davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
MRS. YESTA BLAISDELL INJURED
Tripped on Rug and is Confined 10 her
Bed As Result of Fall

Mrs. Nesta Blaisdell, housekeeper at
the home of Albert Smith on North
street met with a very painful aeci-
dent. Friday afternoon As a result
she is confined to her bed and under
the care of physician.
Mrs. Blaisdell was walking thru the
hallway of the Smith home and trip
ping on rug she lost her balance
and fell heavily to the floor. She was
unable to rise without assistance and
called for aid. DR. GAIA was immedi-
ately summoned and found many
body bruises and at first it was
thought Mrs. Blaisdell had dislocated
her hip This developed to be merely
bad strain. At the present time the
patient is resting comfortably and a
speedy recovery is looked for
The victim of this unfortunate ac-
cident is 6S years of age and it is
considered remarkable that she
should recover so rapidly
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
The Brown Reunion

The annual reunion of the Brown
family was held July Sth at the home
of Hannibal Waugh in Starks, with
thirty-seven of the family present
and four generations represented.
Noticeable among those present was
Mrs. Henrietta Durgin of The Forks,
1t being her first appearance at any
of the reunions. Charles Brown of
Belgrade was the oldest member pres
ent having recently passed his 73rd
birthday. Those present from out of
town were:
Bert Baker and family, Ernest Gill
man and family, Norridgewock;
Dell Brown and family, Olan Brown
and family, Jack Marfarlane and fam
lily and Mr.. and Mrs. Weston of Madi-
son; Mrs. Durgin from The Forks and
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Brown of Bel
grade.
An ercellent dinner was served at
noon and late refreshments of cake,
ice cream, fruit and lemonade and al
together a most enjoyable day was
passed.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
SHERIFF SEXES QUANT|-
TY UNLABELEO UNO
New Statute Requires That All Liq-
uOrs Containing Alch0hol Shall Be
Marked

The stern hand OF the law reached
out in the vicinity of the Skowhegan
freight depot last Tuesday morning
and grasped several kegs of perfectly
good Uno beer The young man who
drove up to the sliding doors to get
the consignment was informed that
the liquid refreshment was not to be
taken away. Now this remark some
what surprised him az he had hauled
away many similar kegs on previous
occasions but he forgot the new stat
ute which went into effect July z.
1917; said law requiring that all
liquors supposed to contain 8 per cent
alcohol or less shall be properly la
beled
This is the substance of the new
law and recent activities in Somer-
sets shire town would tend to indicate
that the indoor sport of drinking Uno
beer will have to be stopped. 1t is
understood that the liquor seized, ag
gregating many gallons, was sent
back from whence it came
Below is given the text of the new
law which governs the labelling of Ii
quors kept for sale in this State.
Section 81, Chapter 200 of the Pub
lie Laws of 1917 which became opera
tive last Saturday:
All ale, beer, and other liquors kept
for sale in this state, of which alcohol
is an ingredient or constituent part,
shall be plainly labeled by having con-
spicuously affixed on the vessels in
which they are contained, a paper
label, showing in print, the percent
age of alcohol contained in said Ii
quors within the meaning of the stat
ute, shall be subject to seizure and
shall be disposed of in the manner
provided for disposing of intoxicating
liquors Any person who keeps and
offers for sale any such liquors not
so labeled shall be subject to a fine
of one hundred dollars and costs and
be imprisoned for not less than two
nor more than six months. and in de-
fault of payment of said fine and costs
he shall be imprisoned six months adj
ditional. -(Approyed April 6, 1910
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
GEO. GRAY INSTANTLY
KILLED IN SAW MILL
Hurled Against Building When
Struck by Heavy Log

George Gray of Jackman, aged 2S,
was killed instantly last Thursday,
when large log struck him in the
abdomen, hurting him against the side
of a building.
Mr.. Gray was working on the log
carrier at the Jackman Lumber Cos.
mill and as he started to slide log
onto the carrier one end of it flew
up and stuck him terrible blow in
the abdomen. He was hurled against
the side of the mill with such force
that his body rebounded striking at
the foot of the saw. When picked
up it was found that his back was
broken and he died instantly.
The deceased leaves to mourn his
loss a young wife and an infant boy
He had been employed in Jackman
about two years and was we'll liked
by all who knew him. Funeral SER
vices were held at the Congregational
church Sunday morning with Rev.
Mr.. Jones officiating. Mr.. Jones is
the only living relative of Mrs. Gray
in this country, she being a native OF
Wales.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
SCARCITY OF WOOD FELT
BY LOCAL PEOPLE
Plenty of This Commodity In Its Nat
ural State But ii Is Hard to Get

Fuel of all kinds seems to be as
scarce as the proverbial hens teeth
Those who have been worrying over
the coal situation have righteous
cause to make a few testy remarks
over the wood situation. For wood,
like coal, Is hard to get and by the
scarcity OF wood the price is regulat-
ed In the past the head of the house
has given very little thot to the wood
pile, since for many years that COM
modify has been comparatively cheap.
At the present time he reckons his
wood bill along with the statements
from the butcher and grocer. That
wood is hard to get is no idle fallacy
as reports issued by men that know
tend to show.
Bulletins, issued by one of the larg-
est coal and wood dealers in the State,
testify to the fact that there is plenty
of wood in it's natural state but much
of this is being put into vessels and
much more of it cannot be prepared
for the back yard due to the scarcity
of help. That delegation of woods
men who left Maine some time ago
for parts unknown, have played no
little role in the drama of wood 60
ing up. Woodsmen are scarce and
so are woodpiles. The family man
has many things to think about at
the present time and the high cost of
wood is but one more item which will
keep him guessing. II you have
plenty of wood laid by for the coming
winter go slow on it and do not be
so ready to let the son or the wife
fill up the wood box.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
FIFTY YEARS Welded
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel VI. Adams Cele-
brate Golden Wedding Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs Samuel NJ Adams of
Troutdale celebrated their golden
wedding anniversary. July 4. 1917, at
the home of their daughter Mrs. David
Holway in Madison Mrs. Adams was
Miss Clara spofford, daughter of T. r
and Nancy F Spofford of Bingham and
eight children were born to them, one
of whom died in infancy. Five chill
dren with their families were present
and other relatives and friends. This
was the 25th wedding anniversary of
the Oldest son, J. W. Adams, and one
granddaughter was present as a bride
with her husband Frank Savage
Mr.. Adams has for many years been
a violinist and with Mrs. Adams at
the organ to play the accompaniment
has given pleasure to young and old.
The family is musical and they formed
a home orchestra for this particular
event, Elmer Adams joining with the
VIOLIN J. w. Adams with the banjo and
a little grandson Donald Adams, aged
sir years adding to the enjoyment
with the harmoniea. A bountiful
dinner was served to which all did
justice the beautiful wedding cakes
made by the daughters being especial
ly appropriate A sum Of gold was
presented to Mr.. and Mrs Adams as
token of the love and esteem in
which they were held.
The following poem entitled Their
Golden Wedding" was written by
daughter Mrs Vonie E. Gilman.
THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING
Just half century ago,
A couple young and gay,
Drove to the town of Bingham,
And joined their lives-glad day,
In years that swiftly followed
Some in sunshine, some in showers,
Eight children came to bless them,
And brighten life's long hours.
" s&I
Now all have left the home-nest
Some felt the Christening rod;
One closed her eyes in peaceful sleep,
To ever be with God.
Thus fifty years have swiftly gone,
And today. friends bright and gay,
Are here to wish them all that's good,
On their golden wedding day.
May coming days bring happiness,
And joy and peace and rest.
And may their added score of years,
Re tha SwaetaSt and tha host
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
SK0WHECAN QLAD HAS
MOST NOVEL TRADE
Gathers Pennies on the Streets by
Singing for Benefit of Passersby

For more than three years Skowhe-
gan has had the services of a street
musician. Practically every day,
both winter and summer, one could
see standing on the sidewalk, rugged
urchin, still in his teens, singing in a
clear melodious voice His stock of
music is in his head for having memo
rized two or three selections he has
rendered them until some of the citi-
zens, unconscious of what they are
doing, may be heard humming the
tunes that the urchin sings.
Yes for more than three years, day
in and day out, this little fellow has
been on our streets and his song has
helped to cheer more than one heavy
heart Some have ridiculed him and
have tried to discourage his venture,
but to no avail. He continues to
sing as tho his heart were light and
nothing has yet been able to stop him.
And who would desire to stop his
song or who would have him stop for
the sake of a few paltry pennies? :?
Many in passing drop money into his
extended palm and then listen for his
song and 1t is always forthcoming,
clear and rich in tone, sung from the
heart Everyone knows the lad and
upon sight of him they ask for his
song. Like the true business man
he first requires slight payment as
a token of good faith and then he
sings.
He is still attending to his duties
as street musician and If on some
warm afternoon you hear the strains
Of His Name is Billy Barton" you
will know that it is the little urchin
of the street singing his favorite
song.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
\ CHANCE TO SEE AMERICA
The Traiel6gue Entertainers Will Be
at the Opera House, Friday, July
2Oth

Citizens Of Skowhegan and vicinity
will soon have an opportunity TO See
America First" On the evening of
July ~. v T Clark's Trayelogue En-
tertainers will be at the Opera House
prepared 10 conduct all who attend on
an interesting and comprehensive trip
from Maine to California, including
an excursion to Arizona Over loo
views, including pictures OF the Yose-
mite Valley. Grand Canyon of Arizo-
ma; the wonderful missions Of Cali
fornia and the Sportsman's Paradise
of Maine, will be depicted on the
screen
OF especial interest to local people
will be the appearance of Miss Arlen
Mckenney in several song numbers
and Ruth Gardner Clark, daughter of
". 7. Clark. in fancy and classic
dances. Residents of this town should
take advantage of this opportunity to
learn something of the beauties of
America and especially of the state in
which they live. Tickets at Buck
nam's
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
Seven Passenger. 1915 Cadillac Eight,
For Eight Hundred Dollars

If you always ride alone. you doubt
less would not need this car If
there are but two in your family, you
can get along, frst-rate. with a five
scatter. But if there are five or even
three in your household. this seven
passenger Cadillac is just your meas
ure
This machine has been cared for
TO the limit. 1t is practically i'm
possible to detect any variation in its
running from the first mile it ever
travelled. Its eight cylinder motor
talks with the same gentle, powerful
tone that ii did on the day it first
took the highway. A new car of this
model would cost you S2235 F. O. B.
any Maine point, and you would have
to place your order months in advance
at that This 1915 model has luxury
enough and miles enough in it to
make it a good buy at fifteen hundred
When offered at eight, it is the climax
of value in the present motor car sea-
son.
Inquiries by mail or telephone will
receive careful attention. Car may
be seen at my home, Norridgewock
ayonue
ROLAND T. PATTEN. Skowhegan
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
HAS IMPORTANT POSITION
Miss Ruth Richardson Appointed
Teacher in Maryland College for
Women

Word has been received of the ap-
pointment of Miss Ruth Richardson as
"a teacher in the English department
of the Maryland College for Women,
near Baltimore Miss Richardson
graduated this year from Boston Uni
versity, College of Liberal Arts Di-
vision. She specialized in college in
English, Latin and Spanish and was
chosen by committee representing
the Maryland College who came to
Boston in quest of teachers, on ac-
count of her high standing, especially
in English
Miss Richardson is the daughter of
Charles c. Richardson, a native of
Skowhegan, and a granddaughter of
the late Silas Richardson of East
Skowhegan. Her father graduated
from the Skowhegan High School and
Colby College and has held import
ant high school principalships in
Maine, Rhode Island, and Massachu-
sets He has been superintendent
of public schools for the past four
teen years and is at present superin-
tendent of the Dana, Mass. school
superintendency district.
Ruth Richardson received her ele-
mentary school instruction in Rhode
Island, taking her ninth year at the
Broad Street Grammar school of the
city of Central Falls, r. l. On ac-
count of her youth she was not al
lowed to enter high school till two
years later than her standing called
for. She took her first high school
year at the Cumberland, X. l. High
School and ranked first in her class of
the studies of the three courses of
fered at the school Her last three
years in high school were spent at
Leicester, Mass, Academy, graduating
in the class of 1913. She immediate
ly entered Boston University and has
taken in her four years there consid-
erably more work than was required
for graduation, receiving practical
training during her senior year in the
Revere, Mass. public schools
Miss Richardson is passing the sum-
mer with her parents at North Dana,
Mass. their present home.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
The NOrton Family Reunion

family reunion of more than pass
ing notice was held at the home of
MI and Mrs. Jay M. Pierce at Nor
ridgewock on the Fourth of July, it
being in honor of the Norton family
and sixty three were present. The
guest of honor was James Norton of
Anson as he was the only one living
of the four brothers in whose honor
the reunions are held. Three years
ago the association was formed at the
Norton homestead in North Anson and
last year the reunion was held at
len Norton Pierce as above stated
while next year the association ac-
cepted the invitation Of Mrs. Carrie
Norton Tobey to meet with her on
the goth Of June, at her LONE in this
town. This is one of the old families
OF the State and like all the good old
New England families 1t is closely
united by its family bonds and when
ever reunion is held the day Is one
to be remembered always apart from
all others as real family day The
officers for the coming year were Sc
lected as follows: President, James
Norton; secretary, Mrs. Henry Nor
ton; executive committee, Mrs. Clara
Oliver and Mrs. Ellen Pierce. A de-
hcious picnic dinner was served at
noon, those present being Mrs. Julia
Norton and daughter Mrs. Emily Gro
son of Winterset. Iowa; Mr.. and Mrs.
Everett Hodgkins of North Chester
vile; Henry Norton and family,
Joseph Norton and family, Mr.. and
Mrs. Herbert Mitchell, Mr.. and Mrs.
Bert Witham, North Anson; James
Norton and wife, Carl Baxter and
family, Warren Seekins and family,
Aloion Brown and family, Mrs. Julia
Ilnkham, Anson; Mrs. Ida Larrabbee
and children of Solon; Henry oliver
and family, West Mills; Paul Hodg-
hins, Temple; Arthur Oliver and fam
ny Oakland; Fred Witham, N. Vassal-
s ooro; Fred A. Tobey and family of
this town.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
COAL DEALERS THEORY
IS A TRIFLE WILD
DR.. George Oti, smith Declares That
Goal Prices Are Nof Advancing

We are in receipt q a leuer from
DR.. George Otis Smith. director Of the
United States Geological survey.
which is printed below and is self-ex-
planatory DR. Smiths editorial
comment on the coal question will be
found on page four Of this issue. The
letter follows
Washington. July 8. 1917
Mr. r. T. Patten,
Skowhegan, Me
My dear Mr. Editor:
| inclose a signed editorial
which you may use as a reply TO your
item of last week in which you quote
some Skowhegan coal dealer as call
ing the recent drop in coal prices as
"tommy-rot" | would be willing to
discuss this matter with him in your
columns il he cared to come out and
sign his own statement As | look
at 1t the increase in shipping rates is
adding an element of uncertainty in
your Maine coal prices, and your
dealers are of course featuring the
highest prices on even the all rail
coal that is not paying any adyanc-
ed freight charges this year as con-
trasted with last year
| think it will pay you Skowhegan
people to look into this matter for
yourselves and determine the point OF
origin of any coal that you get and its
shipping route. The Coal Committee
here in Washington will gladly assist
hN lnu in fn
the mine operator received for such
coal, to the end that you can judge
for yourself where every dollar in the
price goes. Ny long range guess is
that you will find the coal baron is
not the one who is getting the biggest
profit
Yours very cordially.
GEO. OTIS SMITH
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
LOCAL OA|RYMEN APPLY
ING INDIVIDUAL TEST
Good Results from Work Performed
Under Management OF SkOwhegan
Creamery

Quite number of dairymen of this
ly organized Dairymen's League con-
nected with the Skowhegan Jersey
Creamery are having the individual
cows of their herds tested for produc-
ton of butter fat. The work is be-
ing done at the creamery and under
its management. By having one days
milk of COW tested each month, and
the amount of feed she consumes that
day weighed, 1t has been demonstrat-
ed that with little figuring one may
ascertain approximately how much
each individual COW is producing for
the year and what it has cost to keep
her Another advantage to be gain
ed is in the saving of cost of the grain
ration, for it Is we'll known that to
feed intelligently one should know
what his cows are doing and what is
the cost of the ration, and also if it
is ration balanced for the needs of
the COW.
1t is hoped in the near future to
have as a speaker at one of the regu-
lar meetings of the League a man cap
able of demonstrating to the dairymen
the value of Feeds and feeding the
same
At the next regular meeting of the
league which occurs the third Satur-
day of the present month (July), the
topic for discussion will be "Why do
cream and milk tests vary, and the
speaker will be Mr.. H. M. Tucker, as
sistant Dairy Instructor, Augusta, Me.
The membership of the League is
still increasing and all interested be-
lieve it to be of great benefit to the
dairymen of this vicinity, Anyone
acceptable to the executive committee
on making application and subscrib-
ing to the Bylaws of the association
and paying one dollar membership
fee and 25c annual dues may become a
member
The field of dairying offers great
opportunities for agriculture.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
FAMOUS HOTEL PROPR|.
ET0R DROPS DEAD
"Billy" Howard Was Stricken In Bath
Room of His Apartment

William Howard, for many years a
prominent hotel proprietor in Maine,
dropped dead Friday morning in his
room at 120 Dartmouth street, Boston.
He had entered the bath room early
there for some time, Mrs. Howard
called to him. Receiving no reply
she entered the bath room and found
Mr.. Howard lying on the floor. a
doctor was summoned but he died
without regaining consciousness The
remains were brought to Skowhegan
Friday night, accompanied by Michael
B. OConnell of the Passiac, New
Jersey Lodge of Elks. wife of the
deceased, Mrs. Mabel Groder Howard
and Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Groder
Mr.. Howard was born in Turner,
Maine. December :, 1859, the son of
Jerome and Sarah Kelsey Howard.
He received his early education in
the schools of that town and when
but a young man entered the hotel
business in Anson. For more than
% years he ably conducted a hostlery
in Anson, known as the Howard
House" His connection with this
establishment ended when the hotel
was destroyed by fire in 1910.
Following the destruction of the
Howard House, its proprietor came
to Skowhegan where he remained for
nearly a year taking rooms at the
oxford Hotel. The longing to again
enter the hotel business was too great
TO resist and he purchased the ia
nous Bay View" hotel in Waterville
where he was successful in his new
venture from the STRAIT. He remain
ed in Wateryille as proprietor of the
this hostlery last February and re-
moving to Boston Here he decided
~ tHtCl liAt SlONCiS DuSAASoS anu
bought out a tlourishing concern at
403 Columbus avenue. He had been
a party to this new venture about a
month prior to his death.
The deceased has been a prominent
figure in this State for many years
and was especially prominent among
the Lodge of Elks Every loyal Elk
from coast to coast had heard of
Bill Howard for he had done much
for that organization and always eX-
pressed pride in being among its
members As hotel proprietor in this
State for more than so years he made
many acquaintance and had facul-
ty of making friends wherever he
went. Probably no man in the State
has or did enjoy a wider personal
acquaintance than did Billy Howard
The deceased is survived by his
wife; one brother, Al Howard, of
Vicksburg, Mississippi and an adopt
ed son Leonel. who resides in Boston
Funeral services were held Monday
forenoon at 10 o'clock from the home
of Lewis Treall Maple street. Many
beautiful flowers draped the casket,
one large floral piece being sent by
the Waterville Lodge of Elks. The
pail bearers. members of the lodge of
Elks. were Paul Grenier of Madison,
Loren Sanborn, Skowhegan; Malon
Boyington, Embden; Charles Cham
payne. Madison; Clyde Mclaughlin of
North Anson and Michael b O'Donnell
of Boston Burial was at the Catho-
lie cemetery.
Those from ont of town attending
were Mr. and Mrs. Walter Groder OF
st George. Z. @ Mr.. and Mrs. Walter
Groder, WaterTille; Mr. and Mrs
AIahlon Boyington, Embden; Mrs
Alice Morrison, Madison Paul
Grenier. Madison; Mr. and Mrs
George Booth Anson CLYDE Nc
North Anson.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
Found Forty Bottles of Beer

Deputy sheriffs Frank l.. Harding
and George b Walker searched the
premises of John Bollo at Madison
last Saturday seizing 40 bottles of
lager beer Bollo was brought be-
fore Trial Justice ] Frank Withee at
p. NJ Tuesday, charged with illegal
possession with intent to sell His
own testimony however showed that
he had been selling up TO two weeks
ago, \ fine of $loO and costs was
imposed with sentence of Co days in
Jail He took an appeal and furnish
ed bonds TO the sum of $2o0
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
Card of Thanks

We wish to extend our heartfelt
thanks to our children and friends for
their assistance in celebrating our
Golden Wedding and the bountiful
dinner, especially the wedding cake !;
also for the presents so generously be-
slowed.
Mr. and Mrs Samuel Adams.
July l., 1917 Troutdale, Me
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-12
All Records Broken

The live stock industry is already
very important in Somerset County
and is destined to become more so.
Our Hereford breeders will read with
interest of the big sale at Harris, Mo
on July 5th. This, the greatest of
all sales of this kind, is noted in the
Wesserunsett Valley fair add on an
other page of this issue