The Portland daily press., 1868-06-06
Portland and Rochester Railroad.

Line prospects OF the Portland and hoches-
ter Railroad now seem to be very fiattering,
both in regard to its money matters and Its
condition from here to and beyond Saco river.
The splendid new bridge across the river has
already received some description in our pa
per. and we will only say that heavy freight
trains now pass over it daily, and it proves to
be very substantial piece of work, and has
not thus far settled enough to be perceptible.
We found Thursday in riding along the line
from Saco river to Alfred, that the work is in
good state of forwardness and rapidly ap-
preaching completion. The storm of the past
month has caused considerable delay, but the
track is already laid across Oook S brook a
distance of about two and quarter miles be-
yond the river
Alter leaving Bar Mills the first place of any
note is
HOLLIS CENTRE,
where there is quite a little water privilege,
and capital chance for small factory. There
is already mill erected here, and the owners
are doing quite lively business, saving shin
giles and looking-glass backs. The mill has
for its foundation a solid ledge, which makes a
natural dam, over which the water has fall
of some thirty feet. There is, water enough
the year round for milling purposes, and the
pond above the mill has howage of about a
mile AT this village there is to be depot
built, and it will undoubtedly pay, as all
around is rich farming country, and besides
the lumber, the produce that now goes to Saco
will then come to Portland.
This village was formerly called "Blood
Corner" on account of the horse races and
fights; but it can no longer be called so with
justice, as at the present day a more peacea-
Bile community cannot be found. However
every man yet thinks he owns the best horse
in the State, and they have reason to brag
little, for here the famous Fanny Bradbury"
was raised that has done such wonders on the
Long Island Park. She took the first prize at
the last State Fair in this city and was soon
afterwards sold for $4,000 to parties in New
York. Mr.. Foster the proprietor of the Press,
now owns sister of this horse, which. although
not very speedy, is valuable for her beauty
and other good qualities.
Beyond Hollis Center, the next station is
South WATERFORD The depot is now finish-
ed, and is very neat building. 1t has all the
conveniences necessary, and the rooms are
large and well lighted. This will be one of
the principal stopping places, as it is the near
est point on the road to Limerick, Persons
field, Newfeld, &c.. and those towns are noted
for their splendid farms. A short distance
from here is
WATERFORD CENTRE,
very thriving little village, supporting ho-
tel aud two large stores that do rushing bus
mess. Next beyond South WATERFORD is
West WATERFORD station, situated in small
village known as Scratch Corner" We can't
say what gave it this name, unless it is because
most of the inhabitants have managed to
scratch together enough to build handsome
houses, which, take them together, make very
neat little village, in which are two or three
stores a hotel, saw mill, &c. Passing on one
comes next to
SHAKER VILLAGE,
where there is no station, but the railroad
passes very near and between the village and
Shaker Pond. Along here a pile bridge,
about quarter of mile in length, has been
constructed. There are also near here, two
cuts yet to be graded; but ON the whole it
seems to us that the work last season must
have been pushed with wonderful rapidity,
and after riding along and viewing it at every
point We found that much more had been &C
complished than we had any idea Of
After leaving this point the next place that
you come to is
ALFRED
the terminus of the graded part of this road,
and one of the most beautiful villages that we
were ever in. This is the shire town of York
county. and of course supports court house,
jail, &c. There are many splendid residences
here, beautiful shade trees, three churches, a
large, new school house, two or three hotels
and more stores than there were on Exchange
street the next day after the fire.
In returning, We think that the Shakers
village deserves more than mere mention.
1t is located on the side of high hill, over
looking beautiful pond, with a range of large
and picturesque hills on the opposite side. An
artist would never leave that place until he
had made-a sketch, and we wish we could find
language to describe the view as it appeared
on this beautiful day of June, with the apple
trees in bloom, the birds singing, the cattle
grazing on the side of the hills, the grass and
trees with their prettiest shade of green, and
the whole variegated scenery that the eye
could take in at one view.