Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-02-20
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Novelty aud Nonsense.
Patents have been granted to J. @. Head,
New field, for automatic gas cut-off; to f.
Z. Tucker, Lubec, for rotary engine.
Edwin IL. Knight, OF South Berwick,
who has been on trial for murder OF
Fannie Sprague, was acquitted Saturday.
II. G. Chapman q Son, proprietors OF he
Bangor house, have had plans drawn for
extensive improvements in the interior OF
the hotel, with particular reference to the
office. The work has already begun.
Charles T.. Snow, well-known builder
OF Portland, died Thursday after long
illness. Toe deceased stood high In the
Der OF other secret societies. He had been
member OF the city government and
was local republican leader.
It Is announced that the Maine Central
railroad will build across country from
Augusta to Winthrop. which would head
| off the projected electric road from Au-
gusta to Lewiston. The mileage OF the
connecting link would be about twelve
miles. The road would give the Farm
ington section Of the State short route
into Augusta.
1t is accepted as settled that the Bath
Iron Works will buy the plant OF the
Lowell Arms Co., at South Portland, as a
branch Of their Bath plant. The imme-
date cause for establishing this branch
is the contract for battIeship recently
awarded, and the probability OF another
contract for cruiser. There is another
branch. Portland is hereafter to have
all-the. year-ronnd trans Atlantic steam
ers in addition to the great winter traffic.
There ia a demand for repair work on a
grand scale which the South Portland
plant can handle.
Hon. Joshua Gray, OF Gardiner, died
Thursday, following a short illness at
tributsbe to old age. He was born in
Starks, in 1914. He became resi-
dent of Gardiner in 1874 and has been
largely identified in the business and pro-
gress OF its affairs. He was at the head of
the firm OF Joshua Gray & Sons, who are
among the largest lumber manufacturers
DI the CtdtS. ne nus teTNtu III UOtu
branches of the city government, has
been mayor OF the city for three ensuing
years and served in the State senate. AT
the time of his death he was president of
the Oakland bank and the Oakland Man
ufaeturing Co., besides holding other po-
sitions OF trust.
| The school Improvement leagues OF
| Maine have an enrolment of about 30 600
at the present time. The members of the
league have graded and otherwise i'm
proved many school yards, rebuilt large
number OF the fences, Of school grounds,
replaced disgraceful outbuildings with
suitable structures, painted and papered
scores OF schoolrooms, purchased hun
| dreds OF volumes OF useful books, and
provided thousands of reproductions OF
works OF art, besides uniting teachers,
pupils, parents and citizens generally in
working for the school, and through this
work developing an interest that will
make it more useful to the community in
which it is located. The leagues have
recently made choice of Supt. Payson
Smith, OF Rumford Falls and Mexico, as
president OF the State league, and Miss
Kate Mcdonald, principal OF the Machias
grammar school, as secretary and treas
urer.
| Lewis B. Smith, of Auburn, one OF the
political landmarks OF Maine, died last
| Wednesday. Mr.. Smith was born in
| Bath, Dec "a, 1925. AT the early age OF
fourteen he went to Portland to learn the
| trade of a cabinet maker. He became
acquainted with the boys who afterwards
developed into such men as Judge Put
nam and Judge Webb, and through life
they remained among his warmest friends.
| He developed love for politics and
| became one OF the most skilful organizers
| and managers OF his day. He WAS early
| in life member of the Portland common
| council, and later was chief Of the fire
department Of that city. For severa
| years he was chairman of the Cum berland
county committee oithe republican party
| and member OF the State committee. For
| Mr.. Smith, James G. Blaine always enter
| tanned the highest regard. With Senate
Hale and many other prominent public
| men, Mr.. Smith has been on equally
! friendly terms. For many years he ne'd
| the position of deputy collector at Port
land, and SO peculiar was his political
| position that he held this office through
| democratic as well as republican adHinis-
| tratioDs. Between the Reed and Blaine
| factions OF the party, II factions they can
| be called, he always held the balance; and
| through his tact and judgment more than
one serious difference OF opinion was adj
| justed.