davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-06-07
LAID FOUNDATION FOR
. SUBSTANTIAL FORTUNE
The COburn Lumber Lands and His
t0rical Notes

The following article written by
G@TNewhall Fogg and published in the
magazine section of the Lewiston
Journal has a particular interest for
Skowhegan and Somerset County
people in general.
Tired and warm and covered with
dust, Abner Coburn trudged along
the turnpike road in the crispness OF
the fall morning, driving his cattle as
best he could all the long distance
from Skowhegan TO Boston. He was
only IA, but his father had put him
in one of the head drovers to take
cattle to the Brighton market.
1t was young Coburn's first jour
ney to Boston, and when he arrived
he found the demand light for his
stock. So he drove them out in the
country. where he hired pasture
after a little, when they were rested
and in good condition, he retailed
them at considerable profit. His
yoke steers he sold at once to a
farmer, who noticed how handy
they were. By training a fresh pair
of steers each day, young Coburn dis
posed of the whole herd in less than
two weeks time. This was Abner
Coburn's first business deal, but even
at that early age Names future
Governor showed the forethought and
ability that ever distinguished him
thru life.
That was Abner Coburn's first and
last experience as drover. His faith
er, one of the best land surveyors OF
his day, found his sons, Abner and
Philander, of much assistance in his
work, quick and keen to learn the
value of cumberland. Eleazer Coburn
was State surveyor for years and his
boys stayed in the woods and worked
with him. Government gave them
what was big pay then. They knew
all the best lands and when the
State, poor at that time, sold this
land at auction, they bought it
cheap. Some of the land they got
for Is cents an acre. When they
didn't have the money to put in, they
hired it. They could always pay, sc
they had not trouble in getting it
Eleazer and his sons were known
thruout the State for their honesty
and at one time the sons owned near.
ly all the wild lands Of Maine.
1t was in 1925. when Abner Coburr
was % years of age, that he begar
surveying the vast timber tracts Of
northern Maine on his own account
and in 1880 Eleazer Coburn and his
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-06-07
POLITICAL. FAITH

Born fedcralist, Abner Coburn.
in 1924, cast his first vote for John
Quincy Adams, when he was Il years
of age. AfterWard he was loyal to
the wing party and was member
of the first House where the wings
had the majority. He was again in
the House in 1870 when Hannibal
Hamlin was speaker, and again in
1914. He was the intimate OF such
men as Hamlin, Fessenden, John w.
Dana Arson y. Morrill, and Phineas
Barnes. When the wing party broke
up. Abner Coburn became a member
of the new republican party, being
one of its founders. Then in 1860 he
was an elector on the Lincoln tick
ct and in 1862 was the republican
candidate for Governor. He was
elected against Bion Bradbury, dem
ocrat, and Gen. Jameson, war demo
crat.
1t was a trying time when Abner
Coburn was Governor, that year OF
1863 when many were tired of the
war and some of the northern states
had fallen under democratic control
But Coburn was just the man for
the place and brought with him a
rare knowledge of men, practical
business experience and great hon
esty. 1t was said no act of Abner
Coburns public or private, ever
needed explanation. He owned as
staunch friends such men as Will
lam Parker, Joseph Clark and He
man Whipple and James G. Blaine
was on warm terms of friendship
with him. 1t was Blaine who once
said in speaking of him, He was
pure gold"
In those early days of Maine lum-
bering there was little ready money
in the country but the Coburn notes
of all denominations were SO regard
ed that they were used as currency.
The farmers with hay or grain or
cattle to sell would gladly exchange
them for paper signed "a. & p.
Coburn." 1t is matter of history
that there was time in the Civil
| war when that firm name was in
| higher credit than that of many OF
the states. 1t was due to the Co.
burns that the Maine Central out
rode the storm that followed soon
after the concentration of the roads
that composed it. They came to the
rescue by endorsing the company
notes and proved veritable sheet
anchor to that railroad.
Continued on Page Eight
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-06-07

president OF the Portland & Kenne-
bee ros'l and later of the Eastern
Railroad company BY this time
men had great confidence in the firm
and soon made Abner director of the
SkoWhegan bank, then a State insti-
tuition; when 1t re-Organzed as the
First National Bank Of Skowhegan,
he was made president of that and OF
the Skowhegan Savings Bank.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-06-07

ness, all of 1t when Abner was gov
ernor. They kept but two bookkeep-
ers and looked after everything
themselves. They worked hard and
the time came when the best OF the
Maine pine was cut and they began
to cut spruce. That was in 1860. At
first spruce did not sell very well and
when they shipped to Cuba and other
markets, buyers called their ship
ments Spruce pine" In three years
straight spruce was as much in de-
mand as pine had ever been. 1t sold
then at three and half thousand.
The old Coburn rule for cutting
spruce was 80 feet, eight inches to
the top (the smallest they cuD, where
they topped 1t off.
The Coburns were kind to their
crews and shared camp life with
them. They expected each man to do
his work well and never overworked
or underpaid their men; and not
man in the crews could work so well
or so long without firing as could
the Coburns themselves.
Philander Coburn with his horse,
old Railroad, was a familiar sight to
the crews as he went the rounds of
the camps He never stayed long. but
after his business was done and he
had had q cup of hot tea and a
doughnut, he was off again for the
next camp. Often on dark evenings.
Just after the men were thru with
the days work they would hear him
coming up the tote road, old Railroad
galloping at breakneck speed, for he
was a nervous horse and Philander
sometimes had to tug at the reins
with all his might before he could
quiet him.
This was after the first of the sur
veying days; after the timberland be-
longed to the firm and the business
was statewide, these drives from
camp to camp and the homecoming
to give the account of the numbering
operations to brother Abner. The
home life was simple, with house
keeper who gave them the best of
old-fashioned cooking. With all their
interests, the Coburns farmed a lit
tie, raising their own wheat and their
bread was famous for its lightness. 1t
was a little dark colored but made
such bread that often at supper time,
ten biscuits apiece was not an I'M
usual amount for the brothers to eat.
They liked things the same, their
clothes were always alike and they
had their expenses in common. They
ate simple food and when on the road
crackers and apples often made them
a meal.
1t was in 1854 that the Coburns
first became interested in railroads.
They first helped the Portland &
Kennebec road, the line that the
Somerset C Kennebec put thru to
Skowhegan. They came forward when
the funds gave out. for this was be-
fore the day of municipal loans and
sale of bonds, and helped finish the
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-06-07
Somerset Traction Co.
Winter Arrangement Of Cars
Effective Sunday, October I, 1916

FROM SKOWHEGAN
Leave 6kowhegan-6.0o. 100. 500
500 100 a. m; 100. zoo. $50. 800
200 p. m.
FROM MADISON
Leave Madison-7. 90, 500, 800,
1870 a. M; 1905. zoo. $40, 500, 500
800 p. IN.
Extra Local Cars leave for Cold
Brook at 1000 a. m. 1905, SOD, s.oo
Close connections with trains leav-
Ing Skowhegan at sos and 11.b6 a. m.'
and 2.25 p. m.
Also with trains arriving at Show
hogan at 760, 1916 a. m, and 400 p
m.
Close connections with trains leav-
Ing Madison (going north) at 1923
m for Kineo and 4.38 p. m. for Bing-
ham,
Close connections with trains leav.
Ing Madison (going south) at 7.46 q
m. from Bingham and at 1908 noon
SUNDAYS
Cars leave Skowhegan for Madison
at $50. $50, 11.30 a. m; 100, zoo.
$50. 500. 100 y. m.
Leave Madison for Skowhegan at
sSO. 1890 a. m; i2.30. zoo. $50. 500
Special cars furnished at any time
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-06-07

The implement, machine or mer-
chandise that is useless to you would
be useful to someone else. Get the
cash for it by advertising in our
Eyerybody's Column.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-06-07

The OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES is read
In more Somerset County homes than
all other newspapers, daily and
weekly. combined.
Williams news., 1917-06-28
WOODS FILLED WITH
 RARE WILD FLOWERS

The hills appeal to tourists, now that the wild flowers are so numerous. Picnic part ies always return laden with all the various wild flowers blooming in the woods.
 There are some rare blos- soms in this mountain region we'll worth a days climbing ov- CT the rocks. Wild orchids may be found on Bill Williams near the summit and also sever- al varieties of lilies not found elsewhere in the state. Last summer two nOtedbotanists wis tied this section in search of rare specimens. They were we'll repaid, securing several unlocked for specimens of val ue. One of these botanists MT. s. Thornber, of the U. of A. was interested in the variety of vegetation found in the woods and also was quite enthusiastic over the flower gardens about town.
Williams news., 1917-06-28

The News looks upon the development of Coleman Lake as necessary step in the devel- opment of Williams and vicini- ty, and is pleased to learn that the Executive Committee of the Williams Development Associ- ation has succeeded in raising funds necessary to raise the dam at the lake some two or three feet. The development of Coleman Lake cannot be accomplished in a year nor in two or three years. It must be the work of five or ten years, and should have been started a decade ago. A small amount of work on the dam this year will prove as effective for two years to come as a large amount of work would, and can be done without severely strain ing the finances of the contri- butors, and without hindering Williams doing her full part in responding to the country's call for aid in the great war. Eventually, too, the lake will prove a factor in helping meet the H. C..L.
Williams news., 1917-06-28
Williams Exceeds Allotment
 in Raising Red Cross Funds
Continued from 1st page)

Several social orders helped materially in raising funds in Williams. The Yeomen gave dance and seSlred a nice sum. The Home Guards and MeXi- can Stars gave ball game and raised quite nice amount, reaching many who might not have contributed otherwise. A motion picture was given under the auspices of the society for the benefit of the Red Cross and speeches made between plays did much to interest the public in the Red Cross. The speakers for that evening were MT Mcdonald Robinson, Fath- CT Albuoy and MT. L. S. Will Hams. The fact that two small kerosene lamps were the only lights in the house did not pre- vent these gentlemen from very ably discussing the work and needs of the Red Cross Society, not only as local organization but as a worldwide movement. A committee visited Grand Canyon and another Ash Fork and additional funds were se- cured from both places.
 Mrs. Perrin, MT. Williams, MT. Robinson, MT. Gold, MT. Lee MT. McConkey, Mrs. Sine and the many others who lent their energies to the cause during Red Cross Week-Not forget ting Jake Utter and Earl Fort ney who got up the ball game are to be congratulated on the results of the weeks work.
 The final statement of the Williams chapter of the Red Cross is that the fifteen hun dred dollars-Williams share has been oversubscribed. In fact the total amount raised by this chapter will approximate $2,OOO. In addition to this pledges for $47.2O per month for the duration of the war have been received and also pledges to the amount of $6O.- 50 to be collected during the next few months.
 Flagstaff succeeded in rais- ing her portion, S35,0OO, so that Coconino County has rais- ed all expected of it-$5O,OOO.
 The local chapter is not thru
Williams news., 1917-06-28

pools in the course of water flowing from the spring so that the fish would have an abun- dance of room. It is to be hoped that the Association will take this suggestion under consider ation and put it into effect if practicable. A good trout stream added to the Lake that Coleman is destined to become, would make Williams the rival of any summer resort in the way of good fishing.
Williams news., 1917-06-28
School Patrons Should Decide

No provision seems yet to have been made for providing more room for the Williams School for the nexe term. The summer is passing and no move is being made to add the ad- ditional wing which met the approval of the two mass meet ings held to consider the matter The rumor is afloat that at the last moment the Amundsen property is to purchased and quickly fitted up. Such a pur- chase should require an cleo tion to authorize it.
 The patrons of the school should be left to decide in a question of this nature. If the patrons consider the purchase price of the Amundsen prop erty too high, which they evidently do, some other man. ner of providing the needed room, should be resorted to.
 If the school board is not sat isfied that the patrons are op- posed to the purchase of the Amundsen property for school purposes at $6OOO, or if any considerable number of people would like to see the matter put to a vote, an election might be a good thing in order to have the matter definitely set tied. If an election is contem- plated, it would better be held soon in order that time may be left to make satisfactory pro- vision for additional school room before school starts again. Whatever action is taken it should be in accord with the wish of the majority of school patrons and it is to be hoped that the matter may be settled without causing any dis sention that may interfere with the efficiency of the next term of school.
Williams news., 1917-06-28
A Trout Stream for Williams

MT. George Barnes has made a suggestion that ought to be given careful consideration by the Williams Development As sociation. This suggestion is that a committee be delegated to inspect Big Springs Canyon win a view to stocking it with mountain trout. He states that there is a good stream of water flowing from this spring con- stantly, and he is of the opinion that a very little work would suffice to provide a fine lot of
Williams news., 1917-06-28

A number of Williams men went over to he K. Y. ranch on Monday and spent the day fish ing. The party claimed that 125 fish were caught. It must be so for Scotty McDougall and Chas. Wade say so.
 w. H. Aillson's tin lizzie got a little "fraxious" the first of the week and landed MT. Ali son a good kick. on the wrist. The usually pleasant task of tailoring has become a painful
 R. T. Davenport of the Post al, goes to Flagstaff tonight, Thursday. It is rumored that his intentions are matrimonial. He "spicked up" in a way to lend weight to the rumor. Wanted to buy or rent two saddle ponies for summer. Pre- fer with saddles and brides. Apply Dr. R. M. Scott, Will Hams.
 England, France, Hollond and tn Scandinavian countries also have adopted the scheme of daylight saving.
 Jerry Lee is suffering with a sprained wrist received when he fell off the police Dept. jit- ney.
 MT. Wilder, from Winslow, arrived in Williams Tuesday, for short visit.
 Eddie O'Donnell passed thru on his way to the coast last Friday.
 Charlie Whitfield made a trip to Flagstaff, on business, Sunday.
 MT. R. A. Nickerson motored to the Saginaw camps Wednes- ady.
Williams news., 1917-06-28

MT. Frank Murhy, president of the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix railway, died at Pres colt, Saturday after long ill- ness. He was builder of the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix railway and founder of the Prescott National Bank, the presidency of which he held from it's organization in 1892 until 1910.
Williams news., 1917-06-28

working for funds, however, and various benefits will be given for the Red Cross during the summer.
The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-07-12
YAZOO COUNTY
MEN IN BATTERY
:,
Eighteen Already on Roll of Local
Organization and Others Prob
ably Will Join.

Yazoo County is well represented
in Battery C notwithstanding that
Yazoo has company of infantry
in the field also. Eighteen men from
that county now belong to sthe local
organization. Captain Metts has ex-
tended an invitation to other young
men of the county to join the Battery
and help make up the thirty odd men
that can still be taken in this unit.
The invitation was extended through
Mr.. Martin Andersen, Jr., the city
editor of the Yazoo Sentinel, Green
wood boy who is himself member Of
the Battery.
The Yazoo company of infantry 10
not up to war strength and Captain
Metts is making no effort to secure
men from that county other than to
extend the above invitation, for that
reason. There are some who prefer
the artillery in preference to the in.
fantry.
The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-07-12
DRAFT LIST IS
GIVEN PUBLIC
Numbers and Names Posted at Court
House and in the Various Pre-
cincts in County.

+! The Lefore County Exemption
Board has posted on the bulletin
board in the Court House Lobby the
list of names with their new mum.
bers of all of those who registered ir
this county on June the fifth. This
was required by the draft regulations
The number on your registration
card, or receipt, will have nothing to
d. with the numbers drawn in the
draft. The numbers affected will be
the new numbers which have been put
on the cards in red ink by the Exemp-
tion Board.
This REMEMBERING of the cards has
been done in every exemption district
in the United States. The cards when
numbered were sent to the state capi-
tails where they were filled, and sworn
lists, with numbers, names and detail
ed address of each registrant were
sent to Washington. All of this was
done in order that there would be no
chance for the cards to be switched
after the draft is made.
If you want to know your number
you can find out by seeking the list
posted at the Court House. The names
appear thereon alphabetically accord
ing to the precincts, beginning in tire
northern end of the county and going
on through the county to the southern
edge.
Get your number and post it up
before your desk so that when the
draft is made and the numbers are
called out you can tell Immediately
whether you are among the chosen.
Following the draft those drawn
will be given so many days in which
to report to the Exemption Board
and stand their physical examinations
and claim their exemptions, if any.
It is up to the registrant to find
out his number and report to the
Board.
Will Post Lists.
The Board is today completing a
list Of the names and numbers in each
precinct and this list will be mailed
this afternoon to each precinct and
posted in public place where all de-
string to learn their numbers can do
SO. The complete list is posted at
the Court House and by tomorrow the
precinct lists will be posted in each
precinct. There will be no chance
for a man to say that he did not know
his number.
The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-07-12
STEEL OUTPUT
TO GOVERNMENT
Entire Product of Steel Industry
Placed at Disposal of Government
for War Purposes.
(By Associated Press)

Washington, July 12-Formal an
nouncement was made by Secretary
Baker today that representatives Of
the American steel industry had
agreed to place the entire product OF
the industry at the disposal of the
government for war purposes. The
price will be determined on a basis
of cost Of production.
This inquiry is being conducted by
the Federal Trade Commission. The
government has informed the steel
men that no single producer or group
of producers will be asked to carry an
unfair share Of the wars burden and
that reasonable profits will be per-
mitted.
The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-07-12
THOUSANDS OF RESTAURANTS
JOIN FOOD SAVING CAMPAIGN

New York, July 12-(By Union
Associated Press)-A national cam
paign was begun today under the
direction of an organization composed
Of the $500 or more restaurants in
New York city, conserve food in the
hotels and restaurants of the country.
Following suggestions made by Her
bert c. Hoover, national food admin
istration. No effort will be made to
limit the number Of courses served at
meal, but patrons will be urged to
eat fish, oysters, Holsters and other
sea foods in place Of beef and pork.
Corn bread will be given prominent
place in the menu, in order that the
wheat supply may be conserved, but
potatoes may be eaten freely.
The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-07-12
VCopyrght.)
new HOSPITAL
TO BE PERFECT
Will Be Fire Proof in Every Respect
and Fitted With Every Modern
Convenience.

The Kings Daughters Hospital, be-
ing built at cost of forty thousand
dollars on River Front, is rapidly
showing signs of what it will look like
when it is completed. Contractor W.
E. Rubush of Meridian. who is erect
ing the handsome building, this morn
ing showed a representative of The
Daily Commonwealth over the struc-
ture.
The second story is almost ready
to be put on. The first is completed
and the concrete floor has been laid.
Just as soon as the concrete floor is
run on the second floor the walls will
be built and all put in readiness for
the third floor which will be occupied
exclusively by the operating room.
When completed the building will
have a two story front on the River
and basement and three stories at
the rear. It will be fire proof through
out. The partitions will be erected Of
hollow tile, the floors of concrete and
the walls of stone and brick.
The hospital will have it's own laun-
dry in the basement adjoining the en-
gine room. It will be steam heated
throughout. An electric elevator and
dumb waiter are among the conven-
fences that feature the new structure.
In the operating room on the third
food every modern convenience will
be used. The room is on the west
side of the building and large steel
bay window will extend over the rest
of the house. A separate room is
close at hand for the administration Of
the anesthetic and a recovery room
adjoins on the east side of the build
ing. It is without doubt one of the
best arranged operating rooms in the
South.
A wide porch will ornament the
front of the building. The porch up
stairs will be screened and will be a
great benefit to the patients. On the
first and second floors on the south
east corner will be sun porches. The
sides of the corner rooms on these
floors will be solid glass windows
which will admit all Of the morning
sun. Patients needing the sun can thus
get the full benefit Of the rays when
the windows are opened.
The hospital will have three entran-
ces. The main entrance at the front,
the drive way entrance on the east
side Of the building and a smaller door
on the west side.
The lot on which the hospital is To-
Gated is one Of the prettiest in Green
wood and when the building is COM
pleted and the grounds are fixed up
the entire outfit will be one of the
features of the city.
The hospital is being built jointly
by the County Of LeAore the City Of
Greenwood and the Kings Daugh-
ters.