Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-03-25
The Amdrosco0gin Il OrJort Rail
road.

EVttAs
An enthusiastic meeting OF the cUrpor-
a,ors and friends OF the Audroscoggin
and Oxford Il. L. was held at Bears
Hotel. Norway Village. on Tuesday eve
ming, March 18th. 1873. at which nearly
all the towns on the line Of the road
were represented. The meeting was in
formal, bu; organized uy choosing Hon.
John J. Perry. Of Oxford - President,
and FrCeland Howe, Esq, OF Norway,
as Secretary. Thomas Hoi, Esq., Of
Waieryille. Chief Engineer OF The NJ. c.
r. r, reported that he had made u pre-
limiuary survey OF the road, and an esti-
mate Of cost OF construction. The esti-
mated total expense of building and
eQuippiug the road, from Lewiston to
Umbagog Lake. distance Il miles, i
81, 562 900. Beside the cities OF Lewis
ton aud Auburn. ,he towns ct Minot,
Poland, Oxford, Norway, Waterford. Al
bauy. Bethel. Newry. Grafton and Upton.
through which the road vi. pass, are
fifteen other towns. which VIII contribute
10 the support Of the road. and be bene-
flied thereby. There are eight beauti-
iul lakes, more than lor,y miles in
length, with eighteen townships, Of
splendid timber. winch border on these
waters, and more than twenly other town
ships, which would coutri5ul. to these
lakes. timber OF The choices, kind Mr..
Holt said he found The people a.l along
The line favorable TO the road, and was
confident IL the road Is built, that the
Maine Central will lease il, aud run It.
lie presented = line map Of the entire
louie.
Hon. David lIammon>. OF Bethel,
spoke in favor Of putting 1t though, and
thought j, was 20 bc desired Jy al the
towns along The line It cannot Lc built
by individual subscription. Lu, must be
done by the towns leaning their credit
for ) per cent. Of their valuation. lie
had no doubt that Bethel vii, vote unani-
mously to loan its credit.
\. 5. KimJall. Esq, OF Waterford,
said that he was ia favor Of the road,
and that the people of Waterford would
vote three to one, TO loan lis credit and
thought Albany and S,oaeham would 10
the same.
Gen. Geo. l. Beal, OF Norway, said
that his town would undoubtedly 10 It's
part in the enterprise, and spoke oi the
advantages that woald accrue to the
cities of Lewiston and ACb1rn. and hop
ed they would Join in the enterprise.
Gen. Perry said, Oxford would not be
found wanting. when the vote was taken,
and thought OtisfcId. Poland. and Nj.
not. would also give favorable vote.
If the people Of Lewiston and Auburn
see that the citizens along the line OF the
road, are in earnest in the matter. he
thought they would take hold, and help
Us. lie thought il was rather chimeri'
cal scheme when il was first proposed.
bat the more he looked into it, the more
feasible AMI advantageous il appeared.
Sumner Burnham, Esq, Of Norway,
formerly Of Harrison. spoke for that
town, and said The people were interested
in the road, and would do all that could
be expected Of them.
Geo. d. Bisbee. Esq, OF Buckield
said that his section Of The county felt
q deep interest in the success Of the road.
lie thought it would be we'll to have 4
meeting for organization At Lewiston or
Auburn.
On motion oil Mr.. HammouS, com.
mitee of four was chosen. consisting o.
John J. Perry. Geo. ID. Bisbee. \. 5.
Kimball and Geo /. Beal. TO see what
steps were necessary TO be taken. tor or
ganizalion, and fix time and place for
the first meeting OF the Corporators.
The meeting then adjourned to the
Dining Hall. and partook OF an Oyster
supper furnished by the citizens Of Nor
way.