Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-09-24
The Aroostook Excursion.

Previous 10 the occurrences which i'm
mediately preceded the settlement OF the
northeastern boundary. commonly called
the "Aroostook War;" but little was
known by people OF the State in general,
concerning the broad area which now
makes up the County OF Aroostook. The
troubles which grew out OF the uncer-
tainty respecting the northeastern limit
OF our State. brought quite a number Of
persons into this wilderness, consisting Of
officers, soldiers and others, who when
the troubles were over, bore westward
marvellous stories OF the wonderful fer.
tility OF these lands. This was within
the memory of middle-aged persons new
living, for these troubles occurred less
than forty years ago. and following their
settlement there was quite an influx OF
settlers. more especially into the southern
towns of the county. Northern ARGOS.
took remained for the most part unsettled,
il we except those portions occupied by
the French Acsdians and which until the
settlement Of the boundary line were
supposed to DO within the limits OF New
Brunswick. and doubts existed in the
minds OF many. respecting its adspta-
ton to general agriculture, on account OF
It's high northern latitude. Settlements
went forward very slowly between 1910
and 1858. when the idea was conceived
OF advertising these lands by getting up
an excursion of the editors OF the State,
who were TO visit Aroostook and thereby
obtain a personal knowledge Of its csps-
biities. The project was successfully
carried out and In October OF that year,
twenty. mine editors and representatives
of the press of Maine visited Presque
Isle. Fort Fairfield. and other parts OF
Northern Aroostook. and the reports
which they gave resulted in an immigrs-
ton into the county which more than
satisfied those who originated the project.
This went on and the county was being
dotted all over with settlements. when
our civil war broke cut, on account OF
which the settlement OF the county was
not only retarded. but no county in the
State, in proportion to its population fur.
nished 30 many soldiers for the Union
army. as did this county Of Aroostook
Citizens OF this county were found in
almost every Maine organization which
took the field. and Aroostook blood was
poured out on almost every great battle
field OF the war. When peace was re-
stored, new impetus was given to set
Elements here. and many returned SOL
aiers. as well as others, directed their
steps hither 10 how out for themselves
homes upon these fertile lands.
Last year the idea was suggested, it ID
not necessary to state by whom, for an
other press excursion to Aroostook, IN
order tha. The survivors OF the party oil
1858 might have an opportunity Of wit
Messing the progress OF twenty years,
and that others get better knowledge Of
this remote portion of our commonwealth
The movement was favorably considered
by the press OF the State and on Monday
evening last, party consisting OF about
thirty gentlemen connected with The
press of tho State with about twenty
ladies', assembled at the Frnklin House In
Bangor on their way to Aroostook. The
following is roster Of the party:
Il. X Mtrrell, Home Journal. and
wife; z. Z. Stone, Vox Populi, (Lowell
Mass } and wife; E. II. Elwell,' Port
land Transcript, and wife; NJ. N. Rich
Price Current. and wife; George S. Row
ell, Portland. Advertiser. and vile; E.
Rowell' aud wife; j. Q. A. Hawes' and
wife; Brown Thurston;' Rev. DR.. Quinn
by, Gospel Banner. and wife; j. A. Ho
man, Maine Farmer, and Mrs. Vickery
Il. ". Atien, litoioiJ SohP1nion' ono
sister; w b. Lapham.' Oxford Democrat
and Miss Perham; George +. Richard.
son, Thomaston Herald; Samuel w
Lane and wife; w. II. Waldron.' Lew.
iston Gazette land wife John M. Adams.
Eastern Argus; w. A. Pidgin. Lewiston
ton Journal, and wife; G.. w. Keyes
Far nington Chronicle, and wife; c. p
Roberts A. G. Teney.' Brunswick Tele'
graph; II. X. Baker. Hallowell Register
and wife; II. S. Burrage, lions Advo
cate; Rev. Dr. Warren, Christian Mirror
and wife; w. W. Thomas, Jr.; Manley
FL. Pike, Maine Standard; Chas. 4. F
Caldwell, Kennebec Reporter; j. F
Upton, Bath Times, and wife; JOSEPH
Wood, Wiscssset; j. S. Staples and vile
members OF the Aroostook Excursion Part!
of 1855.
The railway companies kindly fur
nished the party with free transportation
and Mr.. Thayer Of the Franklin House
made liberal reduction Of fare. The