Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-03
IN NEW QUARTERS.
American Express Co. Now Installed
in the Alden Building.
Offices Are Light and Airy and Are
Convenient for Business.

Saturday marked an epoch III 'ho
bistorrv OF the American express COM
n,nv IN Augusta, for the remoVal Oh
sc office in the old building to us new
.nd elegant quarters in the Alden
building. which have just been COM
,,Ieted. is the first change of base that
hos hean made i'm the express business
cince iS5G. That was years before the
American company had an office in Au-
p,sta. but the company which was des-
tined to eventually be absorbed by II,
Ala have an office and was doing busi-
ness under the name of the Eastern
Express Company. occupying the same
old stand which the American has just
vacated.
THE Eastern Express Company at that
time consisted of Geo. Carpenter OF Au-
pusta. and John r. Hall Of Boston.
When the great fire of 800 swept
Water street, this company was among
the victims, and was Temporarily III
stalled in other quarters. But as SOON
,s tho ruins we're cleared away, the
company put up another puiidine oh
the site OF the old one which had peeh
destroyed. and occupied in uhtl III 1901
il merged into the American company.
The new company continued 10 occupy
the same stand, but as the years went
on Il constantly growing business ana
desire for a more central iocatioii
necessitated a change of base at the
earliest opportunity. and with the cree
tion of the Alden building the oppor-
tunity arrived.
The new office was opened for inspec-
the MIAMI
nous sentiment of the hundreds who
visited it during the day that it was
all that could he desired. 1t is modern
in every respect, and is admirably ut
ted for the speedy transaction which
the express business necessitates.
The office occupies the entire north
side of the building, on the ground
floor. and has entrances from both
Water and Oak streets. at the corner
of which it stands. AS one passes with
i'm the main entrance. he is at once i'm
pressed with the heighth of the room.
and the fine light. These, with the light
finish of the room. give it a most
pleasant and homelike appearance.
The room is finished throughout in
quartered oak, and all of the desks
tables and counters, are of the same
handsome wood. Tho floor is of maple,
and the ceiling of North Carolina pine.
AS the overhead work is what is known
as mill construction, the timbers of the
second floor are exposed to view, and
the hard pine of the floor timberS with
the lighter colored pine of the ceiling
presents n rich creamy color, and har-
monte well with the woodwork.
The front of the office is practically
all glass. there being three large plate
windows, one 1OLxS feet, another
SINS, and the third, ks. together with
n large light of plate in the door. Over
each window and the door are large
light transoms. ensuring plenty OF
ventilation.
In the front of the office. within a
neat railing. is the desk of the agent,
Il. N. Mower. and n large table for the
use of the patrons of the office, and just
beyond is the counter of the money
order department. which is presided
over by the cashier, Geo. j. Allen.
This counter is 15x3 feet, with an in
side space of l@X7 feet. and is sur
mounted by "A bronze lattice work
three feet high. and having three wick
cts. The counter has round corners.
and an entrance at either END. With
in the space behind the counter is the
vault containing the safe. The counter
was built by G. +. Hoxie of this city.
and is a very handsome piece of work.
This department is very important
one for here are sold all the financial
papers, including money orders. trav-
elers' cheques. foreign drafts. foreign
remittances. and the transfer of money
by telegraph and cable to all parts of
the world.
Eeyond the money department is an
other counter running crosswise OF the
room, behind which is the freight re-
ceiver's department. and which is in
charge of W. A. Perry. Here is :,
cage of Stat work forthe accommodation
OF on hand packages. On the other
side of the room is a street door for the
reception of freight.
The west end of the room is occupied
by the freight room. The room is
16x21 feet, and the floor is five feet
higher than that of the main office. in
order to bring ii on the level with the
iioor of the delivery wagons. In this
room will be handled all the in and
out freight. and for weighing the same
there has beer installed a set of 5000
pound scales. The presiding geniuses
who VIII frequent this end of the office
are j. G.. Whittier, way bill clerk, and
the two drivers. J. j. O'Connell and l..
A. Ellis not to mention Tramp the
omnipresent.
The office is heated by steam, and
lighted by four electric chandeliers of
four lights each. There is a fine base
ment. nine feet high, and fitted with
lavatory closets. etc.
The advantages of the new office are
easily apparent. Its location, and the
interior arrangement will make the
work about one-third easier and then
the close proximity of several of the
city banks will be an item of great
convenience to the money department
business. which is large. and constant
ly growing.
Taken all in all. ii would seem that
put little. more could be desired about
the office. in any way. for il is well ar
ranged in every particular to meet the
requirements of the business and aside
from that is handsome addition II
Water street.