The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-05-01
MAINE. THURSDAY NOON, MAY l, Il

Wa 80 be made that morning. DH +
Skowbegan vas the word 1Lere Wa "a
ron borss pulling II the station 10 take ia
passengers along. hut there VIZ tire
modes Of conyeyan offered, 'il sia Dak
Land and Mater.ille by rail, another b.
open, three seated. thfee-L0rse mail stage
aud the ever reliable, on foot and algu.
e without much persuasion the writer FOL
lowed the majority and ~ns msrsLalled 81
to the back seat and closely tucked bs
tween two stalwarts. ] he uiddl. sal
Was occupied by two men II muscle
Along side Of the knight Of the WHIP and
feins-t Marsh Stevens VA one If Efeis
fair daughters, supported on the left bs q
noble specimen Of one II. tie 'L9tds u
CREATION
at was il slow coach" The nn1 an1
slough holes reminded the writer Il tAe
description III Bunyshs Pilgrims the
slough Of de pond Ouu VA spike
team, and the joyial company would glad.
~ have exchanged the low. snnken high
way Tor balloon Or flying machine, but
having stated on the journey We agreed To
hold out to the end. and ~ the sbillfnl
management Of our Marshall W. teached
the point Of destination, taie and sound
aud We planted our feet firmly on the
piazza In front Of the SkowLegan H9use
Tins Was the saune old town ! lad parted
from on the morning of August 9Th, lAs5.
Stepping acfoss Russell street the geuiAl
face OF our old friend, W. X g. Estes at
the Post Office, met my own. The post
master and his assistants Are expected to
be posted ON matters old aud new IN theif
jurisdiction. Book and newspaper agents
feel free to noDopoIize their time aud
brains to the largest extent, to advance
their own interests. 1t was not for such a
purpose the writer sought thsn out 10
renew old friendships, and most happily IT
was accomplished. AT every point on the
streets the smiling faces of men WHOSE
names | readily recalled met me with words
of welcome aud good cheer. The sound Of
the noon hour bell sunded before lad
halt gone the rounds through Water to
Madison street. Behind the counters of
well filled stores We're seen young lady and
gentleman clerks, whose faces had never
met before, but there were many old lant-
marks remaining.
Since my last visit to the village mum
Der Of changes aud improvements lave
been made. Prominent among them 10 the
erection of the grand railroad depot, OH
the site OF the demised, but not lamented
| building. 1t is an Imposing structure, fit
ted up and furnished Ill fiist-chls- stylv
throughout. / joined i'll the feelings Of
pride with my old townsmen, while sur.
ye.ed the premises, and audibly exclaimed
Superb. The railroad company have
not been premature III their work of giving
to the town and patrons Of tue road 80
grand accommodations as are now far
nshed.
The recent fire OH Water street has laid
waste the Morrison Block. On TIE site of
the old building will soon be erected
three-story brick block, giving aecommola-
ton for five stores, with fine frontage.
The First National Bank has purchased
the store and hand lately occupied by
George Gushing, and design remodelus
the building for the accommodation Of the
two banks now doing business in the small
brick building. large fire proof safe
will become part of the bank appoint
ments. and all the modern improvements
for safety and perfect system OF conduct
ing bank business will be incorporated into
the new building.
Messis. Grifiiu aud Wentworth intend
erecting three story brick block near the
post sfhce building The fist floor, it is
hoped, will be occupied by Postmaster
Estes. and fitted mp as "A model post office
The second floor will be used by Messrs.
Griffin and Wentworth tor insurance. /
Offices
The new Bethany Church editice is
beautiful structure. built i'll modern style, |
stain glass windows, heated by stean and |
lighted by electricity, the cost amounting
TO some 100000 The society have ex-
pended largely of money and personal
effort to erect such a magnificent church.
The beautiful new Memorial Hall and
Public Library building on Elm St. wa
furnished from the magnificent beqnest of
the late GOV. Column increased by the
amount raised by the town. The supply
OF books for the library is literally proyld-
ed tor by fund of 500
There are number Of other improve.
mtnts worthy of mention. but the writer's
limited time gave small opportunity 10
compass the entire ground. The hours of
the day moved quicker than weaver's
shuttle, and when the sun sank behind the
western sky, it was pleasant Ia mingle with
the brothers of the mystic tie within the
walls of the Lodge room, where were
assembled brothers who bad frequently met
from We k to week Years ago. some whose
voices had of.-u been heard we're not theie.
the reaper death had entered the circle
Other faces, new and strange, occupied
their seats.
The exterior Of Cobum Hall block re-
mains the saule us when the writer was IL
citizen of the town. There have teen rad
ical changes and improvements i'll the
rooms OF the upper story, occupied by
Carrabassett Lodge A spacious reception
room has been added 10y The possession of
the old banquet hall connected with the
Masonic Hall. Tie main or working hall
has been greatly improved by frescoing.
painting aud new fittings. There are few
I...Il,
somer paraphernalia than Crrabasset
Lodge. The writer has visited during the
past six Years, upwards of 360 Odd Fellow .
Lodges in the New England States aud
seldom has he sat within hall superior to .
the one last named.
After ten years of absence from the
home lodge, it was season of heartfelt
enjoyment to participate once more in the
business and work of his own lodge.
The couresies extended by the present
editors and proprietors of the REroErER
were among the pleasing incidents Of the
writer's visit to the old home.
There are but few old pillsrs staining
whose trembling limbs and withered brow
betuken that the weight of wears is upon
them. Their good deeds will he remem-
bered SO long as the names of sam ID.
Arnold. Barnett Wharf. John b. Young.
Frederic Hoyt Oliver Walker, George W.
Gray, Isaac Dyer and others, Whose lives
and deeds have shed blessings on the com
munity.
1t is the hope of the writer to visit tie
place and people, before the circles of
another five years have passed.
&. II, kuRY.
DANA'S SARSAPARILLA'
Mrs Fannie Russell.