Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-17
LETTER FROM BROOKS.

To the Editor of the Journal:
Our winter, which began in pretty good
season in November, called off its forces .
week ago, and we experienced some mi der,
and some enjoyable weather. A thaw took
off nearly all the snow in the open land, and
left the roads rough and bad. Saturday
down come enough snow to make good sleigh
ing again, and winter seems to have renewed
his grab.
Our quiet town has sheen gone and done
it," and has managed to run in debt some
$35, 900. 1t has a valuation Of 5000, l76, and
a population of $50 in 1870, 4 decrease Of l52
since 1850. Brooks i. located on the Belfast
Branch of the Maine Central r. R.. twelve
miles from Belfast and twenty from
Burnham Junction. 1t was settled by
Mr.. Joseph Roberts 10 1899, who set
the good example of large family by his
twenty-four children. The town was named
in honor of Governor Brooks of Massachu-
setts-not for Bully Brooks. 1t WAS incor-
porated the cloth, town Dec. 10Th 1916. or four
years before Maine became q State. Its
plantation name was Washington.
Messrs Rich and Chase are engaged exten.
sively in buying hay which they ship over
the railroad to Boston, paying the farmers the
highest market price for the same. They ship
forty to fifty tons per day or 200 to 800 tons
per week. This firm is one of the most re-
liable in the country, and 10 composed of DR..
A. w. Rich, and Mr.. Michael Chase, both
old and we'll known citizens, though both are
comparatively young men in the full vigor Of
manhood. They have storage barns at
Brooks, Knox and Thorndike. When the
doctor" goes for cars he means business
and generally succeeds in effecting his pur-
pose. The railroad is receiving a large
through freighting business at their hands,
and appreciates it by putting themselves out
somewhat to accommodate. Week before
last they sent them a special train of cars.
If Brooks could be relieved of its incubus of
debt it would prosper and grow.
Our schools are keeping and are generally
successful. Csssius M. Ferguersen is teach
ing in No. or village district; Mr. Race Of
Belfast in No. 2 or South Brooks; Mr.. Chase
of Munroe in No. 6 or Little6eld district;
Mr.. John Stephenson Of Knox in No. or
Ellis district; and Mr.. Clemen. in No. or
Foss district. No. 4 and No. 8 are not keep
ing yet. No. or West Brooks district have
recently expended some $500 in repairing
their house.
At the recent annual meeting of Marsh
River Lodge F. A. NJ. the following officers
were elected for the ensuing year: Jonas X.
Gardner, w. M; Chas. w. Bradford, s. W.;
David L. Flanders, ]. W.; M. J. Dow, Sec. |;
DR.. A. w. Rich, Treas. Horatio X. Jones, S.
D.; f. Davis, J. B.. VIM. C. Rowe. S. s.;
James II. Kai.es, j. s.; A. B. C. Boberts
Tyler. Fred z. Shaw Lodge No. 342 l. O.
G. r., instituted last fall by Bro. II. Wood
bury recently deceased, is flourishing finely,
and good interes. manifested. The Lodge
has question for discussion each evening in
addition to usual routine work. Chas. W.
Bradford is w. c. r; Miss Clara A. Forbes,
W. V. T.; j. w. Lang, Secretary.
Jones, Staples and Small recently COM
pleted their seasons operations in slelghs and
punss. They made some seventy, and turn
out very good work. The saw mills of the
town are going to decay, the lumber being
about all used up. Fire-wood on many farms
is getting scarce. A grange Of Patrons of
Husbandry will soon be organized here.
Trade is rather dull; there 10 q call for car
load of potatoes occasionally at 30 cents per
bushel. There has been quite revival in
terest at Brooks village under the labors Of
Rev. A. N. Jones, Congo and the Society
of Friends. The many friends of Mrs Sybil
Jones in this vicinity, were panied t. learn
her death by your last weeks paper, and
deeply sympathize with the bereaved friends
thus called to mourn. QUIx.