Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-11
AN ALMA BRIDGE.
Another Chapter in the w., w. & r. f.
RS Series of Troubles.

Alma, Me. June 10.-(SpeciaD =
| Last week Mr.. Carson G. Peck of
n. Y, the owner of the Wiscasset,
Watervile and Pennington Ry., was
in town investigating the requirements
for the building of the long delayed
bridge over the track Of the railway
| near the Congregational church at the
Head Tide. AT the time of the build
ing of the railroad in 1894 the former
company, the WiSCaSSet and Quebec
T.. Il. Co, was ordered by the State
board of railroad commissioners to
build "A suitable and substantial high
way bridge across it's railroad track
and over and across the excavation
made by it across the highway in
Alma" and to be forever maintained by
the railroad company. Rather than
build the bridge the company petit
toned the county commissioners for
Lincoln county to discontinue this piece
of the highway. After Il hearing at
which many of this towns people We're
heard the board refused to grant the
petition to discontinue the county high
way as prayed for. An appeal was
taken by the company to the Supreme
Judicial court. At q hearing held by
the court, it appointed a special COM
mission to take testimony and render
a decision. This commission was COM
posed of Hon. Joseph +. Moore of
Thomastcn, Hon. Fred Atwood of Win
terport, and Hon. Warren G. Philbrooli
of Waterville.
This commission held a protracted
hearing and again the railroad COM
pany lost. From this decision an APP
peal was taken and the court heard the
| case and still the former decisions
were held good. Then as a last resort
| the case was sent up to the Law court,
composed of all of the Judges of the
| supreme Judicial court of this State.
| At this stage of the proceedings the
| railroad company failed to prosecute
| its appeal and the full bench affirmed
| the proceedings of the lower court.
As the railroad company was having
| a chcckercd career financially the
| townspCople were disposed 10 wait I'M
| til such time as there would be moro
| funds in the treasury of the company.
| Consequently, when the franchise went
| into the hands of a receiver in NoNeln-
| Der, 1905. it was thought best to put
| this bridge matter into line, 50 an arti-
| Gle was inserted III Inc dllnudl toNH
| warrant in March, 1906. At this meet
| ing tho town passed n unanimous vote
| inStruCting the board of Sclectmen to
| enforce the order of the Supreme
| Judicial court During that year
| tho road was sold at a receivers sale.
| At this sale the court preserved the
| rights Of the town to enforce the decree
| by Injunction. At the annual town
| meeting held last March another arti-
| Gle was acted upon relating to the
| bridge and the SelcCtmcn were in
| structed by a unanimous vote 10 en-
| force the decree by injunction proceed
| ings and il was this phase of the mat
ter that brought Mr.. Peck to town
| Now Mr. Peck does not want to build
| the bridge but would like to buy the
town off by paying $1,000. Mr.. Peck
| knew when he purchased the fran
| chiyc that this decree was one OF
| the liabilities he should have to meet
The townspcoplc have suffered much
| Inconvenience during these years by
| being deprived Of the use Of this plec"
Of county highway AMI now they mean
| that tho order of tho highest court
shall he respected and the bridge
| built.