The Somerset reporter., 1885-04-29
DRUMME RS' COLUMN.

AN INDUSTRY AT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ON THE BoRDER-RAILRoAD NOTES
The other day while loahng around the
depot In Watervile, we strolled over to the
railroad tin shop which Is In charge OF
Skowhegan man. s. ID. Sayward was
surprised to learn the amount OF business
done here. Mr.. Sayward has charge OF all
entire road from Portland to Vanceboro.
To-day he is repairing water works at
Eaton, and tomorrow setting up stove
at Lvermore Falls. He has eight men I'M
der him and they are kept on the go con-
tinualy. To give an idea of their labors
last year they put down rs tons OF iron
pipes for water using In this one job alone,
three tons of lead on the joints. This De.
partment has the making o, all Oil cans,
pals, spitoon water cans besides the re-
pair of the thousand and one lanterns used
on the line. Near the tin shop found the
pump house where large engine was lift
ing u large body of water to tanks over
heac When full, these tanks hold SO tons
of water which goes to feed the engines.
| could not help thinking what wetting
the engineer would get II these tanks
should get tired of holding their burden,
and let it fall. When visited Mr.. Say
ward he was about starting on vacation
trip to the westward, the first he has en-
joyed since he began continuous service
of fifteen years, for the company. hope
he will enjoy the trip for he richly deserves
it He is most faithful and competent
man for the company, and his prompt at
tention to all orders received from every
part Of the road, makes him deserve dly
popular on the entire line.
Over on the border just now, the officers
of customs are kept busy keeping the farm
ers from smuggling potatoes across the
line. The out going officers under Collect
or Burleigh are bound to leave a good
record behind them as guide for their
successors. From what l can learn,
should judge that the Bluenose farmers will
be glad when the present efficient force re-
tires. These smugglers are adebts in the
business, and they take big chances. The
other day one of them drove into Houlton
village with big load of potatoes and sold
them readily. About the time he got ready
to leave, Deputy Collector, Frank C. Nick
erson, got wind of the transaction, and
started to look him up. As the man was
an old offender, he was considered prize
well worth capturing. Both sides were
aware that there was trouble and the fun
began. To throw the officers off the track
the owner OF the team, that had brought in
the potatoes sauntered about the streets
while his son was heading the horses for
the boundary line, at terrible gait. The
trick was soon discovered, and The officers
started in pursuit When his horse had be-
come fatigued he procured fresh one, and
away he went all The time drawing nearer
and nearer to them, but they were fast get
ting uncomfortably near the line, whers
they would be safe from pursuit. The of.
ticer's fresh horse was too much for the
runaways, and the sight of a cooked revol-
yer soon brought the driver to standstill.
The game was taken back to Houlton where
the owners was obliged to pay nearly 5000
to get them released. 1t was sort OF a
farewell performance for officer Nickerson.
Aroostook County Is usually wild over
some wild cat railroad scheme. Just now
its line from Bancroft or Danforth on the
European division Of the Maine Central to
Houlton, and then to upper Aroostook.
The scheme looks well on paper, but never
will get any further. Mr.. E. r. Burpee
the wide awake general manager of the
New Brunswick railway Co., is at the head
Of the scheme, but of course he is not 60.
ing to build a rival liue to his own. A
man does not need any clear eyesight to
see In this scheme an attempt to kill out
the much needed and much talked OF di.
rect line from Bangor to the Aroostook
valley. Now just wait and see how near
am right. Mr.. Burpee says he is already
to strike on his road as soon as the frost
is out. Lets see If he strikes blow for
two years. If this movement defeats d.
rect line it will be great misfortune to the
whole state. There should be some way
for the II. r. Commissioners to prevent
such tom fooling, but don't know as there
is.
HARrLAND.-Mr. George Lancey is very
sick and fears are entertained that he will