Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-10-08
NUMBER 80.

area has been redeemed from the state OF
nature. Ii is well wstered and has
large aggregate Of water power. In tho
eastern half the Aroostook river nearly
doubles on itself before passing into Fort
Fairfield, and the western half is tray.
ersed by the Caribou Stream, Otter
Brook and by the Little Madswasks river
II Ia destined TO be one OF the richest ag-
ricultural towns in the coanty.
New SWEDEN.
Saturday morning, according to pre-
yious arrangement. the party prepared
for trip to New Sweden situated about
twelve miles distant from Caribou viii
lsge. The road passes through Woodland
! township, most OF whch is taken up by
settlers and which Is dotted ell over with
clearings. Woodland and the settled
townships north OF it. present nearly the
same appearance that Psesque Isle, Fort
Fairfield, May sville and other older towns
did twenty yeas ago. The cleared land,
or most ol it, IL encumbere with stumps
which have not yst had time TO decay and
the primitive log house is not TN uncom-
mon sight. But the soil ia excellent aud
good farms will ere long reward the toll
er. On the way we passed house which
gives good idea of the better class OF
Swedish residences. Iewas formerly oc-
cupied by MIR. Wren pronounced mere
Verane), the Lutheran minister who has
now moved into New Sweden. The
party stopped here and examined the
house inside and out. The principal
room Is in the center OF the building with
work rooms, &C.. at each end. Ia one
of the rooms we lound young Swedish
mother with a babe only nine days old.
She said the child, though born in Yankee
land. was never The less 3 Swedo. En-
tering the territory Of New Sweden we
found the people had gathered for holi-
day. and tho firing OF muskets hersided
our approach. Trinmphal arches had
been erected which our party passed
through, and the stars and stripes were
displayed upon The top Of their public
building called the Capitol. This build
ing is situated 10 oue corner Of the tows-
ship. The basement Is occupied rs q
store and the second story as q hall and
place OF public worship, A church Is IN
process OF erection which when completed
will supercede the use OF the hall.
The visit to New Sweden was under
the direction of Hon. w. w. Thomas.
Jr.. whose connection with the colony is
well known, and who had come all the
way from Portland for this purpose. A
part OF the party remained and rested At
the Capitol building, while others, headed
by Mr.. Thomas, went on tour OF inspec-
tion through the township. The roads
are somewhat rough but we managed to
90 over several miles of them and there
by satisfy ourselves as TO what these for
eigners are doing. Eight years ago the
frs. blow with reference TO planting this
colony. was struck in the township. Now
over three thousand acres are cleared and
most Of Il into grass. OF course the sur-
face is yet rough and full of stumps, but
the soil Is rich and free from stone, and
10 due time these fields will be as smooth
as lawns. The hard wood growth was
very heavy and one OF our party, at least.
knows the amount Of hard labor involved
in cutting down these giants OF the forest
aud clearing up all these broad acres
The houses are small and built of hewn
| timber after the usual Swedish style, but
but they are warm and comfortable. The
timber is trst squared, then the upper
side OF the bottom stick is rounded and
| the lower side OF the next followed out 10
it over it. Moss is spread upon the
rounded surface and the next stick hol-
lowed out as stated. is driven upon dow
els with huge msuls, and the joint is
thereby rendered water tight. The cor
ners are dovetailed. Building house by
this method, involves considerable
amount of labor. but when once built il
is very substantial affair. There are
nearly a hundred families now residing
in this township. Each family has COW,
many of them more than one, some as
many as ten, and food enough has been
raised the presen! year TO support the
colony and some to spare. Schools have
been established and it is astonishing
with what facility the children learn to
speak the American language. They
prove 10 be an industrious, frugal and
upright people. They have al abhcr-
ence of debt, and crime. thus far, is un-
known among them. The enterprise
though OF doubtful propriety in the minds
OF many. at the outset, must be regarded
as q success. and New Sweden is destined
to rank among the richest as it is one OF
the best tow nships OF our commonwealth
Returning to the Capitol. dinner was
served up to the party IN Swedish style
1t was simply substantial meal OF beef
chicken, potatoes, bread, vegetables Il
various kinds, and several kinds Of pas
try. The peculiarly consisted in the
manner of treating some OF the vegola-
hls dishes. and in The manner OF serving