Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-01-15
A Communication from Oakland

Editors of the Keane6ec Journal:
In your edition of the 10Th inst. rolice
An article entitled Preservation to Water
Power Property"
Feeling that this article, Intentionally or
otherwise placed me in false position
before the public and would lead my fell
low towpsmen to false conclusions, I wish
brie iiy to show my true position, both in
referring to the present owners of the pro-
perty in question and the business interests
of Oakland and vicinity.
1t is true that some twelve yesrs ago
sold the water privileges for Sl0500 as
stated, but wish it understood that that
sale was the water privileges without any
reservations and the buildings on both
east and west side of the stream, while the
negotiations now referred to are only in
referaDce 10 the property and privileges on
east side. Your correspondent eglects to
mention this.
He also says that at the time of this sale
! there was an old mill on The properly which
was torn down. This ststement is but a
partial truth and is misleading. There were
two other shops on the properly when sold
by me. They were paying per cent.
interest on $1,000 then. One of them on
the east ride was torn down with the djoin-
ing mill but the other which is on the west
side of the stream remains t. day ard is
paving a rental equal to 6 per cent. OF
$4,000.
This latter shop and water privilege is
not included in the offer made by the pres
ent owners and quoted by your correspond
ent as if for the Whole property.
Your spondent also states that since
| sold out, the dam has been put in order.
This dam was built over before we sold the
property aud we expended over $500 in
Its construction. The subsequent owners
have made no material change upon it.
True. they have put in four water wheels
but to do this they took out others which
for my purpose would be better.
He also says THE only reservation i.
the right to sluce water when the same is
needed by the shops below. right which
some lawyers claim they would have if
nothing was said about it - Of this is
their Ri ht why 90 they seek to put In the
reservation:) 1.-THE reservation which they
make as condition to any trade would not
materially interfere with the value of the
wsterpower.'
M man understanding waterpowers
WOhlu IN MS sane minu make sucn STATE
ment. The present shops on east side
which have been referred to are not adapted
to my business and would necessitate large
expense before they would be suitable. In
fact the property would be more desirable
to me today il no buildings stood upon it,
further than this in addition to the altera
tions necessary upon the buildings | must
have more land to give me needed yard
room which would be an item of consider
able expense.
He also misrepresents The buildings
Ice ted on east side, the site of my former
mill and adjoining shops. The length of
the larger building is ll2 feet not $50 feet
while the other is 1873 feet and not $50 feet
These are some of the features of the
case which would not be so apparent to
those of your read ers who may have noticed
the article of your Oakland correspondent
As for his intim alton in closing that Oak
lands welfare is being disregarded by me
in the matter, my business record of the
last twenty five years is, think, sufficient
answer. f. w. BATES.
OAKLAND, Me, Jan. II, 1891.