The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-03-22
Incidences In II Doctors Life Not SO
Easy As Generally Considered.

DR.. L. W. Shean was born in Hart
land in September 1912. His father
died when he was three years Of age.
and soon after he went to live with
his aunt, Mrs. Thomas Fuller, who
with her husband and family, lived
in the same town on a farm. After
attaining tie age of about II he got
the idea that he must go West with
boy friend of his about the same
age, AS time went on he made trips
to the states of Michigan and Cali
fornia. working at different oceupa-
lions for a living. After several
years he finally decided to study
medioin and surgery, after which he
was graduated and received his Id
ploma from the college of physicians
and surgeons in St. Louis. Mo. He
began his practice and settled in the
town of Canaan and vicinity where
he remained nearly all the rest of his
life. During his practice many re-
marks were made as to how easily a
doctor earned his money and what
an easy life they led Only a doctor
realizes and understands what it is to
respond to calls in all kinds of
weather. at any time of day or night
while the onlooker can remark ON the
doctors easy life.
Many times he has been heard TO
remark I'VE can stand all this for
time but the worst of all are the cuffs
and kicks we get after doing the best
and all we can" The financial part of
it is not considered in any way. Only
a doctor understands and knows the
poverty and distressed conditions of
many families in his jurisdiction.
Many times has he told his neighbor-
ing people that he wished they cc. 1
NH make just one visit with him to
certain place for he was positive they
would return to their homes well sat
isfed with their own comforts. One
OF the many disagreeable incidents of
his life was one day during a week of
a terrible snow storm. He had an
emergency call two and a half miles
from home. On this road in a certain
place travellers were Obliged to
leave the main road on account of
large snow drifts and go around thru
fields and pastures. 1t was late and
dark before he attempted to return
and on coming to this detour, all
tracks being oblterated by the blind
ing storm, he wandered around for
nearly two hours, when on looking
discovered he was at the foot
OF large mountain and pond near
by. He became bewildered and could
not locate himself enough to continue
his journey. He had presence of
mind to know the only way for him
was to retrace his steps he had made
to go to the first house. 1t being i'm
possible to turn his team in the deep
snow he embarrassed his horse, ex-
cept the bride. putting the harness in
the sleigh and leaving the whole col
lateral. turned back. After going
few steps he would become ex-
hausted and crouched in the snow for
renewed breath. After minute or
so. the horse would bump him with
aer nose as much as to say go on
master it won't do to stop" After
persistent efforts on the part of man
and beast. the place of refuge was
finally reached, where they remained
the rest of the night and the follow
ing day and night. The third day he
and hired man put on snow shoes
and finally reached his home after a
hard struggle. He left the horse for
two days in the hands of the kind
people and the sleigh with its be-
longings was left at the mercy of the
elements for two days being buried in
snow. This is only one episode in the
life of a doctor,
After few years, DR.. Shean's
health began to fail him and he was
obliged to give up his work little by
little until at last. thru excitement
and hard work. he passed away in the
early morning of October 3. 1911. He
was a true Mason. a loyal Patron of
Husbandry and member of the
10 OF Gtor