Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-07-28
1t Looks as if the Eastern Skies Might
Again Redden
With the Rosy Glow of Prosperity
New Cotton Mills Will Undoubt.
eddy be Erected.
ANOTHER CHANCE FOR AUGUSTA.

once the erection OF the kennebec dam the
citizens of Augusta have cherished visions O,
the day when the city should become a grea,
manufacturing centre. In 1865, when the
country was in the midst of the .'fiush'
times which succeeded the war, John L.
Stevens, now minister to Sweden. was I'M
pressed with the idea that the time had come
to utilize our magnificent water privilege.
While agitating the question Mr.. Stevens be-
came acquainted with William Sprague. SEN
ator from Rhode Island, who was largely en-
gagged in manufacturing and who was reputed
to be a man of great wealth. Senator Spra que
listened to an account Of the property, its ex-
tent and favorable location, nd consented to
examine it. After sending his engineers and
making personal examination, he made an
offer of Sl50,000 for the mill, dam. water
power and lands, provided he could purchase
contiguous lands at reasonable price
and in sufficient quantity to fully
develop the water power. He proposed to
cxpend from five to ten millions of capital in
erecting mills, etc. The company then own
ing the mills proposed to sell for SlS5, 900
The Spragues (for A. & w. Sprague were
negotiating) would not increase the offer
S35, 900 separated the parties; neither would
yield. In this dilemma the city came to the
relief. and voted to provide the sum if the
legislature would grant the necessary power
This was satisfactory, and the Spragues
designated the parcels of real estate necessary
to accompany the water power. The estimated
value of the selected property amounted to
S3l5, 900, but the Spragues declined to pay
over Sl5O,00O. Here was a difference of
SlG5, 00O serious and apparently insur-
mountable obstacle.
How Could THIS sum BE RAISED?
A meeting of the citizens was held in
Granite Hall in October, 1866, to consider
the matter. The meeting adopted resolutions
pledging the city to pay the required sum.
provided it did not exceed S200,0 The
following day the city council met and adopt
ed the recommendation of the citizens meet
ing. The next winter the legislature
passed an act authorizing the city,
upon two-thirds vote, to raise
and expend a sum not exceeding $3.50
900 for the full development of the water
power within the limits of the city. On
Wednesday. January 23d, 1877, the citizens
of Augusta accepted the act by the very de-
cisive vote of SGs yeas to 63 nays. The city
now issued bonds to the amount of $3.50, 900
and sent Gov. Samuel Cony to the money
centres of the country to negotiate them
The Spragues then purchased real estate and
mill property in the city to the amount OF
over $4,000 The property purchased Gov
cred large area; on the west side of the
river it extended from the railroad bridge tc
Billiards. brook; and on the east side from
the eddy at Fort Point to the north line of the
Mcdonald farm, on lot No. -. The total
amount paid for this property conveyed to A,
4 W. Sprague, with the city bonds which
accompanied it, is as follows:
Real Estate, s423,6IO
City Bonds, 10000