The Republican journal., 1896-11-26
A Ride Through Aroostook County

NO,
Pressure Isle is very prettilv located
where the Aroostook river makes a very
abrupt turn in its course From southeast
erly it bends around until it runs nearly
north, forming what is Familiarity known
as an ''oX-bow." The site of this village
is quite level, the streets are wide and
neatly laid out, the buildings are all hand
somely painted, and with their CLOSELY
trimmed lawns combine to form a very
pleasing lecture to the stranger The pub
nc school building is an attractive feature
OF this village, as it is with the most of he
villages in this county, and one that could
be copied, to the advantage of our
rising generation and future posterity.
III all the towns of Waldo county. Here
we find a National bank, opera house, a
newspaper the Star Herald -- electric
lights, and three hotels among the pro-
gressive features of this village Here is
the terminus of branch of the c. 4 P.
X. H., While the b. x A. has a large depot
and freight buildings, and yet with all
these facilities for transportation much
trouble is experienced obtaining cars to
accommodate the immense amount of
grain and potatoes that are awaiting
shipment, thus giving one an idea of the
wonderful extent of the crop resources of
this section of the country.
In the year 1860, according to the U. S.
census, this town had population of 1872
inhabitants, while day it is claimed to
have over 3, 100-an increase of over :, $50
in thrty-six years. which is a pretty good
showing.
Our company dined with landlord Gates
at the Presque Isle Hotel, and after few
hours spent in strolling around the place
we took our seats in the comfortable B, &
A. cars once more and were soon at the
most northeasterlX village in the United
States-Fort Fairfield. This town has a
history of which Though | can't for the
life OF me tell why) she seems to feel
little vain. Quite large portion of our
party visited the site of the old fort from
which the town takes its name. and then
listened to the coolest RESIDENT of the
place as he gave detailed description of
the construction of the fort and related in
cidents of the Federal troops while quar-
the vicinity. This was away back in the
sos, though this old gentleman seemed to
see it all as though it was but yesterday,
as he stood before us resting upon his
stick and entertained us with tales of a
time earlier than many of his auditors
had ever known When in the presence
of such venerable personages-no matter
what their station feel like taking off
my hat to them and honored if permitted
to clasp their hand.
The village lies along the Aroostook
river and principally upon one street
which runs along the southerly bank.
Follow this thoroughfare to the east
ward, for the distance of about two
miles and you will come to the monu-
ments marking the line between the do
minions of Uncle Sam and Johnny Bull.
| These monuments are rather unpreten-
tious in appearance for their Importance,
and are overlooked by many sghtseers
for the more alluring attractions of
building, the west side of which marks
this same line and which is widely known
as the ''Pin." This building bears large
sign upon the outside which reads:
Licensed for the sale of all kinds of
Sprituous and INTERVIEWED Liquors.
Inside you can find ''all kinds" from a
glass of lemonade or soda to barrel or
4 r l,n 6
whiskey-and this is but one of the thou
sand smuggling depots of liquors which
flourish along the Canadian border
| was much interested in the manufac-
ture of potato starch and through the
courtesy of County Commissioner j. r.
Thullough, who, by the way, was a for
mer Waldo county boy, and sterling
man, we were shown through the factory
of which Mr.. Thurlough is one of the
owners. This is not one of the largest
factories, but it has a capacity of about
1000 bushels of potatoes per day, and
which will yield from s to 10 lbs. Of starch
to each bushel of potatoes. | noticed
many of the potatoes that were delivered
there were badly rotted, and had consid-
cradle curiosity to know how this filth
was disposed Of and soon found out that
sit all comes out in the Washing" On
the way to the "grating sieves' the pota-
toes pass through long spout about Is
inches square which is filed with water.
This spout has also horizontal revolving
shaft with short arms, which keep the
tubers continually in motion on their pas
sage through, so that when they drop
upon the sleeves, the cavities made bv the
removal of the decayed portion are as
, clean and white as though cut out by
knife, not trace Of the diseased part re-
naming. The grating sleeves are made of
fine copper wire which by continuous