The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-11-17
Especial to the Press.l


Now Road-A Future summer Resort.
Especial to the Press.l
Rockland, Novel 4ber 16-Amid the
roaring of cannon and the pealing of
church bells, the first public passenger
train over the new Georges Valley rail
road drew into Union Common at 10
O'Clock this morning and the formal
opening of much talked of road had
been accomplished. After two postpone
ments by rain, the day dawned cold but
clear, with a cloudless sky that was a
forerunner OF the harmonious celebration
which followed. The exercises proper
did not begin until the arrival of the
flrst train from Rockland and way
stations, which train, in addition to
carrying big crowd of sightseers, had
aboard Ingraham's brass band of this
city. At Union Common the line of
march was taken up to the town hall.
where parade of fantasies, headed by
lngraham'S band and a newly organized
local band, was formed. This procession
paraded the principal streets until nearly
noon and created much enthusiasm. and
no little amusement. A prominent
feature was company of Italian railroad
Workmen, headed by Frank Mosley, as
the padrone. At noon the Rockland
visitors were rendered banquet in the
Methodist vestry, the railroad company
footing the bills. In the meantime the
delighted Unionists had been enjoying
ride over their new road, stretch of
steel rails nine miles in length. which
for comfort and surrounding scenery has
no superior in this part of Maine. The
road connects with the Maine Central at
Warren.
This. afternoon Unions town hall was
packed to the doors with an audience SO
appreciative that pin could have been
heard to drop. II on Fred A. Alden,
master of ceremonies, introduced the
chairman of the meeting, NJ. F. Hanley,
who made few appropriate remarks in
opening. Seated upon the platform were
Congressman Nelson Dingley, Jr., ex-
Attorney General Littlefield, Mayor
Frank c. Knight, ex- Mayor Butler, Her
bert M. Lord, Chester NJ Walker, NJ. A.
johnson, Register of Deeds, Frank Is.
Miller, County Treasurer, Leonard r.
Campbell of Rockland, Contractor James
Mitchell of Rucksport, E. H. Burkett,
Jason Robbins, President c.. Thurston,
Edward L. Thompson, Fred A. Alden and
Benjamin Burkett of Union, and VIM.
Brown of South Union.
The orator of the day, Herbert NJ Lord,
editor of the Rockland Courier-Gazette,
was given an ovation. Mr.. Lord was one
of the first and firnest friends of the
road. "The age of the stage coach, said
he, lis passed and Union now becomes
part and parcel of the great railroad net
work, marking progress and prosperity
In a splendidly delivered address hesstold
the people in brief that the new road
meant convenience, the introduction of
new Industries and the Development of
one of the finest water powers in the
country
Congressman Dingley followed with
brief remarks in the course of which he
predicted, among other things, a great
summer resort in the future. The other
speakers were Hon. G. E. Littlefield,
Chester NJ. Walker, M A. johnson, Mayor
Knight, Frank B Miller and l.. r. Camp
bell. Steeft
The illuminations and pyrotechnical
display were feature Of tonight's pro-
gramme, the streets and the majority of
the houses being one blaze of light.
The road opens up a valuable limerick
quarry property west of Warren, Another
at Union Common, together with
carriage works in South Union and
Union. A creamery drawing from a
wide section of country will BIZ started
up about December first The officers,
since the company was incorporated,
October 4, 1889, are as follows: j. G.
Thurston, president; Benjamin Burton,
secretary GA. Burkett, treasurer; J.C.
Thurston, A F. Brown, E. l.. Thompson,
Benjamin Burton, E. Fl. Burkett, j. M.
Robbins and Joel W. Hills, directors