Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-08-02
BIDDEFORD LETTER.
BppEroRp, July -.

BppEroRD, July p.
Elloro Of me Orford D.mocrn;
As political matters have ceased To be
topic OF discussion. at least for the
present, the readers OF the Democrat viii
probably be pleased to learn something
concerning other sections OF the State
aud rs this, the most westerly city OF
the State, IS comparatively little known
to the citizens OF oxford County, |
will cnlcayor TO culightcn them concern
Ing Il. Not however that It is place
that requires particular mention from It's
Importance - business or commercial
centre but from it, contigulty 10 Oxford
County, aud from the fact that it occupies
q position on the direct lines of railroad
travel between there aud Boston. Both
the b. & NJ road aud the Eastern or
+. ). s. 7. road pass directly through II,
yet travellers see very little of ii from the
ears or at the station. II Is situated on
the right bank of the Saco liiteen miles
west OF Portland and ninety-nine from the
Hub In Il norihcasterly direction.
Il Is 10 some respects the oldest English
settlement IN Maine, or even in New Eng
land, Captain Richard Vines, an English
explorer, with 4 small company, having
passed the winter of lGlC-l5 here, four
years before the landing OF the Pilgrims at
Plymouth. II was named for Bideford IN
England with one less d. which city pre-
scented il II bell many years ago. 1t form
erly embraced much more territory than
now, Saco a. well as part OF Dayton, hav-
ing been sliced from its ample proportions.
Il was place OF considerable Importance
in the "old" colonial times, and many stir
iug scenes were enacted here during the
Indian wars In lSj7 it adopted city
charter and was for many years regarded
as the Gibraltar OF Democracy. When ali
other cities and large places in the State
swung into the Republican lines In the
years Immediately succeeding the war,
Democrats read the returns from Bidde-
ford. and were comforted; but within
few years 4 change in the managers OF the
great Manufacturing companies has chang
ed the complexion of things political, and
a Democratic success is the exception, not
the rule of things.
The city has at the present time pop
IL. 81 oh fhnnsqn1 IL
growing quite rapidly. or this number
seven thousand are natives of the country;
and the other six thousand, foreigners or
different nltionalities, mostly however
French Canadians. There are seven large
cotton factories in operation now, with
enlargement of some OF them being made
this summer. They are embraced in two
corporations, the Laconia and Pepperell,
both under the charge of Mr.. Howe, form
erly OF Fall River.
IN addition TO tn csc, there are or large
foundries and machine shops. One, 1.-THE
Saco Water Power Machine Shop" is the
largest in the State employing nearly 500
hands, engaged In the construction or ma
chinery for cotton mills. There are also
five shoe factories, stove foundry, pa
per collar factory and many saw mills,
which with other business interests CON-
mon to all cities aud large towns make it
a very lively little place.
The Saco is navigable for light draft
vessels 20 this place, and all Of the coal,
with some OF the cotton is brought by
water. 1t is but four miles to Old Orchard
beach, which, as is well known, is one of
the most charming summer resorts in New
England. Real estate within the city
limits is reasonably low, and every thing
considered Biddeford is as smart little
place, and holds out as great inducements
for business men to come and settle as
anv in the State. Yours, S. b. b.