davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
WIFE
AND DISAPPEARED
Randall Staples Now in
County Jail
Woman Living In Isolated Locality
Runs Across Field 10 NeighborS
For Help

On complaint of his wife. former
ly Miss Maria Gray of Skowhegan,
Randall Staples. a farmer Of North
Hartland. is in the County Jail for al
legged assault The fine imposed by
Trial Justice l. H. Graves of Hart
land, before whom Staples was ar
raigned with costs amounted to
$2257, with a sentence of 80 days in
confinement. In case the fine is not
paid the accused man will have an
addit .onal sentence Of 80 more days
to remain in jail. The story of af-
fair is a decidedly pathetic one and
Mrs. Staples appears to have been
badly beaten. 1t seems that Staples
came home last Saturday night in
an intoxicated condition. Things
grew rather unpleasant and he final
ly beat his wife badly and severely
cut one of her arms with knife, ac-
cording TO the story told a repre-
sentative of the Reporter. while the
dNNuSth man IllllloVll ddIllllo iill IN
used the knife upon his wife. The
family live in section of the town
not thickly settled, on what is known
as the George Sawyer farm. and Mrs.
Staples ran across the field in the
night to the home of Frank Whitten
to procure help in order that she
might remove her three small child
rem from the dwelling, one of whom
it is claimed her husband had struck
over the head with a bottle. Suf-
icicnt help was procured and the
children were shortly with their
mother. Staples disappeared but is
understood to have given himself up
later. The report that Mrs. Staples
had died as the result of the affair,
is not true.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
F. W.,KNOWLTON IS THE
NEW PRESIDENT
Parent.Teacher Association Held Il
Business Session in Assembly Hall
Saturday Night

The Parent-Teacher Association
held their first meeting of the season
last Saturday evening in Assembly
Hall, the High School Building. In
the absence of the presiednt, X. w.
leighton, Miss Doris Rayner called
the meeting to order and the follow
ing officers were elected: Pres,
Frank w. Knowlton, superintendent
of Manual Training; vice president,
R. T Patten; secretary and treasur-
er. Miss Doris Rayner; chairman OF
the educational committee. Mrs Mary
H. Bailey; school Improvement, Geo
W. Tobey social committee, Mrs
Mary C. Stinchfeld; press, Miss Ro-
wena Flynt; legislative, George w
Cover, ESQ.,; membership, Miss Doro-
thy Elliot. The next meeting will
occur Saturday evening, Nov. II, at
7.3O O'Clock in the High School
Building.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
CLOTHING IS FOUND At
SCHOOL BUILDING
IN Unusual Incident Causes Some
Stir In acknowledgements De-
tected by Children

Pupils of the Pond Road School
district in the town of st. Adams but
near Hartand village. found por-
tion of a woman's wardrobe in an
out building of the schoolhouse Mon
day morning last 1t was mainly
including stockings
and the garments which were some
what soiled were of ordinary texture.
Superintendent of Schools, Fortier of
Hartland took the clothing and mott
fed the Town. officials of st. Albans.
There were no suspicious of foul
play otherwise than the unusual find
and no one is known to be missing
in that section of the community
There are about 90 pupils in the
school and the teacher is Miss Ella
Ray of st Adams. Various theories
are easily suggested but as yet moth
ing definite has come to light.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
NO EXCAVATIONS UN-
TIL SPRING
Good Progress on P. o.
Expected in 1917
The Treasury Department Has Com
pleted all Preparations for Erect
ing Structure
Especial Dispatch TO the Independ-
ent-Reporter)

Especial Dispatch to the Independ-
ent-Reporter)
WASHINGTON, D. c, Oct The
Treasury Department has completed
all preparations for erecting the post
Office building at Skowhegan but it
has just been decided that ground
therefor will not be broken till next
spring. Probably it will be April,
at the earliest During the winter
the contractor will have the lime
stone for the structure quarried and
finished and other preliminary work
done in the assembling of material.
This should presage good progress
1917. so that the building will be well
under roof, and perhaps nearly COM
pleted before another winter. ". H.
Fissell & Co, of 1929 Broadway. New
York City. have been awarded the
contract, as was forecast in the In
dependent Reporter some time ago.
The contract price is $57 .650. with
provision that limestone shall be
used for all stone work except where
granite is specified Fissel & Co.,
have given a bond for S2S,900 for the
proper performance of the work, with
the National Surety Company of New
York City as their bondsmen. The
contractors informed the Supervising
Architect of the Treasury that while
some headway could be made with
the excavation for the Skowhegan
Building this autumn, it was prob
able that no more than the footings
could be completed before it would
be necessary to suspend operations
because of the cold weather. Then
it would be necessary to cover over
the excavation, all of which would
make considerable expense, while no
particular gain would be scored over
a beginning in the Spring, at which
time the work could proceed steadily
and it is hoped, without any further
interruptions
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
OPENING Of STATE
REF0RMATORY
Miss Clara johnson En-
gagged as Matron
Mr.. and Mrs. George h. Wight Have
Arrived to Superintend Matters at
the Institution

The State Reformatory for Women
is being opened this week with Ger
trude Wight of South Framingham in
charge of the Reformatory generally
as its superintendent and her hus-
band George Wight in charge Of the
farm and stock growing. Rev Cliff
ford Snowden of Portland. Mrs. f. NJ.
Lawrence of North Lubec and Mrs.
Clara II S. Cleaves of Bar Harbor.
members of the commission, were in
session with Clyde H. Smith, presi-
dent of the Board, here last Tuesday
and several minor problems were at
tended to. The house on the proper
ty when purchased, has been thoro-
ly remodeed and is attractively fur
nished. A dormitory has been ar
ranged in the third story to accomo-
date such inmates as will be sent to
the institution before the first of the
pleted, and it is expected that the
unfortunate women Will begin to ar
rive about the middle of the present
month. The basement of the cot
tage now being built is completed
and the walls are being constructed.
1t is now the intention to open this
new building the 18th of April. This
past summer about 225 bushels of
potatoes were harvested, a portion of
which have been sold while there
have also been harvested good sup
ply of vegetables to be used in fur
nishing food for the inmates. This
week or within few days, two OF
three COWS. hogs, hens and horses
are to be purchased for the farm.
Mrs. Wight, the new superintend-
ent, is doubtless well fitted for the
duties which she is assuming. Fol
twelve years she held similar po-
sition at the Industrial School for
Girls in Lancaster, Mass, an institu-
ton having similar influence as the
Skowhegan home, while for the last
five years she has been connected
with the only Reformatory for Wo-
men in Massachusetts, which is To-
Gated at Sherburne. Mr.. Wight was
superintendent of the farm connect
ed with the Industrial School at Ian
caster. To begin with Mrs. Wight
will have but one assistant. Miss
Cara Johnson of Sullivan. who is a
trained nurse and VII act as matron
of the establishment.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
Son of Early settler

Edward X. Fuller I'm aged citizen
of Hartland and the son of James
Fuller, one of the earliest and prob
ably the first permanent settler of
Hartland died last week. the funeral
and burial occurring Sunday last
His father came from Exeter y. H
and passed away in lS45 Edward
VAS the son of a second marriage and
was born in 1851 The deceased,
who has been a wdower since 1919.
is survived by three sons. Hudson of
Palmyra. f. Lee of Hartland and Ord
king of Dexter His father ran for
years a tavern at Fuller's Corner on
he old County Road from Norridge-
Woek to Bangor which had for a long
ime the reputation of being one Of
he then few prohibition public
houses in Maine Alr. Fuller, the
gentleman who has just passed away.
MAS an uncle of Mrs Eugene Moore
Of Skowhegan and Fred BurriIl of
East Madison
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
PAYMASTER
UNDER HUERTA
Protegee of Co. E En-
ters Good Will School
Little Gus Williams Came Back With
The Soldiers from Texas. His
Mother is Dead

Little Gus Williams, the protegee
of Company E has become a student
at Good Will Farms He was found
at Dolores by some of the soldiers
during their stay there and was then
being cared for by an immigration
Officer of that locality. This official
allowed the little chap to enter the
army camps to assist with the work
and to teach the soldiers Spanish,
for Master Gus is able to speak that
language as we'll as French and Ital-
ian. When the troops were ordered
back to Laredo the lad accompanied
them and when orders were receiv-
ed to depart for tpe Pine Tree State
he journeyed north with them. He
is an orphan and his father who was
a paymaster under Huerta was kill
ed. His mother died a few years be-
fore that tragedy occurred.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
OPENING MEETING OF
SOROS|S
Delightful Halloween Affair Given in
Library ParlorS under Direction OF
Official Board

Sorosis began its fall meetings by
Directors Tea held Hallowe'e en-
night October 81 in the Library Par
lors The rooms were pleasantly
and artistically decorated with au-
tumn leaves. apples jack-a-lanterns
and eyergreens in keeping with the
spirit OF the night The acting
hostesses were Mrs. Mabel Yiles and
Miss Leila Fairbrother. tho they
were recognized by few as they
represented a ghost and witch in
their dress.
The first number on the program
was piano duet by Miss Mildred
Weston and Miss Mabclle Ross. After
short business meeting Mrs. Lois
W. Patten gave a report of the annu-
al meeting of the Kennebec Union
which was held at Good VIII in MAY.
and Miss Gertrude Weston report
of the State Federation of Women 5
Clubs which met in Kineo during the
early part of September After the
reading of several communications
addressed to the Club. another piano
duet played by the Misses Weston
and Ross was much enjoyed by al
After the program a social hour was
enjoyed the directors serving Re
freshments consisting of pumpkin
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
HALLOWEEN NIGHT At
CONVENT HALL
Genuinely Good Time, the Pro-
ceeds of Which We're for Benefit
of ParOchial Schools

The Ladies' of St. John the Baptist
Society were responsible for a very
enjoyable event in Convent Hall last
Tuesday evening. The affair was
one in which the weird Halloween
costumes played an important part
and the entertainment program
which was directed by Mrs. w J.
Lashon included selections by Les
sores Orchestra, welcome song by
children of the Paroehial Schools,
violin 500 by Hector Chabot with
piano accompaniment by Miss Cha
bot FAIRY Reyille by 10 girls, a
Jack o'Lantern drill by eight girls,
Miss Lena Carriyeau and a scarf fan
tastic by nine young ladies'. At an
intermssion in the program. a Lady
of Mystery, impersonated by Mrs
Samuel Roder.ck passed thru the au
dience and disposed of admittance
tickets to the refreshment room,
clearing about Pl2. Mrs. .. ). GAIA
and Mrs. John McQuade also sold
guesses on the weight of a cake
which was won by Thos. Thibodeau,
the correct weight which he guessed
being three and one-half pounds.
The dining room was made attractive
with small fir trees and white and
yellow bunting, while the tables were
lighted by candles in apple supports.
Assorted cake, 'dOughnuts and cof-
fee was served The woceeds went
to the Parochial SchoolE
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
ACCUMULATED CAPITAL
IS sn,4O3.25
The Annual Meeting of the Stock
holders of Somerset Loan and
Building Association Held Monday
Evening

At the annual melting of the stock
holders of the Somerset Loan &
Building Association, held at the Of
fee of the Secretary, Fred F. Law
renee, on Monday evening, the fol-
lowing officers were elected: Presi-
dent, John r. Mcclellan; treasurer,
Edward F. Danforth; secretary. Fred
+. Lawrence William II. Fowler,
William r. Seekins, w. S. Stinch-
field and S. W Gould were elected
directors to serve three years, and
Arthur r. Jones and Lawrence Cock
burn were elected to fiji vacancies
for a term of Two years The an
nual report of the Secretary showed
the following as of September So:
Number of shareholders, 143; num-
Der of borrowers. sc; number of
shares outstanding. 1902; number of
loans, Sc accumulated capital. ST.
403.25; advance payments, $20,479S9;
guaranty fund $3,S23.35 profit and
loss account S79o.3S. The rate of
dividend the past year has been five
per cent
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
PAT TTANGALL OPPOSES
HUBBARD'S PARDON
Cited Case of Alice Pelletier Impli.
Gated in killing OF Mildred Snlli.
van

AJGG STA. Noy. Attorney Pat
taneal appeared before the Governor
and Council Tuesday evening in op-
position 10 the granting of pardon of
George H Hubbard. formerly of Oak
land, now. serving a life sentence IN
Thomaston for murder
Hubbard was convicted in 1919 for
the murder of LaForest Matthews,
proprietor of a hotel in Hartland At
torney General Pattansall explained
all the circumstance of the case from
the viewpoint Of the State. how Hub
bard's WIf, went 10 work for Mat
thews Who married her sister and
how Hubbard tried to influence her to
return home with him Hubbard
and Matthews apparently were on
friendly terms. he said. when Hub
bard shot him At the time of the
shooting Hubbard declared thai he
would not stay long at Thomaston as
he would be pardoned il is said
The petitioners had contended at
the previous hearing that Hubbard
was in poor health and Attorney Cen
eral Pattangall argued that the
health proposition does not always
work out as claimed He cited The
case of Alice Pelletier. who was I'M
plicated with Or L e Dudley in the
killing of Mildred sullivan in Aroos-
took county said To be in a dying
condition, yet last week acted as
bridesmaid ar wedding. The cases
were tabled for executive session.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02

not insure the park but it puts ii
within reach and its importance 70
North Anson can scarcely be over
stated.
Three years ago North Anson was
a beautiful and enterprising little
village. Its natural advantages of
water power, good farming land, tim
ber resources and beautiful scenery
had attracted to it fine class OF
people, The standard of culture Was
very high for small community and
the travellers who came thru On the
much travelled automobile roads
could not fail to be impressed with
what they saw of it.
Then came a staggering blow. \
fire swept away the entire business
portion of the village and many pri-
Continued on Page Nine)
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
Rev. I. II. Means Resigns

The guation Of Rev. +. Il.
Means. a. pastor Of the Madison Con
gfegational church Was read Sunday
morning The resignation will take
effect al the beginning Of the new
year. Mr Means has accepted the
secretaryship Of one Of the branches
Of the American Board located in
Boston He came to Madison from
Winchester. Mass. eight years ago
md has a wide circle of friends em-
bracing the whole community
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
Election Day Next Tuesday

Notice has been given by the
Board of Selectmen that the polls
will be open next Tuesday, election
day from 7.30 a. m. to p. m. The
municipal officers will be in session
November 3-4-6 from until p. m
for the purpose of receiving the ap-
plications of persons claiming a
right to vote.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
Diphtheria Conditions

Up to last night there were FIVE
cases of d.phtheria in Skowhegan at
widely different points. The families
under quarantine are those of Her
bert Desmond on Spring St, Allie
Lewia on Mt. Pleasant Avenue. Per-
ley Wyman on Middle ST., Lester
Adams on the Plains and Eddie
Groder on South st. No action has
been taken as yet toward closing the
schools
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
Liquor Seizure at Madison

Deputy Sheriff r. S. McKenney
made liquor raid at the establish
ment of Mrs. Lafond on lower Main
street. Madison, Saturday afternoon,
according to the report received here
Monday. Three pints of whiskey in
cleyerly constructed hide were
seized by the officer. Owing to the
lateness of the hour no hearing was
held but Mrs. Lafond furnished bonds
for her appearance in court it was
said.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
RUINS ARE IN GEN
TER OF VILLAGE
North Anson People
Want Park.
The Big Community Bazaar Will Be
Aid in the Project. Citizens Deep
Iy Interested. d. d. Stewards Of
fer

The citizens of North Arson are
deeply interested in the project of
buying up the ruins in the village
center in order to convert them into
an attractive green. This project is
made possible thru the generosity OF
D. D. Stewart of St. Albans to whom
North Arson is already indebted for
its beautiful little library building.
He has offered to give three thousand
dollars towards it. This gift does
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
Note OF Appreciation

wish to thank my many neigh
bors and friends for their kind re.
membrance of me during my recent
illness: TO the different orders for
beautiful flowers sent me and their
kindly visits and words of cheer
would extend my thanks. Such acJs
of kindness will never be forgotten
by me-
Mrs James 2. Thompson.
Skowhegan, Noy. End, 1916.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02

The Methodist people cleared about
S22 from their social held Tuesday
evening 1t was self denial affair
in which the participants brought in
sums of money saved thru self de
nial. Ice cream. cake and waters
were sold under the direction OF
Mrs |. j. Smith and Mrs. ]. n. Smith
An entertaining program was pre-
sented arranged by Mr.. and Mrs. L.
W. Gerrish: Piano duet. Misses
Flanders and Harville; vocal SOLO
Miss Gladys Pennell story, Rev. F.
C. Rogers; vocal duet, j. n. Smith
and Mrs. G. X. Robinson; reading,
Mrs. H. A. Dinsmore; solo, Lyle S.
Moore; solo Mrs. Robinson. This
was one of series of Gals to be
held during the winter.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
Athens ON a New Track

Old Athens is on new track and
the first move will be at Grange Hall.
Sunday afternoon Let's go and find
out what they are heading for,
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02

Among the late auto parties regis
tered at The Coburn, Tuesday and
Yesterday. was one from Orange, y.
J.. which included Mr and Mrs.
James Girwood Kenneth Girwood
and Mrs Ralston
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-11-02
Death of Mrs. ChaS. Hewitt Last
Night

Mrs. Elyia (Brown) Hewitt of
East Madison died here during last
night after an illness of about one
week from adhesions The funeral
will be held Saturday at p. m. from
her late home in East Madison The
decd Bd was 35 years old the 10th
day OF last July and is survived by
her husband Chas. Hewitt, two
daughters, Daphne and Elsie Of East
Madison and one step-daughter, Mrs
r. F. Washburn of Skowhegan. Mrs
Hewitt was a member of the Grange
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1916-03-15
Congregational Church

Last Sunday morning, Mr.. Baker spoke
on the theme, Our UNEMPLOYED Self"
from the text, Psa. 1919 Could we
but know ourselves in all the ramifica-
tions of our being, we should be a ire
mendously long way nearer God than we
are now. For man has in him, as no
other creature on the planet has, the ell
ements of mind and soul, which In the
infinite comprise Gods being. 1t be-
hooves us, therefore, to study the prob
lem of our unexplored self occasionally.
because moving along this line we are
assuredly moving nearer to God.
Supt. Howe was the leader of the q. K.
meeting. The subject for discussion was.
1.-THE Causes of Failure in Life"
The Unity Glass held its monthly meet
ing in the church parlor Monday even
ing. The hostesses were, Miss Downer.
Mrs. Lease and Mrs. Spaulding. Plans
for community service were discussed.
OF this more will be announced later.
The Camp Fire Girls met this after
noon at 8 O'clock.
Next Sunday morning. the pastor will
speak on the subject, Burned Aliye.n
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1916-03-15
Advent Church

The prophetic sermons from the chart
were finished last Sunday. In the MORN
ing the subject of War was handled in an
able manner, from Rev. 7:1-3 also touch
ing on the flying angel of Rev. 1867.
The evening lesson was fitting climax,
on The Coming of Christ, The New Jeru-
salem and The Waiting Church. A ques-
ton box was conducted. and an explana-
ton of the scarlet colored beast of Rev.
II. This series has proven very instruc-
tive and helpful, giving clearer insight
into the Book of books. i-
The subject of the Bible Study at the
home of Rev. j. j. Bennett Friday will
be Baptism.
Next Sunday morning the pastor will
speak ION Holy Living as it should be
portrayed in the life of every believer.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1916-03-15
Methodist Church

10 the absence of Mrs Tia Niles Jack
son, Mrs. F. w. Silloway has had charge
| of the choir. Much credit is due Mrs.
Silloway for her excellent leadership and
untiring efforts in making the singing
from Sunday to Sunday what it has been,
and especially in the production of the
anthems and Christmas Cantata. Next
Sunday Mrs. Jackson will again resume
her duties as chorister. ~ sc
Sunday evening an interesting Epworth
League service was led by Miss Nita
Ellis. The pastor gave an Instructive
talk on st. Patrick. Subject for next
Sunday, World Program for the
League. Leader, B. E. Eaton.
A meeting of the Won,an's Home Mis-
sionary Society will be held this evening
at the home of Mrs. A. r. Campbell.
Leader, Mrs. Campbell.
The pastors subject for next Sunday
morning will be, 'The Drama of Life''.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1916-03-15
UniverSaliSt Church

"'Left Overs, Where Do They Go?",
will be the subject of the sermon next
Sunday. Household economists are in
terested in this problem. The church
can throw some light upon it. Come
and see if it not So.
The confirmation class will meet at the
home of the pastor this Wednesday even
ing atf7:30. All parishioners who are
not members of the church are invited.
/ The Mission Cilcles will meet at the
home of Mrs. Mary Austin Thursday af-
ternoon at o'clock. All those inter-
ested in the church are invited.
Last Sunday evening the last lecture
in our course was given and looking back
over the course, we conclude that it has
really been worth while.
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1916-03-15

"Stingaree", after the first episode,
will be outlaw scenes in Australia. See
the first and you will know why "Sting-
aree" is filling houses in the large cities