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.

THIE i1IERPtIMACK RIVER;
by Stephen Barker, and it was ascertained that the scheme was not
feasible. From that time, however, attention was directed to the
falls in the Merrimack, and in 1844, the proprietors of the land
and water power were incorpQrated as the Essex Company, capital,
one million dollars, and steps were at once takenii for building up a
large manufacturing city. In 1845, the first boarding-house was
erected, and the construction of the dam begun the following year.
Same year the "IBay State," Atlantic, Cotton, and Union Mills,
also Bleachery and Dyeing Company. The total capital of these
corporations was four million five hundred thousand dollars. In
1852, the Pacific Mills Company was incorporated; capital, two
million five hundred thousand dollars. In 1853, the Lawrence
Duck; capital, one hundred and twenty thousand dollars; and
also, this year, the city of Lawrence was chartered, this name being
given it in compliment to IIon. Abbott Lawrence, Xwho was heavily
engaged in manufacturing in New England, and who was for several
years envoy to England. In 1854, the Pemberton Mill was incor porated. This mill fell in 1859, and was rebuilt the same year;
capital, four hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Everett Mill, in corporated 1860; capital, eight hundred thousand dollars.
The name of the Bay State Company has been changed to Washington Mills; capital, one million six hundred and fifty thousand
dollars. The Arlington WVoollen Mills Company was incorporated
in 1865; capital, two hundred thousand dollars. There are two
-fine bridges at Lawrence, the railway and highway.
On the 10th of January, 1860, at a few minutes before five
o'clock, p. i., an appalling catastrophe occurred in this city. The
Pemberton Mill, in which were employed more than seven hundred
operatives, suddenly fell, burying all of them amid the wreck, and,
to add, if possible, to the consternation and horror of the scene, the
ruins took fire.' About one hundred lost their lives, and it was estimated that a majority of those in the mill were either killed, or
more or less severely injured, either by the fall or the fire. By the
census of 1865, the population of the city was twenty-one thousand
seven hundred and thirty-three. The fall at Lawrence is twenty-six
feet, and the fall in the river, from the dam to tide-water, eight
miles, is eight feet only.
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