Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-07-01
HIGHWAY CROSSINGS
Over B. "a r. r.. and What the R. r. Com.
missioners Saw There.


for the route of location. A. A. Burleigh.
president OF the road met the party at Mat
tawamkeag, Two teams had been sent over
from Houton, and each taking three of the
party started at 8 \. NJ. for Midway twelve
miles, where IA stop was made for dinner.
The drive to Midway was very interesting
as the road ran along the east side of the
Penobscot river The varied views of forest,
stream and river, ever changing, but beauti-
ful lent a charm, not expected by those who
had never before been in this section
4 tanncry store or two, hotel and small
cluster OF houses delightfully."- situated on a
bluff overlooking broad bend of the
Penobscot. make the little village of Med
way. Every one was anxious to know
whether, in fact the road was to be built.
Continuing up the river eleven miles from
here We find the first crossing OF the rail
road Here is Grindstone Falls, SO named
because of the appearance of the stone
The bank rises high on the west side and the
white foam of the angry waters go darling
by upon the troubled surface which is lashed
against unyielding ledge and boulder. Run
ming across the river diagonally is a natural
dam perfectly outlined as if made by
builder. The river is about four hundred
feet wide at the point. one-half mile beyond
the falls we see the white stakes aud the
mark of the engineers, which tell us that
here is the first crossing on the line of our
Journey east of the Penobscot We are
some twenty-three miles from Mattawam-
keag, the last seven miles being almost en-
trely through dense forest. We have
five miles more of woods before us. and
three crossings before We come to the set
Element of Stacyvile. The whole section
thus far is as level as a plain. an easy
chance TO bnild a railroad. The timber
growth is small till we come to within some
five miles of Staryyil!e. Those of you who
think you have seen Maine forests should
take drive through this particular sec
ton. The growth is generally of
rock maple, and birch, and of immense
size. Their long, limbless and stately
trunks bearing their high topped foliage
like a canopy overhead. Here we find
surveying party trying to better the location.
| also learn the difficulties of getting readl
" the best location, through section So
densclv wooded, where no hills for miles
allow YOU 10 examine the surface of the
land. Continual cross surveys are made,
and this party of fifteen had been a month
surveying this section. They had made Il
slight change that would save heavy cut
and grade and $50 900 in construction
Their tents were pitched on either side of
the road. and the cook was preparing sup
per, while the engineer and his assistants
were busy with maps and plans opposite.
\ large kettle of potatoes hung
from pole over the fire and
two large tin bakers fully three feet long.
containing biscuit and gingerbread, were
ready for baking. An inspection of his
commissary department, showed that the
very best of provisions. aud good variety
were provided for the party. We push on
to Stacyville, splendid farming town and
here we get an extended view of the forest
for miles west of us, unfortunately grand
old kaiahdn is shut out hy clouds. The
soil is very rich and deep. As we pass
into the town of Sherman the ground be-
comes more billy, but the land is splendid
and not very stony. The railroad finds its
way through the valleys on level land and
easy for building. In fact going north or
into the Aroostook county. only one and
one-fourth per cent grade is allowed
and going out only one per cent permitted.
| think sherman one of the finest farming
towns have seen on the whole line of the
road. The farms are under fine cultivation
and farm buildings good. The ground is a
little more stony than in northern Aroos-
took, hut it is beautiful town with quite
pretty village at Sherman Center. Patten
village is some four miles west, fourishing
and slightly We cross the corner of Crys-
tai plantation with good farms and stop at
Island Falls the first night. Just before
reaching Island Falls we pass the noted
burying grounds. in the lonesome forests
some Two mites from the little village re-
memhered the largest cemetery in Maine,
If not in New England. II contains $50
acres, the valuable lot that Representative
Randall several years ago got the State to
appropriate as burial place for Island
Falls. The town wisely made Il very good
burying ground of one or two acres, and
sold the rest. but what lonesome place
in which to leave a friend" remarked one
of the party.
We have made Is miles today and all
hands are tired and hungry, when we at : |
Z. NJ. drive to the door of W. W. Sewalfs /
home-like hotel. These teams were driven
81 miles from Houlton to Mattawamkcag
the day before. We have kept along the |
route of the railroad the railroad commits /
sioners making the necessary data in re- +
gard to crossings.
Leaving Island Falls a small village with +
a mill and fine water power we start for a /
drive of q mile. TO Houlton. II proves to /
be a bad forenoon, cold and rainy. The /
roads for the first time are rough, billy and
muddy from the recent rains. However at
II o'clock we drive INTO Houiton and find !
ut the Smell House the right kind of care for /
a tired way farer. We have passed through |
Over Brook. SMYRNA, and New Limerick. !
The board have hearing here on 4
the question Of changing the location I
at Uoulton so as to avoid two grade cross
ipgs. and we are obliged to remain the /
afternoon and over night The people are !
wide awake for the road and very proud of
their small city. Well they may, for Ger
tainly it is a thriving, go-ahead business /
place, with well defined city attanments.
Hon Llewellyn Powers, genial and pleas
ant, Col Ineersoll and several prominent .
business men, contributed by their courte- 4
Gus attention to the pleasure and comfort 1
of the party. We find here that some men 1
have honor in their OWE country The |
president, Mr.. Berleigh, and Chief Engi- /
neer Burpee live here. and many were the
expressions of confidence and respect We
heard spoken in regard to them.
Resuming our journey from Houitan, to
Presque Isle 42 miles, we 90 through the
ll1uTtsntng kDttt. VI ilittItApuf -ftVbtitttVf
Bridgewater, Blaine and Mars Hill. The
forests have given way TO large and fertile
farms and for miles in every direction the
fields and green woodlands form picture
of country life on scale rarely seen else
where. The location of the railroad three
to four miles from the State line and the
great fertile region in New Brunswick well
peepIed. give an idea of the resources that
will contribute to the business of this road.
Blaine by far is the presiiest town on the
route from Houlton to Presgue Isle. The
road comes close to the dourishing little vii
lage of Blaine midway from Mars Hill
village which are about one-half mile apart.
Presque Isle is reached at 8 Z. NJ. We
found an excellent hotel here kept by j. III.
Phair called '.Phair's Hotel"
Presque Isle is \ lovely village, full of
push and business enterprise, anxious for
better railroad facilities which they feel
snre Of getting in the near future. Friday
the party went to Ashland. Smyrna and Ma |
ssr,iis and returned 70 Pressure Isle sixty I
two mi -sasalay an examination Of the |
quite ,xs -taew way of