davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
NEARLY A. GEN.
TURYS EXISTENCE
Mrs. Fidelia Mears Has Passed Away.
The Funeral is to be Held This
Afternoon

Probably the oldest woman resident
of Skowhegan has died Mrs. Fidelia
Mears, 81 years old last June having
passed quietly away Tuesday at the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Russell on
the Lakewood road The illness was
very brief at the last and death was
due to heart failure. The funeral IS
to be held this afternoon from the
Russell home with Rev. George Mer-
riam as the officiating minister. The
remains will be brought to the South
Side receiving tomb and in the spring
will be inferred by the side of her
husband in Solon. She had no near
er relative than a niece and since
March of last year had resided in the
home where she passed away.
Mrs. Mears was born in Bingham
and was the daughter of John Tuscan,
one of the first settlers of that To-
cality. She was the last surviving
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
MARITAL TROUBLES ARE.
BR|SKLy AIRED
Mrs. Bicknell Tells Tale of Woe, but
Says She was only F0oling When
She Pulled Her Husbands Hair

Mrs Grace Bicknell, young wo-
man claiming to have been born in
England told tale of woe in NUM-
cipal Court Saturday morning when
appearing before Trial Justice Lam
caster on case of non-support
against her husband Lester Bicknell
of Madison. The reading of the war
rant was waived and Bicknell plead
ed not guilty. Mrs. Bicknell was
represented by Folsom Merrill ESQ.,,
action being brought to relieve the al
legged needy circumstances of Mrs.
Bicknell. The couple were married
in October last and in rapid fire of
words the wife of three months told
of leaving her home four times dur
ing the time because of the husbands s
unkind treatment. She told of
Bicknell's striking her and of his
breaking dishes also of the unkind-
nesses displayed by her step-son Ivan
Bicknell toward her. On cross ex-
animation by Attorney w. H. Hawes
Mrs. Bicknel said when she pulled
her husbands hair she was only fool
ing The case occupied the most of
the time from 10 o'clock until noon,
when Mr. Bicknell was discharged
the State not proving the case linst
him
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
FOR WORK
SUDDENLY DIES
Fred n. Mantor Passes Away Mt His
Home In North Anson

NORTH ANSON, Jan. 6-Fred N.
Mantor. a highly respected citizen and
lifelong resident OF this village. died
very suddenly. Tuesday uioraing. Al
about six o'clock. He had bean em-
ployed by the Newcastle Company for
some years and had worked every
day during the winter and did hts
work Monuay as usual. When get
ting ready to so To the mill. he fell
from chair In which he vas si,tinx
and died instantly. having sustained
q shock Ne was the youngest child
OF q family of sigh, chlldren OF Luke
y aud Abigail tNorrisl Maaior and
his age waz ID years Mr. Mantor
~as twice married. his nTss wifs bs-
taE Jane savage. by wham ha had oas
soa who survives tiis sseomd wifs
~as MFs Mabel tiaFlsy. whasr sarvtsss
him sss vas q msmhss 81 rsels
hsss ledge ss Odd F.iia~s asa had
bess "a active saa faishfai msssh~s
of the ssasv. The faasssi sss hala
rhasssiay sssssaaoa esasE iha aas.
stsss sf the order aas the haFtal ~as
- ssasss ssm~sssy
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
TH|RTY-TWO CLUBS REP
RESENTED
At Maine Federation Yesterday In
Augusta. SkoNhrean Women Del
egates TO New England Conference

Thirty-tWo womens clubs of Maine
were represented yesterday al the
mid-winter meeting of the State Fed
GRAFTON at Augusta. Mrs. Z. y. Mer-
rill, president of the Skowhegan Wo-
mans Club Mrs. Annie F. Fish. pres
ident of the Town Improvement So
ciety and Miss Hannah r. Page, a
prominent club worker of this town
We're among those present Plans
for prize stories on local history were
discussed and other matters of much
importance were taken up During
the day the nominating committee was
appointed. Mrs Stanley Plummer Of
Dexter being made chairman Among
the delegates appointed TO attend the
New England Conference to be held
in Burlington VI. Feh. g. We're two
Skowhegan women. Mrs. J. Palmer
Merrill and Mrs Annie r Fish Work
ine suggestions 10y committee chair
men were given iu the forenoon and
addresses were delivered 10 The az
ternouu
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
SKOWHEGAN'S OLDEST
BUSINESS MAN
Has Just Celebrated His SSth Birth
day. Still Active

j. Fred Pollard. Skowhegan 5 oldes,
active business man passed his SSth
birthday. December %. is stil active
and is still in the game. He is wei!
known for miles around as buyer
of wool and hides and in reckoning
up his business for the year informs
us that he has handled i2000 pounds
of wool 500 wool skins. and about
800 beef and calf skins. MIR. Pollard
has attended TO these transactions
himself and has actively engaged i'll
the work connected with these busi-
ness dealings II is safe to say that
he is the oldest wool buyer IL the
county and probably in the entire state
Mr Pollard is a most interesting
conversationalist and his historical
knowledge of the community IS in
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
Nh Ne BEGINS THE NEW
YEAR AUSP|C|OUSLY
According to the Annual Report of
State Treasurer Simpson

According to the report of the State
Treasurer the gross amount of re-
ceipts from all sources for the year
just closed was S6,353,367.12, and the
amount of cash on hand at the be-
ginning of the year was $649.303.96
making total amount of available
cash for the year of $7.0O2.671.0S.
The disbursements for the year
were $6,224, ,625.39, leaving a cash bal
ance on hand at the close of business
on December 31st, 1914 of $77S,045 90.
the largest amount at the close of any
years. The amount left on hand
from the sale of Highway bonds
amounts to 49692.46
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
SOMERSET COUNTY IS
PROSPEROUS
According to the Report of the County
Commissioners Who Have Been In
Session This Week

While the County Treasurer's re-
port is not entirely completed in
dications now are that the net assets
for the New Year will amount to $4,000.
The net liabilities last year were
$2640.64 and according to the figures
previously mentioned there has been
a net gain of something over $1,000
for the entire year. 1t is said that
the annual reports have not shown
such resources for years Be
sides the regular routine of bust
ness the years work has included i'm
provements ON the Court House and
Jail and the laying out of new road
from the Collins place so called in
Moscow into Deadwater Two high
ways in Moscow have also been dis
carded. The three commissioners
have been in session during the pre-
sent week.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07

Lady OF Lourdes is largely made up
of French people, there are 106 Irish
and nine Italian residents included
in the above figures The number
of American born are 1852 and the
oldest Catholic in Skowhegan is
thought to be Belonie Murray, aged
SO years. These people are largely
employed in the factories and condi-
tions are said to be generally good
among them.
From the statement previously given
although a few families can not be
reckoned as residents of the town, il
would seem that nearly one third of
the population of Skowhegan is com
posed of Catholic people.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07

Roland {. Clark. Prog. Houlton. 4
Total, 1sp
Necessary to elect, 81
Speaker Trafton and President Her
sey paired.
a second, third and fourth ballot
were ordered. one after another with
quite similar results.
Immediately after the report on the
fourth unsuccessful ballot which
showed conclusively that a deadlock
existed which might last until some
one became physically unfit as in the
recent deadlock in the Portland city
government, Leonard E. Pierce, Dem.
of Houlton moved that the convention
adjourn until 10 a. M, Thursday
morning President Hersey suggest
ed that it might be better if the mo-
ton were made to adjourn until p.
Continued on page four)
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
TOTAL VALUATION
Shows an Increase of Nearly Ten
Million

The total valuation of the cities.
towns and plantations as made and
returned by the local boards of as
SCISSORS is $439,529.19S an increase
of $9,503. .696 as compared with
similar returns for the preceding
year, according to the annual report
of the board of State assessors
which consists of Hon. Bertrand G.
McIntire of East Waterford, Hon.
Edwin M. Johnstone of Brownville
and Hon. John J. Dearborn of New
burg, which was filed with the gov
ernor and council.
According to the report. the value
of live stock in the State was $17,-
961,69O against $17,220,619 for the pre-
ceding year, an increase of $741,071.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
COHEN PROPERTY DESTROYED
BY FIRE
House and Stable Burned
10 the Ground. Insurance

The combination stable and dwell
ing on the corner Of HeseltoH ana
School 81. owned by Nathan Coheu
and occupied by Harry Cohen and
Joseph Richardson was destroyed by
fire around midnight SATURDAY The
origin of the flames is said to be un-
known Cohen is a poultry buyer
and spends the greater part of the
time in skowhegan, having lived ia
two rooms in one part Of the stable
which had been fitted up for his oc-
cupancy In the conhagration about
two tons of hay were burned. The
structure was said to be insured for
5000 Two sheds on the premises
We're not burned.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
BUNKER.SM|TH WEDDING
YESTERDAY
Notable Event In the Social Circles
of Somerset County

A wedding of more than usual in
Skowhegan. The contracting parties
were Hon. Fred Warren Bunker of
North Anson and Mrs. Edna Page
Smith of this place. The beautiful
home of the bride on Water Street
was the scene of the ceremony which
was performed in the reception room
by Rev. Geo. Merriam of the Bethany
Baptist Church. The couple were un-
attended and as they entered the room
Wagner's Bridal Chorus from Lo-
hengrin was played by Miss Edith W.
Lewis. Mrs. Bunker was attired in
becoming blue travelling suit and
carried a bridal bouquet of white
roses and lilies-of-the-valley. The
house was made lovely with abundant
bouquets of pink Killarney roses in
the various rooms. Pink and white
was used in the general decorations
and at the close of the ceremony a
luncheon in which these two eolors
were blended was served. The din
ing room was made beautiful with
quantities of pink roses and Mrs. W.
r. Elliot. Miss Edith Gledhill, Miss
Olive Green and Miss Leila Fair
brother very graeiously assisted in
serving the guests.
Among those present at this notable
event were Miss Florence Bailey Of
Augusta. Judge and Mrs Augustin >
Simmons. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Holley
and Mrs Ada Wing of North Anson
During the day the bride and groom
left upon trip which takes them
eventually to California The jour
ney is to be via the Central Route and
stops will be made at Washington
Chicago and other cities along the
way. They will be located with Mr.
Bunkers mother at 200 Channins
Way Berkeley and with other rela-
tiyes In California and Seattle, Wash
ngton during the winter. returning TO
Maine in the spring over the north
ern route. 10 make a permanent home
ia North Anson.
The departure OF Mr. and Mrs hun
ker was by automobile and from thc
quiet manner In which they left town
Il seemed that they had escaped a
merry throns who had hoped To Civ
them a fnal farewell. expressive OF
hopes for future prosperity. With a
sprinkling OF confetti as veil Bound
1ot To b. disappointed several of IN
~cdding guests svnt tu NaterYtil'
and there surpFlaed the happy epnpl,
bc forc thes had boarded tbs il Pul
paaa aui af tha, city for 'hstr lens
~estsrn lourasy The AradiHg aifis
esFv mAaY and hasnglfui
NJ nWaseT s Amosk the alosi .H-
iashtsal eltlsyns ~ ths ap-Fves dta.
,Fist aad - PFpmiasag Va m hasta o.
saA g.,littgai hfe Of tAis asstiaa It's
father ~as tbs latt samasl baakaF a
aaerrhaAt af NaFth Aa&oa and al
ssalhsr . Ms Martha Freesh lass .
= neFksles tahf ns srsiaAlsd
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07

feetest of foot and the pursuers could
not come up with him. The entire
distance of fifty-six miles was thus
made in about 1872 hours. Finding
that Paul was sure to arrive at Rock
wood ahead of them, Kulac and his
,ompanion stopped at Deerhear Farm
to telephone and cause his arrest.
When searched by Deputy Maynard
he was found to have $146.21 on his
person and in this sum were bills, the
denomination of which seemed to
agree with the list which had pre-
viously been furnished to the Deputy
Sheriff of the funds alleged to have
been stolen Both parties are said
to have been shipped to the lumber
ing section by Boston employment
agency. They cannot talk English
and the trial had to be conducted by
means of an interpreter.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
THE COUNTRY SQUIRE
At Caratunk Hall In Scion Friday
Evening

On Friday evening. January s, in
Caratunk Hall. Solon, the Senior
Glass of the Scion High School viii
present their annual class play. which
this year is entitled THE Country
Squire" II Is to be directed By
Charles f. Marble OF Portland aud
between acts there Will be speeialties
by Mr.. Marble, who is a we'll known
humorist The play Is said To be- the
most pleasing and pretentions ever
attempted b. the school and intro
duces many novel scenes and incl
dcnta II Is comedy la four acts
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07

member OF a family Of eight children.
out living also both her husband, who
sas the Rev John Mesrs. a Free viii
baptist minister and her only daugh-
ter Mrs Woodbury. Russell Of Solon.
she had been noted during the later
years ~ her life Tor the remarkable
degree to whlch shs has retained her
faculties
religious bsllef and had spent
nearly hsF entire life Ia somerset
raaatF
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
MAINE LEGISLATURE IN DEADLOCK OVER
CHOICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE
After Four Ballots Had Resulted in No Choice
Convention Adjourned Until This Afternoon

There vas present at the joint con-
vention at the State House yesterday
81 Democrats, sc Republicans and five
Progressives, the convention being
called at 2.43 p. m. Great interest
was shown and many attended, for it
as results later showed that
there would be deadlock.
1t was thought that the first bal
lot would show just the preceding
number of votes cast for the three
candidates respectively but the excite
ment and engrossing interest of the
convention was heightened when the
committee made the following report
after an attempt to elect a secretary
of State:
FIRST BALLOT
John Z. Bunker, Dem. Bar Harbor, SO
Joseph E. Alexander. Rep, Rich
mond 81
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
CATHOLIC FAMILIES
IN SK0WHEGAN
Large Percentage of the
Towns Inhabitants
Sixteen Hundred Souls Numbered
Within the Parish of Our Lady OF
LOurdes

According to a census lately COM
pleted by FIR. P. E. Desjardins there
are 1910 Catholic people in Skowhe-
gan and vicinity. There are 361
families, about 80 of whom live in the
rural districts and 1870 who receive
communion. While the parish of Our
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
Read Our Editorial This Week

We have recently been advised that
the MISREPRESENTATION is included
in list of so best weekies" by the
versity of Oregon Our editorial this
week is a comment on this interesting
and altogether pleasing incident.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07

n~psiy Sheriff tallis Jacobs.
fttisaslas vlstiAR, lsw satefesT Sas
In aAow Asasm the lass NJ tbs ~ssa 10
aegusnsAay eaapis ~ sFampa hess
esF leaxss@ss Ia tas esHasy Iall The
ln@n are e. hsssuisa h slAf tsg sAiFtY
days sseA
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
HISTORY OF METHO-
DIST CHURCH
Has For a Long Time
Been in Existence
CONTINUED from December 24th)

Coming to Skowhegan in 1879 was
Rev. J. Hawkes., who remained for one
year According to the indications
presented by the records. Mr. Hawkes.
began to preach upon his first charge
in the town of South Paris in 1910.
He preached in various localities in
Maine and at Gorham, y H. He re-
Continued on page eight
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
DAMAGED GOOn~"
n sGor hrgan Opera msass. Jaa. y

Thta ereai problem play which has
had aueh a hla success in Ss~ York
and thoston wsli BE- sHrs 10 have
large audtenew ~hea IL appears hsfe
aa Tue saay. Jan. o. Wherever u
has appeared ., has played 10 tas ca
lsaet,y ~ tbs theatre aad ai~ass 10
the sasiafasslaa - slay ssaafs
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07

t.iaAei q FFassaa srum ne hsxvls~
yiil aslshaaHhosAi isfs sstaFdAY faf
assAasu. daas 10 tisll Ma s1s'ss Ia
that sits
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07

While he dispatches indicate con-
tinuance of the terrible war il Eu-
rope. there haye no, bon a great va
riety Of startling features in the ,rend
Of the conflict Saturday news Of
the destruction of the British Battle
ship Formidable in the English Chan
mel by a mine or submarine caused
widespread grief while heavy artil-
lery duels were reported the first OF
the WeeE between armies from the sea
to the swiss border. The extremely
rainy weather was said to have hinder
Cd operations in both the east and
west and news from the battle front
generally had indicated but little ac-
tiTty Last night the contents of
the kilograms were however rather
more startling, as Russia had appar-
entity scored heavily against two of
the three nations she is fighting To
the victory over the Austrians last
week is added, according 10 the claims
of Petrograd the rout of two of the
three Turkish columns which invaded
Russian Caucasia Latest reports
from the Russian military authorities
are that the defeat of the Turks was
complete and that one Turkish army
corps was annihilated In the west
said the dispatches the dead lock con-
tinues
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-07
FRENCH SLOWLY
DRIVE GERMANS
Before Them Into Muel-
hauSen
The Tide Of Battle Continues Ia Ebb
and Flow

LONDON, Jan. 6, 1o4o p. M.-Apart
from tfe Russian victory or the
Turks ia Trans-CaueasIa which .s
described in a dispatch 10 the Russian
embassy from Petrograd as com
plete.3 interest III the warfare no~
lies chiefly in the stubborn fight y hich
the French and Germans are carrying
on for the roads 10 Cernay and Muel-
hausen il upper Alsaee.
The battle in that region, which has
been raging for week is described
in Berlin dispatch as the most vic.
lent Of the war The Germans re-
gained one of the trenches which thes
aad lost. but on the whole the French
reports indicate that the Frenchmen
maintain their advantage for every
hi; Of which they had TO fight IN many
eases with the bayonet
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1915-04-15
A Word of Praise.

The Ministerial union of Kingstree
wish to offer the following word
regarding the Chautauqua: First,
we think the public-spirited gentle
men who were responsible for it's
coming are to be praised and con-
graduated for the splendid success
of the entertainment from every
viewpoint. Secondly, we want to
endorse this movement. feeling that
it is highly beneficial to our COM
munity, both from the standpoint
of education and clean entertain
ment. Our town is to be congratu-
lated for the way it has responded
to this class of entertainment. Let
us have more of this clean enter
tainment-the people, especially the
young people, will have some sort
of entertainment-that is free from
any taint of the vulgar or immoral.
P S MCCHESNEY,
W E HURT,
D A PHILLIPS,
H B BROWNE.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1915-04-15
BURGLARS BUSY.
Two Dwellings Entered Early
This Morning..One Robbed.

The residence of Mr. H A Meyer
on East Main street was entered
early this morning by sneak thief.
In raising a rear window the noise
awoke Mrs Meyer, who called her
husband. The thief probably hear
ing the noise, made a hasty get
away without taking anything with
him from the Meyer home. The
thief who entered the home of Jake
Pendergrass, colored man, this
morning was more successful, for it
is claimed that Pendergrass is minus
$500 and a pack of cigarettes,
which he claims were taken from
his pockets while he was enjoying
his morning slumber. When these
reached the Sheriff this
morning it was too late to put the
dogs on the trail of the thief or
thieves, as they had been sent to
Scranton.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1915-04-15
OUTLINE OF PROGRAMME
OF OratOrical and Field Day Ex-
ercises Tonight and Tomorrow.

The fourth annual Oratorical and
Field Day celebration Of the public
schools of Williamsburg county will
take place here tonight and continue
through tomorrow. The oratorical
and expression contest will be held
in the auditorium at $3.50 this even
ing. A majority of the larger
schools in the county will be repre-
sented and much interest is mani.
tested by pupils, parents and friends
of the various schools that have
Joined in the celebration.
The Field day exercises will take
place on the athletic field at 200
o'clock tomorrow afternoon and q
large representation of the coun-
ty schools will participate in the
numerous events to be pulled off.
In connection with the celebration
there will be a Better Baby contest
conducted by Miss Mary Fraser, of
the faculty of Winthrop College.
Misses Mamie McLees and Amanda
Edwards have been busily engaged
for several days working up this
feature of the programme and indi-
cations are that every mother and
babe in the community will be
present.
A school exhibit. the best ever
made in this county, has been ar
ranged in the Central warehouse
and will be open to inspection all
day tomorrow.
The elementary and literary con-
tests will take place in the school
auditorium tomorrow from 900 a.
m. to HAS a. m. Immediately af-
ter these exercises a parade will be
formed at the school house and
march to the court house where
luncheon will be served.
At 500 o'clock tomorrow evening
an address will be delivered in the
auditorium by Prof L P Chamber
layne, of the University of South
Carolina, Columbia. Following this
address the names of successful con-
testants will be announced and the
trophy cups awarded, to the school
making the highest number of points
on the score card.
The occasion promises to be the
largest and best in the history of
Williamsburg schools.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1915-04-15
Mr. II D Reddick will leave Kings

Mr. H D Reddick will leave Kings
tree as soon as his losses sustained
by the fire of April 2 can be adjust
ed and will make his future home at
Andrews, where he has opened a
store known as the Andrews Dry
Goods Co, now under the manage
ment of his son, Mr. Cordie Redd;ck.
Mr. ReGdick is one of the pioneer
merchants of Kingstree, and we
view with regret his approaching de-
parture. Our best wishes for his
prosperity will follow him.
The preliminary contest to choose
speakers to represent the Kingstree
High and Graded school in the ora
torical exercises tonight took place
at the school auditorium Thursday
evening last and was we'll attended.
Miss Leola Gamble and Mr. David
Epps won first honors in the high
school department, with Miss Tyson
McFadden and Mr. Alex Blakeley
second. In the elementary grades
Miss Carolina McFadden and Master
Hubert Speigner were the victors.
Miss Maude Allene Kinder and Mas
ter James Sullivan coming second.
The pupils all acquitted themselves
with great credit, and it was no easy
matter for, the judges, Hon r K
WaIlace,P P C Becton, Esq, and Mr. W
H Welch, to make choice among so
many meritorious contestants.