Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-11
skowhegau-Its History. Industries, etc.

SkoWnegau-its history. industries, etc.
Our postmaster states that since he has been
| connected with the Office, the word Skowhegan,
has been fOunl written in nearly two hundred
different ways. SkoughegOn, SchoweSan, ScOwe-
gan, Eschowogon and Scouheegan, and words SIM
lar being of very common occurrence. People
generally have some peculiar ideas regarding the
size and nature Of our town. For instance, the
| thor Of "Wasbington Inside and Out" desiring
| to refer to the jumping OIL place of creation,
speaks OF the "lermitages OF Skowhegan." All
| his romantic IDEAS however would vanish if he
would but visit them. To relieve persons of all
wrong Impressions, brief statement would per-
| haps be in order. The town of Skowhegan was
incorporated Feb. 9Th, 1923, under the name OF
Milburn. Unfortunately, perhaps, the name was
changed to the Indian word Skowhegan, signify
ing "a place to walk" There various ira =
ditions, however, concerning the origin of this
word, the most common of which is the follow
| ing: An Old Indian from the head waters of the
| henncbec, came to the settlement TO exchange
| commodities. While transacting his business, his
| boat became unfsstened and drted rapidly down
| the stream. The old man arrived just IN time 10
see his canoe 20 over the falls lie gave long
pensivc sigh, aud murmured "Skow he-gone -"
whence the name. Probably the real origin of
| the word IS enveloped ia obscuiity. The rapid
growth of the town since its incorporation would
| naturally be expected.
| Situated at the terminus of the VI. c. II. r., 1t
| forms convenient outlet Tor the produce OF
| the various towns north of here. The people
Of Cornvlle Canaan, Athens and Madison
| do almost their entire trading in this
village. Tote teams travel throughout
the year between Skowhe gan aud the lake, trans
porting merchandise to various points along the
route. But the principal reason OF the town 5
prosperity is lis abundant water power. As the
village Is situated partially upon an Island, the
channels offer double facilities for manufac turing
purpose But little water power is allowed to
| run waste. Mills line both banks of the river.
a fact II Is difficult TO state which is the most i'm
poriant manufactory. Perhaps the largest is {.
| Nj. Bailey oil CLOTH works, which when running
| on full time employ about 100 men. Next in Or
der is the newly erected wooden factory, which
| furnishes steady employment to some 60 persons.
| This Is a fine looking building and occupies con-
| spicuOus place il the village. The paper and
pulp mills are also important branches in the in
| dustries of the village. Both of these mills do an
| immense business, running night and CAV. We
| have two large hourishng gri.t mills. Both OF
| these have good business, owing much to the
| immense amount of trade from up country"
| Two axe manufactures capable of turning out
| several hundred axes per day. Two founderies,
| doing good business IN their line. large saw
| mill, two planning mils, and one door, sash and
| bind factory, employing respectively about 70
| hands. Iheie are, besides, broom, drum and
gindstone factories three carriage manufactures,
u carding mill two tannercs and other, minor iu-
| dustrlcs.
| 1t would be exceedingly dilicnlt to discover the
| "hermitages' OF this town. The village is we'll
|
porous. Several public buildings emoelish its APP
| pearance. Scattered through the village five
pretty churches occupied respectively by the Bap-
list, Methodist Congregationallst, Christian and
| Catholic societies. The Cniversalists likewise in
| tend to build a church the coming summer. We
| have two or three public halls, Coburn hall, the
largest, is capable OF seating nearly two thousand
persons. Situated in the centIc OF the village, 1t
towers above all the surrounding buildings, and
seems to say in its dignity "behold mel The
| lam nm stn hpt 4.
ing, acknowledged to be OF the best in state.
Inc new court house. built on a pleasant lot,
| stands as an enduring monument OF the generos-
ity of our esteemed citizen, Hon. Abner Coburn.
Within the past few years several very beauu-
| full dwelling houses have been erected. Those of
Chas. A. " iams, Gen. r. H. Shepherd, Edward
| Hill and Hiram Burrlll should be especially
| tced. Gen. Shepherds residence is said to have
cost $4,000. 1t one of the prettcst, largest
| and most excessively furnished Of any upon the
river.
There are several societies and benevolent asso-
Citations III the village, all seemingly IN prosper
| Gus condition. n remarkable good work has been
| done III the temperance line. Four rumsellcrs
have recently lett town to avoid the law, and it is
the intention to prosecute this business until every
shop is closed The Reporter, under the direction
| of the enerprising publishers, Messrs. Kilby X
Woodbury., still maintains its reputation as first
| class local paper well organized police force
| and fire company, the wide Streets and beautiful
| grove upon the Island add still further TO the
| attractions of the village.
| The scenery about here in summer is delight
fully picturesque. The kennebec approaching ST.
enty from the west, forms graceful bend at the
village, and rushes away with fearful rapidity
through a narrow channel. seemingly hewn from
solid rock. The water between Norridgcwock
and Skowhegan is remarkably tranquil and fur
nishes a grand chance for sailing purposes. Who
knows but that in the course oil human events, a
steamer will ply between these two townsi Mt.
| Bgelow, four miles from Skowhegan village, rises
| maiestically above the surrounding cenntry.
From its summit the most pleasing views can be
| obtained
The bard, smooth roads leading from the village
form delightful drives to all points Of interest
about here. Ii any is prone to doubt these
statements, he is very respectfully and cordially
invited to ''come and SEQ" and examine for him
self