Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-12-18
THE FIRST TRAIN
On Bangor & Aroostook Entered
Houlton, Saturday Noon.
Snow and Ice Prevented the Grand
Reception Planned by Citizens,
But an immense Crowd IRON Niles lrsasd
Greeted the Arris.


cars and a provision car. Y. W. Gram
general manager of the B. & A. Railwa,
Co, arrived On special train at o'clock
remaining only few moments. A. A
Burleigh, president Of the company, wa
also on hand and was continually to be seer
directing the work Of preparing the ysrC
and buildings for the accommodation Of
the trains which will Low be- contin uoasIy
running.
| The engine, which was No. iG, wa,
driven by Herbert Trites of Salisbury, n
| b., with Thomas Connell of Fredericton
| n. B., as fireman, and is the latest engine
resolved by the COMPANY, being made al
the Manchester Locomotive Works, Man.
| chester, N II. On both sides of the ten
| der are the words, Bangor and Aroostook
A lee Cameron Of Honcton, n B.. occupied
the position Of conductor with George
Treat and Daniel kiifoil acting as brake
men.
| The rails used in the construction OF thi.
road, and which were obtained at pittshHrg,
Pa, are Of the very best manufacture, each
| rail being 80 feet long and weighing 70
pounds to the foot.
| 1t was intended that the arrival of the
| frat train into Houlton should be marked
| by a grand public demonstration, but that
| project was abandoned when it was aseer-
| tanned that the ARRIVAL would be made '''mid
snow and ice.' However, at l2 O'Clock to-
day the grounds of the new depot were
crowded with an immepse throng of citi-
zens OF our own and nearby towns, who had
| come for the espeoial purpose of seeing the
| "hanl up at the Honlton depot.
| Even though the wind blew and the snow
| fell, so great an event was not 10 be entirely
overlooked. and accordingly the band had
been engaged, speakers had been inter
viewed, cannon had been mounted an the
| populaee had been notified that at given
| signal all lungs should be expanded to their
fullest capacity, and at another all lungs
should pour forth their vocal strains in
three most touching, eloquent and mighty
tones to the tune of Hurrah Hurrah IIur-
rah
At 3 o'clock free ride was announced,
and in spite of the intense cold in a very
few moments all the available space upon
the car. had been occupied and II short ride
was given which was enjoyed by all who
participated.
The scene of operation during the con-
stru+ ton OF the last three or four miles has
presented a confused AMI busting appear
anee. as every day the w0rkmen were al
most hiockaded by the crowds who had
gathered from far and near on hearing of
the proximity of the traeklayers to our
town, and who were happily surprised at
tho hustling manner ia which the work was
prosecuted.
Work upon the false work of the
bridge across the Meduxns keag stream was
begun on wednesday (6th), and on
Wednesday (1Sthl bridge ready for the
tracklayers had been erected. For the past
few dave especially it seems that the work
men have exerted more energy IN their
work, being stimulated by the fact that
they would in a short time reach the termi-
nus of their winters operation.
II would. no doubt, have been beneficial
ta the interests of the ROAD had there been
possibility Of reaching Houlton during
the fall, and every effort was made 20 at
tain that end. but obstacles were encoun-
tered v hich DELAYED the work, and before
any were aware of it, cold weather had ar
rived, bringing its many Disadvantages,
| hntering the speedy progress which until
then had heen made. Bgt the management,
not intending to be daunted by the cold
weather, procured larger force and bent
all energies towards reaching Houfon IN a.
| short time as rossible. and excellent pro-
orsss has been made Notwithstanding the
serious hindrance caused by the severe
weather. -,
| The entire distance from Brownville to
| uonItou. covered by the new road is 2t IL
miles. Early in the summer preparations
were made for work upon the new depot
grounds; large force of men was put on
and il was but a few days when the reports
of blasting were heard which indicated that
the officials now meant business and were
confident that in time Houlton would be
reached. bank some 500 feet long and
from : to Is feet high to onlookers seemed
an immense barrier to be encountered but
NJ the end of two months that had been
completaIv removed to another part of the
grounds where some filling in was required
II was then said that the depot would be
b,;lt directly at the foot of this embank'
mont and many complained of the incon'
venience of getting o. that building as eat
only possible way of reaching it then, seemed
that Of driving around hill meaning hail
,,ila NJ unnecessary travel, but many wer'
the expressions of praise to the b.
pr 81 when. few weeks later it was OBJ
served that q roadway some 80 feet wio'
had been cut through wall OF rock. ~nieh
afforded an easy entrance to ana exit iroii
the depot grounds. %.
Then. Immediately, frelght shea 10
feet long and "a feet wide was er"cteo, en-
,rsnce to which is had through hve isrg
doors on either side, and before thls ouiio
inc was completed coal shed 20 feet lodi
ani "a feet vide was in course OF cons'ruc
t;on. which is furnished with the ''troiie'
system" very unique arrangement 10
the handling of coal. The depos, "ni,,
vas next undertaken ls sI1 admiraDis wen
constructed building, the main part Oh wnicl
> IA go feet long and q feet VIDE WIN
covered platform 10 feet in width exlenoio
around the entire building and Zo2 zee
aIong the track. The interior OF the dePo'
: ox,iny to the skilful management OF h'
: Cherries SWEET. chief carpenter, presents
a sa-v neat and attractive appearance, oein
sn;shed entirely in natural woods, inciud
. riu5;ng spruce, beech, maple, eim' wni's
wo,d and birch.
. Tbe rex, building erected was the eng'n
hopse which is divided into SIX staiis, eae
- ub;ch ia l2 feet iopg in front. zZ l.
a., ,o,g in rear and 6s feet in depth an
9 nr,v,ded with all the latest requirement.
y r.h;Is a, a short distance from ana 81
!. ..i5s-.hle elevation above the engih
! ,ss,,sa hs, been constructed tank Win
. srss,tv of so 900 gallons, which Is nite
ahont .hrea hours By an engine and puif
3 a',antea for that especial purpose ana sis'
e - rear the Meauxnekeag stream ife'
= = wh;ch the water 10 obtained, =,
: : nna Of the interesting features OF n
/, "a Il the cut through the "Horseoack,
!. .s4,,,s ore mile from Honiton, where N
= : - e., b;vh and 500 feet wide at ITS oss
!; :. ~. hean niercej, in order that as perfect
g ,,shsa "a possible might be ootsae'
isnrsav.s Cut about FIVE miles ifo
,e urn,s,ts i. another exhihiiion Oh ei
q :as,riov skill. where a roadway Was 6,
7, 80, ~ an immense wall of hsrdpsn-
" -.s,,. .s ha, been spared to make tine roa
,,arfse, in every particalsr :
!. Csr.;sarahle delay hss been caused y
d dEs.,s,,rns.tsuev on the part OF sonie OF =
- ..aytrac,t,rs. Until about sit weeks q
,r va, progressing slorly, but .. IN
p 49, n, s II Detv, eue of The ensinee
~ aasc;al.. noticing 4 lack OF ehsfs
- himself capable OF clrectlne =
80, Undertaking hy assuming eousse
es vh;eh time raFia progress pas ~
-, M. Defy is q realistic hnss,sr
49, .,ea;t IN fue Messrs. Symonas
-, bridge contractors for tle shss
,ants. Sv whom. contrary q eapss.a..ss'' ps'..ss
m ~, one moments delay has been 49, ~,
= Now thss Houlson is reseiasa VT. ~, NJ,
81 ~. eon strucsion vi the ssesi ofiasss - :. !,
sanmsncsd - and carried forraid % anl.ns - !
- sss he .he br;dgemen, snase anosa !
~shsea s,naaved in h4iiasflnx :