Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-26

Gardiner By the closing of the saloons
of the city, there have been a number
of stores made vacant for the time.
NOW these are being opened again with
those who are doing a legitimate BUSH
ness. Even with over a dozen saloons
gone out of business entirely, there
are now not SO many vacant places as
a year ago. And amongst that to be
most thankful for by the traders is that
during the last year, not a single fall
ure has been necessary. What more
can one say for business OF a city.
Gardiner is like all places and has
amongst its people, few who have
fought the battle of life hard and in the
end have proved that they were unfor-
tunate and have had to fall back on the
city for support. There is no place in
this vicinity that can boast such a
pleasant home for it's unfortunates as
Gardiner. A beautiful brick home that
is heated by hot water and with all the
modern convenienceS. Now there are
but II within it's portals, the smallest
number for many years, that being only
one less, II. Even some OF these are
ing a right mind.
Fire has been almost unknown to the
bold fighters of THE city. There have
been a few alarms sounded but by
quickly responding, the fire fighters
have checked the blaze before it had
done any damage. The insurance rates
of the city are way down and this
shows that the value of the department
is known among those who are in
position to estimate its worth. During
the year, a new steam engine has been
added to the department. This is prac-
tically as good as new and if purchased
from any fire engine company would
cost over $4,000. But by the watchful-
ness of those interested in the good of
the department, it was secured and
placed in a condition as good as new
for less than $500. This makes for the
| city, three fire engines, two hose car
| riages to go with them, a hook and
| ladder truck and five hose companies.
| The entire department is volunteer.
| One of the buildings of the city that
| all point to with pride is that of the
| Gardiner Building Association. This
now occupies the site of what was
three times attempted to destroy this
old land mark and the last was almost
a successful one. There was not
enough left of the old building to repair
and make what was desired of it and
the whole was sold to the Gardiner
Building Association. They soon after
! began the erection of modern building
and today it is one of the finest blocks
| in, he o;t 70
err end of the business street, Water
street. This building is four stories
in height and is constructed of pressed
| brick and terra Gotta. The lower story
is occupied by three stores, two of these
ROW being occupied. Above these, with
the entrance on Church street, are the
banking rooms Of the Maine Trust and
Banking Company. These rooms oc-
| cupy the greater part of this floor and
their rooms are as fine as any in this
State. They are finished in quartered
| oak and the floors are Of mosaic. Be
sides the banking room, there are the
offices of the bond clerk and directors.
! These have all the modern convent
! enceS. There is also one office on this
floor, this being occupied by G. A. Hill
dreth. an attorney. The annex of the
| old Evans House was also remodeled
the same as the old building and the
entrance to this is the same as to the
banking rooms. A direct entrance
from the steps leads to an office which
| is occupied by DR.. Simmons and back of
these, leading from the main entrance
are the spacious and pleasant rooms of
the Kennebec Central and Sandy River
Railroad Company. The two upper
stories are occupied by Gardiner Lodge.
No. 8, Knights of Pythias. Here are as
pretty rooms as any lodge in the state
| occupy. They We're finished as the
| lodge desired. The upper story of the
/ annex is used as a smoking and coat
room. Off from the main entrance is
! the outer entry. This leads to the hall
on the right and the ante room on the
| left. From this ante room, another is
| found and from this, the main entrance
| to the hall is found. The corner room
of this floor is used as a ladies room
and this is elegantly fitted with modern
furniture. There is a large fireplace
also which adds comfort to the place.
The main hall is two stories in height
ard is finished in hard wood with a
highly polished floor. The furniture
upholstered and placed in a condition
| that was better than new as it was very
old and valuable for this. The lodge
has also added about $7CO worth of
, regalia to that they formally owned
and is now in as good condition as it
/ ever was. The floor above the ante
rooms is used as a banquet hall This
; mas kitchen with all necessary dishes
and a large room that will accommo-
date 100 people. All the dishes used
here are new as we'll as the slverware.
The cost of the building was about $40,-
0Oo
There are few finer residences in this
State than that of Frank f. Boston of
/ this city. Mr.. Boston was a Gardiner
boy, he having been born and brought
up in this city When very young. he
entered the employ of the Hollings-