Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-02-22
AROOSTOOK NEWS.
Interesting Interview With Mr.. Francis
Wiggin of HouIton.
Some Results OF the 18th Maine Reqment's S
Work at the Battle Of Gettysburg.

Mr.. Francis Wiggin of Houlton, has
been at tho State House, the past two
days on the work of compiling the
statistics regarding the survivors of the
battle of Gettysburg of Maine military
organizations which is in charge OF Gen.
Hamlin of Bangor 1t will be rcmem-
bered that money tor this work was ap-
proprated at the last session of the Legis-
lature -
Mr.. Wiggin is engaged in looking up
the figures regarding the 10th Maine Rcgi-
ment, of which he was member.
In conversation with Il Journal reporter,
Friday, he answered, in reply to questions
on the subject
There were 5 regiments and batteries
of Maine men engaged at the battle Of
Getty ysburg. The 10Th was placed in a
most dangerous position on the first day,
being stationed at point to resist the at
taclls of the enemy, to cover the retreat of
certain companies.
Its loss was terrible. OF the 2S7 men
which We're present, only 81 men and four
officers survived. The officers were
Captain Daniel Marston, Lieut.. S. H
Plummor Lieut. j. 0. Lord and Lieut..
Isaac H. Thompson.
Each of the II regiments are TO be, or
have been, looked up with a view of record
ing the number Of those who were present
and survived, men and officers.
When asked about Aroostook county,
Mr.. Wiggin replied:
"Aruostook county is in a most en-
couraging condition. That the people OF
that county have learned the folly of - too
many eggs in one basket" or in other
words, too much concentration upon the
raising of potatoes, is, of course, admitted
by all. Even this early, the farmers are
laying out their plans for next season.
work, and there Is a most pronounced
move toward diversified farming The
farmers are taking up the problem with
the right view before them, and this lesson
will make its good felt in tine and that
time is not so very far distant, either.
Another thing: There Is not going to
be so much purchasing Of phosphate as
there has been. For years, Aroostook
county has been the grand receptacle for
phosphate manufacturers all over the
country, and this past year has more
firmly convinced the farmers of their mis-
take in this direction. They are begin
ming to appreciate from experience that
the fertilizer for their use can be produced
on the grounds without sending away
for it,
How are the farmers recovering from
the financial straits which have been
forced upon them" was asked.
THE farmers, and the traders likewise
are getting out Of it well. In the fall
and flrst of the winter there were many
failures, but since the snow came in good
quantities, the prospects have Frightened
The snow has allowed the producers to
bring their stuff into market, and every
one feels better. 1t has relieved the feel |
ings of those who are owed money and
they have not been SO pressing, seeing a
brighter future for getting out whole.
'There have been heavy shipments of
potatoes, they being brought in and pill d
away in the Eastman Heater cars. 500
bushels to a load. Although the price is
low, there is movement, and business in
that line is picking up.
The logging men are doing Just every
thing they can to get their logs which are
yarded to the rivers. Horses are i'll big
demand, and every effort is being made
to make up for lost time. Much of the
smaller timber tor telegraph poles etc,
is being hauled.
Regarding the number OF petitions of
insolvency through that section, Mr.. Wig
gin said The press throughout the coun-
trv has deprecated mans petitioning in
| TO Insolvency. This stress has made many
despair, but the prospects of a better time
coming has made it far moro just to all
concerned that the man who owes should
hold out, fight it out, and do the best be
can to pay up as soon as he can. There
has been such an agitation upon this point
that l think, many have been put to
shame by it. "
Mr. Wiggin left on the afternoon train
for Portland, and will probably return,
the middle of this week.
A Narrow Escape.
oID-