Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-05
A PREDICTION.
Watervi||e to Washington by
Trolley Within Five Years.
Incidents Of Newspaper Mems Trip
on the B., B. & |. Road.
Wonderful Success OF the Enterprisc-1hc
Beauties Of Merrymesiing Park.

Il predict, gentlemen, that within
five years, it will be possible to start in
a car as good or better as our Merry
meeting from WaterviIle, and go to
Portland, Boston, New York, Philadel-
phia, Washington or Baltimore by
trolley, stopping when and where you
please, in the business section for your
meals and shopping and in the suburbs
or quiet places for sleep"
Such was the statement of General
Manager Gerald of the Bath. Bruins
wick & Lewiston Electric Road to the
party of newspaper men which he was
entertaining at Merrymeeting park
Thursday, after they had paid proper
attention to one of Host Fullers deli
cious shore dinners at the Casino and
were still at the table
The electric railroad king, to whom
all New England doffs their hats,
weighed carefully his words as he
spoke. emphasizing them with a little
Slioht VI hhStl anu nv ohC VI HIS
listeners doubts the statement, be
cause he has won the reputation of
knowing what he is talking about and
doing what he says he will do.
Mind you. he didn't say he was going
to do it, or, in fact, would not say what
he was going to do, but we all know
that. like the boy he cannot keep out
of mischief, and, with his connection
with electric roads he will surely have
finger in the pie. Here's hoping he
will pull out one of the plums.
He told us of many things of interest
about the road and the park. He
laughed when he spoke of how every
one thought he was crazy when he
iston line. but he smiled all over, when
he told of its success: how the road
was built. under tremendous opposition
and difficulties: how the then existing
lines were bought in; the trouble with
the power at the start; and the i'm
mense job of building beautiful Merry
meeting park out of farm, timber and
wild lands.
And why shouldn't he laugh? Even
as he was talking to us, with the fog
almost as thick as cream, over 1000
people were in the park, at the theatre,
al
most all had come on the Electrics.
Mr.. Gerald was non-commital on
what he was next going to tackle, but
he did tell us that another season
would undoubtedly see fine hotel,
built of stone, of about IS or 100 rooms
erected on the park, near and connect
ed with the Casino by brick tunnel.
The site is a handsome one being be-
tween the Casino and keepers house
on the bank. overlooking the Andres
coggin and facing the lawn and me-
nagerie The demand, this year. has
dations. hundreds having made appli-
atoms for rooms.
OF course Mr.. Gerald contemplates
extensive improvements at Merrymeet-
ing park. Although it is even now a
beautiful place, it is barely COM
menced. judging from the plans. The
grounds about the Casino running out
to the bank descending to the fiat along
the river are being levelled and will
have some fine driveways. The entire
lawn in front of the Casino is to be
made a gigantic flower garden. The
menagerie will be constantly added to,
and will be a great attraction.
Down on the fiat near the river will
be laid out one of the best athletic
fields that ingenuity can devise. Miles
and miles more of walks will be built
/ the island will be connected by a
bridge and handsomely arranged and
laid out, steam and naptha launches