The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-08

DYNAm|TED
THE Dam

Onesuncook, Me, Aug s-A messenger
who arrived here last night from Cham
belain Lake in the wilds OF northern
Maine. stated that a more serious condi-
ton OF affairs than was at first supposed
exists in the section as the result OF last
weeks hostiiities between men supposed
TO represent lumber companies along the
81. John river and the Marsh & Aver
company, whose interests are identical
with the East Branch Improvement COM
pany OF Maine.
The first report stated that the en-
ployes OF a St John River company had
used violence in interference with a man
In charge OF dam at the lake. II was
stated that a rife carried by the man
had been taken away and that the gates
OF the dam had been lifted 20 relaese
water. alleged 10 have been diverted from
the ST. John river, in spite OF his en-
phatic protest.
Last night It was learned that late on
Friday the men blew up the dam for
distance OF 20 feet near the gates with
dynamite.
NO WATER RUNNING NOW.
The break was speedily repaired by en-
ployes OF the East Branch company. and
the dam is row closed so tightly that no
water whatever is running over H.
The dynamitng OF the dam has aroused
much indignation and a large number of
men employed by the Marsh e. Aver
company are patrolling the district. The
messenger says that two men were seen
in the Vicinity of the dam this morning,
and the lumbormen there expected serious
trouble sho lid a further attempt be. made
10 release the water.
The present difficulty is not altogether
a dispute between Maine and New Bruins
Nnyir In ha
provement company of this state. whose
operations are largely confined 10 the
cast branch OF the Penobscot river. are
opposed not only by lumber interests
along the St John river. over the Cana
dian borber. but also by several Maine
corporations operating mills at points in
Maine on the st. John.
The East Branch Improvement COM
pany was granted q charter about two
years ago oy the state. and allowed the
privilege OF constructing a dam at Cham
berlain lake. one of the bodies Of water
in which the Alegash river, a branch of
the st. Jonn, rises.
KNOW THE DYNAMITERS.
The headwaters OF the Allegash are but
a short distance from the source OF the
construction Of this dam the mill owners
of the st. John claim that the waters
OF the lake are diverted from their nat
ual outlet into the St John, TO the Pen
obscot. thereby lowering the st. John
stream and inJuring the lumber interests
along Its course.
The 81. John river men assert that the
state of Maine mad no authority to grant
a concession giving any company right
20 divert water which would naturally
flow into n river running through two
countries, 10 another river which does not
touch territory outside OF the state.
II Is state dthat the names of the
men who used the dynamite are known
TO the Marsh & Aver company. and that
the firm has engaged Bangor attorneys TO
prosecute the case.
In tho event of further interference, II
ia said that the state authorities will be
called TO detail a force to protect the
dam.
The East Branch company contends
that the st. john people had no right to
claim the water of Chamberlain lake ex-
clusively for tho st. John river.
The zone of the trouble is more than
100 miles by river from the New Bruins
wick water, and Ia nearly 300 mile~ by
that route from Van Buren,. the place
where the clash over obstructions in the
st. John river occurred.