The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1896-11-05
A Ride Through Aroostook County

attended the County Commissioners Con-
vention at Houlton and Caribou Oct. 21st
has, since returning, been requested by
The Journal to write for publication some
account of the trip and impressions re-
ceived vhile in the much talked of Car
den of Maine.'' Had notice been served
upon upon me by my friend, The Jour
nal, in advance of the trip that what l saw
was to be put before the public in ''cold
type" | might have closed my eyes at
times when, not knowing that | should
be called upon to tell, l had them wide
open; also | might have made few notes
of what | thought The Journal readers
would be most interested in that would
have aided me very materially in making
this account of value and interest.
Leaving Bangor Oct. Goth, by the B. &
A. 4 80 express, our party is first intro
duced into Aroostook county at Sherman,
which lies in the extreme western side of
the county. By the way, this town is the
home of that veteran County Commission
I'll. y, ". all ulooSs "hO SolAiO iAlo LILO
county about 81 years ago and has made
home for himself and family. Where, at
the time he came here, there was only the
forest there are now smooth, beautiful
fields and comfortable and attractive
buildings. 1t was full tner told me, by
those in position to know, that the Old
gentleman has besides the farm, a snug
little bank account to fall back upon if
circumstances should require: this was
accomplished by strict economy III all de-
tails, keen perception and untiring ener-
gy. backed up a rugged constitutional
type OF manhood less frequently encoun-
tered each year as the years roll by After
nearly 70 years OF almost ircessant toll
and hardship you still find an earnest en-
eIgetc ucrvy representative of our earlier
manhood. who has not yet thought cf re-
linqushing gAe worry and cares of active
life IA account Of impaired health or adj
vanced are How can we of less rugged
mould be censured if we pause to admire
such superior types Of the creation. At
sherman station there is not much to at
t1ac- tile eye. but other portions Of the
towa. Was told, contain beautiful farms
8ui mosp crous farmers who have faith Jhat
tle1e9 railroad will bring to them greatly
Increased prosperity From Sherman We
la-9 OH through Crystal to Island Falls.
Iele ~e ind an emryoyilla9e which gives
promise al Welding to the inspilitins in
1luolce + the advancement so highly man
ite>t,d ly some Of ler elder sister towns.
We atcl, occasional glimpses of fine leve.
farm, and neat and comfortable farm
houses. The almost entire absence of
big buulers, or of stone walls around the
fields is quickly noted by any resident
from Waldo county, 50 strong is the con-
trast. The next stop is at Ashland June
tion. where a branch of the B. x A. leads
through Masaldis and Squa Pan to Ash
land. its terminus. From Ashland June
ton past the stations at Smyrna New Linn
e1ick and Conys Mills we arrive at Houl-
ton at 1908. All of us are tired enough
and are soon in the comfortable sleeping
ICONS provided at the Exchange.
Wednesday morning found us all rested
and refreshed, though the sullen gloom
If tie cold, grey clouds that lowered
outside was rather depressing. But the
bright cheerful face of mine host Buzzell
Of the Exchange soon dispelled the
gloom, and ere breakfast was half dis
pensed all had forgotten the tired feelings
and c, mpaints of the night previous and
the outside gloom of the morning, and
were soon engaged in the discussion of
pleasant themes.
Iouton is situated on the pretty little
livtl Of Meduxnekeag, a tributary to the
Aroostook river, and to the most casual
observer it is at once evident that it is
the home Of men Of energy and push,
with pub ic spirit and thrift as well. This
yillas t, which claims population of about
400, is finely laid out with wide. well
kept streets, costly public buildings,
substantial business blocks, beautiful
residences with nice and attractive
grounds electric lights and a good water
system. it contains eight church editices
and tllee school buildings. The gram
man school building on Military street is
specially worthy of note; it WAS built in
1889 at cost of over SD, 600. Much
money is expended for schools each wear.
which speaks well for the intelligence of
its residents. The government building,
containing the postoffice and custom
Ct1ce is substantial one, built of brick
with granite foundation and facings 1t
was Quilt in 1898 and cost 500, 600 The
court house, jail and jailors residence are
on pretty elevation on Court street. The
former was built in 1880 at cost of S14,-
900, and the latter in 1889 and cost $50, 900,
The jail has all the modern improvements
toi the safety and ht alth of the prisoners,
as we'll as conveniences for the officers in
charge. 1t has 20 iron cells OF cages and
II may not be amiSs to remark that these
cells contain &c number of prisoners.
which arc mostly committed as ''drunks, -
but which bear strong resemblance to
the tramp OF ''vaglant' which infest-
ed Waldo County 50 extensively a few
years ago.
TAe blief tarry in this village and the
large amount of business before the CON
r.f,,,,