Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-11-01
FORT FAIRFIELD.

To the Editor Of the Journal
Fair Florence lies not loyelier along the
Arno, than Fc:t Fairfield along the smiling
Aroostook
How different the reality from our prccon-
coptions. Here, away down east, in the
northeastern corner of Maine and of the re-
public, | had expected to find an almost I'M
broken forest, with few blackened stumps
and log hut now and then. What was nay
surprise, then, when, topping little hill crest,
took my first view of Fort Fairfield.
broad rolling river, pleasant intervale
lands waving with the most luXuriant grass,
neat white cottages with green blinds, and
blooming flower gardens in front, busting
stores, town house on the hill, the village
church, and a noble two-story school house
with girls and boys playing croquet on the
lawn, and the autumn air ringing with the
happy laughter Of youth.
You drive through the village on a superb
turnpike road as smooth and level as a bowl
ing alley, the Aroostook river ripping along
on your right, while on your left the highest
roll of land is crowned with the ruins OF an
old block house fort, which once guarded the
border and still gives its name to the town.
No description of the village would be COM
plete without mention of the tavern. In front
is shady bench beneath a clump of trees !;
while opposite, the anvil rings with the sturdy
strokes of Sloconlb, the mighty village black
smith. The tavern itself is unpretentious-
looking enough; but within its walls you will
get as good a meal as is served in the coanty,
while Mr.. Osburn, the pleasant proprietor,
will hand YOU the best cup of coffee made in
the State of Maine.
Fort Fairfield is the centre of a large and
increasing agricultural community, and here
a surprising amount OF business is transacted
In population it is the second town in Aroos
took county, numbering 1900 inhabitants
Within the limits of the town are to be found
some of the best farms and most intelligent
people in the State. Very hospitable are they
too; and not long ago, when the first Swedish
colony entered the State, the citizens invited
them to such Il sumptuous collation. on their
passage through the town, that the honest
Swedes wrote home that never was king bet
ter entertained IN Sweden than they at Fort
Fairfield. The village has been built up
chiefly within the last ten or twelve years,
and already counts nine or ten stores, most OF
which do an extensive business. Isaac lack
er & Son, Small Ellis, Cary, Hyde, etc.,
are merchants whose names are familiar not
only in Aroostook but at St. John, Portland
and Boston. The Fort" possesses also a
variety of mills and the needed number OF me-
chanicS.
1t has been well said that the school house
springs up naturally in every village in New
England, and Fort Fairfield is marked in
stance of the truth of this saying; for its in
habitants have built a capacious two-story
school house by their united exertions, which
they are doing their best to sustain, though
/ the struggle is hard one.
/ The Fort Fairfield high school was gotten
/ up in the summer and fall of 1868. Previous
to that, school facilities, even those of com
mon schools, were precious few. North o
I Iloulton, the Academy at Presque Isle was
the only institution existing, and that was II
languIshing condition. AT the time Spoken
/ Of. a few Of the more energetic people at tht