Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-10
b. Ray, Of Milto~n. Va. chosen .. the

k0bt- KAY, OF Mhfown, was chosen - the
third.
The respective agents and the judges hav-
ing arrived at the appointed place operations
we're commenced at 8 o'clock p. N. The
mechanical construction and simplicity Of
each machine were first examined and dis
cussed. which occupied considerable time.
They then proceeded to stitching on each ma
chine. Mr.. Olmstead operated the singer
and Mr.. Gardiner the Davis. The latter has
the reputation of being, and is, we should
judge. a very skilfnl operator. During the
first part of the programme there was con-
siderable excitement manifested not only by
the agents and their friends. but BY the spec
tators. ladies and gentlemen, Of whom quite
= number had assembled to witness the COM
petition. and as is always the case in matters
of this kind some being in favor of the DAVIS
and others unfolding the merits of the
Singer, but throughout the whole
it was noticeable that the stitching of the
Singer was very perfect. while that Of the
Davis had very poor tension. or what is
known to those intimate with the workings Of
sewing machines as a straight thread either
on the upper or lower surface of the fabric
sewed. and that in sewing fine goods it puck
cred the cloth very much. At this stage Of
the proceedings, it being between the hours
"a stA oifu ecNCH- L "a, tftc NoutcStdHts anu
their judges having received an invitation to
take supper with the circle held at the resi-
dence Of Mr.. Milliken. repaired thither and
were very kindly and pleasantly entertained
by the ladies present After a half hours
indulgence in satisfying the cravings of the
inner man, the party returned to
the scene Of their struggles and
commenced operations with renewed
force, each determined to win or die game,
as the case might be. Two more
hours were spent in stitching which was
thoroughly examined by the judges.
Then the Singer party declared that they had
stitched enough to enable the judges to de-
eide. and were willing to abide by the result
of their decision. Quite lively discussion
was INDUCED in here by the contestants. the
Davis men demanding that the Singer should
be made to work its attachments, which up
to this time had not been used by either par
ty-attachments are the strong point Of the
Davis, and they expected TO score point
against the Singer in the use Of them. but
objections were made that the attachments
not being part of the machine, they had no
right to use them, in this case it being ac-
cording to the articles of agreement, trial
of machines alone and not a trial of machines
and attachments, whereupon. the Davis ad-
vocates insisted, and insinuated that they
would kick against the decision did it go
against them, unless their demand was COM
piled with. The Singer agents not wishing
to have such an ending to the contest, on
the contrary preferring to have a decision
given whether the chances were for or against
them, consented, consequently two more
hours were passed in the working of attach
ments, those of the Singer being less in
number than the Davis; this ended the con-
test. The judges then retired to private
room. consulted, and each wrote ont his de-
cision, these were then handed by Mr.. Gran
gle to Mr.. H. F. Burbank, stakeholder. and
were by him read to the company present.
THE DECISION.
Messrs. Crangle and Ray decided in favor
of the Singer in durability, simplicity and
perfect stitching and also that it excelled in
work so far as its attachments went. Mr..
Charles Chick admitted that the Singer sex
celled in some trials" This gave the victory
to the Singer. and the money was handed
over to- Mr.. Barrett. 1t being now after IL
o'clock at night the contestants and the rest
of the company dispersed and went to their
different homes. The lady of the house,
Mrs A. Connick, receives as a present
which was understood by the rival agents.
sewing machine from the winner, and the
Singer party requests that tender her in
this correspondence their sincere thanks for
the kind. very kind manper in which they
were used by her throughout the affair.
remain yours &c.
SHUTTLE CARRIER.
Moore's Mills, Charlotte Co., April End,
1880.
A recent issue of the same paper has the
following:
The Commercial Hotel, st. Stephen, April
10, 1880. Mrs. A. CONNICK,
MApAM-Would you please to decide about
the sewing machines and advise me by return
mail. And oblige
Yours very respectfully.
NJ. BARRETT.
Moore's Mills, April 10, 1880.
Mr.. BARRETT,
DEAR SIR:-T received your note this
morning. Twill keep the Singer machine
and if you are satisfied I am.
Yours very respectfully.