Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-02-21
South PARTS Sixty Years Ago.

| South Paris Sixty Years Ago.
The following picture OF South Paris,
as it appeared to one observer, was pub
lished in the Esthetics, . paper issued
by the students OF Oxford Normal In
stitute, under date of May /, 1850.
After reading We may perhaps conclude
that we don't look so much Bigger to-day
as we had thought. The title Of the
article lie "Our Village"
II Is often q matter of astonishment to
us, when We 90 abroad and behold the
country everywhere dotted with villages
of no inferior magnitude, that we knew
nothing of them before; and 1t can be
accounted for In no other way than that
It is so natural for man to occupy his
mind with his own particular channel OF
pursuit and daily routine of labcrs, that
his vision seldom extends beyond the
limits of bis own Preside.
Our village is situated on the Little
Androscoggin River, and Is at present
the terminal of the Atlantic aud st.
Lawrence Railroad. The manifold In
terests of this, like many other places,
are comparatively little known, notwith-
standing it is the metropolis of many
surrounding towns. Let US at this time
briefly enumerate its more important
features.
| THE FACE OF THE COUNTRY.
| In the vicinity of the village, 1t Is
generally level; but II we allow our eyes
to gaze beyond its immediate circum-
ference, we behold high hills, mountains
of no medium size, valleys,
stretching in pensive quietness between"
making scenery inferior to none in
New England. The effect of this diver
sified landscape is obvious. 1t not only
lends it's aid to beautify the scene, but
secures to us refreshing breezes, thus
giving US a salubrious and agreeable eli
mate. On the southern side of the vii
lage, in juxtsposition to ii, is beautiful
pine grove of several hundred acres,
which, combined with the general varie-
ty of scenery, affords vast and prolific
field of resort for the lover Of nature to
contemplate the Infinite wisdom aud
goodness of the Creator.
OCCUPATION OF THE PEOPLE.
The soil Is sandy loan with sub
stratum of gravel, we'll adapted to the
wants of the agriculturist, and seldom 1t
ever fails to remunerate him literally
for his labor. This, then, may be said
to constitute the chief employment of
our people; and this department is con-
Quoted in such manner that the COM
mon Specification of the term is made
quate to express the profession of those
engaged in this high and noble calling.
Agriculture ia reduced to a system; and
by diligently pursuing this system many
have made themselves not "good livers"
merely, but independent. Not few are
worth their thousands, contribute large
ly to ali charitable purposes, and as they
tread the declivity of life, show by their
works that they have not lived in vain.
MANUFACTURES.
This department of industry has re-
ceived degree of attention exceeded by
few towns in the state. We have in
active operation, one Wooden Factory
doing an annual amount of business ex-
ceediug $4,000. About one third OF
this is confined to this and adjoining
towns, while the remaining two-thirds
extends abroad. This, it will be per-
ceived, gives employment to large num-
Der Of individuals in a variety Of ways.
One Plow Factory yields annually
from 500 to 800 plows. The average
value of these is IS, making an amount
of business varying from s., 900 to $1,000
annually.
One Iron Foundry, separate from the
Plow Factory, Is doing an extensive
business.
The Boot and Shoe manufacture
among US Is of no uncomfortable i'm
portance; amounting to about $4,000
annually.
Besides these, we have two Saw Mills,
two Grist Mills, Furniture manufactures,
Tailoring establishments, etc: also,
Harness-makers, Tin and Sheet Iron
workers, Machinists, Carpenters, Ma
sons, Backsmiths, Painters, Glaciers,
etc. In fact, nearly every department
of industry is represented.
The Mercantile pursuits are inferior to !
those of few villages in Maine. We
have seven stores, one of which is an
Apothecary & Book Store. A large |
amount of produce is brought in here by
the farmers of adjacent towns and ex-
changed for cash or necessaries for their !
families.
Now the question naturally arises, is
this large amount of produce and manu-.
featured articles consumed by the In !
habitants OF our village? II not, how are
they transported to market9 Only
portion is consumed here, while the re- |
mainder is easily conveyed by the A. & !
St. l.. Rail Road to Portland, and thence
to other markets as occasion may re.
quire.
STATE OF SOCIETY.
Having given brief outline OF the |
varied occupations of our citizens, 1t now
rem aims for me to make remark relative
to the state of society. Our community |
is composed chiefly of moral, frugal and !
industrious people; not men without
sin, perfect in all their ways" for In
this, as in all other places, evil in
variety of forms exists; though deeply
lameuted. Intemperance, the greatest |
curse of man, with its attending evils
exist; though happy are we to believe
that sits days are numbered, its bounds
are set, that it cannot pass" By the
vigilant exertions of the "good people,"
of our community, this scourge Is being
eradicated. A Division OF the Sons OF
Temperance has been instituted for the
more advanced In life, and Cadets OF
Temperance for the youth, thus protect !
ing them from the thousand snares set
by the wiles of the adversary; and by
their combined efforts we trust the de- |
mon 10 soon to be consigned to oblivion
Suffice 1t to say then, that our village
is composed of intelligent, enlightened,
American citizens, entering with heart,
hand and purse into all works of benevo-
lence and philanthropy, giving to society
a hearty support, standing ready at all
times to buffet the waves OF every
species Of iniquity, and extending over
tho whole land the calm, smooth sea of
purity, benevolence and brotherly love.
OXFORD NORMAL INSTITUTE.
The Academy building Is a beautiful
ediflce, consisting of three stories and
ak rooms, constructed on an improved
plan, and located in the most pleasant
part Of our village.