The Merrimack River: its source and its tributaries. Embracing a history of manufactures, and of the towns along its course; their geography, topography, and products, with a description of the magnificent natural scenery about its upper waters./ By J. W. Meader.

THE MERRIMACE RIVER;
As early as 1801, Mr. Moses Hale built and put in operation a
carding-mill a short distance from the Concord, on River Meadow,
or, as it has long been called, Hale's Brook, which falls into the
Concord at the foot of Whipple's Falls. In 1818, Mr. Hale estab lished works for Vie manufacture of gunpowder at these falls, and
took into his employ an athletic young man, whose name was Oliver
M. Whipple, who proved to be as robust in intellect, determination,
and self-reliance as he was physically, and the following year he was
made a partner; and, managing the business with great ability and
success for many years, he at length became sole proprietor, and con tinued this hazardous business with unabated success until the year
1855, when, in consequence of ill-health, he disposed of stock, fix tures, and machinery, which were removed to the State of Maine
and put in operation by another company. Mr. Whipple early saw
the importance and value of these falls for manufacturing and me chanical purposes, and at once adopted measures to secure these ad vantages. To accomplish this purpose, he constructed a canal from
the head of the falls, nearly parallel with, and a few rods distant from,
the left bank of the river to the foot of the falls, thence taking a
westerly course, discharging its waters, after being used into River
Meadow Brook. The total perpendicular fall at this place is twenty five feet, affording excellent mill sites, which are occupied by
Faulkner's Mill, flannel; Chase's Mill, fancy woollen; Charles A.
Stott's, flannel; American Boot Company; Belvidere Woollen Corn-pany, flannels; Shuttle Factory; American Bunting Company; Naylor's Carpet Company; Grist Mill and Worsted Mill. This canal is
claimed to be the first of the kind ever constructed for such uses in this
country; and, so chimerical did this project appear to the partners
of Mr. Whipple, that the eminent engineer, Loani Baldwin, was called
here to give his opinion in regard to it. He at a glance saw its importance and valuable arrangement to apply the water-power to proper
uses. Of course, having been examined and decided favorably by
Mr. Whipple's comprehensive mind, no other result could have been
reasonably anticipated; thus the only effect of this investigation was
to confirm the wisdom of Mr. Whipple's conclusions by testing them
with eminent engineering skill. In September, 1821, operations
were commenced for' the construction of this canal, which was hastened to its completion; and it is not improbable, in fact, it is known,
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