davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08
Fire Department Recognizing.

Events of considerable interest
have been transporting in connection
with the Skowhegan Fire Department
during the past few months and, as an
outcome of some earlier developments
complete reorganization is being
effected.
On March s0th last Clyde H. Smith,
Geo. 81. Webb and Amos K. Butler
were appointed fire commissioners,
for one year, with full power and au
thority in all matters pertaining to
the Skowhegan Fire Department.
Shortly after their appointment they
engaged Fred M. Crowell of Bangor,
veteran of the Bangor Fire Depart
ment, to come here with a view to
improvement in our fire fighting
methods. Some changes were made,
reported at length in Jour issue of
May 10, and from time to time made
note of in subsequent editions. The
commission also appointed Arson L..
Savage, as chief of the Skowhegan
Department. Mr.. Crowell completed
his work and returned to Bangor
about two weeks since.
For several years the mombers of
the Skowhegan Fire Department
have been paid s3e per year for their
services. On Monday of the past week
they made known to the commission
ers that they should expect there
after an additional compensation of
4Oc per hour for time at fires after
the first two hours and similar pay
ment for time at trials, or at least for
any practice trials in excess of six,
the minimum to be held in any one
year, under the rules of the depart
ment. The commissioners replied
that they could not meet these c2fl-
ditions and they must therefore ac-
cept the alternative presented by the
companies, viz disbandment in
case their conditions were not COM
piled with, taking effect Wednesday,
June 30th.
The commissioners set to work at
once to enroll men to form another
department and, a sufficient number
pledging to become members, meet
ing has been called to assemble to-
morrow friday evening, at which
time the reorganization will be COM
Melted.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08
Rain Cancels Races.

The rain of Saturday last was worth
thousands of dollars to this section of
Maine but it seems just little hard
that it could not have come earlier in
the week or have waited twelve hours
longer, permitting the race program
and other events to have been carried
out at Fairview Park, as advertised
by the Somerset Central Agricultural
Society. There we're few hours
during the early part Of the forenoon
when the matter was IN doubt. The
Watervffle horsshsnkgot their ami
mails to the station fsady to take the
cars for Skowhegan, but the clouds
shut in again and consultation by
telephone led to the decision, then
and there, to call all races off.
While the balance of the day was
not persistently stormy, there was no
time when conditions would have for
moment justified an attempt to do
any light harness racing. AS most OF
the horses in the 2.17 class were en-
tered at Waterville for Monday, 8
postponement to that day, or any
other practicable date was out of the
question and all events had to be
cancelled rather than deferred.
This was great disappointment to
all concerned, the hoIsemen, the
crowds of people who were planning
to attend, and most of all to president
@. d. Miller of the Somerset Contra
Society aud those who had worked
hard with him to get all in readiness
for good afternoons sport.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08

will be enacted in Maine. With the
keen discernment for the future of
the banking business which made him
the dominating factor in the insti-
tutions with which be was connected,
the late Edward P. Page commenced
to plan for the separation of the First
National and the Savings Bank fifteen
or more years since. Several lots in
town were considered and quite an
earnest effort made to acquire the
Dodge property at the corner of
Madison avenue and Water streets.
1t was q purpose he never lost sight
of and, of the important matters kept
under consideration 1t may be said to
have been the one he deemed the
most important at the time of his
death. Guided by Mr.. Pages we'll
known opinion and their own know
ledge of the facts in the case, those
who became responsible for the con-
duct of the two banks after Mr.. Pages
death never ceased to plan to per-
feet the idea he had SO long enter
tanned.
1t was considered highly desirable
that the location at the foot of Madi-
son avenue, so near the locality where
the banking business of Skowhegan
was founded and where the First
National and the Skowhegan Savings
Bank had been for twenty or more
years, should be retained. This was
made possible by the destruction of
the Milburn Block on the morning OF
January LIST and the lot for the building
now to be built was acquired as soon
after that time as an important ne
gotiation of that kind could be COM
pleted. While securing the conven-
ience possible to separate banking
rooms, complying with present pub
lie sentiment and meeting in advance
any legislation upon the subject, the
two institutions will hereafter be
next door neighbors, very desirable
feature for the accommodation of its
patrons, many of whom have been
accustomed for n generation to do
business with both banks as if they
were one institution.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08

ever, IN the rear section, mezzanine
floor, about thirty seven and one
half by twenty feet, where Office ae-
commodations are provided for the
banking officials. The wall material
is to be brick and granite with iron
beams for the important supports Of
floors and roof.
The first step from the street is 10 a
vestibule, closed at night by sliding
doors, and the doors which admit to
the interior will be automatic in their
operation, that is without lock or
bolt and SO hung as to resume their
closed position at once on being re-
leased by the person passing in or
out. The foundation for the entire
first floor area is to be OF cement
This will be surfaced with thing, rub
Der being substituted for stone in the
area behind the counters where the
officials and employees will stand
during banking hours. Mahogany
will be the material for counters, with
tiling for the walls TO the counter
height, while a marble base is de-
signed for both.
The counters, over which millions
of dollars will pass each year, the
vaults for the storage of funds, Sc
curities and records, and all other
parts of the building, are of interest
to the public, but the portion which
will attract the most animated in
terest, and will enable the bank to
extend a most acceptable courtesy to
it's customers and the general busi-
ness public, consists of the consulta-
tion rooms, two of which are arrang
ed, one exclusively for ladies, Access
sible from the general area in front
of the bank counters. The room as
signed for the use of the gentlemen
is somewhat the larger and this will
be found especially convenient for
holding stockholders or directors
meetings and for similar purposes,
The Skowhegan Electric light Com
pany, other of our local corporations,
the trustees of Bloomfield Academy,
the aqueduct companies, and many
other societies and associations, have
been accustomed to call their business
meetings and consultations at The di-
rectors room of the First National
Bank, and in the new building these
and other associations will find their
convenience has been especially pro-
vided for by the rooms just mention
ed. AS the bank offices are on the
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08
NUMBER IT
Western Somerset Municipal Court
Opens.

In common With many other sta
tutes enacted by the last legislature,
the law creating the Western Somer-
set Municipal Court became operative
on Friday Of last week, July End.
The new tribunal is simply the Show
hogan Municipal Court with enlarged
powers and Fred F. Lawrence. who
succeeded the late o. 4. Bachelor as
Judge, is the presiding justice.
The act provides that the court
shall be in constant session for the
trial Of criminal causes, that is, a
criminal matter may be brought be-
fore it at any time that occasion
arises As the circumstances of the
case may require, the sessions for
criminal cases may be called at Show
hogan, Fairfield, Madison or Bing-
ham, regard being had TO the conven-
fence Of the parties and the cost to
the county.
The municipal officers of the towns
named are required to provide a suit
able room or hall in which the court
may be held. In Skowhegan this will
of course be the Court Room in the
Municipal building. At Madison the
Firemen's Hall has been selected and
at Bingham the Office of Daniel Ste
ward, Esq.
The regular terms for the transac-
ton of civil business are to be held as
follows:
AT Skowhegan, on the first Monday
of every month excepting August, at
10 O'Clock in the forenoon.
At Fairfield, on the second Monday
Of January, March, May, July, Sep
TENDER and November, at O'Clock in
the forenoon.
At Madison, on the last Monday of
every month excepting July, at $50
o'clock in the forenoon.
At Bingham, on the second Mon
day of February, April, June, Octo-
Der and December, at Il o'clock in
the forenoon.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08

AS early as this, and during an "on
year." some of the newspaper cor
respondents have been INDUCING
themselves In Gubernatorial gossip.
They very kindly admit that Bert NJ
Fernald will again be the standard
bearer of the Republican hosts. But
they don't feel quite so sure of the
Democratic nominee. They think
that Obadiah Gardner has lowered
himself somewhat by bending the
knee to the hated "money power" in
last winters legislature, and think
that perhaps the Hon. Lindley M.
Staples may be nominated. The
Democratic party can always be
trusted to do some foolish thing, but
it will be little too much like going
to the political junk heap to nominate
Staples. His policies are 80 old,
thread bare and worn out that they
actually smell.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08
LOCAL MENTION.

Mrs. Forrest Goodwin and Mrs. f
o. Sawyer are passing few days in
Boston, this week.
Mrs. A. E. Briggs of Andover, Mass,
who arrived by the 1890 train yester-
day, is the guest of Mrs. G. A. Mars
ton.
Mrs. Bette Manley Hapgood OF
Boston was in town last week, the
guest of Mrs. Helen Neil Howard
Miss Hapgood is the daughter of AL
bert and Sarah Hill Manley, residents
of our town in the long ago.
Miss Lucy Jewett, who is steno-
grapher in the Institute of Techno-
logy, Boston, arrived in town on the
late train Saturday night and will
pass a vacation of three weeks with
her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Albert
Jewett.
Edwin Leach, of the firm of Leach
and Miller, jewelry manufacturers OF
Attleboro, Mass, was in town over
Sunday, registered at the Coburn
He and Herman Euff also of Attle-
boro, are passing the present week at
Pleasant Pond.
JIG. Viles left Saturday noon for
Long Island, where Mrs. Viles has
been located for several weeks at the
family cottage. He was accompan-
led by the Misses Mabel and Margaret
Greene, who will be the guests of Mr..
and Mrs. Viles for few days.
Miss Olive R. Greene, graduate of
the Skowhegan High School and a
member of the Colby College class of
1909, has received the appointment of
instructor in French and German at
Hebron Academy and will enter up
on her duties at the opening of the
fall term.
Miss Myrtle Hoxie, who has been
visiting In town for the last few days,
left here yesterday to enter upon her
duties in the employ of the perfumery
firm or w. ID. Brown Brothers OF Bal
timore. She will represent them in
the larger places of New England and
New York state, giving exhibitions
and demonstrations of their products
for the dealers who handle them.
Captain and Mrs. II. d. King of
Pennington arrived here yesterday
and are guests of Mr.. and Mrs. Ly-
man L. Walton of East Front street.
Mrs. King, formerly Miss Edith
Thompson, is Mr.. Walton's niece.
She and her husband, have but re-
Gently returned from the Philippines
where Captain King has been in COM
mand of a steamer in the service of
the United States Coast and Geodetic
survey.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08
Municipal Court.

The place of business of Gideon
Fernald, on Main street in Madison,
was searched Monday night by De-
putty Sheriff E. r. Walker of Arson,
assisted by police officers Lessor and
Brown of Madison. A large number
of empty jugs and bottles were found
and Sheriff Walker also secured other
evidences of sale. He Immediately
started out to apprehend Fernald but
the latter has thus far escaped arrest,
and it is reported that be has left
town. Sheriff Mooers.regards this
man as a persistent violator of the
prohibitory law and will spare no
pains to secure his arrest.
Martin j. Doyle of Bingham was ar
rested in that town, last Saturday af-
ternoon, by Deputy Sheriff Perley c..
Foss as the result of search at
Doyle's place and evidence which is
counted upon to prove three cases of
single sale against him. Doyle fur
nished bonds in the sum of 5000 for
his appearance in the Western Som
Lawrence, the trial being set for
Monday, July 5, but during the night
following his arrest he disappeared
and it is believed that he took the
night pullman for Boston. His bonds
men are very anxious for his return
and have been granted one week in
which to produce him for trial. The
move against Doyle was the result of
ha p1oin nf nif M i'm h q M
to the effect that liquor was being
sold there to such an extent as to in
terfere with business.
A MERCER CASE.
Sheriff John A. Mooers was notified
by the selectmen of Mercer, about
eleven O'Clock last Tuesday morning,
that some party or parties had broken
into the hearse house, and taken out
and burned the hearse during the
previous Sunday night. He left here
as promptly as possible and in COM
pany with his deputies, Fred D..
Stevens of Smithfield and Chas. E.
Bigelow of Norridge wock proceeded
to investigate the matter. AS a re-
suit of the investigation John b.
Groves and Kelsie Allen, both of
Mercer, were arrested and brought to
Skowhegan for trial. The hearing
occurred before Judge Lawrence yes
terday, County Attorney L. R. Fol-
som appearing for the state. Groves
plead guilty and was not represented
by counsel; Allen was represented by
Merrill & Merrill and entered a plea
of not guilty.
Groves took the stand and told of
taking out the hearse and setting it
on fire. He and the other respond
emit had passed the afternoon and
evening together, and his story as
cribed the idea of burning the hearse
to Allen and connected him with
some preparations to carry it into eff
feet. Other witnesses testified, cor
roborating Groves testimony.
Both respondents were held for
trial at the September term Of the
Supreme Judicial Court, and placed
under bonds, for appearance at that
time.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08
New Banking House.
Description of the Handsome New Struc-
ture to be Erected by the First Nation
al Bank on Water Street, Foot of Mad
ioor

Description of the Handsome New Struc-
ture to be Erected by the First Nation
al Bank on Water Street, Foot of Mad
ison Avenue.
The First National Bank of Show
hogan is about to commence the con-
struction of new banking house on
the lot purchased some six months
ago, just west of the building they
have occupied for the past twenty
years. The plans and specifications,
prepared by architect Penn Varney
of Lynn, Mass, have been received
They will be submitted for bids at
once and the construction entered
upon at the earliest practicable date.
1t is expected that the building will
be ready for use early in the year of
1910.
Since its organization in October
1859 the Skowhegan Savings Bank
has shared the banking rooms and
facilities of the First National Bank
and the two institutions have occu-
pied their present quarters since 1890.
The accommodations provided at
that time were the best then known
to the business and were ample and
convenient for the work of both
banks, but each has since broadened
its field and doubled the volumes of
transactions and this with the fact
that many improvements in interior
arrangement, which the past 10 years
have developed, makes a new and in
dependent banking house desirable.
Were the considerations just named
the only ones, however, it is probable
that the new building would have
been deferred for considerable peri
cd, but another factor added it's
weight in favor of the change. The
feeling that two banking institutions
should not transact business in the
same room has been growing for the
past 20 or 80 years. Massachusetts
and other states have statutes which
prohibit it, and it seems to be only a
question of time when the same law
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08
THE NEW BUILDING .

Something of the handsome struc-
ture which is to be added in the heart
of Skowhegan's business district may
be gained from the accompanying IL
lustration. 1t will occupy a plot OF
ground, thirty -seven and one half by
rs feet, the first dimension given be-
ing the Water street front. The
front elevation, to the top of the cop
ing, will be "a feet and the extreme
height of the dome in the center OF
the building will be forty feet. 1t
will be exclusively bank building,
containing no apartments for any
other business, and will be of one
story construction. There is how
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08

daughter of Ephraim Weston of Aus
tralia whom many of our older resi-
dents will remember. He was a
brother of the late lothian Weston
and made one of large company who
went to Australia by way of the Horn
many years ago, in search of gold.
Doctor Adams is world famous
through his Investigations of cancer
and has been in America some years
carrying on further investigations.
This is the first visit of DIR. and Mrs.
Adams to this part of the country and
they were very enthusiastic over the
beauty of our scenery.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08
Epworth League Banquet.

The Epworthans of the Centenary
Methodist Episcopal church sat
down to SPLENDID repast in their
league rooms on Wednesday evening
last and celebrated the victory which
the Reds gained over the Blues in
financial contest. After dinner
speeches were in order and the
speakers spoke of the work of the So
ciety and its practical help to them in
their Christian life and all expressed
desire to have the State League
Banner come TO the Centenary church
next year.
pr. Daniels Horse Ecnoeator-for your
horse-makes blood-giVeS vim, strength and
health ly9
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08
Union Patriotic Services.

The pastors of the several churches
of Skowhegan arranged for a patri-
otto temperance meeting to be held
on the evening of July 4th. The
other churches were closed and the
spacious auditorium of the Methodist
church was opened. Many of us had
not seen the new memorial windows
and they do add much to the attract
iveness and beauty of the room.
An audience of two hundred and
seventy came together and joined
heartily in singing the hymns. A
choir made up from the different
churches led in the praise service.
Revs. Robert Morris, F. A. Leitch
and B. B. Merrill gave patriotic and
stirring temperance addresses. Mr..
Morris spoke of temperance as
moral issue and that 1t was still liv-
ing issue with us. DR.. Leitch gave
one of his earnest and impressive ad
dresses laying the emphasis upon the
legal side and spoke OF his recent ex-
periences on the streets of Skowhe-
gan.
Rev. B. B. Merrill spoke from an
optimistic standpoint. He urged up
on all the Importance Of the spirit OF
appreciation of the work of the Off
GERS of law. When an officer does
we'll tell him SO. Mr.. Merrill left a
delightful and hopeful impression
with which to close the service which
must contribute something positive to
tho cnn6 fnp,naronpn xunrk
Rev. George Merriam presided over
the service at whose suggestion it
was held.
Near the close by rising vote the
audience expressed its approval and
| appreciation of the efficiency of the
work of Sheriff Mooers.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08

The Federal grand jury at New
iork has laid the groundworkfor an
o'ner gigantic antitrust suit with the
Indictment of the American Sugar
Aennlng Co. as a corporation, and
'1 OF its directors and two prpmi-
.sht lawyers as individuals. The de-
'endant company and the individuals
we're charged with conspiracy in re-
"'aint of trade under a crimhal
Sause of the Sherman antitrust law.
t'esident Taft doesn't make as much
AOiSe as Mr.. Roosevelt did, but heis
sOhg for the rascals, just the same.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08

The utmost cleanliness should be
preserved about the premises in the
not weather. All wastes and garbage
mould be disposed of on compost
Rap; load of good soil and sods
vii be useful, as the basis of it.
weeds should be gathered and added
70 the heap. Liberal additions OF
plaster or dried earth will prevent
asagreeable odors. Too much care
cannot be taken in this direction
human life is at stake.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08

Mayor Mcclellan of New York has
removed from Office Police Commits
dOner Bingham, who has accomplish
| ID many reforms while In Office. Mr..
Bingham claims that politics Is the
ause. He tried to keep the police
free from party control and influence,
md for that reason he must step
down and out, 80 as not to be in the
way of Democratic victory at the
next municipal election.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08

The humane way Of feeding prison
'n in jails at tables, instead of the
'olltary meals in cells, has begun in
ne Kennebec Jail. The idea Is, when
ne system is fully installed, to give
We prisoners more OF a variety OF
@od. We like the new plan. 1t is
lmost enough to make man a GRIM
nal to eat alone, like dog. While
Iae idea Of punishment should be
.ept uppermost, it is not necessary to
uumlliate the prisoner and drive out
zoe last spark of manhood.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08
An Equal Suffrage Meeting.

The next meeting of Skowhegan
Grange, Wednesday evening, July IA,
will be open to the public after eight
O'Clock and all citizens of Skowhegan
and vicinity are invited to attend.
Mrs Fannie J.Fernald of Old Orchard,
president of the Maine Woman's Suf :
frage association, will be the principal
speaker. The evening is in charge of
Mrs. Martha Emerson, Mrs. Alice G..
GRAHAM and Miss Bertha Currier.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08
Small-Rowell Nuptials.

A quiet wedding in which the ring
service was used was solemnized at
the Congregationalist parsonage in
North Arson Wednesday eve, June 80
the contracting parties being Mr..
Chester e. Small of Oakland and Miss
Jeanne Rowell of East Madison. The
ceremony was performed by Rev. T.
B. HIATT.
The bride has taught in the public
schools of Oakland the past four
years and the young couple will re-
side in that town.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08

Under the provisions of an act
passed by the last Legislature, State
Superintendent of Schools Smith has
Ppointed Harry M. Wheeler Of
Outh Paris Inspector of High Schools
|or Assistant Superintendent of
Schools, 1t is evident that the neces-
'ity exists of making the last year in
The High schools of more practical
zoe to those students who do not in
tend to take a college course.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08

Manufacturers for agricultural ma
chinery report that they have had a
larger sale this year than ever, which
Indicates that more planting has been
done. or at least that the farmers are
able to have the improvements in
working what they do plant to better
advantage. A farmer using the
methods of sixty years ago, would be
laughed at.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-07-08
Notice-Coburn Park.

1t having come to the attention of
the Park Commissioners that fencing
and other material has been taken
from the Park area they wish to an
nounce that further depredations OF
like nature will subject those con-
cerned in it to legal &C ton