The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-04-17

pressive of tender feelings were show
cred upon Mrs. Williams, large num-
Der coming from her old home in
Gloucester, Mass. Her health is very
good for person of her years and she
retains her faculties to a remarkable
degree. Pleasant days she walks out
and until within few months she
has been a regular attendant at the
Centenary NJ e. Church, OF which she
is a member.
The subject of this sketch. was
born in Gloucester, Mass. and was one
OF seventeen children, with the ex-
ception of herself none of whom are
living. She was of Scottish descent
and at the age of twenty-five years,
was married to Francis Williams, n
blacksmith whose relatives lived in
New Brunswick. The newly marie d
couple decided TO make Maine their
home. and shortly after their marriage
they started for country full of
bright prospects for this young black
smith and his bride. The trip was
made by train TO Readfield, and from
there by team. Their destination
was Pressure Isle. in Aroostook Co.,
and after reaching IIoulton, it took
them ten days TO cover the distance
between that town and Pressure Isle,
so near impossible We're the conditions
of the roads, at that time. Their stay
in that town was not long however,
or not two years at best, before they
decided to go to Fredericktown n. b.
They were hoping to strike some boat
going down the st. John River but
when they decided to make the trip, it
was too late for the large water crafts
to run. The couple were not undaunted
though, and decided to undertake the
perilous journey in birch bark canoe,
guided by a young Indian. The trip
was hazardous one. but they started
out going through the ST. John Val
ley and as far as Woodstock, in
the first half day. Next morning
they continued their journey starting
about seven O'Clock, and reaching
Fredericktown just as the clock was
striking the hour of seven, in the even
ing. The ride in the canoe covered
about 1870 miles, and was made in a
bout one and one-half days, in all.
be the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Williams
for long. however. as they decided to
locate elsewhere. after residing there
about five years. They planned for
a time TO go to Readheld, and there
make for themselves a home but Ia
ter Skowhegan was decided upCr.
This proved TO be a permanent locG-
ton, with the exception of a short
residence in Florida. Mr.. Williams
became engaged in the hardware bust
ness here, built the home on Water
Street. now the property of Mrs. J.
o. Smith, and died here eleven years
ago last February
1t was between fifty and sixty
years ago that this young couple
came to Skowhegan from the provin-
ces and it is most entertaining to listen
to Mrs. Williams tales of the happen
ings since those days of the long ago.
At that time were on grist mill and
q few stores here. There was no
train then and Mrs. Williams rem
members well the excitement in town
the day that this conveyance first
made its appearance in Skowhegan.
The narratives of her pioneer days
so aptly told would furnish many a
page of interesting reading and would
inform one of many matters of histor
ical interest as we'll Mrs. Williams
certainly is a remarkable lady and
with the rare possession of her facul-
ties would be taken for many years her
junior Ii would seem that she must
certainly have found some secret for
longevity and eternal youth.