Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-05
WILL Save Time
A Proposed Railroad to
Caspe Peninsu|ar.
Will Shorten Journey From Liv-
eTpoe| to New York.
Van Buren, Would Become a Rail-
road Center and City.

There is one man in this State who
thoroughly believes that Van Buren, is
destined to be the metropolis of
northern Maine. That man is Peter
Charles Kccgan. He will tell YOU that
Van Buren, has treb!ed in population
since the last census and that it will
have population of 10000 souls in
side of the next ten years. He will
also tell you that the little town up
there on the st. John is going to be
the biggest railroad center in Maine.
not even excepting Portland. Ac-
ccrding to his way Of figuring there
will be no less than six railroads enter
either Van Buren, OH St. IeonarGs
across the St John River. These
roads are the International of New
Brunswick. the Bangor and Aroos-
took. the Canadian Pacific, the Grand
Trunk Pacific. the Northern Railway
Co. of Maine and new railroad. des-
tined to shorten the sea voyage from
Liverpool to New York by Il day and
the railway journey by some so miles
1t is rumorcd that this new road is
scheme of James J. Hill. the rail-
road masnatc and that it will be built
that Il party of 20 or 80 surveyors
have gathered ut ST. LeonardS this
winter ana will survey Il line through
to Ga5pe Bay South, on the Gaspe
Peninsula. Beginning at Gaspe Har-
Dor. situated at the eastern point OF
Gaspe Pcninsular which forms the
southerly side of the Gulf of st.
Lawrence and where there is a beauti-
full harbor. almost completely land
locked, the new road will run III
southwesterly direction through Gait,
IaRouuc LaForcc, thence across the
unsettled portion Of GaSpe county
striking the coast towns again at
Newport and Port Daniel At the
latter point the new construction Will
cease and the road will join a section
limit by an English syndicate in the
summer Of 1906, thea over another line
called the Atlantic and Lake Superior
which follows the coast towns along
to the Restigouche River. These two
short sections of the railroad have
already been acquired by the Hlll
interests Tie roads skirt the
northern shore of Baie Chaleur. one
Of the most beautiful sheets Of water
on the Atlantic coast and pass
through the towns Of COX. Hamilton.
New Richmond, NORM. Carleton,
Nuuvclc, Mann and Mctapedia into
New Brunswick, crossing the
Restigouchc River near its junction
with the Mctapedia.
New construction begins again here,
the line passing through practically
virgin country, vcritablc paradise
for tho hunter and summer tourist.
along the ReStigouchc river until 1t
reaches nearly to the head waters OF
that stream and then crosses over to
the valley of the Grand and follows
that down to a point within few
miles from where it empties into the
St. John. The railroad swings slight
" to the eastward and terminates at
st. Leonards where it will bridge the
river and join the Bangor and Aroos-
took at Van Buren,.
Mr. Keegan will give you a glowing
description Of the country through
which this road will pass. telling you
that it is the finest hunting ground
east of the Mississippi and already
marked by the wealthy railroad men
for their summer retreats. The inhabi-
tants are small farmers and fishermen,
simple. frugal and Industrious. They
will welcome the new road and DO
everything in their power to make it
a success. The real business will
come however from the European
travel The steamers will come down
through the Straits of Beele Isle to
Chaleurs Bay and find safe and
ample harbor at Bale Gaspe South
and North Passengers can then
disembark and take through trains to
New York and western points.
Mr.. Keegan declares that this new
landing will shorten the sea voyage a
full day. 1t will hurt the business at
Halifax, but it is a safer and better
harbor. 1t will bring business to Van
Buren, and population and fame. Van
Buren, would be more than a way
station for il would be a junction and
distributing point People coming
from the four winds would stop at
Van Buren, and take new tack for
their destination. Travellers from
across the Atlantic would come to
Van Rurea and change for the
Canadian and Nova Scotian points.