davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07
State Prison.

Thirty-four persons are serving lite
sentences for murder in the State prison
at Thomasfon according to the annu j
report of Warden Hilman Smi.h, SUI
mited to the Governor ard Council
During the pas yea g. eonyicts wee
received, Il were discharged BY txpr 70
ton of sentences, one died. four Weit
paTdoned, the largest humber OF prison 70
ers at any one time was Isl, the smallest
number loo and the average daily nun =
her les. The largest number committed
II, was for breaking, entering and
larceny.
The largest number, u were con-
mittcd from Cumberland county, Will
oxford and franklin counties furni he'd
one each. OF those committed sever
were between the ages of 80 and GO
years 10 between 40 and 30 years; Is
between 30 and 40 years; Is between 20
snd 30; four under 20 or the number
40 were married and Is single; al were
natives of Maine and II were foreigners
The report of the prison physician, Dr..
A. NJ. Smith, says "There has not beer
n contagious or infectious disease in the
prison during the We r. Ole death oc
Cured on Sept. 10 Of cancer of the liver
"rhe diet has been up to standard and
the hygenic conditions very much i'm.
proved.
IN serious accidents have occurred
and there was very little sickness of any
character"
Hon. VIM. l. Haines of Watervile
who constitutes the visiting committee
of the executive council to the state
prison, has made his annual report
He says that he is pleased to report
the condition of affairs at the prison
much improved the past year. He has
visited the prison in company with the
inspectors upon their several monthly
visits, and has watched with satisfaction
the continuation of improvements made
under their direction The drainage of
the prison yard or what was known as
the old lime quarry, began by them two
years ago, has been completed. That
was formerly very unsightly spot and
what might at any time have become a
nuisance and a menace to health, has
been entirely removed 1t is true that
it has cost quite a sum to accomplish
this, but it is worth all it has cost
The health of the prisoners has been
good, as has also the discipline and gen.
eral management The prison shows a
better financial result for the business
done in the several departments than
for a number of years previous. The
carriage, harness. broom and furniture
departments show net gain of $14,-
708 50 These, with the exception of
the harness department which made a
small loss, showing a substantial gain
A new roof has been pu. upon the
blacksmith shop and the repair of the
other buildings has been well kept up.
New bath tubs have been introduced
and the general sanitary condition of the
prison much improved A new electric
lighting plant has been installed in ac-
cordance with the act passed by the last
legislature which will result in a com
siderable saving to the state, but before
this can be fully realized new engine
in his judgment will be required,
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07
1t PAYS Maine Well

As indicated by the returns made to
the 5 ate treasurer by the secretary of
5 ate, 1881 new corporations were or
ganzed in Maine IN 1903 against 1908
In 1902. Although the increase in the
number of corporations is not large,
there is, however, a very great increase
in the total of the capt al stock, as many
more large corporations were organized
in 1903 than in 1902 The figures of he
capitalization are not available at this
time.
During the year there has been paid
into The treasury, Ss6,075 as fees for
organizing new corporations, as against
$50, 675 for 1902 The fees for the in
crease for capitol stock for existing cor
porations was 50 905 for 1903 against
81 $40 for 1902 Thus the gain for the
ear in fees for organization of new cor
porations and for the increase of capital
stock of old corporations is S7335 over
the amount received for 1902 being
SOS $40 for 1908, and SIS, PAS for 1902
The franchise tax for 1903 is now
nearly all in, aud amounts to $50 900
As this tax for 1901 was S3S, $50, there
is gain of S14, $50 This gain, with
the gain Of fees for new corporations,
make total gain of $21 ass for the
state in its corporation business over
1902
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07
q Maine Self Supporting

The Postoffice department has just got
tiual reports on The balancing OF its
hooks about the cost OF mai, transport :
ion In Maine for the last Fl cal year.
These balance sheets show that the gov
erment paid S47S 2S2 SO for the carrying
Of mails by various convey through
out the State. The sum includes tranf-
portation by railroad trains, by steam.
boats. by stage coaches and by messer :
gers, but does not include the cost Of
delivery by carriers, either rural or city
carriers. However, the most interest
ing thing about the statement ia that the
mil service of Maine is not only SELF
supporting, but yields quite large IT.
venue TO the government.
The presidential III aes of the State
for he last fisc.l year yielded net r.
vrnenue Of 1914 23l 9S after all expenses
of those ffiees, Including free delivery
in cities, had been p3id. So deductiag
The cost OF transportation from the net
receipts of tn presidential fliees-which
are the only postt fiiees yielding any ~
venue as the receipts OF he fourth class
postcffiee all go to the fourth class pos
masters-there is left on the credit side
Ot the ledger. as far as Maine is cOnceli :
ed $50, 94S 81 That margin will more
han pay the salaries Of the rural carriers
OF mail throughout the State. There
fore II will be seen that Maine Is not all
responsible for the dt fieit in the pos al
service for the past year. Exchange
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07

% Their daughter, Ms William :
Kenney, Of that city, aud 1t seems that
Mr. Peaks and bis sou-iL-.aw attended
the theatre, leaving Mrs. Peaks aud Mrs.
Kenney at home.
At the meeting Of the governor and
council, last week, an order Bas passed
authorizing and advising State Treasur-
er Smith To buy up bonds to the amount
Of 500 90, if they are offered at par.
and to cancel the same. THIS is in &C
cordance With a Jaw passed by the Leg
slature, last winter, So that If it il
practical to do 81 with the surplus in
the treasury, the bonded debt may be
cut down faster than 5 possible II only
the so 90 worth Of bonds are cancelled
which now fali due each year as the
close Of tie present year finds a surplus
OF considerable over halt million liz
the state treasury; a record breaking
amount i hoped that part u it can
be used "a oa.uue doWa t. bonded
debt though ii is hardly . kvly that
bonds To TIE amount Of $lo0.6 9a viii be
offered az pa lie tota beaaed debt
OF The State j. asR abuu, = 6zal10 and
there is l4dsa..a- debt.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07
Distinguished Concessions.

The New York Evening Post offers
to withdraw its opposition to the Panama
treaty il the President will lido away
with the legal and moral difficulties
which we have felt so deeply" This
charming evidence of the ingeuuousness
of the New York Evening Post is equal
to its generosity. II the President will
unmake his Paoama policy, unmale TIE
Republic OF Panama, drive it back to
Colombia, the New York Evening Post
will cease battering ut the walls of time.
The New York timps also has proposal
to make to the President. The Times
wants the whole thing referred to The
Hague tribunal. The New York Post
and the New York Times have ceased to
gain audience. They are ohjectng to a
fact accomplished. Events have settled
it. AS he Nv York sun APPLY puts it
"fhe Interpretation Of the treaty of 1916
with NV Granada and our dufv, cor =
duet and responsibilities under n t
treaty are no more fl subj CTS for Judi
eal considerations and review 1t The
Hague than is the Monroe Doctrine it
s If, God bless i LewiStOn journal
What a wonderful old world this would be il
tbs men who think they know it all could on y
prove it.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07
State Pensions.

Col K. c. Milliken of the State pension
fiji &c has filled his annual report for the
year 1903 This report shows that there
were 1886 applications fl ed during the
year ADD Z, 1897 certificates issued. These
certificates would call for an expenditure
OF SS5, go, but by reason of deaths and
other causes the amount actually ex.
pended balances the legislative appro-
priation of aS5 900
During the year, 81 soldiers or sailors
died, % OF whom left widows who have
made application and have received their
allowance of State pension. Sixteen
widows have died, one of whom left n
crippled daughter who receives State
pension. Two daughters have died, two
mothers have died, one widow has mar
rtd and one invalid has left the State
and the certificate has been revoked and
an Aroostook war certificates issued in
It's place. Thirteen certificates have
been removed from where the person 5
have granted United States pensions
with quite an amount of back pay COM
ing due.
Under the law passed by the late
Legislature IS applications have been
fl ed and A. certificates issued. or TIN
IL applicants who wore refuse d certf-
cates. TWO already draw pensions -
Civil Var veterans, and one lives in the
province of New Bsuns wick.
Thp pension Ioll shows names from
1853 cities, towns and plantations.
The entire 2 80 pensions are divided
iuto these CHASER: Invalids, 253
widows, OBS; mothers, 80; fathers, s;
sons, Il; daughters, 26; sisters, rs
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07
Tunnelling out of Libby Prison

James NJ Wells, one of the surviving
actors in that astonishing epic, tells the
story himself in the January Nc lure
The Libby Prison was the place where
were confined, right in the centre Of
Richmond, some five hundred Federal
prisoners during the " ar of Secession
Fifteen of these prisoners, bound by oath
to secrecy dug their way down wall in-
to the cellar of the prison, and then tun.
neled out of it and across the street. out
to the precarious liberty afforded by the
streets of the Confederate capital. Wells
tells of the tunneling; of the escape by it
OF some two hundred prisoners, many of
whom were recaptured, and of his own
dash out of the city into the Federal
lines. The story is one that stirs and inn
presses with the extraordinary patience
and cunning which comes to the impri-
soned man longing for freedom.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07
SkOwhegan Grange.

The last meeting VI The year WAS he'd
Wednesd evening. De 80. Fl p9in5
OF numbers and In the ionlin, If bus
Hess transacted IN the iHtefe-t II tie
Grange It surpassed any mreiiug he'd
during the year. A class OF twenty four
was Instructed in the third aud fourth
degree work ana the aux Hary CAV H.,
third and fourth degree drill Two ap
pleatiohs for membership were received
Owing 10 other work but httlr TIN
could be devoted % tie program Worth
Master T. G. Lord very appropriated
welcomed the newly Initiated member
aud also gave some Experiences Of IT,
past year connected with gra1ge worE
{. II. Gardner spoke II experiences
the farm {. +. smith responded 10 H.
name with remarks and Y. a. Nithes
gave an interesting description of H..
battle Of Antietam in which he bore 8a
honorable part and also mentioned Dth,f
Incidents connected with his soldering
III the south. There were visiting meub -
from Other grange VIC Fl red fcmArk-
Refreshments were -crvtd IN the diuiul
hall. The Installation II In lIic-rs f.
1904 will occur Wednesday evening. j IL.
u, as follows: Master. J.. H. Packard :
oVerseer, +. l.. HI; lecturer, Ella II
Crowell steward, j. l. Steward sssis,-
ant steward, w s. ParkmAD; chaplain i,
Mrs. j. Z. Buker; treasurer, +. b. Paek-
ard; secretary, Clara L. Leaytt; gate
keeper, b. g. Spoford; Ceres, Nell L
Leavltt Pomona, George A. Hill; Flora.
Mrs. j. l.. Steward lady assistant stew
ard, MIS-. w. 5. Parkman; chorister, A.
K. Smiley; pianist, Stella A. Kimball !;
executive committee, X. A Wthee, }.
K. Buker and S. II. Bradbury. SEC
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07
\ Chcckered Career.

No convict ever confined within the
walls OF the State Prison has had more
cheekered career than Charles A. Plum
mer, who in company with Rose hite,
a woman prisoner, escaped from the in
stitution Dec. IA, 1899 Plummer' first
appearance at the prison was for break
ing and entering and his second time
for horse stealing, which sentence he
was serving when he took French leave
with Rose. The two roamed about in
the woods for several days when Rose
became cold and weary, Was arrested IN
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07

Impossible T. f5lesee an acct len,. Not inl-
possible 70 be pre- ared for II. D.. Thomas Ec-
lecttiC OIL Monarch over pain.
or course. Il We msn never mak.s the same
mistake twice. II be msrrits q second time
that's another mistake.
When woman attempts to work It 8 ten
word compliment on a mau size aIuars spoils
the effect by making serial story oi II.
Mrs WINsLew.s SOOTHING SYRUP has beer
used fer oyer sixty years by millions 81 mothers
flr their children while teethuE, with perfect
success Il soofbs he child, satieus the gums,
alays all pain cures wind co.ic an i III hest
remedy = d1affhoes. II VII relieve INV poor
little sufferer mn roia.ely. so by druggists
in every part II fUt world. TWENTY-FIVE cents
Htt'e ke .ure and ASS for Mr. NIus vs.
soothing syrup and take 10 otAef kiln.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07

Everything is in the name when it comes
TO Witch Hazel Save l. g., Dewitt d
70 of Chicago discovered some years a
30 how to make a ~alve from Witch lla-
zel that il "a specific for Piles For blind,
bleeding, itching and protrudnF Piles,
eczem, cuts, burns, bruises and all skin
diseases DeWitts ealye has DO equal
Sold by Geo. E. sampson
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07

Never in the way, no trouble to carry,
easy to take pleasant and never failing
in results are DE " tits Little Early Ris-
ers. A vial of these little pills IN the vest
pocket is certain guarantee against
headache, billiousness. torpid liver and
all of the ills resulting from constipation.
Sold by Geo 4 sampson
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07
Terms of Courts.

Supreme Iudical-The third Tuesday In March
and september and fourth Tuesday In December Civil
and Criminal.
Probate:-The second Tuesday OF each month
County Commissioner The first Tuesday fir
Mach and August and the second Tuesday in Deem
beE
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07
Just one Minute

One Minute Cough ute ziges relief il
one luilu.e, aaG Is q harmless and never
failing cute NAL durable eases Il oughs,
Colds ami Group OLe Minute olsh ure
is pleasant tetabe harmless am good. a.
Ike Tor young and old sod D. Geo E.
sampson.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07

The Kelley Institute in Portland,
Maine, on Mupjoy Hill, is successfall5
curing drunkalds and drug users.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07
COUNTY DIRECTORY.
COUNTY OFFICERS.

Clerk OF Courts;
WILLIAM I. SKEkiss,... ................Sk owhegar
County Attorney:
GEORGE W. COVER, ................ Skowhegar
Judge of Probate:
EDWARD F. DANFoRTH, ................. .Skowhegar
Register of Probate:
NATHAN FowLER,......... .Skowhegar
Register Of Deeds:
Ii twELLYN GOODWIN, ...................Skow gar
Treasurer
K. II. REED ..................- .......H Harmony
Sheriff and Jailer:
ALrRED.H. LANG. ......... ......Skowhegar
DEPUTIES: {. f. Duren, Fairfield; Anon Baker
Bingham; William Priest, Piushed; Lewis Fish
Harand; Fred Lucas, ST. Albans; Charles T. Var
ney, Mercer; George +. Aver, Athens Wallace Emery
North Anson Albert f. May, North New Portland
Charles Dunbar Madison; William f. Briggs, skow-
hogan; Orlando Bracket, Starks; Herbert Eaton
Solon; F. c. Holt, Norridgewock J. Frank Durgin
The Forks; Fred J. Horn, Canaan; William II. Nies
Flagstaff.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07
STATE AND GENERAL

'uP'i ''ss'i'e" ''e'S'n Las beeh
,'''D' ~ WIN al INVITATION - attend The
, -. a"i 'a' 4 ''el 81 me son thsfn
- -. '''H' u aia ana NE General
- 40 ,,''", n'ai'i d me "ata9i1z AZ
s9i'a' We" 9ik' January IL
a e"i''''i' 5lal assi'a'ch from Gnnia
''''a ~ ~ sseisp''R' report iA@t
~ '"e "N''i 1d1 urn
~ NJ = ''aH y 'PN'a..9h' VA
10 - az M ''' I'D - tfili2h
~ '''''''n ''s l'N'u' ihs Hu8-
M "''' a s's''
heS'Iu'i'hs asking President Rose
Ye5i ana ohRIesa 10 use Their Influence
"lth hu'Sla 10 prevent another massacfs
70 ''' :, 7'',i'' u % ''s a''j'.fa a. Il
'i'@9' "'e'.'s u i1s''e"' ia b77f9ii.
'5' = ~ #ae3
.''' ''' '7l #aaA d
~ al
ft'e 10 Tie millinery s''rrs 4 Lewis
hanson ana nis 4 l. h"ye7 81 Main
s3ieti' bahRaf caused d los. Of ; ,He7 a.
. ei'cN' sunday m7fnihg The Ke5es
iamiIy were GU of from escape by
smoke ana were brought down by lad
aefs from the second story windows A
/ o''zzatd was raging and the temperature
"aa "a oeIo" z-io
Justin ". Leayitt, state liquor agent.
has submitted his annual report, show
ing the business Of the agency for the
year 1903 During the year, sales from
iiquor so'd TO the ~ local agencies
throughout the state reached the tota
oil sllH33ll4 and At tho close Of the
year MT LeaYitt turned over to the
state treasury, as the profits Of the past
year, tue sum OF ~ AS "a
The report of the inspectors of prisons
and jails, submitted to the council Ned.
nesday, shows what one year of enforce
ment has done in Maine. There has
been a reduction in the number Of COM
mitments for drunkenness from 9. 193 to
2 364, and an increase in the number Of
commitments for the sale of intoxicants
from 234 to 346. During the wear ending
Nov 30, 1903, 1894 persons were com.
mitted for drunkenness and 345 for sea-
=, 10y i''1 ''' l'ie'''e1lA- mat
,'''''' ~ - u II, ai.',e' ~ 'it aaiHe
a. i''''' - % ii''' III eohbee1lgn
:. ~ e'le''" '''''N, III BANGOR
=, '''' 49, W. y .'.' VI ~ wal III
- ~ o'''.2's - ''-v ~ '.''1 MN
800 'i',''' ''a''' lug Lar li.ise
,,a,,', ail -. +.
- '',''io, N'l.'' iishi9 y
VI Oh ''e''' al" ii2n :
's 'i.' e'''
'''''' ~ ''"' We "a 1Ai n i.oi {
nc, "''' 'n'a 'si''
'i'''''N '''' -'9'i' az ''' ''i'' { qua i1'
The catalogue Of bowdoin College far
the year I'o' l9o4' Just Issued, shows a
total enrolment OF 999' OF which num-
per - are III Tue academic department
soboo, 10 ev,ot1, 1oo III - -.
.o,.or., o,,,.,,,.. :, H. t,,,i.. -
tho colleaia,e and :, tho r,edioal dar,rt
ments Altar Jnna ! 1oo4 powdo;r
co,laoe a. ma,bar of tho xou r.
l.nd Fntranoa cor,feoata poa,a ii,
admit withont denominations al s,,dan,s
,,ho rroo.n+ tLar,sol,.as ,ri,I, intact.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07

Two million Americans suffer the torturing
pangs Of dyspepsia. No need TO. Burdock
blood Bitters cures. At any drug store.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07

There are many dirty roads to he crossed in
life blu with "A little patience you Will alwaS $
be able to find a clean crossing
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07

county commissioners:
JoHE?M ETcALF. New Portland.
Milton L. MERRILL, St. Adams.
L. c. WILLIAMS, Athens
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07

Terrible plaques, those itehidg, Fostering dis
eases of the skin. Put an end to misery. Doan
Ointment cures, At any drug store
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07

Even wien a woman is up against lot OF
worry she doesn't forget to see that her hat Is
on straight.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07

what a wonderful old world this would be il
the men who think they know it all could on
prove it.
The Somerset reporter., 1904-01-07

There is no sue1 ciiu ln the state
as murder in the second degree. This
degree of crime Was recognized in The
1883 revision. tut as the penalty, I'M
prisonment for life, WAS the same az
that for murder in the first degree
many could no, distinguish any marked
difference between the two crimes. HE
IL eislature 1T its session in the winter OF
1908 did not make any change But
Commissioner Morrill,, witt the approya
of the committee on revision, deemed il
" Use TO strike out that portion Of tia
statutes defining murder in the second
degree and providing for h., punishment
leaving simp'> the crime of murder Will
uo degree attached In addition and in
connection with his change he tatsel
the maximum reulty for mtas.8ashte.
from ten years. as formerly, .o -
The sensation las. Vres 8l- TIE nea.
uae Co..J e Psass, ..AsHa4 =. IL
beard otrN,a4a Commissioners =
IGe. lc.-o taeat.. n1... Wis #t.e
5 eaaa>Iay ae aa. SILL. -
a1ar 5ooHycs. Aaa taartela. #.4est#
Is es,,pei 0J.haa. las s1.ltcs' HjH
HIS SON, Francis =. Peaks received tae
following Telegram, Thursday ugniu-
vii and were IN the burning tbeau
Yesterday Both escaped without bfa'st
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13

shifts coherently and logically to Ma con, Ga. and other Southern points. There is mo effort to present only the Southern view of questions with which the story deals. In fact one of the principals is a Michigan young man who is drawn in the flesh and blood.
 Some of the finest passages in the book are descriptive. MT. Mertins is devoted to the land of his nativity, and he writes in his best style when pie turing the magnolia. groves, the pine forests. the cotton fields and the redo lence of Southern flowers.
 Although a practicing attorney in Montgomery for ten years, MT. Mertins has found time to devote to his liter ary work and has published numerous verses and short stories, his extreme modesty invariably hiding his identity behind a nom de plume. One of his short stories. written under an assum- ed name, won a substantial prize of- fered by leading magazine some time ago.
 MT. Mertins is the senior member of a prominent law firm of Montgomery He Is Past Worshipful Master of An drew Jackson Lodge of Masons. a Shriner, a Knight of Pythias, an Odd Fellow and Is popular socially and pro- fessionally He is unmarried and re- sides with his mother. Mrs. J. Mertins on South Perry Street.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13
WRITER WILL BRING
 OUT AN AMBITIOUS NOVEL NEXT YEAR
BOOK OF MIR. MERTINS ACCEPTED
 BY PUBLISHERS.
It is nm Intensely Interesting Story of Southern Customs and Manners and is Expected to Create
 Literary Sensation.

Gustave Frederick Mertins. a we'll, known young lawyer of Montgomery, and q writer of considerable repute, is the author of lengthy novel that has been just accepted by the Bobbs-Mer- Till Publishing Company of Indianapo- lis, Ind.
 The announcement is made that the successful Indiana publishers who bought out all of the books of Booth Tarkington, will make Mir. Mertins's hook their leader for next season and If is expected that the story will cre- ate something of a sensation in the lit srary world.
 MT. Mertins is now in Indianapolis, having been called there by his pub fishers for the purpose of assisting the editors of the publishing house in re- viewing the work. It is expected that he will remain there several weeks. As inc book Is of an ambitious character lt is probable that MT, Mertins will di- vide his time this winter between Mont Komery and Indianapolis.
 One of the most important matters to be settled by MT. Mertins and his publishers is the selection of title for the book. The title at first sug- gested by Mir. Mertins, it is understood. nay be abandoned for something more .uitable. The name has not been an- bounced. but the friends of MT. Mertins Ire daily expecting an important an aouncement from the publishers.
 It is definitely settled that the story will be put on the market early in next year and that Bobbs-Merriu Company