Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-09-18

Davis, esq, Register Of Probate, we made
a trip to the famous Hartford Cold Spring.
The direct route from Paris Hin leads
through Buckfeld village, over very billy
road, but the beautiful scenery, of hills,
valleys, mountains and streams, well pay
one for the necessarily slow gait, which
would otherwise be very tedious.
The road leads by Mount Mica, where
occasional blasts indicate that the search
for gems and mica Is still in progress.
Beyond that point, in the Whittemore Dis
trict, Paris, are the farms OF the Cooper
Bows, on which is splendid spring OF
clear water. This spring runs large
stream, which flows continually, never
freezing in winter, nor heating in summer.
Several Paris Hin families have for some
time, brought their drinking water in bar
rels. from this sprirg.-Its water is on tap
a. the Hubbard House. Several parties
who have used the water think II has been
beneficial in kidney troubles. The stream
flowing from this spring, runs through a
narrow valley, between two low hills.
Dams could be easily built, so Is to make
some tue fish ponds, south OF the road.
Hartford Cold Spring is about four
miles from Buckheld village, and is located
on the Bicknen farm. A framed record Of
the spring, by the pen of VIM. Bicknen,
tells that the spring was known in 1904 by
Solomon Briggs and wife, who obtained
plenty OF coed water therefrom, for do
nestle purposes. The MeSsrs. Bicknell
began to ship water nom the spring less
than two years ago, and Il has gained in
popularity rapidly since that date. Once in
f(een days full car load OF water IS
shipped TO Boston, in barrels and bottles,
and frequently the bsrrelled water is or
dered between the times OF these regular
shipments There is also growing trade
in Msine. in addition 70 the Boston busl-
ness.
The spring has been dug down 10 the
ledge from which IL rises, and stoned mp
with cut granite and cement, making neat
and substantial Job. over this spring
house will soon be erected. From this
basin the water is carried through pipe
20 a tank in the bottling house. The
building for bottllng is not yet completed,
but the water works are carried on while
the carpenters are plying their hammers.
The spring water Is shipped in three
forms Plain Water in barrels, which sells
for 50 per barrel, AZ the Buckheld depot;
Water charged with esrbonic acid gas;
Ginger Ale, which is simply gas water TO
which a ginger syrup is added. These
two latter sell for sixty cents per dozen
bottles, bottles 10 be returned. The bot
tied water snd ginger ale are in simple
language. soda water, and soda water with
ginger syrup. They are prepared In the
same way as soda water. A strong cylip-
der, supplied with pressure gauges and
other machinery. Is partially filed with
sulphuric acid and ground marble. The
sctiou OF the acid on the marble, produces
carbouic acid gas, which Is carried TO
second snd third metallic cylinders, and
In them mingled with the pure spring wa
ter. A machine for charging the bottles
Is connected with the cylinders by pipe.
A bottle, empty for plain water, or con-
tanning about half gill Of syrup, II for
ginger ale. Is placed in position, q cork Is
pressed close 20 It's neck, faucet turned,
and the charged water pours into the bot
H. 1va ha
lows the sir 70 escape from the bottle, as
the water enters and by turning lever
the cork is forced into the neck OF the bot
tie, wire is the placed, by hand, over the
cork, and the bottling is done. The full
bottles are passed 70 women who paste on
the labels and arrange them for packing
1000 bottles per day may be filed with tie
ginger ale or 800 bottles OF charged wa
ter. The plain water Is put In larger bot
ties than the ale. II Is very interesting TO
watch the bottling. and one viii be well
paid for q visit 20 the spring. large
business has already been developed and,
no doubt, IL will De greatly increased In
the future. The Company has capital OF
s25. 900, and viii erect hotel near the
spring. II business continues according 20
present indications.
After visiting the spring, we called on
Mr.. William Bicknell, who is known
throughout the State as Hartford" Mr..
B. is in his eightieth year, and is some
what enfeebled. being obliged to walk with
canes He IS very glad to see company,
and exhibits many specimens OF his pen
manship. He has placed the Lords Prayer
on paper, with pen, in such small letters
that the whole may be covered with
common cent. He has penned family
tree giving the coat OF arms OF the Bick-
nell family and tracing his ancestors back
70 1895. We did not find time to take mi
mute notes Of this elaborate family reg
lister.
On returning. we took dinner At the
Buekdeld House, kept by Mr.. Tnton.
This Is large hotel, and 1t Is well kept,
the table being excellent and the service
good.
Messrs. wilmington & Son have grestly
increased their business since moving into
the building formerly occupied by Hanson's
shoe shop. In addition to their large trade
in mill brushes, they have gone into the
manufacture Of brush blocks, which they
sell in large quantities to other brush
manufacturers. Few people have any idea
OF the variety OF brushes used in mill work
The brushes are infinite in variety Of size, |