Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-10-14
Looking Backward

Hon, s. W. Matthews, State Commiasionsr
Of Industrial and Labor Statistics. who vas
the founder aud for nine years editor Of The
Aroostcok Republican, has the following iu-
teresting article In the last number Of that
paper in which he contrasts the Aroossook
county and village. (Csribou), Of ten ysars
ago. With those Of the presens time;
Early one Monday morning in September,
1879, the writer left his home in Hampden
IN fenohscot county, to make his first visit 70
Aroostook. His reading had informed him
tha, Aroos,ook county included an AREA Of
territory within the limits Of his native State,
larger than the State Of Connecticut BY
como 5000 square miles. aud nearly one fourth
that Of the State Of Maine. beyond this
general knowiedge Of extent Of territory, he
knew little OF the resources, the possibilities
and probabilities, and his dcep-seatcd con-
siction was, that the term Aroossook
meant wilderness, thiekly settled BY
rude. uncultivsted. hardy 10, Of
pioneers The irst dav he came to Houl-
ton, which he found to be . village. with Q
snAri, energetic, up to the timss' cl ass Of
citizens. This gave him = pleasant i'm.
preston and encouraged him to continue his
explorations into the county. lie came by
team to Presque Isle, another growing aaL
beautiful village, where he found net only q
civilized but evidently u very cnlieh ened
people. Then he went TO Fort Fairfield,
another thriving village; and last, he came
to Caribou. a younger but rapidly grow
ing village, favorsbly located al tho
northern apex Of an "Ox-bow" in the
Arcostook river, which. without the knowi.
edge and experience Of an engineer. ssemed
to the observation Of the visitor. q local ad.
vantage which was \ sure guarantee Of future
growth and prosperity. On this, our hrst
visit to Aroo.took. very favorable impses.
sions, both Of county and people were formed,
and the writer WAS encouraged TO enter upon
his newspaper experience, as founder, and,
for nine years. editor and proprietor Of the
Aroostook Republican.
Looking backward TO the commenccm mont
of our life in Aroostook. We are amazed st
the growth and improvement Of our village
and town. In 1860 Caribou numbered hut
29s inhabitants. in 1870, ltlO. In 1880, 275S.
AT the present time the village probably
numbers some 1900 inhabitants, and the
town, nearer 5000 than 1900. The recent
village Improvements have been an electric
light plant, and u system Of water works.
The Aroostook river, by the dam Just CON.
plvted, is made to offer one OF the best op-
portuaiics for investment in milling, to be
found in New England. Looking backward
but ten years, We find that Carbon has
grosn from a small backwoods village To the
proportions aud possessions of u small city,
~ h all that the term "city" implies. Its
schools are among the best Ia the state. Its
rally Gus privileges are ample to meet the
demards vi nearly all denominations Of
Christians
IL ref, glance backward, and COM
par son with he present status, affords graft
~ ing evidence of growth ard prosperity
which tunes sanguine hopes and expcctA-
tions for 'b" iuIuro. With the subs dance
of the tiosl wave Of western immi grafton
aud investments of eastern capital aud the
increasing realization aud appreciation Of
Maj II r resources and opportunities, ss solid
and suhstan,isl ss her granite shores and
hills, AroJstook county will come In for .
liberal share In Msinc's general progress and
development and In the near future will
surely become The Garden Of Now Eng
land