Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-16
Opening Day Of Celebration in Honor Of Opening
Of New Electric Car Bridge Of l., A. 6 w.
Mayor Redington Drives Last Spike and
First Car Crosses The New Bridge.

Waterville, Me-, Dec. 15.-(SpeciaD. -
Despite the unfavorable weather, the
attendance at the first day of Water
ville's celebration in honor of the OPEN
ing of the new electric bridge by the
l., A. & w. co. was a remarkable one
as the city was thrOnged with visitors
from morning until night. Every train
brought hundreds, who came prepared
to stay during the day and do the
greater part of the Christmas shopping
The stores did flourishing business
and all parts of the entertainment al
though there was no set program, went
off in a commemorate manner and the
various committees in charge have
been receiving many congratulations
for their achievements The electrics
from Augusta brought crowds all the
morning and in the afternoon when
the cars came into this city. 1t is esti-
mated that nearly 1000 people were in
the city Wednesday for this special
occasion, while the people of this city,
Winslow, Fairfield and Oakland turned
out in large numbers. A special train
ran over the W., W. & +. r. r. mar
row guage and brought large numbers
from all parts of the country reached
by this line
OF course the center of attraction in
the morning was the arrival of the
first car that would cross the bridge
into this city, The crowd was on hand
early to gain place of vantage. The
workmen had the track in it's per,na-
rent position long before the car ar
rived. The E. w. Allen store has been
placed back from the highway. 1t was
just about II O'Clock, the time when
the mills closed for noon, that the first
official car appeared at the Winslow
end of the bridge. The crowd by this
time was enormous but there We're nc
accidents to mar the celebration.
The first thing of interest was the
driving of the spike by Mayor Reding-
ton that would complete the tracks and
this ceremony, although short, was
very interesting. General Manager
Harry 3. Ivers of the L., A. w. Road
presented the spike to Hon. w. r.
Haines, who in few words introduced
His Honor Mayor Redington. Mayor
Redington accepted in his usual cor
dial manner and after a few remarks
concerning the advent of the road into
Waterville. proceeded to place the
spike in its position. The work was
finished amid great cheering.
The first car, which was a special
one, was filled with invited guests. in
Guiding the members of the govern
ment of the city. Winslow, North Vas
salboro and East Vassalboro. besides
the officials of the road and newspaper
representatives. The car was in charge
Of Motorman Trask and Conductor
Wells. Those who were in the party
that made the first trip over the bridge
were: Mayor Redington. Gen. Man.
Ivers. w. w. Edwards, ]. F. Partridge,
s. a. Green, Harry Green, Fred W.
Pooler. A. S. Page, Harry Billiveau, e.
c. Noyes, J. r. Pollard, F. w. Clair.
DR.. Z. B. Craigin. c. J. Clukey, Fl. r.
Durham, DR.. ]. Y. HILL Arthur Da-
viau. s. S. Patten, J. w. Burleigh, &.
F. Johnson, A. F. Armstrong. e. E. r.
Walker E. L. Craig. f. c. Wilson, G.
c. Carr. J. G.. Fuller, DR.. E. w. Boyer,
H. J. Toward, S. f Whitcomb, + j.
Patterson, w. r. Haines, P S. Head,
+. J. Arnold, A. F. Drummond, r. l..
Proctor, j. b. Friel. DR.. c. w. Abbott,
Horace Purinton, J. G. Towne, w. w.
Berry, S. L. Berry, Rev. w. ]. Mcneil,
DR.. J. H. Knox. II. C. Judkins, Charles
Smith, Judge F. K. Shaw. j. ]. Lin
tern, d. Z. Bowman, DR.. ]. l.. Fortier,
X. Fuller, w. w. Edwards, ]. M.
Crafty. William Warren, Frank Mitch
ell. L. H. Soper, c.. K. Mathews, "A. A.
Matthew, I. f. Branch. DR.. M. 5.
= Goodrich, B. w. Wilcox, George E.