Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-04-17

To the Eit0rs OF the American -
NORTH BRIDGEwATER, Mass,
April l. 1873

/ tpih " iC'o'
A few lines in regard to this thriving
and interesting village may not be unin'
teresting to the readers of your ever well
come paper, and especially TO those who
have friends residing here. of which there
are at present representatives from nearly
every county of the ''Old Pine Tree State.
This Village of which there are aboul
5000 inhabitants, is situated 10 miles from
Boston on the "Old Colony and Newport
X. r., which gives us six trains into Bos-
ton, and six trains out, between the hours
Off \. NJ. and z. NJ, also two Eastern
and two Southern Mails.
The main portion of the Village is laid
out with Main ST. running North aud
South. branching from this, are streets run
ming East and West ntersecting from both
sides two other streets.
Montello and Pond running parallel
with Maine st. Upon either side OF Maine
81. are shade trees (elm) from fifty to one
hundred years old, indeed, all the streets
are well provided with those ornaments
which are so necessary to the beauty of a
city or village. where in a beautiful sum-
mers evening one may go forth and enjoy
to the fullest extent the beauties of nature.
Appropriations are made annually TO pro-
cure ornamental trees which are to be
placed so as TO do the most good to the
public. There are in town seven religiou,
denominations viz, three Orthodox. one
Methodist, one Universalst one Sweden
burg and one Roman Catholic, all of which
are well attended. Ii the preaching of the
Gospel in its various forms is so well
provided for, the care. In regard to the
young Is none the less so. for the schools
and school buildings rank among the first
in the county. The evil of intoxicaiion
is held in check by the influence OF two
good Templars Lodges. There is also a
Masonic order, and lodge of Oid FeHo,cs,
all of which hold their meetings weekly.
The chief business of the town and that
which gives employment TO many hundred
people Is the Boot and Shoe business.
And TO give your readers an idea OF the
rapid progress Of the town | will quote
from the Boston EpcRiHy Journal of Feb 5.
1873, letter from this place: "Mr. Micah
Faxon, one of our oldest citizens, died at
his residence yesterday morning. MIR. F.
was the first man in this place to engage
IN the shoe business. coming from Ran
dolph in ISL, and commencing the busi-
n trga s.t,
seems Insignificant indeed, but which is
interesting to compare with its present
proportions. Mr.. FaXon had no means at
that time TO transport his goods to Boston
except by his own team. and indeed AT the
first he used to take his weeks produce on
horse back and carry {; to ,hs city ra...-
Ing with the stock for the next weeks work.
Other men soon engaged In the business
and there has scarcely been year from
that time to thi, but has witnessed some
new firm engaging in ii. until at present,
there are not less than sixty different man.
ufactories, all OF them doing good and
increasing business, and some of them
ranking among the largest in the State.
Statistics taken for the year 1871, com.
pute the number of shoes made in town at
live million of pairs, valued at upwards ol
six and one-half million dollars. During
lo.2 the business was largely increased by
the erection of six of the largest factories
in town, and the increased capacity OF
many of the old ones"
We uaw claim, ~, ba tba caanny ,.taoa l.,
the state in the value of the goods pro.
duced, and also in the number of case,
shipped, Lynn only exceeding us. As hel
goods are mostly for ladies wear, we claim
| the leading position in the manufacture OF
mems and boys shoes. Our shipments will
average every week during the year. three
thousand five hundred cases, and often
runs up as high as five thousand cases
and they have reached seven thousand two
hundred and forty cases.
Other enterprises in town are increasing
fast. but more some other time.
The Boot and Shoe business holds forti
| great inducements to young men, and Car
the people of Maine wonder. especially
those who can command capital, why
Maine is losing so many of her sons
Many who wonld prefer dwelling among
their native hills, are obliged, for want o
| employment, to seek it in other States
and until the people, and those with mon
ey, wake up, and see what they are losing
year by year, until then, her sons and her
daughters will 90 forth, and plain it is to
| be seen where the loss will fall.
Yours, L. J. :.