Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-02-14

ges OF O railroad. when the matter came
before the town it was discussed in
business-like manner, most of the speak
ers taking the ground that we could well
afford to give the $50, 900 required with
out ever expecting to receive more than
the general benefits. A railroad we need
ed; if $50, 900 would secure it, we should
not hesitate to secure that amount. So
the town voted the money, with the ex-
pectation of future general benefits, as
well as the great convenience it would
give our people in the way of travel.
1t has been eleven years since the road
was built; and years, many of them, of
depression. The enhanced values Of the
property of this town, which was in farms
and timber land, suffered by the depreci-
citation in values. The actual Toss on
timber alone would amount to not less
than one hundred thousand dollars. This
amount is fixed by the most careful esti-
mate of the amount of timber in the town
taking the difference between the value
in 1870 and 1881. But with all this
against US, our valuation in 1881 is one
hundred and tUenty.fre thousand dollars
more than IN he flush times Of 1870.
Had it not been for the building of the
railroad the valuation of the town would
have receded from 500, 00G to or quite
100000. Instead, however, is is not
100000. The railroad has made a
market for our property, by making the
town a desirable place to live in, one
easy of access, and giving the producer a
chance to sell his products at all times Of
the year, for full cash value.
Upon the completion of the road build
ing revived, the boundaries Of our village
extended, farmers have been constantly
putting their homes and land in better
condition. More stock is kept, more hay
is cut, more products are raised each year.
Twenty-Five thousand bushels of potatoes
and five thousand barrels Of apples were
shipped from this place, last season.
Butter, eggs, and other articles of pro.
duce find good market here. You may
get some idea Of the amount Of these ar
,icles that seek market by rail from
this place when inform you that during
the year 1881, there were sent through
the Express agency at this Office 22,3j9
dozens of eggs, and tlrelre tons Of butter.
Fryeburg is fas. becoming centre OF
trade. Bridgton no longer draws away
our best buyers, but instead, each year
brings new customers from that town to
us. We have now a steam mill (Nutter
Il Shirley that cuts annually COO cords
Of oak and manufactures them into shook
and 100000 feet of other lumber.
They also have q run of stono for grind
ing corn. j. B. Fellows manufactures
bobbins to an extent that requires the
consumption of | 1000 cords Of birch and
ma nle wood. This wood brings two
dollars cord more than it otherwise
would He also has grist mill. Tar
box 4 Wa ker have rebuilt the Richard
son mill, and are manufacturing four or
five hundred corr. st of poplar and oak, and
running grist mill also, The Portland
Packing Company ca uned last season
1926, 200 dozen cans Of corn. Charles
Perry canned $4,000 doz en-. The last
establishment is just over the line N
Conway, but much of the corn IS raised
in Fryeburg. These are all new indus
tries
Let me give you some idea OF tue IN
crease of freights from 1872 to 1881
The p. Il o. freights to Fryeburg station
for 1872 was 3,54S. 200 lbs. In 1881
6,37l,9l9 lbs. In 1872 there was snip
ped from this sta ton 2,S53,o5S' IL
1881, l4O33,s25. In justice to tn
management of the rail- Dad | should ad(
that large reduction in rates mas peer
made from 1872 to this date. Va, ireish,
formerly cost US soc. per hund!-et Po2na
by team from Portland. Now 1t vii
not average over l7c.-making net
'aving of 33c on each hundred poands'
ne saring in treights alone confne1 to
this torn rould equal annually tie
amoun.' Of money ire PIT into the road:
Taking all this into account and the
&. .. that we have a market made for an
;nm, nse amount Of wood and lumber
ber.,o,, IRE unstable, that large numbers
of tourist. stop at our hotels and among
our farmers, making a market for all
thew can mise and the great convenience
of travel to US, do you wonder; Nj. h!.
itor, that Fryeburg Is h[m oeiie'., III
railroads: OcCAsloNAL'