The Portland daily press., 1873-03-10
The Lime and Granite City.
RoCKLAND, March s, 1877:

~ Ue LUHOT VI WS fFeSS t'.s...
At this season of the year Rockland presents
to a stranger quiet aspect. Few vessels lie at
the wharves. The fires are out in the lime
kilns The workmen are off, some to the woods
numbering; others battling the storms of wintry
seas in coasting vessels. Ask the merchant:
''How is b,lsiness?" and his answer is recap
erating.' The ship builder; the ship broker;
the lime companies return the same answer.
That one word ''recuperating'' lets you into the
secret of tine business life of this thriving city.
The quarying, manufacture and shipment of
lime constitutes the principal business. There
are fifty eight lime kilns in the city of Rock
land, capable Of turning out 100000 casks of
lime yearly. Two hundred and fifty vessels
are employed in transporting this single article
| OF commerce to the various markets on the sea-
board, from Halifax to Texas This vast re-
source of one city of our State gives employment
to thousands of men. Until within couple of
years every manufacturer, and there were many,
put his lime upon the market at his own con-
venicnce and price, The market became glut-
ted, as was natural, and prices fuctuated The
"Ccbb Lime Company was organized by a
combination of the principal manufacturers
their object being to regulate the market and
produce lime ct lower uniform rates. Francis
Cobb is president, and H. W. Wright, treasur-
er. The company own forty-four kilns and
two-thirds of the quarries in the town. The
quarries begin about mile and quarter from
the city and extend three miles further out.
The cost of transporting the rock to thu city
last year was $4,000. The company, last win
ter, obtained a charter to build railroad from
the quarries to the kilns, which will diminish
the expense of transportation. Last year
they manufactured $4,000 casks. c. A B.
Morse & Co. of Portland, last year sold $4,000
casks for this company. Next week, if this
warm weather continues, the kilns will be fired
Another profitable branch of business, the
headquarters of which are located here, is the
'Bodwell Granite Company" j. r. Bodwell,
president; T. Cobb, treasurer. The capital
stock of this company Is 100000 They own
and operate fourteen quarries, employing 1900
men and eighty yoke of oxen. The quarries
are located Fox, Vinalhaven and Spruce
head Islands. This company take no contracts
for less than 100000. They furnish granite
for East river bridge, New York, and the State
and War Departments Washington, D. c. The
company heve just received contract to furnish
stone for an additional story to the New York
custom house, which will take about $4,000
yards of stone.
There is a shoe factory here employing $50
hands, with capital stock of $4,000; steam
grst mill company with a capital of $4,000,
and brass and iron foundry with a capital
stock of $4,000. @
Rockland has banking capital Of $270, 900.
Fl. Berry, Esq, President of Lime Rock Bank,
has just completed arrangements for the organ
ization of a new national bank, more banking
cap tai being needed. The only national bank
here, the "Rockland," is about to remove to its
splendid new quarters They have recently
purchased building, fitting it upat an expense
of $4,000. The desks and counters are of wal
nut, inlaid the walls frescoed, and the whole
interior is exceedingly tasty. The vault is
double lined with steel and iron. The chests
costs 5000. This bank paid twelve per cent
last year. Its stock stands at 1874
Among the prominent new buildings is Far
well & Ames' block, containing splendid hail.
1t Will seat 200 and is fitted with stage seem
cry. This hall was built from design by Fas-
sett Portand's distinguished architect, and
cost SZS,UUU. non. IN. IA. IdTWell mas always
been "the man of the town." but his liberality
and regard for the town as demonstrated by
building this hall, has greatly increased the adj
miration of the citizens for him.
AS soon as spring opens work will begin on
the new custom house and post Office, for which
s75, 900 have been appropriated. 1t will be of
granite and greatly add to the architectural
beauty of the city.
Next Tuesday, Judge Cutting opens court
here The docket is unusually full.
Thia morning about two o'clock, a fire broke
out in ''Lynde Hotel" The hotel was four
story wooden building, with a mansard roof
and large ell. The fire originated in the base
ment and spread rapidly to the roof. The build
ing was Quilted. 1t cost $4,000; and was insur-
ff u,, on house $4,000, furniture $4,000. The
Init n,,a was all saved. This calamity leaves
whose e MOTEL in the city, the ''Thorndike House"
kn nTSu nptropnrietors Keiock g. White are well
the to the travelling public as procents in
Ter will sill OF o. Keeping hote'' The travel
scrint IKE Mr. Elwel of the Portland Tram
sperps iase evening delivered his ' ,aotl,r nra
begins to show III the fields hhe stub6ie