Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-06-06
Maine News Notes.

During a thunder shower at Orono,
Monday, a summer house in which five
men had taken shelter was struck by
lightning, and all the men were burned
and affected, though not seriously in
jured.
IL is thought that the danger from
spring fires in the big Maine woods is
now about over. There has been rain
enough TO take care Of what fires there
were, and largely reduce the danger of
new ones.
In the electrical storm which passed
over Winthrop Monday afternoon the
lightning killed nine cows belonging to
George Howard. The cows were struck
while standing under an oak tree. One
COW of this herd escaped.
In spite of all the work done, the
gypsy moth is spreading in Maine. 1t is
now known to be in forty-eight towns as
against about half that number last
year. A good part of York County is
infested, and II is spreading to the other
counties.
By recent vote of the Lewiston city
government four-inch fire crackers are
again placed as the limit for the Fourth
OF July celebration and dealers are for
hidden their sale until July 2. This or
der is the same as the one in force last
year, which proved generally satisfactory
in Lewiston.
Portland back yards in which coal
ashes, old tin cans. cast of shoes and
similar matter have been reposing for
ever so long must be cleaned up right
away, says the Portland board of health.
No leniency will be shown within a
reasonable time after the notifications
have been sent out.
The Kennebec Water District, which
supplies Waterville and Fairfield with
water, and takes its supply from China
Lake, Is endeavoring to take, by right oil
eminent domain, a strip of land 200 feet
ton of the water. Several owners
Of cottage property and thirty-three
other property owners are affected, and
some twenty. five bills in equity are to be
brought to prevent the water district
from taking the property.
Algernon S. Burnham, aged %, sou
of S. 4. Burnham Of Saco, is believed
to have drowned himself in the SAGE
river Monday. His hat and coat were
pocket was a note which said: 81 an
tired of life and discouraged, goodbye"
He was in Portland Sunday, and on his
return home appeared to be unusually
depressed. He was young man of good
habits, of excellent health, and it is not
known that be had any love affair, so hi,
friends are at loss to explain the act.
Benjamin Maker, the oldest male resi-
dent Of st. George, was burned to death
at wiley's Corner on the 2Sth, while or
his way to decorate his wife's grave. The
almost lifeless body was found on the
roadside by passers, the clothes burned
entirely from it, and the hesh charred
In some places. He died at 9P. NJ. How
the tragedy occurred is not exactly
known, but Mr.. Maker was an inveterate
smoker, and it is probable that bis cloth
ing caught fire from his pipe while he
was carrying il in his pocket. he was
50 years of age.
AS far as is known the only octagor
barn in Maine is in Athens. 1t is on the
place recently owned by C.. K. Oliver
He has Just sold it to parties in Now
Jersey, this barn being the drawing card
of the farm. They were going through
the town one day In an automobile and
seeing the barn, called up to the place
Before they left they purchased il. The
barn was designed several years ago by
Mr.. divers fsther-in-law, who one time
was reading about such . barn being
built in the west. Ii attracts . great
deal of attention and many people cal
each year to ask about the barn and why
such one was built.
Another well-known Maine ship hal
made her last voyage under sail, the
Alexander Gibson, which arrived at New
York a few days since from Tacoma
Washington. which port she left on Au
gust Z last year. She was forced to put
into Valparaiso for repairs, which &C
counts for her long passage. After dis
charging her cargo Of timber the ship
will be sold to join the barge feet on the
Atlantic, which Is composed Of many
famous ex-clipper ships. For the past
SO years the Gibson has been famous
figure in the American merchant ma
rinc, and the old vessel has seen many
years Of service on the Pacific. She was
built at Thomaston in 1877 and 10 OF
2043 tons register.
Gideon Chase, q Wilton farmer, was
shot and killed In his home Monday
night, and A. s. Wilson, the husband OF
one of Mrs. Chase's daughters by a for
mer marriage, IL under arrest charged
with the killing. During the day Chase,
who WAS about 50, and his wife, who Is
about so, had a quarrel, and Chase, who
had been drinking, attacked his wife and
injured her. Frank Colburn, q son OF
Mrs. Chase by her former marriage, went
to the Chase home and he and Chase had
an alteration. During the progress OF
this the fatal shot was fred through the
window by Wilson, standing outside. A
shot gun was used, and some of the shot
entered Mrs. Chase's band. There had
been more or less bad blood in the family.
Johns Letter.
For many weeks there has been q