Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-09-09
4 TRIP TO THE AROOSTOOR.

give Joy to the pleasure seekers. So as one
continues on in the cars, after leaving the
steamboat, up the river as far as the junction
of the Mattawaumkeag, he fluids much to en-
Joy and instruct. We pass Odtown with its
numerous mills and lumber yards and booms
of logs, employing hundreds of men, and
sending its products to all parts of the world
by means of the shipping at Bangor. But
beyond Mauawamkeag we see mills, tam
neries and other manufactures of various
kinds, though mostly for lumber, at various
places on the route. Occasionally we see a
temporary village (in LOOKS at least) put up
for the sole purpose of carrying on this man
ufactory. We get good view of Mt. Katah
din, In the distance, but the main view is
rocks and forests or the relics of forests,
fire and the axe having played sad havoc
with this wealth OF Maine, now an abundance,
will it always be theus?
Our fathers tell US how the forests in Au-
gusta were burned and wasted to clear the
land. Now wood is very high. Is there not
some better way of dealing with this ncum-
brance than wasting it?
One other thought occurs to us, why send
so much lumber abroad in the gross when
the carrying of the manufactured article is
much less in proportion to the value? Why
not sell labor as well as material? A friend
remarked as we passed along, and the fact of
the ice trade became a subject of remark,
that Names wealth lay in her labor, for most
of the value of ice and granite was in the la
Dor. But in lumber there is the material, and
if Maine puts in labor also the advantage is
manifest.
1t is good country to mediate through
Gas you go) and when we got out of the cars
at four z. NJ, at Houlton station, and they
told us we were in Aroostook, whether it was
the fact of the promised land being reached
or the country had really changed in the last
few ILiles, we could not tell, till we had
rubbed our eyes and came upon the rise of
land just out of the village of I1oulton, and
truly it was a beautiful sight. Stretching far
away was rolling country, in the foreground
the village, back and on either side were
farms large and handsome with orchards, nice
q
land. We said what contrast No wonder
the inhabitants tell of their goody heritage.
We found few friends, good hotel, Hou-
ton Exchange, thriving village and a "set
up" people. One would almost think he was
in western town, as there was an absence
of stones and the soil was very dark and rich.
Aroostook is country of itself. 1t seems
cut off from the rest of the State, and the
people while holding a common feeling with
the rest for the good of tie State, speak
of the other portion as outside. "What they
do outside" and chow is it outside" were
common expressions. Then considering the
size of the county about one fifth of the State,
or nearly as large as the State of Massachu.
setts, one finds they have some reason to be
independent. Her soil is the best in the
State. Her timber almost an inexhaustible
source Of wealth, and her facilities tor max
ing living a. home far surprising many por-
tons of the State and New England even.
Her farmers are many of them independent.
Good houses, better barns, large fields of
grain and vegetables. At Mr.. Parkhurst's
in May sville, where we dined, we saw a field
OF ~ acres OF wheat, which he thought would
yield at least 20 bushels per acre, and 80
acres of oats 40 bushels, and IA acres of po-
tatoes. He also had large fields of hay, has
fine herd of Durhams and does his work
with fine blooded horses.
We saw many other farms that presented
good showing to the passerby, but saw no
such diminutive farming as is seen where
rock etc restrict blowing and tillng.
Hay is grand good crop and source of
export
One man at Houlton, Capt. Putnam, or
"Ol Put" said he cut IA tons from acres
the present season, and would without doubt
get enough from the second crop to make
tons per acre. The present year, the grass
was not so good, as it was winter killed.
We passed up by stage over terrible road.
as all the "stuff" for the upper country is
hauled over this road to Presque Isle.
Thence by means of our friend Mr.. Averills
horse and wagon, to his house in Fort Fair
field. Many thanks to him and his, for kind
nesses and entertainment. We spent a couple
of days at Fort Fairfield village, thence TO
Caribou, and last il not least to New Sweden.
And what do We find? A good road to the
capital, good farming country, fair buildings,
and Swedish school in session. The teacher
Is pleasant and shows US around tells us
about the children, hears a lesson in Swedish,
which is all sound and actions Without sense
to us, yet rather a smooth flowing language,
and had the scholars sing, with which wewere
very much pleased. The scholars study
aloud, and if they do not loud enough he
speaks to them. Some of the Swedes are
some distance from. the capital market, and
have no good roads TO get to them, but to
certain extent this is their own fault, as we
are informed than they were to build roads
other than the one leading from the capital
to Caribou. Some of them have no teams,
and a few are needy, but if the Yankee can
make himself rich and independent as we
have seen, when he starts with nothing, sure
ly the Swede can, when he has some clearing
done for him, and buildings put up besides,
and as reports say, came with some money.
But has he the enterprise of the Yankee.
Let US see!
We were pleased TO see and meet good
earnest set OF brethren in the county, as we
found at the Fort and Pressure Isle. Glad to
find so good an attendance on church service
as we found at the Fort.
We might mention more that interested US,
such as the teams, the mills, the teachers in
sttute, conducted by Prof G. 4. Fletcher of
Castine, at Fort Fairfield. But this article is
lengthy, so will pause. W.
WILLIAM lloyd GARRISON on