davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-03-09
The BABY HEALTH CONTEST
Why and Where il was Originated,
It's Progress and Result.

The first Baby Health Contest was
opened at the Iowa State Fair Aug
ust 27th. 1911.
So many have asked how | happen
ed to think of this plan of promoting
baby welfare that il seems worth
while to reprint from an article that
appeared in the "Housekeeper." a
Collier publication, in May, 1912.
lone day, two years ago, at our
county fair at Audubon, | stood at
the booth of which was supervisor.
listening to the talk that drifted to
me in snatches, of prizes won on hogs
and horses sheep and cattle and poul-
try-the same talk that | had been
hearing at every fair for ten years.
Suddenly | became conscious of how
often | had heard this talk of the
wonderful improvement that had
really been made in the condition of
live stock in that length of time.
Just at this minute a woman with
a fretful baby in her arms stopped by
me to rest A child of about three
chung to the mothers skirt with one
hand and with the other fed herself
with a large ,underripe banana. Three
more brothers and sisters clambered
about in imminent peril of broken
necks or trampled toes. One might
label the picture, | thought, the av-
erage American family on holiday.
As / looked at these children ! saw
myself and my brothers and sisters
forty years ago, no better, no worse.
Measels, whooping cough and mumps
would be a part of these children S
upbringing Just as il had been of
mine. If they lived through these
necessary evils without too great a
depletion of vitality or if some dread
disease did not take them off, they
might grow to womanhood and man
hood. Then | began to calculate that
this family would make five new
families Of the same possibly
with less endurance,
A friend interrupted my train OF
thought TO invite me to go to the
stock barns with her where the prem
iums had Just been awarded.
THE man in charge of the horse
barns showed his beautiful animals
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-03-09

The Iowa State Legislature appro-
priated $4,000 in 1913 for Wo-
mans and Children's Building on the
State Fair ground. one wing of which
is ideally arranged for Baby Health
Contests and this is being used as
model for Baby contest headquarters
all over the world.
The Children's Bureau at Washing
ton has held several Child Welfare
Conferences, the most noted of which
were at the Knoxville Exposition in
1914 and the one at the Panama Pa
ciflc Exposition of 1915. At these
conferences the babies receive the
health by a physician, who measures
and weighs and examines them, but
no scoring is done or prizes given.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-03-09

The financial support of this con-
test was provided by the Iowa State
College Extension, that furnished
the building, and the Iowa Congress
of Mothers, that gave twenty-five
dollars in money. Even the prizes
were provided from this little fund
with the exception of two first prizes
Miss Meals s. Knowles of the College
Extension giving five dollar gold
piece for the best boy and Mrs, B. F.
Carroll, president of the Iowa Con-
gress of Mothers presenting hand
some silver mug to the best girl.
Charles Elmer O'Toole of Des
Mones was the best baby, winning
with a score of 90 " points.
The remainder of the story of the
Baby Health Contest reminds one of
Jack and the Bean Stalk The News
papers found it good copy because il
had human interest. The photograph
of Charles Elmer O'Toole and the
fact that he had been a weakly in
FAINT and changed to a prize winner
by good care and careful feeding was
published in the leading dailies.
Great newspaper syndicates featured
the contest idea and sent it from
cast to coast. Letters came pouring
II asking for instruction in placing
'ontests and the answers involved
much labor. Something had to be
lone to supply the demand with
printed material, so the Baby Con-
est Association was formed, and
score cards, Suggestions for Put
ing on Contests" and instructions
o judges were printed at the eX-
pense of the seven people who were
The entire personnel of the first as
ISOLATION.
The Federation of Womans Clubs
and the Mothers Congress of Iowa
assisted in promoting the Baby
Health Contest and the Iowa Medi-
cal women gave their approval of the
plan. The Iowa State Fair which had
refused support the first year, appro-
priated five hundred dollars for the
second State Fair Contest. Other
State Fairs called il a good thing,
and made plans for contests. Port
land, Ore, Milwaukee, Wis. and Den
yer, Colo. were among the first of the
large cities to use the Baby Health
Contest as an educational feature at
eXpostions. Each year an increasing
number of cities and towns find in
the contest their leading attraction
for fairs. exhibits, home-comings, ETC.
and at present there is scarcely pro-
gressive part of the United States
that does not boast of its Baby Con-
test" and wherever there is a baby,
some fond parent is sizing ii up as a
possible prize winner.
1t IS a great satisfaction to the lit
tie group of women who pioneered
the mOyement IN know that the nlan
made to meet the needs of the first
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-03-09

contest in Iowa is still used, with
slight variations, as guide to all
contest workers. The score card has
been elaborated until it has become
lengthy for the contest work, altho'
more valuable for the clinic. The
American Medical Association is pro-
noting the idea of scoring babies by
furnishing score cards and literature
and urging people to hold Child Wei
fare Conferences. Universities are
furnishing contest literature to stu
dents of Social Service. and the Uni
versity of Iowa goes step further
than all others by offering the people
judge to assist in man
aging Baby Contests and scoring
babies.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05
In MemOriam

Madison has of late been called 70
part with many of the most aged and
respected citizens, but none will pc
more sincerely missed than Mrs.
Sarah Jane Spear. who passed away,
Sept. II. at her home near Lake
wood. She had enjoyed good health
all her long life, until last spring,
since which time she has failed slow
ly.
Mrs. Spear was born in Madison,
January IA, 1881. on the farm owned
many years by E. O. Danforth on the
road from Blackwell Station, where
the buildings were burned twenty
years ago She was the only child
of James and Lydia Blackwell. Her
grandfather Heman Blackwell was
one of the pioneer settlers Of the
town and her great grandfather
Joshua Blackwell was a Rev. soldier.
She married John Spear of New Port
land in 1S49 and went to live on the
farm which was her home for 81
years. The death of Mr.. Spear some
twenty years ago, was the first death
in the family Three children En-
ma, wife of Willis Clough of Madi-
son; two sons Charles and Horace,
besides four grandchildren and four
great grandchildren survive her.
From our earth life we have lost our
friend and neighbor and townswo-
man. In the stiffness and hush of
the morning, she entered into that
higher life of which we know so lit
tie but towards which our hearts
are ever turning. In speaking of
Mrs Spears life We may say that
she inherited from her ancestors the
best qualities of Old New England
life. steadfastness and honesty. She
had many friends, both young and
old. and was one of the few people
in this world who could say that if
she had an enemy she did not know
it. She was a devoted wife and
mother. Her passing from among
us will leave a place that will long
remain untitled and she will be
mourned sincerely by a circle of
warm friends and acquaintances. She
has passed thru the experience that
comes to all and while we miss her
presence we will not mourn her as
dead but gone before. To live in
the hearts and minds Of those we
leave behind is not to die.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05
STATE OF MAINE

County of Somerset, IS.
WHEREAS, Greenville ]. Shaw of
Hartland, in the County Of Somerset
and State of Maine, by his mortgage
deed dated January ,, 1896, and re-
corded in the Somerset Registry of
Deeds, Vol. 229, Page 221, conveyed to
or parcels of land in the town of st.
Adams. in the County of Somerset and
State of Maine, the first bounded and
described as follows. to wit: Wester-
ly by the road leading from Hartfand
Village northerly to the homestead of
Alfonso Wilbur; southerly by land of
the late Samuel Grant; easterly by
land of Stephen Mayo; and mort herlX
by land of Martin Page, containing
about fifty acres and being a part Of
the Scott farm (so-ealled);
The second of said parcels is
bounded and described as follows, to
wit: Easterly by said aforemention-
ed road; northerlY by land of said
Martin Page; westerly by the Sehasti-
southerly by land of Calvin Blake and
by the homestead farm of Georga
Wilbur: containing about one hundred
and thirty acres and being the re
called) and the Thomas Moor lot
(so-called). Meaning and intending
hereby to convey the same premises
to me conveyed by John Scott by his
in Somerset Registry, Book 21S, Page
PIT; and the wood lot to me conveyed
by Thomas S Moor by his deed dated
January 9. 1850 and recorded in Som
erset Registry Book 165, Page 400, IL
which deeds reference is made for i
more definite description,
And Whereas the said Florence
Ferguson by her written assignment
dated January IA, 1895. and recorded
July 23. 1912 in the Somerset Regis.
try of Deeds Vol. sos, Page 4SS, as
signed said mortgage and the debt
thereof secured to ARA NJ Pike and
Sarah a. Pike, both of Watervillt. IL
the County of Kennebec and state of
Maine, and whereas. the said ARA n.
pike and Lucinda B. Pike, as solo
heirs of Sarah A. Pike, deceased IN
testate, assigned said mort gage and
the debt thereby secured. and by their
assignment dated January 20. A. y.
1913, and recorded in Somerset Reg
istry of Deeds Vol. 31S. Page -G4 to
Charles D. Shaw of Greenvile, in the
County of Piscataquis, State of Maine;
NOW THEREFORE,. notice is here
by given of my intention to foreclose
said mortgage for breach of its con-
ditions.
3w40 CHARLES D. SHAW.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05

Day. something new for the w. C. T.
[. an interesting feature was the fact
that the men entered into the Rally
with so much enthusiasm. Posters
were distributed everywhere, at all
the public places and even the front
and back doors of private residences
were labelled one day in the year
for temperance. The program was
as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth Merrill
gave most interesting and instruc-
tive talk on Neal Dow, it being the
anniversary of his birthday Miss
Louise Coburn read an original poem
entitled knitting in the Shadow
which gave the audience much pleas
ure. The attendance was large,
over 60 being present.
Field Day was observed July 25
and very pleasant, restful after
noon was spent at the home of Mrs.
Minna Savage. No special program
was prepared, the committee all
agreeing that July weather was not
conducive to strenuous literary eff
forts. The tables were spread on
the lawn and bountiful lunch was
served, our hostess furnishing delic-
ious coffee
The Press of our town has been
most liberal in the matter of giving
us notices and reports free of charge.
Like all living organizations with
progress for their watchword, there
has been changes thru removals and
new members have been added. Mrs.
Russell and Mrs. Neal, two faithful
members have passed on to the great
unknown. We have at the present
time 121 paid members. 10 having
joined the past year.
Mrs. J. O. Smith very generously
offered $500 to the member who
should get the greatest number of
new members before the first meet
ing in March. Mrs. Roullard was the
winner of the prize.
The Skowhegan w c. T. L. at the
present time represents a strong
working force of earnest, faithful
women. We look back upon hap
Ply, prosperous year. The future
lies before us. we trust there are
still brighter days ahead.
FLORENCE W DANFORTH,
Secretary.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05
BUNKER HILI.-ATHENS

Mrs. +. Il. Brasier and son George
and little granddaughter of Brighton
were callers at Mont Sinclair's Sun
day.
Mr.. and Mrs. viii Bicdford and
children of Mayfeld visited at Elmer
Campbell's Friday.
Henry Hoyt of Brighton was in
town Friday.
Mr.. and Mrs o. B. Davis and chill
dren of Cambridge visited Mrs
Davis sister Mrs, Lila Small recent
ly.
Mr.. and Mrs. Sidney Walker were
in town Sunday
Mr.. asd Mrs. Bert Corson of Brigh-
ton We're in town Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Berry OF
Cambridge visited Mrs. Berry's sis
ter Mrs. Lila Small recently.
Harold Sinclair met with a pain
full accident Sunday by a horse step
ping on his foot, cutting it so badly
as to need the doctor to dress the
wound. but at present is getting
along nicely.
Mrs. II. J. Goodrich Of Wellington
has been visiting friends in town.
Edison Jones of Brighton was in
town Sunday.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05
STATE Or MAINE,
Somerset County,

In Probate Court, at Skowhe-
gan. on the nineteenth day of Septem-
Der A. d. 1916.
S f. Greene of Scion In said county,
administrator of the estate of George
W Cunningham, late of said SCION
deceased. having petitioned for II,
eense to sell certain real estate OF salo
deceased, situate in said Scion, Tor the
payment of the debts of said deceased
Bounded and described as follows;-
On the north by Pleasant st.; on the
east by land of Bertha Whipple; on
the south by land of John Lombard
or Myra Lombard; on the west by
land of Carrie Brophy, and the Odd
Fellows and Masons.
1t Is Ordered. that notice thereof be
given to all persons interested. by
causing a copy of this order to be
published three weeks successfully,
prior to the tenth day of October next,
In the Independent Reporter, a news,
paper printed at Skowhegan in said
County of Somerset. that they may at
tend at a court OF Probate then to be
holden in the Probate Court Room IN
said Skowhegan, at nine A. NJ, and
show cause II any they have why the
prayer of said petition should not De
granted
CHAS. O. SMALL
Judge Of Probate.
true copy,
Attest:
PHILo STEWARD.
2w3s Register.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05

118 and would get so weak at times that
fell over l began to take Lydia E.
Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, and
ten days later could eat and it did not
hurt my stomach. have taken the
medicine ever since and feel like a
new woman. now weigh 127 pounds
so you can see what it has done for me
already. My husband says he knows
your medicine has saved my life. -
Mrs. j. S. BARLOW, 1924 South 4th ST.,
Columbus, Ohio.
Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Com
pound contains just the virtues of roots
and herbs needed to restore health and
strength to the weakened organs of the
body. That is why Mrs. Barlow, a
chronic invalid, recovered so completely.
1t pays for women suffering from any
female ailments to insist upon having
Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Com
pound.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05
Notice of First Meeting of Creditor.

In the District Court OF tho United States for
the District OF Maine In Bankruptcy
In the matter OF
Leslie l.. wilcox In Bankruptcy
Bankrupt
To the creditors OF Leslie l.. Wilcox,
OF Fairfield. In the County OF Somerset and
District aforesaid, a bankrupt
Notice Is hereby given that on the 18th day
OF Noyem Der A. n. 1915. the said Leslie l..
Wilcox was duly Rdjudicated bankrupt.
and that the nrst meeting OF his creditors
will be held at Daniel Lewis otfice,
In Skowhegan, Maine, on the 18th
day OF October A. ID. 1916, at ten
o'clock In the forenoon, at which
time the said creditors may attend, prove
their claims, appoint a trustee, examine the
nkrupt, and transact such other business as
may properly come before said meeting.
Septemb Der ~, A. ID. 1916.
DANIEL LEWIS,
Referee in Bankruptcy
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05
Bankrupt's Petition for Discharge

In the matter OF Ralph W.
Phllbrick, Bankrupt, In Bankruptcy.
To the Ion. Clarence Hale, Judge of the Dis
trct Court ofthe United States for the Dis
trct OF Maine.
Ralph w. Philbrick OF
st. AL bans, in the County OF Somerset and
State OF aine, in said District, res pectfully
represents that on the 18th day OF May
last past, he was duly adjudge0 bankrupt
under the A cts OF Congress relating to bank
ruptcy; that he has duly surrendered all his
property and rights OF property, and has
fully complied with all the requirements OF
said Acts and OF the orders of Court
touching his bankruptcy.
Wherefore he prays, That he may be de-
creed by the Court to have a full discharge
from all debts proyable against his estate
under said bankruptcy Acts, except such
debts as are excepted by law from such dis
charge.
Dated this 18th dav OF September. A. D., 1916.
RALPH ". PHILBRICK,
BankrupI
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05
POWERS SCHOOLH0USE

Chester Sheaff and wife are NOV
ing into the Bernard Hutchinson
rent on the Oakland road.
Mrs. Henry Stevens still remains
in very poor health.
Mrs. Anna Perkins is caring for
her daughter and baby. Jennie Berry
Mrs. Mary and Hattie Bates were
callers at Ralph Berry's recently.
Aunt Mary Atwood, a smart old
lady of 50 years attended the soap
club at Larone Saturday. Aunt
Mary thinks nothing Of walking two
miles
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05
SUNDAYS
NOTICE

The Undersigned, Sarah II. Frye. as
Administrative of the estate of John
+. Frye late of NorridgewOck in the
County of Somerset aud State Of
Maine deceased. hereby gives notice
that she has been granted a license
the County of Somerset aforesaid to
sell the following described real es-
tate, being a part of the property Of
the said FRYE the same being situate
In said Norridgewock and bounded by
beginning In the center Of the high
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05

femdle troubles and
nervousness. | had
a pain in my right
side and could not
eat anything with
out hurting my
stomach. | could
not drink cold water
at all nor eat any
kind of raw fruit,
nor fresh meat nor
chicken. From 178
pounds went to
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05
ORDER OF NOTICE THEREON
IL - ~ 81. - 4

DISTRICT OF MAINE, 50
On this 70th day OF September A. -. 1915
on reading the foregoing petition II Ia
Ordered by the court That a hearing be had
upon the same on the 10th day OF Novem Der
A. d. 1915, before said Court at Portland In
said District, at ten O'Clock in the forenoon.
and that notice thereof be published in the
Observation-Disclosures Newspaper printed
In said District and that all known creditors,
and other persons In Interest may appear at
the said time and place, and show cause II
any they have, why the prayer OF said Pc
titioner should not be granted
And It is further ordered by the Court that
the Clerk shall send by mail 10 All known
creditors copies OF said petition and this
order, addressed to them at their places OF
residence as stated.
Witness the Honorable Clarence Hale
Judge OF the said Court and the seal thereof
at Portland In said District on the 30th day
OF Septem Der A. ID. 1915.
IL. 81 JAMES +. HEWEY. Clerk
A true copy OF petition and order thereon.
Attest: JAMES r. HEWFY, Clerk
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05


Leave Skowhegan-6O 90. 100. 500.
800, HOO a. m; 100, 200. $50. 500,
100 p. m.
FROM MADISON
Leave Madison 90 500 30.
10. 80 a. m; 2.05. zoo, $50, 500. 800,
Extra Local cars leave for cold
Brook at 1000 a. M POS, COS. 800
p. m.
Close connections with trains leav-
ing Skowhegan at sos and 11.55 a m,
and 225 T. m.
Also with trains arriving at Show
hogan at $50, 1915 a m, and 80 p.
IN.
Close connections with trains leav-
ing Madison (going NORTH at 1929 a.
m. for kineo and 4.3S p. m. for Bing-
ham.
Close connections with trains leav-
ing Madison (goinE southD at 7.45 q.
m. from Bingham and at 12.03 noon
from Kineo.
SUNDAYS
Cars leave Skowhegan for Madison
at $50, $50, 11.30 a. m; 100, 200,
$50, 500 100 p. IN.
Leave Madison for Skowhegan at
9 80, 1890 a. m; 1890, 200, $40. 5 90,
900, 500 p. m
Special cars furnished at any time
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05
STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP,
MANAGEMENT, ETC, REQUIRED
by THE ACTS OF CONGRESS-
OF AUGUST "a, 1912
OF The Observation-Disclosures Publish
ed weekly Mt SkowheERn, Maine

Publisher. The Independence Report
er Co. Editor, Roland T. Patten;
Managing Editor, Roland T. Patten;
Business Manager. Roland T. Patten.
all of Skowhegan, Maine.
2. That the owners are: clyde II,
Smith, Cecil II. Tilton, Lois w. Pat
gan, Maine
Sworn TO and subscribed before me
this October End. 1916.
ERNEST c. BUTLER,
Notary Public.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05
after SIX YEARS
OF SUFFERING
Woman Made Well by Lydia
E. Pinkham's Vegetable
Compound.

Columbus, Ohio. % had almost given
up. had been sick for six years with
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05

Have you joined the Board OF
Trade?
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-10-05
Somerset Traction Co.
Winter Arrangement of Cars
Effective Sunday, October I, 1916
FROM SKOWHEGAN

FItUM SNDW HIIIiNN
Leave Skowhegan-6.O0 100. s.
800, HOO a m; 100, 200. $50 So
100 p. m.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-05-29
NEW FORM OF PORK
SEEN BY ROOSEVELT
Says Proposal to- Confer Rank On
Engineers On Cruisers Will
Add 80 PIums.

NEW YORK. May 29.-COl. Theo-
dcre Roosevelt, before leaving this
city Sunday on speech-making trip
that will take him to Chicago, Kan
sas City and St Louis. made public
two letters in which he referred to
the proposal &c confer an officers
rank on a certain number of en-
gineers participating yearly in the
naval training cruises for civilians,
purely as a political scheme. rec
commended by Mr.. Daniels new
form of the pork barrel, which will
supply the politicians with 30 ad-
ditional yearly plums for the next
10 years TO come"
One letter was addressed to Henry
Reuterdahl, and the other 10 Thorn
as w. SlOcum. chairman of the New
York committee. which is obtaining
enlistments for the proposed cruises.
Commenting on the naval appro-
priation bill, which contains the
feature to which he objects, Col.
Roosevelt in his letter TO Reuterdahl
says:
has been framed without consulta-
tion with the navy itself. There
have been no hearings. The ques-
ton has not been referred to the
general board or the war college. or
any board of competent officers The
chief OF the bureau Of steam en-
gineering. Admiral Griffin, is on rec
ord against il.
Col. Roosevelt in his letter TO Mr.
Slocum approves Of the training
cruises for civ lians, however. and
says:
Il believe il is a supreme patri-
otto duty for men who have had ex-
perience on the sea and who know
our cast and for those who have
technical and mechanical training of
use on naval ships. to go on the
cruise and do their part in the cause
OF preparedness.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-05-29
LAKEVILLE, IND.

Miss Gertrude Hauser, who un-
derwent an operation at the Ep-
worth hospital, is doing nicely
Mrs. w. d. Wilson made a TRIP
TO South Bend Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Curtis Miller at
tended the funeral of Mrs. Frank
Ward Of South Bend. Wednesday.
Melvin Annis and Henry BreunIin
were in South Bend on business
Thursday.
Mrs. Laura Hupp. q nurse at the
Epworth hospital at South Bend
spent several days this week with
her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Erastus
Hupp.
Mrs. Schuyler Robertson was in
South Bend, Thursday.
DR.. How motored 10 South Bend.
Thursday.
Mrs. William Swander is i'll.
Mrs. Frank COoney Of Mishawa ka.
is spending a few days with her
parents. Mr.. and Mrs Albert War
rcn.
Mr.. and Mrs. Floyd Barley mo-
tored to South Bend Wednesday.