The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-10-18
What Stranger Saw in Bucksport.
Correspondence of the Journal

well imagine himself hundreds OF miles from home.
This handsome town lies on the east bank of the
river, just above Orphan Island and the narrows-s
the river here is confined between high and narrow
banks, and at this season these wooded slopes are
glorious in all the colors of the auumnal foliage
the scenery is unique and beautiful. Just across
the river sits Fort Knox, grim and solid, com
handing the narrows and the river in both drec-
tons. The town is neat and thriving in appear
ance, well laid out and well shaded with fine trees.
There can be no jealousy of position for one house
rises above another, on the ascending ground. and
looks over the shoulder of its neghbor. And over
looking all are the large brick buildings of the
East Maine Conference Seninary-an institution
under the control of the Methodists and Boosting
Of a good library of 1900 volumes Over the hills
beyond the town is the lake where the propagation
of salmon has been successfully carried on BY Mr.
Atkins here is where a water supply can be found
fol Bucksport when it is needed
Last Sunday morning was bright and warm here
and so your correspondent took occasion to visit
Fort knox-an interesting object TO visitors of this
place Taking the steam-ferryboat we were
landed on the west side Of the river and in the
town of Prospect. Fort Knox has no garrison it
is in charge of old Sergeant Walker veteran who
was tavorite of General Scott and Is therefore
kept in the service The fort itself is built Of
granite from Mt. Waldo and it is massive and
solid as the rocks on which it rests. Begun in
1916 it is not vet completed, though work it
has long since ceased, and will probably never be
resumed. Costing about million dollars, it stands
monument of human folly; for since the present
nly II, co,n e 4 ur,,,1l ln
much more effective in time of danger than an
ancient feuda castle of the middle ages, walk
through its winding passages and long encircling
rifle gallery is interesting but wearisome, The
fort has reached its only usefulness that of
good show place.
But we have no intention of writing IA tourists
letter but rather desire to give some items about
Bucksport. The new concert hall built by James
Emery is worthy of prominent notice. 1t is IL
model of its kind for it is exactly suited to its
purposes The auditorium is 60 by 60 feet and >
feet high. The stage is p feet deep and the stage
proscenium has 20 feet opening and is Is feet
high. The seating capacity with gallery, is for
300 persons-though there have been 1900 people
| in the hall at ono time. The dressing rooms are
ample: there arc retiring rooms for the use of the
| public and all needed convenienceS The venta
| ton is effected by method of Mr.. Emery's i'll
vention-the lower sash of the windows tips for
ward few inches from its upper edge, when il is
desired and current of air passes over the heads
of the audience without any perceptiblc draft, The
building is rooted over in novel manner, and this
| method is also an invention of Mr.. Emery's One
ward square pieces Of common cotton cloth were
| 1aid Nv in, nln hniup
| first well covered with the same; then over this
| first layer second has been put which was treat
ed with lead in the same manner. Not nail has
been used to fsten these pieces of cloth except at
the gutter This roof has stood two years with
ont leaking drop, and Mr.. Emery claims for it
| superiority tin roofs. Mr.. Emery is man of
fertile invention. His own residence, planned by
| himself, is, for an inexpensive house, the most
| artistic and convenient villa We have ever seen
| This gentleman has done much for his town. Back
of Emery Hall stands the engine house of Deluge
| No. 3, which contains many convenienccs, while
over the hall proper is tho engine company's room
| pleasant apartment we'll furnished and carpetcd
and from its bulls eye windows commanding fine
view of the river with its bold headands
| 1t is surprising what great tide Of travel east
/ ward passes through Bucksport the Ellsworth
stage leaves the door Of the Robinson House daily
| loaded down with passenger. and luggage, while
numbers OF people start oft on the same road iii
the more comfortable livery carriages. The ar
| rival and departure OF the stage reminds one OF
| we oden tvmes. The Boston and the Portland
steamers and the trains Of the b. 4 b railroad
bring the travellers: but if they bound east
| hay st 1aDnD1 pDh horse -ti,aSh tnr Incarnation
| 1t is noticeable that they all like to stop and
take dinner at the Robinson House, and well they
may for it would be hard to find better laid table
| to sit down to than at this same house. Major j.
| F. Moses, the proprietor is Il type of the Jolly
generous, old time landlord who attends person
| ay to the wants Of his guests, who sees THAI all
have what they want. and are satisfied. He is Il
| tavern keeper such would have delighted the
heart of Charles Dickens and he is person Of
marked and pleasing individuality We wish We
| dared to say more about the good points of Major
Moses. but he despises anything that looks like
| puffery that must hold up
| Back of the Robinson House and connected with
it is Il large new carriage house. and an immense
new stable, not yet quite completed.
| Very near the hotel the extensive green
houses of MIR. Frank f. Moses, son of the propre
tor of the Robinson House. Some new conserva
tories have been recently built. and new boiler
and apparatus for heating put in last Satur-
day. BY 4 simple arrangement hot water is con
Quoted in pipes throughout the establishment, thus
atfording the plants equahle and healthy degree
of heat Very fine are the crosses wreaths, etc.
which Mr.. Frank +. Moses makes up and sends to
his ato in Rnurnr Ellsworth RnItlSt Rock
land, and other towns within easy communication
with Bucksport. He is an artist Of considerable
merit, and he puts something of the taste into ii
flower piece that he would into painting.
From flowers to boots and shoes is quite jump
but not far beyond the green houses and across the
street is the Moeeasn and Shoe Factory of +. \.
Buck q Co. Here about 1000 dozen Of moccasins
have sometimes been made in the summer months.
all for the western trade. They are now turning
out fifty dozens per week. From January LIST to
June LIST, thirty forty hands employed in
manufacturing heavy shoes. The factory has been
established three years.
The writer took Il ride over to the Trim farm.
about five miles from the village, the of the
horrible murder which happened there just one
year ago on the nth OF October. 1t will be re
membcred that Mrs. Thayer, Mr.. Robert Trim
and little girl were murdered their house and
barn burned to the ground, and that their bodies
were destroyed by the flames. One Edward NJ.
Smith was suspected, tried and convicted but he
is now in Bangor Jail awaiting new trial on some
technically. Some new witnesses will be called
if another trial is granted. 1t seems that party
of young fellows and girls from Verona 1.-THE town
on the island) were out on lark on the night of
the tragedy and they met Mel Smith. at "a late
hour on the bridge leading to the island. And
they remarked nj the time that it was strange he
was going over there at that time of night 1t is
now supposed that this was after the murder, and
that lie was going over to the high hill in Yer
ona which commands a view to look across and
see if the house burned we'll to learn if his hesh
work was successful. These new witnesses who
met him will have to. testify on the coming trial.
An intelligent gentleman went over the scene OF