Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-11-11
Want Central Oxford State Highway


Immediately after the adjournment OF
the village corporation meeting Tuesday
evening, an informal meeting Of citi.
zeus interested in having a state high
way through this portion of the county
was held in Engine House Hall. There
were good number of citizens of Paris
present, and some balf.dozen Norway
citizens to whom the matter had been
mentioned.
Alton C. Wheeler nominated j. II.
Bean as chairman of the meeting, and
be was chosen.
Mr.. Wheeler then, in behalf of those
who were responsible for the calling OF
the meeting, explained the purpose OF II,
first by calling attention to the bearing
at Rumford Saturday by the State high
way Com mission, relative to the location
of a state highway. This highway, as is
known to those who have read the an
nouncement of the hearing as published
in the county papers, is laid from Auburn
through the western part OF Androscog-
gin County, entering Oxford County at
Canton, and thence going westerly
through Dixfield, Rumford, Hanover,
Newry. Grafton and Upton to the New
Hampshire line.
1t seemed to many, said Mr.. Wheeler,
that if there is to be but one state high
way laid out in Oxford County, it should
go, not along the eastern and northern
edge of the county, but through the cen.
trail section by way Of South Paris and
Norway. This meeting had been called
TO see IL delegation would not go to
the hearing at Rumford on Saturday to
ask for another hearing to be held at the
court house at South Paris, so that the
claims Of central Oxford might be pre-
Seuted
Col. A. j. Stearns of Norway, being
called upon by the chairman, expressed
himself as strongly opposed to having
tho only state highway in the county
skirt the northern and eastern edge oil
the county, but thought it should in
stead come through the central portion,
and that such action as necessary should
be taken to secure its location here.
A number of others of the citizens
of Paris and Norway, either called upon
or speaking Voluntarily, expressed them
selves to the same effect. The opinion
was expressed that there should be q
good delegation in attendance at the
hearing at Rumford on Saturday, and
several said they would go. On motion
Of William J. Wheeler, a committee was
named to make arrangements and secure
an many to attend the hearing az posi-
bic. Chairman Bean appointed William
j. Wheeler, Walter L. Gray and Alton
C. Wheeler as that committee.
1t was also suggested that petition'
should be circulated asking the State
Highway Commission for hearing a.
the court house, and Alton @. Wheeler
and A. j. Stearns were named commit
tee to prepare the petition.
Wednesday morning petitions were in
circulation protesting against the pro
posed state highway 10" and asking
for hearing at the court house TO con
slider highway through the central sec
ton of the county. Signatures to these
petitions were rapidly secured.
A delegation of citizens went Friday
to Bethel, where the members OF th'
State Highway Commission were In
specting portions Of the proposed route
and Others. The visitors from this sec
ton aod other places were entertained
by the Bethel Board of Trade.
On Saturday large delegation of citi
Gems attended the hearing at Rumford,
| r. port Of which is given elsewhere.