Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-11-30
READY FOR THE BOOM.
Franklin Confident OF a Busy Future
Because of the Railroad.

Franklin Correspondent Bangor Neics
There is not another town along the en-
tire line of the new Washington county
railroad that will receive as many benefits
from it as the town of Franklin. AL
though this road has been built by the
good citizens of our sister county, and this
town has not had to contribute any direct
financial aid, an overw helming interest
has been manifested from its start, and
the people were fully as anxious to see the
road as those who live farther down east.
We were only six miles away from the
Maine Central railroad at Franklin Road,
it is true, and some said that was near
enough to quick and easy transportation,
but 1t was far enough away to keep Frank
Inns many industrial possibilities as quiet
as the proven bal tomb, for it is a we'll
known fact that this town is trimming
over with sleeping possibilities, that need
only capital to awaken them and the
transportation facilities which will ena BILE
us to place our products before the out
side world.
Here upon our granite hillsides lie hun
dreds of acres of the finest stone that can
be found anywhere. The once famous
Black Diamond granite quarry lies idle
within sight of the railroad. This enter
prise hich furnished employment for a
large number of men few years ago,
was abandoned because of the long dis
lance that the stone had to be hauled to
reach shipping point. This quarry is
controlled by men with capital. and the
time may soon come when this will be he
busiest place in town.
In this enterprise the managers cannot
fear competition, for such handsome black
granite with its priced silver notified text
ure cannot be found elsewhere. II works
up well into monumental or building
work, and takes a brighter polish than
any other granite known to the trade.
Besides this, there is mammoth bed of
excellent red granite amongst the Schoo
die hills. within easy access to the new
road. and although this now lies un-
touched among the forest wilds its virgin
beauty can easily be uncovered and placed
before the public with very little trouble.
1t was in this vicinity that vein OF lead
was discovered several years ago by
strollng hunter, but as he was unac-
quainted with the locality he could give
no lucid information concerning he place,
and experts have been unable to find any
thing in the vicinity since, which resem-
bles the heavy metal. The fact remains
that he brought with him from his trip,
samples of his find and said that there
was any amount more here that came
from. An effort will no doubt be made to
find this lost vein.
Franklin gray granite is already well
known from PASSPORT 10 Florida, as many
millions of paving blocks and building
stone Of every description have been
shipped to all the large cities along the
New England, Middle and South Atlantic
coasts for the past quarter of a century.
The reputation of the excellent wearing
qualities Of this granite is we'll esta blished
in the above named states. and the new
facilities for shipping will carry it to other
markets farther inland.
The already large plants which have
been carried on by John Paul Gordon and
". B, Blaisdell X Co, The pioneers in the
granite industry here, will be increased
by the addition OF la Dor saving machin-
cry and the output from these two large
quarries alone will be little short of enor-
nous during the next few years. while a
number of smaller concerns will no doubt
call in outside capital which will develop
several Of the scattered plants in different
la,sfiT = hlr II J.,
the long-looked-f for industrial boom.
1t is not to the stone business alone that
we look for our awakening, for although
this is the most active industry that We
can boast of at present, the lumber bust
ness has helped Franklin much in he past,
and with our excellent water power there
is destined to be revival in this line also.
a great deal of the large growth has been
cut away or destroyed by forest fires, but
a new forest is fast making itself mani
fest; besides there is large acreage of
small birches, poplar and maple which
could be worked up into furniture and
novelties, if a suitable factory is at hand.
Macomber Brothers ladder factory,
which gives employment to number of
men the year round, viii be benefited by
the new line. as it brings their shipping
point number of miles nearer their mill
II will put our progressive farmers in di-
rect communication with the metropoli-
tan markets, opening an avenue for their
produce, encouraging them to improve
their circumstances by the Introduction
of thoroughbred stock. The canniug fac
tory which Was one OF the summer feat
ures few seasons age, could be run at
good profit, and with other factories on
the numerous streams. with perhaps
creamery or cheese factory, the farmer
will be well provided for
The numerous lakes and streams
throughout the town are wen stocked with
fish, and the nearby forests abound with
game, offering grand inducement for the
sportsman. The natural scenery invites