The Republican journal., 1913-01-30
RAILROAD PROJECT.
Canadian Pacific Coming to Hancock
County?
Ellsworth Americana


Ellsworth Americana
The eastern section of Hancock coun-
ty, particularly in Franklin, Sullivan and
Winter Harbor, is alive with most inter-
esting rumors of railroad project,
This project differs from most of those
of recent years in this section, which
have been heralded by blare of trump.
cts, some big-sounding talk befors the
Legislative committee on railroads and
expresses, and finally--note that word
finally-the granting Of charter.
But this rumor starts with a lone fish
erman and close mouthed guide; then
two fishermen, who enjoyed exploring
inland, and finally a whole surveying
party, with the tools of their profession
and the secret was out.
And here is the rumor for what it is
worth: The Canadian Pacific railroad,
long looking for a desirable ocean outlet,
or inlet, has fixed its eyes upon Winter
Harbor, in Hancock county, and is max
ing preliminary surveys and explorations
for the contemplated extension of its
railroad from Matawamkeag, it's present
eastern terminus in Maine, to Winter
Harbor.
Such road would traverse practically
the entire length Of Hancock county
from north to south. The project looks
good on the map; it is in line with the
long known desire of the Canadian Pa
citic to reach an ocean port in Maine, and
the quiet way in which the project has so
far been carried forward is consistent
with the methods of big railroad corpor-
atoms which have the wherewithal to
accomplish their object.
The story begins with lone fisherman
who dropped into the village of Winter
Harbor early last summer, engaged a
conservative guide to take him out into
the harbor. Once out on TIE water, the
fisherman" opened his fishing kit and
spread out charts of the harbor and a
sounding line, and while the ''tisherman"
fished tor bottom and made figures on
the chart when he got a ''bite, the guide
kept his eyes shut and his mouth shut
and fished for fish for ''evidence" at the
end of the days sport.
And then the fisherman went away,
declaring himself well pleased with the
fishing at Winter Harbor. 1t is presum-
ed he told others so, for along in Septem-
Der two more fishermen followed in his
footsteps, located the fishing grounds as
indicated on the lone fsherman's chart,
and they too, pronounced the Fishing"
satisfactory.
But they wanted to see more Of the
country, and took to making long tramps
inland. Perhaps they We're after some
inland fishing, but though they skirted
lakes and streams they kept their eyes
more persistently on the hills. They
didn't carry home many fish, which
brings to mind the old saying "there' S
more to fishing than fish"
Finally, they, too, went their way, and
the places that knew them once with the
kindly curiosity of the Maine town for
the stranger within its gates, settled
back for their winter sleep, bissfully
ignorant still Of the railroad project that
was knocking at their gates.
Now comes crew of surveyors-no
fishermen this time, but real surveyors,
with the tools of their trade. They are
making their headquarters at the Relay
House in Franklin, and are busy running
lines through the towns of Franklin,
Sullivan, Gouldsboro and Winter Harbor.
And with their coming comes a full.
t1edged railroad rumor, buzzing about the
ears of the natives, disturbing their win.
ter sleep, causing them to recall now
their suspicious of the erstwhile fish.
ermen, and to nod wisely, II told you
so.