Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-07-25
to Halifax and back to St. John, and who

I j
acter. The western section passes through
level country, but the eastern has heavy EN-.
bankments and deep cuts, many of them
through solid ledge long distance. Large
gangs Of men are still at work upon the r,ai
perfecting it. The trains are run with great
care, the employees attending strictly to their
duties. The conductors are obliging, looking
to the comfort of the passengers as well as
after their tickets. The rates for freight and
passengers are low the government policy
being to make them as cheap as possible and
have the road pay expenses If the govern
ment continues 10 hold and conduct the road
an example will be afforded whereby we
may judge as to the practical merits OF State
management and owership OF railroads.
| But it is rumored that it will be consolidated
with lines east, forming part of one great line
that shall extend from Halifax to '',he Lord
only knows where OF this cannot speak
with knowledge. but at present it is in the
hands Of the go' eminent.
| Our route for the first fifty miles lay up the
! valley of the kennebeccasis, a fine stream
not INV orihy TO be the little sister of our own
kennebec. as its name implies. Everywhere
along this valley are fine farms, of upland,
intervale and meadow. with neat nnd thrifty
looking village such as are common in New
England. As we pass along we have glance
at the place where the famous hoaf race took
place. The crops have promising appear
ance, especially the grass. which the farmers
have commenced TO now. is We approach
the head waters of the Petticodac settle
ment of people of French descent is pointed
out TO u. They have a fine situAtion. but
their houses are small and shabby, and we
were told they are destitute Of III enterprise,
making no Improvement from generation TO
generation. The remains of an old fort are
sign that this country has not always been as
peaceful a. al present As we progressed we
noticed change IN the color OF the soil and
rocks. At first faint reddish stresks appeared,
which gradually increased as we went east
ward, until the reddish appearance prevailed
everywhere. At Moncton. Sc miles from ST.
John, the three branches of the Iutercolonisl
join. and here are extensive government
works for railroad purposes. on most favor
able site, where houses are being rapidly
erected and large population must soon be
established. The government still continues
extending its works which are laid out on 4
large scale, with buildings and appliances of
the best and most substantial character. This
brings us to the "Iaend" of the Petticodiac,
where We swing to the southeast and fellow
this steam until it empties into Shepody Bay
At Amherst stop for dinner; we are al
lowed forty minutes TO eat and refresh. This
station is 1913 miles from ST. John. nearly
midway between that place and Halifax. The
dinner here is excellent, well cooked. album
dsnt, and served by walters neat and active.
We all pronounce this first class eating
room. Before reaching Truro we find a
rough country, with scenery picturesque and
romantic. We pass the mos, charming val
ley have ever seen. The railroad runs
along the side of steep hills which ex
tend considerable distance, and we
look down upon this valley reposing below
us as upon a perfect picture of rural happi-
ness. Over these hills the snow is trouble
some and at certain points snow sheds are
to be erected as protection Folleigh
IakeTs pretty sheet Of water embosomed
in bills covered " ith heavy growth of timber
We have seen forests Of large extent, and are
told that large business is still done in this
region at numbering.
Truro is at the head Of the Bay at Fundy.
Ii is connected by rail with Pic,ou, famous
for its coal, which is used largely in New
Brunswick aud Nova Scotia. | should have
said that passed the line between New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia near the Amherst
Station. NJ Truro one OF the Press Of that
place came on the cars and went with us sew
eral miles. The growth of the place is re-
ceiving some impetus from the opening of the
Intercolonial Railway, as is witnessed by the
buildings being erected, which we could see.
Indeed the opening of the Intercolonial.
which it will be remembered took place only
last spring, gives new life to all the country
through which it passes. There seems TO be
general feeling of pleasure too, at being thus
connected so closely with the United States,
| as though this means of INSTRUMENTATION
will be the means of striking new fire from
| the Provincial heart. ard disseminating ideas
that will advance the prosperity of our neigh
bors, in which W. hope and believe they are
| correct.
All the country through which this road
passes and with which it is connected is rich
in its soil, minerals and lumber. /. needs
only capital and industry to deyelope wealth
and make it bloom with prosperous cities and
villages. This may be said of nearly the
whole distance from 81. John to Halifax, Ma
turc has done as much for these Provinces as
for the most favored parts Of New Eugland.
The difference between them is not of her
making, but Is due to some other cause which
we Yankees think may be found without
searching far. / think the Nova Sco,ian who
wrote Sam Slick had good understan ing
Of the root OF the matter, learning his
4. neghbors lesson, which though overstrained
: both As regards their and our peculiar charac-
j.. terjstics, conveys a large amount Of truth in
an admirable manner to take hold of the pub
= lie mind.
o The masonry of this road il mostly CON
= structed of a reddish free stone. But in this
=, eastern section Of Nova Scotia are the quar-
ries OF brown free stone, used in most of the
public buildings and large blocks in the Prov
= ince, and shipped in large quantities to the
h United States and employed IL our princi pal
+ cities for building purposes.
Several miles from Halifax We were met hy
members Of the Press from thst city, who
'e came out to look after us and pilot us to the
city. Their greeting was as warm as that of
n brethren. and their attentions unremittinp.
Our party Will never forget the kindness of
)" our Halifax friends Of the Press, thus begun
x, on the intercolonial Hallway. We had in the
Is car with us also the Episcopal Bishop of
>, Halifax, who proved an Interesting and in
- structive companion
l. At $50 y. Nj. We reached the depot, which
2. is situated about q mile and half outside the
is city. TWAS raining moderately as VIC dis