The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-14
THURSDAY, JANUARY IA, 1915
Congratulations to Canaan,
the Middle of Maine

The geographical center OF the
United States is in northern Kansas,
not far from the Nebraska boundry,
while the center of population is
something like 700 miles to the east
ward at Bloomington, Indiana The
above facts are of general interest
but dwellers in this part of the Ken
nebec Valley will be more likely to
sit up and take notice when told that
Names center of population has
fallen within Somerset County at
every census since 1880. Athens held
the honor until the ten year period
preceding 1910. The actual point
was not at Athens village but well
over toward the eastern side near the
Harmony border When the COM
putation was made for 1910 this point
had shifted into Canaan, ABOUT fifteen
miles to the south and slightly to the
east of its former Athens location.
That this important change should
have occurred just at the time when
the Wesserunsett Valley Fair was
about to spring into being, seems
little unkind. We shall discover
some justice in the incident, however,
which would avoid giving one town
too many good things at the same
time.
1t is matter of pride to know that
we people of Somerset County and
especially the Canaanites, are the
most centrally located among Names
100000 population, and the fact is,
moreover, an actual commercial
asset 1t gives us the right to big
meetings and conventions, this being
the section most nearly equal In &C
feasibility to all citizens of the state.
The same consideration makes any
railroad town in Somerset County an
ideal location for a travelling sales
man, centered as we are with such
exactness among the customers of
Maine territory. AS a location for
any enterprise proposing to deal with
Mdlu5 ptOplt, lulb tCnICi VI POPuio-
ton ia a great advantage, as 1t gives
accessibility in the briefest time and
with the minimum charge by mail,
telephone and telegraph and as to rail
transportation.
When we come to think about it,
this fact that Maine centers it's popu
Lot of
titles that community, or at any rate
the county in which 1t is located, to
all the principal state offices. Only
the most unwarranted disregard of
our central location has robbed from
us the honor of furnishing all the
Governors, State Secretaries, Con-
gressmen and Judges for the past 80
years.
In 1871, as the story goes, when it
became necessary to select a site for
the capital of the Canadian provinces,
the commission appointed for the pur-
pose was driven nearly frantic by the
claims of Quebec, Montreal and other
cities. The chairman at last seized
a map, measured with his eye the
Inhabited part of the Dominion. made
certain allowances for the growth he
knew would come and then settled
the controversy by placing his pencil
point on the spot where the city OF
Ottawa now stands, then however. on
ly an obscure settlement The above
tale is accurate enough to serve as a
precedent for us. When n new state
house Is again proposed and debated
in the Legislature, we shall annihi-
late the claims OF Bangor. Augusta.
Lewiston and Portland-all away of
from the center OF things. and insist
that the Capitol be located at the exact
center OF Names population which
would land IL about on 80 Sibley
bridge.
Four and one third miles east by
Northeast Of Athens postofiice.
80 sibley bridge Is about two miles
east OF Canaan postotfice. on the road