The Portland daily press., 1870-04-05
Letter from Vossniboro

occupants, and score one for the refining in
fluence Of female associations even in jury
room."
Letter from vassniboro
VAssALBoKo, April 2, 1873.
To the Elitors Of the Press:
This is one Of the best farming towns ia
the State. Many of its earliest settlers were
OF the society of Friends, who gave their at
tention mainly to cultivating the soil, acquir-
ing thereby bountiul competence and lay
ing tue foundation of large estates for their
successors: The names Of Lang, Frye, Pope
Gates. Estes. Foster and others. who attend
regularly Friends meetings on first and
fourth days. would give currency to paper for
large amounts at any of our banks. This town
extends tor about eight miles along the east.
ern banks OF the Kennebec, aft )rding delight.
iui view, at manv points, of the surrounding
country anc portions of the river from Water.
vile to Augusta. Its soil Is unsurpassed In
fertility, producing large crops of hay, grain,
potatoes. apples, &C., richly rewarding the
husbandman for the labor bestowed upon 1t.
The demand for produce of all kinds at Au-
gusta during the war was well improved by
the industrious farmers of the town. many of
whom were somewhat In debt in 1880, but
now have elegant buildings and money at in
terest.
THE SOLID MEN.
Among the solid men of Vassalboro IS
John D. Lang, who occupies high seat In
Friends meeting-is a preacher of ability
when mOred to speak-one of the largest far.
mers in town, and for several years the prin-
cipal owner and manager of the Vassalboro'
Woolen Mills. Friend Lang is perhaps more
generally known as one of the commissioners
appointed by Gen. Grant to devise some
means to prevent the injustice done the In
dian and the horrid massacres of white men
and women in retaliation. Every philanthro-
pls:, statesman and Christian wishes him and
his coadjutors success in their noble mission.
Some of the best stock in the country has
been introduced by Friend Lang, who with
bis son Thomas, now residing at Augusta,
have been largely identified with the material
success of the farming and business enter
prises of Vassalboro. Friend Lang has
beautiful residence near the north line of the
town on the banks of the Kennebec and ia
widely known in business circles and In the
society to which he belongs, as public spirit
ed, high minded Christian gentleman. In
the outhern part of the town is the residence
of Hon. Warren Pelcival, who Is one of the
most successful agriculturists in the State, as
well as prominent participant in public af-
fairs. The stock raised on bis farm has much
mole than local reputation, and his estab-
lishment is well worth visit from those who
wish to see Maine farming at its best.
GETCaELLs CORNER.
This is one OF the stations on the Kenne-
bee and Somerset railroad about seven miles
below Watervile and eleven miles above Au-
susta. The principal business Is boot
and shoe manufacturing and tanning.
In favorable times large amount OF lsiness
is done, but at present but few men are en-
poyed. The principal manufacturers are
Messrs. Estes Brothers, Dunham & Son, and
c. Nichols. The work done at this place has
always sustained good reputation and fnd
ready sale when there is demand for this
kind of goods. The tanning business has
been carried on .or many years By Messis.
Pishon & Wentworth.
The old academy building in which mauy
young ideas have been taught TO shoot is now
being converted into Methodist meeting
house. L should Judge the conversion Is as rad
ical as that from nature to grace, as old tbugs
are passing away before the axe and hammer
of the carpenter, and but slight traces will be
discovered of the old temple of science
Near the Corner is Oak Grove Seminary,
with excellent buildings, beautifully situated.
This school has drawn its support largely
from the society of Fri. i.nds under whose aus
pices it was established, but 1t now receives
pupils whether OF Quaker parentage or not.
1t has kind of intermittent prosperity,
sometimes overaowing with pupils, and
sometimes appearing to be on the point of f.
nal xtinguishment-a fate that has Ia the
last ten years overlaken too many Maine
schools of the same grade.
The hotel at the Corner is now kept by Mr..
Samuel Gibson, who has repaired the ancient
hosiery, and now offers to the traveller en-
tertaiument such as only the memory of Old
England and her hearty fare could enable him
to provide.
yAssALBoRo MILLS.
AT North Vassalboro, about three miles
from Getchelps Corner Station, are the large
Woolen Mills formerly owned and occupied oy
John d. Lang & Son, but now owned by
Messrs. E. Skinner & Co. of Boston. They
are about two miles from the outlet of China
pond, a body OF water, whch, with other ponds
running into it, furnishes an inexhaustible
supply of power One mill is about $50 and
the other 200 feet long, built of brick, three
stories high, with office and various 9TH
er buildings required by the company. There
are 20 sets of machinery getting out about
800 yards day of Cassmeres, Tricots, Bea-
vers, Doeskins and Broadcloths of the
finest quality. About three hundred hands
are employed in the various departments.
Mr.. Geo. wilkins, The present agent, under
stands every department oil the business, hay
ing been from early youth engaged In the va
rious departments, ard his entire time and
energies are devoted TO the interest OF en-
plovers and employed. Mr.. Albert Cook, The
superintendent, has been employed IN that
establishment % years and understands bis
business thoroughly. Mr.. A. E LazeIle is
paymaster, taking the place so long occupied
by Mr.. Osborne. Mr.. T. Valentine has charge
of the weaving, Mr.. j. Brough of The spin
ming, Mr.. E. Gould, OF the cardine, Mr.. Z.
Williams of the finishing and Levi Webber is
the machlnist. About 1000 cords Of wood are
required year for which from "a 10 So cord
are paid, and about $500 mouth is paid to
the employees. The grounds are tastefully
laid out and general interest Is manifested
in the beauty and prosperity of the village on
the part of the company. This is one OF the
largest ii not the largest wooden manufacto-
~ in the State. G.
THE DAYS OF FoRTY-NINE REVIVED
The flush times of California seem to be re-
vived for a season here. As in days oil yore
men sleep upon the ground and eat around
their camp fires. But lew te3ts comparative
ly speaking, have yet been put up AT "Ju-
Ian City, there are two log cabins and some
twenty odd tents, and at Coleman City,"
three miles west, there are dozen tets.
P,obaby 500 people are eIcamped in the Ju-
Iian district, and about $50 at Coleman City.
A Town site has been laid of on a fiat near
the Washington" mine, and the locators
have gone to your city to sell lots. But In
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