Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-12
AL ABOARD" !"
Portland 4 Rumford Falls Ex-
tension Ready for Business.
Rumford Falls Celebrated the Com
pIetion Of the Extension, Saturday.
The Company Is Now Operating So Miles Of
Important Road.


This place yesterday celebrated the compile.
ZION Of the extension of the Portland
Rumford Falls Railroad, in handsome
shape. A special train from Portland
bro ight the officers of the company and
about 200 Portland men, besides about 100
men. who joined at Danville juno ion, from
Lewiston, Auburn, Augusta, Waterville,
and other places. Tie party was in charge
of President Chishom and Superintendent
Bradford.
On arrival here the party inspected the
immense paper plant, in all its branches,
and spent no little time in admiring the
wonderful water power. splendid lunch
was then served, after which Ex-Governor
2obie was introduced by Hon. d. J. Nc
Gillicuddy of Lewiston. Gov. Robie spoke
Of the Transformation in three years of u
wilderness and unbridled river into a thriv-
ing manufacturing town with water privi-
lege of $4,000 horsepower. He was fol-
owed by Judge Symonds of Portland.
Upon motion of Hon. Clarence Hale, .
vote Of thanks was extended to- President
Chi. holm.
The Portland & Rulnford Falls Railway,
TO Auburn and Lewiston, making direct
communication to Portland, is the consul
nation of long cherised hope Of the peo-
pie of the eastern portion of Oxford county
for direct connection with the cities men
'ioned.
When it is understood tina. rs early as
l847 the first attempt was made to open up
hat section with the outside world by tn.
organization of the Buckfield Branch Rail
Dad Company and in lS49 the opening OF
l3 miles from Mechanic Falls to Buck field
Ind the loss of money and disappointment,
chat followed in the train of the bitter exps-
FENCES Of the people on the line of The
-oad, it will not be wondered that the open
ng of the road for travel on Monday, Fe b
l2, is hailed with unusual satisfaction.
In 1856 this road was sold under
foreclosure and subsequently acquired by
he Oxford Central Railroad Company, and
xtended to Canton, some miles fnrthe,
north. Suffice it to say that in 1874 the
Rumford Falls & Buckfield Railroad Com
pany became the owner of the property,
restored the road, furnishing new rolling
stock, and resumed operations in 1878, ex
ending the road two miles to Glbertville,
in 1879. The officers of the road at that
tire was Hon. VIM. L. Putnam, president; ;
l.. l.. Lincoln, superintendent.
In 1890 the last named road was leased
for one tlous and years by the Portland
& Rumford Falls Railway and in 1892 open
The road to Rumford Falls, l5 miles fur
her north. The opening of the last
xtension from Mechanic Falls to Poland
springs Junction, IL 1-2 miles constitutes
80 miles of road, now operated by the
Portland & Rumford Falls Railway Co.
The present officers are Hugh }. CHS
holm OF Portland. president; r. C. Brad
ord, secretary; J. w. Symonds of Port
land, attorney and general counsel, Hon.
George d. Bisbee, attorney; L. l.. Lincoln,
superintendent. Too much credit cannot
be given to the last two named gentlemen
in bringing about the final completion OF
the long desired object. The termin us,
Rumford Falls, has one of the best water
powers in New Epgland its resources hav-
ng been developed BY the expenditure OF
nearly 81, 900, 900, bidding fair soon to be-
come a metropolitan town.
1t is true that the road formerly connect
ed with the Grand Trunk Railway at Me-
chanic Falls, but the vexstious delays
caused by connecting with an Independent
line, and at a point where connections
could not be relied upon owing to the delay
of trains was the cause Of much dissatis-
faction.
1t is now understood by the public that
the road has a close alliance with the
Maine Central Railroad Company, and
those who understand the policy of Mr..
Payson Tucker of the Msiae Central can
appreciate what that means for the new
road. The trains from Rumford Falls are
allowed to run in to Auburn and Lewiston
from Poland Springs Junction over the
NJ aine Central road. The train service is
excellent A local train leaves Mechanic
Falls at z A. NJ, making close connection
for Portland at the junction, and returns,
leaving Lewiston at p. NJ, taking Port
land passengers at the junction, who leave
Portland at P. NJ. Two trains leave Rum
ford Falls daily, at 90 A. M. and 2 80 P.
NJ, making close connection with the M.
c. r. X. at Poland Springs Junction.
Passengers from east of Lewiston and
from Brunswick way viii find this conve-
nient way to reach Mechanic and Rumford
Falls and towns on the line. Poland
Springs summer resort is made easy of ac-
cess, the station being in sight of the IA
nous hotel, less than mile from the same.
Not only the public are to be congratulated,
but the officers may feel just pride in the
fact that additional prosperity and comfort
IS to come to the energeti: eople of large
,oction of Maine