Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-06-07

scenery reminds one very much of a trip from
Augusta to Skowhegsn. There is something
about the villages which does not look American
perhaps the scarcity of paint.
Striking the Aroo.took river, we soon come in
view Of the falls, a very romantic spot
worthy of the artists pencil. The river, a:
large a. the kcnnebec. makes q gradu al aud rapid
descent for about half mile, threshing its way
amid high boulders and rugged Islands, till near
the foot, the seetbinR, roaring cataract passes
between massive rocks, not more than fifty feet
apart.
Adding to the grandeur of the scene is the fact
that the rocky blaff upon side extends half way
into the direct of the river max ing near an
acute angle, and proving q gigantic obstruction
| to lunbermen. On our passage home | noticed
the logs were jammed across the locality descrb-
ed, and each moment added TO the enormous
number of logs already wedged in between the
cliffs. But then, We arrived at the Fort some
time ago, believe. This is village of some
one hundred to one hundred and fifty dwellings,
&C, and the whole town throws about 450 votes.
This village is the gateway of Northern Aioos-
took, and al freight and travel from Presque Isle
and its surroundings, naturally come through
here. Caribou is the outlet to the resources of
New Sweden and the Madawaska district.
This locality is more thckly populated than one
would think for so new a country. The people
are from all directions very few grewn persons be-
ing natives. Much of the population is made up
from New Brunswick, with many well-to-do and
industrious Irish, Swedcs, Danes, &c, Negroes
80; r;d
the idea of settling there upon State lands. unless
they willing to go into the wilderness. away
from civilization. Good improved farms can be
bought at from one TO ten dollars per acre. Many
OF these farms have sufficient lumber standing
upon them TO pay their cost. 1t is an undisputed
fact that no place in Maine is so favorable to
farming as Northern Aroostook. The soil is so
rich and easily worked, that cultivsting it is but
pleasant pastime The snow Of winter general
ly comes in large quantities early IN the fall, be
fore the ground has frozen. and in the spring
leaves very rapidly, and their being scarcely any
frost in the ground, it is soon ready for cultya-
ton. The season is too short for success
fally raising corn, but most all other farm products
yield abundantly, wheat and other grains
always proving successful crops. A Mr.. John
Brown of Maiawsska this year has put in five hun
bred acres Of grain, $50 being wheat The yield
of potatoes and grain is aid to be enormous, but
| am not now prepared to give any figures. The
dozen or more starch factories take ell the pota-
toes offered, at % cts. per bushe while hereafter
sugar beets will find home market at $500 per
ton. 1t is proposed to erect next season a sugar
house, near the railroad at expense of $50 900
which will give employment to 200 hands, and add
materially 10 the wealth of the county.
The people are highly intelligent, social and
enterprsing and 1t Is my OPINION that no place IN
Maine offers the advantages for an easy and hon
est living to live and industrious men, where they
viii find the people of SO high an order of society,
so intelligent aud friendly, using all new-com-
ers in a christian and brotherly manner, where
the climate is, as a whole, more conducive to
health and long life, where the standard of chris
tainity, learning, aud all good morals is of higher
order, than 10 most loca ties Of Northern Aroos-
took.
Farms are for sale there at prices ranging from
$3.50 to several thousand. There is much more
that would like to write, but am already in
truding, fear, and will close, stating that shall
be happy to give all information in my power rel
alive to Aroostook, to parte, desiring it.
Respectfully, .. NJ. MOORE.