Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-11
THE ROAD HEARING.
Evidence and Arguments Finished Commits.
sioners Will Report in October.

Inc hearing on the appeal from the
decision OF the county commissioners
on the Manchester COMBS Mill road
case before board of commissioners
appointed by the supreme court was
concluded. late Saturday afternoon
The hearing. which lasted three days.
was held in the aldermen's room at the
City building.
At the opening of the session. Satur-
day morning. Willis II. Wing was re-
called in behalf of the petitioners. Mr..
Wing testified that he was for some
years clerk and private secretary to
the late Congressman Milliken. APP
peared as chairman of the Manchester
board of selectmen. Farmers are do
ing more buying than ever before and
come to Augusta to trade Can re-
member when grain was hauled to the
Hallowell market. and now many of
the farmers haul their grain home.
The travel of this road has increased
one hundred fold in my remembrance.
Don't ask Augusta to give us ANYTHING
that is not fair and reasonable road
that Will give an easier outlet and in
let to the city. Manchester is a pure
ly small agricultural town, has no
wealthy people or corporations, and
therefore the amount of money that
the town has expended on the road to
the Augusta line bears as heavily on
Manchester as the amount the city is
expected to lay out. Want simply a
common country road, one that the
people can easily reach Coombs' Mill
on the snow when the other roads are
anita ha1
think Manchester selfish, as the town
has put in railroad ties on it's roads to
accommodate the Readfield and Mt
Vernon people. The tendency of the
first settlers was to run roads into hilly
sections. but now the lowlands are be-
ing utilized for roadways. People re-
siding in all parts of Manchester de-
sire this line. not only those living
near the eastern end. Location could
be determined by the county commits
sioners.
On cross examination Mr.. Wing
stated that Manchester in town meet
ing never took action in regard to the
proposed road.
Frank Il. Albee, a milkman residing
near The Forks. Manchester. testified
that the road would surely accommo-
date him and others to reach Coombs'
Mill, and thence to Augusta. 1t
would certainly furnish an easier route
not only for Manchester people, but
those from Mt. Vernon, Fayette and
Readfield. who would use the road.
Cali it fairly easy road to build and
maintain. as it is under the same con-
ditions as the Bond Brook road. He
built the portion of the road to the Au-
gusta line. and is willing to build the
proposed new road for $4,000. a road
acceptable to the county commission
ers. and furnish ample bonds for its
proper and suitable construction.
on cross examination he stated that
the only experience he had in road
building was the strip TO the Augusta
line. the contract being $3.50.
Edwin Caldwell. who resides on the
Belgrade and Mt. Vernon road. testi-
fled that the route would convenience
him and others.
William III. Lyon, who resides near
| the western end of the proposed route.
testified. that although he had a selfish
motive in the matter, he was positive
that the road would be a good thing
for the people living in the suburbs
and Augustans. Could see no difficulty