Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-06-26
NEW SWEDEN
Celebrates 25th Anniversary
of Founding of the Colony.
Hon. WV. Thomas, Jr., Father ofthe
Colony, Delivers Grafton.
o:ner Prominent Citizens and State Officials
Make Interesting Speeches.

Caribou, June 25.-Just 25 years ago
today, colony of 81 Swedes under the
lead OF Hon. W. W. Thomas, Jr. who was
| then Maine commissioner of Immigration.
and who has twice since been American
minister to Sweden, sailed from Gothen-
burg tor northern Maine and settled in
| what is now known as New Sweden. then
an unbroken wilderness. In New Sweden.
today, there are III Swedes, while in the
adjoining townships are 1856 more, max
Ing total of 1852
The 25th anniversary of the sailing of
the original colony was observed, today
on the territory where the colony settle d.
There was large number of visitors from
various parts of the State, among them
Congressman Boutelle, in whose district
the settlement is Hon. H. L. Shepherd of
Rockport, and Hon. G. H. Daggett of
Presque Isle, of the Governors Council
The visitors were escorted into
the grove where the exercises were
held, being opened by music by the
Swedish band. Two thousand peo-
pie were present. Mr.. f. o. Landgren
briefly spoke of the object of the gather
ing, and Rev. c. ). jerks offered prayer.
Singing followed by a choir of Swedes
Mr.. NJ N NOrberg, pastor of the Lutheran
church, delivered formal welcome, re-
counting the story of the colony and pay
ing glowing tribute to Mr.. Thomas,
fc dnder of the colony, and rendering cor
dial thanks to the State for its early aid
There was more music by the band, and
Hon. w. w. Thomas, Jr., was introduced
as the father of the colony, and delivered
a formal GRAFTON. In his opening he said:
Twenty five years ago this very day
there sailed away from the shores Of
Sweden a little colony of 81 Swedes.
"This adventurous band then left home
and country and faced the perils of a
voyage of 1000 miles, and the hardships
and tolls Of making new home i'll the
wilderness of strange land without so
much as the scratch of a pen by way Of
contract or obligation, but with simple
faith in tie honor and hospitality of
Maine.
The colony was composed of % men, l.
women and IS children. All the men
were farmers; in addition. some were
skilled in trades and professions; there
bciEg among them lay pastor, a civil
engineer a blacksmith, two carpenters,
basket maker, wheel wright, a baker a
tailor, and wOoden-shoe maker The
women were neat ard industrious, tidy
housewives and djligent workers at the
spinning wheel and LOOM All were tall
and stalwart, with blue eyes, blonde hair,
and cheerful, honest faces; there was moi
u physical defect or blemsh among them.
and it was not without strong feelings OF
State pride that 1 looked upon them as
they were mustered on the deck of thu
steamship Orlando, and anticipated what
great results might flow from this little
beginning for the good of our beloved
Commonwealth. "
Mr.. Thomas then gave history of his
efforts to bring about this settlement
He realized that the climate of Maine was
adapted to Swedish colonizat ton and be-
lieved 1t possible, Notwithstanding in 1864
an attempt to COLOMBO Swedes In this
State failed. He said:
"This problem had gradually worked
out In my own mind, and had arrived at
definite practical plan. My plan was
this:
~ Send commissioner of the State
of Maine to Sweden.
SO Let him there recruit colony OF
Young Swedish farmers--picked men
With their wives and children. No one
however. was to be taken unless he could
nav his own passage and that of his famil!
to Maine.
80 A Swedish pastor should accom-
pany the colony, that religion might lend
her nowerful aid in binding the colonists
together.
"a Let the commissioner lead the
colony in body, all together, at one time,
and aboard one ship, from Sweden tt
America. Thus would they be made &C
nuainted with one another Thus also
would they have leader to follow and be
prevented from going astray.
an. Let the commissioner take the
Swedes into our northern forests, located
| them on Township No Is, Range 3, west
of the east line OF the State, give every
head Of n family 100 acres of woodland for
farm and do what ever else might b.
necessary to root this Swedish coioh!
firmly in the soil of Maine.
,sThen all State aid was to cease, for 1t
v,s confidently expected when once the
colony was fast rooted In our soil, II
would thrive and grow of itself and
throughout the future draw to Maine our
| fair portion of the swedish lhh'gra'ioh
| TO the United States
Mr.. Thomas began to act vigorously up
on this plan and received hearty co-opera'
tion. He was appointed the commissioner
of immigration for The purpose. he Went
abroad to preach crusade to Maine. he
was sue &c ;sful In getting picked colonists
From Halifax the immigrants route was
across Nova Scotia, over the bay OF Fundy'
and up the St. John river.
cat Fredericton steamboat navlga-
zion ceased on account Of low water:
hut 7 chartered two fat boats, placed
The colonists on board and at o
o'clock next morning they were
on route again, lowed up river by horses
Six DAVIS were consumed IN tolling up
stream co Tobique Landing. The Journey
Is now accomplished by railroad IN as
From Tobique thu journey was CON
tnued In five large wagons. The Swedish
;mmierant caravan wound over the hills
and nj 10 o'clock ON the morning Of July
90 reached the iron post that marks the
boundary between Canada and the
United States. .,., tho