davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15
WANTS TOMB STONE
FOR. DOG
Horace Parkman Makes
Peculiar Bequests
In Last Will and Testament Other
Wills Presented at April Term OF
Court

Horace X. Parkman, well known IN
this community as an eccentric resi-
dent of Lakewood, has lately died
and his will which has been present.
ed for Probate contains number of
queer legacies His real estate is
estimated as not exceeding $4,000 and
his personal estate $3.50 He appoint
ed Henry Briggs of West Pennington
as executor of the document and
directs him not to expend over $50
for tombstones at his grave, but de-
sires a stone placed at the grave OF
his pet dog, Bessie. the expense of
the same not to exceed SO. Mr..
Parkman bequeathed to J. Angler Hill
whom he mentions as having been
very kind to him, the large cottage
ed Herewith or any land upon which
the house stands Also the sum of
$500 the same to be paid to him as
soon as the executor makes sale of
sufficient portions of real or personal
estate. other bequests are a large
blue platter and the picture Safely
Guarded" to Mrs Jennie Pickett of
South Portland five plates belong
ing to his grandmother TO Louise
Parkman of Grand Rapids. Mich, who
is the granddaughter Of the original
Wncr. also picture given the de
ceased by Miss Parkman's mother
and some caudlesfieks over loo years
old. $500 to th, town of skowheean
10 be used for proper care and at
tentlon of three lots IN North Gene
terry in which the bodies of his pa
Continued on page flFe)
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15
NORR|OCEWOCK PATRONS Of HUsBANORY
HOST To SOMERSET POMONA
Regular April Session. Interesting Discussions
and Pleasing Literary Numbers

The Pomona Grange met for its
April session in Norridgewock with
Somerset Grange entertaining. The
officers present were Master, Over
seer, Lecturer, Steward, assistant
Steward, Chaplain. Secretary, Gate
Keeper. Pomona, Ceres, Flora and
Lady Assistant Steward. After the
choice of committee on membership
and the reading of the records of the
last meeting, the committee reported
favorably upon the applications and
three candidates were ballotted upon.
elected to membership and instructed
in the fifth degree After the serv-
ing of sumptuous repast by the host
Grange the afternoon session was
called and the program was taken up.
This consisted of music by the choir
followed by the address of welcome
voiced by L. w. Ham The response
was given by Mrs, Kate B. Ellis of
Fairfield, lecturer of Pomona, who
also referred to the recent Lecturers
Conference at Bangor, told Of
some of the work of that session and
offered suggestions on the same. A
selection in reading followed by May
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15
MUSIC DAY AT THE ". c. T. [.
Very Delightful Program Presented
Under Direction of Mrs. Dora T.
Nye

Tuesday was music day in the No-
mans Christian Temperance Union
and very entertaining was the pro-
gram presented under the direction
of Mrs Dora T. Nye. The hostesses
were Mrs. Nora Dunbar and Mrs.
Emma Witham and there was a good
ly number in attendance. The pro-
gram was as follows. America.
audience: devotional exercises. An in
stance of the power of music from
the Bible; vocal duet | Want You to
Know Him, Helen Merriam and Ruth
Nelson; What is Music Definitions
given; piano duet, Susurri Ncneziana,
Ella Flanders and Helen Day. Music
in the Discipline of Emotion Mrs.
Nye. The Use of Music. Mrs Angie b.
Steward: My Sweet Reposs Miss
Verna Abbey: Music in Reform Work.
Mrs. Florence W panf1rfh. Ffonbi-
tion Song Bethany Gifis Chorus ac-
compantd by Mrs Doft r "
The many uscs nj music We're
brought out in The articles -.ad. as a
discipliuarian of the sao."n~ IS a
national help OF aHa#" AS re-
former among prisoners and IN W'n-
derful possibilities - H""e3 a'onf
this linz oI work
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15

ter a pail of water. He went into
the house and left the door open
after him and l went in. He had
set his pail down and was standing
before the looking glass, when l got
in. He started toward me and reached
behind him and took from his pocket
a loaded billy and said I've been
looking for you for some time and
CD you I'll kill you" He struck
me across the head and l hit him with
my fist and knocked him into the
corner near the entry door He
reached inside the door and got
sled stake and hit me with that When
he struck the stake few out of his
hands and I got hold of it and knock
ed him onto the bed From this
Continued on page four
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15
FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOR SOM
ERSET COUNTY BOYS OPENS FRIDAY
Begins with a Banquet in the Methodist Church
in Evening. Many Expected. The Plans

The first annual conference for
Somerset County boys to be held at
Skowhegan. to begin tomorrow and
last through the 18th and 18th, gives
promise of being a successful event.
Rev. G. w. Hinckley of Good Will
will preside at the banquet which will
be given at the Methodist vestry,
Friday at ESQ Judge Fred f. Law
renee will act as toastmaster, Garlic
ton p Merrill gives the address of
welcome and Hon. Forrest II. Colby
of Bingham will respond. The
principal address of the evening will
be given by Hon. Carl f. Milliken, of
Island Falls recently president of the
Maine Senate and one of the pros
pective candidates for governor. Mr..
Milliken is a pleasing speaker and as
he is one of the cleanest men in pub
lie life in Maine, his message carries
the force of sincerity, Mr.. Merrill
needs no introduction in SkOwhegan
circles being prominent in her bust
ness and civic life and Mr. Colby is
well known in the county as its SELL
ator and at his home in Bingham as a
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15
Barn Burned ON River Road

The barn owned hy Fred Emery
and Bert G. Fletcher on the Hiram
steward place about mile out Of
Skowhegan on TIN River Road was
burned tn the ground shortly after
noon Tuesday Luckily il was emp
y the hay having lately been sold
and taken from the building Grass
which supposedly caught from sparks
from a locomotive burned over quite
por'ioa OF land and the barn being
in the wake of the names lt igulicd
and vas destroyed The loss Is set
at $1,000 with an insurance of tsao
The structure ~as used for storage
,hs tao gentlemen before meetlensd
o~niax about thirty acres ~ land
there q ~ili be r.suli, There
Is No house on The property
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15

l.. Normandy and the first topic of
the afternoon was taken up. I'm
what way is the United States af-
fected by the present war in Europe?"
After brief opinion expressed by
}. ". Fogler in communication
read by the Lecturer. H. T. Choate
then opened the question and a dis
cussion followed. The subject of
Peace" was considered by Fred
Jewett and readings followed. A Sc
lection in relation to War" was also
read and then there was music by the
choir. A 5. Burke offered remarks
on the subject of the War in Europe
and its effects upon this country and
advocated the raising of all possible
upon our farms The second topic
was What can we do in order to
promote peace" and was opened by
S +. Emerson, other speakers follow
ing. A pleasing monologue came
next and Mrs Ellis announced some
of the subjects to be considered at
future meetings. Among the local
people to attend were Mr. and Mrs.
S. F. Emerson.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15
VERDE NELSON PLEADS GUILTY TO THE
MURDER Of BERT IRELAND
Il Did Not Intend to Kill Him When | Started
Out, He Said. Story of Crime

Reporter IN his cell at tn County
Jail Yesterday a little before o'clock
p. -. With him were his two
brothers. the three having talked over
matters during the greater part Of
The afternoon. After they had in
sisted that the representative Of the
press have the best seat that the cell
afforded Mr. Nelson in response to the
inquiry as 10 his pleading guilty said
II seemed to be the only thing for me
70 do" He then told the story of
Tie crime in connected and self
possessed manner substantially as
follows: u started of with my gun
in the afternoon and went up on the
hill. | left the hill ard took circle
around walking about two miles and
d half. As came near the house
where Ireland lived. he came out af-
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15

nearby. In response to Lincoln's
call for troops he was one of the
first to reply and enlisted in the first
company formed in Skowhegan. He
was rejected and afterwards re-enlist-
ed at Augusta, but was again rejected
Frost was a Mason of more than
ordinary prominence and it was emil
nently fitting that the final services
in his honor should be held in the
Lodge room which he SO dearly loved.
The funeral was accordingly held
Sunday at ! O'Clock in Masonic Hall
and was attended by many Masons,
the rites of their order being per-
formed during the solemn ceremonies.
The deceased will be remembered by
older citizens of Skowhegan for his
constancy and efficiency in the vari-
GUS orders connected with this frater-
nifty, having held at the same time the
Offices of Worshipful Master in the
Lodge, High Priest in the Chapter,
Deputy Marshall in the Council and
Prelate in the COmmandery Rev
George Merriam of the Bethany Bap-
tist church also assisted in the mem
orial service. The deceased was a
man held in much respect by his as
sociates. Among the nearest suryiF-
Ing relatives is n nephew Fred Graves
of Waterville, with whom he had
passed portion OF his later years.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15

not been working since Christmas.
Jury returned verdict of guilty and
respondent was remanded to Jail to
await a sentence
William C. Welch of Madison. a
shoemaker there, next took his place
at the bar and Martin Kennedy was
again called to testify in the States
behalf. He told of purchasing the
liquor of Welch. Welch in taking
the stand in his own defence told of
his business. stated that he had fed
Kennedy free of charge. Said he was
at home at the time when Kennedy
claimed to have purchased the liquor
of him elsewhere. Mrs. Welch told
of her husbands whereabouts on the
day of the alleged transaction when
old child of the couple was with
them. A verdict of guilty was re-
turned by the jury.
Other cases assigned for Friday
included the Sharples Separator Co.
against F. L. Tibbetts. Skowhegan
Garage Co. VS. C. w. Ray, John Slack
Allan VS. Elmer F.. Wescott and VIM.
w Huntoon VS. Isaac Richardson, all
of which were continued. The case
of Anon Baker VS. Eugene Collins was
apparently about to be taken up but
Continued on page eight
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15
SATURDAY THE DAY
To DECIDE
About Street Lighting
and Sprinkling
Special Town Meeting Called to De-
eide Upon These and Other I'm.
pOrtant Matters

The special town meeting to bt
held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clocl
should be attended by every voter al
matters of much Importance are Il
be considered and voted upon. Asid,
from the article which calls for tn,
election of a moderator there ar,
five others as follows:
Art. 2-To see if the town will
vote to authorize the selectmen to
borrow such sum or sums of
money as may be necessary for
current expenses in anticipation
of taxes the year ensuing and to
pass all votes respecting the
same.
Art. 3-To see if the town will
vote to employ night watch for
the year ensuing and to provide
a compensation for the same
Art. ITO see if the town will
vote to authorize the seleetmen to
employ such assistance as is nee
essary for indeXing the town rec
ords previous to the year 1915 not
to exceed an expense of One
duuuTeu anu flll} uOlldl > anu W
pass such votes as is needed to
provide for the payment of the
same.
Art. 5-To see what action the
town will take in regard to
sprinkling certain streets or por-
tions thereof, using either oil or
water To designate said street
or parts thereof and the material
to be used and to instruct the
selectmen to assess the expense
therefor upon the abuttors and to
pass all votes necessary regard
ing the same.
Art. ITO see what action
the town will take with regard
to making contract with the
Central Me. Power Co. for light
ing the streets of the town for
term of years and whether or not
the town will accept any of the
propositions therefor submitted
to the town by said Company and
if so what one, and pass all votes
necessary respecting the same.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15

successful business man and Chris
tian worker. Judge Lawrence as toast
master is sure to help make the oc-
casion a success. 1t is eminently
fitting that man who has been the
controlling and directing spirit for %
years. of one of the most successful
homes and schools for boys and who
has addressed more conferences for
boys than any other man in Maine
should preside at the banquet All
workers with boys know and admire
Rev. G. W. Hinckley.
Saturday mornings session will be
taken up with addresses by State
Y. NJ. c. A. secretaries j. c. Smith
and A. A. Heald and by c. F Hos
mer, county secretary of York county.
The addresses are of a practical ma
ture bearing on boys work in the
towns, villages and rural communi-
ties. All three men have had great
success in their respective fields and
all are interesting and inspiring
speakers The quality of the speak
ing will be fully up to the standard
Continued on page eight
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15

and had taken an appeal was repre-
sented by James H. Thorne of North
Anson. County Attorney Anderson
appeared for the State. Martin Ken
nedy of Madison, now serving a SEN
tence in the County Jail for drunk
enness, testified to having purchased
liquor of Ferland. Clerk of Courts
Seekins read the records which stat
ed that Ferland had been indicted
and found guilty of being a common
seller in 1913. Mr. Ferland took the
stand in his own behalf. Gave his
age as AZ years and said he had seven
children. Said that Kennedy had
come to his house and wanted a
drink. but he had refused to comply
with his wishes. Also said he had
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15

are that the mound must have been
used for such purposes In the
course of his diggings. the archeolo-
gist found curved piece of iron
which had been portion of the up
per part of kettle the ear still be-
ing plainly visible. This is the same
as the kettles which were cast in
Massachusetts in the latter part of
1900. He also found the remnants
of an Indian pot which had been set
upright within the mound and which
contained apparently ashes, or pos
sibly bones, this giving rise to the
idea that the Indians might have
cremated their dead in order to save
their ashes. The fragments of the
pot still show plainly the ancient In
dian carvings. which almost con-
clusively prove that the crumbling
ware must once have belonged to the
Red Men. 1t is quite generally con-
ceded that the spot where this mound
was located was once in a neighbor-
hood frequented by the Indians and
the first house built by the whites in
Skowhegan is said to have been some
where near that locality.
Mr.. Graves has been here before
to visit the section already spoken
of and plans to come again for furth-
er investigations.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15
hD|AN MOUND GIVES
FORTH RELICS
hid indians trsmate to Nase t~hes
81 taesste Is .skrd From the
lindings Hurried

, , Grases au arrbvoloEist NJ
NatvTvtlls VAS n to~u dafing the
la TUESDAY and paid sisf 'a the
indian mnuna - rallod near Nes.
ssr4naeu stream and cteaa tu tbe
mes ~ farm land e~hsd ~ = J.
Merritt aaa I ssadfara ftefe
- hseB IA tha nass eenaids rabis
heaFY as - hafhsr this AS vsrf
ths h8fgtaK place II shs hsd Mea
hsEs fFam the asatBaB walea NJ
Graves btuaabt fsfta ths fadssatteas
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15

anee vita thls custom vas about
inwn less than one week before his
death occurred
Mr. FROST was born In s'andish.
luly 81. 1895. but with other m~mbsfs
II bis family moved 10 coFnyliie whsn
aeou, sls years of age. later eominx
IA aho~hssaa, where he sesnt the
greater part ef hls leag life. It's
pfincipsl occupation vAs that ef
eaFpen,sf aRd he he. erected wahy
halidiARs In thts aaa ether tosha
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15
FUNERAL SERVICES IN
MASONIC HALL
J. Henry Frost Has Passed Away at a
Ripe Old Age

The death of J. Henry Frost, an
elderly citizen of Skowhegan occurr-
ed Friday at Somerset Hospital,
where he had resided for several
months. The deceased was never
married and had decided to make a
permanent home in the institution
just mentioned in order that his wants
might be attended to by physicians
and nurses. He had become greatly
enfeebled. but on fine days was wont
10 take short walks and in accord
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15

tnf ibv maay acts of kiHdnvss a.if
ma the liisess and a. the death ~ aHt
mashsf the tesp~r' fnr tr tnwa
sha@s and the sympathy fsF "a ss
are ssassF~lg GFatsfag
Nrs & Ahb@Y
Nss y " ssdsrieY
ssae hgsaa NJ Apfn IS isN
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15
Dr. smith Bl@d This asraiH<

pr A 7 ssslsh died a. "a hpaas "a
the Fasi Aasttsaa tuai q, sisEeh
a etees this aaeFains salfAhRs
obituary nalirs sill b. pasHsssd sssi
@ssk
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15

tralstsH Rod BFaush ~ii
mrst Ia city nultdiue rhwala' m
ksr.a ssua
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15
FIRE DESTROYS DWELL.
ING HOUSE AND BARN
An Overturned Lantern Said to be Re-
spOnsible. A Bit of History

ST. ALBANS, APRIL 12-The
dwelling house and barn of Foster
Brooks situated at the "Tannery'
were totally destroyed by fire Friday
night, caused by the overturning of a
lantern in the tie-up. Hardly any of
the household goods were saved two
pigs and an auto in the barn were
also consumed. The buildings of
Mr.. Tibbetts close by were in great
danger and the house furnishings
were removed but the heroic efforts
of a large crew of men bringing water
from the stream near by. saved them.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-15

Verde W Nelson of Canaan plead
ed guilty to the murder OF Bert Ire
land also of Canaan in the Supreme
Judicial Court here yesterday 1t
caused considerable OF a sensation
in the Court Room as jurors had al
ready been drawn and preparations
were under way for the trial which
was assigned for today. He was
taken back to the County Jail to
await his sentence
With a courtesy hardly to be eX-
pected for a person staring possible
life Imprisonment in the face, Verde
W. Nelson the confessed murderer Of
Bert Ireland of Canaan greeted a
representative of the Independent
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-07
PORTER SEES POVERTY
OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Men Suffer for Necessaries and
Work at Standstill Through
Councils Neglect.

Director Porter, in q statement today,
declared that the business Of the Police
Department was practically AT stand
still through the indifference of Councils.
Councimanc members Of the $50 900 Lib
erty Bell junket are whrling westward In
a luxurious special and feasting on the
fat of the land, while many Of the clty's
detectives and policemen are compelled to
borrow money to pay their rent.
Prisoners in other cities awaiting ex-
tradition cannot be brought here for lack
OF funds. There is no money for post
age In the police department. and nov
such little things as Ice water lrt the
stations have been denied the police.
This deplorable condition is due to the
failure Of Councils to appropriate ex-
pense money due the detectives and spe-
cial policemen for fares and other Incl
dental expenses in the investigation Of
crime. The men have not received any
OF their expense money since last Feb
ruary, and the constant drain on their
pockets has made 1t necessary to bor-
row money from the Director and clerks
in the office to pay rent. and in many
cases for food.
When pressed, for a statement as to
actual conditions today Director PORTER
said:
Special officers and detectives have
not been repaid the money advanced by
them for carfare in the obtaining OF evil
dence since February, and there is total
due them of S425s,23. The Bureau Of Police
has no funds for carfare, postage or the
of evidence. Not a police sta
ton in the city is now being supplied
with ice, the fund having been exhausted.
I'VE are without funds either for re-
pairs or purchase of tires for motor
patrols and patrol wagons. Notwith-
standing the repeated request in behalf
Of the department Councils have de-
iberately ignored the vital needs of the
bureau, and work In this connection is
It a standstlll. Te public should know
where the responsibility lies"
AS Councils will not meet again until
September, there Is no opportunity to
,emedy the situation before that time.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-07
BREWERSURGE COURT
TO REFUSE LICENSES
Saloon Property Owners Whose
Tenants Defaulted Payment
Want Permits Revived.

Landlords who attempted to preserve
the regulations of their saloon properties
from financial standpoint were much in
evidence in the License Court today.
Many were eager 10 obtain transfers in
cases where the present license holders
had forfeited by failure TO pay the Sl1OO
license fee.
But in this they are being stubbornIy
opposed by the Philadelphia Lager Beer
Brewers Association. 1t is evident that
the brewers do not believe that the con-
tinuation OF bad-paying saloons will serve
the best interests of the trade. In a let
ter from Franz Ehrlich attorney for the
brewers, which was read by Judge Stake,
the association asked that transfers in
such cases be refused on the ground that
II man defaulted payment OF his license
fee 1t indicated that the saloon In ques-
tlon was a bad financial proposition.
Mr.. Ehrllch also pointed out that there
was presumption that the licenses are
not necessary for the accommodation OF
the public and that to overcome this
presumption each applicant should show
to the court special circumstances OF such
necessity, and that all Of the present
applications should be viewed from this
standpoint.
Judge Stake then read a resolution
which the association had adopted 70 this
effect. The resolution was signed by is
brewing concerns OF this city.
The Judge remarked that It was rather
an unusual document. and added: ''Thls
court has presumed that failure to take
out license Is prime facie evidence that
when money could not be earned 10 take
out such license the saloon was not
required In the locality specified"
The Judge said he read the letter 40
that ID. Clarence Gibbonsy and the public
could know how the brewers feel about
There was a list OF 10 cases in which
the owners OF saloon properties petitionsd
the court TO revive licenses which former
holders allowed to lapse by failure 10
pay the license within the time limit.
For the first time in many years a
woman lawyer appeared IN the License
Court. She was A. Florence YerKer. MISS
YeFger represented Giovanni Meloni. who
sought transfer OF the license formerly
held by Angelo Exposito, OF s25 South
sth street.