Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-11-12
PLENTY RBIGNS
Where Runs the Fair
Meduznekeas.
Smooth Fields and Signs Of
Thrift
About the Hams Of Ecn. PalkaP P.
EuHlsish.
Active Maine Men From Town Of
Linneus.
Active Maine Men From Town Of
Linneus.

Lfnneus.
LrssEUs. Nov. ii Il s:a,tad ze the
valley OF the Msduxnekesg Wednesday on
q visit to Hon. Parker P. BsrIeigh. the
vsasrable fAther of Governor Burleish and
also Of the energetic presiden, Of the Ban
scr & Aroos:ook Railroad, Hon A.per. A.
Burieigh Of Houlton.
This little town OF Linneus, which vas
named in honor Of the great botsnist, nes
abcu. seven miles firm Hoalcon, on
III. old military rosi, The road runs in
a souihsrly direc'ioa up along the course
oithe sparkling NJ eduxnekesg river, through
beautiful. rolling country that has been
sca,red and scanned ard raked By the
mighty glaciF ~ from the north a. they
marched isresisssbiy on TO the southwark.
The soil is rich yellow loan formed from
decomposed granise, and the rocks and
boolders that apparently once strewed this
section were all gathered up BY the Q pod Of
ice Ard carried just beyond the bound aries
of Uncle Sans domains and dumped indie
cri 4ninstely INTO New Brunswick. leaving
btihind smooth stretch Of country, smiling
with peace AID prosperity.
The military read 10 an excellent one, and
I thoroughly enjoyed the walk. The air
was crisp aud inyigorstipg. the sun shore
brightly overhead ard all around were
smooth pastures with their lowing herds and
blssting sheep. Numerous hesyily laden
team, were making their way slowly 10 the
Houiton station. freieh:ed with the ubiqai.
tous potaio, starch, leather, or other pro
ducts showing how much railroad 10 need
aA kax nd ha,r ttg II ~ t{r h.
shippers Of this large amount OF freigh. by
providing more convenient point Of ship-
men. and opening up larger markets. And
the people here understand this, and are
anxiously waiting for the coming of the
road and the new era OF prosperity that II
will usher in.
On the way cana to the site Of the old
Cary mill, erected before the railroad
reached Houiton, at cost Of $4,000
Here the surrounding farmers used TO bring
grain to be ground into -four, and their wool
to be made into rolls for spinning, aod i,
vas a well known place in the country
round.
The old mill was destroyed by FIRE in a
curious way. The big old-fsshioned water
wheel used to freeze up sometimes and to
prevent such an embargo on the grinding
business large wood stove vas put in to
thaw the ice that would constantly form OIL
the supporting frame work. This plan
worked 100 we'll, for it not only routed Jack
Frost but slso set fire to the mill and
burned it TO the ground. However, a new
mill now occupies the old stand and has an
excellent water power from one Of ths
branches OF the Meduxnekesg. It is run
by % inch turbin wheel under . "a foot
head, is 40x40 feet, three stories high, and
does q good business, being q great accom-.
modstion to the surrounding farmers. Mr..
W. Il Sincock is the present owner.
Nickerson lake, Ave miles from HouIton,
lies clcse to the main road aud here parties
of fishermen and eIcursionists from the
nearby towns resort for an outing. The
lake ia three miles long. affords good f.hing
nod several cottages are built on its shore I
FOR the use Of parties visiting ii for an ex
tended vacation. Mr.. Nelson HerrIn of
Houlton has nice steam yacht forty feet
long. upon the lake which he let's to fisher
men and sailing parties, besides number
Of row boats.
Five miles from Honlton, lust on the
edge of Linneus township, came to the old
Barleigh homestead, the boyhood home of
the present Governor CT Maine. The farm
co nprises IT'S acres Of excellent land, most
OF 1t in splendid state Of cultivation, with
gentle slope to the north. Here the lad
who is row the chief executive of this graz d
old State used to run and pisy, fish and
hunt, study and work, all unconscious Of
the future and the honor that was to come
to him.
| found the old gentleman experimenting
his farm work, as active and vigorous IS
though the eighty years that rest SO lightly
upon him were but fifty.
He is of medium height and build, has q
round, full face, With pair of kindly ey es,
and his shoulders have q slight stoop His
voice is strong, bis words are clear and
concise, and his hair is not yet entirely
gray. He received me with ccrdisl grace,
s.ked about the Bangor & Afocssook road,
and Wa, very sprightly and entertaining.
AfieS little general conversation, Mr..
Burleigh invited me 10 lock around his
farm. in which he takes great pride, and
which is truly lovely spot, possessing
beautiful surroundings. with 3 magnificent
outlook for miles over a sweep Of glorious
country dotted with rich farms and wooded
dells He showed me his big barn, 42165
feet and 40 feet high, packed full Of hay
nuA hNch WYNN ihc NV II IhN' ~ D
frost-proof cellar, 1896 feet, filed
with spplss and potatoes. This eel
lar 10 under part Of the barn,
and while there the old gentleman told me
how one Of his Houlton acquaintance hsd
ss'i it would be impossible to keep fruit
and vegetables from freezing in it. This
and he determined to make the cellar frost
Il h.
went to work and 90 thoroughly did be do
the job that in spite Of the severe weather
Of last winter his cellar was warm and kept
its contents in the best Of condition. aud the
Houlton neighbor was forced to admit that
Mr. Burleigh's skill s. cellar c,nslu ,ior
was of high order OF genius. Potstoes
are run into this cellar from hopper built
on the main barn f1onr, and so convenient
is the arrangement that forty bushels have
been put into bin in two minutes by two
men. The cellar walls are of thick granite
blocks, smoothly faced, the underpinipg
being of brick, with three dead ar spaces
between walls. The ioo, is OF cement,
dry and hard. and the air is keeps fresh and
sweet by ventilators running to the top of
the barn.
+ Near this barn is Balm Of Gilesi tree
that MI. BUrleiRn Calls "EdWih Tree. IL
was set out by Governor Burleigh when q
young lad and is now fully Fifty feet high
and sixteen inches thick at the butt, ard
Mr.. Burleigh is very wstchful Of it and
esteems it very highly. In Al orchard nesr
by Mr.. Burieigh hiss set ous some 10000
scions quite recently. most Of the work
being done by his own hands.
We reJt strolled GU. over his thirteen
acre hay aeld-smooth as barn foor-snd
from there over nearly the whole farm.
Upon coming TO high six-rsil fence. |
asked Mr.. Burleigh If it was not too high
for him 10 climb. "Oh, no. said he, l,
can get over 1t il you can; Tn used to
climbing ferees" Ard he did get owe. it
very quickly and essily, notwithstanding his
eighty years Of life.
Ard 80 onward We walked, the old ger
tleosn strppiDg every nov sad III m to
point ous come interesting spot. Hfra was