Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-06-05
Squirrel Isiand-E1cursion-Op o
the Season-Building Operations.

A party numbering some forty gentlemen,
from this city, Hallowell, Gardiner, and
Lewiston, made an excursion on Wed
nesday to Squirrel Island, in the steam
er Magnet" The most of these were
stockholders in the Association, and made
their first trip to the Island this season, for the
purpose Of examining their property there,
or of mapping cut plans of building enterpris-
es for the year. The sail down the Kennebec
is at any time during the summer or early
fall delightful, but it is peculiarly charming
at this season of budding promise, when the
green fields sloping down to the rivers banks,
are clothed in their deepest green. Neat
farm houses with their surroundings, betok
ening a wealth of domestic joy and peace,
greet the eye or the steam mill, ice house or
ship yard speak of activity and enterprise.
The steamer left the wharf in Augusta at half
past seven in the morning, and made the run
to Squirrel Island in about five hours, which
may be considered good work for the first
time She was less than two hours in making
the trip from Bath to the Island. Mr.. Ham
of Lewiston, the President of the Association,
was on the wharf to greet the company. The
beaming countenance of John Sidney, the
faithful Scandinavian, showed itself like a
full moon wreathed in bouquet of smiles, as
the kind hearted "king of the Island" greeted
his returning children after their six months
wandering amid the SHOWS of winter. 1t
made all think of sea-weed tonic and clans,
| and brought back the appetite for cunners, to
grasp the thick, broad, honest hand of this
Swedish toiler of the seas. Dinner was wait
ing at the house-a dinner fit for the Presi-
dent of Squirrel Island-and to this a large
party paid their heartiest compliments. On
| the return trip, which was made the latter
part of the afternoon, the party, on motion Of
Major Rowell of Hallowell, proposed vote
of thanks to the owners of the steamer for
prov iding the excursion, and the courtesies
shown during the day, which had been one of
great pleasure.
The "Magnet' is steamer Of some thirty
| tons, and has for some time past been used as
| an excursion boat in Portland harbor. She is
owned by Capt. Jason Collins of the steamer
''Star of the East" (who commanded her on
the trip Wednesday, Wesley Collins, c. A.
and j. ID. White OF Gardiner, and one or two
others. She is reckDned a fast boat, and al
though rather small for excursions on large
scale, is capable Of carrying one hundred and
fifty passengers. The owners intend to paint
| the craft, put her in good trim, and place her
on the route between this city and Squirrel
| Island about the 10Th of June.
| The property on the Island has suffered no
| detriment from the storms or other causes.
Everything is in excellent condition no set
| Ting to the houses, for the most of them have
| been built upon solid rock no vandsl hand
| has troubled any of the dwellings, the contents
being found just as they were left by their oc-
| cupants. One family left plate of butter in
| the cupboard, but it had not been removed by
rat, mouse, or any such thing-showing the
great strength of the butter.
The Directors of the Association held a
| meeting on the afternoon of the excursion and
| voted to proceed at once to the opening and
| improvement of streets. The main highway,
| leading from the wharf to the farm house,
will be turnpked, and the streets leading by
| Col. Chase's and other property, will be laid
out. Mr.. Mitchell of Lewiston is to continue
| in charge of the bowling alley and of leasing
| land to those who wish to tent. Those who
desire to indulge in the amusement of bowl
| ing may do so at the cost of ten cents per
''string." Ladies indulge in this amusement ;
| therefore all smoking in the alley is strictly
| forbidden. Tenters cannot drive their stakes
where they please in this "sacred soil" but
must take the places to which they are as
| signed. The Treasurer of the Association
reports about $500 in the treasury, and more
| to come in shortly from lots already sold.
| The price of lots remains at 500 per quarter
acre should the future increase of the popu-
| lation of the Island compare at all with the
past, lots will be worth thrice that sum six
| years hence.
Carpenters are now at work on the island,
| erecting several houses. That of MIR. +. l..
| Dingley of the Lewiston Journal, is to be an
| elegant affair, outshining the more humble
| summer residence of his brother, the Cover
nor. President Cheney of Bates College, has
a new two-story house all ready to move into.
Messrs. Stanwood and Tower are putting an
ell on either side of their elegant Swiss cot
tage. They evidently want more company.
When man enlarges his house on the Island
it is the same thing as issuing cards of invita-
ton for his neighbors and friends to ''come
and see him;" at least that is the interpreta-
ton the aforesaid neighbors and friends put
upon it, Several parties are prospecting the
Island with view to building, among them
Hon. Charles Shaw of Dexter, L. d. Emer-
son, Esq, of West Waterville. Marshall