Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-04-13
AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING.
A Large Number OF Prominent Men meet
and Adopt Measures in Regard to the
Building OF Railroad to Intsrssot the
Canadian Pacific

and Adopt Measures in Regard to the
Building OF Railroad to Interssct the
Canadian Pacific.
| large and enthusiastic meeting Of those
interested in building railroad from Wis.,
casset to tap the Canadian Pacific was held in
Novelty hall, Augusta, Thursday. Many Of the
enterprising business men of the State we're
present and large number of the Augusta
Among the gentlemen present from Wiscas-
set were the following: Messrs r. II. Tuck
er, J. c. Budd, Capt. David McCritchie,
Henry Ingalls,, Capt. r. I. Rundlett, VIM.
II. Small, Joseph z. Tucker, Capt. Joseph
Tucker, Geo. b. Sawyer DIR. c. c. Peaslee,
A. II. Lenox, Bradford Clark, j, A. Macur-
la, +. +. johnson. Rev |. II. w. Wharf,
Seth Peterson, Capt. Nathaniel Lincoln,
Andrew Lacy. Chas. II. Denuison. These
gentlemen came on special train from Wis
casset. Among other prominent gentlemen
present were Asa Hutchins of New
Portland, VIM. Atkinson, of North An.
SUM- 81. H. Iaruu ot Nortn ansOn.
Quite number of Augusta gentleman were
present among whom were Mayor Macomber.
Hon, j, Manchester Haynes, c. 4. Nash,
Hon. Ira. II. Randall, DIR. IL. NJ. Harlow,
Lendall Titcomb S. s. Brooks, A. =. Bangs,
IL. G. Staples, +. j. Lynch, Treby johnson,
:. c. Whitehouse, c. :. Hichborn. J. +.
Fuller, c. n. Hamlen, c. X. Partridge, L.
G. Storer, Capt r. w. Black, Hon. II. NJ.
Heath, DR.. L. G. Briggs and others.
~Iion. j. II, Randall called the meeting to
order Hon, J. Manchester Haynes was first
called on to speak as he had given the matter
careful consideration. MIR. Haynes con-
fined himself to a few remarks sufficient to
start general discussion of the matters
which were to come before the meeting.
Mr.. Henry Ingalls, of Wiscasset was then
called upon. lie spoke briefly of the legisla-
ton so far granted to the proposed roads.
lie had plans of the survey made by Col
Wildes, from Wiscasset to Augusta, a dis
tancc of % miles. The cost at that time was es-
timated to be about S22 900 per mile. At the
present time il could be built more cheaply.
lie then briefly compared the relative merits
Of the different routes proposed, and said that
the great object was to touch the Canadian
Pacific and thus get through connection with
the Pacific coast He then presented the
great advantages which the harbor of Wiscas-
set afforded.
Mr.. Atkinson was then called upon. He
said that such an undertaking should be
pushed through uuhindercd by local selfish
ness. The best route should be obtained
70 la pft nf arfi
place. lie compared the merits of the Ken
ncbec valley route and the route by the Dead
river and Megantic lake, favoring the latter.
lie knew, he said, that the large Touring mills
IN Minneapolis, knowing it to be a shorter
route, wished their -four to come East by the
Canadian Pacific. If this great railroad could
be tapped that vast amount of freight would
come through Maine. The matter had been
,alked about for twelve years, and now il was
time that something should be done. MIR.
Hutchins said that from his intimate knowl-
'dge of the Carrabassct river region he be-
lievcd that to be the best route.
Mr.. Parlin of North Anson also spoke
very earnestly in favor of this route. He
thought that Il preliminary survey could be
made for about $1,000.
Capt. X. II. Tucker of Wiscasset being
called expressed feeling of encouragement
augusta Board of Trade had taken hold of
the project From his long experience as y
.hipmaster he felt confident that the large
..aic of this country with Europe must take
die water at a point between Portland and
Bar lIarbor. Most of the favorable points
were in the control of the Maine Central
railroad. But the most favorable point of
them all was Wiscasset with its harbor, the
best in the world.
Capt. McCritchic followed with some
eloquent and telling arguments in favor Of
Wiscasset harbor His large experience as
naval officer in the L. =. Navy gave his
words great weight. Wiscasset harb0r, he
said was the finest on the American coast. The
water was 80 feet deep, whereas in New York
1t was only 27 feet deep, in Philadelphia 26,
in Boston "a, and in Portland only IL feet
ieep. Wiscasset harbor is free from ice and
shoals during the whole year, its entrauce IL
two miles wide and there is nothing to pre-
vent the largest ocean steamer from coming
in night or day, whereas in the ports of Bos-
ton and New York they are obliged to wait
for high water aud every hours delay Of those
large steamers means an extra expense OF
over 800. He quoted from the reports of
naval officers in the United States coast
survey to the effec, that no finer harbor
existed in the United States.
Mr. Haynes earnestly .advo the imme-
date adoption of some practical measures.
He showed to the meeting that other cities
in the State were aware of this grand oppor-
tunity and that they were doing all in their
power to take advantage of it, IL was time
that something should be done by the Au-
gusta people. He was not committed TO
either of the two routes proposed but thought
that a survey Of the Carrabassst valley should
be made.
A committee was then chosen to secure by
subscription the requisite amount to make the
survey, aud report to the officers Of the Car
| rabassct and Ca madam Railroad. The follow
ing gentlemen were appointed on that COM
mittee Albert Moore of North Anson, VIM.
Atkinson of North Anson; Asa Hutchins,
| New Portland Columbus Hilton, New Port
land Elisha Winter .Kingfeld; X. II. Tucker,
Wiscasset; and J. Manchester Haynes Of
Augusta.
| The meeting then adjourned.