Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-01-06
NORWAY BRANCH RAILROAD.
FoRxA4 OPKSrxe-CoxrLErIoN OF THIS
ENrERPRIsE-REGULAR PAssENGER
AND FREIGHT TRAINS CERE-
MONIES.

MONIES.
last Tuesday morning those who list
ened, might, at about half past ten
o'clock, have heard q salute from the
guns Of Norway. This salute announced
the arrival of Grand Trunk Railroad
officials, and that the first regular pas
senger train was about leaving South
Paris depot for Norway village, bearing
with it the reception committee and
guests for the celebration. The forenoon
was spent in rejoicing over the event to
be celebrated, and in making prepara-
tons for the more elaborate exercises of
the afternoon. Owing to extra pressure
of business incident to issuing our extra,
we append the Lewiston Journals report
Of the proceedings, made by Mr.. Pidgin,
who was on the ground, to congratulate
his old Oxford County friends on this
important occasion. We recently went
over the road, and gave our readers a
lengthy description Of the same. Reg
ular trains viii now be run to connect
with the passenger and freight trains on
the Grand Trunk.
Lewiston Journal Report
On Tuesday afternoon, a large party
from Portland, Lewiston, Auburn and
other points, accompanied by Chambers
famous band. visited Norway, to unite
with the people of that enterprising To-
cality in the Publications attending the
formal opening Of their new railroad.
On the arrival of the afternoon express
from Portland. a train was in waiting 10
convey the party over the new road to
Norway, where they arrived in good time.
and Immediately repaired to the head
quarters at Bears hotel, on the main
street Of the village and short distance
from the station.
After an hour Of mutual eongratulation
the guests were summoned TO the dining
hall. where a sumpiuOus dinner had been
laid BY the excellent landlord. Mr.. l.. c.
Billings. Gen. Beal. the President Of
the road. babe the company welcome to
Norway on the happy occasion, and es-
peciAlly enjoined them TO extract all the
pleasure,pOssible from the exercises during
the afternoon and evening Rev. Mr..
Bacon then asked blessing when
pleasant hour was passed at the tables.
The party was KEEP; in good spirits by the
stories Of Lewiston celebrity, who for
once found his match in the clerical gen.
tleman who occupied the post of honor at
the tables. The lateness Of the hour pre-
GLIDING indulgence in the speeches and
toasts which had been planned, the party
adjourned to the spacious parlors, to
await the call of Chandler TO form for the
dance. The hall was crowded. the merry
dancers indulging till a late hour. II may
be safely said that no occasion of the kind
was ever made more ENJOYABLE.
The people Of Norway have for many
years labored earnestly TO secure a railroad
connection. Last summer company
was organized under the general law of
the State, with Gen. G. l.. Beal as Pres
ident, and II. NJ. Bearce, Clerk, and ne
gotiations with the Grand Trunk Railway
Co. have resulted in an arrangement by
which this road has leased the Branch for
SO years. The Norway people gave the
Company $1,000, and the right of way,
the Grand Trunk people building the line
and furnishing stock and station build
ings. The railroad commissioners ap-
proved the location early In October. since
which time the road has been graded and
the track laid al cost of about > 5000.
The track leaves the main line at South
Paris. few rods below the station. run
ming in the rear of the lots on the street
70 Norway. TO near Pine Grove Cemetery,
where Il crosses and skirts the wood lot,
reaching the fiat lands in the rear of Nor
way village The station building Is
Immediately in the rear Of Bears hotel.
The station is neat building, with
two waiting rooms, telegraph and ticket
Office, and baggage room. Ii Is not We.
fully fitted up.
Quite naturally the Norway people re-
joice over this event and are hopeful Of
It's influence upon the growth of their VII
lsge There IS large amount OF busl-
ness between the lines Of the Grand
Trunk and Ogdensburg roads, which II IS
thought may be turned back into Its old
channel by bringing the railroad couple
Of miles nearer 70 il. The day of the
opening a party from Lowell was over
making arrangements for transporting a
large amount Of shocks and other lum-
Der. A fast stage line Is 10 be put on to
Bridgton. bringing iha, town an hour
uearer 10 the city markets. The existing
ste lines to Western Oxford are ex-
pectea TO stop a; Norway, cutting on the
distance a well as time.
There is large amount Of business at
Norway line. Which has hitherto been
done by teams. The large tannery OF
Mr.. J. L. Horne has b, zen connected Win
the line, BY branch tra,Tks' so the car
loads Of bark are taken to tn oArA hoaSe
and the hides TO the store house MI
Horne consumes car load OF ban Pet
day, and works over and turns out wv
thousand sides of leather per week. This
takes force Of seventy-hye men whose
pay roll foots up about s250O per month.
The value Of the stock worked over IN
this establishment is enhanced 500, 900
per year. Under the management OF MIR.
Horne it has grown to be an immense
affair, and an important aid to the busi-
- NJ III .o,-s ba savas