Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-10-10
A Visit to the Granite Quarrles.

Through the politeness of Rev. +. II. w.
Smith, we were granted the privilege, on Fri
day afternoon, of visiting the granite ledgcs
in this vicinity worked by Messrs. Bodwell
Wilson of Halowell the extensive contrac-
tors. The first ledge lies on the road leading
from Hallowcll to Manchester, and about three
mncs :.om the former place. This ledge, we
understand, is the property of the gentlemen
operating it, and was opened several years
ago. The cavity made in the ledge embraces
an area of nearly two or three acres and has
reached depth of thirty or forty feet, and
still the clear granite is found enclosed within
the walls OF ''heading," extending perhaps
fifty or two hundred feet.
From this ledge there has been sent blocks
of granite of every size and shape and finish 10
New York, Philadelphia Baltimore, New Or
leans and other large places, besides the large
amounts used at home for store fronts, gran
ite buildings monuments, underpnning and
the like. The stone fences IN this vicinity give
evidence of the practicability of using ''rab
BILE" stone for this purpose. A large amount
of cast-of granite can be obtained for the
trouble of trucking it off. The ledge is con-
stantly being worked by crew of men. All
through this region the rich treasures of gran
ite are embedded, cropping out here and there,
but the ledge that interested US most was the
one on the Whitten farm, situated about two
miles from Augusta and Hallowell, on the cross
road, connecting the two roads. This place was
purchased by the Whittcns, father and sons,
a few years ago, before the ledge was opened,
or its value as a granite deposit fully known
1t has immensely increased in value since
then, showing that the purchase was good
Investment for the Whitten's, who are hard
working and deserving men. The ledge that
is now being worked is on the brow of hill.
An opening was first made on the western side
of the hill, but operations were abandoned on
account of the great amount of ''heading' or
black, flinty, useless stone. The eastern side
was then opened with good success, the earth
and debris removed, and the fine, clear gran
lite found near the surface and lying in the
most available position 1t is OF similar
quality of the celebrated ''Haynes Granite"
which has such good reputation throughout
the country. Undoubtedly the space which
has here been worked, covering a little more
than an acre, to the depth of about fifteen
feet, is but small part of the ledge. 1t is
curious to notice how the layers of granite
are surrounded on every hand by the "head
ing" to which we have referred, being enclosed
as if by wall OF iron. The process of get
ting out the granite is very simple, after re-
moving the surface matter. Small holes are
drilled which are loaded very lightly with
powder covered with dry dust. The blasting
cracks the courses, no matter how thick, from
top to bottom, for a distance of several rods.
The huge piece is then cut into whatever'size
desired, by means of plug drills driven to
the depth of about three inches and about
one foot apart. This cleaves the granite as
though hewn by the most cunning workman
The stone is then hoisted by derricks, loaded