The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-07-09
James Fellows, An Appreciation

In two years time one is unable to
come TO a full appreciation of an
others worth. This is the matter of
a lifetime. | speak of Mr. Fellows,
therefore. not as one who was blessed
with knowing him during the fifty
years of his dignified and kindly ca
reer in the Second National Bank of
this town, not as one of the host of
lifelong associates and acquaintance,
but as one who in the course of a few
months residence here has rejoiced
III finding in him a loyal and respect
ed officer of this County and has
counted it a rare privilege to see him
in the quiet privacy of his home.
mention not details but general i'm
preSSionS.
How much the business life of
Skowhegan owes to Mr.. Fellows can
scarce be estimated so soon. Coming
to the town at about the time when
the little farming village was chang
ing to the thrifty industrial town, Mr.
Fellows entered into the life of the
community at the critical time, the
formative period Together with
Mr. Anderson and Mr.. Shepherd, Mr.
eer in conceiving and nurturing the
best things of the Skowhegan which
we know. He labored for the town
as whole. In his special capacity
as a servant of the banking public Mr..
Fellows served with unfaiing fidelity
and unchallenged graciousness. To
mention his name is to recall the his
tory of the Second National Bank. The
two are one. The bank was what
it was because of him. People de-
posted their money in the bank not
because of the bank but because OF
Mr. Fellows.
Called upon to administer funds, he
went into houses of mourning and by
/ his kind, unobtrusive manner his
gracious sympathy and his ready de-
sire to render assistance, he endeared
himself to the hearts of many in sor-
row To many a bewildered person
he was a rock of defense and tower
OF refuge.
As a public official the trusted and
efficient Treasurer of this County, Mr.
Fellows again proved his business sa-
gacity He believed in accuracy in
the minutest details He has left his
books in perfect order. He believed
in promptness Envelopes for next
months business are already address
ed, though some other hand will seal
and send them. He believed in doing
his duty though he was confined to a
bed of illness Last week the officers
of the County received checks signed
by the hand which dropped the pen
for the last time as the work was be-
,xyt11 hn 'n1tTo
ty have any Treasurer who will fulfill
the duties of his Office with greater
diligence, more studious care, or more
wholehearted devotion than did Mr..
Fellows.
But those who knew Mr.. Fellows
only as a man devoted to affairs OF
business, failed to know the man him
self His interests were as broad as
the armament. He loved the stars in
their courses. He knew them.
He loved the best literature. In the
midst of the gruelling work as a nm
ancier, ever faithful to the mlnutest
details of business, yet he did not al
low those cares to stife his love OF
poetry and of history. While others
sought amusement elsewhere he was
living with the great men of the ages.
1t was a delight to sit in his presence
and listen to him talking of the events
of long ago as though he himself were
a contemporary of the heroes of old.
1t was an inspiration to learn anew
from his lips the depth and the beauty
of the poets whom the world counts It's
choicest. Mr.. Fellows cannot rightly
be appreciated except as one under
stands his love of and familiarity with
the best literature of the centuries.
He was acquainted with the writ
ings of Emerson. He must have read
these words written by the sage OF
Concord Judge every man by his pest
moment" This is what Mr.. Eel
lows was always doing. Another
might pass adverse criticism upon
some acquaintance. He judged the
man not by his worst but by MS pest
moment.
Business cares and literary inter-
ests did not hinder Mr., Fellows from
cultivating a wholesome home life.
Ones home life is too intimate for ex-
tended mention in public. Suffice it
to say that into the home Mr.. Eel