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 MIERRIMACK R1VER;
leave, as they had nearly three thousand dollars' worth of furs and
other property to secure. Accordingly, on the 28th of April, while
in the act of taking up a trap, John Stark was captured. William
Stark made his escape, and, while attempting to do the same, David
Stinson was killed and scalped. Eastman was captured, and John
Stark and Eastman were taken as captives to St. Francis. As is
the custom with the Indians, the prisoners, on arriving, were compelled to run the gauntlet, between two files of Indians. Eastman
went first, and was horribly bruised and kicked, they having previously been instructed to repeat a sentence in Indian, which signified
that they would beat all the young men of the tribe. Stark, instead
of repeating this, declared, in a loud voice, he would kiss all the
young women; and, being athletic, the few buffets lie received were
returned with such earnestness and interest, that some were knocked
down, and others, alarmed at his boldness and prowess, were fain to
allow him a peaceable transit.
Stark became a great favorite with the Indians, and, both being
ransomed in the July following, they required double the price for
Stark that they did for Eastman. John Stark lived to be the hero
of the important battle of Bennington, and won unfading laurels.
Great and Little Squam Lakes are located principally in Iholderness. Squam River, which discharges the waters of these two lakes,
falls into the Pemigewasset near the south-west angle of the town, on
its east bank, immediately below Bridgewater Falls.
- The great corporations along the lower Merrimack have provided
artificial means to draw the whole surface of these two lakes, reducing them several feet when the dry season affects the natural volume
of the river. Thus the Winnepesaukee and Squam are a treasury
of waters from which to draw a never-failing supply to keep the
wheels and spindles moving.
There are excellent mill privileges here and shops of various
kinds, saw and grain mills, paper-mills, and some cloth manufacturing, shoe-peg factories, etc. The town was granted to John Shepard and others, in 1751. Hon. Samuel Livermore settled in this
town in 1765, and became proprietor of a large part of its territory.
He was a leading and prominent man in this section, and for several
years was attorney-general for the crown. lie wfas a judge, and for
eight years United States Senator, from 1793 to 1801.
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