Broad Expanse of Lake Sebasticook

Annotation

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. To the many residents, past and present, of Newport, and to the multitude of visitors to this favored spot, our town needs no argument as to what nature has done in the way of natural advantages, or as to what man has accomplished in the developing and building of a public-spirited community. We recognize with a feeling of gratitude the fact that the town has been so well favored in its natural advantages, and we appreciate what has been done by man in the substantial progress that has been made since the early settlement of Newport. Much credit is due to those early pioneers for their courage and patient industry in the clearing of the primeval forests, the tilling of the soil and the building of comfortable homes for their families. From time to time during the first seventy-five years of the town's history industries were established, only to pass out of existence in one way or another. The lack of transportation facilities of the earlier days, the passing of old-time machinery and methods, and, above all else, the ravages of fire, all combined to retard the material development of the town until with the awakening of the citizens to the necessity of suitable fire protection as a preliminary measure, and then the putting of shoulder to shoulder in a concerted and united effort, combined to the realization of the permanent and successful modern industries of today, thus marking the new era in the history of our town.<br><br>This little book is intended to cover in a brief and imperfect manner the entire history of Newport, both ancient and modern. In the collection of the data of the early history of the town the author has derived substantial assistance in the preparation of this work through the writings of Francis M. Shaw, who was for many years clerk and historian of the town, and a citizen highly esteemed by his many acquaintances. Mr. Shaw was justly regarded as authority on the early history of Newport and the town is fortunate in the possession