The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-04-30


the Jefferson Theatres, the new Green
county courthouse, the post Office build
ing, to which large addition is now
being made, the Pythian Home, the
State Normal school and three new hos
pitfalls, besides hundreds of store build
ings and homes erected in all portions of
the city, will serve to convey some idea
of the progress of the city during the
period of our residence here.
The city grows, new buildings are con-
stantly going up and its dimensions are
constantly extending in all directions, and
people come and people go. One by one
the old timers pass away from the
scenes, activities and friendships of the
city, and others come in to take their
places. Some who have acquired COM
petence emigrate to California, some to
Florida, and some go elsewhere. Twenty
three years of life spent in one city, at
least twenty three years of mature life.
entities one to rank among the old set
tiers. Business changes are constantly
taking place. Some succeed and some
fail; while multitudes buy business to-
day and sell it tomorrow. l have been
in the flour, feed and fuel business only
nine years; there are about dozen pur-
suing the same vocation, but majority
of them are younger in the business
than |. Some changes come about
through deaths among the proprietors,
but more through the desire for change
or through the expert ence of reverses;
and reverses come about to consider
able extent through the failure of peo-
pie to meet their just obligations. The
losses in business due to bad debts are
of a very serious character and they
drive many man into bankruptcy, and
yet so many Of US are so anxious for the
volume of business, or so kind and ten
derhearted, that we respond, If not cheer
fully, yet readily to the appeals to sell
the goods on time.
Well, at last spring is upon US, but
spring comes slowly in Missouri. Moth
ing could be more delightful than the
fall months of the year In this climate.
From September to Christmas we usual
lv are favored with beautiful weather.
February oftentimes, as we'll as March,
gives the promise of an early spring. Not
unfrequently gardens are planted in part
in the former month, and trees begin to
Int boro n1rks dan
ger. If the wind changes from the south
to the north, then look out for the coming
of the frost which nips the buds and
destroys the prospects of the crop. The
peach trees yield quite readily to the
warm breezes from the south, and as
readily subside in the presence of the
northern blasts. This year we have been
very badly scared about our fruit, but
some of it is probably saved. The large
fruit growers, light their smudge pots
whenever the thermometer indicates that
the temperature is nearing the freezing
point and in this way protect their fruit
from the ravages Of late frost. The
smudge pot is vessel which somewhat
resembles a piece Of stove pipe. 1t is
placed under the trees and partially filled
with crude oil and when the atmos-
pheric conditions indicate danger several
men are rushed into the large orchards
with lighted torches and the oil is set on
fire and allowed to burn until the danger
is past. 1t is quite a laborious and some
what expensive process, but it has saved
many fruit crop from destruction, and
| no horticulturist today in these regions
runs the risk of being caught unpre-
pared during the latter part Of March
and the month of April. Fortunately
the government through it's weather OBJ
server sends out its warning in time for
people 10 make ready.
The writer entertains such pleasant
recollections of three years spent in Bel
fast, of the friendships formed, and of
the associations with the churches and
citizens in general that he wishes it were
in his power to suggest something which
woul. increase the population of the
city and adj to its prosperity, but best
wishes for its prosperity is about all
can contribute. With all that has been
accomplished in twenty years in this
city we are not satisfied with the pro-
gress which has been made, We are al
ways on the lookout for another factory,
another home, another school, or some
thing else which shall add to our popu-
lation and prosperity. Quite frequently
we are encouraged by promises and in
quiries from prospective investors, but
only few of the prospects materialize.
There has recently been started new
daily paper, called The Independent.
During the past week or two this has
fallen into the hands Of some of our en-
thusiastic citizens who have taken the
! stock mainly from q desire to help the