The Republican journal., 1888-02-09
Letter from Aroostook.
Correspondence of the Journal

Correspondence VI Tue JouIlui.
HouLToN, Jan. u, 1883. Several months
have passed since the pencil has been employed
to report the doings, sayings and movements Of
the people Of Houlton, and but for the prcya-
lence of 4 severe snow storm rendering atten-
ton to other important matters impracticable
your correspondent would hardly be in posi-
tiop to write letter this evening.
Are Your readers interested in the weather;
| Judge they are; for who is not: We are all
interested in pleasant weather, to some extent,
and to greater extent in weather which is not
so pleasant. Suffice it to say we have had no
regular North Western blizzard in these North
Eastern regions, The ta-end of the monster
struck us last week in sufficient force to give
us some feeble conception of its majesty when
its full force is exercised. We had III these
regions an exceedingly pleasant fall. The
travelling was good the roads dry, and there
was not snow enough in the vicinity of Houl-
ton for >Ieighing until the seventh day of
December; so we came near having a bare
Christmas. Until week ago we have had
excellent sleishing, but now the roads are
about full in many places, and stages have
been delayed. The day on which write is.
however, the first of the season in which our
western mail has failed to reach Us. and this is
no fault of the train service east of Bangor,
for our train from Bangor arrived only few
hours late this morning having left Bangor he-
fore the arrival of the train from the West
What the future will bring will not attempt
to forecast, but take it for all il ali, an average
winter in Aroostook, with its excellent sleigh
ing privileges, compares favoraby with Waldo
| and other counties on the coast.
| Ar0ostook people are very much like other
| people, except, perhaps, they are more prosper
Gus than the people in some other sections.
! The soil is rich and the farmers are prospering
| Some of them have made large sums out of
their potatoes this year. Though tAe crop was
a failure in some localities, in Others there was
a large yield and the high prices have put lot
of money into the pockets of the farmer Yet
even when they are doing we'll. reople some
! times grow restless and want to do better.
| Many persons therefore. several from EIoulton,
started in the early fall for California; some of
whom soon returned, and Others according to
| report wish they had never gone Still they 20
and come.
! Since last wrote some important improve
nents have been going on in Ioulton. The
| 'rhomson-liouston system of electric lights had
not been in use for some time but during the
| Summer, the incandescent light was pat into
| many of the stores, and a few OF the private
| residences, the power being furnished from the
water wheel of +. Merrill 4 Sons mill. The
| Thomson-llouston system was then started
atre>h. and both systems are now running
/ with a liberal patronage.
Several new houses were erected during the
summer. and others were remo,lelle, and the
work is still going on. But the most important
| building improvements of the year have been
the erection of ''Wording Hair for the Kicker
Classical Institute, and the new Catholic
| church Both Of these buildings are advancing
toward completion, particularly "Wortling
Hail. upon which the work is still progress
ing 1t is a brick block of good dimensions
and excellent facilities for school purposes, as
| well as an ornament to the town. Progress has
been made also with the Episcopal church.
No changes have taken place in the pastoratc
Of the churches since last wrote, and with
tie exception of removals no great changes
have been experienced. ilod@lon has new
Baptist pastor in the person of Rev. {. Drew,
Of iampJen. who is making. Il f;l orahle impress
sion upon the community. The agitation OH
the new line of railroad seems to have >u!siaed
| for the present.
Your correspondent had the priv Sile-e of a
visit to PASSPORT in the carly autumn. and
found that it Was rapidly rising FROM its ashes.
greatly improved by the trying ordeal through
which it has passed. i'atten also has been
seen during the present month. rs best it could
he Seen covered With snow. 1t is Z pretty vii
| lagt, with three churches. Methodist. Baptist
and Congrc-aionaiist: several stores. furnish
Ing the base of supply for a large numbering
| region. But to be appreciated il needs 10 be
seen in >unmer. Mount katahdin with its
rugged peek appears only a few miles distant
from Pattan village, but those who have been
there say that it j. twenty miles distant by the
| most direct route, and thirty miles distant by
the route USUALLY travelled. 50 we had to be
satisfied with such Il view of the imposing
| spectacle a. We could secure at a distance of
| fifteen or twenty miles. The ambition is fred
| however. to ascend its rugged sides a. soon as
| an opportunity shall be presented at a favor
able season Of the year. The best month am
| told for the ascent i tie month Of September,
and with clear atmosphere the sight j. said to
| be one of enchanting beauty. W.