The Portland daily press., 1870-07-21
The Swedish hmm igrnnfs.

Inc editor OF the ArOOStOOz Pioneer, who
met the Swedish immigrants under charge OF
MI. VIM. W. Thomas, Jr., at st. John, and
proceeded with them part of the way to their
location in Aroostook county, gives an inter-
estng sketch of his acquaintance with them:
On the first of May, Mr.. Thomas aled
from New York, and arrived in Gothenburg,
Sweden, the 10th, via England and the North
Sea- He Immediately set himself to work
writing up the Aroostook and publishing let
documents throughout the COT Itfy. Tie re-
suit was, as might be expected, a rush to fill
the colony, from which applications selec-
ton OF about one hundred men, women and
children was made, fifty of whom got ready
and started with Mr.. 7. for America the o5th
of June. OF this number there are about ten
families complete, the remainder being heads
of families who will prepare home and send
for their wives and children next spring.
There are also several smart, intelligent young
men who have formed an attachment for ce-.
taiE interesting members of other families. 10
whom in time they viii no doubt became more
closely connected.
One marked feature OF these people is their
CON ple-:on which is light, nearly all of whom
have blue eyes. Their unassumed pollteness
is worthy Of note, even among the small
CuilulCll, WIZ Tic SII-dlIcSC FAVOR DV
removing their hats and shaking their bene-
factor by the hand. The misses were obsery-
ed reading books in their ow / native tongue,
while some of the young men were engaged
with "English without Teacher" They are
all anxious 10 obtain knowledge of our Ian
guage, being educated in their own.
These new citizens expect to reach, this
week, their new houses and homes which the
State has so generously prov ded, and which
we doubt not they Will appreciates coming
from land bare only three months in the
year, and where what little they can grow is
destroyed by frost one year in three ON
average, and when saved from frost, large
per cent is taken to support royalty and no.
bility. Their new houses, with all their i'm
provements, are to be exempt from State tag
alton for five years from Jan. l, 1871. Their
trip up the river seems to have impress ed
them tavorably, and the words of encourage
ment which they received along the route
gave them an idea of the kindly reception
awaiting them.
This advance sJard," of the first Swedish
colony in Maine, having arrived, we hope and
trust every encouragement will be offered
which shall tend to render them contented.
Great results are anticipated to follow this
small beginning, which it is hoped is but
drop in the bucket. Forty or fifty more will
come in September, and will be met in Hall
fax by Mr. Thomas. They pay their own
passa9es asa az p, nnnneTs anu come 10 US
of Them are in comfortable circumstances,
essar1 ant I'm, means 10 ploxde ior their nee
include mechanics of various trades in ,, iiy
they are well skilled.
dustrio, e ass d that they are all honest, in
padent OF labor Some Of them are men of
influence and position in the country
my Ma Law Eit. Ihey seek homes and
u.s. Ever one nf % thu, i've amongst
string to hundred friends at homo, and
lilese Strings Will draw if this FIRST colony is
established in the eaon;sts sTnooi VIII De
are bright and active and will readily take tn
LnsIlsn. H9Vefa, OF the adults are already
he acanTinn Of our Is WHICH VIII 1acllItate
We have no doubt there are many nerSons in
this country, and perhaps some from abroad. |
VINO VINO wouid ne Slad 10 contribute interesting |
Learn 10 n oo ina IA WHICH, as soon as they
miliar with orr institutions. '"-
The GRAND sohon,o 80 oo,on;u
and fertilo Arooat.a1- ,'.., o"l iien
from, tho Nj, ~ So. 81, WIN Immigrants
ar s,ccoss6l yo oo,o. ~ "oo" .nuS
h. Wv, ". e,n' 'Ae nope expressed by
S0'''o' 'na' 'ne enterprise Will receive
n' i"'oi anu oo'operalloh Oh The people in all
, "a vi 'ne 'olate ana be iully consummated.
ne region seiected Tor these strangers is en-
'haIleaily virgin soil, and cannot at once be
lade crop-producing. Much of it is covered
'i'h d heavy growth OF timber. 1t must be
'eared and put in preparation for the seed