The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-06-17
Letter from Fryebur8.

10 the Editor of the Press:
Notwithstanding the many pleasant things
that have been said and written, in prose and
noetrv. of this beautiful and historical town,
there remains something to be said of passing |
events, or repeated for the information of dis |
tant readers or new subscribers. If what |
everybody says must be true, then Fryeburg
village is one of the pleasantest summer resi-
dences in this State, in fact in any other
State. Its streets, arched over by wide
spreading elms-for mile or more-its neat
residences, and grounds we'll supplied with
plants and shlubbery, give evidence of re-
fined taste and pecuniary independence, while
the general good order and quietness that pre-
walls, renders it very desirable place for per-
sons who wish to escape the confusion aId
excitement of large cities; while its hills
and mountains afford the grandest scenery in
New England, and the ponds and lakes fur.
nsh ampeIfishing ground for those who wish
to "drop line,,'' and its drives along the
banks of the Saco and through shady forests,
have been highly extoIed for those who wish
to try the speed of favorite horse, or enjoy
the varied scenery or invigorating breezes so
beautifully afforded. In the peasantest loca-
ton in the village is the Oxford House, kept
by Mr.. Otis True, who spares nothing that
can contribute TO the comfort and enjoy
ment of his guests.
| AGRICULTURE.
| This is emphatically an agricultural town
for the reason that its rich intervales, along
the banks OF the Saco, produce hay and
grain SO bountifully, and with SO little labor,
| that those who are so fortunate as TO own a
farm, find its cultivation more profitable, per-
haps, than any other investment they can
make. Then, again, the land through which
| the Saco passes in this town is so level that it
furnishes but little water power, consequently
manufacturing has not been introduced as
extensively as in some of the neighboring
toore the pfhe aaE and altHses Of produce
which farmers have relied, the railroad facili-
tiles have encouraged the more general cult
walton OF potatoes, for which the land is ad.
mirebly adapted.
MANUFACTURING.
Since the railroad now offers favorable
means OF transportation, the question is be-
ing raised among capitalists, what manutac-
turing can be carried on successfully to keep
young men from going abroad for employ
ment and to invite to the place enterprising
and Industrious mechanics and artisans. AT
present nothing definite has been arrived at
except that capitalists must do something to
create business if they wish to get the full
benefit of thirty thousand dollars this towr
has invested in the p. &. o. Railroad. TIT
tannery of Messrs Allen & Warren is nov
employed to its utmost capacity, which ca
; pacty will undoubtedly be increased. They
have also an establishment at Conway Cor
ner, where large business is done. Thu
tannery in this town turns out about 2O(
siJes of union sole leather a week, adapted
to the use of the Lynn shoe manufacturers
where it is mainly worked up. They requir,
about 700 cords of bark year, for which
they are now required to pay 81 a cord
Messrs. Glines d Ward are getting out quit,
number OF frst-class carriages and sleishs
which find ready market. The change il
the channel OF the Saco river, by which it
route is shortened some twenty miles in thi
town, has created quite water power a
Swans Falls, which will, some day not ia
distant, be employed in manufacturing.
RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL.
How much the interest taken by the earl
| settlers OF this town, in educational and re
ligious culture may have depended upon tn
liberal provisions in the grant of the town
! ship to Joseph Frye, for these purposes, can
not be fully known; but one fact is now
matter of history, that but few towns il
New England haze had a better record il
these partcuars-whether or not the presen
generation is maintaining the reputation O
, the fathers may be All open question, although
it will compare favorably with other towns il
the State in facilities for moral and intellect
ual improvement.
THE P. d o. RAILROAD.
The opening of the P. & o. Railroad t
this town, and the circumstances connecte
3 Herewith, have already been fully chroniced
Improvements on the line of the road ar
now SO rapid that the reporter will find some
thing new each week to attract his attention
: The depot at Cumberland Mills is nearl
completed. Additional depot accomn.oda
, tloEs ale in progress at White Rock Station
The depots at Hiram aid Brownfeld ar
t nearly completed, under the direction q
, Messrs. Sawyer & Allen. Messrs. Brock &
Cummings are erecting the depots at thi
place and Conway, all of which are of mod
ern architecture, neat, cOmmodious and sub
| stantlal. The West Oxford Agricultural Sc
3 ciety presented the company with five acre
, of land for its depots, &C., in this town
, which is being arranged under the direction
OF Maj. 5. z. Harrington, engineer on thi
division, with reference to convenience, utilit
2 and beauty. The road is nearly graded t.
, North Conway, and the rail iron and irol
bridge having arrived, there appears to b.
nothing to prevent the completion of tn
road to that place by the middle of July
Such energy in pushing through an enter
prize of this kind, as has been exhibited b.
the Directors of the P. & o. road, has beef
rarely seen this side OF the Rocky noun
tains. AS an evidence that this road vii
open up section of country that will affor
liberal amount of business, the fact nee
only to be stated, that the first through freiph
train brought $50 tons of fire. light to this dc
pot, besides what was left at depots h61ow