Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-10-23
RAILROAD PROJECTS
YIn Aroostoot Soon to be Put Through Big
numbering Operations.

| A special dispatch from Houlton tC
the Lewiston Journal indicates that
| railroad projects in that county are
numerous and are likely to be carried
out. The dispatch is as follows: The
Burleighs the most active business
men in the section, are hopeful, SO a
representative of the family says. that
the Bangor 4 AroOstook railroad will
be extended from it's present terminus
at Caribou to Van Buren, next season.
This will give the road an additional
mileage Of about % miles, and the line
will cross the country completely from
south to north.
II think it's safe to predict that the
road will go through next year" saws
my informant. But the location will
be shifted about six or seven miles to
the west of the line that has been run.
The new location will put the road
through New Sweden and Jemptland
ana thence north to Van Euren
through a country capable Of great
development and easy for railroad
building. If built on the present loca-
ton constructing the upper end Of the
road would entail such heavy work
that 1t wouldn't pay to operate the
line"
The project to open up n new town
ship 10 Swedish colony in the r.e,ion
above New Sweden is temporarily
blocked Parties who control the land
that is wanted, refuse To sell except at
a pronibtory price. Already the Bur
ieighs are selling off in lots 10 settlers.
half a township in that section that Is
partially developed. They are asking
a less price per acre for this laEd than
the owners Of the undeveioped town
ship want forS their property that Is to
lie bought in a lump
Under those circumstances the pro-
iec:ors If the colony scheme cannot
make themselves whole The new line
Of road. howeve. win undoubtedly
stimulate matters and open up the
region.
The Patton branch railroad is now-
in operation. Messrs. Burleigh, who
own TIE line propose To extend il ten
miles north from Patten village To
Chamberlain lake and they will petit
ton the Legislature fcT a special
charter allowing them 10 build lum-
Der road. They do not want 10 build
under the general laws for the reason
that they win not advertise To carry
passengers and will therefore not want
to be hampered by traffic restrictions
This road VIII open up large terri
tory covered with pine and other
woods. Hut little numbering has been
done on account of the difficulty of
driving out the timber The stream
has at one point preciptous falls and
although Sluice was built here at
some expense. a drive was held up
three years at the gorge.
The only possible way of getting out
the cut is by train. The road will also
open UP quite a section of pulp wood
and also tract heavily wooded by
spool and bobhn timber
II it's Neutrality-suspicious. are lay
ing plans to make the biggest timber
cut in years-that is: if Mckinley is
elected. On Chamberlain waters Muir
ply & LAWYER propose to cut thirty
millions and they have their supplies
in and their territory staked out for
their operation-that is, if Mckinley is
elected II he isn't they say they shall
go light
The big Ashland mill that is to he
operated by a Bangor syndicate has a
capacity of twenty-five millions per
annum and is to be the most gigantic
saw mill enterprise ever projected in
New England. trnder favorable cleo
ton returns this great plant will be
run 10 its utmost capacity. Here will
be sawed lumber that heretofore has
been driven down the Aroostook and
st. John waters and manufactured on
Province soil. Hereafter. the money
will remain in the State
IN view Of all the circumstances the
reader may imagine how anxiously
lumbermen in Aroostook await the
issue of the great November cIinch.