The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-09-02
Atwood and Aroostook.
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE ORIGINATOR o
THE AROOSTOOK EXPLORATIONS Party.


section of our State, and it would be pleasing
to the readers of the journal if you will per-
nit an Interview.
MR.. ATWOOD. Certainly am aware that
the "EXploration Party has called forth much
interest in ''our Aroostook," and well it may,
for certainly no section can show better oppor-
tunties or offer better Inducements for capital
and labor.
JOURNAL. When did you brcome interested
in Aroostook?
Mr.. ATWOOD. oh, the Editorial Excursion
of 20 years ago called my attention to it. the
veteran Daniel Stckncy further interested me.
and my business connections still added to my
information. In 1873 attended the meeting
of the Board of Agriculture at lloultOn, and
was then fully convinced that Aroo>took was
more than one could possibly imagine. From
that time have persiStently advocated liberal
treatment on the part of the state and press.
1t was uphill work at first our railroad sys-
tenn was then In its infancy, and the manage
ment arbitrary. and looking more to the West
than the East. Later the European WAS Il
Trunk line rather than local As soon as MIR.
Tucker assumed the mana cement the system
changed, but it required time and much hard
labor. The stock of the Maine Central was of
nominal value. (now %125) the road bed in a
crippled condition, a> we'll a- the rolling stock,
and the people prcudiccd. All this had to be
! overcome by wise. able and liberal manage
ment with small receipts. The management
was equal to the task. With an eye to develop
mcnt the rates of freight Were reduced, and
later the +. \ \. a. was absorbed. Meanwhile
a Bangor boy of the same school was called to
the management of the New Brunswick Rail
road in the person of Mr.. Cram, and who has
made Il wonderful change in his road at the
same time. He his built and equipped branches
TO Caribou and prc>quc Isle, and with Mr. Fur
| Der at the Boston end, Aroo~tooh a> we'll as
our whole State, have finely equipped railroad
systems, and broad gaugcd and whole >oIiIrd
management that will continue to develop our
resources ana give all the facilities needed
And As fast a. demand requires hcIicNe that
extensions and branches WiIl bc butt.
Journal. What about short lime;
MIR. ATWOOD. For the present | think
Aroo>took has all the necessary communication
and in the New Brunswick road Il liberal man
agcmcnt that il rNpcndin@ its earnings to de-
velop business and will increase its facilities in
every way to meet the demand. If the title uf
the lands We're in the y ate that settlers could
obtain them the demand for other conmuu!ra-
| tionS would he changed. A. it is let uplcr
Aroo>took increase her population hy adopt
nr some means to Open up hr>c Lands now
| held hy Spectators, aNd the demand " ill soon
open any needed communications. Capital
does uol want to build roa.l> to inrrc;l>, the
value of Spectators Hands. An Investigation
as to rates Of freight TO and from Aroo>took
| will Show liberal management and time and
demand will build the '.brdgc' when it be-
comes necessary. The present management
cannot be improved it made possible the
| pilgrimage of the representatives from New
| England comprising the observation Party.
Journal. 1t is often asked how you have
been allie To brim- about thu present condition
of affairs III the Agricultural society of Maine
and the NrW Engaud society, and also why
| the three great railroads should h;,N" given You
| special trains.
MIR. ATWOOD. oh! That's easily eNpIAn-
| ed. Ny motive was known; aud, l>t was
| correct in my early conclusions IL to Aroo,
took'> possibilities. ~. Vida rcN and voice
| have pcr>i>tcntIy caused others to IHylakr
some of my "enlhu>ia>n. Later our state
| Fair was induced TO Offer It premium for
| "Aroo-tooh" exhibits. 1t WAS a >Hrlu'>c.
| Then the New England society nj il, meeting
| in Manchester. n. H.. made an award to
| Aroo>took for the finest exhibit ever Shown
|