The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-01-21

Bradford, William Vosmus and Nelson d.
Munroe, of Auburn. They purpose having
the thing at once aid thoroughly tested; IT It
proves all right. they will proceed to work.
A few days ago saw sundry specimens
which, it was said, came from the Vosmus
farm; and I have the authority of an eminent
eeologist for saying that there was gold in two
or three of them, and that if they or either of
them came from the Vosmus farm, then the
owners have fortune in their hands. But
the SAID geologist was very skeptical as to
whether the gold specimens came from the
Vosmus farm, though he says that Maine lies
In one of the great gold ranges of the CONT
nent, and he knows no reason why gold should
not be found here, only that it has not been.
Mr.. Vosmus claims to have had the rock as
sayed, with yield OF $1,000 of gold and $2OS
of silver to the ton. Mr.. Munroe, one of the
recent purchasers, has sent fragments of the
ledge, obtained by himself, to Prof. Brockett,
of Brunswick, for analysis. Old miners de-
clare that the region looks decidedly like a
gold-bearing one 1t is billy, rocky, and mis-
cradle enough to bear gold, for it can bear
nothing else. On the Vosmus farm about one
acre of the ledge crops out; the rest is covered
with few inches of soil.
THE SHOE BUSINESS
The shoe manufacturers of Auburn inform
me that "orders" are coming forward more
largely than usual for the season, Hence
business has already become quite lively for
them. Asa Cushman s. Co. are rapidly filling
up their new factory with workmen and will
soon have full complement of hands. They
find things working admirably in their new es-
Enlistment; it is probable that others will
follow their example in the erection of ne W
and commodious factories and in the use of
steam power.
OTHER BUSINESS.
The present prospect for wooden manufac-
lures, in which our city and county are so
largely interested, look rather fattering.-
There do not appear to be too many mills in
operation for the demands of the market.
The recent advance in the price of cotton to
20 to 30 cents disturbs, in some measure, the
cotton manufacturing business. Our mills
have four months supply of cotton on hand
but their stock of goods is small. If they man
ufacture tie cotton they have and sell their
goods at present prices, they cannot replace
without mourning loss, unless there should
be a fall in the price of the raw material As
to that fall, there appears to be difference Of
opinion. 1t is very certain, however, that last
years cotton crop, which aggregates some
100000 to 100000 bales, will all be wanted
before another comes to market But the
more cautious manufacturers seem to antici-
pate decline in the price of cotton, and Sc
are not buying at this time.
1t has not yet been determined by our cotton
manufacturers whether or not to build new
mill the present year. Just now the look in
that direction is not very favorable. But as
the plans are already matured and much O.
the building material on hand, the final dec
sion may be safely put off for month or si1
weeks longer. For one cannot help thinking
that mill will be put up.
THE SAVINGS BANKS.
For the last two months the deposits in the
Lewiston and Auburn Savings Banks have
been lighter than usual. The Auburn Bank
though it has been in operation but a few
months, has a deposit now of about $4,000
AN EPIDEMIC.
In this city influenza has become an epidem
ic. 1t is of very severe type-infamed and
swollen throat, infamed membrane of the
head, with headache, general lassitude and
sometimes vomiting. 1 hear of one school OIL
flty-three scholars, forty of whom were sick a
the same time. All of our schools have been
sadly interfered with, while large number O.
operatives have been obliged to suspend work
LECTURES. ....
Rev. Mr.. Snow, pastor of the Universalis1
church, Auburn, is delivering a series of Sun
day evening lectures in Auburn Hall. have
heard none of them, but understand they are
mainly doctrinal and decidedly bellgerent
They give great satisfaction to his friends, and
seem to have created quite sensation. Every
evening the hall is crowded, and last Sunday
many were unable to obtain admission.
Last evening DR.. True commenced his course
of lectures upon Geology in the High School
Hall, in this city. The Doctor has also pre-.
pared a course of lectures upon Zoology, which
cannot fail of proving popular. Let US wish
the Doctor success in his educational work.
BARLOW,