Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-24
THE s VEDISH SETTL ENENT.

The editor of the Presque Isle Sunrise hav-
ing seen reports in the papers representing
the Swedish settlement In Aroostook to be in
poor condition, made visit to the colony
to ascertain the state of affairs there, and pub
fishes full statement in the last issue of his
paper lie found the crops large and promis-
ing and the people generally comfortable and
contented The following is the closing part
Of his article.
We cannot tell what are the thoughts of
men and women, and whether they are happy
and contented, except by the outward appear
ance. When people are smiling, cheerful
and gay, when they speak hopefully and en-
couragingly of their prospects, when they call
their prospect of a good crop first rate,
when they utter no Responding words but en-
gage Id gleeful and cheerful conversation with
callers, we take it they are contented, hope
full and happy. We called and took lunch
at Mr.. Peltz's in company with Mr.. Wren
and Rev. MIR. Wiberg the clergyman who sup
piled for Mr.. Wren during his absence. Mr..
Wren informed US Mr.. Peltz was in Sweden
a wealthy farmer, worth from $40, 900 to $780,
600, but had been unfortunate and lost his
property, and came here with the first com
pany in 1870. Mrs. Peltz is lady of fine
culture, highly educated, speaks fuently Eng
lish, Swedish. and German, plays the piano
and organ with wonderful skill and taste. She
entertained us with as much grace and digni-
ty as can any lady in Presque Isle entertain
her guests. She had no word or sign of dis
content or any thing of the kind.
How many have left the settlement we have
no means of knowing. We saw but one house
which was not occupied, and that was un.
wisely built in a cedar swamp, against the adj
vice of the Land Agent and Mr.. Thomas. Mr..
Wren informed US that there is now about l25
families in the colony, or 600 persons. At all
the houses at which We called the men were
at home or at work in the fields. Of course
some have gone who were once here, but no
more than ought to have been expected.
We saw no family that appeared to be in
want of food or suffering for any of the neces
saries of life. Some no doubt are more des-
titute than others. Mr.. Wren said there
were none who were assisted by public char
ity except few who had been sick. One
widow who lives in Woodland, whose hus-
band recently died, leaving large family, had
been assisted by Lyndon. Another family
whose father is sick with consumption, has
also been assisted, and so have few others,
but the most of them have and will continue
to provide for themselves. Their large crops
will soon be harvested. They have now an
abundance of peas, beans, and other early
vegetables, and the talk that the Swedes are
suffering for food more than in other newly
settled neighborhoods at this season of the
year, is so superlatively ridiculous to those
who know about new settlements, that it ex-
cites only smile. Mr.. N. s. Lufkin, Hon.
j. S. Arnold and others, said there are many
families in Lyndon quite as poor and desti-
tute as any that can be found in New Sweden.
A gentleman in our Office this morning re-
marked to us that he knew six families in one
neighborhood, not many miles from this vii
lage, not one of whom had cow, and lady
present said that she was in house in Wash
burn the other day, ~hen the family were eat
ing their dinner, and all there was on the
table was string beans, of which they were
making their dinner.
There has for year or more been store
in New Sweden near the capitol, patroRized
wholly by the trade of the Swedes. We are
informed that last winter they bought of the
Swedes two millions of shingles, and they
sold large quantities besides at Caribou. The
present occupant of the store, Mr. Perry Nc
Intire, has been there since July 10, one
month. He has traded with them to the
amount of 5000 in cash, and bought of them
1875 thousand of shingles, although it is a very
dull season of the year for trade.
Iu our article of Aug. 5, we stated that II
registered packages had passed this Office
since April 20, directed to New Sweden.
Since that four others for that place have
passed, and the Postmaster at Caribou in
forms US that a large number of registered
letters directed to that office, are for parties
in New Sweden.
We close with the remark which is an opin-
ion often expressed that in fifteen years New
Sweden will be the most independent and we'll
to do agricultural town in Arooostook.