 Sam
uel Wiley, Jr., resided there with his
family, and at this hospitable board
traders passing through the Notch
were housed and also fed In the
middle of August the same year there
was terrific rainfall, and owing to
the intense heat and dry weather
which had prevailed, the ground was
baked to a powder, and when the
awful avalanche of earth and rock be-
came loosened, it came down with ter
rife force, sweeping everything in its
course. The slide started from Mount
Wiley in fearful mountain storm
during the night, at just what hour no
one will ever know. 1t is evident that
the terrified family foresaw the ap-
palling danger that menaced them,
for they fed for their lives to the
open and were never again seen alive.
The finding of the bodies revealed but
too plainly the fact that they had been
swallowed up by the avalanche.
Three miles farther on is the Craw-
ford house, charmipgly situated and
homelike, with broad veTandas, de-
lightful walks and drives, and afford
ing an excellent view Of the Notch.
AS the train moves on, now on a
downward grade, we are accorded a
fine view of the new Mount Washing
ton house, one-quarter mile to the
right, on the Maine Central. This col
lossal structure, a veritable palace, Is
the most magnificent inland hotel In
New England, little city in itself,
unique in it's appointments, being
equipped with millinery, gents fur
nishing goods departments, etc. There
Is also a stock exchange connected
with Wall street, and not little anx-
iety was apparent on the faces of some
of the men who watched the man
with the chalk. The hotel has Ca
pacity for accommodating 1000 guests,
and though built but three years, the
managers have found 1t necessary to
build greater. AS we walked down
millionaire Row" with It's exquisite
furnishings, listening to the sweet
strains of the orchestra, we realized
fully the power Of mammOn.
A few more putfs of the iron horse,
and we are in close proximity to the
Mount Pleasant house, one Of the most
popular hotels in the mountains. Here
we have a superb view of the Mount
Washington railway, the trains being
distinctly visible.
The train is now moving on down
ward grade of 80 feet to the mile, and
before we realize it we are at the
picturesque Fabyan house, from which
point we boarded the observation car
for the base of Mount Washington.
where we were transferred to a coach,
with the engine in the rear, and step
by step we climbed Jacobs Ladder, a
distance of three miles, with an aver
curing one and one-half hours to
reach the summit. On it's most for
midable grade, 1880 feet to the mile,
the ascent is slow and the engine
breathes hard. The change in the at
mosphere was very perceptible-it was
cold as November.
After few days sightseeing around
Kearsarge, interspersed with five and
ten-mile walks, for everybody walks in
the mountains, we took advantage of
the celebrated drives known as the
Dundee drive, White Horse ledge, Di-
ana's Bath, Bartlett bowlder, etc.
The time was nearing when 1 must
retrace my way homeward, and had
not seen the cardinal wonder of the
New Hampshire highlands-the "Old
Man of the Mountain" Getting the
HELEN q. TRASH.