Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-05-07
1.-THE GARDEN OF MAINE"
State Land Agent Oak Chats With the Journal
About Names Paradise.

II think that Aroostook county has a
very bright future and 1 have great faith
in it, was one of Land Agent Oaks state
ments to Journal man, yesterday after
noon, in the course of brief converse
ton.
Are there any new farms being
opened?' was the reporters question.
Yes, new land is being opened and
people are going to Aroostook, many from
the Provinces which join that great farm
ing section The people who go to ARGOS
took though want cleared land if they
can possibly get it. The time has passed
when man will go into the woods to
open farm many miles from cleared
land
Is the Bangor e. Aroostook Railroad
ballasted to Caribou YETI" queried the re-
porter, knowing that Mr.. Oak had just
come from his native town to the State
capital.
Not wholly" he replied, and CON
tinuGd about goo mon are at work
this side of Caribou and before many
weeks the work will be completed and as
fine roadbed made as along any portion
of the Bangor & Aroostook railroad.
HAS the line north of Caribou leading
to Van Buren, been surveyed?'
I, hill
into the extreme northern part of ARGOS
took. The distance is 25 miles and the
road will extend through a portion of
Aroostook county's most fertile soil.
The road will run across the county and
eventually line will be built to Ash
land" said Mr.. Oak.
You think Ashland will be one of the
county's bright and prosperous towns in
few years." asked the reporter, noticing
that Mr.. Oak spoke of the branch to that
place.
Undoubtedly, If the proposed line from
Oakfleld is built Ashland is the great
lumber village of Aroostook, and indica-
tons seem to be that lumber mills of no
small dimensions will be built there. l
think that before the line of the Aroos-
took Railroad is run to that place there
will have to be some establishments
started to insure business for the new
road, as the management will not build
without the lumber cut is manufactured
in that section and transported to market
over the road"
"What do you think was the lumber cut
in Aroostook the past season?
"Well, it of course was very small
compared with other years." began Mr.
Oak, "and could not have been expected
to be very extensive, considering the con
dition of the lumber market. | should
make the estimate possibly $4,000, 600,
while many years it has exceeded $780,,
900, 900.
"The potato dealers have strc eye"
said Mr. Oak. "The price row is from
60 to 90 cents barrel. The farmer who
sold. last fall, at 81 from the field, made
a good bargain. Quito a number of the
large potato houses are still partially
filed. think the condition of affairs is
due more to what they call "a scare" than
ANYTHING else, /" said Mr.. Oak as he boarded
the afternoon train for Bangor
Mr.. Fl. c. Aiken, the Boston artist,
who has been doing large amount of
decorative work in this city, has just com
pletcd a very artistic Piece of work at
Fairfield in the new Opera house, just
built by the proprietor. Amos f. Gerald,
who is well known in Augusta, and of
Mr.. Aikens skill the Fairfield Journal
says:
Mr.. Fl. C. Aiken of Boston has done
the decorating and through his good Judg-
ment and valued suggestions many I'M
movements of interest and beauty has
been brought about. The journal man
this morning visited the operation when
has been under the manipulation Oh the
brush in the hands of Mr.. ii. u Aiken,
ono of Boston's most talented artists.
In his lob here he has shown the Skill and
ability worthy of a much Older and more
ernerienced man. In fact the work can
not be surpassed for fine taste ana exqui-
site beauty in any building in Maine.
A large sewer pipe was laid, yesterday,
at the rear Of the Allen block During
the fresbet the sewer pipes connected with
several of the stores became plugged, and
the trouble was not until recently dis
covered.