The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-01-08
To Found Historical Department

Prompted somewhat by the picture
of old Russell St. published in this
paper several weeks ago, Hon. Henry
A Wyman of Boston, native of Show
hogan, has written us relative to col
Letting pictures and other such arti-
cles of historical Interest The idea
is one which the town should have
acted upon years since. Mr.. Wyman
is the son of the late Henry Wyman
Esq, a prominent Somerset attorney of
many years ago at one time member
of the law firm of Coburn & Wyman.
THE Senior partner was the late Step
hen Coburn and their Office was the
location now occupied by r. l.. Mars
ton. The Mr. Wyman just referred
to built the house now occupied by
Mr.. and Mrs. j. W. Fogler George
d. Aronld of this place recalls the
raising, which was of the good old
fashioned kind. at the time the frame
was put up Fruit punch, to which
]
liquor of that day had been added was
dispensed to the neighbors who came
to aid in the project. Mr. Arnold and
a boy companion were just old enough
to handle the ladies and were kept
very busy. The son Henry A, above
mentioned, was born in this home and
passed his youth here. He afterwards
moved to Massachusetts and has be-
come a successful attorney and promi-
nent citizen of that state His letter
is the best explanation of the project
as to a historical collection and we
give it in full with the hope of arous-
ing interest in the matter.
Boston. Mass, Nov. IA, 1913.
INSTRUMENTATION Co.
Skowhegan, Maine.
Gentlemen:
| have been intending for
some little time to communicate
with you with reference to a mat
ter which seems to me should be
of interest to the Town of Show
hogan, and for which as you know
| still have my boyhood affection
In recent conversation with Mr.
Wentworth and Mr. Page,
preached the matter to them. and
they thought my idea of communi-
eating with you was wise.
1t has seemed to me that there
should be some method of collect
i ing and properly preserving all OBJ
! jects and things pertaining to the
life and history of the Town, and
to this end. | think there should
be given, or loaned, to the Public
Library pictures, am phlets,
| books hand bills, newspapers, and
any other object, or thing, that
speaks of the life of the Town;
for instance, the picture which you
published recently of Russell
Street as it was many years ago.
illustrates what | mean. There
are. undoubtedly, in the houses,
perhaps. in the attics of many of
the residents of Skowhegan such
pictures. books, etc. as are now
and always will be of great inter
est to Skowhegan people, and as
people return to the Town for
visits, it would undoubtedly give
them great pleasure to be able to
go to the Public Library and see
hanging upon its walls, or pre-
served in portfolios, or otherwise
cared for, such objects and things
as | have referred to.
l do not think that ony of these
objects should be purchased by the
Library or by others for the Lii
brary, but that everybody should /
be willing to contribute his or her
share towards the establishment of
such gallery of interesting
things as | have numerated above.
To put these objects and things
in proper condition, properly
framed or bound for preserving,
will cost money, and it
would seem to me that fund
might be collected. either by in
dvidual subscription or by some
fair held for this purpose, the
same to be used under the direc-
ton of the Trustees of the Public
Library or committee designated
for such purpose. To the end that
such a fund may be collected
shall be very glad to do my modest
share by contributing thereto, any
part of 100000. | assume, of course.
others will be DESTROYS of contr-
buting to the fund. and If the gen
eral plan meets with your approx
al, after you have talked the mat
ter over with Messrs..s Wentworth
and Page, | shall be very glad to
send to you, or the Trustees. or
Committee. my check for the whole
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