The Portland daily press., 1868-12-11
Letter from Dex,s,

DEXTER, Dec. Z, 1868.
To the Editor of the Press:
This town being now connected with the
outside world by direct railroad communica-
ton, will rank among the leading business
places in the State.
MANUFACTURING.
Some thirty years ago Messrs. Cutler & Far
rar commenced manufacturing woolen goods
in this village, and although they did not sue
ceed in making money, they established bus
iness which has been constantly increasing-
The Dexter mills are now owned, mainly, by
R. w. Robinson, Esq, Boston, and are en-
ployed in manufacturing silk mixed goods,
ladies cloths, fannels, &c. Between 60O0 and
5000 yards q week of these various kinds of
goods are manufactured and consigned to
Messrs. Dale Bros. & Co., Boston, who are in
terested in the business. There are employed
in their mills about 800 hands. Mr.. A. f.
Bradbury is agent. The Messrs. Abbott are
running woolen mill on mixed goods and
cassimeres, and Mr.. d. d. Campbell another
on fannels and waterproof
TANNING.
Mr.. Charles Shaw, successor to @. & b.
Shaw & Co., who are SO extensively engaged
the State, has a large establishment in this
town They are getting out about $500 sides Of
sole leather month, employing 80 hands and
requiring $500 cords of bark year. He is
also interested in a tannery at Burnhan, In
this State, which is doing about the same
amount of business.
BRANCH RAILROAD.
The Branch railroad shooting off from the
Maine Central at Newport, and extending to
this place, has been in operation about two
| weeks and has infused new life into all its bus
mess operations. The distance from Newport
to Dexter is IA miles and / doubt whether
there are IA miles of track in the State better
laid than this The continuation rail being
used there is no jar or unpleasant motion. It
has been laid by the Maine Central Railroad
| Co. for the term of thirty years at per cent.
interest on its cost, which is less than $4,000
to the mile. They have put on splendid pas
| senger car of their own manufacture with all
the modern improvements. The conductor,
Mr.. Josiah Owen, has had large experience in
railroadiHg, and is every inch gentleman
Messrs Corser and Blake, Railroad Commis-
sioners, passed over the road last week, and
| speak of it in the highest terms of approba-
| ton.
BUSINESS.
There are some thirty stores in this town,
large number of mechanic shops, a newspa-
per published by Mr.. Wetheril, who UNDER
stands getting up spicy little sheet, and two
hotels, the Dexter House and Merchants Ex-
change, the later of which has Just changed
landlords. Mr.. Wiggin formerly of the Lake
House is now the proprietor. who has secured
| the services of Mr.. NJ. Hersom, formerly Of
| the Continental House, Waterville, as clerk
The present indications are, that as business
generally revives Dexter will be found one Of
most lively inland towns in the State.
| RAILROADS IN CONTEMPLATION.
A railroad has been laid out between Belfast
! and Newport, which if built will ensure the
| continuance Of the Dexter branch to Moose
head Lake. There are no less than a dozen
| different railroads in contemplation in this
| State, some of which are progressing and 9TH
ers are in donbt. Forty two miles of new road
were built in this State and put in running
order during the last year, viz: fourteen on
| the European and North American, fourteen
on the Newport and Dexter and fourteen on
the Portland and Rochester. Next year there
will probably be double the number Of miles
bnilt. C