Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-11-18

AROOSTOOK- mo. So.
AlsB6 The Uppa St. John d
Maine.
ferns nd townships b The Iida-
Haski fssritagy.
Ghnpsss d Grand Isle, RfsnehIllIs,
Pon Kslt nd st. Frauds --fheir Peo-
pA md Business.
1v Hon. Edward wisx,u.

By Hon. Edward Virgin.
The ride from Van Buren, up the 81.
John river 10 one Of the finest in the State.
The road IL level for a quarter part Of the
distance from Van Buren, to Fort Kent and
the scenery on both sides Of the river 10 very
beautiful. The country 10 almost entirely
settled by the French. there being hardly Al
American resident after leaving the village
Of Van Buren, until the village Of Fort
Kent Is reached. Formerly there were
American and English merchants doing
business In nearly every ems Of the towns
through which the road passes. but they
have now for the most part removed to
other towns, and their places are taken BY
native Frenehmsn. The French are .
remarkably prolific people and large fami
lies are the rule among them They are
also home loving rsce and for this reason.
as sons grow up and marry. the paternal
estate 10 divided and the children are settled
near the old home. All along the river the
farms are divided into narrow strips, each
haying front on the river and running far
back upon the higher land In the rear. Thus
the Dwellings are brought near together and
along the road on both sides Of the river
continuous settlement extends for many
miles. For nearly ten miles the road runs
throrga the northern part Of Van Buren,
and then enters the town Of Grand Isle.
This town is named after the large and
fertile island in the St. John within the
limits of the town. In
Establishing the Boundary
the channel OF the river was made the
dividing line, hence all islands lying on the
south Of the channel are in the State OF
Maine and those on the north are In the
Province Of New Brunswic The land in
that portion of Grand Isle which borders
upon the river Is productive and easy of
cultivation, but farther back the soil is not
90 good and the town is not 30 thickly
settled away from the river as many of the
other towns. Twelve miles above Van
Buren, we come to the large estate of Mr..
Dennis Cyr, . son Of Paul Cyr, one Of the
early residents Of the town. The Cyrs are
of old Acsdian stock and the different
branches Of the family are quite Numerous
in all this region. Mr.. Cyr's house is q
very large two-story building with broad
verandahs and is situated on handsome
plain some distance from the road and near
the bank of the river. 1t was formerly
hotel and was one Of the well known stop
ping places along the river. Mr.. Cyr aud
family are now temporarily residing in one
Of the manufacturing towns Of Massachu-
sets. Mr.. Alexis Cyr, who died some years
ago, resided near here aud was one of the
principal citizens of the town. He was
brother of Dennis and both received a
good English education at the old Houlton
Academy. Alexis Cyr represented bis district
in the State Legislature . few years before
his death and was man of considerable abil-
ity. Mr.. Remi Plourd another prominent citi-
zen of the town, has good English educa-
ton and has been in trade here for some
years. On the hill near the Cyr estate is
the fine large church of Notre Dame de Ia
pair, large white structure with q lofty
spire. In matters pertaining to religious
worship the people of these French towns
have this marked advantage over the settlers
in other Aroostook towns. They are all Of
one religious faith and hence by uniting
their contributions are able to build one
large church in each town and to give =
Up to 1869 this whole Madawaska country
on both sides Of the St. John river was .
part Of the diocese of Chatham and its relig-
fOua uuA1IS were uUutf CtutIOl VI ttSt
Bishop. In that year, however, = division
was made and all the parishes on the Amer
lean side were attached to the Portland
diocese. now under the pastoral care Of
Bishop Hesley. who once in two years makes
= visit to all these churches. The visit OF
the Bishop is an event of much Importance
to the people of these towns and great
preparation 10 made for bis reception.
Small trees are cut down and planted on
both sides the road at short distances apart
making q continual grove Of bushes for
more than fifty miles. At each church hand
some arches are built across the main road
and many elaborate decorations are made
The influence Of the priests over the people
10 very great and in most cases 10 exerted
in favor of temperance, sobriety and good
citizenship. Formerly the priests influenced
the people in regard to their political action
much more than at present. Now the
priests as rule do not take so active q
part as political pariizaus and the action of
the people in this respect is becoming more
independent. Mr.. Charles Morneau.t has
long been one of the principal merchants of
the town and is one Of the most influential
citizens. The starch factory at Grand Isle
is owned by Mr.. Alba Holmes of Caribou
and has been successfully operated during
the present fall. Fifteen miles above Van
Buren, we come to what was formerly the
best known stopping place along the river.
This is the house kept for so many years
by Francis Thibodeau, one of the Oldest
citizens of the town. Mr.. Thibodesu was
well known throughout all this northern
region and his house was pleasant place
of en,e't liz ment for all travellers along
the sivr At the foot Of the hill near the
no, 81 10 . grist mill which has been in
operation for many years. Soon after
passing the old Thibodeau place, a. We
journey up river. the road runs along the
foot Of steep bluff, near which were until
recently the ruins Of an Old church. We
now leave Grand Isle and enter the town
Of Madavaska. This 10 one of the largest,
% we'll a. one Of the most fertile, of the
river towns. Nowhere are the intervales
and plains along the river 80 bread and ex-
tensive, or 90 smooth and unbroken, and
nowhere are their more beautiful lands cape
views.
The Registry Of DECIDE
for the northern District Of Afoostook is
located In this town and Mr.. Arthur B.
Daigle 10 the present Registrar. Mr.. Daigle
10 . native Of Fort Kent and laid the
foundation for good English education in
the schools Of that town. He was for a
number Of years engaged in teaching in
different places along the river and was an
efficient and suceessful teacher. After
his election to the ONCE Of Registrar Mr..