The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-02-15
FERRY VILLAGE
Wants Either Bridge, Railroad or a
Better Ferrv

There has been for some time past considera-
BILE fault found in Ferry Village over the ac-
commodations furnished by the present ferry
company, and it has been suggested that the
town be asked to put on another line with q
large boat and lower fares and run it later
nights. 1t was found, however, that there
were too many obstacles in the way of this and
the matter was partially dropped. Not willing
TO ask the town to expend large sum of money
on what would be of but little benefit to
large portion of the town, IT was decided to ag-
itae the building of the shore line railroad, for
| which char ter was granted to several gentle-
| men in Portland at the Legislature two years
ago. With this once built there would be such
| an amount of travel as would warrant better
ferry accommodations. Accordingly a meet
| ing was called at Union Hall several weeks
| ago, but owing to the bad weather of late 1t
was several times postponed Last evening
the meeting was held and an audience of about
one hundred was present, nearly all of them
being voters. Mr.. Stephen Hubbard was made
Chairman of the meeting, and A. j. Robinson,
secretary. But the audience was doomed to
disappointment as several Of the gentlemen
from Portland whose names appear'on the
charter, promised, and were expected, to be
present to address the meeting, but for some
unknown reason none of them put in an ap-
pearance.
Mr.. f. FL. Hartford moved that committee
be appointed to take the matter in hand and
see what could be done. There were appoint
ed on this committee, E. III. Hartford, DIR. j.
W. Lowell, William Spear, Col. r. S. Smart,
Stephen Hubbard, George f. Henley and M.
S. Small
Mr.. Hartford also suggested that as there was
goodly number present. other matters look
ing to che improvement Of the place be dis
cussed.
Remarks were then made by Messrs. VIM.
Spear, DR.. j. W: Lowell, Stephen Habburd
A. j. Robinson and Col. r. S. Smart
Several plans were discussed. One was a
bridge from the village to the dry dock, which
would lessen the distance to the city considera-
bly,, making it only from 10 to 20 rods further
to Ferry Village than to Knightville, where
building lots were selling for three times
what they are now worth in the former place.
Another plan was bridge from the old ship
yard across the flats direct to Knightville. 1t
was stated that the plan was agitated several
years ago and that Mr.. Mussey, who owned
considerable of the shore front, offered the
right of way across his land and $1,000 towards
the bridge if the town would build it, and it is
understood that he is still friendly to the pro-
ject. A case was mentioned of Portland
gentleman who has buildings near Point Viii
lage, who thought such bridge with line of
omnbuses from Cape Cottage to the city four
times day. wonld be all that would be re-
quired to greatly enhance the value of the
property.
The talk against the present ferry line was
very bitter, while some admit that the line
may not be paying large dividends, they con-
tend that If better accommodations were fur
nished the increase of travel would warrant
the outlay.
After considerable discussion on these points
the meeting adjourned, snbieet to the call of
the committee