Ellsworth American., 1903-04-08
FRANKLIN.
BREEZY SKETCH OF ONE OF
HANCOCK CoUNTY,s TOWNS.
IT'S LOCATION IT'S INDUSTRIES - AN
OLD SETTLERS .sToRY-THE GRAN
TIE AND LUMBER BUSINESS.

| up to to-day.
franklin to day is situated as it al
ways was, and probably always will be, at
the very headwaters OF Frenchman's bay
and tide water traffic, and grand old
Schoodic mountain stands guard to keep
it from going east.
Franklin doesn't want to move, any.
| way, for it is doing well enough where 1t
Is; favored by many water powers, high
| lands and low lands, granite lodges, and,
| what Is most modern, railroad outlet
coupled with It's shipping by water ia
cilities.
1t is an old-time distributing point for
a large and increasing surrounding Sec
ton. Nine miles east OF the western
terminus OF the new Washington County
railroad, 1t is located and blest with re-
| sources and people OF which any town
may well be proud.
FRANKLIN's FUTURE.
Franklin is a town that is undergoing a
reformation, that is, industrialIy. The
coming years will place nearly all OF It's
industries In the hands OF a younger gem
GRAFTON, all OF whom have enjoyed educa-
tional and parental care, with the future
In view, and the results of such wisdom
can only turn out for the best.
Industrious aud progressive, native
New England Yankees of the old Puri-
tan stock, they know enough to spend
their energies at home, the place to
which many city venturer and failure
has more than once wished himself back.
The granite industry has been the main
stay for the past decade, but now the
future promises a revival of the old time
lumber business, but with feeling of
mingled sorrow and joy 1t is recorded,
for modern numbering is business pro-
position very different from what it was
In past years here.
AN OLD SETTLERS STORY.
Listen to recall. The writer was lately
told of a bit Of "life among the pioneer
stumps and rocks" by an old settler, some
thing after this style: "You knew John
French? Well, you remember his dance
hall; what might be called a roof-garden,
only it was just beneath the under side OF
the rafters. Along the sides, just high
enough b to sit on, were spectators benches.
Well, John and his folks ran a kind of
hotel, and he used to be head man in the
woods. 1t was about spring time, and
John notified the folks there was to be
dance at his hall one night. A number OF
us bucks, along in our twenties, congre-
gated as spectators at twenty five cents
each. More came to dance than John
expected, and he got pretty boisterously
drunk himself, and he ordered the specta-
tors to retire as the dancers needed the
room.
"He stepped along and seized little
Henry Whitaker, and was about to expel
him, when some Of US big fellows took 1t
up, and that brought John face to face
with the speaker.
"John said he would like to move the
crowd at wholesale. but l told him he
could retail me, and the rest could take
care of the pieces, and about that time
gave him lounder in the side of the head !,
and knocked him about ten feet in be-
hind he fiddler, and then | told him 1t
k ind of riled me to see him start in on
Henry, as he was the smallest one in the
crowd.
John came to, and set up the drinks,
and we and the spectators were the royals
the rest OF the dance. But that only
shows bow it don't always pay to bully
little fellow in gang"
LUMBER AND GRANITE.
The late John Paul Gordon and Walter
Boardman Bisisdell were the founders of
the granite industry, and in the short
period OF fifteen years the larger part
OF the formers fortune of $4,000 was
amsssed, and Mr.. Blaisdell's fortune OF
$50, 900 was made in less than twelve years.
1t is safe to say that had Mr.. Biaisdell
lived his allotted years, he would have
had immense riches, for he died young.
The granite business has sent fortunes
up like rocket, and they have stayed
like star. OF course, it is useless to
think that the living operators would for
a minute admit this, but every mans for
tune is reckoned after his death; he facts
are then better known.
The lum Der business has left but one
fortune in town. and that WAS the estat te
ing aoiiity, and as a testimonial of the
fact his capable descendants go to prove.
BUSINESS HOUSES.
The firm of Macomber Brothers was
organized before the death OF the senior.
1t used to be Charles H., Frank T., Charles
II. it,, and Jesse. Frank and the father
have passed away, and the two remaining
partners are carrying on the business.
The history of this firm is an interest.
ing one, and worthy OF a separate article.
TIE later lumber operators are S. s.
Scammon. e. q. Burnham, A. w.
Coombs, Blaisdell & Blaisdell and M. c.
Austin.
The granite business is operated here
by W. b. Baisdell d CO., t. M. Blaisdell,
Bragdons, Fernsld & Gordon, e. w.
Hastings and W. L. Havey, jr., & Son.
General stores are operated by these COM
panies in connection with their stone
business.
F. p. Gott, P. W. DeBeck, s. s. Scam
mon, Charles Murch, G. I. Bunker and e.
G, Burnham conduct general stores.
The Relay house Is the hotel OF the
place, and has seen many other attempts
rise and fall in it's history.
live secret order of FOreeters and an