The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-03-22
A Quaint Character
Continued from First Page)


doubtful if anyone now there dwells
who would remember the little
French lad who walked to Quebec,
when about 13 years old, and shipped
on fishing schooner for the New
foundland Banks. Johnnie followed
the sea 16 years. The first part of
this was from Canadian ports but he
came to Brewer Maine, when 25
years old and sailed out of Bangor
for four years. He was % when he
came to Skowhegan and he died here
in 1904 aged 73 years. During all
this time in Skowhegan it is said that
he practically had but three employ
ers. George Philbrick, Benjamin Bak
er and John Colby. all now deceased.
He had a curious sense OF humor,
an odd rather hoarse voice and small
wizened features. altogether a pc
culiar makeup. While working for
the Colby family he was very much
his own boss and was allowed to do
and say things with such liberty as
is given only to old and trusty SER
wants. 1t is related that his employ
er, John Colby. then a prominent
Madison Avenue merchant, was apt to
be a little careless about coming to
dinner on time 1t was before the
lays of telephone and Johnnie was
frequently sent on such occasions,
by Mrs. Colby to advise her husband
that dinner was ready and waiting.
At this point in the story We should
explain that Mrs. Colby was the most
mild hammered of women. She was
refined to the last degree. No one
ever heard her use an unlady-like
expression. She was gentle both OF
speech and manner. Bearing this i'll
mind the incongruity will be appar-
ent when John, on one Of these mid
day errands above mentioned. came
into his employers store saying
"Marm Colby wa6A to know why in
He'll you don't come to dinner. Mr..
Colby and other very intimate friends
of the family, pretended for time to
believe that Johnnie had delivered
his message just as it was given but
we all know that he must have put
Mrs. Colby's gentle reminder into his
own more forceful and less elegant
language. The Colbys were promi-
nent and invaluable members of the
Island Avenue Congregational church
and Johnnie was always sent to
tend out, do errands. etc. for
church sociables and other functions.
Church suppers were his special de-
light and he used TO refer to them as
" spree on the meeting house. 1t
is recalled that Johnnie's part of the
spree" was q liberal basket of what
ever remained uneaten. His at
tachment for the various members of
the Colby family was genuine and
lasting. especially for the daughter
Grace, now Mrs f. Il. Vail. When
Johnnie was taken sick, for what
proved to be his last illness, he ask
ed to see Mrs. Vail. She was hastily
summoned and came at once from
her home, then in Greenville, arriv-
ing just in time for Johnnie to reeog-
nize her before he died.
While in Brewer, John was mar
ried to Heneritta NORM A second
marriage was to a widow, Mrs. Hun
ter she had two children living who
took the name of Drinkwine. Charles
and Joseph. who are both dead. OF
the six children, born of this second
marriage, only one is now living
Mrs. John LaCasce of East Maple St
Johnnie's education is said to have
been very Iheager. Skowhegan has
had many citizens who made a great
er fuss in the world and who became
more prosperous and distinguished
Few, however We're better known in
their time and perhaps it may be
truthfully said few were more friend
ly and befriended.