davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

10 order to appreciate the home paper
one needs to be away from home. Little
Maine news gets into daily papers west
OF Boston, and to get Maine news in any
desirable quantity, one must have Maine
daily papers. Likewise to get county
news one must have the county papers.
Thus the county weekly fills a place In
the economy of affairs that would other
wise be untitled. The news by eorre-
spondents In 30 different towns and
localities In Somerset county aud half
dozen or more columns of Skowhegan
items In the SOMERSET REPORTER, make
up collection of information about
Somerset people and Somerset affairs
obtainable nowhere else. Thus are we
led TO repeat that papers like the RE-
PORTER have a legitimate ard recogniz d
place in the newspaper field, exclusively
their own, notwithstanding the multi
plicity of dailies, small and large, and
the increased number of small local pa
pers whose circulation is confined to the
towns of their publication. Information
about affairs of all kinds in the county
is the speciality county papers must
gather and exploit. 1t may be small
business but small affairs must be at
tended to. All people cannot give at
tention to large affairs. There are not
enough Of such to go around. 1t is well
to do something necessary to be done
although 1t may not have magnificent
proportions.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
A FISH OUT OF WATER
The Unfortunate FroIic That Caused
Its UntimeIy Death.

A German scientist-he could only
have been German-once conceived,
we are told, a plan to train a fish to
live out Of water. He placed a thriv-
ing little carp in a small tank and with
infinite patience and great exactness
removed from the tank one spoonful
of water every day, at the same time
increasing gradually the amount Of
oxygen In the water. In time the wa
ter barely covered the carp, and still 1t
thrived. The quantity of water con-
tinued to diminish, and, by slowly
adapting its method of breathing to
the new conditions, the fish began to
breathe air and indeed became quite
terrestrial in its habits before the tank
was entirely dry. The scientist had
grown to love the carp. he fed 1t from
his own hand, and now that Ii was liv-
ing in the same element with himself
he took it from the tank and left 1t as
free to follow It's own devices as was
the family cat. The little fish also
loved its master. 1t followed him about
from place to place, Topping along aft
er him, stopping only occasionally to
leap for a passing fly. One day tie
scientist was crossing a bridge. Tta
carp, as usual, was at his heels, enjoy.
ing the pleasant air Of the countryside
and uttering from time to time q little
sound expressive of delight and con-
tentment. About the middle of the
bridge a fat househy was summing It.
self on the rail. The carp spied the
fly and jumped for it, but miscalculat-
ing the distance went over the rail into
the river-and was drowned. - Great
Round World.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
Oliver Walker.

Oliver Walker, the oldest citizen Of
this town, passed away at his home on
Court ST., Sunday, April 10, at 9.45 p.
m. The end came peacefully-a fittiug
elimination of peaceful life. About q
month ago, his housekeeper fell AID
broke her hip, and this accident caused
shock to his nerves from which he could
not rally.
Oliver Walker was born in WATERBURY.
Me-, Jan. TO- 1907, thus bringing him
into his ninety-seventh year at the time
of his death. His early boyhood days
were spent In Waterbury and Canaao
where he early developed those traits Of
sterling manhood, which always chartc-
terizad his life in after years. He cane
of good sturdy ancestry, and inherited
firm determination to fight for the righi
and a strong honesty Of purpose. His
father, Edward Walker, who was boz
in Shapleigh, Me-, fought in the war Of
1872, and his grandfather, Jonathan
Walker, Connecticut shipbuilder, serv-
ed with General Washington in tie
Revolution.
Jan. %, 1888, he married Miss Phoebe
F. Russell, daughter of Asa Russell, of
Bloomfield, and to them were born two
children, Francis g., who died at Port
Royal, S. c., Feb. 20, 1862, and Flora E.,
who married w. Fl. circuit and IS now
living in Washington, d. c., and was
with her fathey in his last days to All
minister those kindly acts that only
loving hands can perform.
1t is an unusual coincidence that he
should be one of eight brothers just as
his father was also one of eight brothers
Most of his life was spent in Skowhe
gan, where he worked until his sixtieth
year as q builder, and in this trade he
was we'll known as a painstaking aud
skilful worker.
He was charter member of Cara
basset lodge, l. o, o. F., and also
of the old temperance society of The
ashingtonians. He attended church
as long as he was able, and as long AS
the High street Christian church kept
up it's organization, he was one of the
most active workers in all the depart
ments of that society. He was mem
Der of the board of selectmen at one
time and was also one of the school
committee. He took an active part in
town politics as well as in state and
national affairs, and he cast his vote at
every presidential election since the
| first Harrison. He was always a Re-
publican and an ardent abolitionist.
The temperance cause also had an untir.
ing worker in him. He always earnestly
espoused any cause which he considered
right, and was bitter hater of tobacco
and liquor.
lie is survived by his daughter, Mrs.
Flora E. circuit, his granddaughter,
Mrs. E. ). York, and great-grandson
Warren NJ. York, all of Washington, bis
only living brother, Edward Walker of
Canaan, and his two half-sisters, Mrs.
Ann WEIGH and Mrs. Jane Atwood,
both of Portland.
The funeral services will be held from
his late residence, Thursday, at 30 p.
M, and will be conducted by Rev. E. r
Adams of 5olon, former pastor of the
Methodiss church here. Interment will
be made in North cemetery.
Thus passes from our midst one of
Gods noblemen, whose life was well
! and honorably spent He was a man of
kind and genial isposltion-honest to
his own disadvantage.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

According to Sheriff Cummings, en-
ioreement is a success thus far in andre
scoggin county. Exclusive of kitchen
BAR rooms, the sheriff says there were
lO3 places where liquor was sold over
the bar In the county. There has not
oeen an open bar since January /.
There used to be 40 jail commitments r
month In the first three months from
JAM ] there were only 80 DRINKS sent to
jail for the entire time. Jan. | Their
were 81 prisoners 10 the county jail.
april II there were IS. In December
lSO2, the food bills in the Jail amounted
10 $4,000; in March, 1908, they were
sl4'27. Liquor sellers have been driven
out or into dark places. Even pocket
peddlars are In fear of detection and
drunkenness Is reduced very much.
ihere is remarkable change in the
streets of Lewiston. Quiet and order
prevails. Vigorous and impartial en-
ioreement of the law will stop the illegaI
sale Of liquors as much as 1t will any
Urine. These statements of Sheriff
cummings appear to us to be reasonable.
Aharoscoggin county people ought to
appreciate these conditions. The virtue
VI law is In Its observance.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
Number17
The Tribune FARMER

For short time, or until Nay i. Ne
will furnish the New York Tribune
Farmer with the soMEBstr RErofTgf
At the very low rate Of sl.75 per yeaf
for the two papers.
The regular price of the Farmer Il
Sl00 per year and hi. spsciai ensr
holds good until May . only.
send your order and moteV 70 The
SOMERSET BEr0RIEE aahegan.
Maine, or drop into the eEr9eIfe oaiee
and sub-ctite
Send your name and sddres. Or a
postal card to Tha w Y9rk rrI5sps
Farmer. New York Cry. ard g.
free sample copy
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

Language Is the subtlest instrument
ever played on by man. Its variations
are illimitable-that is, they are limit
ed only by the powers of the human
mind and soul In all possible situations
The power of words or speech exceeds
that of music because language is more
than music and even includes music
Language in the hands of a master Is
pregnant with every meaning.
A nations language is at once an ex-
preston and mold of its character.
rejecting from century to century the
development of its civilization and its
advance in intellectual and moral cul-
ture, in learning and refinement. The
flexible Greek tongue was the product
and the instrument Of the subtle Gre k
intellect. The distinctive qualities OF
the classic speech of the Roman de-
clare the dignity and the virile energy
which were inseparable from the old
Roman.-Portland Oregonian.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

The craftsmanship of the U. S. navy
having been questioned by distinguish
ed naval officer, attention is called to the
fact that the hull of the Rina Christina.
Admiral Montozo's flag ship at Manila,
which was sunk by Admiral Dewey and
recently fioated, contains ID shell holes
Certainly 10 effective shots in the hull of
one vessel, 10 the brief time Dewey's feet
was engaged In Manila bay, is evidence
Of effective craftsmanship. Nothing can
take the place of good craftsmanship in
army or navy. Other things being near
ly equal, the party that shoots straight
EST will win the battle.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
ExhnuHteh brain Celia.

Nerve specialists say that great
many suicides are the direct results of
exhausted brain cells. When you find
yourself becoming morose and despond-
ent, when you are conscious that the
zest of life is evaporating, that you are
losing the edge of your former keen In.
terest in things generally and that
your life is becoming a bore, you may
be pretty sure that you need more
sleep; that you need country or out
door exercise. If you get these, you
will find that all the old enthusiasm
will return. A few days of exercise in
the country rambling over the hills and
meadows will erase the dark pictures
which haunt you and will restore buoy
ancy to your animal spirits.-Success.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
Australians gig Appetite.

Perhaps the most astonishing statis-
tics in Mr. Coughlan's book "Seyen
Colonies of Australasia" are those that
describe what the average Australian
eats and drinks Apparently he has
the best appetite, if not the best diges
ton. of any human being on the planet.
He eats every year 26i pounds of meat,
which works out IN average of two
sheep and one-ffth Of bullock for ev-
cry man, woman and baby in Australia
STA. He eats more than twice as much
meat as the average Englishman, three
times as much as the average French
man and four times as much as the ay-
erage German or Swiss He eats, in
addition, about 37o pounds of wheat,
225 pounds of potatoes and almost 100
pounds of sugar. If he is a Tasma-
MAN, he eats a quarter of ton of po-
tatoes in a year, quite surprising feat.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

David B. Hill declares his platform to
he Immediate tariff revision" A Re-
publiean paper calls attention TO the fact
that this is possible only by Republican
Congress. The Senate is certain to be
Republican until after the election Of
1905, therefore Democratic revision of
the tariff cannot be made by the Con.
gress elected next year. The one way
to prevent early tariff revision is to elect
A Democratic House in 1904. A Republi-
can Senate and Democratic House would
make no progress in that direction.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
Mrs. Sara 1 Fletcher.

Mrs. sara e daughter Of the ate
Captain George Cuts Of New Portland.
died at the home Of her daughter Mrs..
N. Z. Pratt, in this village, April Is.
after an illness Of several months She
was born in Anson, April Is, 1881 81
years ago she was happily married to
George Fletcher and to them were born
six children, two sons, four daughters.
the two oldest having passed 10 the
higher life in childhood and the Young.
est son, young man of Il years, and her
husband, Il years ago. Her home was
nearly always in New Portland until Is
years ago when they came to Skowhe-
gan to reside with her daughter. She
was true and noble woman of a sunny
disposition always thinking of others
instead of herself.
She leaves host of friends besides
her immediate family to mourn the loss
OF loving mother and friend. The
three remaining children are Mrs. D. s.
Churchill of Madison, Mrs. z W. Nc.
Kenney Of Kingield, and Mrs VI. z.
Pratt, with whom she resided, and five
grandchildren. The funeral was held
from her home Saturday morning, the
18th inst, conducted by Rev. II. W.
Kimball, pastor of the Congregational
church. The floral offering consisted Of
pillow bearing the word mother,
Easter lilies, and other beautiful pieces
from friends. Her remains we're taken
toNew Portland for nter1nent in the
family lot
One precious to our hearts has gone.
The voice we loved Is still,
The place made vacant in our home
Can never more be filed
Our Father in His wisdom called
The boon His love had given;
And though on earth the body lies
The soul is safe in heaven
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
John Nj. LalIey.

This respected citizen passed away at
his home in this town on the river road
near Pishon's Ferry, Monday morning,
at Q 45 o'clock after an illness of but one
week of typhoid pneumonia The de
ceased was the son of Thomas and Eliza
beth Lalley and has resided in this town
since a small boy. Thirty.five years ago
he married Mrs. Carrie S. Lttlefeld,
who survives him, since which time he
has resided on the farm where he died.
Two sons were born to them, one dying
in infancy, and Cecil j., who for several
years has been in the West. He is also
survived by three brothers, Joseph of
Boston, George of Denver, Colorado,
and Thomas of this town, also two Sis
tiers, the Misses Mary and Fannie Lalley
of this town, besides other relatives
The entire community in which he re-
sided is saddened by his sudden demise.
He was member of Skowhegan Grange,
p. of H., No POS The funeral services
took place, Wednesday p. m. and were
conducted by Rev. A. l.. Lane of Water
vile. His age was 81 years, 10 months.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

President Hill of the Great Northern
railroad is authority for the statement
that in England it costs 81 30 to ship a
ton of freight hundred miles; in Ger
many, 5000; in France $1.75 in Russia
sl.30; whereas for the United States the
average is only ~ cents. II this is cor
rect statement 1t is certainly to the credit
Of American railroad management. Our
experience is that, In Maine, the exper~r
to ordinary shippers is at least $500 p''
ton for 100 miles. OF course large ship
pers get lower rates, while shippers of
few hundred pounds have to pay con
siderahey more than 50 90 per ton. Low
freight rates are very important for
business. Not unfrequeDtly the freight
tariff makes or breaks business entr' =
prises.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

The claim of gloves by ladies as a
reward when they have stolen kiss
from sleeping man is alluded TO by
Gay QGS8-1732):
Cicely. brisk maid steps forth before the
rout
AID kissed with smacking lips the snoring
lout;
For custom says, "whoeer this venture
proves
For such kiss demands a pair of
gloves"
In chapter of 1.-THE Fair Maid of
Perth" by Sir Walter Scott, Catherine
leaves her chamber on st. Valentines
morning and finding Henry Smith
asleep gives him a kiss. The glover
says to him:
"Come into the booth with me, my
son, and l will furnish thee with a fit
ting theme. Thou knowest the maiden
who ventures to kiss sleeping man
wins of him pair of gloves
And In the following chapter she &C.
cepts it.-Notes and Queries.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
How to Sell Goods.

"'You must know how to talk with a
customer so that she will buy is one
of the things the buyer says over and
over again in his lectures down in the
basement. Even when the girl is be-
hind the counter at work the buyer
will often step up and give her hint
For instance, he will give a new name
to an old piece of goods. There Is ev-
erything in a name. He came up to
me one day and said. Cal that line of
goods the Marlborough and it was not
long before | had sold the entire stock
The sweller name Is the better, Of
course. Cumberland pins will sell much
better than plain pins even If they are
the same thing. French names are
much in vogue too, and they are some
times coined Names taken from swell
sports are also very good sellers. An
other thing of course, which helps Il
girl sell the goods is genuine knowl-
edge of them "-Leslie's Monthly.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

The Wall Street world is bitter In Its
inyectiye against President Roosevelt
because of the St. Paul decision in the
Merger case. Wall Street magnates
want the Sherman act to remain imper-
alive for all time. The President
believes laws were enacted for purpose
but these New York financiers think
they are superior TO statutes and are ex
asperated because Attorney General
Knox brought them to book, and vent
their wrath on the President. He can
stand it, as the great body of the people
Of the country are with him and do not
take kindly to monopolistic trusts.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

ia not often th9t weddings interfere
with political conventions, but the mar
-isoe of Senator Hanna's youngest
daughter to occur, June 10 is likely to
osuse change ia the date of the Republi
osn State Convention in Ohio. 1t was
originally booked for June and 10 but
senator Hanna's attendance is much
desired and as he must attend his daugh-
ter's wedding it is likely the convention
will be held June and 8. Cupid is
liable to disturb plans of all sorts.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
The Reporter and the Doctor.

The following conversation between
a doctor and newspaper man was
overheard the other day:
1--WE met some newspaper men," said
the doctor, land don't like their ways
They're always trying to pry into other
peoples business"
"Well." responded the reporter
'There's but one difference between
newspaper men and doctors that can
see."
"And what's that?" asked the doctor
"You fellows dissect bodies and we
dissect brains. For my part l like the
brain end Of it."
Then the doctor sat down ind thought
for several minutes.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

Despite the bad name the automobile
has got by reason of accidents, small
and large, and the many yarns related
and printed Of its crankiness and unIe-
liability, the machine is making rapid
progress in the way of increased number
In use for purposes of pleasure and bust
ness This is particularly apparent in
cities in the central and southern part o.
our country. In Maine they are avail
BILE for use but about half the year
therefore their advance in the process of
displscing the horse is not 80 rapid rs
further to the south, but even in tn :
latitude where roads will admit, tn
steam carriage is increasing in numbers
beyond the expectation of most peopln.
The automobile is feature In the trans
portation problem that must be taken
into account, particularly in cities.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
MOI TIC sumo.

Its merciful dspensation of Prov
idence that makes eonsumptives al
ways hopeful. It's just heavens mercy
that keeps them from realizing how
bad they are
"Huh And what is it that keeps
some singers from realizing how bad
they are? Would you call that heav-
ems mercy - Catholic Standard and
Times.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

The second book printed in the Eng
lish language was THE Game and
Playe of Me Chess" which the title
page says Was "Fynys,..d the last day
of Marche, the yer of our lord god Il
thousande foure hon1red and LXXIIt."
Only twelve copies OIL the work are
now known TO exist. In 1913 an Eng
lishman of the name of Alchorne sold
his copy for a sum equal to $40 In
United States currency. Fifty yes RS
later, in 1869, the same volume ian Inn
perfect copy was sold for 81, $50. The
British museum has refused an offer of
$4,000 for its copy, which is imper-
feet to the extent Of having seven
leaves missing.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
Com,pIinenta.

Miss Koy-In discussing the galaxy
of beauty" at the ball the other night
Mr.. Grafton paid me quite compli-
ment.
Miss Speitz-The idea! That's so un
like him. | never before heard of bis
paying anything before it's due.-Phila-
delphia Press
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

Mayor Hyde of Bath, has joined the
Grange He is little more interested
in the ploughing of the briny deep than
the tilling of the soil, but he neyerthe-
less owns lot of farm property and is
one of those public spirited, jolly good
fellows whom any good organization is
glad to welcome to membership
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

Friends:
To all friends, who SO kindly assist
ed US in our late bereavement, by their
ssistance, sympathy and gifts of beaud-
ful flowers, we wish to extend our
sincere thanks.
Mr.. and Mrs, GEO. y. WESTON.
Mr. and Mrs. FRED PELcHER,
Mr.. RALPH BLUNT.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

The discoveries made in the post
office investigation may lead to a reor-
ganzation of the service at least in
several branches. Postmaster General
Payne opposes publicity on the ground
that it may hamper the work Of the
inspectors
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
greed.

"My wife and agree perfectly about
some things" remarked Mr.. Meekton,
with a gentle smile.
''IndeedY
"Yes; when anything goes wrong |
take it for granted that it is my fault,
and Henrietta always thinks so too"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
Hardly ~ She Meant IL.

Monument Man-What shall put on
your husbands tombstone, madam?
Distracted Widow-Oh, say that he
was my husband and that he is happy
now.-Life.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

The Reina Christina, flagship of Ad-
miral Montojo, which was sank by
Dewey in Manila bay, was raised and
beached on Sunday. In the hull were
found the skeletons of eighty of her
crew.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

Rumford Falls will entertain the
Maine Methodist conference in 1904.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

Maine is eating lots Of early straw.
berries. One day last week, 275 crates
came through Portland, breaking all
previnus recnrds.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

One might as well attempt to rear.
range the rainbow eolors of a soap bub.
BILE as to undertake the reformation of
ones neiclbors. -CAicabo News
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23

Stops the Cough and works OF the Cold
axative Bromo- Quinine Tablets cures cold
In one day. No Cure, no Pay. Price Is cents
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-04-23
History In Six Words.


81 think gossip is never entirely use-
less"
"You really think SOP"
Eyes; 1t can always be used to satisfy
other peoples curiosity" - Brooklyn
Life