Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-02-13
For the Democrat.

+. Editor: fsN
Anopg the nam e mon who have
made I'LL uark y - world is that Of
yohn 4. POOR, ! nsaivs ~ Andover, in Ok,
BIRD County. We do not intend to give .
1ketnG him hsrs only with reference to
BE browning work Of his life, the incep-
tion OF the Grand Trunk Railroad. John
went to Bangor when eight years OF age 70
live with his uncle, Jacob McGaw, esq,
distinguished lawyer Of that city. He re-
celved his education from the city schools
aud remained with his uncle during his
minority. Having studied law with his
uncle and been admitted to the Penobscot
Bar, he opened an Office at Oldtown, but
afterward returned TO Bangor and entered
the Office Of McGaw & Hatch. Soon after,
Hatch retired from the Arm, and It became
that Of McGaw & Poor. He was married
twice and lost both wives.
lie was led to think Of the subject
OF q railroad from Portland TO Mont
real, and making an excursion to Mont
real he laid his scheme before It's promi-
nent citizens and the Chamber OF Com
merce. The people Of that city were ripe
for q railroad to the seaboard, but had
Boston In view. Mr.. Poor persuaded them
to suspend their decision until further mo-
tice, which they did. Mr.. Poor stopped
on his way home at Andover, with his
brother Sylvanus Poor, who Ii still enjoy.
ing q vigorous old age. IL sds in Mr..
Poors house phere the first meeting ,eds
held ia Maine for building the Grand Trunk
Railroad This was held September 18th,
1874. Mr.. Poor invited some OF his friends
TO his house. and the evening Was spent In
discussing the merits OF the proposed road.
A public meeting was called for the next
evening at the school house TO discuss the
subject, and John A. Poor was invited TO
speak on the subject. or course, as 1t 10
always the case when new enterprise Ii
br cached before the public, there was much
incredibly among the citizens, and yet
there was a spark OF enthusiasm and hope
stirred up, and Dea. Samuel Poor, q prom.
inent citizen OF Andover, was appointed q
committee to accompany Mr.. Poor 70 Port
land aud present the subject before the
business men OF that city. A purse was
made up to pay his expenses, and horse
furnished On his way TO Portland, John
A. called on Peter Virgin, esq, OF Rum
ford, father OF Judge Virgin, and presented
the claims OF the road for his cousidera-
ton. On reaching Norway he conversed
with citizens OF that town. and at Gray
with Titus o. Brown, father OF the late
Hon. ]. B. Brown OF Portland. On reach
ing Portland, they called on Smith Brown.
leading merchants OF that city, when It
was agreed to call public meeting. A few
citizens met, when Mr.. Poor presented the
subject. At this meeting Judge Preble,
then a man OF great influence with large
class OF citizens, entered heartily into the
project, and In the winter OF 1915 char
ter was secured for building q railroad
from Portland to the Canada line. Mr..
Poor in company with Judge Preole went
to Montreal, where the interest greatly in
creased, but there was divided opinion
between Boston and Portland Is the ter
minus OF road from Montreal. The mat
ter was decided In favor OF Portland by .
race between Portland and Boston for
reaching Montreal. am indebted to
Sylvanus Poor, esq, OF Andover for mi =
mute sketch OF that race, which will be Of
great interest to msuy readers. 1t Is .
valuable contribution TO the history OF the
G.. T. Railroad:
Mr.. PooR's SKETCH.
Immediately AFT er the action of the
citizens OF Portland on the subject or the
proposed railroad, the citizens OF Boston
became alarmed, aud sought to influence
the people OF Montreal and especially the
Chamber OF Commerce TO abandon the Idea
OF going to Portland, but to 60 70 Boston
with their road. Agents were sent from
Boston to Montreal for that purpose and
contended that IL was the shortest and
quickest way to go TO Montreal from Port
land by way OF Boston. Mr.. John A. Poor
at once returned TO Montreal TO represent
the views and interests OF Portland, met
the Chamber OF Commerce and citizens OF
Montreal and urged delay OF action on the
subject OF q railroad until decided action
should be taken to settle the poin. OF dis
lance and time Of reaching Montreal by
each route.
"After much discussion at Montreal by
Mr.. Poor and the Boston agents, Il was
decided to run an express team from Port
land to Montreal on the arrival OF a GER
t ain steamer from Liverpool which was TO
{ ouch at Portland and proceed at once TO
Boston. The express team was TO start
from Portland at the time OF the steamers
arrival there, and the express to istart
| from Boston at the time OF its arrival
there. The steamer was expected to ar
rive at Boston about the nrst Of February,
ls45.
"Much interest was mani tested In both
cities, and great efforts were made by the
friends Of both routes TO he ready for the
| race, and both parties were anxious to Sc
cure the favor Of Montreal. Teams were
provided and stationed along the route
fifteen miles apart, and the right road at
different places was marked out by stick
| Ing up evergreen bushes on each side OF II
that there should be no delay by taking the
wrong road In the night time and oil was
In readiness several days before the arriv-
al Of the steamer. 1t was contended at
Norway and other places that the shortest
and best route was by way Of Norway,
Greenwood, Bethel, Newry and to connect
with the towns OF Woodstock, Rumford,
Audover, at. Letter B, now Upton, and
to test the two routes the same arrange
ments were made on both routes, and Mr..
D. H. Kurdish Of Portland was employed
to drive on the Bethel route and on reach
ing the junction OF the two routes 10 Upton
Mr.. Kurdish found he was several hours
behind the team that went by way Of Rum
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