Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-10-02
The trains did not run regularly Fin.


ally, they were suspended altogether, in
the winter of 1928. When the Leg
islaturc met in January, 1873, petition
wa sent in by the people on the line,
praying for a revocation Of the charter.
Mr.. Smith defended the charter. His
speech before the committee at Augusta
is still remembered by those who heard
it as an extraordinary effort. The char
ter was annulled by the Legislature, but
the act afforded no relief. The next
winter. a charter, covering the line Of
Mr.. Smiths road was granted to new
corporation called the Rumford Falls &
Buckfeld Railroad Company. But moth
ing was accomplished. The road con-
tinued to run down, and became unsafe.
From time to time it was wholly closed.
In 1876 Mr.. Smith died. In 1877,
the Legislature passed a general law,
providing that whenever any railroad
company should fail to operate its road
for sixty consecutive days, on petition Of
ten citizens of any county in which the
road should be located, the Supreme
Court should appoint receiver to take
charge Of the property. This provision
is still part of the railroad law Of Maine.
1t was intended for the case Of the Ok
ford Central. Ten citizens Of Buckfeld
petilioned to the Court as provided, and
in 1878, Judge Walton appointed the
Rumford Falls & Buckfield Company re-
ceiver. That Company is still managing
the road under this authority.
Since 1878 the road has been thor
oughly reorganized, and the road bed put
in fine condition. 1t is now one of the
smoothest running roads in the State.
1t was well ballasted last year. The
highest grade is seventy five feet in
mile. About three hundred tons Of steel
have recently been laid and the balance
Of the track will be relaid with steel rails
lust as fast as the finances of the road
will permit. Since last May $4,000
have been laid out in improving the con-
dition Of the track, stations, snd the
purchase Of new rolling stock. The roll
ing stock Of the road now consists of
three locomotives, two first. class passen-
ger cars, one combination car-that is a
smoke, baggage and mail car combined
land some sixty freight cars, including
fiat and box cars. A new passenger To-
connective will be added to the rolling
stock in a few months, and a contract
has been made with the Portland Com
pany for quite number more Of freight
cars.
The present officers of the road are as
follows: President, w. l.. Putnam; Vice
President, Otis Hayford, Canton Treas
urer, s. C. Andrews; Superintendent, L.
l.. Lincoln, Canton Gen. Ticket Agent.
r. C. Bradford. This is a strong Board
Of officers. and under their judicious man
agement bright future for the road is
sure.
Yesterday morning, tefore the train
left, the party had good opportunity to
ride about Buckfeld village. OF course,
the house where John D. Long, ex-Gov-
ernor of Massachusetts,, wasrborn. was
the 6rst object Of attention. 1t is a COM
le-looking house, surrounded with
tall elms and naples. On the ell is a
sign board on which one reads "John d.
Longs Office" 1t vas put up. when
Governor Long first opened modest law
Office in Buckheld. U. s. Marshal Bis.
bee now owns the place.
Passing up the street by the church
on the hill, one sees large, fine, we'll
preserved mansion now occupied by Thos {.
s. BRIGHAM, ESQ.,, leading lawyer in
Oxford County. The house was built by
his grandfather. From this place splen-
did view is obtained. Buck6eld village
is noted for its enterprise. Here are the
large -four mills Of R. Wilmington &
Sons. brush factory, extensive carding
mills and q shovel factory.
But is high time to close this rambling
article, The writer Is weary, and &C
undoubtedly is the reader. Suffice it to
say in closing, that the party took the
1890 q. m. train for Portland, arriving
here in the best Of spirits, and with the
,arnovv of q rnost an;ovahle excursion