Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-17
LETTER FROM DIX ISLAND.
DIX ISLAND, Aug. ~, 1874,

DlA ISLAND, aug. *, lo'f'
To the Editor of the Kennebec Journal:
We are again domiciled In our old abode.
A gain the click of the stone-cutter's hammer
greets our ears, and anon a loud report like
the discharge of an artillery train shakes the
very foundations upon which we stand
Does it annoy us? Not at all; on the con-
trary, it is sweet music to again hear the
noise, din, and catter of busy life.
"Money makes the mare go" is trite but
true saying, and it is very applicable here
just now An appropriation from Congress
has transformed the semi-deaih like stiffness
of the island into beehive of industry
Work was resumed here the 18th ultimo. with
a force of three hundred cutters, the depart
ment strictly forbidding the employment of
larger number. This was disappointment
to many, for to my certain knowledge five
hundred men were waiting in the vicinity of
Rockland for work to commence. This will,
however, be in q measure alleyiated, as the
Clark's Island Company have secured gov
eminent contract-the supply and cutting of
granite for the Post Office at Hartford, Conn,
its cost being limited to $1,000 of which
sum $3.50, 900 has already been appropriated.
This is but a small contract compared with
ours, and will not require so large force,
one hundred cutters probably being sufIi-
Gent.
The stone being cut and dressed here, is
for the United States Post-office and Court
House at Philadelphia, Pa, and although it
is not to be AS costly as the New York Post
office, it will, nevertheless, be in point Of
style and elaborate finish, second to none in
the United States. Philadelphia is hand
some city, and it would i'll become our gov
eminent to be nigeardly in the construction
of an ediice that should be an ornament to
the city as well as credit to the government
that wills its erection.
Let Uncle Sam build his post offices and
court houses. 1t gives employment 1t
keeps wicked men from plotting and becom
ing seditious, 1t is antsgonistic to bread
riots and will be the same to factious riots.
1t Stays grim want, and it shows to the world
that we are prosperous and great. We do not
build our palaces for hereditary numskulls
and despotic rulers. No! They are bnilt for
the people. for it is the people who are the
builders, rulers and inhertors of all this.
The government and compsny's official
force here remains about the same, with the
exception of Capt. Wyman, who supersedes
Hon. George Goodwin as government store
keeper, Mr.. Goodwin going to Fox Island in
the same capacity. Mr.. r. L. Fogg assumes
once more the superntendency. while d. II.
Smith, Esq remains the company's agent,
and Henry Roberts, chief foreman of the
working force. Mr.. Fogg has fitted up for
himself and family one of the cosicst little
places on the island, where l presume he
means to enjoy himself to his hearts content,
free for the present from the annoyances and
perplexties of boarding house life.
Cyrus Eaton, in his history of Rockland
and Thomaston, speaking of discoveries made
in this vicinity, states that on Dix Island an
ancient burying ground was discovered in
which many skeletons much decayed seemed
to have been buried in circle, with their feet
pointing inwards toward the centre, though
in somewhat confused and ndistinct condition
from decay and time. Here is food for the
imagination. Who knows but this insignif-
cant isle was once Malta? By what, now
obsolete ceremonial were these relics Of bye
cones inferred? Tread softly. Perhaps we
walk on sacred ground. ERyx.
BEECUER'S STATEMENT.