The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-03-05
= Reading Matter on all -Four Pages.
LEWISTON, March 1, 1866.

-4s LEWISTON, March 1, 1865.
To the Editor Of the Press;
Quite a respectable number of the stock
holders of the Maine Central r. r. Co., left
our city on Tuesday by the noon train on the
G. T. r. for Waterville and the intermediate
places, on the occasion of the annual meeting
OF the corporation above named, the time OF
which was changed last year from the rosy
month OF June to this comparatively inclem-
ent season. In consequence, the stockholders
Excursions which have been so enjoyable in
years past, and which were the only "divi-
dends" the road has paid to stockholders. are
not so large as formerly, but nevertheless
many availed themselves oft to visit friends
in Auburn, Lewiston, Readfeld, Waterville
and other towns. % bsW
We stopped mostly in the beautiful town of
Auburn-not exactly "The loveliest village of
the plain" but very pleasant village of the
dell, among some old and long tried friends
This town has just finished the erection of a
splendid Hall-named for the town-on the
site of the one destroyed by fire over year
ago, nearly opposite the County Court House.
1t Is built of granite and brick, with French
roof and having stores underneath. The fres-
co painting was done by Schumacher in his
usual good style. --
The hall possesses every facility for making
it convenient for all suitable purposes. Among
other things it has nice kitchen with all the
utensils for cooking There is another large
hall in the third story, which is to be used as
commercial school, we understood, by Mr..
Webster of the edward Littler Institute"
The whole cost of this fine ediice, as we were
informed by the Board of 'Selectmen, was
less than $4,000. The Board have suitable
apartments in the third story for their offices.
|, There is not great deal Of Improvement on
the main street in Auburn as the land is
held so high by the owners, that nothing can
be done By those who would build such suita-
BILE blocks of buildings for business purposes as
such central locations demand. " ''.a
We crossed the bridge to the fourishing city
of spindles-Lewiston. What was our sur
prise to meet no tollman at either end of the
bridge. We supposed that it must be some
how all right but we did not fully understand
the matter until the selectmen informed us af-
terwards that it had been not long since made
free by purchase by this county (Androscogg-
in) the price paid being less than $4,000
The plan is certainly a wise one, for If there
is such thing as respectable nuisance, it Is
toll bridge impeding free travel between such
enterprising and rising towns as Auburn and
Lewiston are. This young city is in thriv-
ing, healthiul state ofgrowth, and every inter-
est is advancing. Hcan boast of one advan-
tage at least over our own delightful city, and
that is the possession of suitable and COM
modious Common. As we looked out upon it
from the windows of the De Witt House we
fairly enyied the spindle city the possession of
that beautiful Mall. Some ofthe best residen-
ces, and the church OF Rev. MIR. Balkan are
situated on one street fronting the Common.
The new Catholic Church, built externally
last year by Messrs. ]. T. Emery and w. II.
| Stewart of our city will be fine edifice when
completed; nothing Is being done upon it at
present interiorly. 1t is situated on the main
street, nearly opposite the Baptist Church, and
the street leading to the railroad depot. VII. l
| We called upon Mr.. Dingley of the Journal,
and found him in the full tide of success.
He makes an excellent paper as we all know
and he possesses one of the best adapted
buildings for his purposes that we remember
to have seen anywhere. The editorial, COM
| posing and press rooms are conveniently ar
ranged, and everything about the premises
looks as neat and clean as new pin. "f4-
| There is State Musical Convention in ses
sion here at Central Hall. The members of
which consisting of some forty instrumental
lists and large number of vocalists, are en-
joying the occasion very highly. They are
| proposing to give two concerts this week.