Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-02-28
TO BUILD NEW or REPAIR.

The removal OF the county buildings
seems Just now to be an Interesting ques-
ton to the people OF the county. have
carefully read what has been written
pro and con by lawyers, merchants, farm
ers, and others who have given Us their
views, but do not remember to have seen
one word from q practical builder upon
the matter, and therefore think my busi-
ness and experience In the building line
entities me to hearing.
Aud first Of all let me say, II Is q fact
proved by experience (0ften dearly
Doughty that most buildings seventy -fve
years old cannot be thoroughly remodel
ed and repaired without an outlay be-
yond the value OF the building after
being 90 repaired.
TO explain myself more fully l will
make some statements In regard to what
has happened In the past, every word OF
which shall be strictly true except that
names will be omitted. Said Patrick
Henry, III have but one lamp by which
my feet are guided, and that Ii the lamp
of experience"
Not many years since wealthy manu-
facturer, Mr.. A., wished to improve his
summer home by remodellng the old
farm house; plans and specifications
were made In due form, the trade made
with Mr.. b., q carpenter and contractor,
when the following conversation passed
between the parties.
B.-Mr. A., now this remodeling OF
old buildings IL quite expensive, suppos-
Ing you take this old home out OF the
way and have new house at the same
price,"
A.-Mr. b., you don't mean what you
say"
B.-Mr. A., I mean just what say,
you can have new house Mt the same
price II you will remove the old one
without cost tn me-"
But he had the old house repaired 80
that he might live In the house which
had been occupied by his ancestors.
Case number two. Another Mr.. A., q
man pretty we'll fixed 10 the world, had
his buildings burned, and a. the insurance
lin his opinlon) did not fully make the
loss good, he thought he would build
cheaply by buying some old buildings
and fixing them up for his use, which he
did at loss.
After time he sold out and bought
another place, which he adorned with
what old hulks he could find handy.
Then I suppose In looking after his mon
ey where he lost Il he went through with
the same ceremony for the third time
and by this time was reduced from po-
sltion OF independence to one Of depend
ence.
Case number three. Two old barns
were moved by the owner with the help
of his hired man and 'Jlner" . few
days and with an outlay Of less than
sl6O. But the union did not prove .
congenial one, and divorce was the re-
suit In very few years with no help
except from snow upon the roof.
And now the citizens of this county
are asked to sanction the marriage OF
new fire proof brick vaults to an old
cracked and rickety brick building.
Ihave but Just commenced to tell OF
the mistakes OF this kind that have come
under my observation. I have already
written enough, but In closing wish to
say to my brother carpenters In the
county, II you have any neighbors who
have not had an experiences Of their own
In remodellng old buildings, tell them
better, whether Il Il for themselves or
the county, but don't waste time on
those who have tried It. +. WILLIS.