The Republican journal., 1911-02-09
THE TURNPIKE.
adapted from the Histories of Robinson ant
Locke0


adapted from the Histories of Robinson and
Locke)
Many of the present generation well
remember William Barrett, the well
known horticulturist, unique character
of the Turnpike Road. 1t was his father,
Daniel Barrett, to whom the General
Court on the twenty third of June, 1902,
granted a charter to build turnpike
along the base of Mt. Megunticook from
his land to Smelt Brook, one mile in
length.
Before this time, the road from Cam
den to Lincolnviile Centre ran over
Megunticook Mountain from point near
the William Barrett house. This was
not carriage road, was even dangerous
for horses, as it lay through narrow
defiles and over high cliffs where mis-
step might mean a fall over the preci-
pice, several hundred feet below. No
wonder this part of the journey was
dreaded by all, especially after dark,
When increasing travel between the
two towns rendered necessary safer
and easier way, it occurred to Mr.. Bar
rett to fill in the portion of the lake close
good, broad road between the two. The
intelligence and energy.
The following from Locke's Sketches
shows the method of construction.
''The plan Mr. Barrett devised was to
roll large rocks from the mountain to
by filling in with debris and dirt. Every
common expedient was used in detaching
rocks and blasting granite.
ha
four manumitted slaves: of one Of them
the following incident is related, tending
to illustrate the manner and hazardness
with which the work was often wrought.
A very large rock had been undermined
to shore it up, was taken away, until it
rested upon one support. This stay re-
quired to be knocked from under by a
workman. The crowd at work at the
time numbered about forty, but when
the proposition with a liberal offer was
made them, not one was found willing to
risk his chance of life for the reward
offered.
The silence was broken finally by
Sambo who stepped forward and said to
Mr.. Barrett, "Massa, dare's only one
ting AK; if l dies in the venture just
glib me decent burryin and dat'n do. y
Being thus assured, Sambo shouldered
an ak and boldly marched up the slope to
the rock, watched from below by the
workmen, who observed his movements
with fear expecting soon to see him
crushed beneath the mass. Dealing a
few heavy blows, the prop started from
its bed, when Sambo quickly sprang
aside, and just escaped it, as it went
with loud crash down the declivity into
the pond below"
It is said to have taken over four years
to complete this undertaking at cost of
I, from five to six thousand dollars. AT
times, fifty men were employed, many
from Camden and Lincolnville working
for free passes, limited or perpetual.
The toll house and gate were opposite
the civilian Barrett House." the toll
rates, &c for foot passengers. &c on
horseback, IL 1-2c for horse and wagon,
tic for horses and chaise, 1c each for
sheep and swine, etc.
This remained a toll road till 1884,
when Benjamin Gushing and Ephraim
Wood of Camden and Moses Young of
L Lin eldIy purchased it Of Mr.. Barrett
for the 5000 of Messrs. Cushii G and
Wood, and Lincolnville for part of the
500 paid by Mr.. Young.
Mr.. Barrett's experiment proved an
expensive investment. He did not collect
toll enough to pay interest on the money
invested, to say nothing of the heavy
cost of repairs.
What he lost in money he gained in
grateful remembrance. 'His name will
ever be associated with one of the most
beautiful spots in New England seen
cry"
Mr.. Locke says:
"To the minds of those who have not
visited the Turnpike, words are made