The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-03-24
ISLAND NOTES.
More About the Peaks Island Rail-
road.

In about one month the people who occupy
their summer habitations at the islands will
De on the move, and glance at what has
been going on during the winter will not be
out of place at this time.
AT Long Island number of new cottages
have been built, and the inhabitants look
forward to large summer trade, for the ISL
and is rapidly growing in favor. One colony
OF nine cottages. all built on the same plan.
has been erected at the western end of the
island, and there is prospect of number
OF out-of-town people building this spring.
The hotel people are preparing for larger
seasons work than last year from the tran
sient visitors.
AT Peaks Island there has been no build
ing this winter, and there is prospect of
but three cottages being built this spring.
This winter has been the dullest in the build
ing line for a number of years, as nothing
but boat building has been carried on. Mr..
w. HI. Trefethen and Mr.. Prince Trefethen
have built number of rowboats for the
coming season, and are now at work on
steam launch for Mr.. Charles f. Littlejohn
of Bridgeport. Conn. This boat will be 80
feet over all, seven feet wide, and "a feet
keel; built of white pine with oak timbers.
She will register about five tons. Mr.. Little
john is having this boat built to exhibit an
engine of his own invention, which is
claimed to surpass anything ever put into
small steamer. To give an idea of the pow
er OF this engine, according to test: one
pound Of dead weight will lift four pounds
Of dead weight, gain of 800 per cent, or an
engine Of five horse power will accomplish
the work of twenty horse power ordinary
engine. The steamer is now being planked,
| and will be launched before the summer
travel begins.
There is considerable talk about the pro-
| posed railroad, in fact it is the leading topic
| of conversation. 1t would seem by the talk
| In circulation about the Italians that every
one was against their introduction, but it is
| not so. In conversation with number of
the inhabitants, it is found that they much
prefer Italians to some classes Of people who
could be hired for the same wages The
contractor. who is an italian himself has ar,
gued In their favor In a satisfactory manner
Claiming as an industrious, temperate and
peaceable people on whole, his race are
better than any other cheap labor.
Mr.. Bennett. the manager of the
scheme, has had about two miles of the road
staked off. the work being done by Mr.. E. C.
Jordan Of this city. The road will not run
around Evergreen, as they would have to
blast down thirty-seyen feet into the solid
rock to get to the road bed as it would have
to be run. This would necessitate a cost of
$4,000 alone. 1t is very doubtful if the road
will run on the Evergreen part of the island
at all. but start near the wharf at Trefeth-
ems and take southerly course to the old
road, which branches little to the east
follow 1t to the back of the island
along the back of the island to the Bracket
lot, and from there directly across the island
to Jones's Landing and from Jones's Landing
followinging the avenue back to Trefethen's
This is as near the proposed route as can be
told at present as changes are likely to be
made. There is some doubt as to the power
to be used as many are against the introduce
ton of electricity. but 1t will either be this
or steam engine, from which there can be
no danger of firing the woods as it passes
through.
The art students from the West will make
business brisk at the lower end of the island
and the people are happy in consequence. A
number Of people from the upper end have
signifed their intention of securing accom-
mediation at Trefethen's on their account,
hoping for more lively time than usual.
On the other islands there is nothing of in
terest to mention, but all the cottages will
be filled this summer as usual and the peo-
pie are beginning to come down to make
their preparations for as early removal as
possible.
The Casco Bay line have secured lease
OK the Trefethen's Landing wharf for ten
years, and will commence to rebuild it. 1t
will be shortened somewhat and a channel
dredged that win enable the boats to reach
1t at low water. The work will be completed
by the first Of June at the latest. The
steamer Greenwood will run in connection
with the S. E. Spring to Jones's Landing and
Cushing's island.