Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-30
MADISON.

representative of the Journal OF recen,
visit to Madison, Somerset county. makes
the following notes of the present ap-
pearance and future prospects of the town.
Nowhere in the State will be seen more
marked improvement or rapid growth Mad.
ison Is pleasantly situated on, the south bank
of the Kennebec river and commands fine
view Of the surrounding country. The farms
throughout this section are fully up 70 the
average, and, with few exceptions. still
possess good productive power The
old Norridge~ock Falls. at the
Bridge" so called, long noted for
their beauty and grandeur and rich in
historic incident, were not, until 1881.
utilized to any considerable extent as wafer
power. The Madison WOODEN mill was then
erected and has pursued a course of grea,
prosperity, doing much towards building uu
the town. This company now has orders for
six months to come. The river at this poin,
has a fall of 80 feet in distance of one mile
and we are told that series of dams can be
so constructed that no one will in any 9ay
interfere with the others. II will be remem-
bered that the natural fall on the Androscog-
GIN at Lewiston is about 80 feet, and although
1t has been increased 70 so feet all the power
Is received from one dam. This tremendous
power at Madison is now in a fair wav to be
utilized and citizens here feel much en-
couraged over the bright prospects OF
their town becoming an important manufac-
turing centre. The new mill, or addition to
the present structure, which is to be built
this spring, will be eight-set and when COM
pleted, together with the old one, will give
employment to about 300 operatives, with a
monthly payroll Of $4,000. The imDetus
which this industry has given TO this entire
section can easily be imagined The town
has had marvellously rapid growth in the
past few wears, and present indications are
that this season will witness still greater
improvement In every department of trade
and industry. Lumber is on the ground for
putting up many new buildings and a fair es-
timate puts the number Of cottages to be coz
structed this spring at from 70 to 100.
New stores are being bull, and bust.
ness of all kinhs is seeking to gain foot
hold. Good rents have been, and are, very
scarce, and to meet the demand, il is probable
that a large aud commodious business block
will be erected at once. They need a good
SeHcrhl banking mouse, ana the right kind of
man would find this profitable plant.
local newspaper is to be started in "a few
weeks, which will form an important factor
IN the town, economy, the zone thing need
fur in community that has such ample
natural advantages 10 back all its pretentions
to very blight and prosperous future A
feature of this locality. and one that should
by no means be overlooked, is the fact that il
is attracting IA large number of young men
of means and enterprise. They are as
enthusiastic over this rising city as the aveage
Westerner over his chimerical prairie me-
tropolis. In conversation one hears the ex-
pectation expressed of out-doing Skowhegan
or Waterville, in few years, and even ap-
proximating Lewiston We see no reason
why capitalists should hesitate to invest here
The waterpower is available and sufficien ut for
large number of mills and the railroad forms,
means OF transportation fort manufactured
product Whatever the future of Madison
may be, 1T is a'smart' town now. and one which
her citizens have reason to be proud of
moreover, if they continue as they have be-
gun the future will take care Of itself.