Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-08
Will Haves15,OOO.,s
House, This Spring,
The Gill Of Native Son, Frank
|. Besse, Of Clinton.
Building win Be Ready at Opening
OF the Fall Term.

Albion, Me-, Feb. 7.-tSpeeiai)-
Frank l.. Besse of Clinton, one of the
most prominent of Albion's native sons
who have won success in the world,
has just shown his regard for his
birthplace by presenting Albion with
a splendid $4,000 brick sehoolhouse.
Mr.. Besse rendered the gift at meet
ing of the board of selectmen and
about 40 citizens. Thursday afternoon,
and needless to say, il was accepted
with gratitude and Joy. Work will
commence on the new structure in
May, and it will be finished in time
for the opening of school in Septem-
Der, according to present expectations
The school is to be built at Albion
Corner, on the site of the present
school building. which is entirely in
adequate and will be moved away. The
old one is a two room edifice. and was
once attended by Mr. Besse. 1t can
only accommodate the Grammar and
Primary grades, the High school pu-
pills being obliged TO use The Town
hall. There will be three rooms in the
new building, and two large ante
rooms. The plans We're procured from
the State Board of Education; they
are designed for a model combination
school building. Miller & Mayo of
Portland drew them. While the COM
tract for erection has not yet been
made, Mr.. Besse states that in all
probability Horace Purinton of Wa
terville will build the school
1t will accommodate 100 pupils.
which will be more than ample for the
present needs. There are 40 in the
Primary grades, and 81 in the High
school. With better accommodations
ii is likely that the High school Will
grow considerably in the near future.
There are to be three entrances so
x23 feet, for the lower grades, and
there are also teachers room and Il
coat room on this floor
On the second floor. the High school
has an assembly room. with seats.
3Sx23 feet, in the center. and on both
sides are recitation room and a lab
oratory. The two latter are 16x23
feet. Ventilation of the building is
most modern, the best that the State
Board of Education could secure
students viii find that light and air
will be supplied in abundance The
same may be said of heat, for an ex-
cellent furnace system is to be pro-
vided in the basement Here also
there will be an opportunity for the
pupils to have recreation during stormy
weather, the boys and girls sections
being separated by a brick wan.
Mr. Besse has been thinking of CIV
ing the town a new sehoolhouse for
five years. and was making plans to
give it within three years at least, but
when he heard that the town had two
weeks ago decided to build a new
schoolhouse, he made up his mind thai
ii was time to make his gift at once
Frank Leslie Besse, son of Jona-
than Belden Besse. was born. in AL
bion. April s. 1859. He was educated
in the public schools of his native
town, and at the age of 10 started to
learn the trade of tanner in his faith
er's business, and was soon after
wards admitted to partnership by his
father.
The firm name was j. b. Besse K
Son during his fathers life. He sue
ceeded to the business after his faith
er died, and has conducted it under
his own name TO the present time The
business has grown to large proper
ton, the capacity of the tannery at
Clinton being 5000 skins a day, en-
ploying regular force of 20 journey
men. Mr.. Besse is also president of
the Besse, Osborne e. Odell Co. a
corporation engaged in the general
leather trade. with offices at ISL South
street, Boston, director of the Peo-
pies National Bank. Waterville. and
trustee of Maine Central Institute.
d He is a 32nd degree Mason. peIne
a member of Sebasticoolx Lodge, 14e,
II. and A. NJ, Clinton, Dunlap Chap
ter liz. r. A. NJ, China, and ST. Omer
Commandery, X. T., Waterville. He is
an active and influential Republican
often serving as delegate to nominat-
ing conventions. and is a member OF
the Republican county committee. He
stands among the foremost business
men of the town and county. A man
of sound judgment and spotless jnteg.
Tlty he enjoys the confidence and es-
TEEN of all who know him. He has
given freely of his means in projects
supported by public spirit and fo,
charity He married. Sept Z. 1855
Mary Alberta Proctor, born Sept 7
1865, in Albion, daughter of Albert an.
Mary (Whittier) Proctor.