Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-07-19


-SroBrs IN AND AROUND Ir-A PLEAsAsT
RRCNoN.
ST. JoaK, July l6, 1874.
Once year the editors, publishers and
orinte r. of the State of Maine-or a Goodly
number of them-throw down the quill and
stick, and spend a few days in relaxation.
And 80 on Monday, the l4th, according to
preconcerted arrangement, they gathered on
the lines Of travel leading to Bangor, and
took their way towards that city, where they
had very agreeable rendezvous at the Ban
sor House in the evening. This house has
been recently enlarged; it is now one of the
largest as we'll as one of the hest kept hetels
in the State. There the comfort OF our party
was specially attended TO. Our numbers
were between fifty and sixty, afterwards ~
creased bv additions TO nearly twice that num-
her. Man, ladies were in the party, and
there were%s few invited guests, some from
without as we'll ~ within the Stat
Little vas done At Bangor excep, TO renew
old acquaintance and get ready for the march
eastward. At eight o'clock Tuesday morn
ing all were aboard the cars OF the European
and North American Railroad, bound tor st.
John, with clear sky over our heads, good
breeze from the west, and the dust laid on
the track by . shower during the night. This
road IL still broad guage. 1t is apparently in
excellent condition. From the Penobscot to
the cline" i, lie very level country, the best
have seen in the State TOR railroad building
by all Odds 1t will not be a very expensive
Job to thread the larger portion of our eastern
territory with railroads, nor probably is the
day far distant when it will be done.
At vanceboro VIC stopped twenty minutes
for dinner--iime about half past one. Here
there is a very fair refreshment room, but it
WAS somewhat overtaxed by the hungry crowd
that poured into it. Dinner over We resumed
our places in the cars, and coon were across
the st. Croix at this place and in the Domin-
ion of Canada. The custom house officer
made his appearance at Vanceboro, and was
busy on the train examining baggage until we
reached the famous MacAdam Junction, FIVE
miles beyond Eanccboro, where the European
and North American road intersects the New
gers changed cars for the other road and here
the custom house officer, who was courteous
and quiet in the discharge of his somewhat
pefplexing duties, finished his work and took
leave Of US. MacAdam Junction has not a
very high reputation. 1t looks no better than
it IL rated. In one of the principal houses a
COW stood looking out from the front door at
us, and shades Of pigs adorned the front yards
Of other habitatiohs, too poor to squeal
From the St. Croix onward the country is I'M
settled and desolate. There are few farms,
and few buildings worth mentioning until we
draw near the ST. John valley. The soil is
poor. The timber upon it has been destroyed.
A second growth is under way, which is
worthless at its present stage. But as we ap.
proach the ST. John signs Of thrift appear in
the buildings, and we'll cultivated fields are
seen, while the country becames more broken
and the scenery is pleasing after the dreary
ride across the waste from Lincoln to Freder.
rick Junction. We strike the ST. John and
run down its western hank to Carleton, reach
ing that place at six O'Clock, where we disem.
bark and are ferried over the river in steam
ferry boat to the eastern shore, having trav-
eled POS miles since leaving Bangor in the
morning at eight.
And here we are in 81. John, AT the Victo.
ria Hotel, spacious, we'll built and well con-
Quoted house built upon the highest point in
the centre Of the city, and displaying from its
roof the colors of the United States and Great
Britain, in honor Of the coming of our party.
Members Of the press of st. john met us on
the train several miles before We reached the
city, and we have received the most courte
Gus attention from the body during our stay,
which some of our brethren will notice more
particularly than can. All the papers gave
US cordial greetings in very handsome edito-
rails, slightly imperfect however as to some
names and facts, for which probably the wri-
tiers were not to blame. Everything that
could be done for Us at the Victoria Hotel was
done, but large as the house is it was packed
full and cots had to be spread in the parors
for the accommodation Of many of our party
st. John 10 dingy looking city, in which
enterprise 10 struggling with unthrift and
dilspidstion for the mastery. In the heart of
the city there are ancient looking, rickety,
tumble down buildings, occupying what ought
to be the most prominen, places for business
and residences--two story old fashioned hou
ses many Of which can scarcely stand alone
and here and there among them new block
has been started, marking the beginning of
new order of things. The foundation Of the
city 10 ledge. The streets are regularly laid
out, wide and neatly kept. Its population is !
5000, valuation about GIG 600 900, imports |
in 69-70 s. ,406,3ll, and exports the same
year e3,54l ,lo7. its business is iumbe ing,
shipbuilding and commerce. Situated on the
Bay ofFundy, At the mouth of the St. John.
oeo miles from its source, 1. is we'll located in
commercial point Of view. The tide rises
and falls at its wharves from 2i 10 % fl.
Many vessels have been built within a wear.
bat the ysrds are not full at present. Eight
cen large mills TOR the manufacture OF INN.
Der are in operation on the river near and in
the city. while several fine steamers and saiI.
Ing vessels and . large feet of smaller Graf,
are in the waters of the hsrbor.
e~The suspension bridge which crosses the
river It . narrow gorge between high lodges
from the city to the town Of Portland on the
saatera aide n n fnp structure and from 1,