Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-01-27
TROH QUEBEC To TIE SEA.
The New Line of Hallway through the
Valley of the Nennebec and its lmpOr.
tant COBnectfOns-rleetinC in this city.

hOfh Q( Io SKA.
The New Line of Railway through the
Valley of the Nennebec and its impor-
tant C"nnec;fOns-neeting in this city.
Some fifty persons were in attendance at the
railroad nee irg, held at the Mansion House, yes
terday afternoon, representing the projected lines
making connection of the keuncbcc valley with
Quebec.
j. r. Bodwcil, Esq, of Hallowell, called the
meeting TO order, and Hon James W. North of
this city, was made chairman. George 3. Sawyer
Esq, of Wiscasset was chosen Secretary.
Mr.. North, the chairman, said the object of the
meeting is to what the best method is Of build
ing the desired road. Mr.. North made some very
pertinent remarks on the subject.
Henry Ingalls, of Wiscasset President of the
Wiscasset and Kennebec Railroad, was called up
on. lie spoke in regard to the building of the
road from Wiscassetto Augusta. A survey Of the
route from Wiscasset to Augusta was made by
Col. Wildes in 1872. The places that road would
pass through were Alma, Kings Mills, Togus and
Augusta. The distance is about % miles, and the
road coa,d be built for $4,000 per mile The
line to Quebec was partially surveyed in 1885.
Col. Wildes was next called upon. and siad he
had surveyed the road from Wiscasset to North
Anson, and would report that the road was an
easy one to build.
The plans of the road from Augusta to West
"aterville, were shown by Col. Dewitt, President
OF the road, which would serve those present
as guide by which they might see the localities
through which the road would pass. The distance
is 10 miles.
The report Of the engineer of the road was read
by the Secretary, stating that he wonld become
responsible for the building Of the road at a cost
of Si7 900 per mile, exclusive of land damages.
A letter was then read by the Secretary, from
f. pcmers, the Secretary of the Lewis and Kenne-
bee road expressing regret that the road would be
unreprcsented 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 ID. Sturgs, Esq, made some remarks to the
effect that the road ought to be built and must be-
He thought it would be good investment for
Augusta and when we look the ground over it
seems to he very feasible route.
Mr.. Atkinson, Esq, of Embden, Director of
the Somerset Railroad, read an elaborate paper
which he had prepared, giving the arguments in
favor OF cheap transportation which the route
would subserve. The paper showed that there
was multiplicity OF things to be considered in
this matter of cheap and direct transportation and
that when the people are fully aroused to the sub
ject this great intercolonial line would be built
lie was confident that the time not far distant
when this road would be completed from the sea-
board to Quebec.
j. B. Ham, Esq, Of Lewiston, made a few re-
marks. He said that all the road that Lewiston
and Auburn had helped build was the road by that
name; that the two cities really built the road
without any outside help. 1t was FIVE and
one half miles in length, and cost half million Of
dollars; lie told this as showing what town
could do, if the people arc determined.
j. X. Bodwell, Esq, of Hallowell, 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, this
freight would find an outlet in that direction.
The report Of the engineer of the Lewiston and
Augusta road was then prese nted and read, from
| which it is shown that the whole line could be
built for S150,0O0.
The meeting was continued in the evening.
Mr.. Atkinson read another letter from the Secre-
tary of the Quebec road received since the after
noon meeting, expressing about the same sent-
n ens as the former one. \ dispatch was received
from DIR. A. Garccon of Lewiston, stating that on
attend the meeting. Capt, Richard ii. Tucker of
Wiscasset, asked if the citizens of Augusta were
in earnest in regard TO building the road from this
city to West Waterville, 1t Is for the interest of
the Wiscasset road to come to Augusta, and it is
for the interest OF the people here to get to good
seaboard. If the money can be raised to pay for
iron when needed, there will be difficulty in
getting the funds to build the road to Wiscasset.
Remarks upon the subject of building the road
were also made by Hon. J. b, Ham of Lewiston,
Joseph Tucker, ESD, of Wiscasset, and Hon. Jas.
W. North of Augusta.
On motion of Hon. j. B. Ham committee was
raised to see to the distribution of information in
regard to the line, in the different localities through
which it passes. The committee consists of Capt.
Richard III. Tucker, Hon. j. w. North, G. b.
Sawyer ESQ., VIM Atkinson.
On motion Of Hon. Isaac T. IIobson of Wiscas-
set, committee raised to consider the inter
| ests of the joint enterprise and recommend such
further action as may be necessary. in their judg
ment, with view to the immediate construction
of the road, and to procure such further legislation
| at this session as may be needed; and that they
be authorized to call future meetings. The COM
| mittee consists of Henry ingalls,, President of
Wis u Ken. II. r.; j. r. Bodwell Prest Lewis
ton y Augusta X. r.; ii. a. Dewitt, President OF
Messalonskee i kennebec II. r.; Vim. Atkinson
of the Somerset Railroad; j. B. Ham, represent
| ing the l.. & A. r. II.
| l.. d. Emerson, Esq, of West Waterville, made
an inquiry in relation to the effect should the
Somerset road be gobbled up by the Maine Cen
| tral. The assurance was gwen that nothing OF
that kind could be done the towns along the line
would retain their stock at any price.
The meeting, which had been harmonious
throughout, then adjourned. The gentlemen
| al tn ho in do aal FIN