Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-01

destrfes.-Oul Of Debt.
skilled hands and heavy capitalists have
succeeded in Transforming the shore, of some
VI the interior kennebec lakes into gardens
oI beauty; but, with all their natural splen-
dor, with all the adornmept. that wealth Gan
allow, they will never excel the fair Messalon-
skee-unchanged through ages-the same as
~hen the dusky red man padded his canoe
over Its surface. or built his campfire beside
It's placid waters. For nine mile. il winds
win asnake-like course. by abrupt promonto-
RES half hidden cOves with their wealth of
pond lilies islands dot,ing its surface
| mere and there, and semi-circles of wooded
banks, echoing with the slightest sound. The
Messalonskee has tor its ontle, a narrow
stream. which flows through the town of
west Waterville, rubbing and rolling against
the bottom, grumbling at its own shallow
ness, tumbling over dams, running through
huge canals, turning great wheels. down by
the Cascade" romantic little waterfall
brlstiIng with traditions, through pleasant
meadows, into the kennebec, forming one of
the best water powers in this part of the State.
And the power is not neglected. Comparatively
few people are aware of the great heart of
industry, beating SO ceaselessly in the little
borough. Though nestled like an enchanted,
village among the hills, it has pounded itself
into the front rank by the never-ending
clang, clang, of its immense trip-hammers.
An absence of year has wrought many
changes. Many of the old ''landmarksp are
being removed to make room for other and
newer industries. Situated at the junction
OF the Somerset & NJ. c. r. r., giving easy
communication in the several directions, the
lake city" bids fair to be centre of life for
this part of the Kennebec.
The Dunn Edge Tool Co. (the largest
scythe and axe mandatory in the world
have built quite extensively the past year on
their dam just above the Cascade The
Hubbard Blake Manufacturing Co. find
ing their large shop on the second dam made
quate TO their wants, recently purchased the
''old saw milf' Of Messrs. A. Bates & Son,
are now busy removing it, and soon a new
scythe shop will grace the eastern bank of
the upper DANA. j. Libby. one of the
wealthiest and most influential business men
of the town, is changing the cob-webbed and
dust bestrewed lanyard into grist mill.
On one of the points of land forming the
CLOVER narrows" of the lake, Messrs j.
Winslow Jones & Co., are rapidly complet-
ing one of their numerous corn-canning fac
tories. The little knoll near the sold oak
has been lowered and huge buildings have
been put up for this new enterprise, which
promises the employment of about 800 hands
for portion of the year. Talk is made of
packing meat here through the winter. thus
giving work to many the year round.
b. c. Benson is moving his paint shop
short distance and will make it into double
| tenement house.-Mrs. Mehitable Halett
has built large two-story house on Church
street.-C. w. Folsom has remodelled his
residence.-Lyon, Bragg & Hubbard have
added large machine shop to their foundry
and workshop. The foundry was slightly
damaged by fire Wednesday evening. Ben
jamin & Allen have rebuilt their foundry and
made other improvements Abraham Bach
elder has bought out j. Bachelor & Sons,
and now manufactures chairs and settees at
the west end of the bridge. Many new side
walks have been laid about town during the
past season.
The people are conyratulating each other
on their freedom from debt, and the brilliant
future before them. On the 9Th day of Au-
| gust, the last dollar of the ''town debt" was
paid. The only thing that has ever given
the people cause for anxiety, has been re-
moved, and linking hands with progress the
| little lake city steps hopefully into the tt-
ture. i.