davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
LIVES OF EASE AND |NDO-
LENCE MUST CEASE
Town Fathers Determined That Able
Bodied Shall do Their Part

The Selectmen have been investi-
eating some specially aggravating
cases of non-support, recently, and
the case of George Eames reported
elsewhere in this issue, is the first of
several arrests that are likely to be
made unless other of our citizens,
able bodied, but indoent, mend their
ways. Our town fathers take the
stand that the municipality can and
should be liberal to the last degree
to its aid to the deserving, especially
women and children. They arc de-
termined however that every able
bodied man shall do his part toward
his own support and for the support
of those dependent on him.
Action in these cases requires the
most careful Investigation, that no in
justice be done, but the Importance of
the matter will justify the authorities
for the time they eXpend upon it.
There is nothing so maddening to the
thrifty and Industrious as the reali-
zation that their burden is greater
because of the lazy and shiftless. If,
in time and public funds. the saving
to the poor department is entirely Off
set by the cost of thus setting each
lazy individual at work. the net re-
suit in justice gained and general
satisfaction will be ample reward.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
May Day Fair and Festival

The May Day Fair given under the
First Baptist Church Monday netted
the ladies' around $75 1t was held
in the Morrison Block and the sales
were conducted by bevy of fair
women whose names have been pre-
yiously given. A happy feature Of
the day was the presentation of a
pink and white quilt of extremely
dainty design to Mrs. Philo Steward.
who has during the winter allowed
the members to use her home as
headquarters for their meetings. II
was a surprise, happily received
Tuesday evening occurred the Child
rens Festival which was directed by
Miss Mary Lyons and which was a
splendid success She was assisted
by many children in the production
and Lyons Orchestra. The festival
was held in the First Church auditor
ium and one of the most entertaining
features was the May Pole Dance
with Miss Christina Hall as queen
and Christina Scott and Madeline
Sylvester as crowners. Kenneth
Cole gave welcome from the school
and David X. Lyon played violin
number. The Flag March and tab
leauX. Miss Jeanie Thomson repre-
senting Liberty were other pleasing
features as were the various recita-
tions and music numbers given by the
various children. The pianists were
Miss Chastine Kelley and Miss Jeanie
Thomson.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
WHO WILL HAVE A HOUSE
TO RENT?
SkoWhegan Board of Trade Has Ap-
pointed Committee to Study Prob
lem

Anticipating shortage Of housing
accommodations during the coming
summer, the Skowhegan Board of
Trade has appointed II l.. SWEET and
study that problem. This committee
first wishes to learn. as far as posi-
Bile, just what tenements and houses
will be available. Having learned
this and having posted themselves on
the number of tenements likely to be
wanted, they will make such plans as
they can for the erection of new
houses or the reftting and enlarging
of those now standing. In carrying
out this plan they wish to make a
card index of all the houses and tene-
ments for rent in SkoW hogan, Wheth-
er unoccupied or otherwise. Owners
will find it greatly to their advantage
to aid the committee by reporting to
them regarding their property. and
by reporting thereafter whenever a
tenement is likely 10 become vacant.
If this is done Systematically there
need be no idle tenements, greatly to
the profit of house owners and the
accommodation Of those who wish to
hire.
Mr.. Butler or Mr.. SWEET will wei
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
TOWN IMPROVEMENT
SOCIETY
Miss Gertrude S. Wes-
ton is New President
Annual Meeting and Election of Of
fieerS. Palm Presented to Mrs.
Fish. the Retiring President

The annual meeting of the Town
Improvement Society occurred Fri
day April 2Sth in the Library Par
lors at the usual hour, and the hos
tesses for the afternoon were Mrs.
Vina Harvile and Mrs. Mabel Bragg.
The program, which had been pre-
pared by the secretary, Mrs Nettie
w Paddock, opened with a poem rs
1t Spring? very pieasingly read by
Mrs Isabel Small. In the absence
of the president Mrs. Elizabeth P,
Merrill presided The first paper
entitled the Food of Yesterday, was
given by Mrs. Irene N. Turner; The
Purity of Food and Nourishing Food
was presented in an excellent paper
by Mrs. Minnie Mantor This was
followed by pretty piano solo play
ed by Ruth lies, who also responded
to an encore. Miss Gertrude Wes-
ton then spoke on THE Combination
of Foods" and read several interest
ing and instructive articles on that
subject. The closing number of the
program was piano duet, very nice
ly played by the Misses Doris Went
worth and Dorothy Potts.
This was followed by the election
of the following officers: President,
Miss Gertrude S. Weston; 1st vice
president, Mrs Elizabeth p Merrill;
2nd vice president, Mrs. Florence w.
Danforth; secretary. Mrs. Irene N.
Witham; directors, Mrs Ruth Eaton,
Miss Alice Danforth, Mrs. Minnie
Mantor. Mrs. Florence Higgins, Mrs.
Florence Lancaster.
Plans were made to observe Field
Day during the latter part of June at
the home of Mrs. Emma c. Witham.
Mrs. Nettie W Paddock, Mrs Minnie
Mantor and Mrs. Ina Hill were ap-
pointed as delegates to the Maine
Federation which meets at kineo in
September.
At the close of the meeting refresh
ments of strawberry ice cream, as
sorted cake, and salted nuts were
served by Mrs. Nellie Conant Mrs.
Ina Hill, Mrs Emma Witham, Mrs.
Irene Turner and Miss Alice Dan
forth and a social hour enjoyed.
The retiring president Mrs. Annie
F Fish, who was too i'll to attend the
session was presented later with a
lovely arancaria (Norfolk Island
Palm) as a token of the society S
gratitude and appreciation for her
services during her two years OF
presidency.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
Death of Mrs. George Townsend OF
New Portland

Mrs. Rose, wife of George A. Town
send of New Portland died at her
home two miles out of Kingfeld viii
lage Friday morning of heart trouble.
Besides her husband the near rela-
tyes are her mother, Mrs. Rosaline
Wilber of Strong, daughter Mrs.
Edward Dixon of Bangor, an adopted
son Sammie, aged about twelve years,
two brothers Jerry and Charles Will
Der of Phillips, two sisters, Mrs.
Clara Witham of Strong and Mrs. Ida
Waltner of Dayton, Ohio, two uncles
Ed and Seymore Berry of Madrid and
several cousins in Kingfield, all of
whom were present at the funeral
except Mrs. Waltner. The funeral
services were held Sunday afternoon
at , o'clock at her home, Rev. C. ].
Longley of Kingfeld officiating. Music
was by the choir of the Baptist
church.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
TEACHERS At NOR.
R|DGEWOCK
Somerset Educational
Assn Meets
SkOwhegan Teaching Force Are Priv
iIeged TO Close Schools and Attend

The Western Somerset Educational
Association meets tomorrow (Friday)
in Norridgewock and many of the
local teachers will doubtless attend
as they will be privileged to close
their schools for this purpose.
Quoting from one of the superinten-
dents relative to this important event
in educational circles the following
details are given:
The executive committee of the
Western Somerset Educational As
sociation has planned a new depart
ure at their annual meeting at Nor
ridgewock on May 5. Hitherto these
meetings have been devoted to formal
addresses and papers dealing with
the major phases of school work with
Continued on Page 6)
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
MAN MISSING SINCE
! FEBRUARY
Body Found Below the
Mouth of River
Patrick Powers Left Companions at
Bridge and Supposedly Walked In
to Open Wafer

LOCKWOOD. May The body OF
Pat Powers. who has been missing
since last February, was discovered
by Fred Calder yesterday floating by
the shore in the cove below the
mouth of Moose River. Mr.. Powers
was last seen at Silas Wilers where
he attended wake He and two
friends. started for the camp from
which they came. the two other fell
lows leaving Mr.. Powers at the
bridge. 1t is supposed that he was
under the influence of liquor and
started to cross the river on the ice
instead of by way of the bridge and
walked into the open water. Mr..
Powers was employed by the Great
Northern Paper Co.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
UNCLE BEN PRIEST OF
CANAAN lO4 TODAY
Canaan Probably is the Home of the
Oldest Man in the State

Benjamin Priest, the Oldest man in
Canaan and possibly in the State will
be lo4 years old today, the 4th of
May. Physically he is fairly we'll
but during the past year his mind
has been gradually failing Il is
thought that he is the oldest surHiy-
ing veteran Should there be others
older. We would be glad 10 hear oi
them. He has been tenderIy cared
for during the past year by Mrs.
William Lewis. \ post card shower
has been suggested as thoughtful
act as aged people like to be remem-
bored
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
=. p. FELkER A SUICIDE
Widely known to Many Acquaint.
ances IN This Section

Word reached Skowhegan Monday
that S. p Felker of Clinton had com
mitted suicide by shooting He was
widely known in this section, having
been a travelling salesman for years
and was highly respected. In 1906
and 1901 Mr.. Felker was grand mas
ter of the Grand Lodge of Odd Eel
lows in Maine. 1t is understood that
the deceased had lost heavily in
stocks only short time before com
hitting the rash act which is sincere
ly regretted by friends in various
parts of the State.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
five Dollars for Some Good Pig

Another special prize Of h,e do
lars which viii 20 10 someone al the
Somerset Central Far. next Septem-
Der Is offered By Ivory Homsted for
The best SOW and litter Of not less
than 10 pigs A. is usual in all
dairy sections. this county has al
ways raised lots Of pork and there
are some splendid herds Of swine in
this vicinity In the last few years
there have been many purebreds. Of
various breeds bred but this price
is open for al kinds Of pigs. any
breed. grades or Of unknown breed
ing
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
BODY OF PAUL MAYO
IS RECOVERED
Unfortunate Augusta Youth Was
Drowned in Sandy Stream. Re-
mains Sent Home

The body of Paul Mayo, the un-
fortunate Augusta youth, who was
drowned while working on Sandy
Stream. was found Saturday over two
miles below the place where the ac-
cident occurred The remains were
taken to an undertaker's establish
ment in North Anson and were sent
TO Augusta by the way of Skowhe-
gan Sunday The parents of the de
ceased reside in Augusta
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
Death of Miss Belle Hilton

Miss Belle Hilton for many yeas
resident OF Somerset County ana late
ly of New Portland. died Monday at
the home of her sister. Mrs. W. H.
Burton in Piusheld She was a
school teacher by profession Tie
nearest surviving relatives are h
father Andrew Hilton. the sister al
ready mentioned and one brother,
Walter Hilton of Guilford
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
Captain Marston Speaks at BoWdoin

Captain Roy l.. Marston. with Ad-
jutant General Presson. spoke at a
meeting of the Bowdoin (College)
Union at Brunswick. last evening II
was a Preparedness meeting and en-
thusiastic in every feature. Al its
close it was decided to recruit at
once a full company of Coast Artil-
lery. General Leonard Wood will
address the same audience a little
later in the month.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
SK0WHEGAN CHAU-
TAUQUA JULY 1918
Programs For Day And
Evening
Course Has Been Booked In About
Seventy-fiHe Prominent Cities and
Towns i'm New England


The date for the Skowhegan Chau-
tauqua is July 18th to 10Th inclusive
and the entertainment will be con-
tinued mornings, afternoons and
evenings during that time. The en-
tertainments will be given in a large
waterproof tent seating more than a
thousand people, probably at Fair
view Park, and promise to be of sur
passing interest
The course has already been book
ed in about seyenty-fve prominent
cities and towns in New England,
Long Island and also New York City.
The same program Will appear here
as is to appear on Broadway in New
York in Plainfield, n. j.; Bangor and
Augusta, Me; Nashua and Concord,
\. H., and LenoX, Mass.
The program includes many not
able attractions. among them Freder-
icli Warde. the eminent Shakespear-
can tragedian; Ienora Sparkes,
P'''i' N"'i'i' 'ol'i"'' VI 'AiO -"''i oP'
Iltan opera Ole Theobaldl, the ia
nous Norwegian NIoIlhlst, and VIC
tors Florentine Band and Neapolitan
Ifoubadours.
others on the list are Lee Francis
Lyoarger' member OF the Phlladei-
phia bar who will lecture on Pork
Barrel Legislation a most timely and
pertinent subject
Another strong lecture feature is
Andre Irldon' VINO was the cores
pohdeht OF the OUTLOOK ana lhdepen-
dent magazines at Vera Cruz at the
time OF the occupation OF Vera cruz
by Admiral FLETCHER
DE- Euclid Il. Rogers oil Spring
heid, ILL.,, seasoned Ghauiauqua'
whose messages nave had strong
grip ON audiences in the west and
middle west VIII lecture on "A LlV-
ING or Il Lie.
Inc program Is particularly rlch
IN music. MISS SparkeS Is an Eng
llsh gIrI whose singing WAS hrst
brought to VIDE pupllc notice
through the efforts OF hlne Edward
and Queen Alexandra OF England
when she was singing IN local
church IN her nome town, Co"es'
England. She Will have as assisting
artists Marguerite de Forest-Ander-
SON. hautlste' and harrington Branch
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
Death of Mrs. Charles Hayden

The many friends of Mrs Charles
Hayden of Waltham, Mass, formerly
OF Skowhegan. will be grjeyed to
learn of her recent death which oe-
CURED en- April 9TH.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04
Correction

The name clyde smith" appear
ing in the Committee of Twenty. as
published by us last week, should
have been "Chas. S. smith" The
manuscript submitted by the Select
men was correct and the error oe-
CURED in our office.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04

Miss Sarah Pennell teacher in
the Deering High School departed
yesterday after a visit with her pa
rents Mr.. and Mrs. F. P. Penpell
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-05-04

Loan this paper to your neighbor.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-11
SALE Of ISLANDS
ST|RS UP OPPOSITION
Danish Minister Says 1t Is Desirable
to Yield to the Wishes of IA
Great State,

Copenhagen. Aug. 10.-The first
reading or the bill for the sale of the
Danish West Indies to the United
States stirred an outburst of oppos-
'ttOn and an exciting debate IN the
Folkething. the lower house of the
Rigsdag today.
1t is believed the Folkething will
adopt the measure owing to the fact
that the Radical and Socialist parties
" hich have a majority favor the sale.
on the other hand the landething,
or upper house, it is thought, is OPP
posed 10 the measure.
During the debate Finance Minister
Edward Brandes intimated that the
government had no alternative. but to
accede to the desire of the United
States He said dissolution of the
Rigsdag would follow the rejection OF
1.-THE measure.
Erick De Scavenius. foreign min
lister, in opening the debate. said the
retention of the island might involve
Denmark in international complica-
tons
Minister Brandes told the house
that as far back as 1913 America had
offered to purchase the islands but
Denmark declined as it was thought
undesirable to lower the Danish col
ors without coRent reasons
| He asked what Denmark would do
! If the United States seized the islands
should we declare war or appeal To
Europe" he asked.
| After declaring that the govern
ment felt bound to accede to the de-
sire of a great state, he added that
the government regretted that the
colors had to be lowered. lie closed
| by saying:
when hurricane is blowing. one
is obliged to yield"
| Several members expressed their
skepticism as to the existence of a
crisis necessitatng the safe of the
islands.
The conservative leader strongly
opposed the sale declaring a major
lity Of his party were against il.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-11
better ACQUAINTANCE
HAS PROVEN SUCCESS
Features of An Entertaining Charac-
ter VIII Mark Closing Days
of Week.

Visitors to Richmond for Better Ac-
quaintance Week gathered last night
in the ballroom of the Richmond Ho-
tel to hear an address by Frank
Stockdale, of System Magazine. but
due to bad train connection the speak
er did not appear w. A. Clarke,
Jr., secretary of the Retail Merchants
Association, delivered his address on
Organization" which brought many
good points to his hearers attention.
To make up for the absence of Mr..
Stockdale. W. T. Dabney. business
manager for the Chamber of Com
merce, made one of his "wRoop"
talks, filled in with singing by the
visitors. An orchestra was on hand
TO furnish music, and latter the ora
tory refreshments were served.
Tonight the big outdoor dance in
Tenth Street will feature the day
entertainment. and will be gorgeous
event. In addition to the visitors. all
merchants of the city are invited to
attend. as well as the public at large.
Baseball this afternoon and tomor-
row, with the theaters and other
planned entertainments, will mark the
program of the closing days.
Better Acquaintance Week has been
declared a success from every stand
point, and II has resulted in positive
advantage both to the visiting mer-
chants and those of Richmond. The
manufacturers exhibit has been a
point of interest for the visitors, hun
dreds of the admiring out-of-town
merchants spending a good deal of
their time there.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-11
ISEPRESENTATIVF NAMED
TO CONFER ON CHURCH UNION

Knoxville. Tenn. Aug. 10.-Twen-
ty-f1ve representatives OF the South
ern Methodist Church have been ap-
pointed to meet with like number
from Northern Methodist Church and
agree on a plan of union for the two
denominations, the appointments be-
ing made by board of three bishops,
three ministers and three laymen, who
met at Tate Springs.
The personnel OF the commission
will not be made public until accept
ances have been received from all
and number of alternates were
named. who viii take the place of any
original appointees not able to serve.
Bishop A. W. Wilson presided today.
the other members of the board being
Bishop Collins Denny. Bishop E. e.
Hoss; the Rev. Or. J. NJ. Moore. of
Nashville: the Rev. DR.. W. j. Young.
of Atlanta; the Rev. DIR. F. II. Thomas,
of Louisville; II. NJ. Snyder, of Spar
tansburg. s. c.; NJ. l. Walton, of Wood :
stan, Va. and Frank McGhee Maddin,
of Nashville.
The commissions from the two de-
nominations are expected to draw up
a plan for uniting. which will be
passed on at the respective conven-
tions in 1918.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-11
DEMOCRATIC Campaign
COMMITTEE NAMED
An Associate Committee OF Members
of Progressive Party WIN Co.
operate With Democratic.

New York. Aug. 10.---Democratic
National Campaign Manager Vance c,
Mccormick today appointed his cam
paign committee. and with It an "as-
sociatc campaign committee OF Pro-
gressives in behalf of Wilson" Mr..
Mccormick says the Democratic party
Will not try to absorb the Progressive
party. but will cooperate with Il,
1t Is announced the President has
set aside Thursday. August II, as a
day on which he will meet Progress
sive members OF the committee. He
will meet the campaign committee of
Democrats Tuesday. August Is.
The announcement made tonight
follows:
Democratic Campaign Committee
Vance c. Mccormick, chairman
Homer S. Cummings. vice-chairman.
Connecticut; Wilbur w. Marsh, treas
nrer, Iowa; Carter Glass, secretary,
Virginia; Henry Morgenthau, chair
man finance committee, New York;
Judge X. S. Hudspeth. New Jersey:
Hugh c. Wallace, Washington: Fred
r. Lynch Minnesota; Thomas J.
Walsh, Montana; Albert Sahn Indi-
ana; Simon NJ. Johnson, Ohio; w. f.
Benson. Kansas, w l.. Saunders, New
Jersey, Francis s. Peabody, Illinois;
Frank f. Dorcmus. Michigan; James
f. Smith, Missouri: M A. Coolidge,
Massachusetts; Gavin McNabb, Cali
fornia; D. G. Roper. chairman organi-
cation bureau, Robert w. Wooley, d.
rector OF publicity.
Associate Campaign Committee of
ves--Bain bridge Colby, New
York: Mathew Hale, Massac husetts,
Albert d Nortoni Missouri; Francis
J Heney. California;; J. A. Fl. Hop
kins, New Jersey; Ole Hanson, WASH
tngton; Henry NJ. Wallace, Michigan.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-11
THE "GERRyMANDER,"
HOW HE WAS BORN

II was an early American newspa-
per editor who made the word ger
rymandcr," He was Major benjamin
Russell, of the Massachusetts Cen
tlnel which he and his partner War
den founded in 1884. He was a
fghting man, and the Centinel was
no tame journal. but whacked
hlitheIy and cared not where the
chips aew, says the editor of the
Merge saler Lines @ Type News.
In ISL the Massachusetts Legis-
lature under Governor Gerry made
a neat new division of districts for
Congress elections The most insid-
ious and ingenious arrangement OF
districts was the one for the County
of Essex. With great glee Russell
took a map Of the county and color
ed the districts 20 show the heinous-
ness OF the device.
Gilbert Stuart, the famous painter,
saw the map and suggested that the
apportionment looked like n reptile.
He made a few marks on IL with his
pencil and said: There, It's a saIa-
mander"'
Russell Jumped up. laughing.
"Salamanfer" he shouted, looking
at the hideous figure: Clergyman
der.'
An engraving OF the "gerryman-
der was made and hawked through
the State Thus was born what
probably Is one OF the most con-
stantly used Of all manufactured
newspaper words.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-11
CHINESE CREW GOES
BACK TO ITS SHIP

Newport News. Va, Aug. 1o.--One
day In jail, and the threat OF d naval
court, put twenty-five Chinese mem
bers OF the crew OF the British steam
CT BreConia back aboard last night,
entirely satisfied with the prospect OF
Il trip TO England,
The men left tho Breconia Tuesday
night. when bonus amounting to
over 5000 was refused. They were
promptly Jailed In a last effort TO
settle with the men Vice Consul Ken
worthy visited the city Jail last night
and told them that unless they went
back to the Hreconia, all would he
tried before a naval board. and de-
ported to an English Jail The TWEEN
ty-two men then decided that they
would make the trip. and Captain w
Williams. master OF the Breconia In
order to further assure peace, prom
ised each a $40 bonus for the trip
out OF this port.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-11
STEVENS ON SCENE
IN WEST VIRGINIA

According to information received
here late yesterday afternoon at the
general offices, the main line Of thu
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. Conn
pany, which was blocked to some ex.
tent Wednesday as a result of the
cloudburst In West Virginia and the
overlooking of creeks tributaries til
the Kanawha River, has been cleared.
Just how much the branch lines run.
ming into the coal fields of West vir.
ginia have suffered as result of the
food has not yet been definitely as
certained by the Richmond offices but
IL is believed that traffic can be re-.
sumed over the entire system within
the next day or two
The floods hampered service on the
main line somewhat Wednesday and
to be on the safe side passenger SER
vice was detoured eyer the Kanawha
and Michigan from Couley to Charles
ton Service is still crippled over the
branch lines but 1t will doubtless be
restored to normal before Saturday
afternoon.
At the present time General Mana
ger ]. Paul Stevens Is on the scene
of the flood and is fast restoring con-
ditions TO their normal shape.