The Somerset reporter., 1885-08-05

cal and financial condition Of men, as well
rs In the growth and prosperity OF com
uunities. After 4 lapse OF more than four
years, the writer returns to his old home
iu Skowhegap, when he behods wonderful
changes aud improvements.
The familiar whistle from the locoino-
tive, as the train nears the bridge, cross
Ing the old Kenpebec, awskens lively rec
elections OF by-gone days. 1t Is the sig nal
that the train has arrived at the terminus
of the Somerset branch of the Maiue Cen
trail railroad. Stepping from the car the
familiar face of Benz F., the urbaue sta
ton agent, ap pears with hand extend d to
give cordial greeting. The calls of the
representatives of the various pubic
houses sounds strange in the ears OF one
"uotel Coburu," "iieselton House,
"Skowhegan House." What does it all
mean? Oh | see. Hotel Coburn and Hes
elton House are new establishments. Six
years ago the Elm House was one of the
ancient landmarks in the town. What
and where is Hotel Coburnr The newpa-
pers some three years ago gave it noto-
rieiy as Il grand establishment in progress
of construction, but the reality of such II
hoCel was only ain the mind" of the
visitor.
1t was with feelings of disappoint
tina: entered the Maine Central Railroad
station and caught Il glimpse of the old
surroundings, all made the worse by long
service. But the Respondent soul was re-
viyed when told that the Railroad Com
plny would shortly erect beautiful, com
modious building in keeping with the in
teresls and enterprise of the town. 1t was
not those familiar objects that stood the
way as | walked toward the Post Otilce
that recalled old associations. but The alb
sence of number of old buildings in the
square that brought feelings Of lonesome
ness. The old store formerly occupied by
N. G. Thomas, was among the missing, and
other buildings in the vicinity were gone.
Things have changed about the Flee cher
store. The bold capitals "SKowHEGAN
HOUSE" extending across the man build
ing and l. shows that there has been cnang-
es without AMI within that public house.
BY previous arrangements it was decreed
that the house was to be my headquarters,
and the cordial welcome by mine host
Washburn and his tenal clerk Moore made
it quite evident that had not been mis-
led. The bill of fire presented at the sup
per table admirably filled the DILL for "A man
of keen appetite and the provision for
refreshing nights Iepose was highly appre-
ciated by one wearied by long tedious
journey on hot July day. Verify thought
|, wh'n awakening in the morning, II all
the improvements in the town during the
past four years are as great as has been
wrought in the old Elm House, Skowhegan
must have been converted into II paradise
| was glad when the bright sun bid me
arise and look out on the old town. On
every street ard corner appeared familiar
faces beaming with smiles to greet one who
once mingled with them in business and
public affairs. But the changes made in
some localities give strange appearance
to the town. What has wrought all
these changes2 The answer comes from
the fire department. The fire fiend of 3
with forked tongue carried away many old
landmarks and reduced 10 ashes the pos
session and Accommodations OF dilligent
workers and careful saving. But the
hearts of courageous enterprising citizens
were not disheartened by the sight of
smoking ruins; they set about building
lurger and more beautiful structures.
To recall what has been accomplished in
the way of building and improvements may
not be specially interesting to the local
residents of sko "hegan, but the readers of
public journals ABROAD, who are more or
less acquainted with the men and village,
may be willing to spend Il little time To
read what comes from the pen OF IA former
editor of the REPORTER as be looks
through glasses that have been obscured
by the fogs of Casco Bay, driven by the
breezes from Portland Head Light through
our beautiful Forest City. And with your
permission Mcssrs. Editor, | will in COM
pany with one of the old inhabitants, take
walk around the town and note the
changes that have taken place.
Starting on the south side of Water
street at the Dyer Gushing old store, we
notice that the building has been aised
and now shows large plate glass front.
There has been great changes and inn
provement> inside, offering better accomo
! dations for travelling business. The build
ing is now occupied by Mr.. w. b. Steward
and Geo. Gushing, dry goods and apothe-
cary. Morrison's Block has been improved
by Il coat of red paint. Red was always
favorite color with Mr.. Morrison. Mr.. T..
f. Fairbrothers store has been remodeled
and converted into two stores, oue-haif is
occupied by Mr.. w. c. Pearson, jewelry,
etc "Foss" holds the other aud keeps on
selling furniture, bedding, etc E. g. COT
fins has been improved by plate glass
front. Mr. F. A. williams formerly occu-
pied the store, but Crank" has moved
one door beyond to where Geo. c. Varney
formerly sold csrpeting, glass ware and
"such like The Pearson building has
been purchased by IL. w. Cushing and con-
yerted into u double store with plate glass
front. Edward, the knight of the razor,
occupies one and Mr. Addition, the shoe
man the other The Goodrich block,
which was damaged by dire in 81, has been
greatly improved aud is occupied by Me>srs
Emery 4 Cairns, meat market, grocers aud
a first class family supply store. The
Smith Whittier Block, which was built
upon the foundation of the old store
burned In 81, is grand Improvement
over the latter Smith was always SWEET
good fellow, aud confectionery OF his own
manufacture is improved by fire. Messrs
Parkman Il Weld, harness makers occu-
ply ore half of the building. The Skating
Rink is an entirely new building on the
street. The old weather beaten tenement
house Is gone, with num)er OF dllapldat-
ed sheds which stood in the rear The
disturbances from crying children, mid
night "break downs" and drunken brawl-
ings, has been supplanteu by enchanting
music and The hum of the roller skaters
This is grand Improvement on the street
The Somerset Reporter Office, when last
seen in 1881, was in the upper story of the
old brick building, known as "Harmon's
Bakery" The editorial sanc,um was
front room l2x20, furnished with small
table, two arm chairs, Il long shelf for ex-
changes an upright desk with shelves and
drawers Within the walls of the room,
thus described Mcssrs. X. & w. conduct
ed the publication of the Reporter for near
ly six years. The composing room WAS in
the rear of the office. This was under the
supervision of Mr.. 5. NJ. Sawyer, foreman.
To-day everything in and about the estab-
lishment has changed. Messrs. Smith aud
Mayo, are the editors and proprietors,
with Mr.. +. 4. McNeelie, foreman. There
arn No vaca nj nrnnnds in front of the huild-