The Portland daily press., 1870-06-28
Letter from Wateryil,c.
WATERVIJ.JE limo * 1


To the Editor Of the Press:
know OF no town in this State, and but
few in any other, on which nature has more
bountiully bestowed her lavors than this Its
location, on the banks Of the Kennebec, is de-
lightul-i.s water-power extensive and reia-
ble-its soil productive and easily cultivated
and its villages abound in shade and orna-
mental trees AS place of residence there
is none more desirable, and as place OF bus-
ness, capital and energy could soon place it
among the largest in the State. A spirit of
enterprise has recently been exhibited which
will result in a marked change in the business
prospects OF this town as soon as it is known
what the settled policy of the government is
to be in relation to finance and tariff
MANUFACTURING.
have already given your readers quite
full description of the various branches of in
dustry in this town. The scythe business at
West Waterville has been as extensive as usu-
al, with a ready sale for all that are made.
The various other enterprises in that part Of
the town have been attended with their usual
success. Several stores and dwellings have
been erected during the past year, and there
is general appearance of thrift apd prosperi-
ty. At East Waterville several new branches
of business have been commenced or are in
contemplation. The flour mill of the Messrs.
Milliken has been enlarged and supplied with
the latest and most approved machinery
Messrs. G. II. Dow G. Co. are fitting up the
|. old brick mill for a furniture mandatory.
WORK ON THE FREE BRIDGE COMMENCED.
Notwithstanding the vote of the town in
opposition to building free bridge, some six
| teen of the citizens OF East WAtervlle repre-
senting over 100000 property, have contract
ed tor the building of the bridge with Messrs.
Weber & Haviland, who have engaged the
stone and lumber, and have contracted with
parties to build the bridge The stone work
is to be done by Mr.. john Bell, of Westbrook,
who has charge of the mason work on the
Augusta railroad bridge. Messrs. Crosby &
Walker, of Benton, are to do the wood work.
The timber is now being sawed at the mill of
Gen. Smith, and he work is being pushed
with determination that will make it certain
that the bridge will be completed in the short
est possible time. The attorney for the town
has made application to one of the judges of
the supreme court for an injunction, who issu-
ed summons to the county commissioners to
appear, on the first Tuesday in August, and
show cause why the Injunction should not be
granted. In the mean time the work on the
bridge will be rapidly advancing. 1t is to be a
lattice bridge, with about 140 feet span, re-
| quiring two stone piers and one of timber,
| and will be first class in every particular.
A SAD CASE.
| The funeral of the wife and child of Major
Merriam was held on Friday at the Consre-
| gatiOnal church in this town. About two
/ he Mr. u Gotob.,n fbo Tot ~
Mrs. Merriam, received letter from her,
then in Texas, stating that she, with her hus-
band and child, were on their way to Maine
| to make him visit. He soon after received
the sad intellis ence that while encamped near
a river in Texas powerful rain storm came
on which caused the river to rise so rapidly as
to cut off escape, and Mrs. Merriam and child
We're drowned. Maj, Merriam, by almost
superhuman efforts, succeeding in finding the
remains of his vile and child and had them
conveyed to the place of her former residence
for interment, and the deeply afflicted relatives
and friends could only look upon the llfeIess
remains of those whose visit they were so
fondly anticipating. The funeral was attend
ed by Rev. ldr. HAYES of Philadelphia, the
former pastor of the church, assisted by 9th
er CLERGY men of the town. A deep feeling OF
sympathy for the afflicted husband and rela-
tives was depicted on every countenance.
| RAILROADS.
Consolidation is now considered a fixed
fact, and arrangements will be made, as soon
as practicable, to have uniform gauge over
the entire road. There will probably be no
important changes in the employees of the
road. 1t is supposed that Mr.. Noyes will be
general superintendent, but Mr.. Lincoln will
retain the same connection with the Portland
q Kennebec road as now, and all the conduc-
tors be retained. The Belfast branch will
soon be completed-the West Waterville and
Anson branch has progressed too far to be
| abandoned and it is expected the cars will
run over some part of it this fall.
PERSONAL.
The numerous friends of George Clifford
Esq, who left his saDctum few weeks ago to
seek rest and retirement at his fathers in Vas
salboro, will be pleased to learn that he has
been improving in health and hopes are en-
tertained that he may soon be able to resume
his labcrs. Mr. Clifford, during the four years
he has been connected with the PRESS, has
been aH indetatigable worker, frequently ex
tending his labors into the small hours of the
night, thereby exhausing his nervous power
and aggravating a disease OF the heart of which
he has, for several years, had unmistakeabe
symptoms. His friends and medical advisers
have frequently warned him of the danger o.
applying himself so closely to his profession
but he could see no opportunity to lessen his
labor SO long as it pressed upon him and his
physical power would permit him to perform