Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-02-12
Letters from the People
To Bore For wealth second Paper

To bore For Wealth, second Paper
Editor Of KeaHebee Journal:
Two weeks ago IN your columns | called
the attention of the members of the Legs
latiye bod, 8. sembled at the State House, to
the importance of appropriating a sum of
money for the purpose of developing the
resources of the State. and spoke of the
probability of finding coal, oil, minerals etc,
Soon after that article was published | was
much pleased TO learn that company had
been formed in Waterbury, Conn, To bore
for oil, natural gas, coal, etc. And still
later had word from them Il at they had
struck a gold nugget which they had for
warded to Arlington for assay, also
that they were rejoicing over the discovery OF
oil at depth of 1900 feet, and in doing so
had passed through a vein of earth $50 feet
deep in which there is much silver, and my
informant remarks, that "they are much
elsted over their prospects Now IN con
nectlou with this "a new era Just downing ~
the nutmeg State keep IN mind, gentle
men, the fact that the larger parts of Wash
ington county, Red Brook, kobbins,on, Per
~, Pembroke, has precisely the same geo
logical formation as the Connecticut Valley
where they have commenced boring, viz :;
the rad sandstone formation This same
formation extends tast Just across the water
that separates Maine from New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia and there you
are aware that they have plenty
of coal and the senator from
that county informs me that this same for
nation extends west to Columbia and Add
son, and that he can point out the place
where Prot. jackson, State Ge llogist, fifty
years ago made the statement by sinking
shaft there YOU may expect 10 md coal, and
years ago can remember a like statement
being made of one place in the town of Perry
yet the years come and 90 and the hidden
wealth continues to slumber. But the time
will come, when the secrets of the hills and
valley shall be made manifest when the land
of run out farms of little value shall become
like corner lots in Western city while on
the top wave of a boom. If the mem 5ers of
the Legislature were as much interested in
this subject as those who are not members,
the appropriation asken for would be assured
in less than forty-eght hours
/ have letters of encourage ment-
urging me to continue in the good work
begun. | have visitors who have pr0spected
the foot hills and mountains north of us,
bringing valuable specimens of Maine gold,
with almost faith enough to remove noun.
tainI from their foundation where they sup
pose the precious metal is to be found in
large quantities. Why gentlemen the motto
of our State is a mlsnamer-Sha does not
direct she is only following slowly after,
Up in the snow clad Canada rougher and
colder than Maine, they have their oil
wells, and their natural gas wells throwing
off millions of feet daily.
Away down on the northern line Of Texas
a few days ago in boring they struck solid
bed of salt forty feet in thickness, and so
the work o. developing hidden treasures goes
on cas-, west, north and south of US, ami Old
Maine remains in statu quo. This seeking
for new sources Of wealth is rot a one sided
aues ton. The State in sinking artesiau
wells in search of coal. oil, etc must when
found have interests in the same, flowing into
the State Treasury to reimburse her for the
outlay, and encouragement should not fol-
low the sinking of feT wells.
As showing what perseverance may ac-
complsh in this line, listen TO what has been
done party of miners that came under
my observation ii old California times, we're
sinking shat in certain locality tor the
precious metal. Down went shaft after shaft
as the months rolled on, and viii each one
went thousands of dollars as the expenses for
sinking the same. aud yet no gold, hut on
went the work, backed up by pinH account,
and when that ran low, by credit, and lastly
about all that remained II keep the work
going on was their stupend0us faith, and
thus the work proceeded until the thirty
ninth shaft was sunk, and not a nugget to
encourage them for their efforts, but yet the
work went on aud the toitieth shaft let it
the sunlight as best il could ninety feet dowr
through the forbidding rocky formation
when 10 and behold there lay the treasures
that enriched every member of the company
other States are working up to the subject
why not Maine? "better late than never"
It is only week ago that the hGasd.
Legislature made large appropriation tC
SINK art,stan ,oeiis in different parts of the
State, for the pree,se purpose for irh'eh tht
appropriation is asked for thus State.
did hope tina some one member of the Legs
lature would feel as though he has Elssio,
TO take hold of this subject and instruct an'
enlig hten all the other members as to 'hei
duty. and in view OF the facts here reeited
call upon the Press of the State, as the,
value their heritage. to warm up to the wori
on this subject and voice it on all occasions
and give our lsw-makers no peace until the!
grant our request. AMOS WILDER.