davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
A BOYS SECRETARY.
Geo. r. Merriam Is Doing Good Work
In Portland.

George r. Merriam, son of Rev. and
Mrs. George Merriam, had an article
in the Portland Press Sunday on the
Boy Scout Movement" He said in
part:
1t must not be understood that the
object of the Boy Scouts is wholly
military. The military side of the
movement is very small part. The
great point is that the boys are taught
to do good. The Boy Scouts of Amer
lea Is a character-building institution.
II recognizes the need of a direct
method to cultivate good citizenship
and encourage hardness. A boy is
shown how to tie different kinds of
knots, is given knowledge of wood
craft, of manual training; he knows
the composition of the national flag.
Mr.. Merriam is Boys Secretary of
the Portland Y NJ. c. A. He is doing
great deal of personal work in help
ing the young men of the city. He
has recently formed plan of visit
ing the foreign ships and he is get
ting the sailors interested in work
of the Y NJ c. A. movement About
100 sailors were present at an en-
tertainment given in charge of Mr..
Merriam recently.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
TOWN IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.
Regular Meeting of December 0, at
Usual Time and Place.

The meeting of the Town Improve
ment Society on Friday afternoon,
December 8, proved of exceptional in
terest and was largely attended, the
members being received by Mrs. Ell
len c. Smith and Mrs. Minna Savage.
The benefit and enjoyment found in
the study of the history of Scotland,
and the sweetness and charm of Scot
tish songs were freshly demonstrated
in the program presented under the
direction of Mrs. Clara B. Leavitt,
which opened with the song, Wed
Better Bide a Vice." given by Mrs.
Eldena Hawes with piano accompani-
ment by Mrs. Ethel Whittier Ames. A
carefully prepared paper that re-
ceived the closest attention, Reign of
Robert Bruce" was presented by Mrs.
NJ. Agnes Merrill, followed by the
song. When Glover is Wet With the
Dew" by Mrs. Minnie Gould, accom-
panied by Mrs Carrie Steward. A
that brought down the
house Having Our Picturs Took" :"
IVES given by Mrs. Violet " Fogg. A
paper, "Glasgow-The Fair" written
by Mrs. Ellen H. Smith and read by
Miss Lillian c. Smith, was compre-
hensive in every detail and worthy
of all praise. Two songs (a) Mary
of Argyle" Cd "Janet's Choice" Civ
en- by Mrs. Eldena Hawes with piano
accompa animent by Mrs. Ethel Whit
tier Ames, received heartiest ap-
plausc.
Mention was made of the recent
deaths of two world-femous people,
Count Leo Tolstoi and Mrs. Mary
Baker Eddy. and poem written by
Mrs. Eddy, "The Mothers Evening
Prayer" was read by the president
Mrs. Elizabeth Merrill
The next meeting of the society on
Friday, December %, will. be th2
Christmas meeting and each member
is given the privilege of inviting one
guest.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
FIRST OF ITS KIND
IN j. s.
Poultry Show, Grange
Hall, Dec. 2l-23
Unusual Features of Exhibition Must
Draw Crowds.

The first show of its kind in the
United States will be held by the
Somerset Poultry Producers Asso-
citation in Grange hall, Dec. 21-22-23
The most unique feature will be the
fat stock classes, In which the birds
will be brought in alive, killed by an
expert, and then drawn and trussed
for the oven to determine the dress
ing percentage, before the prizes are
awarded. Some interesting and valu-
able information is expected to de-
velop from this, and Walter p Ord
way, Clyde H. Smith Robert T.
Eaines, j. p. Oak, and c. NJ. Gallup
have ohered fancy prices for the five
best care sses. The management of
the egg classes will also be we'll off
the beaten track. These will be
judged Wednesday evening, and cand-
led during the process, SO that ey-
erything that enters into their market
value may be considered. The birds
for exhibition only will be judged by
score card on Thursday, and then
in the evening, Prof. w A. Brown of
Orono will give lecture ON Egg Pro-
duction, and describe first hand and
in detail, some of the processes and
methods worked out by the Maine Ex-
pertinent Station during the past few
years. The enterprise is not expect
ed to make very much money, but any
surplus will be divided pro rata
among those exhibits OF live birds and
eggs that score rs per cent or bet
ter, and are shown by members of
the Association. A similar distribu-
tion of premiums at the dairy con-
vention last year brought out the
largest display of bottled dairy pro-
ducts ever assembled for competition
in the United States, and Grange hall
is likely to be crowded to the limit
next week.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
SKOWHEGAN SOROs|s
ENTERTA|NS
Celebrates Gentlemen's Night De-
cember IL, in Congregational Par
lOrs.

One of the largest and most bril-
liant assemblies ef the season took
place last Tuesday evening when
Sorosis entert; ined the gentlemen in
the Congregational parlors. The club
always plans to give the best enter
tainment procurable on this night
and Tuesday evening was no excep-
ton. About two hundred members
and guests were present. The rooms
we're decorated with pink chrysanthe-
NUNS and the guests were met at the
door by the hostesses for the even
ing, consisting of Miss Gertrude Wes-
ton, Mrs. Mae Butler. Mrs. Mary Page,
Mrs. Mabel Philbrick and Miss Mae
Bowman, where a very informal re-
ception was held.
Mrs. Dora Nye opened the program
with a piano solo. after which the
President. Miss Edith Gledhill. intro
duced Edward H. Frye, reader. of Bos-
ton, who furnished the entertainment
for the evening, giving The Man
From Home" OF the play itself there
is little need to say anything. 1t is
mixture of drama and comedy, and
Mr.. Frye's impersonation of the diff
ferent characters WAS fine and very
enjoyable. OF Mr. Frye. too much
praise cannot be said. and to those
who We're fortunate enough to hear
him he will need no second introduc-
ton should he ever come to Skowhe-
gan again. He possesses a clear.
we'll modulated voice and most
pleasing personality. Such a hearty
reception was rendered him at the
close that he was obliged to respond
to the encore, and gave some pleas
ing selections from "A Trip to
Leughland" another of his entertain
ments. By all present it was declar-
ed to be the most successful of any
similar event ever given by the club
Mrs. Nye gave several more selcc-
tons during the evening which left
e plea sing impression rs they con-
tanned distinct charm the combi-
nation of which is always cleGrness
and intelligence.
At the close of the program re-
freshments of sherbet. cake and candy
were served
The next meeting will he Tuesday
evening, December 27 At this time
The club will observe its 25th ami
versary end Christmas meeting Fur
ther announcement will be made
later.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
Skowhegan Grange Elects Officers.

Skowhegan Grange, No POS, elected
officers Wednesday evening for the
ensuing year: Master, Albert L. jew
EFT; Overseer, Leroy l.. Sandford
Lecturer, Mrs. Ella Crowell; Steward
w. d. Bradbury; Treasurer, S, II
Bradbury; Assistant Steward, George
II. Burns; Chaplain, Mrs. Emma w
Goodrich; Secretary, S. F. Emerson
Gatekeeper, William Rowell; Ceres
Mrs. Mae A. Allen; Pomona, Mrs
Dora l.. Sandford; Flora, Mrs. Flora
L. Dealey; Lady Assistant Steward
Mrs. Minnie T. Burns.
The Executive Committee for the
coming year are X. A. Withee, Cal d,
Eaton and r. +. Parker. The Choir
lister and pianist are appointed by the
Executive Committee and will be an
announced later.
The next meeting will occur De-
cember 2S, and will be a Legislative
Meeting in charge of r. 7. Patten and
r. L. Marston.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
OLD DAM BLOWN OUT.
Large Crowd Gathered Monday to
Witness Spectacle.

During the noon hour Monday the
gates in the new concrete dam across
the north channel of the Kennebec
river were closed down, and the old
log dam blown up with dynamite. A
large crowd had gathered to witness
the spectacle, and they were we'll re-
paid for their trouble. Vast quanti-
ties of water were. thrown skyward,
while remnants of the old dam were
scattered in all directions. Yet SO
carefully had everything been planned
that not a particle of damage was
done. The new dam Is ESQ feet long.
27 feet high, and rs thick at the base.
Ultimately it will raise the water lev
ell three feet, and is 30 designed that
section can be added to the top to
raise the level seven feet. This pre-
caution was taken with view to
some time carrying out the recon-
mendations Of the engineers who es-
innate the capacity of Skowhegan
falls at $4,000 horsepower The new
dam cost about $4,000, and in addi-
ton to furnishing employment to 40
men for the past two months, has al
30 provided a market where many
farmers have received a fair price for
stones dug up while clearing their
fields.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15

ment with General Isaac Dyer, now
postmaster of Skowhegan and the
oldest postmaster In the United States.
Retiring from the war in the latter
part of 1862 he bought Mr.. Fellows
out. In 1866 he went to Mississippi
where he worked a short time and
came back and resumed the grocery
business. He later went to California
but soon came back and took up the
grocery business here. Three years
later he went back to California and
from there to Puget Sound where he
was appointed postmaster and sta
tion agent. He went to the State of
Washington later and was one of the
first to make coke in that state. He
came back to Skowhegan In 1880 and
went into the grocery business again.
In 1894 he went to Mexico where he
served on the city council for three
years. After his wife's death he
again returned to Skowhegan and en-
tered the grocery business. In 1900
he took In as partner, John Currier.
In the war Mr.. Arnold was nearly
shipwrecked in three different storms
on the ocean. He was on two vessels
that suffered loss by fire but escaped
without injury. He was born In East
Madison In 1842. Mr.. Arnold's grand
father was the late William Philbrick,
the FIRST banker in Skowhegan.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
RECEIPTS 1927.
A Successful Undertaking by Working
League.

The Working league of the Congre
gational church wishes to thank all
those who so kindly co-operated with
its endeavors at the recent sale and
supper. The fancy work, domestic
and homemade candy tables were all
well filled, ably managed and brought
in a goodly amount of cash. The
social cup of tea in the afternoon was
enjoyed by many. The pleasant par
lors with the glowing open fire was
just the place for cozy tete-a-tete and
the ladies of the town much appre-
ciated the opportunity to look over
their purchases here and enjoy a
neighborly chat.
The English tea in charge of its
very efficient committee, proved one
OF the most successful functions of
the league and met with large patron
age.
For all this success the Working
league Is grateful and Is glad. while
expressing its thanks to all concerned
to announce that the receipts to date,
free from all expense, are $127.00 and
more coming in.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
WHERE WILL THE new POST OFFICE Be
LOCATED IS THE QUESTION
All But One Site Considered, Not In Business
Section of The Town

Where will Skowhegan's new post
office be located? is the question that
is now troubling the citizens of Som
erset's ever-alert shire town.
For several days William Window
of the treasury department has been
quietly looking over the situation
from the standpoint of the govern
ment, ascertaining the desirable sites,
the figures at which they can be pur-
chased, general clay of the land and
the sentiment of the community. He
has conferred with specially ap-
pointed committee of the Board of
Trade as we'll as numerous citizens,
secured all possible information, and
now on his departure it is a matter
of more than mild curiosity what his
report will be.
The passage of the $4,000 appro-
priation for purchase of site for
a new post office for Skowhegan has
been gratefully credited by the citi-
zens of the town to Congressman
Burleigh, though it is feared that
President Tafts position on economy
in the public buildings bill will defer
any appropriation for the building it.
self until the convening of another
Congress. The public interest in the
site, however, is none the less acute
For time out of mind the Skowhe-
gan post Office has been located in
the heart of the business section, and
the prospect that 1t may be located
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
LOST WHILE HUNTING.
Pearle Gould of Cornville Found Wan
dering Near Mud Pond, Hartland.

Thursday, December 2, at about 10
O'Clock a. m, Pearle Gould of Corn
Vile started out in pursuit of deer
He entered the forest west of F. S.
Burrill's, but when it came night he
did not return home and his parents
became anxious. However not until
Friday morning was the cry for help
given out and a party of men and
boys at once started. They readily
found his tracks in the snow but it
was late in the afternoon before they
found the lost man. In the vicinity of
what Is known as Mud Pond, North
Hartland. Mr.. Gould, when found
was much confused in his mind by
hunger and exposure. He has no de-
sire to pass similar experience.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
JAMES McCONAUGHY
WILL SPEAK HERE
State Secretary Y. NJ. c. A. to Address
Union Meeting Sunday Evening.

A treat is afforded the people of
in having the opportunity
OF hearing James McConaughy, State
Secretary of the Y. NJ. c. A next
Sunday evening in the Nj. E. church.
Mr.. McConaughy is gifted speak
er, who appeals to the young
men. He is good mixer" and is
popular at Bowdoin college where he
is secretary of the Y NJ. c. A.
He will take for his subject Sun
day evening, "Pduls Idea of Christian
Perfection-A Mans Job"
Mr. McConaughy was born in New
York city in 1887. His father was
secretary of the 23rd st. Branch of
the New York Young Mems Christian
Association and the author of a num-
Der OF Y. NJ. c. A books.
Mr.. McConaughy was educated at
Mr.. Moody school at Mt. Hermon
and at Yale, graduating in 1909 While
in college he WAS prominent in Y. NJ.
c. A. work, was editor of one of the
college papers and intercollegiate de-
batter. Last year he was general sec
retary of the Bowdoin Y. M. c. A. and
instructor in English. This year he
has been State student secretary for
colleges and preparatory schools, de-
voting a good deal of time to this
work Under Mr. McConaughy's di-
rection the Bowdoin Y. M. c. A. has
had successful year, increasing in
size and efficiency.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15

elsewhere detracts in a measure from
the pleasure of anticipation of hand
some public structure. None of the
sites thus far offered are within the
district included by the tracks of the
Maine Central railroad, Russell street
and the Kennebec river, and probab-
ly no site of sufficient size could be
acquired within this district within
the appropriation. The department
is averse to resorting to condemna-
ton proceedings if possible to acquire
a satisfactory lot in other ways.
The sites under consideration are
five: Q) the northwest corner OF
Madison and Pleasant streets; (2) the
northeast corner of Madison and Rus
sell streets; 90 the northwest corner
of Water and North streets; (4) the
territory enclosed by North street
High street, Lawton court and Cross
street, and 90 lot on Island avenue
nearly opposite the Methodist parson-
age. OF these the second, including
the land on which are the buildings
now occupied by Nutting & Lord
Steward & Blunt, Fred A. Wood, Lew
is Coal Co., and Sewell w. Smith, is
the nearest to the center of the busi-
ness section. but the lack of sufficient
frontage on Russell street is mention
ed as an objection. All of the other
lots are within the residential sec
ton.
The department desires a lot ap-
proximately 135x175 size, fronting on
two public streets. The matter has
been for some time on the calendar of
the Board of Trade, who have been
endeavoring to bring every possible
desirable location into the market.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
MEMBERS OF SOMERSET
POMONA
Met With kennebec Valley Grange In
Madison, December 13.

The potato business came in for
Somerset Pomona at Madison Tues
day. and Worthy Master Willis Ho-
bart of Cornville rather astonished
his fellow patrons by saying: Il fail
to pick out any potato grower in this
secti@n who has really made money
in the business" Then he related
some personal experience wherein a
flyer in potatoes the past year had
resulted in a crop nearly one-half un-
marketable, because of previous mis-
takes in the rotation F. e. Davis of
Madison rather stood up for the lead
ing cash crop of Maine, but admitted
that 1t paid no better than any other
staple, and that with hired help it was
liable to be losing proposition along
with the other branches of farming.
Kennebec Valley Grange was the
host for the occasion, and the session
opened with an address of welcome
by George Fletcher. F. B. Collins re-
sponded for Pomona, and after some
routine business had been disposed of,
the discussion began. The first ques-
ton was What lessons have we
learned during the past year in the
growing and marketing of crops" but
it was the potato that caught and held
the limelight. George Fletcher, Will
lis Hobart, Jotham Blackwell, George
Savage, and Ansel Holway all had a
good word for diversified farming, es-
especially where 1t included the corn
crop and the dairy COW. But C. K.
Oliver said that his best crop the past
year had been his whole farm, and
the market a customer from New Jer-
sey.
After the usual bountiful repast,
the Pomona conferred the fifth de-
gree on nine candidates, and then re-
sumed with the lecturers program.
Discussion of the question, What are
some of the commonsense rules for
winning success on the farm?" was
opened by S. F. Emerson, and con
tinued by T. d. Salley, c. E. Oliver
and several others, but a short cut to
opulence did not seem to materialize.
Other fef lures of the program were
piano solos and encores by Miss ToZ-
ier, song by Fred Dinsmore, and a
reading by Jennie Murray. F. e. Da-
Wis was elected alternate to the ses-
sion OF the State Grange, and the
usual votes of thanks we're extended
to Miss Tozier (who was not Pa
tron) and Kennebec Valley Grange.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15

The gift of half a million dollars
for the further enlargement and
strengthening of the teaching force of
Dartmouth college from Edward Tuck
Of Paris, a graduate of Dartmouth in
the class of 1862. was announced by
President Ernest Fox Nichols at a
mass meeting in Webster hall last
Monday.
The gift of Mr.. Tuck makes a total
of over $1000,000 which this alumnus
has made to the college In the last
10 years, the principal monument to
its generosity at Hanover being the
building of the Amos Tuck School OF
Administration or Finance, named In
honor of his father, and the first
school of administration or finance
established in connection with an
American college.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
A PROMINENT MAN
Of BUSINESS
Geo. D. Arnold Has Had
Varied Experiences
Grocer, Soldier, Postmaster, Manufac.
turer, City Councilman and Grocer
Again.

For fifty years George Arnold has
been in active business in Skowhe-
gan. He is one of the oldest mer-
chants in the place. He is now the
senior member of the grocery firm of
Arnold e Currier
Mr.. Arnold's experiences have been
varied and marked with considerable
pluck. During the fifty years of his
business life he has suffered loss by
fire six times, but each time the fire
has started from other places. Mr..
Arnold first started in the grocery
business when he was II years old
in the store now occupied by E. B.
Carter. He began his career with
James Fellows, who is now cashier
of the Second National bank and the
oldest cashier in Maine. The grocery
firm was known ss Fellows & Arnold
In 1861 Mr.. Arnold sold his share in
the business to Mr.. Fellows snd en-
listed in the Fifteenth Maine Regi-
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
FEDERATED MEETING.
PrOf. Tubbs to Lecture Before WO-
mans Clubs.

The federated meeting of the Wo-
mans club, Sorosis and Town In
provement society will be held Janu-
ary, 3, 1911, at Bethany church, when
Prof Frank Bean Tubbs, professor OF
Geology and Astronomy of Bates col
lege, will give a lecture. Subject,
Mexico: Sights and Insights."
DR.. Tubbs is amply qualified to
handle the subject. having studied
along this special line all his life,
and having travelled in almost every
country on the globe observing phe-
nomena.
The lecturer is man of such bril-
liant platform presence and of such
original and astonishing manner OF
making dry scientific data vivid. that
!; is hoped that all will avail them
selves OF the opportunity of hearing
him.
Hon. Payson Smith, State Superin-
tendent of Schools, said: "Dr Tubbs
is one of the finest lecturers in
Maine"
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
CHRISTMAS POINTERS Of SPECIAL INTER.
EST TO HOLIDAY SHOPPERS
What Our Merchants Are Offering Something
Sure to Please VIII Be Found Here

All the popular books of fiction at
Bueknams
Complete line of Diaries for 1911 at
Fogg's Drug Store.
Largest line of Toilet Ware in Sill
yer and Silver Plate at Philbricks.
Chas. F. Ward Co. will give you a
pretty Xmas box with every Necktie.
Headquarters for Smokers Articles
of all kinds. Bull Moose Cigar Store.
Many new subjects in those beauti-
'ul Sawyer prints, priced from 35c to
$500 at Bucknam's.
If you want the reliable weather
predictions get Hicks Almanac at
Fogg's Drug Store
Always the leader in a choice gift
are those Sawyer prints at Bucknam's.
See the new subjects.
The jewelry store with the choice
stock and little price" is S. Russakof,
neHt c. f. Ward Co.'S.
Meerchaum, Briar and Calabash
Pipes. Choice selection at lowest
prices at Bull Moose Cigar Store, next
Fogg's Drug Store.
No such stock OF choice books was
ever before offered in town as may be
seen at Bucknams. Anything not in
stock will be ordered and delivered in
season for the Holidays.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15

Choice brass novelties s-candlesticks,
desk and ink sets at Bucknam's.
A pair Of Chas F Ward Cos Regal
Shoes make a fine Xmas present.
Moccasin Slippers for all the house
hold. Finest line in town, at Lewia
Shoe Store
Bucknams windows throughout the
Holiday season will be found the most
attractive in town.
Save money at this Holiday season
by trading with S Russakoff. Jeweler.
next {. F. Ward Cos.
Chss F. ward Co would like to
have you see their line Of Travelling
Bags and Umbrellas for Christmas.
The choicest brands of cigars are
found at Bucknam's and he makes a
specially OF Christmas boxes. all sizes.
Tie place TO buy Jewelry that is
good and be left with money to make
some other purchases is S. Russ
akoffs.
lots Of good things on the job lot
table at Philbrick's Odds and ends to
be closed out. Come early and get
the pick.
No such line of choice leather goods
can be found east of Portland as may
be seen at Bucknam's. Price and
quality compare favorably.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
Death Of Harry Briggs.

Harry Briggs of Norridgewock
died Tuesday night of pneumonia. He
was AZ years old. He was one OF the
most prosperous farmers in the town
being one of the first Aroostook farm
ers to come into Norridgewock. II
was through him that the many farm
ers subsequent to his coming made
Norridgewock the greatest potato
raising town in the county. He
leaves widow, one son and daugh-
ter. He was a member of the Echo
lodge, X. of P. He also leaves a
father 90 years old. He was born In
Aroostook county. He came here
about eight years ago. buying the Nc
Intire place.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15

Is there anything better for break
fast these cold mornings than fried
mush or corn griddle-cakes? Don't
let the miller grind the meal too fine
him or you may not get the meal from
your own corn. We like to pick out
nice, sound ears, clean and dry enough
to grind we'll. And when We shell
them we leave about an inch of the
tips on the cobs. Then we like to
get all the cob char out, leaving moth
ing but the clean corn.
The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15
Anson Not to Lose P0stOffiee.

The people Of Anson were called
to rejoice Friday by the announce
ment from Washington that the post
office would not be moved from that
place. The matter had been recon-
sidered at Washington and word was
sent here not TO discontinue 1t.