The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-03-11
WATERVILLE AFFAIRS.
Narrow Gauge Road to Harrington
Said To Be Assured.

Narrow Gauge Road to Pennington
Said To Be Assured.
Hopes to Open Up Fishing Region
Mayor Redington and the Liquor
sellers-Proposed City Hall Syndicate.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.J
Waterville, March 1O-Eenator P. S.
Heald and Representative W. G. Phil
brook Of the state legislature agree that
its practically a sure thing that there is
to be a narrow gauge railroad running
into this city from Pennington within
two years. Both these gentlemen are
residents of Waterville and each has done
much hard work to secure the Farming
tom Watsrville narrow gauge charter now
before the Senate. which has already
i passed the House. The charter was bid
for very strongly by the Gardiner contin-
gent, who Up to the very last expected to
secure the road.
The capital for the road, I'm given to
understand. will be furnished by parties
outside the state and the city or towns
along the route will not be requested to
contribute to it's construction by the pur-
chase Of stock.
If the measure passes the Senate the
road will have TO be constructed as FAR as
New Sharon, fourteen miles this side OF
Farmington. on or before Decem her next
and completed into Watsrvills before the
expiration of two years. 1t is proposed
to have this road run through the towns
Of Pennington Falls, New Sharon, Mer-
Ger, South Norridaewock, Oakland and
Waterville. 1t will probably enter this
city the west side of the Messalonskee
stream, having depot near Crummitt's
mills. Follow the stream to the Kenne-
bee river, GROSS the same below "the mill
pond'' and take it's course for short
distance along the Sebasticook then
branch off to North Vassalboro, joining
the Wiscasset g Quebec railroad at
Weeks mills This would open up
winter harbor to Waterville and all the
towns en- route from Pennington. AS
the Maine Central management has made
no move towards killing the measure it
is thought that they expect it to be a
fairly good feeder to their road at this
junction, as it no doubt would.
There seems to be sentiment that a
great deal Of tbs Rangeley lake traffic
would be diverted from Lewiston to this
place. II the road is built 1t is proposed
by it's promoters to make special effort to
have the lakes Great and North we'll
stocked with trout and open up resorts
hereabout. Already the trout fishing of
Great lake is very good, hundreds of trout
having been caught there the past winter
which would average two pounds and
one has been taken which tipped the
scales at eight pounds.
Che action taken by Mayor Redington
against the rumsellsrs of this place has
caused the greatest comment. This morn
ing it is alleged that much partiality has
been shown by the mayor IN his notices
to quit. This is probably untrue. Per-
sonally. I have been informed by Mr..
Redington that he has given notice to
twenty-fve liquor sellers that they must
get out of the business and this would
cover all OF the places of objection. Mr..
Redin2ton has stated that he proposes to
show no one favors, be he Democrat or
Republican, but shall work to the best
results for the oity's welfare.
The new city building scheme is again
being aired and Attorney General Haines'
plan for Its construction by syndicate
has been followed to the legislature by
remonstrance signed by two hundred of
the heavy tax payers of the p4nce. The
legislature is asked to grant permission
to syndicate to construct city build
ing and equip the same with steam heat,
etc., to q sum not exceeding SIS, 0O0
Yet there is contract to which ex-Mayor
Webb signed his name, and then erased
1t, with M. @. Foster & Son, which calls
for the construction of building as per
plans furnished to cost $40. 600. which
does not include anything save the bare
walls. There is no provision for heat, In
terror decorations, etc. These specifica-
tions also call for limestone trimmings
which will cost the oity some Sl2, 900
more than would Maine granite and
which Mr.. Foster states will not with
stand the climate of the state. He adyo-
Gates the use of granite for he says 1t
seems TO be good enough for the United
States Capitol, Albany and other large
cities.
Another of Our "War" Ships Disabled.
Norfolk, Va. March 10.-The United
States monitor Puritan, which left Char
lsston Friday aud encountered heavv
weather all the way up the coast, is III