Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1881-01-13
BAR HarbOr.

1t is very probable that many of the
readers Of the AMERICAN are not aware that
there exists in this village a corporation
known as the Bar Harbor Water Co., but
such is the case, and it is about this Water
Co., that desire to say few words ; and to
prove how important a factor it has been in
making this place what it is, as summer
resort.
OF course you all know that a quarter of
century ago this, now quite popular water
ing place, was one of the most insignificant
fishing hamlets to be found on our coast
You also know that at first but a few WISH
tors came, and those mostly from Maine
cities. Then the fame of the place lin the
shape of magnificent scenery, grand old
cliffs and woods, and pure invigorating air.
"went abroad" and the visitors came in
crowds from all the important cities of the
Union.
1t was near the close of one of the most
successful seasons, 1872 think, during the
dry hot weather, that there were several
cases of sickness. The doctor pronounced
1t Typhoid fever, caused by poor drainage
and an insufficient supply of water. This
of course produced panic, and such "a
going out" of Bar Harbor was never before
known. Some of the most influential visi-
tors in talking the matter over with the
residents said, Mature has richly endowed
this place, and has, as it seems to US, out
done herself in trying to make this the most
famous summer resort on the Atlantic
coast" 1--WE eajoy the seasons here, and
want TO return next year, but We must have
supply of pure water, without that your
prosperity must stop
This was the crisis The thoughtful men
of the place began to think. Public meet
ings were called. Some were unable from
want of means to do anything others didn't
rant TO do anything. But there were few
who looked into the future; who looked
matters IN the face and saw things as they
,cere; saw the future greatness of the place
if the water supply were secured and saw
the ruin if it were not.
The chief movers, or | might say the
men who were the life of the enterprise
who did all the work and to whom all the
honor is due were Messrs T. G. Deslsle
and Fountain Rodick. A company was
formed to bring water from Eagle Lake.
Nearly all the stock was taken by the afore-
said gentlemen, and they were tireless in
their exertions to make it success, and
they did 1t; while some of our citizens were
soothing at them and their enterprise. The
result Of this was a return Of their former
success, and an increased number Of visitors.
The water supply taken in connection
with the sewers, which ,he town has lately
laid. gives this place a system Of drainage,
which We venture to say is hot excelled by
any village of equal size in New England
There are some men here, and presume
a few such are found in all places, who are
unwilling to allow their neghbors to enjoy
the fruits Of their toll, who are not willing
that the sower shall receive the harvest, and
Who, when any great enterprise that requires
business sagaeity is being pushed through"
stand around with their hai.la in their peck
cts, CRYING failure instead of aiding the
work, but when it has proved itself to be a
success. and they begin to see what men of
ability saw long before, then they are will
ing to share the profits.
To this class belong the men who are anx-
ious to establish another water company
here but | am glad to learn that they are
few, for most of our citizens know and ap-
preclate that which is called honor among
business men, and which allows to a person
or a corporation the business which he or it
has established
No physician of honor will settle in q
town in which brother doctor has built up
lucrative practice without at first consult
ing and gaining his permission, and espec-
Tally if there is not business enough for one.
The business of the Bar Harbor Water
Co., has, think, been conducted very ac-
ceptably to nearly all the water takers We
of course do not expect perfection, but We
think We are sustained in saving the results
have been satisfactory on the whole, and it
has ever been the aim of the Co., TO work
for the good Of the community.
There are probably twenty thousand land
perhaps forty thousand) dollars worth of
pipes, and appliances owned by this Co.,
which added the outlay that they propose to
make in the spring, in order to increase the
supply of water will make quite large
capital to be thus employed in this small
village.
The person that knows anything at all
about this matter, knows that the water re-
cepts will. at present, hardly pay fair in
terest on the amount now invested. 1t is
therefore easy for any one to see that two
companies would be unable to live; one or
the other must go down. The idea is Just
here We don't need another water company
any more than the farmer needed the eie-
plant that he drew in a lottery. and those
who favor it, are think, willing to flourish
at the sacrifice of their neighbors.
In closing allow me to say that personally,
have no interest in the present company,
do not Own dollars worth of stock in it,
and never expect to own any, have said
these words because think "the laborer is
worthy of his hire" and believe in Honor
to whom honor is due" ZERO
Jan. I.
Bluehfll.