Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-29

spent 100000 here in Improvement
since 1856. The cost of shoe factory
ana paper and pulp mill are also in my
estimate of s1,G2S,OOO paid for building
il city since 1856. The 445 dwellings, in
clude the many tenements built by
Edwards company. The city has a
large and prosperous farming section
The system of State valuation mas
changed since 1886. The State valu-
alton is 'algCr than the city valuation
mainly on account of local exemption
Of certain industries. The city lighting
system is controlled by same company
that owns water system. Did not
know that Edwards company mad
leased all surplus power on dam. re-
serving it only to itself for cotton
manufa curing purposes. There is
practically no water power in city eX-
cept at kennebec dam"
The afternoon session opened with
Mr.. Hichborn still upon the stand un-
der cross examination by Mr.. Heath:
IN 1886 the city had no sewer system
worth the name. The city has lost
some minor industries since 1886.
Wyman. Weber & Gage were perhaps
employing 10 men in 1886. There was IL
small box factory across the river. The
Allen publishing business has ceased,
but the Gannctt business has grown up
in its place. The railroad shops have
been moved away since then. They
employed about 90 men. The Boyd &
Corey Shoe Co. ran about one year be-
fore it assigned. The Stockholders got
nothing. The building of the Wiscassct
narrow gauge road probably injured
Augusta trade a little. The Edwards
mill has been the largest element III the
city's prosperity since 1856. The cleo
trio road has brought in much trade.
Cannot state rural population of the
city which water system cannot reach.
My estimate of building done since
1856 included residences of Governor
Hill. Mr.. Haynes and Mr.. Gannett."
EA-Mayor Lendall TitcOmb was next
called by Mr.. Eaker and testified as to
the value Of various prices of real es-
tate. as follows: The 24-acrc lot decd
Cd by Warren Johnson to Water Com
pany is worth about $500: the So
called Butman lot, independent of
springs and water rights upon it. about
S"uo; the 6-acrc lot decided by J. a.
Homan. about $500: the 5-acre lot
decided by the city to the company
where the reservoir is located, about
$500: the lot decided by Albert T.
Fuller, about $500: the reservoir right
of way. about 500; the lot decided by
VIM. Bpokstavcr. near reservoir, about
500
The deeds of these lots were later put
in by Mr. Baker. A schedule of the
-.,1t ~,.rl,t
lines was also put in by common con-
sent. the titles to be shown later.
On cross examination Mr.. Titcomb
testified Have examined some of these
lots within 4 year. The Fuller lot from
which sand was taken to build resor-
voir is hard to value now. The Lamont
and Johnson lot of "a acres has never
been titled in my memory. Part OF It
is wooded. Think it is worth 800 an
acre. II is valuable for its gravel and
there will be street through it some
time to Western avenue do not val
uc the Putnam lot at 5000 as il is, but
as it would be without any springs or
reservoirs upon it. A corporation clerk
of Devne water company and has had
much to do with business of corpora
ton
Ephriam Dyer was then called again
to the stand and his cross examination
by Mr.. Heath continued: Gould not
find my contract with Mr. Wescott, as
thought I could. left it at Office of
Augusta Water company last Friday,
but could not find it there this noon.
Mr. Cummings may have taken it to
Portland. Cannot recall what / got
Tor job here. Received 50 per foot for
rock work. The company furnished all
material and I did all the labor. Re-
ceived 50 cents per foot for laying 10
inch, 1O-inch and S-inch pipe. 30 cents
for 6-inch pipe. and IS cents for Pinch
pipe. and $40 for setting each hydrant."