The Portland daily press., 1883-09-08
THE RUMFORD FALLS.
What Short Railroad Has Developed in
Oxford County, and What 1t Promises
to Develope in the Future.

Thursday a number of officials and owners
accompanied by invited guests, started on
tour of inspection and pleasure over the Rum
ford, Falls and Buckfeld Railroad Railroad.
Included In the party were Hon. VIM. L. Put
nam, w. FL. Moulton, Mayor John W. Deer
ing, Judge Percival Bonney, A. F. Moulton,
Gen. s. j. Anderson, Hon. W. G. Davis, H.
o. Stanley of Dixield, member tot he Fish
Commission, Hon. s. g. Andrews, United
States Marshal George. d. Bisbee, s. L.
Stephenson, Judge George G. Wing of Au-
burn, Hon. Otis Hayford of Canton, H. M.
Bearce, A. T. Denison, Hon. 81. N N.Jose repre-
seneatives of the Argus Advertiser and
PRESS accompanied the party.
Brief allusion to the little that was accom-
plished under the old regime will aid to show
how much has already been done under the new
management Of the Rumford Falls and Buck
field road. The original protector was Irving
ID. Paris. The road was chartered in 1849,
and two or three years later was opened from
Mechanic Falls to Buckfeld. 1t was then
known as the BuckHeld branch of the Attain
tic and St. Lawrence Railway. The road soon
fell into financial difficulties and after running
the majority of the original investors was
mortgaged in 1873 tr the late IT.. o. ]. Smith
for $4,000. Mr.. Smith was visionary and his
plans comprised not only an extension of the
road northward into Franklin tcounty to run
through to Wilton and Harrington. but also
an independent line from Portland via Gray to
Mechanic Falls. Money was voted by she
towns. and Smith obtained new charter for
the road under the name of the Portland and
Oxford Central. In '73 when Smith took
charge the road was opened Ito Canton, thirty
miles from Mechanic Falls.
For few years it was operated in an unsat-
isfactory manner under Smiths management.
Subsequently it was abandoned some five or
six years, when a controlling interest was
purchased by ex-Gov. Washburn and Hon. S.
@. Andrews. 1T was Iopened by the present
company July 15, 1878, and has steadily gained
from that date in improvements and in favor
with its patrons. The rolling stock is of the
best description. Among recent additions is
handsome locomotive, the "Buckfeld," which
was received by the company a few weeks
ago. The road is free from Objectionable
curves and the road bed is in excellent condi-
tion. Under its present judicious manage
ment the road is made to pay all expenses, in
cluding the interest on a small mortgage of
$1,000 or $4,000, and something more.
Leaving Mechanic Falls the road passes
through > notable farming region, the scenery
becoming more picturesque as Buckield is ap-
preached. At Buckfeld are important manu-
featuring industries. Besides saw and carding
mills, are the brush factory of Chas. Withing-
ton & Son and the large corn packing estab-
lishment of the Winslow Packing Company.
Two streams unite Just below Buckfeld to
form the Twenty-Mile river, which furnishes
valuable water power. East Sumner is farm
ing town, but power is furnished several mills
by stream which is a branch of the above
mentioned river. Beyond East Sumner was
formerly large pond of the average depth of
ten or twelve feet and which was crossed on
piles. This pond has now been drained and
the solid road bed continued across The COM
pany are building at Buckfeld new depot,
6Ox3o, and will give the old freight shed to the
Hartford Cold Spring Company as a depot for
the storage of barrels of the spring water. The
Hartford Cold Spring Company, with their
rapidly increasing business, furnish much
traffic to the road. 1t is also intended to move
back the passenger station to a more conven-
lent location.
Nesr Mechanic Falls Is Pottles Grove which
is great favorite for social gatherings. The
campmeeting of the Adventists is now being
held there. Ripley Pond, about one mile
from Canton, is some ten miles in length by
one in width. 1t is compassed by lofty hills,
while the pleasing effect is further heightened
by ranges of mountains in the distance. Here
is also fine grove which the company has
cleared of underbush and otherwise greatly
improved. 1t has become a great resort for
picnickers. The Hartford fCold Spring Com
pany contemplates the erection of a hotel at
the spring. which is about four miles from
Buckfeld Station.
In the village af Canton six or eight houses
and stores are in process of erection. The
Canton steam saw mill has a capacity for an
lumber, and but for the!lowness of the river
this summer that amount would have been
sawed the present year. The pulp mill is
another promising industry. The corn factory
located here will probably pack from $4,000 to
375, 900 cans this fall. Corn is reported arriv.
ing in good condition and but little affected by
frost. One of the notable features of Canton
is the Herdsdale farm, of 1900 acres of arabic
land with nice buildings. 1t is the property of
Mr.. Ward, Maine man, who made fortune
by manufacturing chairs in New York city
and has come home to enjoy it, Mr.. Ward
makes specially of raising fine cattle. He
has recently bought house in Auburn. In
an upper chamber of his farm house, he keeps
the bench and tools with which he began to
work at his trade years ago.
From Gilbertville, the terminus OF the road,
the railroad party proceeded in teams to Dix
field, and after an excellent dinner at the ho-
tel were driven ito Rumford Falls, about ff-
teen miles from Canton by the proposed rail-
road line. on the right bank Of the river, but
twenty miles by highway.
The Rumford Falls well merit the name
recently given-the Niagara Of New England.
the water of the river is now low, but suffic-
lent could be seen OF the awful force OF the
at this point. Bot little trouble would
be found in constructing dam above the up
per fall. AS it is, this unrivalled water power
Is uOb AZ All utllllou eACcpb 10 ruu Bmall
grist mill. The fall of these rapids, or success
sion of falls, is altogether 162 feet. the height
Of Niagara. There is one fall of so feet sheer.
To go below and look upward at this immense
sheet Of water affords a fine spectacle. From
the Falls down the river, riding along, charm
ing views are obtained. The broad intervales,
which overhang the road or more
remote roll away into hazy and magnificent
with the numerous wooded islands
that diversity the scenery Of the river, form
an enhancing picture of inland beauty. Some
OF the substantial mansions have historical in
terest. At Buckfield still stands the house fa-
nous as the birthplace of Gov. John d. Long
Of Massachusetts,. On the ell is yet displayed
the sign, "John d. Longs Office" which he
hung out when he first opened law office in
Buckfeld.
Opening mp to tourists such lovely region,
and performing as IL does an admirable service
for the towns along the line, there can be no
question of the increasing prosperity of the
road. Hon. VIM. l.. Putnam has recently as
sumed control Of its affairs.
S. 7. Corser Of Portland ives superintendent
OF the road the first year. He then resigned
and Otis Hayford of Canton was elected his
a