The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-06-06
NOW A DESERTED VILLAGE.
Pretty Saltwater Passed Out Of the
List Of Active Communities.
SCENE OF LIFE AND INDUSTRY.
No More-A Charming Hamlet on the
Banks OF the woonasquatucket Where
All Has Been silence for Eight Years
A Big Mill with Machinery Idle.

Who has not heard of the abandoned
farms of New England? Hardly any on
who has read a newspaper within the
last year. But how many know that
right here in Rhode Island and within
ten miles OF Market square. there is a
veritable deserted village.
The vines and creepers do not
conceal crumbling walls or broken
hearthstones, because no walls have
fallen and no hearthstones happen 10
form part OF the structures Moreover
the houses are still kept in good repair,
though no soul makes a habitation with
i'm their precincts The grass is cut on
the rolling terrace that skirts the pretty
though silent street, but only the chill
dren of the caretakers d sport themselves
upon he long stretches or waving blades.
Six years ago the village OF Saltwater.
which nestles in n picturesque spot on
the north bank of the Woonasquatucket
river, was one of the most thriving OF
the small er communities in the sta O.
There was happiness and conIentment on
every hand.
Two hundred persons or thereabouts
were employed in the wuolen mill They
were well-housed, well-clothed and we'll
fed. The houses in which they lived
were OF modern construction, excellently
ventilated and placed on rising gr. .und
commanding a charming prospect of
field, wood aud water. There was h all
where pleasant hours were pass q in In
uocent amusement; the modest church
affords ample opportunity for worship
while the village store was the center OF
village life and gossip.
All these are still. there. but what of
the people who once enjoyed them [!
Tn, v are now part OF other aud more
active scenes. They are sweltering in
dusty city tenements or toiling in som
~. <.lx. I...e
are certainly they cannot lind such beau
tiful surroundings as tIose they lert be-
hind them when they migrated from
saltwater.
The manufacture OF wooden goods was
established In Saltwater May years
40. Twelve or fourteen years 40 the
original mill which was of wo ii was Il :
stroyed by fire. aud on its site a modern
structure $40 feet ia length was butt.
1t il two s,ories high and on the front
are two large square towers. Tue mill
Is exceilenIly lighted by large hig IA
windows, while about IL are acres of
gently slopng lawn which il separa ted
from tue village street by substantial
fence.
Besides the mill proper there are sew.
eral smaller buildings ot brick and stone
ia when the boilers engine and ma
chinery u ed IN the preparatory process Is
are loca ed
The manufactory is what is known as
ten-set mill, aud Is fitted throughout
with modern machinery. For SIX years
after the new ni,l Was built IL was OPP
Grated by Edward Pearce OF this
city. Then, applredtly for no cause
otHer than the will of the propris-
tor, the machinery was stopped. the
hum Of industry no longer was hearl in
the pretty valley. Daily the household
gods of the workers were carried away
on cars and furniture vans aud with
them went tie people. Then the shut
ters went up on tie village store, and
saltwater became a deserted village.
IL Is sail that Mr.. Pea CO has received
several offers for the property. but has
d clintd TO part with ~. Twice n year
he spends part OF an hour there. The
only permanent residents are the two
watchmen at the mill, tue former book
keeper 1.-The es RDlishmtnt AMI a few
emp loves OF the railway company. That
Is all there j. iett OF pretty Saltwater.