The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-12-16
ShoicheOan's Interests.
For the Reporter.

How the building railroad from this
pace 10 the Lake, via Athens etc., would
anect Skowhegan In its business interests
ana relations, Is surely a matter which
ought to be seriously considered by our
people; and am glad Messrs. Editors.
mat you are taking pains, as opportunity
oilers, to get from some of our prominent
citizens and business men. an expression
OF opinion upon the subject
Or those you have interviewed, a ma
Jorlty, think, believe that Skowhe- an
would be benefited by such road, while
all are of the opinion that 1t would be
better to have an extension from here
than that this great tract of country w.
Ing about and In the vicinity of Moose
head Lake, and which embraces some
smart business towns, should find al OUT
let over road running around and to the
east OF us. Now while the road to Skow
hegan Is deemed by the people of Green
vilie, Monsoon, etc., the most desirable,
especially since it furnishes The shortest
line TO Portland and Boston, still the mat.
Ter OF reaching these point, over road
built from Monson Junction In the town
OF Abbott to Dexter, and so hitting the
Maine Central at Newport, has been talk
ed up ana favored to some extent, be-
cause that would be great advantage
over the line as now Travelled. 1t must
De that western Piscataquis, whose pop
ulation and business interests are likely to
increase rapidly in the near future, will
earnestly look and work for shorter line
to market with their products and manu.
features than they now have; AID every
man who has investments there, whether
living 10 or out of the State, will feel Il
for his Interest to lend helping hand to
such an enterprise. So that the practical
question for US to consider is. Shall the
railroad be extended from here into that
region, or shall we lose the opportunity
OF putting ourselves into close connection
with that Section of the State2 Shall we
Tase Skowhegan sustain about the same
business relations to Western Pscats quis
that Bangor now does, by favoring a
road from here into that section, or shall
we by looking with disfavor upon this
enterprise, incur the risk and suffer the
consequences of road running to the
east OF, and around us2 As things now
are, trade from western Piscataquis, nat
uTally gravitates towards Bangor, over
the Bangor Piscataquis Road. Lum.
bermen living 10 the vicinity Of the Lake
get their outfit for the woods there. The
needed supplies for the quarries of Mon
son. and they are not inconsiderable, are
largely purchased 10 that city. And l
think If Mr.. Dennen, the popular propri-
etor of the Kineo House, and th,sc who
have the management of other public
houses In that vicinity, and the merchants
at the foot of the Lake and Monson, etc
were interviewed upon this subject, they
would concur in the opinion, that the
tide of business 10 that locality strongly
sets towards Bangor, and thai this city is
not little helped by such trade, and that
railroad from here into that region,
would turn the current towards US and be
positive benefit to Skowheg n in vati
Gus ways.
l have great faith in the future this
town. 1t has good reputation and rank
for business and thrift. Its growth thus
far has been steady and sure. Its leading
industries are prosperous, and under the
control Of men of discretion and means.
Nor is it wanting in that ambition aud
pride which stimulates activity aud iu-
duces sharp lookout for, and quick APP
probation Of, whatever would help or
hurt the place In its bushes capacities
and relations; -aDd therefore | cannot
doubt, that this contemplated road OF
which have spoken will upon reflection
come to be regarded as well worthy the
encouragement and help of our people.
CITIZEN.
Skowhegan, Dec 18th, 1885.