Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-31
FROM QUEBEC TO THE SEA.
The New Line OF Railway through the
Valley of the kennebec and its impOr-
tant COnnectiOns-Meeti In this CITY.

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Lawrence and the Canadian railways at Quebec,
by the most direct route, with the Atlantic sea-
board 10 Maine, and with the large cities of the
state meet for conference, in Augusta, on
Wednesday, the 26th day of January, instant, at
the Mansion House, at o'clock p NJ. You are
cordially invited to be present, and aid by council
and advice in adopting such measures as may be
promotive of the enterprise.
1t is very desirable that gentlemen from locai-
ties to be reached by the proposed line, and con
Meeting lincs and from localities whose interests
Will be promoted by the success Of the enterprise,
should be present at the conference.
Hoping you may be able to attend the meeting,
we subscribe ourselves,
Your obedicnt servants.
II. A. DEWITT, Pres. NJ. & X. R, r.
IRA u. STURGIs,
J. W. North, Augusta
j. p. WYMAN.
E. f. PILLsBURY,
J. X. BoDwELL, Pres. L. & a. T.. L.
WM. ATKINSON, Embden.
$ Il. CRAGIN, Norridgewock.
HENRY INGALLS,,
RICHARD H. TUCKER, 1y;.o.a,
WM. p. LENNON, "'sea3se'
ISAAC T. HoBsoN,
f. A. FIELD, Sidney
J. j. /. T. HrnasRn' HnaasRn' {west waservne.
ALoNzo GARCELoN,2 Directors
p1SlEI \ HOLLAND La A. K. K.
In addition to the signers of this call, most of
whom were present, there were other well-known
gentlemen representing the several localities in
terested.
J. r. Bodwell, Esq, of Hallowell, called the
meeting to order, and Hon. James W. North of
this city. was made chairman. George B. Sawyer
Esq, Of Wlscasset, was chosen Secretary.
Mr. North on assuming the chair, briefly stated
the objects Of the meeting, and made remarks on
the subject.
Henry ingalls, of Wiscasset, President Of the
Wiscasset and hennebec Railroad, was called up
on. He spoke in regard to the building of the
road from Wscasset to Augusta. A survey of the
route from Wiscasset to Augusta was made by
Col. A. W. Wlldes in 1872.
This line starting from the deep tide waters at
Wiscasset, would pass through the town of Alma
the village of Kings Mills in Whitefeld the Ma
tional Military Asylum at Togus, to the city of
Augusta. The distance Is 25 miles, and the route
entirely feasible, and the road could be built for
S20,000 per mile. The entire route from Wiscas-
set to Quebec was surveyed by Col. Long of the
L. S. Army 40 years ago, passing over substan-
ton. Mr.. ingalls, also gave an account of the
opening Of portion of the Lewis and kennebec
Railway in June last, and proceeded to speak at
considerable length showing great familiarity
with the general subject.
Col. A. W. Wildes was next called upon. and
gave detailed account Of the surveys between
Wiscasset and Augusta, and also stated that he
had heretofore surveyed the entire line from Wis
casset, via Augusta and West Waterve, to North
Arson, and the construction of the whole line was
entirely feasible.
Hon. J. b. Ham Of Lewiston being called upon
addressed the meeting in relation to the railroad
interests of Lewiston and Auburn, and the mutual
advantages of direct railroad communication be-
tween that section and Augusta Mr.. Ham gave
an account of the building Of the Lewiston and
Auburn Railroad, which was built entirely by
those cities and had proved to be a most profta
Bile investment. 1t was five and one half miles in
length, and cost half million of dollars. He told
this as showing what town could do, if the peo-
pie are determined.
j. r. Bodwell Esq, of Hauowell President of
the Lewiston and Augusta Railroad, spoke very
encouragingly of the project of building the road
from Lewiston to Augusta; that il had been sur
veyed during the past season by the shortest and
most feasible route, the distance between the two
places being thirty miles. He spoke of the large
amount of granite shipped by his company yearly
and that if the route to Lewiston was built, his
freight would find an outlet in that direction
Mr.. Bodwell then presented the report of the
engineer of the Lewiston and Augusta road Mr.
j. Y. McClntock of Boston, which was read by
the Secretary. Omitting the details of this report
it may be stated briefly that it shows the length of
the line to be 80 miles. the road of easy cOnstruc-
ton; estimated cost S25, 900 per mile, or total of
$50, 900. This report was accompanied with aeon
rate plans and profles.
Col. II. A. Dewitt Of Augusta, President of the
Messalonskee and Kenrebec road, presented the
preliminary survey of the route between Augusta
and West Waterville, by Thomas Appleton, Esq,
of Boston, accompanied by plans and profles,
and showing the distance to be l9 l-6 miles esti-
mated cost Sl7 ,000.l5 per mile exclusive of land
damages. In this estimate the iron is reckoned at
S5t00 per ton, which is considerably above the
present price Col. Dewitt had reason to believe
that an accurate survey would show 3 considerable
reduction of this estimate of cost.
Col. Dewitt proceeded to say that an invitation
had been sent to the officers OF the Lewis and Ken
nebec Railway at Quebec 10 attend this meeting,
and that it was expected that they would have
been present, but were detained by urgent busi-
ness connected with the prosecution of their en-
terpnse.
4 letter was then read by the Secretary, from
Z. Demers, the Secretary of the Lewis and kenne-
bee road expressing regret that the road would be
unrepresented at the meeting, on account of the
preparation necessary for the annual meeting Of
the road to be held about the first of February.
lie would say that they would join the people of
Maine both heart and soul in the grand project
Ira D. sturgis, Esq, Of Augusta, made some
remarks to the effect that the road ought to be
built, and must be. He thought it would be a
good investment for Augusta, and when we look
the ground over it seems TO be ay very feasible
route.
wm. Atkinson, Esq,, of Embden, by request Of
the Chairman, then read paper which he had
prepared for publication presenting very fully the
importance of the object in view, and also submit
ted reports and maps of the Lewis and kenuebec
and Canada Pacific roads, 1t was voted that the
paper of Mr.. Atkinson be published iu full with
the proceedings Of this meeting.
Mr. Atkinson spoke as follows
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen: There are many
important facts bearing directly upon the question
of the immediate construction Of the railroad from
Augusta to West Waterville, and from North An
son to Canada line, to meet the Lewis and Kenne-
bee railroad, that not only the people of the Ken
nebec valley but Of Maine and Massachusetts have
o great material and social interest in.
If the means could be secured to complete the
Somerset railroad to the Canadian boundary line,
50 miles, in two years-and its construction is of
sufficient Importance to warrant the means at once
the extension of the Somerset railroad from West
Watervile to the State capital andW iscasset would
thereby be assured.
The eastern division of the Canada Pacific rail-
way from Quebec to Ottawa and Aymer, 2SS
miles from Quebec, has been relieved of all finan-
cial difficulties incident to hard times, and the
jealousy of powerful rival corporations, by the
timely and polite assumption of the completion OF
that half constructed line by the Government of the
Province of Quebec, the ancient as well as modern
capital of Canada and the greatest seaport of the