Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-28
FROM AUGUSTA TO WEST WATER
VILE.

VILE.
| The Maine Farmer, in its last weeks msue, has
an editorial in relation to resolves Of the Directors
of the Maine Central Railroad, looking to the ex-
tension of that road from Skowhegan towards the
boundary, 10 connect at some point with the Lewis
4 Kennebec road. This resolved extension
doubtless means to or by the way of Scion, as
1--WE learn" that Gov, Coburn has been heard to say
recently that if any extension should be made it
would not be to iNorridgwock or Madison but to
Scion. The Farmer must have had very unrela-
bic authority when it penned 1--WE learn" that Gov.
Coburn will gratuitously furnish the iron for the
track to either of the first mentioned places.
The editor INDUCES in comments favorable to
the extension, and proposes TO take all the bene-
fits Augusta would receive by road to West Wa
terville without the payment Of dollar by our
city. This resolved extension by the Directors of
a road which has no charter for extension in any
direction, we have heard mentioned from time to
time, for many years past particularly during the
time the Somerset road has been pushing its way
from West Watervile to North Arson, and to within
eight miles of Scion, to which place it will shortly
be completed, over an easy and inexpensive route.
The towns and people along the line of this Som
erset road have, with great enterprise and uncom-
mon perseverance overcome persistent opposition
and surmounted financial difficulties, completing
their road for twenty-f miles in length, with
two expensive bridges over the Kennebec. all at a
cost of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
The road passes through fertile country, con-
Meeting thriving villages having abundant water
power. The fall on the kenncbec, at one place,
Madison Bridge, is eighty-seven feet in two and
one-half miles, giving gross power of IL $50
horse, or 465,600 spindles. At North Arson is
the Carrabasset stream with its valuable water
falls; and at Scion the full volume of the Kennc-
pendicular. At West Waterville, on the Mesa
lonskee stream, there eight falls, five of which
are occupied with dams and machinery the total
fall of this stream at this place is hundred and
ten feet in about two miles.
With the Somerset road in operation only to
Madison during part of the past year, the pas.
sengers at the West Watervillc station as reported
by the Maine Central, numbered 1885, while a,
Skowhegan there were but l3, 793 the freight al
the former place was 96I5 tons, and at the latter
but IL 1856. The section of country from Wcs
Waterville to Scion, full of enterprise and indus
try and undeveloped resources, it Is proposed L
isolate from Augusta, and confne Its business t.
the Maine Central on its line from West Water
vile to Portland.
Now as to the talk of the exte nsion Of the Main,
Central from Skowhegan to Scion; it would b,
seventeen miles over q rough country, Difficult
and expensive to build; costing between thre
and four hundred thousand dollars; and why i
the extension proposed just now' Ostensibly t.
unite with the Lewis & Kensebec road, really +
prevent the extension of the Somerset road t
Scion, and TO unfavorably influence the August
enterprise to West Watervillc. This must be ap
parent from the experience Of the past The pro
ject can gather no strength from reasonable vie&
Of the future. At Scion It could only hope to di