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 MEIRRIMACK RIVER;
the flattering testimony of a wise forecast, an unusual prudence, and
skilful management in its beneficent and successful result.
On the 6th of April, 1854, the sons of Vermont, residing in
Lowell, held a pleasant reunion, and of this meeting Oliver M.
Whipple, Esq., was president. By referring to the columns of the
"Lowell Courier," in which the proceedings of the meeting were
published, it is seen that the chairman, Mr. Whipple, was born in
Weathersfield, Windsor County, Vt. From remarks made on that
occasion, it appears that, having reached his majority, with such edu cation as three months of annual common schooling afforded, a liberal
supply of good common sense, and fifteen dollars in cash as his stock
in trade, Mr. Whipple, in 1815, set off on foot, as light in heart as
in pocket, to seek his fortune, shaping his course for Boston, which
city he reached after a diligent and tedious journey of four days.
Arriving in Boston he was soon employed by parties, and proceeded
to Southboro', where he remained three years, and by industry,
economy, and frugality he was enabled, in 1818, to go to Lowell
with the snug little sum of six hundred dollars in his pocket. At
the time he commenced operations on the Concord River the place
was known as East Chelmsford, and contained but a few houses; he
has, therefore, a historical connection with the city of Lowell from
its origin to the present time, and is certainly, as a business man and
a citizen, one of its most important features. From this humble
beginning, in 1818, with a total cash capital of six hundred dollars,
spme idea may be formed of his industry and enterprise, when it is
known that, in 1856, the assessors' book showed that his annual tax
was fifteen hundred dollars; and it must be a s,isfaction to him to
reflect that he has earned his ample fortune,- which is more than
some other prominent Lowellians are popularly credited with.
Although Mr. Whipple, by his ability and untiring energy, has
deserved and enjoyed a large measure of material prosperity, still no
efforts of his could ward off those chastening afflictions sent by a
mysterious hand, and which are the lot of a common humanity.
About 1852. under the long-continued pressure of his arduous duties, his strong constitution Sgave way, and for several years his health
was so precarious that no one, except himself, reg,arded.the prospect
of his recovery as hopeful. He, however, relying upon a naturally
robust ph/ysique, and regular, abstemious habits, seems to have been
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