davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1912-03-30
SPRING SPINS INTO
TOWN TO THE MUSIC
OF WH|RR|NG TOPS
youngsters Peg Away While
Senator'S Look En-
= viously On.

Congress got its first real sign OF as
sure6 spring weather yesterday, II the
time-honored theory that top time ia
springtime counts for aught with the
country's legislators. Right under the
shadows of the Senate and the House
groups of boys inaugurated top time"
and sent the minds of members back
TO the days of their boyhcod when the
season known to the calendar makers
as spring was known to them too, as
plain top spinning weather.
The season known to the boys as that
, iE which they get out their old-fash
ioned peg tops in assuredly on, and as
the juvenile knows other times of the
year as ''coastinr time" baseball
time skinny time etc, he knows the
beginning of spring as top time"
Signs of Spring.
Everywhere throughout the city
spring as. usual is announced in ac-
cordance with the iargon of the poets
by the "twittering of birds" and the
'sunkissed blossoms budding" Every
where also the crowds of youngsters
winding their cords about tops, the
style of which hasn't changed for CEN
turies, impresses the mind of the pas
! sing adult with the fact that Spring
weather is here to stay.
No matter how old you are you will
Immediately be impressed that the sight
of the boy with the top is a sure sign
OF spring. It's a sure sign that the
RroundhoG's day is done, for not until
the sun has warmed the oity's streets
thoroughly and the thermometer rises
comfortably does the boy. like the robin
who Chirps the birth of spring. bring
out his top
And, strange to say, despite the adj
vance OF science. the top he brings out
each year is the same Old-fashioned peg
variety that the boys of the world have
known in all ages.
Of Long Standing.
Greece and her boys in the days when
she was looking up to the world spun
the same kind /of tops-maybe for fun
and maybe for blood-as the boys do to-
day. Roman Youngsters also brought
out their tops in spring. The top was
introduced in England in the fourteenth
century (hence the English term of
endearment 'old top.
Consequently how can you blame the
aged Individual who looks wistfully At
a group of boys and their tops?
Let me try my hand once more he
often pleads, but when granted his re-
quest by some youth eager to see how
he winds the cord and spins it, he
makes an utter failure of the old-time
undertaking. What to him once was
top time he merely knows now as
the spring.
The Washington times., 1912-03-30
To Discuss Adulteration.

The Home Economics Association will
meet Tuesday afternoon at 3:45 o'clock
a 6O9 O street northwest. The subject
for discussion will be THE Adultera-
tiOn of Textiles" Other matters will
come up for consideration.
The Washington times., 1912-03-30
In Fathers Old Pulpit.

The Rev. Carlisle L. Hubbard. son Of
ihc Rev =. l.. Hubbard. former pas
tor Of the MCK"ndr"o Methodist Fpis-
Conal Church, will occupy his father 3
old pulpit at the mOrninV services Of
tho church tomorrow. The Rev. Hub
bard jr., entered the ministry from the
congregation of the MckCItdee Church
and Is now stationed at the Methodist
Episcopal Church at FaGeI Stown. Md.
The Washington times., 1912-03-30
Distance Walker Killed.

BUFFALO, n. y, March 3O.-CharIes
Stone, of Boston, who was walking
from that city to San Francisco on A
wager, was struck and instantly killed
by a Buffalo and Lake Erie traction
car near Angola early today.
The Washington times., 1912-03-30
Italians Off Lemnos.

CONSTANTINOPLE. March Gothic
sovCrnment was advised today that an
Italian, fleet is low off Lemnos, IN the
Grecian Archipelago, preparing to dis
embark troops.
The Washington times., 1912-03-30

PILES CURED IN o TO IL DAYS
Your druggist will refund money II PaIo
Ointment fails to cure any case OF Itching,
Blind. Bleeding or Protruding Piles In to
~ days. 60c.
The Washington times., 1912-03-30

Wesleyan PentaCostal Church, d ST..
near Fourth, y. W.-PrcaChing or Sun
day II a. m. and 80 p. m. These scrv-
ices are like the old-time Methodist
meetings. where people got blessed and
praised the Lord. Come and enjoy them
with MG.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-04
PARTY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS,
Event 1iTen by Miss Page In Honor of
Her Guests is Happy Occasion.

The home OF Miss Hannah R. Page
was the scene Of a very happy gather
ing of young people last Friday even
ing when she entertained in honor of
her guests Omar and Guy Badger, stu
dents at Bowdoin college. The affair
was attended by about 80 and was
composed largely of college students
Who were at home for the holiday
vacation.
The spacious Page home was made
more beautiful than ever with its holi-
day decorations of green and red and
1t was very merry party who parti-
cipated in the jolly games and pleas
antries so admirably arranged by Miss
Page.
During the evening punch, ices
and cake was served in an unusual
manner the lights being turned off
and the dainty lunch being served by
the light of the huge open fire in the
living room. Surprise fire works were
distributed leaving tiny souvenirs
with the guests after the fire effect
had died away,
The whole evening was a charming
one for those in attendance and the
hostess is to be congratulated upon
the delights she furnished in the way
of entertainment,
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-04
REGULAR MEETING Of
THE v. c. 7. j.
Held Tuesday in G. A. r. Hall
Christmas Meeting.

The regular semi-monthly meeting
of the Clementine Weston Woman s
Christian Temperance union was held
in the G. A. r. hall Tuesday, Dec
26, at p NJ. There was a Christ
mas meeting and the Christ spirit per
vaded the whole afternoons program
The president gave pleasing ac-
count of the Christmas boxes that the
ladies filled and forwarded to the
inmates of the Town farm and Belfast
Home for girls, also the successful
completion of the comforters for the
Good Will Home The meeting open
ed with a hymn by the audience led by
Mrs. Philo Steward who also presided
at the piano. 'All Hail the Power of
Jesus Name followed by devotional
exercises conducted by the chaplain
Mrs. B. B. Merrill; hymn, Go For
ward" vocal solo, Christmas Lula
by from the Cantata, The First
Christmas" Miss Mabel Ross; Christ
mas recitation. Master Kenneth Copp;
reading, The Travelling Man. Mrs
Lizzie A. Marble; duet, Jesus, Dear
Jesus Misses Myrtle Moody and
Winona Paddock; reading, Christmas
Child a story located in South, Mrs
Elizabeth Merrill; song, Bethlehem,
from the cantata, The First Christ
mas Miss Mabel Ross; reading, (a)
"Babonscka,' (b) Verse of an Old
Carol" Miss Louise Coburn.
The president then announced the
next meeting to be held January 9Th.
1t is to be a mothers meeting and
the subject is "Mending" Mrs. Lizzie
A. Marble has the meeting in charge
and a cordial invitation is extended
TO all, especially to young mothers.
The afternoon is sure to be full of
interest and profit. The meeting
closed with singing by the audience
Christ for the World"
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-04

from the shoe shop. The flames hoR-
eyer. were confined 70 The portion G.
the miIl used for dying and wet fin
ishing This building which is about
so feet long was entirely consumed as
was the structure connecting il WITH
the main mill
The mil which has been running
about six years was very extensively
injured by water and smoke The e.
IRENE heat started the sprinklers thus
flooding the lower part Of the building
and in this way the goods in ths
part Of the mill We're ruined and the
machinery much damaged. although
the main building was NOT badly IL
jured by the flames The fire vas sup
posed o have originated in the sec
ond case from sparks from the frs
fire, although the burned buildings
We're about a quarter of mile apart.
The Marston Worsted Mills employ
about go hands and at the time OF the
confagration We're rushed with orders.
II Will doubtless be three months be-
fore work can again be resumed as
formerly but the management has al
ready made arrangements with a
Wateryile firm 10 do the dying for the
present and before the end of the
week the entire force OF employers
will be at work again BY this prompt
return 10 business the large number
Of waiting customers will not be long
inconvenienced by delay A model
dye house is soon to be built TO take
the place OF the destroyed one.
The loss of Nr. Lacroix is esu-
mated as being about $4,000 on the
buildings and $500 on the furniture.
The insurance on the former is $1,000
and on the later s600.
The loss on the Marston Mill is
estimated as being $4,000 which is
said to be covered by insurance.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-04
DISASTROUS FIRES IN SKOWHEGAN EARLY
FRIDAY MORNING
One Dwelling House and the Dye House of The
Marston Worsted Mill Burned

For the second time within Week
FIRE again visited Skowhegan ibis time
Friday morning between the hours Of
> and 3 O'Clock. when the residence
of j. Peter Lacroix on Railroad St
was found TO be on fire.
Some member OF the Lacroix family
detected the smell OF smoke and upon
Investigation the parlor was found 10
be on fire probably catching from
an oyerheated stove. Owing TO its
start and the strong winds the flames
made such rapid progress that Mr..
LacroiX and family had time only to
escape in their night clothes saving
nothing An alarm was rung in ana
while the work OF the iiremen is to be
commended nothing could be done to
save the doomed structure, water pres
sure being somewhat lacking thus
hindering the workers. Another
handicap was the lack of lights as the
power station was shut down for the
first time at night for a long time.
Showers Of sparks We're sent wind
ward but it was thought that the fire
could By hard work be confined to the
LacroiX home and after about two
hours of diligence, the fire department
returnedto the station. They had hard
ly reached there, however, when an
alarm was again rung in.
At about 4 o'clock night watchman,
John Provincial of the Marston Wors-
ted Mill discovered fire in the dye
house OF the factory. The fire depart
ment was again soon on the scene OF
action but owing to the drop OF anchor
ice into the racks of the two sources
from which the Water Company de-
riyes its power the pressure was
somewhat lower than it ordinarily is
as was the case in the first fire, con-
sequently the fire fighters were aided
by some water pressure and hose
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-04
GOV. PLA|STED CALLS EXTRA SESSION
Of MAINE LEGISLATURE
Revision Of Election Laws, Redistricting of The
State and Liquor Legislation to be Considered

place of safety. These defects in the
law became startlingly apparent after
| the special election of last September
They afforded opportunity for over
riding the will OF the people as ex-
pressed at the polls. 1t is imperative
that before We enter into another
state wide election careful and thor
ough revision of these important laws
| should be made by the legislature.
In order to comply with the re-
quirements both of our state law and
of the act of Congress concerning the
division of the State into congression-
al districts it is necessary that the
Legislature should pass a re-district-
ips Dill before we again elect repre-
sentatiyes to the national congress.
The situation with regard to the
prohibitory law and its enforcement is
the cause of universal complaint and
criticism, No thinking man in Maine
is satisfied with present conditions,
Those who are pleased With the law
are dissatisfied with the manner in
which it is enforced. Others regard
the law itself as impracticable and
incapable of state wide enforcement
The problem is vital and pressing
The Legislature should find means
to solve it or, at least, should be able
to submit to popular vote some one or
more possible solutions of it.
In consideration whereof, |, Freder-
ick w. Plaisted, Governor of the State
of Maine, by virtue of the power vest
ed in me by the constitution, convene
the Legislature of this state, hereby
requiring the senators and representa-
tiyes TO assemble in their respective
chambers, at the Capitol, in Augusta
on Wednesday, the goth day of March
| 1912, at 10 O'Clock in the forenoon, in
order to receive such communications
as may then be made to them, and tc
consult and determine on such meas
ures as they may consider will best
promote the welfare of this State.
In testimony whereof, | have here
unto set my hand and caused the sea
| of the State to be affixed,
Done at Augusta, thsa g9th day Of
December, in the year of our Lord
1911, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the 13Gth.
(Signed)
FREDERICK w PLAISTED.
BY the Governor.
(Signed) CYRUS w. DAVIS,
Secretary of State
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-04
FIRE IN PITTSFIELO'S
BUSINESS SECTION
Two Business Buildings Burned.
Strenuous Work OF Firemen Saved
Town from Disastrous Fire.

The business section of Pittsfield
escaped a serious confiagration Thurs
day night plucky fighting by the local
department in the teeth of a heavy
gale and extreme cold, holding the
loss to about $4,000
About 1890 lively blaze was dis
covered in the basement of the story
and half frame store owned and oc-
cupied by T. T Connor, croekery and
confectionery, and the office of the
Postal Telegraph Co. This building
was We'll in flames before water was
turned on. The fire spread to the ad
joining frame building owned by the
J. c. Connor estate and occupied by
William Spear, jeweler; McAllister
Bros, groceries, and Miss Eva J.
Day, millinery,
The firemen succeeded in confining
the fire to those two buildings which
were badly gutted and the various
stocks are a total loss from fire and
water.
The wind blew across the street and
threatened the new Lancey House.
The guests were somewhat alarmed
and a line of hose run 10 tho roof.
The stores burned were OF compara-
lively light construction and the eX-
cellent handling OF the fire, cut off
what at one time looked like a fire
which might sweep the village.
The loss is said to be covered by in
surance of probably more than 30 per
cent
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-04
FIRST CANDIDATE N PRIMARIES
l.. R. Folsom of Norrldgewock IL
Seeking the Republican Nomination
for County Attorney.

L. r. Folsom of Norridgewoek is one
of the first candidates in the County
TO announce his intention of running
in the Primaries. He is seeking the
nomination of County Attorney on the
Republican ticket.
Mr.. Folsom was county attorney for
two years prior to the election OF !,
II. Haley of Hartland the present
Democratic incumbent As one of the
leading attorneys of the County he
proved one of the best prosecutor s
that the County ever had He worked
hard for the enforcement of all laws
and especially the Prohibitory Law
and became 50 popular that he lost
at the last election only by small
margin going 30 ahead of the Gov
ernors vote, but LOST out in the land
slide
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-04
v. c. HOBART Re.
ELECTED MANAGER
Telephone Co. Stock
holders Stand Pat
Insurgent Movement Makes Little
Headway Against Officers Good
Showing for Past Year.

w. c. Hobart of Skowhegan was re
elected manager of the Somerset
Farmers Cooperative Telephone com
pany at the annual meeting in Nor
rdgewock on Monday, receiving 1O3
of the 151 votes cast. The other Off
GERS and directors were also returned
for another year, the condition of the
company being generally satisfactory
to the stockholders.
forenoon, during which the reports of
the various officials were submitted,
and other routine business transacted,
When Manager Hobart rendered an
account of his stewardship showing
among other things a gain of 81 stock
holders for the year, he was subject
ed to a grilling cross examination by
former manager f. l.. Ames of Nor
ridgewock, but succeeded in holding
up his end of the situation. A motion
to fix the managers salary at $500 per
year precipitated a lively discussion
but was emphatically voted down, in
favor of the old stipend of $1,000.
During the noon hour dinner was
served by the ladies of Norridgewocb
Grange, and promptly at 2 oclocl
order to proceed with the elections. S
ID. Baker of Solon, l.. +. Jacobs O
Skowhegan and Fred f. Jewett o
Norridgewock were appointed a com
mittee to receive, sort and count thu
ballots, and on the vote for clerk the!
announced that Fred Magoon of SolOI
received l04 out of the 1l5 cast. FoI
president Judson w. Packard received
all but one of 1870. The real interest
however, centered in the election o
business manager, for which office w
C. Hobart received 102 votes, F. l.
Ames 40 and Fred Witham of Nor
ridgewock s. S. II. Beal of CornYillC
was reelected treasurer receiving Sc
votes to c. l.. Holbrooks II, and the
choices of directors were made by th'
clerk casting the ballot for the meet
ing. Ansel Holway was elected from
Norridgewock, Fairfield and Smith
field district; J. w. Packard for the
Skowhegan district; George II. Foster
for the Canaan, Pittsfcld and Hart
land district; w. W. Creation fol-
Starks, Anson and New Portland; w
c. Hobart for Madison, Cornyille ant
Athens; l.. F. Boardman for Solon
Embden, Lexington, Highland, DeaC
River and Flagstaff; and H. b. Whip.
pie for Bingham, Concord, Moscow
and the Plantations east of the Kenne-
bee p. s. Longley Of Solon was
also elected auditor on ballot by
Clerk Magoon. After a somewhat
protracted discussion Of the advisable
lity of sub-letting the task of col
lecting out standing and over due as
sessments, the manager was directed
to make an especial effort to get il
the out standing accounts, and repor
the results to the next annual meet
ing.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-04

The morning session was taken up
with calling the civil docket, in con-
nection with which the following at
torneys were present: w II. HaWes,
Fred +. Lawrence, Daniel Lewis, For
rest Goodwin. Harold ]. Phillips, +.
c. Butler, L. L. Walton, George w.
Cover, A. X Butler, e. f. Merrill,
s. J. Walton. Maurice Merrill and r.
y Merrill of Skowhegan; J. F. Hol-
man of Athens; Harvey d. Eaton,
Fred Clair and Carroll Perkins Of
WaterYille; l. r. Folsom of Norridge-
woCk, J. IL. Haley of Hartland ;
Geo. Morse, and H. H. Thurlough OF
Pittsfeld; G O. Small; W. b. Brown
and Bernard Gibbs of Madison; F. l.
Ames Of Norridgewock; Thomas
Brown of Solon; Augustine Simmons
of North Anson; George Chapman and
p A. Smith of Fairfield; D. d. Stewart
of ST Adams; Turner Buswell of
Solon and J. W. Manson of Pttstield.
The assignments were completed
Tuesday afternoon, and work on the
civil docket commenced Wednesday.
These will be continued until Monday,
Jan. Sth, when the case of the State
VS.. DR.. II. S. Brown will be tried. At
the conclusion of that trial, the civil
docket will be resumed after which
the criminal cases will be disposed
Of
The trial Of the suit of Patzowsky
ct ais vs. The Mutual Shoenakers In
corporated, the first Of the civil eases
10 come before Justice George T. Bird
was abruptly ended by agreement OF
counsel Wednesday morning The
suit was brought by a partnership
doing business in Boston under the
name of The New Castle Leather Co.
against the manufacturing concern in
Norridgewock of which c. O. Nor
mandy is the head The plaintiffs
alleged that goods sold in the fall
of 1910 to the Norridgewock concern,
had been transferred to the North An
son shop, which subsequently went
into the hands of a receiver. The
point at issue was whether the New
Castle Leather Co., in re-billing the
North Anson consignment, had re-
leased the claim against the Norridge-
wock concern. When the plaintiffs
case had been partially presented,
cross examination developed the fact
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-04

Governor Plaisted, late Friday after
noon. issued a proclamation for a
special session of the legislature to
convene at 10 A. NJ, March 20, 1912
The proclamation sets forth as the
reasons for calling this special ses-
sion, the need of the revision of the
election laws, the necessity of the pas
sage of a re-districting billie befor
representatives to Congress are again
elected, and the situation in regard to
the prohibitory Law. The Governor
suggests that the Legislature should
be able to submit to popular vote
some one or more solutions of the
liquor problem,
But three times in the history of tn
state have special sessions of the
Legislature been called and in each
case they were to settle single is
sue. while Governor Plaisted's proc
lamation calls for the settling OF
three distinct questions, the revision
of the election laws, re-districting of
the state and settlement of the liquor
question.
The session called in 1842 by Cover
nor Fairfield lasted 13 days and was
for the purpose of settling questions
regarding the Northeastern boundary
dispute The second was called IN
1853 by Governor William G. Crosby,
for the purpose of ratifying con-
tract, authorizing the purchase of the
SO called Massachusetts lands, and
lasted nine days. The last special
session was in 1861, called by Cover
nor Israel Washburn for the purpose
of raising troops at the outbreak OF
the Civil war and lasted four days.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-04

of a story that makes you listen until
your neck aches. His subject will be
How We Are Gouged," and in sim
pie, clear cut way, he will explain
things about the high cost of living
that very few people now understand.
Incidentally he will tell some of the
stories that the trust controlled maga-
zines have decided that the people
ought not to read. Whether or not
you agree with Mr.. Russell's politics,
you will find his lecture tremendously
interesting. The price of admission
25 cents, also includes a rs cent book
of your own selection. Ladies are cor
daily invited.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-04
ROUTE TO Be
SURVEYED
People Interested are Offering Many
Inducements for ShaWmut Il
SkOBhegan Electric Line.

civil engineers from Lewiston have
recently arrived in Fairfield prepared
20 make a working survey between
Shawmut and Skowhegan for the pro-
posed electric railroad c Il. Bar
ron. who has been for the last several
years with John A. Jones and who
has also just completed q survey of
the Lewiston, Gray and Portland
street railway will have charge OF
crew. He will push the work as fast
as possible with a view OF getting
through before the snow gets deep.
The people along the proposed line
are feeling very juhilant over the
prospects and are offering many in
ducements. that may help and stimu-
late the success Of the enterprise.
It is generally understood that the
new Shawmut and Skowhegan cleo
tric railway will be merged with the
Fairfield & ShaWmut road and the
Pettes Pond Power company which
has been built the last season. 1t will
probablyhe called the Fairfield q
Skowhegan Railway & Power COM
pany. Il is nov under the heading OF
three corporations which will be made
as one Tho line between skowhegan
and Fairfield has = - miles. It has
: a large population on each end OF
the line with several prominent feed
ers from other roads. There is Good
VIII farm at the center. where 500
young people are being educated the
village OF Canaan, FIVE miles distant
from fIinckley and large portion of
Clinton on the east. On the west, two
and one-half miles away is Larone
and Blacks Mills, ali without any rail-
road facilities at the present time. 1t
is also in the midst Of one of the
most prosperous sections of the state,
both in manufacturing and agricul-
tural resources. After careful
analysis of the advantages that it pos
sesses for the short distance which is
10 hc built and being a missing link
between two important lines at each
end, it will give people from long
Ways up the kennehec the facilities
for travel freight and express that
has long been needed The prospect
OF the road has sem a thrill of en-
thusiasm through tho thousands of
patrons who viii he benefited By it,.