davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25
Protection not Afforded by State
Board.

letter from II. d. Evans, di
rectory of the state laboratory, is
printed elsewhere in this issue, with
some attendant circumstances and
comments applicable to the local
question of water supply. 1t will
doubtless occur to those who read
this letter to inquire if the State
Board of Health did their full duty
toward the public in this case.
This department is in existence for
the purpose of determining when
conditions menace the health of any
community and is charged with GER
tain duties and powers with regard
to correcting improper conditions
and stamping out of disease. The
letter indicates rule of the Health
Department to make rep orts, on
samples submitted, to the parties
sending them, and to no one else.
The advisability of such rule may be
granted in case the sample analysed
is from a water supply used by the
sender only, but when the sample is
known to be from supply depended
upon by several families, or, as in
this instance, the greater part Of
community, rule that would pre-
vent immediate warning is not, as we
view it, in accordance with common
sense.
The state chemist, H. D. Evans,
knew on Jan. 18th that the water
being used by the people of this town
was polluted; the Skowhegan Water
Company knew this fact -four days
later; the Skowhegan Board of
Health, after repeated efforts, are
able to discover the true condition on
the 18th Of February.
To put it very temperately, Show
hogan people have reason to feel
indignant, not alone at the course
pursued by the Skowhegan Water
Company, for whom it would seem
no defense exists, but also at the
failure of the State Board of Health
to promptly advise our local board
Of tie polluted condition of our water
supply.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

A brilliant actress in New York
City has separated from her husband,
theatrical manager, because she
craved home and domestic life. In
stead Of receiving the applause of
"the gay and thoughtless throng,"
she "wants to darn socks" GLOW l
envy the person who darns socks" is
her pitiful lam emit. How many girls
in our staid New England towns have
envied the brilliant actress as she has
received the applause of enthusiastic
admirers; but could they see her
behind the scenes, and in her hours
of retirement, they would realize
something of the emptiness and hol-
lowness of stage life, with all its show
and glitter, and be content to turn for
recreation to the darning of socks.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25
not entirely removed. Notwith-

if not entirely removed. Notwith-
standing this, they took no steps to
advise the public of the true condi-
ton OF affairs, in fact seem to have
been able to keep the result of the
analysis a secret for a full month.
If more need be said, it may be added
that through the fall and winter there
has been an epidemic of typhoid few
er at Madison, forty or more cases.
1t is not strange that Skowhegan has
had thirty cases of the same disease.
1t is only to be wondered at that we
did not suffer far more seriously.
The conclusions drawn from the
above may be in measure individ-
ual but on essential points there
should be no difference of opinion.
With this last example of recreancy
in mind it is useless to expect from
the Water Company, even under the
most desperate circumstances, any
policy which in the slightest degree
mitigates against their income, pres
ent or prospective. If it still seems
wise to enter into contract with
them, the problem becomes, not alone
what the express provisions thereof
shall be, but what means may be pro-
vided to prevent them from evading,
in its most important features, any
agreement to which they may be a
party.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

That the newspaper is here to stay,
because it is Indispensable, and that
anyone thinking of entering upon
such work should not engage in it un-
advisedly nor lightly, but reverently,
discreetly, advisedly, soberly and in
the fear of God, were statements
made by Hart Lyman, editor of the
New York Tribune, in the first of the
Bromley lectures on Journalism" at
Yale. These words are true, as any
newspaper man of experience will
tell you. A newspaper should not
be considered mere money making
machine, like most enterprises. 1t
derives it's support from the public,
and in its highest estate it should be
a leader and director ON all moral and
educational lives, and a champion of
good government.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25
II. d. EVANS, Director.

The signer of the above letter, Mr..
Evans, is known as the state chemist
and is working under the direction of
DIR. A. G. Young, the secretary of the
State board of health. His findings
are therefore authoritative and ac-
cepted in all such cases as reliable.
From his letter it would seem that the
Skowhegan Water Company were
warned, in the first report sent them
on the river water, that this water
was open to serious pollution and that
trouble would follow any outbreak of
typhoid fever in towns farther up the
valley. 1t further appears that a re-
port was made the Water Company,
on the sixteenth day of January just
past, on river sample sent by them,
stating that sewage bacteria were
found and that it was not safe for
drinking purposes unless first boiled.
The letter further states, it will be
noted, that the water was again ex-
amined on the first day of the pres
ent month, and like report return
ed.
Sewage bacteria in the water, as
mentioned in the report of the state
chemist, indicates that the discharge
from the sewers of Norridgewock and
Madison-fecal matter at least, and
without doubt all the offensive ma
terial which usually finds its way into
the public drains, reaches this point,
diluted to some extent but otherwise
unchanged as to it's dangerous and
offensive characteristics. The "colon
bacillus" mentioned has its origin in
the intestinal tract and its presence
In any water is sufficient to condemn
it at once for drinking purposes.
The above facts being set forth,
perhaps comment is unnecessary, but
it is hard to refrain from some obser-
vations in regard to the matter.
1t seems clear that the Water Com
pany has known, since January Is
last at least, on the authority
of the State Board OF Health, that
water from the Kennebec river, their
chief source of supply for this period,
contained sewage and was ia men
maze to health. From the recon-
,mendation Of the State Board they
also knew that, by the simple process
of boiling, the danger from the use of
this water could be greatly minimized
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25
New Barn for Town Farm.

The voters will be called upon at
the coming town meeting, March
9Th, to pass upon the advisability of
building a new barn at the Skowhe-
gan town farm. The selectmen ad-
wise this course as the barns which
have been in use there for the past
generation are past the condition
when they may be repaired with any
sort of consideration as to ultimate
economy. With the prospect of a
new building in mind, the selectmen
have been making preparations from
time to time, during the past two
years. They have caused to be cut,
from the farm timber lot, sufficient
lumber for nearly every part of the
new structure and the same has been
sawed and is now stacked up on the
lot, ready for use. 1t is planned to
use such boards as are suitable from
the old buildings and from both
sources the supply will be ample SO
that no lumber will have to be
bought. Stone for the foundation
wall is also landed where it will be
ready to use and it is estimated that
an appropriation of $1,000 will COM
plete this building which is planned
to be 81 by 4S feet, with a basement
under it's entire length.
An article will be inserted in the
warrant to bring the matter before
the town for consideration.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

If there is anything in the world
that Maine doesn't need, it is another
normal school. We have four al
ready-at Castine, Gorham, Farming
ton and Presque Isle and in these
buildings are many empty seats.
Now local enthusiasts asked for addi-
tional schools at Dexter and Machias.
1t is all nonsense; they are not
needed.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25
In Washington.

The special session of Congress, for
the revision of the tariff, will be
called to meet on the 18th of March.
President elect Taft and Speaker
Cannon both think that the tariff
legislation may be finished by the
LIST or 10Th of June.
The rum shipment law is not to be
troubled at this session.
The President has been authorized
to invite proposals for raising the
"Maine" in Havana harbor.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

According to the report of the State
Insurance Commissioner, the amount
of the fire insurance written in Maine
in 1908 was s1s8, III, 1919 and the pre-
miums received amounted to 1854, :
693. The losses of fire insurance COM
panies were $2,416, 430.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

The libel suits have been brought
against the newspapers that charged
Irregularities in the purchase by the
United States government of the
Panama canal property from the
French government. Bench warrants
have been issued for the arrest for
criminal libel of Joseph Pulitzer, the
proprietor, and Caleb M. Van Hamm,
and Robert H. Lyman, editors of the
New York World, all of New York
City; and for Delevan Smith and
Charles r. Williams, owners of the
indianapolis News Theodore Roose-
welt, William II. Taft, Elihu Root, j.
Pierpont Morgan, Charles P. Taft,
Douglas Robinson and William Nell
son Cromwell, are named in the in
dictments as the persons alleged to
have been villified by the stories APP
pearing in the two newspapers. Pulit
ger AYERS that if found guilty that will
be the end of the freedom of the press
in this country.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

Special Commissioner Buchanan,
who has been adjusting the differ
ences between this country and Vene-
zuela, has been given dinner, and he
deserved it, as he did good job. We
are now at peace with all the world.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

Sure signs of coming spring: Chill
dren playing marbles ON the side
walks, and the appearance of the seed
catalogues. Grows have also put in
their appearance, and the first robin
is awaited with considerable anxiety.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

According to Admiral Sperry, one
of the big things accomplished by the
feet in its trip of over year around
the world, is that it has made it's own
repairs, and is in better condition
than when it left the country. The
record has certainly been a remark
able one.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

The trap nest should be employed
to weed out the loafers In the hem
house and the Babcock tester en-
ployed to do the same job in the dairy.
Both devices are foes to the shiftless
and incompetent.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

The Waterville Sentinel earnestly
calls upon the Democratic members
dthe Legislature to act in accordance
with their party platform. And why
notf And why isn't that good advice
to the Republicans9 Usually the
strong party man is the most reliable
In everything.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

We don't know how the story
started, but Senator VIM. P. Frye
stoutly denies that he is going to re-
sign his seat in Congress, at least not
until he dies. Thus again is accentu-
ated the old saying, Sew die and
none resign"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

1t is reported that J. M. Dickinson
of Tennessee will be Mr.. Taft's Secre-
tary Of War; Charles Nagel of st.
Louis, Secretary Of Commerce and
Labor; and R. A. Ballinger of Seattle,
WASH, Secretary Of the Interior.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

Portland has burglar that for con-
vsnience they call "Bill Sykes" He
ma dandy and gentleman. When
he steals suit of clothes or a nice
breakfast, he always leaves card
extending profuse thanks, thus rather
placing the broken households under
obligation to him.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

1t looks like the coming Of spring
when it is announced that the steamer
Ransom B. Fuller will open the sea-
sons service between Gardiner and
Boston in April and later will be sue
eeeded by the City of Bangor and dur
ing the summer the City of Rockland
will run opposite to the Bangor.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

A representation of the head of
Abraham Lincoln is to appear on one
cent pieces. Very appropriate. Lin
coin was one sent by the Almighty to
the American people.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

At Belgrade Lakes alone, where the
rich and fashionable are principally
catered to, $266,OOO we're spent last
season. That gives some idea of the
extent of the summer business in
Maine.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

One of the interesting and valuable
short courses which are offered by the
Wisconsin Agricultural college is ten
days of instruction for the Swiss
cheese makers of the state. Instruction
is given in the use of the Babcock and
lactometer tests, the curd test and
making starters for cheese.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

Out of doors will have to be made
larger, for the report comes from
Paris that women's hats are to be
bigger the coming summer than ever.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

The other night, at Cincinnati,
ohio, one William H. Taft was made
Master Mason. We would like to
have seen the remains of that goat
afser the third degree was given.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

The wicked old Apache chief Ger
onimo, is dead at Fort Sill, Oklahoma,
at the age of 80 years. So there's
one good Indian.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

When some men do wrong people
gossip about it in whispers, but when
other people do wrong the people
talk about it in yells.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

Lent began yesterday. Now, what
are you going to leave of? Getting
up mornings and building fires?
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

Every time lie is told, lot of
people would rather believe it than
the truth.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25
SI34,3oo

The total for the present year, 1909,
is sure to be of respectable proper
tions as important operations COM
menced, or in process during 1908,
remain to be completed. Among
those already completed since the
first of the year or now IN process of
completion may be mentioned the
municipal building, the j. p Merrill
block, and the Paper Mill. For new
work we shall have the rebuilding of
the Hotel Oxford Block, new build
ing to replace the Milburn Block and
new store house and factory build
ing already commenced in the rear
of the Milburn Block lot. The COM
ing season is sure to be one of at
least average activity in structural
lines.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

Hire mileage book of R. T. Patten
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25
Building Operations in 1908.

building operations III oRoWnegan,
at this mid winter period, are some
what restricted, but the time is none
the less favorable for review of the
work of that nature that was done
during the summer of 1908.
The grand total for building opera
tions of all kinds, for the season of
1908, as will be seen by the table
below, was just above sl34,0o0. The
sums expended in the four years
preceding were as follows: 1904,
s1os,OOo; 1905, $4,000; 1906, s1s3, 900;
1907, $4,000. 1t will be noted that
more building work was done lin
1908 than in any of the years given
except 1904, when the South Channel
Bridge and the Court House extern
sion were underway, and 1906, when
the extraordinary fire loss of the
previous year, $245,0C0, was being
replaced. The 1908 total includes
$4,000 for work ON the municipal
building, but even after deducting
this item the amount of structural
work done is somewhat above a
normal year.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25

RECAPITULATION
New dwelling house property, +;
Additions and repairs to dwelling
house property,
Work on municipal building during
1908,
The ]. P. Merrill, Griffin & Sampson
blocks and other business
property,
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-25
The Somerset Reporter

SUBSCRIPTION RATES.
When paid In advance.
$3.50 Six months I'D
Three months.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-06

could proceed other than over his corpse to a prisoner.
 Conner Fortunate.
 Feeling as he does, Gov. B. B. Conner is fortunate in that the first conviction has come while he was behind the move ment. It took no outside pressure to in duce him to support the law and order sentiment in Mobile county. When a petition came up with signatures of some of the best people of the city and county asking investigation of the conduct of the sheriff he acted at once, ordering the attorney general to begin Immediately His moral support was behind the move ment though he took no part one way or another The result has tended to show that he acted in line with the right eousness of the situation
 What of the Future?
 To recur. The future promises to see lynching reduced to a minimum. Courts are behind the sheriffs both ways. They give support in moral way, as well as the statutes do in material way, and at the same time stand behind them to com pei service. Protect your man to the extent of your ability, and the state makes the ability large, or lose your office." In other words, the state is be- hind the officers, both as aid and eompul- sion, and the man who has a lynching is going to have lot of trouble telling why, from now on.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-06
LAW AND ORDER PEOPLE ARE BUSY
 IN MONTGOM MERY

Montgomery, June 5.-(Speeial.) )-The fight that is being made on the saloon men by the law and order forces of the city is said to we'll backed up by both money and testimony. In all 40 warrants have been served, and the end is not yet. It is reported that there is d vast fund of testimony in hand to be brought out at the right time. and that it will be up to the juries to either refuse to find guilty on full showing of testimony or send to the penitentiary.
 It is also understood that the cases will be tried before Judge Armistead Brown, recently appointed to the criminal court by Gov. B. B. Conner, and one of the leading churchmen of the city and coun- ty. Three detectives have been at work for six weeks getting up the evidence, and there is reported enough to send every man brought to trial up. if the jury takes 1t for it's face value. Detective Burke, who was thought to have left the city after being arrested by a deputy sheriff a few weeks ago, has been at work on the cases all the time.
 A mass meeting is on the tapis for to- morrow at which some of the best known men of the state will speak.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-06
COM IMPEACHMENT
 AT MONTEYALLO

Montevallo, June 5-(Specia1. 1.-The com mencement festivities began last night with the presidents reception rendered by Dr. and Mrs Thomas Wavery Palmer in honor of the senior class. The faculty and officers, the trustees, the alumnae, the graduate students, the sub-senior, the juniors and the people of Montevalo were invited to meet the 9 young women of the class of 1909, and the occasion was a happy one.
 This morning at 10 o'clock the Alumnae association met in the dormitory parlors and pleasing programme was enjoyed by a number of interested visitors. The meeting opened with the singing of "Blest Be the Tie That Binds," followed by a scripture reading on "Wisdom," by the president, Miss Margaret McArdle, '99 of Birmingham, and prayer by Col Sam Will John of Birmingham. Miss Bertie Allen, '99, of Montevallo was appointed secretary pro tenn, and the president made brief but inspiring address. The class of 1909 contributed a voice solo, '"rhe Four Leaf Clover" by Miss Vesta Jones of Rockford, accompanied on the piano by Miss Eunice Gay of Lineville.
  The historians report was sent by Miss Ruth Long, 06, of Bigbee, who was un- avoidably absent, and read by Miss Mary Peters, 06 and '07, iof Montevallo. Miss Clyde Purifoy of Furman read Riley's' Life Lesson" and Fields Little Boy Blue" There were words of encourage ment from President Palmer, MT. J. Alex. Moore, chairman of the faculty, and Col. Sam Will John, one of the trustees. The programme closed with the singing of the A. G. l. s.. but the alumnae remained for business session, which will be followed by another later in the day.
 Among the out-of-town alumnae present are Miss Margaret McArdle, '99, Birming- ham; Mrs. Bessie Conley Rome, CO., Yo- lande Mrs. Belle Mcdonald Vernon 'O1, Cusseta Mrst Vernon Gamble Grew, 05, Goodwater; Miss Mildred Dinkins, 'O4, Elba Miss Ethel Parham, 'O5, Mt. He bron; Miss Annie Aiken '05 and 'O6, Gads- den; Miss Lucie Lenoir '06 and '07, Sel- ma; Miss Lockie Posey. '0S, Stuart: Miss Ella Massey, '0S, Village Springs; Miss Janney Bridges, 03, Coal City; Miss Lola Dodd, '06. Oxford; Miss Florence Gregory, '04, Montgomery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-06
NEWS OF GADSDEN.
Mrs. Fannie Prouty Is Awarded Dam
 ages Against Railroad.

Gadsden, June 5.-(Special) )-The Gads- den, Alabama City and Attalla railway, which is also engaged in the manu- fracture of ice, is laying a pipe line from Motlow's springs near the city to it's plant and will use the spring water in making ice. The spring is good one and the flow of water adequate for the purpose in tended. Several months ago the company tried to secure supply of water from deep wells at the plant but this never proved to be a success.
 Judge R. A. D. Dunlay, master in chan cery, has handed down a decision in the now famous Prouty case, wherein the Southern Railway was the defendant and Fannie A. Prouty the plaintiff. The rail- road in the construction of a branch track built an embankment that backed the water in a creek into the valuable mineral spring and caused the owrier some loss. The case has been in the courts for some ten years, has been to the su- preme court and back, and will probably go there again. Judge Dunlay has found for the plaintiff and assessed the dam ages against the railroad at $2O00 The company has reconstructed it's track as the result of the litigation but is seem ingly unable to escape the payment of some damage.
 The Alabama Great Southern railroad has its bridge crew here at work on con sctructing a pipe line from McGraws s springs to the car works to secure q supply of good, pure water for the em- ployes of the plant. A three-inch main is being laid which will carry water am- pie for the needs of the men.