The Portland daily press., 1872-01-20
Letter from Alfred.

Af ALFRED, JAN II, 1917.
This is not one of the towns so often de-
scribed by romantic writer's, as nesting in the
bosom of an overshadowing mountain, or sit
ting majestically upon the banks of some broad
river The most romantic by the utmost
stretch of the imagination, could hardly find,
in this immediate vicinity, the mountain or the
river. But as a'place of residence, or for car
rylng on mechanical business, requiring but
little power, or by steam, it has many advanta-
ges 1t is on the line of the P. & R. Railroad,
affording easy communication with all the bust
ness centres. The village is pleasantly located
and the inhabitants generally independent and
many of them wealthy. Connected with its
past history are the names of some of the ablest
men of the State, prominent among whom
are Hon. John Holmes, Judge Goodenow, At
torney General Appleton, Hon. Bion Bradbury,
B. j. Herrick, esq.,, Hon. Nathan Dane, etc
1t is distinguished mainly as the shire town of
York county, where the good men and true are
summoned to set on jury, or to testify in the
case of State v. John Roe, or in some other
case. The County Buildings are sufficient to
answer all the purposes of the county, except
the Jail, and that ought to be indicted as nui-
sance. While the course some would adopt in
building palaces for criminals or for poor debt
Ors, the worst of all criminals in public estima-
ton may not be advisable, common humanity
demands that proper regard should be had fol
| the comfort and health of those who are COM
mitted to Jail on suspicion of being guilty of a
crime of which they may be able to prove
themselves innocent. Mr. Mark NOVEL; OF
Berwick, rs years of age, was committed ia
Jail in September last, charged with threaten
ing to set fire to a building. He was required to
give bonds in the sum of 500 to keep the peace
On Saturday last he was released by the kind
hand OF death, yesy much to the satisfaction
no doubt, of persons who are said to be in pos
session of several thousand dollars worth of his
property for which they gave him no consider
alton. Mr.. NOVEL; was well known in the
county as school teacher and Sheriff In years
past, and although he was not without his
faults, was PROFESSIONALLY the victim of mis-.
placed confidence. Mr.. Warren, the Sheriff Of
the county, WHO is also jailer, does everything
for the comfort OF those committed to his care
that the county gives him the means of doing
There are now in the Jail about thirty prise ners
mainly committed for light offences while DRUM
or for getting drunk, the most of whom if in fol-
long term would feel the force of the language
of Patrick Henry-''give me liberty or give me
1t would be doing the County great injustice
however, not to state that the erection of a new
Jail has been decided upon and the foundation
laid. learn that the County Commissioners
will petition the Legislature for the power t.
raise the necessary means to go on and com
plete the building. The building when compile
ted will be an honor to the county and in full
compliance with the demands of humanity
The facilities afforded by the railroad to get
timber from one point to another has stimulat.
ed the lumbering operations in this vicini
ty. MI. Charles McKenney of Bar Mills, i,
cutting large quantity, all along the line Of
the road, paying the Railroad Co. $50 day fol
an engine and cars to get it to his mills, Mr.. B
G. Jordon is getting out quite large quantit,
OF ship timber, and Mr.. Libby is getting out thu
timber for spiles for the B. & NJ Railroad. S
d e. Littlefeld at thelmill, at the lower vii
lage in Alfred, are getting out quite large
quantity of manufactured lumber. Thomas
Holland is manufacturing wooden blankets on
S-NS Ss.AS ooASe'AiA' 4ACSSiS. L6aVltt
q 20. are getting out about 1000 pairs of pant,
month for the Boston market. They hay,
one of the largest and most commodious store:
in York county, and have an extensive trade
Several of the farmers have turned their atten-
ton to the sale of milk, sending from six to ten
cans day to Portland by the P & R, railroad
The Society of Shakers have not succeeded i,
disposing of their property here, el.hnugh the,
have sold large tract of wood land The spirit
OF the age does not appear to be very fayorabl,
the growth of this Society, their number hav
ing been reduced from near 200 to about Co.
They are very industrious, quiet law-abidins
people, and if we had none worse in our count,
the expenses would be far less. They value
their estate at 100000, which amount woult
enable them to purchase large tract of land il
the West, where the surrounding influences ar,
not so liable to lead away their members.
The remains of several buildings DESTROYED by
fire still remain undisturbed and will, probably
until new impeteus is given to business by tn,
| introduction of manufacturing that can be car
ried on by steam. There has been considera
BILE talk about shoe mandatory, and hav,
no doubt liberal policy would be adopted BY
the town as an inducement for capitalists to in
vest here. C.