Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-19
A HEALTHY GROWTH.
Years Building Operations in
Vicinity Of Gardiner.
Many Thousands Of Dollars Expended
in New Buildings and Repairs
IN Gardiner Proper. South Gardintr. Randolph.
Farminsdale and Pittston.

Gardiner, Me-, Dec -(SpeciaD.-
1t is common thing when inquiry is
made regarding business in Gardiner.
the expression: "Oh, Gardiner is
dead.' Now those few words would
seem to indicate most doleful condi-
tionof affairs, a condition wherein hope
had given place to despair, and the
spirit of energy, which has always
characterized Gardeners citizens. had
wrapped herself in funereal vestments,
and seated on curbstone was calmly
awaiting the coming of the end
That such a state of things does not
IN reality exist there is no need of
stating. 1t is merely picture in SOM
bre tints painted by that class of peo-
pie who always exist, to a greater or
less extent, in any COMMUNICATIVE ca
lamlty howlers, people who never look
upon the bright side of life, who never
put their shoulder to the wheels OF
prosperity when they are blocked by
reverses but instead lose no oppor-
tuMty of pouring into the public's ear
their lugubrious- wall that the town Is
dead.
1t is true, perhaps, that business in
Gardiner, today. is not what it has
been in previous years, that is. in some
branches, but whatever is said in re-
gard to her is also true of other places
All places have their ups and downs
in prosperity, and it would indeed be
miracle should Gardiner be exempt
Take for instance the lumber bust
ness, one of her chief industries. That
has been dull but the dullness has not
ben confined to Gardiner. for of all the
mills along the Kennebec. fully half
have been closed during the year now
drawing to an end. 1t seems, however,
that change for the better is al hand
for prices are firmer at present than
they have been for some time, and the
prospects for next seasons work are
constantly growing brighter.
Gardiner has been unfortunate with
in period of Is years in the loss of
several of her industries and her condi-
tion today, compared with what it was
when the Kimball shoe factory, the
Richards paper mill and the spring
factory We're in operation, is of course
not dishedrten such men as guide the
industries of that city, and the time
will surely come when the push and
energy of those same men will place
Gardiner where she belongs in the cir
Gle of Names industrial centres.
Journal representative made the
city Il call, Saturday, with a view of
ascertaining what had been done dur
ing the year in the way of building and
improvements, and ascertained that
while the number of buildings erected
has been small, there has been ex-
pended upon them, including the land
upon which they stand. nearly $4,000.
The most expensive building erected
is the Masonic hall, detailed descrip-
ton of which appeared in a previous
issue of the Journal, and which is rap
idly nearing completion. 1t was begun
in September and will be ready for oc-
cupancy in January. Decorators have
the work well under way in the ante
rooms, and, today, Major j. w. Berry
will begin work upon the main hall
The buildings and furnishing will cost
$4,000. The Reed building, adjoining
it, has, since the fire in February, been
at cost of $500.
Next to the Masonic building in point
of expense. is the residence of DIR. c.
S. Jackson, corner of Pleasant and
Kingsbury streets. Work upon it was
begun in May, and the house viii be
ready for occupancy by January /. The
lot is a fine one. 175x1O4. level and 1av-
ing a high terrace on both streets.
The house is of the style known as
modern American, and is built from
pans furnished by Architect George
Barber of Knoxville, Tenn. 1t is two
stories with one-story ell, having i
pitch roof, with II gables. The foun-
dalton is Hallowell granite and the I'M
derpinning paving stones of the same
granite. There is piazza ON the south
and west side and small one on the
north.
The entrance is on the Pleasant
street side. small vestibule leading in
to the hall, which is 13x17 with a fire.
place. The hall is finished in cypress
and oak and the staircase leading from
it in cypress and oak, with Gulf cy-
press panelling. There are two fancy
art glass windows in the hall. The
floor is of birch.
From the hall one enters the parlor
through folding doors. This is a pref
ty room, painted in white and having
plate windows with art glass over
them. This is the only room on the |
lower floor that has not a birch floor |
ing. From the parlor folding doors |
lead to the dining room, which like the |
parlor in on the north side of the |
house. This room is finished in cypress
and has large French window which |
opens out upon the piazza The dining
room opens into the pantry. and the
pantry into the kitchen.
sOn the south the dining room opens
into large sitting room. This room
is an ideal family living room. light |
and CHEEKY and receives the sun ali
day long. The view from the windows
is very pretty. and the same can be
said of every window in the house.
The sitting room is finished in cypress,
and fireplace adds to the general I
of the ROOM
The kitchen is finished in North Car
DINA pine, and a wainscoting of that
wood runs around saha I
room. Itis equipped with all the mol
Continued on pske 81