The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-11-17
BIDDEFoRD, R /, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING,
CHE atuiu,l 4 sunrual.
sACo RIVER RAILROAD.

In 1853 the proposed route Of the Saco Rivel
R. R., from Saco to Fryeburg, was chartered
surveyed, and estimates Of the cost OF con
struction given. The whole distance was for
ty-eight miles, y h line passing from point
on the Portland, Saco and Portsmouth Raj
Road, 400 feet eas,orly Of the Saco Depot
Thence it runs in northwesterly direction, or
the east side of the Buxton road, and nearly
parallel with it, 5 3-4 miles to the Sawyer
school house. At this point, It crosses thu
road, and afterwards recrosses it near Samue
Milliken's. ... h.r...
Il crosses the road to Union Falls, about 9 L.
miles from the Falls. The line reaches the So
ca River in Buxton, 8 4.l0 miles from Saco
Crossing the river at a point about 500 fee
above the mill dam ut Salmon Falls, by a bridg
400 feet long and 32 feet above the water, th'
line continues ON the west side oi the river, an'
crosses the route Of the York and Cumberland
Rail Road about 3-4 Of mile west Of the Bal
Mills. Thence crosses the road to Limerick
and passes over tract oi intervalo land nea
the river, to Moderation Falls, IA ll-lOO mile
from Saco. 4,r .u.rs.
The line passes through the village at Mod
Grafton, and thence nearly in strait direction
until within half mile Of the Falls and Mill
at Bonny Eagle, where 1t crosses tho road lead
ing to the latter place, and curves more wester
ly into East Limington. 1t crosses the roa'
near Samuel Berry's house, and comes to tn
bank Of Saco River, thence along the bank o
the river, and over intervale land for most D
the distance to Little Ossipce River. 1t crosses
this river at the foot Of the Falls, and abou
400 feet below the Mills. 1t then crosses tn
road leading from Linington to Portland abou
Ii Of mile west of Limipgton Falls ant
bridge, ON the Saco River. Thence the lin
continues in very direct course to poiu
within l.2 Of a mile OF Steep Falls, distan
from Saco % $1,000 miles. Thence bearing
more westerly over Pine Plains to Saco River
and crossing tho river into the town OF Bald
win about Ia OF a mile above Gould's Island
FROM this point the line proceeds on the cas-
side of the river, passing the Great Falls int
Hiram, and thence near the highway to Hiram
bridge, IS ll-lO0 miles from Saco. We eros
the river again, at favorable place for u bridge
about 500 feet above Hiram bridge, and thel
continue near the highway leading to Fryeburg
crossing it several times, passing through tn
town of Brownfeld, and along on the easterl..
slope of Beach Hill, and thence over plains ant
lands nearly level, to Fryeburg Village, wher
the line Of the survey ends, near Warren
Steam Mil, 4S miles from Saco. .f- f
The financial crash then impending, ant
which came upon us in 1857, caused suspen
sion of all active efforts to forward the enter
prise, since which time the subject has remain
ed in reposo. The estimated cost Of the who'll
route was laid down at Sol6,3ls.36, with al
average cost per mile OF Sl9,OS9,96.
1t is not our purpose this week to advocate
the building Of the Road to Fryeburg. Per
haps the subject may assume such shape tha
IL will be done at some future time. But w
wish to call the attention Of the people OF Sac'
and Biddelord to the fact that on the compile
ton of the Portland and Rochester X. X. Il
the latter place, THESE Two TOWNS WILL BE
CONE AN ISLAND IN a business point Of pieio
Prior to the building Of the York and Cumber
land road to Buxton, these towns received tn,
trade OF the large region north Of us, this por
being the legitimate market of oil tho towns
above us and on the line Of tho Saco river
trade and produce naturally following the river
to its outlet. ll
But the completion Of the road to Bar Mill'
interlercd with this trade, and took more than
half Of it to Portland, thus enriching that 10
cality at our expense. There was no way pos.
sible for our business men to make so profitable
an investment at that time as to have pushed
forward the River rad to Buxton, even had II
been extended no farther. Now the moiety
remaining Of our up country trade is threat
ened to be drawn away from us as soon as the
aP.SR. II. r. is built further through the
county towards New Hampshire. When the
line is completed through ALFRED and Spring
Salc, all above that line will pass to Portland
or to points towards Boston, unless we have
some means OF communication and conveyance
from this place to meet that road. This is u
fact so plainly demonstrated that 1t needs no
argument; and our only surprise is, that our
business men arc not working with tremendous
energy to avert threatening evil.
There are two routes FROM which selection
NAV be made, to meet the p. Il II. X. II. Ono
is ON the west side of the river to WATERFORD,
and the other. the old survey Of the Saco River
roatc. The argument in favor Of the west
route, is, to run up to the centre Of the Coun
ty Us far as possible. and because this route
could be constructed at less expense. The cIst-
crn route claims the probable extension OF the
branch road, at somo future time, into tho in.
terror, perhaps to Fryeburg, or further to a
point Of intersection with the Grand Trunk
road at Gorham, n. II. is .gliJ & "a lJdEI
We shall content ourself this week with Civ.
ing the cost Of building the road to Salmon
Falls, based upon the estimate before alluded
to: Id
l0l ,o5 cub. ydS Earth Excavation. ana iaa On