Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-10-15
The Editorial Excursion to ARGOS, oOk
PKEsouE IsLE, Oct. 9th, 1883.

several newspapers publisher IN tue p'h'o'
who were invited TO visit and report on the
Agricultural resources and capacities OF
Aroostook County. arrived here this even
ing. Having been requested by the editor
Of the DemOcra, to represent that paper
hero, I suppose a few jo,,inss detailing the
movements Of the party and discoveries made
will be expected Of me. shall only at
present give has,y sketch Of our journey,
and in my mex, will speak more particular
Of the subjects which were the object Of the
visit.
Starting from home on Saturday morn
ing. pined the rest Of the party at Bangor
the same evening. where we stopped over the
Sabbath. We were lodged at the Bangor
House KEEP, by George W. IAnbcc, where
the sumptuous fare and pleasant company
rendered our delay agreeable. The Bangor
House is undoubtedly one Of the best public
houses in tho State, and deservcdly receives
good share OF patronage. attended
church on tho Sabbath, and heard preach
ing from Rev. Mr.. Small, recently from
Buckfeld. Monday morning, at 9 o'clock,
we took tho cars for Oldtown. Here we
we're waited on by Mr.. vcarie. who gave
US hasty look over his extensive lumber.
ing operations, and after paying short
visit to Indian village on the island, We were
taken on board tho steamer. Fortunately
for US. the late rains had 80 swollen the
river that the boat resumed her upward trip
on the day that We wished TO 90 up, which
gave US delightful view OF the Penobscpt
from Oldtown TO Mattawamkeag. The day
was fine. with just breeze enough to give US
a braeing air, and the prospect was truly
delightful. For the first twenty miles the
river is>broad and shallow, and the land
bordering !, is too low and swampy for cul.
tIyation. The trees were clothed in gorge
on. apparel, presenting every variety Of tint
imaginable. Islands abound the whole way,
which arc for the mos, part cultivated by
the Indians, who are the owners.
After ascending twenty miles, the scenery
changes, the river becomes narrower aud
deeper, tho islands lee, numerous. the land
higher aud generally cultivated, and the
shores dotted here and there with numerous
little villages. Twelve o'clock fourd Us at
Pa.sadumkeas, small village, where we
wcrc received and Eel at Savy's Hotel.
Lincoln Center Is the large., village on the
river above odtown. We arrived at Mat
tawamkeag about dark, and walk Of two
miles took Us 10 the Point, where wo were
lodged Tor the night. The house hero Is
kept by Mr.. Wing. formerly Of waterville.
Our party paid him the compliment Of do
ing Justice TO his catables, which rapidly
disappeared on being set before us. At ;
o'clock We reluctantly len our comfortable
beds Tor a sen, in the stage bound for Iioul.
ton. The hrst stage OF fourteen miles was
taken before breakfast, which brought US
along TO the town OF Molunkus Mr. Rams
dell was all ready to receive US and our
appetite-, sharpened by our mornings eI-
crcisc, were soon appcased by his substan-
tal breakfast. For l6 miles after leaving
Molunkus, our way lei US through vast for
ests Of hard wood, stretching 10 the west.
ward as Ear as the eye could reach, looking
like a vast SEA fan,astieally eolored, which
extended away TO the base OF Mt. KatAhdin,
whose dim outlines could be seen aiar OF.
The land bordering the road is too low and
wet Tor farming purposes. Had the road
been made either 10 the eastward or west
ward Of It's present location, IL would have
passed through fne sections Of land bu,
having been built for u military highway,
the low, swampy valley was selected to rem.
der II inaccessible TO the enemy. At Haynes
vile. where we took dinner, the innkceper
Mr. Campbell, cultivates fine farm OF SIT
hundred acres. Hero We began 20 find
specimens Of Aroos,ook products. Prom
about four acres Of land, Mr.. e. had jus,
harvested eight hundred bushels Of excellent
potatoes From two bushels sowing Of cat.
he raised ninety bushels.
From this point to lloulton. 20 miles, the
land is higher, and a strip each side Of the
road il generally cultivated. The soil be-
fore reaching lloulton is generally coarscr
and harder than that In the region Of Presquo
Isle aud down the valley Of Aroostook river;
yet there are thousand, Of acres. before
reaching Iloulton. now covered with prime.
val forests, which is far better than the up
lands Of Oxford County.
At lloulion We stopped over night, at the
Smell House. was considerably disaP
pointed in the appearance OF lioulton. l
was expecting to see an old, dilapida,ed
town, but such is not the case. The village
is spread over considerable surface, the
houses are neatly painted and are comIorta.
bic, and in many instances elegantly fur.
nishcd. a high school is in operation here
which is well patti onled.
At o'clock this morning, we again took
stages ior Pressure lsle-distant from Houl.
ton 10 miles. The land on the road between
thesc two places is generally taken up. and
many persons have made themselves fnc
farms and erected comfortable and substan.
,ial dwellings in this wilderness. gather
ed some Information respecting crops from
one Of the settlers whom fell in with on