Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-09-07
NEW SWEDEN.
Valuable Colony of Immig grants
Northern ArOOstOOk.

special correspondent of the Boston
Advertiser, who lately visited Aroostook, has
the following good words for the Swedish
colony in the northeastern part of the county
In plain contrast to Madawaska is the
colony of New Sweden, thrifty township of
700 souls where dozen years ago was an
unbroken forest. A ride of dozen miles up
the well-cultivated valley of the Aroostook
brings one to the lively little town of Caribou.
Hence it is nine miles over rounded hills to
the "Capitol" of Sweden, a two-story frame
building near the Lutheran church, where
the Swedes hold their public gatherings
From this point several roads diverge through
the township. In the west are the most
farms, but new ones are being cleared else
where, and the increasing population is flow
ing over into Woodland and Perham
after farms. making total Swede popula-
ton in the neighborhood of over 1000.
strengthened by constant arrivals. Over
100 have come in this year. Accord
ing to the Swedes they had a hard time
in the beginning, though the State spent
nearly SI50,000 in getting the colony under
way. At first they were swindled by sharpers,
their crops were not successful, and they did
not understand their surroundings. The past
few years have worked great change for the
better. and to-day the Swedish colony is
vastly more comfortable than the average
farmer in Dakota. They have built substan
tial houses, and are putting in barns; their
land is productive, and increasing iE value,
while they are much better contented. The
ordinary Swede is stout light-complex
toned. full bearded man, with considera
BILE shrewdness. He does not tell how
well he is doing, but quietly improves his
farm and pays cash for what he buys
La, aaI and
team. They do not say that they consider
themselves particularly fortunate, but
those who saw them when they arrived
and now will easily perceive the improve
ment in their condition. Late arrivals bring
money with them and begin here better than
their predecessors. A noticeable thing is
the desire of the Swede to become Ameri
canized Nothing but English is talked, and
the children are not allowed to learn
Swedish. The four or five schools are
taught BY young women of their own number,
and the children all attend, in many cases
teaching their parents English. Some OF the
women still cling to the Swedish head-dress.
with its long fringe about the neck, and few
wooden shoes are worn in the fields These
are fast giving way to our manners, the young
people showin as much desire to keep up
with the fashions those of Bangor or Port
land Many of them leave home when OF
age and are found over the State, the young
women being especially priced for home
servants They are great church goers,
having Lutheran and Baptist congregation.
Lately a Seventh Day Advent missionary
has gained some converts, resulting IN an
interuecipe war of words on theology. which
il said to have stirred up considerable feel
ing. They are slow in their passions, but
extremely tenacious of opinion, little in
clined to clannishness, yet showing dis
pos,ion to fit themselves to be good citizens,
which cannot be too highly praised. Different
onipious prevail in Caribou concerning them
the general one is that they are an industrious,
decent people, who pay their bills, keep their
engagements and are likely to be remarkably
well-to do. This year their crops promise
better than ever before, so that on July %
they celebrated the 18th anniversary of the
settlement with picnic, speeches and raising
the United States flag, to which thev are
greatly attached. Last week over 90 of them;
went to Bangor TO be naturalized. all OF
whom vote with the republicans, while Only
one man in the township voted for Hancock
in 1880. The colony is no longer an ex-
nerimeut. Ii is success, perhaps on
small scale but real. Were there more State
land left more could be done in this direction.
A. il is. the Swedes are likely to keep en-
coming, and prove no slight advantage to the
Aroostuok county.