The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-12-24
Letter from Augusta.
THE GRANGE MEETING. ABOUT THE CAPITAL
CITY. THE NEW COTTON MILL. NEW BUILD
INGs. SALVATION ARMY. THE FIRE DEPART
MENT

Letter from Augusta.
CITY. THE NEW COTTON MILL. NEW BUILD
1NGs. SALVATION ARMY. THE FIRE DEPART
MENT.
Correspondence of the Journal.
AUGUSTA, Dec Is, 1885 The meeting of the State
Grange has served to enliven, for a few days. the
quiet that usually prevails here during the winter
when the Legislature is not in session. The Patrons
held their meetings in Meonian Hail. made historic
by the sidewalk legislature which met there few
years ago. The hall is now so well ventilated and
poorly warmed that in these respects it reminds
one of a New England door yard. But the sturdy
farmers soon zeaously warmed up to the work in
hand and nobody seemed to be aware of discomfort.
Augusta is not generally speaking, good mar
ket for country produce. There seems to be no
facilities for handling storing large quantities of
hay, potatoes sc. The stores on Water street are
large and handsome. The stock in trade carried by
the dry goods hardware and grocery men, as well
as by the druggists, is very extensive and varied.
The street is just now putting on its holiday at
tire and one is reminded every turn that Christ
mas is coming.
The machinery is being set up in the new cotton
mill, which with the changes contemplated in the
old mills will double the out put of fabric. The
city at last seems to be in fair way to realize
benefit from the vast outlay it has made to further
its manufacturing interests.
The NJ. c. X. X. Co. have large force of men at
work upon the railroad bridge across the kenne-
bee The bridge is of iron and when built IA few
years ago considered to be one of the finest
structures of its kind in New England. In view of
the heavier trains now passing over the road, the
company decided to replace the four middle spans
with new and heavier material. The new bridge
will arrive soon, when the change will be made
without interference with the running of the trains.
The workmen erecting wooden trestle
from the river bed to support the track. After the
bridge is in place the trestle will be removed.
NEW BUILDINGS.
The government building is to be built on
The river side of Water street, on the site long
occupied by the Maine Farmer. The old buildings
are being torn down. but slowly that if the pres
ent generation lives see its entire demolition it
will be through spectaces, The location is CON
venient for business and excellent III every respect
and the building when completed will be an orna-
ment to the street aid to the city.
The parish of the st. Marks Prot. Episcopal
Church is among the wealthiest and most numerous
i'll the city. They have in process of construction
and D feet in width, the estimated of which is
0000. The entire outside is to he of granite,
from the Dodlin Granite Co., Waterville, whose
quarries are in Norridgewock. The interior sup
ports are to be polished columns from some ;
Sound granite, from c. J. Hall Belfast The heavy
rafters are to show in natural wood, pameled he
tween in fresto. The architect is r. NJ Upjohn, of
\. Y. builders, NJ. G. Foster 4 Co, WaterviIle.
Work was suspended in November and will he re
commenced in April. The church will he occupied
in september, lesi 1t is gratifying to note the
terprise and liberality of the parish As shown in
this substantial structure.
THE SALVATION ARMY.
The Barracks of the salvation Army in another
part of the city are worthy of mention only ~ 4
hideous curiosity. The first impression gets
seeing the building is that some enterpriSing
bacchanal had started out to paint the town red and
in the enthusiasm of the hour had avished all his
pigment in one spot The body of the front is light
drab, from which stare out red DOORS red shutters,
red recommendations and the words ">alyation Army
Barracks "All the World for God, BLOOD and
fire The letters bulge out from black and white
rims A. if bursting with indignation. Like the
preaching Of the Savatonists it is loud, lurid and
sensational. On entering notice several narrow
platforms across one end of the room. rising like
terraces one above another. Here is where the
Army holds the "knee-drilf' and Marrow-bonc Pa
rade The uniforms for the men consists Of cap
with band of red, coat with red band ON collar, and
pantaloons with red stripe on each leg. The female
soldiers distinguished by an understandable bon
net Some have peculiar capes or ulSters, but the
bonnet to make all else supcriluous. Capt.
Thatcher has command of the detachment. The
Capt. is Il brisk, reSolute Englishman, who has
been, according to his own account, absolute
miserable sinner. He claims that he has enrolled
in his company 81 soldiers in good standing, re
cruited from the lowest classes, whom ii is his par
ticuar mission to reach. He that the novel
ty of his surroundings, the tamborine and the
drum, serve to draw a crowd, when the soldiers
''go in" and the 'devil generally gets licked.
soldiers sent to make sortes into the adjacent
towns, afterwards reconnaissance in force Is
made and generally an outpost is established.
When soldier gets in debt, INDUCES in liquor on
tobacco, he is dropped from the rolls. Public
opinion is divided as to whether the Army is doing
good or harm The majority regard the work with
di~favor.
FIRE PROTECTION.
Through the courtesy of the chief engineer MI
Morse, who has been connected with the fire de-
partment for 33 years, gathered the following
facts, some of which of particular interest to
your readers at the preseut time The eNpen&i
lures of the department are about $1,000 per an
| mum. There are two steamers, IA hook and ladder
brigade and hydrants The force consists of b
''call men" The old steamer was bought in 1856
and is in first class condition. About 81 600 has
been expended in repairs during it, twenty years