The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-12-31

Hc"ee from COvni.k
CORNISH, Dec. %, 1870.
Taths Editor OF the Press:
This is mainly an agricultural town. al.
though Cornishvile is the centre OF an ex
tensive trade from the adjoining towns in The
State, and across the line in New Hampshire.
The Ossipee river empties into the Saco river
about mile north of Cornishviile, but nei-
ther of those rivers furnish water power with.
in the limits of the town.
AGRICULTURAL.
There are but few towns in the State where
there is more interest taken in agriculture
than in Cornish, or where the farmers are
generally more Independent, while there are
none who are considered very rich. There
are several farms on which 100 ions of bay
are cut In season, with from fifty to seventy
five head of cattle and horses to consume it
on the place, instead Of selling it Off thereby
Keeping the farms in good condition. Among
the largest farmers are Messrs. b. F. Pease,
James l.. Small, s.. Small, c. Aver and
others equally worthy Of mention.
MANUFACTURING.
Cornish has never claimed to be a manufac-
turing town, although recent railroad accom-.
modationsand expectations Of still greater have
stimulated to activity in that direction. The
only water power at the village is furnished
by what is called Little River. Although the
quantity Of water is limited the fall is about
fifty feet, furnishing excellent power portion
Of the year. This is employed in running
erist mill and for saving and machinery pur-
poses. Mr.. w. w. Adams intends, In the
spring, to erect large building for various
kinds OF manufacturing purposes, putting in a
steam engine to be used when the water fails
Messrs. H. Ayers and Sons are getting out
about 400 sleighs year and Mr.. E. B. Cole
about 100 wagons. Mr.. Cole is erecting a
large manutactury for carrying on all the va.
rious branches OF his business which will be
completed early in the spring. Messrs. T.
Rrackett and Sun are making about so 600
coats year and Mr.. f. Hatch about the same
number, giving employment and the means of
support to hundieds IF families. The shook
and stave business is carried on quite exten
sively for which the town and vicinity fur
nishes excellent timber.
TRADE AND TRADERS.
There are now five traders in the village,
with another store nearly ready for occupan-
cy, doing an average business OF $4,000 year
each. Hon. John O'Brion, one of the Oldest
aud most successful, as well as most respected
merchants OF this town, who has held severa
important offices in the State, is now confined
to his bed the most OF the time from a ner-
vous difficulty, from which 1t is feared be may
not recover. he retired from active business
several years ago and is succeeded by his son
A. G. OBrion, Esq, who has enlarged the
store and commands an extensive trade fol
miles around. DR.. w. B. Pike who has beer
for many years engaged in the apothecary
business and has been long and favorably
| known Though Lout this section of the State
ind nf hi 49,,
| last, at the age OF 72 years. His funeral wa:
attended on Wednesday by large number o
| relatives and friends.
| RAILROADS AND STAGES.
The Portland and Ogdensburg railroad
which now extends to West Baldwin, passe
| within about mile, on direct line, OF th
| village. Arrangements will undoubtedly b,
| made to have road laid out and briIge luil
to strike the road at the nearest point, as tb,
Directors Of the P. & o. road are ready to sto]
at depot at such point as will best accom-
| moe ate the business men of Cornish. Stan
| ley is running daily line from the Baldwin
depot through Cornish 10 Porter and anothe
tri-weekly line to Freedom. Phiibrick is run
ming tri-Weekly stage from the same plac
to Efingham. The North Conway and HI
ram stages, daily, meets the cars at Yves
Baldwin, and the Lowell stage-tri weekly
/
South Windham daily, and at East Baldwin
tri-weekly. At Steep Falls stage connect
for Limington, so that railroad and stage ac
| commodations are such as cannot fail to NEE
the public demand.
| A railroad route has been surveyed iron
| Cornish to Portland, hut if the Portland an,
| Rutland road should be built saving of
million OF dollars could be nude by unitin,
with the P. & o. road at Cornish or the Fort
land and Rochester road at some point nov
built or proposed. Then again the novemen
70 build road up the Saco river from Saco O.
| Biddeiofd 10 Steep FalIs would strike eil tn
| important water privileges on the Saco an,
connect with The towns on the line of the P
q R. TOAD at Bar Mills, and with towns nortl
OF Steep Falls at that place and everybody b.
accommodated who could be with road run
ming so nearly parallel with the P. & r. ant
the P. & o. roads. The Legislature will uu
doubtedly graut charter for as mary rail
roads as may be desired, but where is the rint
coming irom.
Those who are accustomed to railroad trav
elling say the Portland and Ogdensbrrg is on
OF the smoothest riding roads, for new one
to be found in New England Capt. New
comb, The road-mastcr, keeps an eye upon th
road, ready to put on men whenever an,
wherever shovel full of gravel is needed.