Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-07
RECOLLECTIONS
Of Some of the Features of the
Delightful Excursion
Made by the Maine Press Associa-
ton into Aroostook.
Hospitality Of the People as BountifuI as
Their Broad Icres.

fress Association, who made the excur-
Sion to Aroostook county, have returned
TO their homes. The greater number re-
turned Saturday. but as the time of the
return tickets did not expire until the 9Th,
several availed themselves of the opportu-
nifty to remain few days longer, as al,
most every one who visits that county at
this season Is glad to do.
The trip was profitable one viewed
from all points profitable to the represen.
tatives of the Maine press and profitable
to the people Of Aroostook county.
The great northern county of the State
is country of such vast resources, that
all, wishing to keep in touch with the in.
terests of Maine, should acquaint them.
selves with it. This is especially true OF
those who conduct and write for Maine
newspapers. No better way could have
been devised for them than that of max
ing An excursion there, which might af-
ford the largest number possible the op-
portunity of seeing the county. The sea-
son Of the year was favorable. The fertile
fields, the many acres covered with the
ripening crops gave unimpeachable testi-
mony; the new railroad bringing as 1t
dots the resources within easy access OF
market was also new feature to most
of the party and helped to make the con-
trast with previous excursions more
marked than 1t otherwise could have
been and more favorable to the county.
Aroostook people are proverbially hos
pitable and they more than made their
reputation in this respect good, in fact
way beyond expectations They realize,
probably, that the newspapers of the State
have never missed an opportunity to say
a good word for Aroostook. That county
Is undoubtedly richer and more populous
because of the visit of the Maine editors
in 1858; and again when they went as an
association about twenty years later. 1t is
impossible to estimate the nu mber who
have been induced to make their homes
there because of what the newspaper men
then learned and were not slow to make
public.
1t was a most happy introduction to the
garden of the North that the party had
this time on arriving in Houlton. The
Journal previously gave an account of the
f,,l hncvtkolitxy Of he
beautiful drives, the reception in the eve
ming and the entertainment which served
to make the time spent there pass al
together too quickly. BY the time the ex
cursionists arrived in Pressure Isle they
were almost glad of brief respite II
sightseeing, and appreciated tho rest enc
hospitality provided by Landlord Gates OF
the Pressure Isle Hotel. There was no or
gained plan for showing the party about
this thriving town, but teams were had
and nearly all had an opportunity to view
the splendid farms, which are seen or
| every side, farms among the finest in the
whole county.
The hotel entertainment at Caribou as
at Presquo Isle was of the best, the party
being divided between Hotel Burleigt
and the Vaughan House. This is q village
that is well laid out and with excellent
sites for tho many attractive homes which
the people seem to take especial pride il
Keeping up" The citizens could not
have done more to make the excursionist,
visit most pleasant one. The party
was met at the depot by committee ant
| the band, which also serenadcd the visitors
af ter they had gone to their hotels.
In the afternoon carriages were brought
around for the party, quite a number Of
whom were taken to New Sweden, love
| ly trip that all enjoyed greatly. Late
there was meeting at Clark's hall where
there were addresses and responses, follow
ing which the party adjourned to the new
Odd Fellows hall, ono of the best ar
ranged in the State, and which was taste
| fully decorated for the occasion. Her,
! there was public reception and sho1
entertainment by home talent that was ,
delightful feature OF the evening. TheI
the doors of the large dining hall wer
thrown open where the party found tn,
tables very tastefully laid with deliciou
refreshments.
At Fort Fairfield the following day tn
exoursionists met with another hearty an,
generous welcome There were teams t.
take all who wished 10 see the countr.
round about. The journal representative
was one of those that were taken to An
dover, thence across the bridge to PERT
and up the opposite side of the river by
delightful drive along the bank Of the rive
the entire way to Indian Point. The tou
of the Indian village, the totem pole an
the quaint little church were especia
features OF interest, new to most of tn
party. The return was by way of tn
junction and Aroostook river road, on
of the best drives had during the trip.
| All .rbo nroccod tho line to tho Gam