davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
NJ errill-Wescoft.

At the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Lindsey
Flanders, East Cornvlle, on Wednesday
evening, June 26, occurred the wedding
reception of their sister. Miss Ella Dianths
Wescott and George ". F. Merrill of
Madison.
The couple were united in marriage
by the Rev. V. D. Sweetland of Palmyra
in the afternoon and in the evening
about one hundred and twenty-five rela-
tives and friends assembled In honor of
the occasion.
The spacious parlors were ftly deco
rated aud after Mr.. and Mrs. Merrill bad
received cougratulatory greeting from
all present short program Of music and
recitations was rendered by few Of the
friends; refreshments were served and
pleasant, social evening was enjoyed by
all.
When the guests returned home they
left behind not only verbal expressions
OF friendship and esteem but large
number of beautiful and useful presents,
lasting toke MS Of the kind wishes which
will follow Mr. and Mrs. Merrill in
their new life. On the following day
the happy couple returned TO Madison,
their future home. s"'
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
SOUTH NORRIDGEWOCK
SOC ETIEs

Lebanon LODGE 40 lIe + K A A-Cnarles
faTrand, Master; {. A. Ward, Sec =. q.
Danforth Treas Regular meetings Saturday
on or before the fun u the moon.
CEDAR CHAPTER 40 GO, o. +. S.-Blanche r
Ward, worthy hatroD. Maud =. Carr, Sec.
Lucy 5. Hussey, Treas. Meetings third FRIDAY
evening of each month at Masonic Hall
QUINsEBAssETT LODGE No io9 l. .. o p
4. A. Hilton, Noble Grand r C. Hal. Fec i;
L. s. Miller, Treas. Meetings Monday even
ings at 80.
soMKRsET LODGE No. IL RKBEKAH-N G.
lsadore y. Wing. SEC, Nina Il. Tuttle. Treas i,
Lila {. Tobey. Meetings Ind and 18th Friday
evenings.
Echo LoDoE los KNIGHrs OF PRIMARILY
Bigelow, {. C.; c. \. Staples. K OF K. 4 S. = r
futile, Master Of EKehequer. Tuesday evenings
at X. +. Hall.
OLD PoINT LoDoR No. 314 l. o. G. TN c.
Holt, {. T.; ". +. Brown, Sec; Alfred futile.
Treas Regular meetings Thursday evenings in
Grange Hall
SOMERSET GRANGE No Is p. Of Holm
I. Pierce, Master, Lizzie Howay, Sec; Annette
4. Burgess, Treas. Meetings Thursday even
ings on or before full Of the moon and two wee
after.
BATES Posi- No. So G. A. R-steuard Wing.
Commander II. Il. Cross, Adj; H. T. Hale,
Quarternaster Meetings first Tuesday even
ings In Grange Hall.
THE VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SocIKTY-Mrs.
j. w, Hathaway, Pres Mrs Fannie Hussey
Sec; Mrs Electa z. Tobey. Treas Meetings
nrst and third Friday afternoons Of the month.
OosooLA ASSEMBLY, No. 81, Pythian Sisters
hood-Mrs. j.. +. Burgess, {. C.; Mrs E.
Burgess, h. OF r. & s.; Mrs. G. s. Jewett, Mis-
tres Of Exchequer Meetings every other
Monday evening at K. 7. Hall.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
GOOD ROADS ARGUMENT.
Free Mall Delivery to Cease Where
Highways Are Neglected.

Highways Are Neglected.
The postofiice department is trying
to use the rural free delivery expert
ment as an argument In favor of good
roads, and where the experiment has
failed to Improve the bad roads along
the routes the service will have to be
abandoned.
The department has gone over the
records to see how many routes were
interrupted by the condition of the
roads last spring and has sent out
notices that unless the roads are I'm
proved to prevent similar interruption
this spring those routes will have to
be abandoned. The records show that
q great many routes were interrupted
from one to seven days last spring
There were 40 of these routes In
Iowa, IL in Illinois, 10 in Wisconsin
and less number in other western and
southern states. The record against
Iowa IT. not SO bad as 1t seems because
that state has great many more rural
free delivery routes than any other
state, and, like Illinois, the state suf-
fers at times from bad roads which
cannot be improved.
The department admits that it will
have to give some consideration to the
difficulty In building roads in Iowa and
Illinois, where the depth of the soil
makes 1t almost impossible to con-
struct roads that will be passable at all
seasons of the year. 1t is admitted
that there are routes In Illinois and
Iowa where everything possible has
been done to make good roads, and
they have excellent roads for the great
er part of the year, but during the
spring freshets these may be impass-
able for few days.
The order is meant to apply to those
routes where the people are Indifferent
to the condition of the roads and have
allowed them to become impossible
through neglect. The inspectors will
report on the routes that are interrupt
ed this spring, and where the inter
ruption Is due to neglect of the roads
they will be abandoned. Where the
interruption Is due to conditions which
cannot be overcome the department
will make allowances and continue the
service.
But the department regards rural
free delivery as an argument and an
inducement to build good roads, and
wherever the people are Indifferent to
the advantages of the service the de-
partment holds that the experiment is
failure The demand for rural free
can meet with the appropriation by
congress, and 1t will favor those com
munities which show most apprecia-
ton by building roads over which the
government can send mails with the
least possible interruption.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
shreyvd Thieyery.

Americans who 90 abroad must ex-
pect to be robbed right and left" said
a young man who recently returned
from brief European tour "One ex-
poets to be held up for all sorts Of tips.
but when tho beggars follow you home
you can't help feeling a sort Of admira-
ton for their ingenuity.
81 went over on one of the Red Star
line boats. and the first thing | did on
landing at Antwerp was 10 go to the
cable Office and send a message to my
mother announcing my safe arrival.
paid the toll and thought no more
about 1t until got home, when among
my mail found a letter from the Ant
werp operator, addressed In care of my
mother, saying that through an error
he had not charged me enough for my
cablegram sent on such and such a
date, that he had been obliged to pay
the difference out of his own pocket,
and as his salary was very small and
he had large family and all that sort
of thing he felt sure l would reimburse
him.
''The amount was a trifing one, and
/ did send him a foreign money order.
I have since learned from experienced
travellers that | had seen made the
victim of a systematic form of robbery
and that scarcely a cablegram is sent
from the other side unless 1t is Of a
business nature that is not followed
by some such plea from the European
operator"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
Quaint Hannibal HsmI,u.

To the day of his death Hannibal
Hamlln was n figure that men would
turn and look at second time on the
street. His tall form, which In old
age was but slightly bent. was always
clothed In the old fashioned black
swallowtail suit, and he always wore
a tall silk hat, generally back num-
ber." tilted slightly back on his head.
For years he was famous as a man
who never wore an overcoat, and to
his death he never burdened himself
with that, to him, unnecessary gar
ment except on the most severely cold
days. For a half century he never
changed the style of his clothes. He
walked with a swinging gait and had
so many friends and acquaintance to
whom he had to bow that smile SEEM
ed to be ever on his face.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04

A backward glance of one year gives
one an idea that something has been
accomplished worth working for since
the 4th day of July, 1900. The condi-
tons in many ways are greatly improv-
ed as compared with one year ago. In
the Philippines, in Porto Rico, In Cuba,
in China, American affairs are in decid-
edly better condition, while In Hawaii
affairs are rather more complicated and
disturbed. Last year at this time we
had presidential, congressional and state
elections on band and were anxious
about the uncertainties attending the
administration of affairs at Washington
in the then near future. This we do not
have to worry over now as the thing is
fixed for nearly four years. Prosperity
and plenty abound on all sides and we
can with propriety indulge in reasonable
utilization on the great anniversary OF
our country's Independence.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
The Progressive Register.

The first number of Volume | of "The
Progressive Register" has been issued
from the press of the REPORTER of the
date of June 10Th, by the Register Pub
fishing Company, Skowhegan, Maine.
The Register is published in advocacy
OF the theory, "For the Public Owner
ship of Public Utilities and is to BE-
issued quarterly.
The initial number contains many
thoughtful articles bearing upon the
cardinal principles of the publication ;
Public Ownership" "Direct Prim.
aries, )" "Direct Legislation" and "20th
Century Voting" and 1t will receive the
close attention and careful perusal OF
many readers who have the public good
at heart, 1t will be worthy of it.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
Annual Reunion.

The thirteenth annual reunion Of the
Bloomfield Academy Class Association
Of l'gs ls72, was held at The Hilton.
Madison. Maine, tuesday, June 18th.
The party left Skowhegan By special
car, arriving at Madison about :
O'Clock ?. 10.
superintendent Witham took the mem
bers under his charge and conducted
them through The mills Of the Great
Northern Paper Company which WAS
much enjoyed by all present.
A business meeting was held at G
O'Clock, Miss Dora Cleveland, president.
Resolutions were adopted relating 10 the
death of Horatio W. Cushing, member
OF the class and Of the association. who
died since the last meeting. Letters
were read from a good number of absent
members. a poem, written for the &c
casion by Henry Wyman Holmes. son of
member, Mrs. Ella Wyman Holmes
was read by Mrs. Hattie Baker Fogler
The committee appointed at a former
meeting to prepare constitution and
by laws for the association, reported 4
code which was adopted.
Officers for the ensuing year were
elected as follows:
Mrs. Georgia Friend BigeloW. presi-
dent; Mrs. Ella Tenney Holt, vice presi-
dent; Mrs. Nellie Higgins Leighton.
secretary; w. B. Steward, treasurer;
Walter +. Robbins, Mrs. Eva Gage,
Mrs. Fanny Wildes, F. 4 Steward, Miss
Dora Cleveland. executive committee.
The place Of the next meeting Was
left with the executive committee TO fix.
Votes Of thanks were passed to the
landlord Of The Hilton and Supt.
Witham Of the Great Northern Paper
Company.
The company made up Of members of
the association and few invited guests,
to the number of "a. sat down to a Inc
banquet to which they did ample Justice
There were no after-dinner speeches.
After the banquet the play .'The Dis
trict School" was presented In a very
happy manner by certain members OF
the association and friends, to the edi-
fcation and amusement of the company.
The reunion was one of the most en-
Joyable ones the association has ever
held.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
SkOwllegan Markets.

Corrected Weekly by II H. BARTLETT
PRICES PAID PRODUCERS
OATs-lo cts
WoOL-Unwashed,lls cts.
RETAIL MARKET.
FLorR--Spnng wheat Patent. s. to S. rs Winter
wheat pat 81 Is Winter wheat choice R4oo
70 $40. extra. $50 TO 2.iS.
C"RN-si 70 per bag meal and cracked corn
sl.io per bag.
FFEp-Middngs, $40 to 1.2o per cwtChioAgs
gluten ~ sack
BH>N and MIXED FEED, sl.O5 to sIlo.
Corrected Weekly by A. H. LANG
PRICES PAID PRODUCERS.
KsEr-Ox beef. flo to cts
rIpEs And SKISs-hides, ets; lamb skins $
each calf skins, 2s to go % aoh
lorLTk'-Fowis. 10 L. cts. per III ehickens
Ror~n Hoa-Gl, to : cts.
TALLow-Rought lla CT. per ID.
RETAIL MARKET.
SALT PoRK-l2c 10, by the bbl., 100 lbs. 81, 50
to $3.50.
Corrected Weekly hywAIrtR SAVAGE.
PRICES PAID PRODUCERS.
BEASs-Hand-pickedy yellow syes 500 to s25o
BurTEsEflrst quality, stamped. Il TO II per ID
Goos-l5 IT'S. per dor fresh.
POTAToEs-tO.
RFrAlL MARKET,
CHEESE-l5 per 10.
Rt'T1 ER--l6 70 l. is per 10
EGGs-lG cts a duz fresh.
TFAs-41 10 % cents per 10.
CuFFEB-l2I2 to IS cts. per H..
LARD Domestic, Y cts Pure Il cts
NtpLAssEs-Pure Ponce ~. pure EaTbadoes
SU Maple 25c per OF; Choice Cooking 2sc.
~UGAK-o;ranulated Sugar, best quality, Is
pc -i- ~ Al no; row. Il pounds for 81
POTATOES SOC to 8 bu.
OEIoSs-6c. per 10.
Dry FIsH-C I'd, to- cts per 10. pollock, x
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
SkOwhegan and Vicinity

The country in this vicinity never
looked more beautiful than 1t does at
this time. the trees are in full foliage,
the grass in full growth, ready for the
haymakers, and the rains have been
frequent enough to keep everything
fresh and green.
There IL no more delightful country
in Maine or elsewhere than Skowhegau
and vicinity. There is a variety Of hill,
valley, river, small lakes, woods and
fields, picturesque in detail and in com.
bination, which never wearies the eye
and actually grows upon one as the
years go by.
To be assured of this one need but to
traverse the territory In any direction
from our town with team or by rail.
There are desirable drives In all direc.
tions, and all have attractions of their
own, whether along the banks of the
Kennebec, up or down river, or in
other directions. The ride by the Maine
Central railroad down the Kennebec; the
ride by the Skowhegan and Norridge'
wock electric railway up river with
the flne views of river, wood and hill
near by, and the mountains in the dis
lance the ride by the Somerset Trac
ton Conpany's electric road through
one of the finest sections of country In
central Maine, from Skowhegan to Lake.
wood and thence to Madison; the out
look of unsurpassed loneliness from many
points along these routes, all unite in max
ing our town a vantage place, from
which to make pleasure trips in the
glorious summer days of the year now
with US.
There are many other delightful places
In Somerset county, very desirable tt
those who enjoy inland locations in the
summer months. They all have theil
attractions and we have no desire tt
belittle them by a special plea for oul
own town. We will open our columns
to any article setting forth the attrac
tiops of any other Somerset town fol-
summer visitors.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
Some Startling Fipurea.

Charles T. Harrison, United States
special agent on road work, said re-
Gently:
AS a result of 10000 inquiries sent
out by our Office in 1895, figures have
been compiled that are startling in
their conclusions. The most conserva-
tive estimates based upon these figures
show that the total of the farm and for
est products hauled over the country
roads amounts to over 100000. 900 tons
and that the average cost of transport
ing 1t Is SO a ton. or total annual cost
for transportation of nearly $950.000.-
600. This enormous charge is paid
principally by the farmers of the coun-
try annually. and of this amount the
figures obtained from other eoun-
tries where good roads are the rule in
stead of the exception show that fully
two-thirds of this amount. or about
100000 900. is due to the poor roads.
In other words the farmers are paying
about $GO0,00O,0OO mud tax each year
enough to cover this country with good
roads and maintain them.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04

Sheriff Pearson continues to make
seizures in Portland and causes much
annoyance and expense to certain
saloon keepers who persist in violation
of law and adopt every device possible
to secretly carry on their disgraceful
business. Saturday he raided place
kept by one Ford whose movements the
liquor deputies had been watching for
some days. They found the liquors in a
closet up stairs conveniently arranged
with long tube to reach the drinking
room. The sheriff cleaned out the
whole establishment, the beer, the tub
ing, the furnishings and even the pic
lures on the walls and carted them off to
city hall. He has driven the outlawed
traffic into very close quarters.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04

Porto Rico will declare its independ-
ence today so far as revenue is con-
cerned. The Legislature of that
island in special session summoned by
Gov. Allen will pass joint resolution
notifying President Mckinley that laws
have been enacted and put In operation
providing for a system of local taxation
that will provide the necessary revenues
for local purposes. On receiving this
notice the President will issue pro-
clamation establishing free trade be-
tween Porto Rico and the United States,
in accordance with provision OF the
Foraker law. This is favorable out.
come of what was at one time noted
controversy in Congress. Porto Kico
has made rapid strides in the direction
Of establishing an effective local govern
ment and appears now to be entering
upon an era of prosperity.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04

The L. S. statement just issued by the
treasury department shows the salts
factory decrease of the public debt for
June of $l7 ,737,3 74. The debt is recap
itualated as follows: Interest bearing
debts, 1887, 14l ,040; debt on which In
terest has ceased since maturity, $1,415
620; debt bearing no interest, 1888, 0l5,-
5s4; total, 81, 81 ,572 PA. This amount
however, does not include $771, 1854, 1888
in certificates and treasury notes out
standing which are Offset by an equal
amount of cash on hand held for their
redemption.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
Both Trained.

Little Edith had been very Ill., but
was conyalescent. Waking up sudden
ly and finding a strange lady at her
bedside, she asked, Are you the doc
tor2
mo. dear" replied the lady; I'm
your trained nurse"
"Oh." exclaimed Edith, pointing to a
cage hanging near the window, train
ed nurse let me introduce you to my
trained eanaryP'
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
To the Bangor Hospital.

The first detachment of patients, who
were to occupy the Eastern Maine Insane
Hospital, left Augusta, Monday morn
ing, by special train in charge of Con-
ductor West. The patients, 20 in num-
Der, were women and were driven in
barges to Bangs Siding, about one mile
from the city, il order not TO attract
crowd. There the train was boarded.
In the party We're DR.. B. T. Sanborn,
superintendent of the Augusta asylum,
Dr. p. II. S. Vaughn, assistant supern-
tendent of the Bangor asylum, and Man
Mig ;. Campbell, treasurer Of the Au-
gusta asylum. But little demonstration
was made by the patients. They were
committed from the counties of Wash
ngton, Hancock. Aroostook and Penob-
scot. This is the first time in the his
tory of the State that so many patients
have been transferred by train.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS The fol

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS; The fol
lowing are the real estate transfers re-
Gently recorded at the county registry
Canaan-Sewell Brown to <. F. Stew.
ard, $1,000; Geo. W. futile to Isaiah
and Henry Crowell, $780,: B1,I
Palmyra-Chas. F. Taylor to K. NJ
jackson, $500.
st. Albania. l.. Ellins to II. O.
Worthen, $3.50; Edward Libby ct ais T.
w. Libby, $500.
Pittsfleld--Wm. f. Priest to Sarah f.
Woodbury., 1915.
Mathematician Kincaid to H. G. and
Bertha X. Hoyt, $1.00; j. A. Kendall to
E. 7. Goodrich, $500.
Ripley-Sylvia A. Goodwin to C. B.
Good win, e1.00.
Brighton-E. j. Russell to C. f. Bar.
ker, $500.
Anson-Mae f. Randall to Geo. A.
WEIGH ct al, $l.00.
Lexington-Frances A. Gould to Great
Northern Paper Co., 1920.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04

There is with good reason much CON-
plant at the difficulties thrown around
the redemption of unused revenue stamps
now that the law requiring their use has
become a thing of the past. These
rules provide that stamps will not
be redeemed in less quantities than
two dollars. Then citizen having
these stamps in his possession must
obtain certificate, II he can, from the
place where they were bought; this
covering the provision that only stamps
purchased from the government within a
period of two years are redeemable.
The collector of the district in which the
stamps were purchased then investigates
his records and II he can find that the
statement of the person presenting the
stamps for redemption is correct, he
forwards the stamps to Washington with
the proper endorsement. We cannot see
the necessity of such a complicated set
of rules and roundabout way for the
redemption of these stamps. The plan
is good one II the purpose is to enable
the government to retain many thous-
ands of dollars it has received from in.
dividuals for stamps no longer of any
use and which the government has prom
ised to redeem. The government ought
to provide for redemption of these
stamps on sight and pay their face value
to the person holding them. That would
be a sensible method of doing the work.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04

Good judges estimate that the vaca-
ton crop will bring SIS, 0O0, 900 to Maine,
this year. This estimate may be large
but the vacation army has begun to in
wade the state of matchless shore and
mountain, and is likely to continue the
invasion as long as the heat of summer
shall last The summer business is a
great thing for Maine not only in itself
but in what it incidently leads to in the
way of investments in other lines of
business
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04

The city government of Philadelphia
ia in for large measure of criticism at
this time and 1t appears to be just. 1t
granted to a street railway trust fran
ehises and privileges that ex-Postmaster
General Wannamaker has since offered
two and one half million dollars for, and
this without any cash consideration paid
to the city. A great public uprising
appears to be imminent in that city, and
there is need of it.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04

The extreme heat of the past week has
been very trying to humanity. scores
of deaths are reported In different parts
of the country, largely In cities. Seventy
deaths are reported in New England
during six days. Thunder showers OF
Tuesday afforded some relief in New
England and the Middle Atlantic states
and at Chicago and ST. Louis. Phila-
delphis seemed to be the warmest place
of record, Tuesday, maximum tenn
perature of 102 having been reached.
This long protracted hot weather has a
tendency to drive people to the noun
tsins and sea coast of Maine, earlier than
usual.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04

MARY" said her father, you have
been keeping company with that
Mitchell fellow for more than a year
now. This courtship must come to a
termination"
"Oh. father. how can you talk SO?
He is oh. so sweet and nicer
"Ah" And the fond father arched
his eyebrows. Sweet and nice, Ell ?
Has he proposed?'
well. father, not exactly" And the
girl hung her head and fingered the
drapery OF her dress, HE hasn't ex-
actly proposed; but, then. last evening
when we were out walking we passed
by nice little house, and he said,
That's the Kind of cottage I'm going to
live in some day and said, Yes and
then he glanced at me and squeezed
my hand. Then, just as we got by.
glanced back at the cottage and-and
squeezed his handw
"Oh, ah, see" said her father,
well, we'll try him another week or
two."-LOndon Answers.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04

The high price of hay during the sea-
500 has caused closer cleanup OF the
product In Maine than has occurred for
some years. Station Agent Eaton In
forms US that farmer from an adioin-
ing town brought to the station, last
week, for shipment small quantity of
hay that was % years cid. This may
be called a record breaker IN the way OF
venerable haY.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-07-04

81 warn you" he said threateningly,
ito keep away from Miss Billion. I've
been making love TO her myself"
"Have you. really?" replied his rival.
"Well, she'll be glad to have the mat
ter cleared up"
Cleared up What do you meanr'
"Why. she said she thought that's
what you'd been trying to do, but she
wasn't sure."-Chicago Post.