The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-09-07

the house by using this water which
anneared so proyidentially in the
spring.
In the year 1884, an account OF the |
residents in the upper portion OF the
town not being willing to come so
far for the transaction of town bust
ness, the north part, Mainstream be
ing taken for a line, was set OF ana |
Incorporated into a town called Cam
bridge.
About this time there lived a very |
peculiar and eccentric man named
Richard Rogers, commonly known as
Uncle Dick, who owned all this sec
ton around the village and would
not sell any of it, no matter how
tempting an offer he received, as he
didn't desire a neighbor nearer him
than a mile. In fact he was so odd
that a neighbor told him one day that
in case he fell into the stream and
was drowned they should look for
him upstream, as he was too odd to
float with the current.
In 1913 a tornado of terrible force
swept over the northern part of Rip
ley in as easterly direction. 1t was
narrow in scope, but of irresistible
force. Several houses and barns
were torn down and one schoolhouse
containing thirty scholars was moved
nearly its own length. Two OF the
houses which were blown down had
large chimneys, but not brick could
be found on either farm.
An amusing incident is told con-
corning some workmen who were re-
pairing house when the wind came.
had risen from its foundations. His
companions laughed at him; but his
story was substantated the following
day when the house was raised to put
under new sill, the vest of work
man which had been lost the day be-
fore, was found beneath the sill.
1t is related that Lamont Downing
was trudging along the highway
north of the pond one summer day,
when the air became oppressive and
sulphurous and the sky black as ink.
The first thing he knew he too was
caught up and went sailing away.
Fortunately he had not gone far when
he came in to the thick top of an elm
tree to which he chung. When the
storm had subsidized the people came
to see who was killed they discovered
the boy lodged in the tree and had to
get ladder to take him down from
his perilous position.
There is even now a memorial of
this great tornado in existence. which
is the large walnut tree in front of
the house where Daniel Wakefield
now lives; which was the site of one
of the houses which was blown down.
This tree is a composition of great
knots and gnarls caused by the ac-
ton of the wind upon it when
sapling.
An interesting character who lived
about this time when Mr.. Aaron Ran
dell, who afterwards moved to st.
Adams, where he died at an advanced
age. His coffin which had been paid
for in gold, was bought some years
before his death He left a paper
with Mr.. Daniel Frost requesting
that at his funeral there should be no
preaching. that the slate stone under
the kitchen stove should be used for
a headstone; and that the four bear
ers and driver of the hearse should
be democrats, for each of whom he
left a silver dollar.
Like other historians there being so
much material. | was tempted to
enumerate all the old settlers,
whence they came and where they
settled; but on hearing this story l
refrained
A man boasting of the antiquity of
his family said that his ancestors
came over in the Mayfower. why"
said his friend You're mere must
room of yesterday. l recently ex-
amined pedigree of my family that
filled hundred pages of manuscript
and near the middle of 1t was a mar
ginal note: About this time the world
was created
In the war of the Rebellion this
town sent a great many of its loyal
sons. many of whom distinguished
themselves on Southern fields and
many who never returned.
The Methodist Episcopal church
was erected and dedicated in the
year 1889, through the efforts of Ell
der Pearson and the townspeople of
Ripley. AT that time Ripley and
Harmony were In the same charge;
but soon after Ripley was united
with Dexter
Ripley Grange No 462. was or
ganized February IA, 1906 with 81
charter members, and has been very