davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
A Somerset Case

The Law Court have taken action on
the Somerset county case, Samuel r.
Harding vs Charles w. Farrand. Follow
ing is the rescript by Judge Powers:
at is general rule that when wit
nesses, who are in no way dscredited,
testifyng distinctly and positively to a
fact within their own knowledge which
is not of itself impro bable, or in conflict
with other evidence, the witnesses are
to be believed, and the fact is to be
taken as legally established, so that it
cannot be disregarded by court or Jury.
This rule is subject to qualifications
There may be such an inherent improb.
ability in the statements themselves as
to deprive them of credit, however
pos lively made. A witness may be con-
tradicted by the facts he states as well
as by direct adverse testimony. His
manner of testifying may give rise to
doubts of his sincerity and Justify the
belief that he is giving a false coioring
to material facts He NAV have snch
an interest in the question at issue. or
stand in such a relation to, or be so
subject to the influence of other who
have such interest, as to effect his cred.
bility. In such cases courts and iuries
have right to exercise their own iudp.
ment in determining what is in fact the
truth, and they are not bound to blindly
adopt statement of the witness, simply
because no other witness denies them.
and his character is not directly i'm.
peached.
In this case the testimony of the plain
tiff, his single witness, and the only wit
ness introduced by the defendant, was
substantially the same as to the prin-
cipsl fact in issue. The plaintiffs wit
ness was so situated in his business deal
ings with the plaintiff that he was
evidently subject to his influence. The
defendants witness was intensely hostile
to the party calling him. The state
mt nts of all three contained many in.
herent improbabilities, and their story
as whole was contrary to the general
experience of mankind. SO much APP
pears from printed records. The Jury
had the further advantage of seeing and
hearing the witness testify They re.
turned verdict for the defendant and
we think it should not be disturbed
Motion overruled."
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
At w asilingtOn.

A treaty of commercial reciprocity
with Cuba, on the lines laid down by
our government, is to be sent to the
Senate before the Christmas holidays,
and will be ratified President Roose-
welt has received assurances from at
least eight of the Republican senator's
who opposed the Cuban reciprocity bill
at the last session that they will vote for
the ratification of such treaty. In the
House, too, there has been a change in
the position of many of the Republican
embers who were opposed to reel
procity bill at the last session. The
treaty gives the United States the mini
mum tariff rates on imports into Cuba
and gives only 20 per cent reduction on
imports from Cuba into the United
States. The amount of the reduction in
the tariff rates on Cuban exports to the
United States is, of course, inadequate,
but it seems to besimpossible to secure a
larger amount.
Senator Spooner of Wisconsin, who is
regarded at the Capitol as the chief
craftsman of important legislation,
since his success with the isthmian
canal and the Philippine question, is ex
pected TO frame the bill to strengthen
the Sherman antitrust law, in accord
ance with President Rooseve4t's recon
| mendation.
The Senate committee on military
affairs voted unanimously to report
Secretary Roots military reorganization
bill to the Senate without amendment.
There seems to he no opposition to 1t,
and it will probably become law.
If Minister Hart at Bogota is correctly
informed, no treaty providing for the
construction of the Panama canal can
be ratified by the Colombian Congress
before about June LIST next. He has re-
ported that the congressional elections
have been called for the middle of next
March, and Colombians here say that a
period of at least 60 days is required to
assem- a newly cleo ed Congress, and
then some time must elapse before it is
in working order.
Sec Root decided Thursday that in
promotion of enlisted men to be second
lieutenants, candidates for examination
must have passed two full years of ser
vice in the ranks, and that to count a
term of cadetshp at " est Point, where
the -nen had been dropped for deficiency,
would be to put premium on failure.
The war department has issued an
order providing for the exchange of
fifteen Philippine regiments for organ
ization with the same number of troops
in the United States.
The Littlefeld trust bill has been re-
ported favorable by the sub committee
of the judiciary committee of which Mr.
Littlefield is chairman. The bill pro
vides specially for publicity of all the
stock records of large corporations that
do an interstate business and for tax of
per cent on so much of the capital
stock outstanding as had not been fully
paid. Provision is made that the inter
state commerce commission shall pre-
pare and publish a statement showing Il
list of corporations and disclosing their
condition.
The treasury department has opened
bids for the construction of an extern
sion to the post office at Ellsworth, Me-,
A. NJ. Foster of Ellsworth. was the
lowest bidder, at S7490. The only other
bidder was X. j Noyes of Augusta whose
hid was $7012
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
Nearing the End
Only II Day More in which 10 Eegister
Your Votes in the Range Contest.
The Rivalry WAKES Warm and All the
CoDtestants Are Hustling

Tor Every Years Subscription Paid to The
Reporter 100 Votes Are Given.
As the time draws 70 a close in our
Range Voting Contest there is every
evidence that contestants are active ia
getting votes to swell their totals, that
they may be the fortunate ones to pos
sess the handsome 5000 Quaker Range
we are 80 soon 10 give away TO the lead
er IN each class. In the ten days that
follow we expect the contest to wage
warmer and warmer, and the victors can
rest assured that u gain the coveted
prize will be 10 empty honor.
There have been no new contestants
enter the field since our last issue but
there are many changes in the totals
since that time. The ~kowhegan class
Is still led by Mrs T. +. jackson. but 80
close are the four leaders there are only
about 800 votes difference between the
smaller and larger.
In class No. z, Western section, Mrs.
Lizzie Holway, the leader OF last week.
still heads the list but ia only 81 votes
ahead Of the second in the list, Mrs.
Jordan, while four other ladies in this
class are well up in the race.
In Class No. Eastern section, Mrs.
Biaisdell still heads the list, but while
before this lady has led BY several hun
bred, this week finds Mrs Gaylord with
in about 100 votes of her, or what one
yearly subscription would give. Sur
prises are looked for here as well as
elsewhere before the end of the contest.
To "Wednesday noon of this week the
votes registered are as follows:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
Holiday Attractions.

Numerous Holiday attractions are
enumerated In our advertising columns
this week. Our merchants have filled
their stores with goods adapted to the
season, and, as In former years, have
employed the REPORTER as a medium
to reach the people and call their atten-
ton to good bargains.
You have only to read the advertising
columns of this paper to become salts
fed that our merchants do not hesitate
to purchase large stocks of desirable
merchandise, specially suited to the
holiday trade, and to realize that the OPP
portunity for selection is abundant.
Purchasers appreciate these we'll filled
stores of fresh, new goods, their attrac-
tive appearance, and the advertisements
that advise them of fine lines of goods
and guarantees to them full value for
their money.
Somerset people are, as rule, loyal
to their own business men and give our
merchants opportunity to carry fine lines
and splendid stocks Of goods, which
they could not do but for home patron.
age. This is economic wisdom. When
we cannot do as well at home as else
where it may be well to patronize out
siders, but there are many things to take
into consideration, and we are free tc
say, that at least nine times in ten, il
is money In our pockets to patronize
home merchants, mechanics, profession.
ais, laborers and home institutions and
people generally, when we desire to dis
burse money for merchandise or services
Our readers will do well to bear this
truism in mind when they are engaged
in making purchases for Christmas or
New Year gifts.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
Two Dinners, One Meal.

~ have a lawyer friend whose name
Is not Henry Peck, but it might be-"
said a city official.
Last week my wife and | were In
vited to his house for dinner, and you
never saw finer silver and china on
table, but food was at extreme low
tide. My wife gave me a significant
glance, AMI | saw the color rise to the
cheeks Of our host, but he played the
agreeable without a word or look of
disapproval.
Both my wife and 1 were awfully
hungry when we started for home, and
she at once accepted my invitation to
enter the first restaurant we saw for Il
good square meal. We were no sooner
seated than we saw our dinner host
come sneaking in and take seat In
an obscure corner.
MAKE believe that we don't see
him. said my wife, with a woman's
tact We did make believe. and, the
funny part is, SO did our late host By
the friendly aid of a mirror | saw
when he first observed us the color
come to his cheeks, as it had at his
own table. He turned As far from us
as possible and ate as though he were
not enjoying his meal very much."-
New York Herald.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
County commissioners Court
December Teri


The regular December term of County
Commissioners Court opened at the
court house, Tuesday. 1t is the term
for drawing to a close the business of
the year and for the settlement of all
accounts, possible, and a large number
are being audited, including the accounts
of road agents in different townships
for money expended by them on various
pieces of county road under their charge
The Official bond of Sheriff ELECT Lang
was presented for the approval of the
com missioners and it received their
favorable action. The bond is for $25, 900
and bears the names Alfred II. Lang,
Benjamin f. Baker, John r. Nc lellap,
Samuel w. Gould, r. Francis Parker,
Edwin F. Fairbrother, Edward F. Dan
forth and John 2. Clark all of Skowhe-
gan.
The board will adjourn tomorrow or
next day until the last week of this
month when the accounts of the year
will be balanced and the record of the
county for 1902 will oe closed.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
Thomas Bracket Reed.

The death of Hon. TIL. mas B. Reed is
deplored by the people of the whole
country and particularly by those OF
Maine, his native state, that he served
with fidelity and distinction in many
public places. He was a man of great
ability, undaunted courage and of wide
accomplishments. Senator Hale well
says of him that when he went out of
politics he was easily the most masterful
man of his day. There is 10 such per-
sonality left in our public life"
His intellectual endowment was SUI
perb and it enabled him to leave an i'm
press upon the history OF his country
and the record of the great popular
legislative body of the government over
which he presided, unique and lasting.
1t is doubtful whether any other man In
public life at the time could have forced
the Reed rules" upon large minority
of the House of Representatives, fully
determined to block the wheels of legis-
lation and prevent the majority from
acting, as did Mr.. Reed In that notable
congress. 1t was a big undertaking and
took combination of qualifications
possessed by Mr.. Reed, but 1t is doubt
full whether any other man In that body
would have had like success under the
conditions then existing.
Those who knew Mr.. Reed personally
have a warm place in their hearts in his
memory. La 1869 the writer served
with him in the Maine House of Repre-
sentatives and the next winter in the
same body had the pleasure of voting
for him, without solicitation on his part,
for Attorney General of Maine to sue
coed Hon. William P. Frye, then just
entering Congress. Thirty-four years
make numerous changes in affairs.
Maine and the United States have been
making history rapidly and the ranks of
the public men of that day are sadly
depleted. Ii is hard to realiz9 that the
superb tom Reed" is among the dead.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11

The Brunswick Record is new week
ly, neatly printed and artistically made
up. 1t is published by the Brunswick
Publishing Company. James A. Cook is
editor and John P. Dunning business
manager. The first number appeared
Thanksgiving week but we did not get a
sight of it. The second number, that OF
last week, makes good appearance
showing experience in the editorial and
business management. One thing great
ly to its credit is that it holds the SUBJ
scription price at 81 80 in advance,
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
Probate Proceedings.

The December term of Probable court
was held at the Probate rooms at the
court house beginning, Tuesday morning
the 9th instant, and business was trans
cted as follows:
The wills of Peter 6. Rogers of Anson,
B. D. Howard of Fairfield and Levi l..
Steward of Solon were presented and
those of Maria V. Lothrop of Pttsfield,
Harriet Benson of Skowhegan, w. l..
Remick of Madison, Mary Nichols of
Starks, Joseph Wyman of Skowhegan,
John Porter OF Fairfield were proved and
allowed.
Accounts were presented in the estates
of Fred c. Porter of New Portland, Silas
Richardson, Lucy A. Thomas, Vine W.
Coburn of Skowhegan and Mary S. Cook
of Fairfield, and allowed 10 the estates
of Ester G. Dyer of New Pprtland, John
II. Frain, Elizabeth Stewal d of Skowhe-
gan, D. II. Lancaster of Madison, Han
nah {. Nye of Fairfield, Pamela Hall Of
Palmyra, Charles Gaylord of Cornvile,
Hartwell Wills of Mercer, j. w. Lord
of Athens and Villa Il. Brown of Arson.
Administrations were asked for in the
estate OF Edwin A Bean of Hartland and
granted the estates of Virgil d. Sweet
land of Pittstield, Flavlla Hunnewell of
Scion, Alice s. Caswell of New Portland
and S. S. Hackett of Detroit
License to sell real estate was asked
for in the estate of Elvira A. Foss of
Embden and Sadie +. Thompson OF Pitts-
field, ard granted in the estates of Willie
G. Simpson and John H. Record of
Skowhegan
Petitions were filed for appointment
of a trustee in the case of Henry Record
of New Portland, for distribution in es.
tate of Vine W. Coburn, and for appoint
ment of guardian of Bernice NJ. Whitney
of Scion.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
The Word "Cafe."

1t is really difficult to understand
how the word cafe" French term,
has come into such general use in this
country and how 1t happens that it is
so grossly misapplied The term
means coffee, or a place where coffee
is sold. and what relation there Is be-
tween a coffee shop and a place where
liquors are sold we are at a loss to
know. 1t is not improbable that the
idea comes from combinations of bar
rooms and restaurants. In the latter of
which of course coffee Is sold. but to
our mind nothing seems more absurd
or more emphatically marks the mod
ern disposition to follow blind custom
than sticking up on the window where
only beer, liquor and wines are sold
the word coffee" and that in for
eign language. Were it not that an
age of mlsnomer gives recognition to
this anomaly we would Just as soon
the word "meat" or bread" signalized
places where liquors are sold. Either
would have as much sense and logical
application as cafe. "-Exchange.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
R0gerS-Emery.

A the residence of the brides mother,
Mrs Mary Emery in Fairfield, on We'd
nesday afternoon, Dec. 10, occurred the
marriage of her daughter, Lena Alice,
to Mr. Clarence Rogers OF Norlidge-
wock. In the presence of the relatives
the marriage service with ring was per
formed by Rev. W. L. Jennings of the
Congregational church at Norridgo.
wock, the bride being daintly gowned
in white nuns yelling, and wearing
white carnations. Miss Alice Rogers,
sister of the groom, acted as brides
maid, and Mr. f. J. Emery, brother of
the bride, as best man After the cere-
mony a wedding lunch was served.
The bride, who is one of Fairfield
most estimable young ladies, was grad
uated from the Fairfield high school.
since which time she has been a most
successful teacher in that town, and by
her quiet and unassuming manner has
made many warm friends, who regret
that she is not to make her home with
them.
Mr. Rogers is a most highly respected
young man, being prosperous farmer
in Norridgewoek, where they viii make
their home.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11

The counsel of Henry Lambert, con-
victed of the murder of j. Wesley Allen
of Shirley, Pisc itaquis county did not
succeed in getting new trial. The
trial down by rescript written by
Judge Savage. There is little doubt
but what the verdict was just one and
the action of the law court correct.
Few men are wrongfully convicted of
crime in Maine courts. They have every
opportunity for defence including able
counsel of their own choice, employed
By the State.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
PatterSOn-Fogg

On November 9Th at the hour of ten
in the morning party of about forty
gathered at the pleasant and commodi.
Gus farm home of Perley Fogg, Esq,
Cornvlle, to witness the marriage of his
daughter, Carrie, and Mr.. Lester Patter-
son, son of the late MI Horace Patterson
of Athens. The marriage service In
which the ring was used WAS performed
by Rev. Mr.. Onstott, OF Skowhegan, the
brides pastor, Rev. Mr.. Spencer, being
absent. Miss Lizzie Fogg, sister OF the
bride, and Mr.. Frank Robinson, a cousin,
attended the happy couple. Immediate
ly after he service wedding breakfast
was served, the rooms being beautifully
decorated for the occasion. The newly
welded pair drove to Skowhegan where
they took the one o'clock train for Bos
ton where brief honeymoon was pass
ed.
Mrs. Patterson was member of the
high school, Skowhegan, and favorite
among her many friends while the groom
is very highly respected young man
and the owner of fine farm home about
two miles from the village, where the
young couple will Immediately be at
home. The presents which were many
showed the g1rd in which the young
people were held. -
IL
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS: The fol
lowing are the real estate transfers re
Gently recorded in the County registry:
Concord-Chandler Sawyer to MARI
Savage, $500.
Pittstield-J. c. Conner to Me. Cen
trial. Institute, 81 90.
Solon-T. G. Clark to NJ. o. Clark.
$500; Sarah c. Remick to F, r. Corson
Sl.OO.
Starks-C. 5. Meader to A. G. Malm,
$500; G. A. Duley & ais to b. W. Greer.
leaf. $40; Nicholas Murphy Il ais to l..
w. York, Sl.00.
Madison-Naom Hayden to G.. B,
Fairgrieves, $l00; l.. i. Currier to l..
w. Weston, Sl,00: Naomi HAYDEN to
G. b, Fairgrieves, 81 OC; b. p. j. Yves.
ton 10 f. f. Moore, 1925.
New Portland-ElNsh Hodsdon to
Flora A. Hodsdon, Sl,00
Observation-Disclosures York to A. F.
Geherke, $1,000.
Palmyra-Mertle f. S. Sinclair to Lois
+. Sinclair, Sl.00; f. n. Frost to Hollis
Weeks, 500.
Norridgewock Cullen Ward to F. K.
futile, 5000; F, y, futile to c. p. Saw
yer, $500; VIM. +. Perkins to Geo. b.
Fairgrieves, Sl00.
Cornville-M Martha f. Longfelow to
Rosey b. Mitchell, 1925.
Mercer-L. W, York to Louisa T.
Ladd, 5000.
SoldiertownAJohn d. Capp to Geo.
+. Rogers, Sl00.
Square Town-John d. Clapp to Geo.
+. Rogers, $l,0O
Christmas q at purl.n.-.t-
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
Mean Advantage.

On attempting to question a loqua-
cious patient one day the late DIR.
Sands was rrtated beyond all en-
durance After vainly endeayoring to
stem the torrent of gable he said
sternly:
Madam, let nue. see your tongue.
That's good. Now keep It there while
you hear what have to say to you"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
Ne AnnihiIRtiOn.

Though man can gather and scatter,
move, mix and unmix, yet he can de-
stroy nothing. The putrefaction of one
thing Is preparation for the being and
bloom of another. Thus a tree gathers
nourishment from It's own fallen leaves
when they are decayed, and something
gathers up the fragments that nothing
liz lost
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11

Thomas Mast, who figured prominently
as csricaturist in the Harpers Weekly
In the Grant-Greely campaign and later,
died in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Sunday last
He made a himself power in politics a
quarter of century ago. He was ap-
pointed U. S. Consul General of Ecuador,
In May last. His age was 81 years.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11

Portland Press 1t is rumored that
England and Germany will undertake tt
collect their claims against Venezuela by
selling the custom house at La Guayra
and collecting the revenues until they
amount to the claim. AS the debt is
large and the imports at La Guayrs
small it will require months of occupa.
ton, and perhaps years, to collect the
necessary sum. How the United States
will look upon so extended an occupation
as this remains 70 be seen. Certainly we
shall not tolerate anything that looks
like permanent occupation. Perhaps
the hope of the European powers is that
we will come forward and advance to
Venezuela the necessary funds to dis
charge her debts, tut that is out of the
question. We shall not interfere with
any method OF debt collecting that the
powers may adopt provided it does not
tend to permanent occupancy of the
country or to change of government.
But we shall promptly interfere, II nee
essary, to prevent either of these things.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11

II any of our readers has copy of
the Maine Agricultural report for the
year 1856 that they would like to give
to Skowhegan Public Library it would
be gratefully received. This number
would make up complete set of Maine
Agricultural reports in the library.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11

Excessive cold has prevailed all over
the northern section of the country this
week, beginning Sunday and with the
short fuel supply has caused much suf-
fering especially in the cities among those
of limited means. This week the pinch
of the coal famine has been felt as it had
not before. In Maine, where the wood
supply helps out we are not in the sire S
the people are where wood is very scarce
and the price almost prohibitive. There
must be great deal of privation of fuel
all through this winter. The supply
cannot be mined and freghted fast
enough to supply the great demand.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
A Color Clash.

Madam said the maid, "the dyer
has brought your silk dress back and
says it is impossible to dye it to match
your hair, as you requested"
well" said the lady, TASK him what
he would charge to dye my hair to
match the silk. The colors clash as
they are now"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
Fully Competent.

What we require" said the manag-
ing editor "is the services of a man
capable of taking full charge of our
Query Box Are you capable of an
swering all kinds of questionsY
well, | rather think | ought to be-"
replied the applicant. Pm the father
of eleven children"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-11
ENTERED AS SECOND GLASS MAIL MATTER.

Hon. George E. Macomber of Augusta
has been appointed trustee of the Insane
Hospital to fill the vacancy caused by
the death OF Hon. P. o. Vickery. 1t
has been customary for many years to
have a resident trustee at Augusta and
Mr.. Macomber will fill the bill.