Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-23
SKOWHECAN
Remarkable Record Made by
John Navin-FrOm Tramp
Weaver to Now Famous
Tenor
CLEMENTINE WESTON w. C..
T. u. CHRISTMAS DAY

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John Navin. Skowhegan boy. New
fame has still come to him in that he
will be one of the tenor solosts at the
Maine Festival next year Mr.. Navins
career in 10 years time when he was
not even considered a singer of even
local notice Is like a novel. At that
time he came to Skowhegan on the
bumpers of freight train, not having
money enough to pay his fare to this
city. He secured a position at the
wooden mills as a weaver. He was In
vited to the First Baptist church one
Sunday and Mrs. Philo Steward, lead
talent. She gave him training and 10
about three years New York called for
his talents. He learned to read music
under Mrs Stewards guidance. He left
here in 1906 for Omaha and while
there studied with Mile Regain, con-
ceded to be the leading vocal teacher
west of the Mississippi river. AS j
tribute to Mrs. Philo Steward. known
in the South and Middle West as the
exponents of the famous Lompertl
method and as a colorature soprano
who has made a most flattering repu
tation for herself both in this coun-
try and abroad, he was enabled him
to become the tenor soloist of the
First Congregational church Of Oma :
ha shortly after he arrived there. he
went to New York in 1909 to take UP
singing as a profession.
He has studied with such teachers
as Sig. Abramoff the famous old Rus
sian operate basso. Nine. Garrtgue;
Ludwig Hess and others. He has sung
with prominent orchestras, Minneap-
oils Symphony and Ocean Grove Fes-
tival and has sung in all the princt-
pal cities of the country In oratorio
and concert. For three years he mas
been soloist at ST. Agnes church, New
York, one of the best paying church
positions in New York City His rep
ertoire con rsts of over 300 CLASSIC
songs in French, German, Italian and
English He is of Irish birth and claims
Skowhegan as the place where he was
discovered and assumed his new lie
and wonderful career and gives MRS
Philo Steward Of this town the credit
He will pass his summer in Skowhe-
gan to continue study with her and
now each day practices exercises that
she first gave him.
"A Christmas Day" was delightfully."-
carried out at the meeting of Cienaen :
tine Weston W. C. T. U. Tuesday az
ternoon under the direction or MIS-
Dora T. Nye. Interspersed In
Christmas story written by Mrs. Nye
beginning in the good old-fashionea
wav Once upon a time" There were
Ia numbers by the children, consist :
ing of instrumental trios. duets and
solos, songs and Rotations All o''
Christmas. The literary part of the
program was prepared by Mrs. Efhe
Paine. Among the numbers of special
interest were a lullaby by Helen Loro
and a cornet solo, Now l Lay Me
Down to Sleep" by Arthur Springer
accompanied by Ella Flanders. which
completed the program. About 20 chh-
dren were present. Refreshments 1oi-
lowed. AS is the usual custom OF tne
Union here. each member was re-
ouested to bring gift for the IN
mates of the Town farm, of whom
there are IL. and goodly number q
useful and pleasing gifts were prought
which will be packed and sent 10 ING
farm for Christmas cheer.
Charles Lashon has sold his home
on Maple street to Colby 7. Hun. Mr..
Huff will move his family there the
first of the year Mr.. Lashon is NOV
ing his goods to Gardiner. where he
has a position in a sash and blind
factory.
The genial ways of Warren futile
have won him a beautiful Christmas
present from his friends about town
and the various travelling men IN the
State. The present is large electric
sign, the only one of the kind in the
county, that has been placed in front
Of his hotel and flashes out these
words from big candle-power lights
through tense reflectors, THE New
Skowhegan House" The sign is shap-
ed like IT, THE New at the top
with inch and one-half refiectors mag
nifying the letters and "Skowhegan
House. standard being about eight
feet long with two-inch eye-refiectors.
Travelling men say there is not bet
ter electric sign in Maine.
Earl Boardman was before Trial
Justice Lancaster on the charge of
single sale Monday. He was found
guilty and sentenced to 80 days in Jail
and $50 and costs. Through his Nathan
Bullette was arrested on a similar
charge and was sentenced to $50 and
costs which he paid.
George w. Cover. Esq, and Judge
E. F.. Danforth were in Hartland
Tuesday representing bond holders Of
the Linn Wooden Co. This mill has
been closed since August and 1t is
not known whether there will be an
attempt to reorganize at present or
not it Is intimated among citizens of
Hartland that there will be re-or-
ganization after January / and that
the mill will reopen for business as
soon as business conditions warrant.
George Young is at home from a
New York hospital, where he has been
taking a course and after Christmas
will go to Burlington, VT, to continue
his study in the Mary Fletcher hos
pital.
James Brooks, who left here g. few