Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-05-19
A NEW INDUSTRY
Will Probably Be Soon Located
at Skowhegan.
Connecticut Man Wishes to Establish
Worsted Mill ia that Place.
Only Obstacle Now Seems 10 Be Securing Of a
Location.

Skowhegan. May (SpecinD. The
ing about for something that will de-
Vclor the water power and increase
the industrial circle of this. the one
fair spot of the Kennebec valley
For several years the min formerly
occupied by the Fiberte Co. has re-
manned idle. and ii has been an eye
sore to the hustling business men of
the town and for which Skowhegan
has become so well known. There is
now more than an even chance that
this large water power privilege will be
utilized for a new industry In the near
future.
1t appears that a we'll known wors-
ted manufacturer of Rhode Island has
made a proposition to Skowhegan cap
italists. that has been under considera-
ton here for some weeks The PROPOSE
ton is substantially as follows: The
gentleman. whose name is suppressed
FOR the best of reasons, proposes to es-
tablish worsted business here that at
the start will give employment to abou;
- people and within two years employ
200 people. provided local capitalists
viii provide him a good mill and water
power suitable for his business eX-
empt him from taxation for 10 years.
he paying a sum for rent that will be
equal to 4 per cent. interest on the
capital invested. Saturday evening a
meeting of representative business men
was held in the insurance office OF
John c. Griffin and the matter was
quite generally discussed. 1t was de
cidedly the opinion of all present tina;
everything possible should be done to
bring the gentleman from Rhode Island
TO this place. or. in other words. To ac-
cept his proposition. 1t is we'll known
that the firm Of l.. Anderson x Co. own
the mill and privilege spoken Of above
and while no definite proposition has
been received from that firm relative to
the purchase of the privilege it is re-
ported that the firm will undoubtedly
sell and take stock in the new building
to nearly if not quite the amount which
they will ask for the privilege.
The firm of l.. Anderson K Co. has
always been among the foremost in
promoting the Industrial interests of
the town of koWhegan, and when they
say III TINS matter that II the local cap
ital necessary for the building can he
supplied satisfactory terms may be
made with them for the privilege. ii
means something. Therefore. if l.. An
derson x Co. will take hold of the mat
ter as suggested above. all that is really
necessary in the way of cash viii be
that necessary for the. building. The
estimated cost of the new mill is about
50 ZOO. There is no question but that
the power of the privilege is all sutii-
cicnt.
Some Of Skowhegan's most wide
awake business men have taken an in
terest in the project. and when Skow-
hegan's hustlers set their hearts upon
anything. ii has got to come or some
thing breaks. The mill privilege re-
ferred to is on the south side of the
kennebec at the lower end of Mill
street. and when built was the old X
T.. Lyon q Co. paper mill. which con
tinucd to do business for many years
finally laying idle for several years
before it was remodelled into the Fiber
lite mill