Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-19
EXCITEMENT
Among the Cottagers About
Lake Cobbosseecontee.
Believe Their Property Is Threatened
With Destruction
by Raising OF Outlet Dam and Which Has
Already Been Begun.

raising the outlet dam has for a few DAYS
been progressing very quietly, so much so
that even near by residents Were not
| aware Of it. The road at the outlet has
been raised, and part of the stone work
on the dam had been completed before
the interested cottagcrs were aware of
what was being attempted. AS soon as
the selectmen Of Manchester were aware
Oh 1t they commenced to take steps to pre-
vent it.
The interested parties who own cottages
at the lake have engaged Mr.. FAIR to OBJ
tain the injunction, the order for which
was issued Monday by Judge Whitehouse,
and will be Immediately served, requiring
| the Water Power to show cause why
an injunction should not issue. The
order is returnable next Tuesday The
reporter attempted to see Mr.. Maxcy of
Gardiner, who represents the Water Power
| Company. He being sick and Mr.. Boston,
the agent, being in Waterville, Mr.. Joshua
He stated that the company only designed
raising the dam about foot by raising the
granite wings and adding to the flush
boards which would enable them to hold
back more water to be used in drought
He also stated that the company had not a
particular charter for this raise of the
dam but did not consider one to be neces-
sary as they owned the right of flowage to
most of the property around the lake.
So the case stands at this writing.
Further developments are awaited by all
the interested parties. MIR. Gray says the
Water Company only aim at raising the
pond in the time of high water about a
foot, whereas Mr.. Spaulding Of Hallowell,
who was at the lake Sunday, says the
addition commenced will raise it from
eighteen inches to two feet 1t is claimed
by the cottagers that the company have
gone ahead illegally in order to steal a
march upon them. They claim that the
company are required to notify the county
commissioners of their intention to raise
the grade of a road and obtain their con
sent before doing so, but in this case have
raised the road at the outlet without any
such notice, and have in every way
kept their intentions of raising the
dam from being known by the parties
who would naturally oppose it. 1t is
also claimed that if the raise should
be from one two to feet above the present
high water mark very many more acres
would be overlooked in tho spring for
sufficient time to kill the trees thereon,
and water would como up around and
drive out several of the cottagers; that
bogs and malaria around the pond would
be increas cd beside fringing it more than
ever with unsightly dead trees, in fact 1t
would in a large measure destroy the
beautiful lake as desirable summer
resort. People from distance (some Of
whom are now negotiating for building
lots,) would be deferred from locating
there and Others who would be drowned
out would leave, so that what has
promised to be beautiful summer resort,
would be checked entirely in its growth
and the prospect of additional taxable
propcrty to the benefit Of the several
towns surrounding the lake would come
to nought. This view of the case is what
has excited so many of our citizens and
the town of Manchester that has already
tasted of the benefits accrung to 1T by the
location of SO many summer cottages
within its borders. This is outside of the
damage to the islands and desirable points
which would in the future be likely to
he available as the demand for summer
homes increase.
1.-THE destruction of ordinary farm land
and woodland perhaps could be covered
afterward by assessed damages said
prominent party interested in the matter,
adding, "but Lake Cobbosseecontee has
passed that period and what the damage
would be to all the surrounding towns
and cities in the coming years if its
growth as n summer resort is checked
could not be estimated in dollars and
cents. Names interior waters and sea-
coast where available for summer homes
should be protected and guarded as zeal
ously as New York City does her Central
| Park. These advantages have already
| added millions to the States valuation
and no one can estimate the future value
of these natural advantages. On the
other hand the States manufacturing In
terests must be fostered and encouraged
and 1t will take wise action to decide
when 1t is time to say to the dams,
Thus far shalt thou go and no further
and here shall thy mad waves be stayed.
Don't forget about the unusual chance
for storing your bicycles and having them
turned over TO you. clean and ready Tor
use in the spring. They will rust II Kept
where the frost reaches them. f. l.
II r,,,, aon, ,S ayrellen6 for this ptlr-