davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03
Masonic Meetings.

The annual meetings of the several
Masonic bodies of Maine are held in
Portland this week
The Grand Lodge of Masons of Maine
met in the 81st annual communication
at Masonic hall Tuesday morning, Grand
Master Winfield 5. hoate of Augusta,
presided.
The grand master In his address re
ported the lodges as in very prosperous
condition, there being 22,277 members,
gain of liz, with 500 initiates, an in.
crease OF one sixth over last year
There had been 400 deaths against 40
last year, the rate being IS III 1000
The following officers were elected i:
Grand Master, Winfield \. Choate, Au.
gusta; deputy grand master, Alfred =.
Kimball, Norway; senior grand warden,
James E. Parsons, Ellsworth; Junior
grsnd warden, John Fl McGorrill, Gin
ton; grand treasurer, Marquis F. King,
Portland; grand secretary, Stephen
Berry, Portland; committee of finance,
Edward P. Burnham, Saco, Albro f..
Chase, Portland, George r. Shaw, Port
land; trustees for three years, Edward
p. Burnham, Saco, Archie L. Talbot,
Lewiston
The Grand Royal Arch Chapter OF
Maine met al 7 p. m, Grand High Priest
Winfield S. Hinckley of Auburn, presid-
ing. Fifty four of the So chapters were
represented.
The following grand officers were
elected: Grand high priest, Winfield
s. Hinckley, Lisbon; deputy grand high
priest, Frederick w. Plaisttd, Augusta
grand king, Howard D. Smith, Norway
grand scribe, VIM. N. Howe, portland ;
grand treasurer, Leander w. Fobes,
Portland; grand secretary, Stephen Ber-
ry, Portland; committee of finance,
Joseph A.. Locke, Portland, Horace n.
Burbank, Saco, Marquis F. King, Port
land.
The Grand Council of Royal and Select
Masters Of Maine met at o'clock, We'd
nesday afternoon, Grand Master James
f. Blanchard of Augusta, presiding.
Sixteen councils we're represented.
The following officers were elected /:
Grand master, Bial F. Bradbury, Nor
way; deputy grand master, Euoch o.
Greenleaf, Pennington; G. p. c. of
Work, Charles E. Meservey of Rock
land; grand treasurer, Leander w.
Fobes, Portland; grand recorder, Step
hen Berry, Portland; grand chaplain.
Elbridge G. Heath, Auburn; grand mas
ter of ceremonies, Thomas A. Jewett,
Gardiner; grand captain guards, W.
Freeman Lord, Auburn; grand c0nduc-
tor, Albero f. Chase. Portland; grand
stewart, Charles B. Adams, Waterville !;
grand sentinel, Willard C. G.. Carney,
Portland.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03

Out in big apartment house on Co
lumbia heights there dwells a young
married woman WHO is as naive as the
bride in the comic weeklies. The house
keepers who live in the same house
with her have been somewhat annoyed
of late by mice. The young woman
met one of them in the hall the other
day, and the conversation naturally
turned on their common pests.
THE mice have been so bad lately
said the elder woman. that keep ev-
erything locked up and all my eatables
in the boxes
The younger Woman's eyes sparkled
with eagernefS.
My" she said. II wouldn't dare do
that | wouldn't want to run such a
risk. | leave crackers and cheese lying
about every night when | go to bed so
that when the mice become hungry
they'll find something to eat and not
gnaw things. I'm always afraid they'll
bite holes in my new tablecloths and
my nice centerpieces if | don't leave
the cheese right where they can find it
easily. | feel perfectly safe when |
know there's plenty for them to eat
right where they can get AT it,"
There's noticing after all like having
clever idea like that now and then
Washington Post.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03
MabeI,s Little sister.

When you have wanted little sis
ter very. very badly and when the
little sister finally arrives you are apt
to love her far better than anybody
else could possibly love her, even your
father and mother. Mabel was years
old before the long wished for lite
sister arrived. The first rapture of real
ly having her WAS dampened somewhat
by the incessant crying of the baby.
For herself Mabel didn't mind. Any
thing the baby did was perfect. but.
oh. would the others, who couldn't. of
course. worship little sister" the way
Mabel did. get tired of it? One day
when the baby had almost screeched
her little head off. and all in that incon-
sequent way of babies. Mabel went TO
her mother In the first lull and begged
dissolution.
You don't mind her crying so very
much, do ron. mamma?" she said ear
nestly shes SO little. you know. and
she can't help ii yet. really and truly
she can't Please, please put up with
1t for my sake. And oh. mamma.
no matter how hard she cries you won't
now promise me you won't, mamma
send her awayr'-New York Sun.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03

1t is not anger alone that makes cats
arch their backs. Indeed, when two
cats are preparing to fight they do not
assume this attitude, but crouch low.
just as they do when about TO spring
on their prey. the body being extended
and the hair not in the least erect
But when, on meeting a dog suddenly.
fear is combined with anger then the
cat, standing at its full height, at once
arches its back, with an instructive pf-
fort to appear as formidable as posi-.
BILE.
Darwin compares 1t TO the similar
attitude of the lynx when attacked aud
to that of birds which rufiie their feath.
ers and spread out their wings aud
tail when alarmed. 1t is noticeable
that cat will also arch its back when
in an effectionate frame of mind, ruiz
bling itself against its masters leg. At
the same time it slightly raises its fur
and holds its tail erect. Its whole at
titude is just the reverse of that which
it assumes when savage
Darwin accounts for this In the fol
lowing words Certain states of mind
lead to certain habitual actions which
are of no service. Now, when a direct
ly opposite state of mind is induced.
there is a strong and involuntary
tendency to the performance of a move
ment of a directly opposite nature.
though it may be of no service"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03

What is the most roundabout jour
ney that the absence of proper steam
ship communication entails on the in
habitants of any country? Surely IL
must be that described by our consul
at Loanda. Portuguese West Africa.
If one of the 6,0OO whites of Angola or
100 Europeans in the konGo lnde-
pendent State. who so frequently need
change Of climate. wishes To spend n
week or two in Cape Town which
should lie, even by slow steamer. only
six days distant-he has to travel 5000
miles from l.oanda TO Madeira. catch
there Cape steamer and journey for
another fortnight the 1880 miles to
Cape Town. II thus needs fully 4
months continuous travelling and 1000
miles of II TO reach point only 1850
miles from the starting point. London
Chronicle
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03

The partial results of the recent GEN.
sus of Cuba, taken for the purposes of
al exact registration for the coming
elections, shows results varying much
from all estimates. One SUI prise is the
large white population, numbering l.
572,797, against sos, 443 negroes and
mulattoes. Of the white males over 81
years old, there are 1s7,s26 born in
Cuba; 96,083 born in Spain; 6,794 born
in other countries, and 127,300 colored.
OF the native white tubans there are
70, 455 qualified to vote on the grounds
of education, and of the colored cuban
citizens there are 25, 892. Besides these
there are So 1857 white males over 81
born in Spain, whose citizenship was
undetermined. Many of these wish to
preserve their Spanish citizenship and
will surrender their right to vote. Gov
ernor General Wood has designated
June 10th as the date of holding these
municipal elections and blank ballots
with detailed Instructions will be sent
to aid them in voting.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03

ibid you ever try to dance with a
foregner?' asked Louisville gentle
man who had been travelling abroad.
81 did once" he continued, land that
experience was more than enough for
me. 1t happened at a hall at Musta-
pha. at the Hotel st. Georges. ] asked
an Austrian countess to waltz. and
when we started supposed we would
dance in the leisurely American fash
ion. The countess had Il different idea
In her head. She preferred to whlrl
madly like a dervish on space that
could be covered with a parasol, and
ON account of her superior strength
chung to her. and we began to spin.
FINALLY. when 1t seemed to me that
we were performing our antics on the
ceiling with our heads hanging down,
| could stand 1t no longer and. gasp
Ing for breath. suggested that we sit
down. saw two chairs galloping
around the room and prepared to catch
them on the next lap. We steered for
them, | clingng helplessly to the ath-
letic lady, and then we sank down. |
sat daZed and almost insensible until |
was aroused by the countess saying:
"'EXcuse me, but we are sitting on
the same chair "-Detrolt Free Press.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03
Nicknames of British Regiments

The grenadier guards We're hickman
ed "The Coalheavers" because they
were at one time allowed to work IN
plain clothes at odd jobs for private
employers. The Seventh foot were The
Elegant Extracts because at one time
all their officers chad been chosen from
other corps The Forty sixth owed
their name of "rhe I.acedemonians" to
their colonei's stirring speech on the
ancient Spartans. Like many other
regiments, The Gallant Fifteth" re-
ceived several nicknames-"Th Blind
Half Hundred" from their ophthalmfc
troubles in Egypt, and The Dirty
Half Hundred because in their PENN
sular fights they wiped themselves with
their black facings. The One Hun
dredth regiment are THE Old Hun
dred" and The Centipedes." The
Twenty-eighth were called THE Fore
and Ats" because. standing back 10
back, they repealed front and rear
attack before Alexandria in 1901 The
Cheshire regiment has been christenrd
"The Lightning Conductors" because
Sin the Irish maneuvers of 1899 several
men were struck by lightning during a
night march. London News.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03
At Washington.

The Senate committee on appropria.
tons, Friday, completed the considera.
ton of the Notifications appropriation
bill Among the additions to the bill
are $240, 600 for the purchase of land on
Cushing's Island, Portland harbor, Me-,
on which to erect additional batteries
and buildings for troops. The additions
made by the committee aggregate $780,
140 bringing the total appropriation
made by the bill up to S7,033, 626.
The Nicaragua canal bill is under dis
cussion this week in the House.
The House, Monday, passed the Lacy
bill to enlarge the powers of the depart
ment of agriculture, and to prohibit in
terstate commerce in game killed in vio-
lation of local news. 1t authorizes the
secretary of agriculture to provide for
the Introduction and restoration of
game, song and insecivorous wild birds.
1t gives him the power to prevent the
introduction of undesirable foreign birds
and animals and prevents the killing of
game in violation of State laws for con-
cealed shipment to States where it can
be sold in the open markets
The bill for constitutional amend
ment to -disqualify polygamists for cleo.
ton as senators and representatives, and
to prohibit polygamy, which was report
ed by the committee on the election of
Presi lent. Vice President, and repre-.
sentatives in ongress, was referred to
the committee on judiciary.
The House agreed to the conference
report on the joint resolution extending
in the tenure of military officers in
Puerto Rico.
Representative Burleigh has received
permission from the dep lrtment for the
granting to the Union Veteran Union
organic ,tion of Bucksport, through the
selectmen of the town, of two old howit-
zers now at Fort Knox, Prospect Ferry,
Me.
After having been under consideration
more than two months the Alaskan civil
code bill was passed by the Senate Tues
day. The amendment relating to the
alien location of mining claims has de-
layed the passage of the measure for
several weeks and at times has engen-
dered good deal of feeling in debate.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03
Murder at South Berwick

The body of Mrs. Fanny Sprigga,
daughter Of Thomas Abbott of South
Berwick. was found in badly mutlated
condition il barn owned by Florence J.
Knight at South Berwick Junction. at 10
O'Clock. Tuesday forenoon. The muir
derer had attempted to burn the barn
and conceal all evidences of crime. and,
but for the timely discovery Of the fire,
would have accomplished his object.
When found the throat had been cut and
the head was almost severed from the
body, and the skull was horribly crush
ed. The body was badly burned though
it was easily identified. The county at
torney and local officers are working on
the case and have caused the arrest of
Eben Simpson of Eliot, on suspicion of
having been connected with the murder.
Prompt action is being taken and the
guilty party may soon be brought to
Justice.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS: The fol-
lowing are the real estate transfers re-
Gently recorded at the county registry
Norridgewock-L, F. Lawton to Ida
Ireland, $l.00; First Natl Blk. of Show
hogan to N. A. Littlefield, $205; j. Fl.
Haynes to w. A. Rogers, $1,000; w. A.
Rogers to j. H. Haynes, $3.50.
Bingham-R. E. Morris to F. E. Ennis,
$1,000; John Owens to w. j. Carl, $3.50.
Moscow-M. r. Reynolds to d. B.
Stuart, $3.50; Calvin Hilton to F. W.
Gates, 5000.
Skowhegan-Jane and Frank Thomp-
son to l.. b. Allen, $500; Joseph Tan
fish to Chas. f. Jones, Sl400; Anna E,
Judkins to Joseph Butler, $1.00; p. P.
Hill to E. N. Merrill, $500; W. s. Bur-
rill to W. s. Hoxie, 800.
Mercer-John Croswell to L. Stella
Gordon, $500; Grace f. Jones to r. l..
Palmer, 5000.
Emhden--C. F. Lane to B. 2. J. Wes-
ton, 1926.
Pittsfield-A Fl. Cornforth to VIM. j.
McFarlane, $2650; Lillian Nj. McNally
TO A. N. Patlen. $500; s. H. Frost to j.
W. Manson, $l.00; Dennison Walker to
Sarah A. Young, 800.
Athens-C. B. Wade to Geo. G. Wade,
$1,000.
Fairfield-Jerome Nelson to Rose ID.
Bessey, $500; Rose ID. Bessey to j. b.
Nelson, $500; Olive b. Hodgdon to W.
). Burrill, $3.50.
st. Albans-Henry Watson to j. w.
Pease, $l100; VIM. A. Blaisdell to STAN
ley Hanson, $500.
Anson-Clara E. Powers and Augusta
Hilton to j. A. Allen, 5000.
Canaan-Mary L. Stinchfield to G. T.
Horne, $1,000: G. P. Chase to r. p.
Chase, $45; Amanda Richardson to
Everett Cover, $500.
Madison-Naomi Hayden to Sadie
Butler, 81 90.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03
800. Reward. 500.

The readers of this paper will be pleas
ed to learn that there is at least one dread.
ed disease that science has been able to
cure In all its stages and that IS Catarrh.
Halls Catarrh Cure is the only positive
cure known TO the medical fraternity
CataTh, being a constitutional disease
requires constitutional treatment Halls
Catauh Cure is taken internally. acting
directly upon the blood and mucous sur
faces of the system, thereby destroying
the foundation of the disease, and giving
the patient strength by building up the
constitution and assisting nature in doing
its work The proprietors have so much
faith in its curative powers. that they
offer One Hundred Dollars for any case
tat it fails to cure. Send for list Of teS-
hmonials. Address,
F. ]. CHENEY CO., Toledo, Ohio.
Sold by Druggists, 75c.
Halls Family Pills are the best.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03
William BENJAMIN.

William Benjamin, one of the oldest
residents of this village, died, Monday
afternoon, at 490 clock, at the age of
81 years, 8 months and II days. He
married Susan Carnage, to whom four
sons and daughter were born. A Wild
ow and three sons survive him. Mr..
Benjamin was highly respected, kind
husband and father, good neigh Dor
and friend. he lived long life among
us and his death removes another of the
older generation The funeral was held
Thursday, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon,
Rev. W. F. Small of Richmond oficia-
ting, The burial was in the cemetery
near his home.-Union Advocate.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03
Death of Solomon Bixby.

Rev. Solomon Bixby. eldest son OF the
late Dea. Rufus Bixby Of Norridgewock.
and brother OF Hon. A. X. Bixby Of this
town, died at the home OF his son. DR.. J.
p. Bixby, Woburn, Mass, on Saturday.
April 28. aged IS years. mos, 10 days.
He graduated at Waterv.lle college.
Aug. (, lS49, and at Bangor Theological
Seminary, Aug. %, 1852 Ia October of
that year be was united in marriage with
May d. Peet, daughter Of Rev Josiah
Peet OF Norridgewock.
For nearly forty years Mr.. Bixby was
faithful minister Of the gospel, filling
pastorates In Maine, New HAMPSHIRE
and Massachusetts. Then almost total
blindsess Obliged him to relinquiah his
beloved work but his interest in the
Masters work was unabated to the last.
Since the dsath of his wife in 1889. he
has made his home In the family Of bis
son, DR.. Bixby Of Woburn, where every
care and kindness has been shown 20
compensate, so far as possible, for his
loss Of sight. Now he sees. for he has
passed from the darkness of earth TO the
brightness and Joy of Heaven.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03
Terrible Explosion.

An appalling disaster occurred, Tues
day forenoon, at Schofleld, Utah, through
an explosion in mine No. 4 of the Pleas
ant Valley Coal Co., by which certainly
200 men and upwards lost their lives.
One hundred and thirty-sevenk bodies
have been recovered and the work OF
rescue is still proceeding and will con-
tinue until all the bodies are brought to
the surface.
The theory is that the explosion &C.
Cured by powder being carried into the
mine by workmen.
The work was delayed by after-damp,
the dead being piled up in heaps, indi-
eating that they had prepared for death
which they knew would be inevitable.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03

cussed and the ladies were very agreeably
surprised BY being served Russian tea in
a manner which would have made the
Gar himself feel al home
The following committees have been
appointed by the V. LIS. for the annual
meeting Entertainment, Miss Hen
rletta 4. Danforth, Mrs. Susan Fuller.
Mrs. Jennie Hathaway; supper. Mrs.
Maud Carr. Mrs Sarah Frederic. Mrs.
Helen Pierce; program, Mis- sarah
Clarke, Mrs. Fanny Hussey, Mr.. Cora
smith; committee 10 nominate officers.
hrs. Jennie Hathaway, Miss Henrietta
Danforth, Mrs. Rosa Wbitcomb.
Mrs. Augusta CIaugh Of sko~hsgan
WAS IN town, yesterday, visiting friends
Repairs are being made On Quinnebas-
sett stables.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03
e REPORTER;
High School Notes.

Howard Snow of '99, is working in f.
7. Goodrichs grocery store.
The junior boys have organized class
athletic team. Guy Harville has been
chosen as its captain.
We are glad to note that two of the
boys Of our alumni held positions on the
Colby and Bates debate, which was held
at Waterville, last week. Mr.. Lawrence
of 1876, and Church of '9s.
The Athletic association have secured
the services of Mr.. John Swain, s. Fl. s.,
'95; University of Maine, '99; as treasurer,
The association has just received new
hammer.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03
Obituary.,

Miss Annie B. Gordon died of con-
sumption, at her home in Arson, April
18th. She was born in Readfield.
February 20, 1866, and in 1872, came to
New Portland, where they lived until
1898, when they moved to Arson. She
graduated at Arson Academy, in this
village. in the class of 1888, after which
she entered the Pennington State Nor
NAL school, but on account of i'll health
could not complete the course. Miss
Gordon was very successful teacher,
taught twenty three terms of school.
She leaves parents, Mr.. and Mrs. William
Gordon, brother, L. Dion Gordon of
Arson, and a sister. Mrs. Leslie A.
Davis of East New Portland Union
Advocate
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03
Letter to Hiram s. Steward.
Skolche0dn, Ne,

OhUUTtyUHj mt.
Dear Sir: Perhaps you are going to
paint your house, and don't believe in
Devoe. Wen make you an offer:
Paint half your house lead and oil {;
the other half Devoe lead and zinc.
In three years the lead and oil half
will be hungry for paint; the Devoe half
will turn water as well as when new.
II not, our agent will stand by this
IF you have any fault to find with
this paint, either now in the painting or
hereafter in the wear, tell your dealer
about it.
1--WE authorize him to do what is right
at our expense
Devoe lead and zinc holds color better
than lead turns water twice as long.
Yours truly,
r, w. DEVOE 81 Co.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03

A serious accident occurred, Sunday
last, on the grounds of the Paris Expo
stion by the collapse of a bridge and 9
lives were lost and some so persons in
jured. Aside from this there have been
Ia fatalities and more than 100 were
seriously injured, since the beginning OF
operation on the great show. 1t l.
likely to be record-breaker for casual
ties, unless there is change for tn,
better.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03

We are in receipt of catalogue of the
University OF Maine, for the year 1899
1900. 1t is replete with information
pertaining to that popular university
with views of some of the buildings and
grounds. Among the students enrolled,
five are from Skowhegan: Wilkie C,
Clark aud Howard L. Maddocks, seniors
Charles W. Lewis, freshman; Chester e..
Mills and Harold j. Phillips, seniors,
law school.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03

Boston Herald :-Olie Belmont is no
sooner back from Europe than he takes
occasion to observe that Dewey has no
chance, and that trotting out his name
10 connection with the presidency is only
a scheme of wicked and designing men 70
disrupt the Democratic party. AS Ollie's
brother Perry is supposed to be the
head Of the Dewey movement, it will BE-
seen that the cbasm In the Belmont
family still yawns wide and deep and
solemn
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03

We have heard of some "kicking" be-
cause the force pumps, owned by
the Village corporation, which have
been and which may be very effective
over quite portion of the village, have
not been kept 10 working order. 1t
seems to US this criticism is not without
reason. After long period Of immuni-
ty from fires we are apt to get careless,
and neglect some things not considered
very important. Everything that can
be made to throw water is of Importance
when fire is on, and 1t is difficult to tell
Just what Is most 30. The correct
theory is to have every piece of our fire.
hghting apparatus kept In the most
efficient condition, practicable. Our
facilities for fighting fire should In no
event be diminished. Increase would be
vastly preferable.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-05-03

The finest honey in this country is
gathered from hives where white clio
yer and Eastwood are accessible. IL
quantity. however, II falls behind thai
made from the goldeprod aud huc6-
wheat blossom. From New York
Pennsylvania and Vermont comes The
most of the comb honey and from Ari
coma and California the largest amount
Of extracted or liquid honey.