davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
HERMIT IS FOUND DEAD
ON ATHENS ROAD
Joe Richardson Would Not Consent
To Go To Town Farm

Joseph Richardson was found dead
in his chair beside the little shanty
on the Fred Green land. Athens road,
Monday afternoon. Last Friday, at
tention was called to the poor old man
who has been living alone for a year
and half. He was in critical con-
dition, having suffered for some time
with Bright's disease, and having been
without food or water for two whole
days.
The selectmen were at once notified
and Clyde H. Smith went to see him.
He wanted to take the man to the
town farm where he would be cared
for but Mr. Richardson would not go.
Mr. Smith did not insist and upon
raching town, sent the man food and
necessary articles for his comfort
Mr.. Smith again went to see him Sun
day and found him much improved.
Probably the last persons to see him
alive were Charles Estes and l. L..
Salley who passed the little house
about 11.30 in the. forenoon and saw
him sitting in his chair and coughing.
Later, Charles Steward was notified of
his death end with G. r. Fogg and Ed
ward Estabrook, went to the house.
The remains were brought to Lord
& Caswell's undertaking rooms where
Medical Examiner Stinchfield examin-
ed the body The funeral services
were held Tuesday forenoon at the
roorls, conducted by Rev. J. w. Pack
ard. Burial was in the Southside
cemetery. The deceased was the son
of Simeon and Elizabeth (Steward)
Ellis Richardson. He leaves two
half-sisters, Mrs. Sarah Goodwin and
Mrs. Hulda Green, both of Skowhe-
gan
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
MasOns VIII Not Build This Year

AT their meeting last Friday even
ing, the Masons decided that, owing
to the high cost of building materials
and work at the present time, it would
be inadvisable to begin the erection
of their proposed temple on the Ord
way lot on Madison avenue at Russell
street.
Several propositions are being con-
sidered and it is probable that another
joint meeting of the Masonic bodies
will be called within a week to take
action on the question. One of the
propositions is the releasing of the
present quarters in the block recently
purchased by DR.. Borden. Several
new leases are also under considera-
ton and the investigating of these was
left to the same committees which has
been acting, Walter P. Ordway, chair
man, with the addition of the trustees
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING
MUST Be REPAIRED
W Redress May Be Had From the
Builders

Town officials find no way to col
lect from the builders for the serious
defects in the city building Ever
since the opening of the build
ing in 1919. serious defects in its con-
struction have become manifest
These have become more and more
apparent right along and now extern
siye repairs must Immediately be
made
All over the structure the plaster
ing has had the tendency to fall from
the ceiling and in many rooms large
masses of ii have come down. Steel
ceilings have replaced this in part Il
now seems that all of the ceilings
must be so repaired. The ceiling in
the auditorium has stayed the best,
for the reason that metal lathing was
used Even this is now ready to fall,
condition which makes the room
hardly safe to enter. The walls may
have to be re-plastered,
The defect was so manifest that the
present board of town officials have
made a very careful investigation hop
ing to reimburse the town from the
builders. Smith & Rumery. They
have found. however, that this firm adj
yised the building committee not to
use this plaster, and as the chairman of
the building committee. J p. Oak, re-
calls this fact and is willing 10 make
oath to it. the town would have no
case against the builders
Worse. perhaps, than the plastering,
altho not so evident to the causual
observer. is the settling OF the entire
structure except the outer walls
This has caused the plaster 10 crack
in about every corner in the rooms
Probably the foundation is at fault
The settling, however, may be in part
due to the yielding of the timbers
This is true where the posts support
/ the gallery At this point it can
plainly be seen that the timber has
yielded where the load of the gallery
rests upon the iron pillars. II is
estimated that from $4,000 to 10000
will be required to put the building
in safe and preseutable shape.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
TWO SOMERSET COUNTY YOUNG MEN SHOW THEIR PATR|O-
T|SM AND THEIR DESIRE To OBEY ORDERS PROMPTLY
Richard arnham and Mau Dur Walk From Northern Part County
to Skowhegan First Day of Mobilization Call

Farnham had enlisted in Company
E two weeks previous to mobilization
orders, before going TO Sandy Stream
to drive logs for the Newcastle Lum
Der Company of North Anson Dur
rell had enlisted just the day before
and was visiting at his home in Lex
ington.
They received the call thru Cor
poral Mcdonald who was in North
New Portland at the time 1t was
about eight O'Clock in the morning
and there was no way to get out of
the woods save by walking. Farm
ham started on foot and ten miles this
side of Sandy Stream, was joined by
Durrell.
They walked every step of the way,
the entire thirtyfour miles to Madi-
son. They laughingly said afterward
that all the teams they met were go
inS tie OlueI way luey NehI I'LL u
SIX miles of woods, over fields and
cross lots any way in fact, to diminish
the distance Because there was a
great deal of mud and snow, they had
to choose the dryest places, thus re-
tarding, to some extent, their pro-
gress. They did not stop for any
dinner and had nothing to eat until
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
SUFFRAGE SIDE OF
THE QUESTION
Mrs. Henry Preston White Addresses
Large Audience In Court Room

The Anti Suffrage side was ex-
,eedingly we'll presented by Mrs
Henry Preston White of Brookline
Mass. in an address, "Why Women Do
Not Want the Vote" In the Municipal
court room Tuesday evening.
We Ants do believe in Womans
rights" said Mrs White, and without
the ballot there is nothing to pre-
vent woman's progress except her
own defects, mental or physical" She
then went on to explain why, in their
estimation. woman can do more good
without the vote than with it. Dur
ing her talk, she said that there are
only about 1000 women of voting
age working in such industries as
would be affected by legislation. She
further stated that the laws for wo-
men and children are better in the
non-suffrage states than in those
states that have suffrage.
why do we oppose Equal SUI
frage?" she asked. Because, for
one reason, it increases the cost OF
Government and there is nothing to
show for what has been done that has
not been done in male suffrage states.
We Ants believe in working for that
which is best for the State, not for
what is best for the man or best Tor
the woman. In some of the states
the numbers of the women who go to
the polls average about 20 per cent
lower than the numbers of men,"
Mrs. White answered the Equal Suf-
frage question, Don't you consider
women are intelligent enough to
vote?'' by saying "of course women
nave sufficient intelligence to vote but
how can that intelligence best be de-
voted to the best advantage of the
State?" The court room was we'll
filed with interested listeners and af-
ter her talk Mrs. White afforded those
present the opportunity of asking
questions
Mrs White is a prepossessing young
woman, very logical and eloquent in
her speaking abilities. She has
spoken extensively during the Anti
Suffrage campaign in South Dakota,
Massachusetts and Iowa and has par
ticipated in the campaigns in other
states. She is prominent in Red
CroSs work in Massachusetts and is
member of the Auxiliary Board of
the Bookline Day Nursery She Is
also a member of the Brookline
Friendly Society. In company with
Miss Mabel Stedman, another ardent
ti-Suffragist, she obtained the only
license ever granted for moving pic
lures in Brookline. This was intend
ed for model pictures for young peo-
pie being solely for educational pur-
poses.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
Berry Young

Miss Grace l.. Young, youngest
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. william c.
Young of Norridgewock, and Everett
A. Berry of Embden, were united in
marriage at the Bethany Baptist par
sonage, Skowhegan, Monday morning
at eleven o'clock. Rev. George Mer-
riam officiated, using the double ring
service.
The bride wore a lovely white silk
wedding gown trimmed with shadow
lace There were no attendants. Mrs.
Berry is a graduate of the Norridge-
wock High school and has for the
past eight years been teaching in Nor
ridgewock and vicinity. The groom
is a prosperous young farmer in Emb-
den where Mr.. and Mrs. Berry are to
make their home for the present.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
NEW PASTOR RECEIVES
A CORDIAL WELCOME
Enjoyable Program j. Feature ri
Church Reception

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The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
Athens Boy Receives Senior HOnors

The Senior honors for the present
year have been awarded at Bates Col
lege to those students whose ranks
have been s. or more in any group
of studies and who have had averages
of at least 50 in all studies. Seven
teen Seniors were chosen as deserving
Commencement honors. Among this
number is Alton w. Bush OF Athens
who received his honors in the de-
partment of Language and Literature.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
IS CALLED
Saturday Afternoon May 26 Is the
Date Selected

The warrant is in preparation for
the special town meeting and will be
posted tomorrow or Saturday. The
meeting will be called for Saturday af-
ternoon of next week at o'clock. One
of the articles will deal with the pro-
ject of the Tractor engine. The one
which the town has owned for the
past five years has been, from the
first, a source of never ending trouble.
Its repairs have been hundreds Of dol
lars annually and the cost to operate
has been excessively high, owing to
its unnecessary weight and to the
fact that gasoline only can be used
for fuel.
The tractor it is now proposed to
one-half a ton less than the old one.
1t will burn kerosene and can be op-
Grated for about $3.50 per day. Its
price is $3.50.
The third article will permit the
Town to raise such sum as seems
necessary to defray the expenses of
the Committee on Public Safety. This
committee was appointed at the re-
quest of Gov Milliken to promote
enlistments, care for the troops dur
ing their stay here and for the growth
and conservation of agricultural pro-
ducts. It's necessary expenses, II
would seem, might very properly be
paid by the town.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
Resolutions of Respect

Whereas, Death has again entered
New Portland Grange No. 112, P. of
H. on April 30th, 1917, removed our
brother and Worthy Master, Harlan P.
Norton. We fully realize by his re-
moval New Portland Grange has lost
most faithful member.
Resolved, That while we mourn the
loss of our brother, we bow to the will
of the Great Master, who sees where
we see not, and in His infinite wis
dom and guidance we trust.
Resolved, To the bereaved family
We extend our sincere sympathy.
Resolved, That our charter be
draped in mourning for 80 days; that
copy of these resolutions be sent to
the bereaved family and copy to the
independent Reporter for publication
Sister Minnie T. Walker
Sister Mabelle Knapp
Sister Marilla Strickland
Committee of Resolutions.
New Portland, Maine, May, 1917
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
AN ADDRESS ON EQUAL
SUFFRAGE
Mrs. Livingston Wins Hearts of All
Her Audience

The old saving that All Govern
ment is Built upon Force, has no
longer any force in it., said Mrs.
Deborah Knox Livingston in her ad-
dress before a large and enthusiastic
audience at the Opera House. Friday
evening at the annual public meet
ing of the W c. T. L.
1t is safe to say that no woman
has ever been listened to by Skowhe-
gan residents with any greater pleas
ure and admiration than last Friday
evenings speaker, Mrs. Livingston
is the wife of Rev. Benjamin T. Liv-
ingston, pastor of the Second Bap-
tist church, Bangor the family con-
sisting of Rev. and Mrs. Livingston
and a son. nine years of age.
She has travelled widely and has met
and is personally acquainted with men
and women of note thruout the coun-
try. a pleasing platform presence,
with gestures that are the natural
result of her deep earnestness and
knowledge of her subject, combined
with polished language. a convincing
and eloquent appeal grace of man
ner and sweet womanly dignity
were attributes which easily won the
hearts of all the audience.
One by one, Mrs Livingston took
up the arguments of the Anti-Suffra
gists, as follows: That Maine wo-
men do not want the ballot; that
Government needs physical force and
women are not physically fit to bear
such burdens; that women have no
proper political training; and lastly,
that the ballot will take women out
of the homes.
Mrs. Livingston answered the first
argument by giving a list of the larg-
est organizations which have gone on
record as endorsing the equal suf-
frage movement The second was
answered by briefly describing how
women have taken mems places in
Europe since lHe outbreak Ol tHe Will
In concluding the second argument
Mrs. Livingston quoted the old saving
regarding physical force. The third
she answered with the statement that
more girls are graduated from schools
than boys and that they have the very
same training as boys. being therefore
as capable of entering the political
field as are any men at the age of
twenty-one. The fourth argument
was answered in the form of a ques-
tion,-"If the ballot will take woman
out of the home, where, ladies of
Skowhegan. are you going
The entire program arranged for
the evening was a noteworthy one
There were patriotic selections by a
chorus of mixed voices. the first num-
ber being THE Star Spangled Ban
ner", sung with the audience standing
Rev. George Merriam led in prayer
Mrs. +. ". Marble. president of the
local branch. W. c. T. l., presided and
introduced the speaker. After the
address. collection was taken and
the program closed by singing
America"
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
Meeting of Water Power Company

The twice postponed meeting Of the
Skowhegan Water Power Company
was held yesterday morning at the Of
fee of the Pulp Company and again
John Mcclellan, who has held the Of
fee for ten or fifteen years, was elect
ed president The board of directors
chosen were C. E. Young, Harvey
Eaton, w. S. Wyman and Willard II.
Cummings. J. S. Everett of Angus
ia was elected treasurer. Charles F.
Allen acted as clerk at the meeting
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
\ SKOWHFGAN LOCAL NEWS
+ FouonuouoeuonsouOononeuoni

Tomorrow afternoon there will be a
meeting of the Skowhegan school
board
Mrs. Emma E. Lawrence returned
last evening from Augusta where she
attended the Grand Lodge of Pythian
Sisters as a representative of the local
lodge. She also served as a member
of the judiciary committee of the
Grand Lodge.
The Skowhegan festival chorus will
hold rehearsas hereafter on Thursday
evenings instead of on Wednesdays in
assembly hall, high school building,
The rehearsals will be held until the
last of this month after which time
they will be discontinued until Sep
tember.
Mr.. and Mrs. Carl Malley are to To-
cate in Skowhegan. Mr.. Malley was
formerly pianist at a local picture
theatre but has of late been living in
Brunswick where he has been teach
ing and filling position as organist
in addition to his regular work at a
picture house Mr.. Malley arrived
Monday and is to play at the Star
Theatre.
There was a rumor the first of the
week that, should an army be sent to
France, boys up to a certain age would
not be sent across the water. That
would include the high school boys
and several other iof the younger men
who enlisted from Skowhegan. Later
it was reported that there has been
no such understanding and thus far
circumstances regarding this matter
are indefinite.
The organization of the newly form
ed Somerset Dairymen's Progressive
League was completed at meeting
held at the Skowhegan Jersey Cream
cry Saturday afternoon. The by
laws were acted upon and approved
l.. G. Trafton, president, presided at
the meeting. Plans were discussed
regarding the testing of milk which
is soon to be commenced. Several
members have already agreed to have
their cows milk tested. Ten new
members were admitted to member
ship
The senior class of s. II. S. won the
inter-class track meet last Saturday
forenoon at Fairview Park. The
members of the three upper classes
of the high school participated and the
meet was won by the seniors who
made 81 points to the 36 netted by
the Sophomores. The meet was held
with a view to selecting the team to
represent the local school at the Ken
nebec Valley Interscholastic track
meet which will be held at Waterville
Saturday Principal Leighton was
timer and Francis Friend was starter
A deed has been filed at the court
house whereby Charles Green and
Henry Crowell of Skowhegan convey
to Horace p. Beals of Lowell, Mass.
and Herbert F. Walker of Pittsfield
the following land in Brighton
No. 10, Range 5; rs acres from the
West side of Lot No. IL in Range 5;
100 acres from the West side Of Lot
No. ~, Range 5; Lot No 10 in Range
4 Lot No. II in Range a, reserving
from this conveyance a part of Lot No
10 in Range containing about 4C
acres These same premises were
conveyed by Ella s. Bradshaw tc
Henry Crowell, Clyde H. Smith and
Walter H. Hight in a deed dated No
vember 8, 1910. The title held by
Clyde Smith and Walter Hight has
| now passed to the grantor.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
Anson Mill Destroyed BY Fire

The small saw mill owned and op-
Grated by Everett Preble, near the
Anson depot was destroyed by fire
which broke out at 11.30 last night
The buildings cost $4,000 and were
insured for $4,000. 1t started up
April 1st, after having been shut
down all winter A little over 300,-
600 feet of logs were to be sawed.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
Transferred to First Company Band

Letters were received here this
morning from Nelson Washburn with
the information that he has passed all
necessary examinations and has been
transferred to the First Company
Band at Fort Slocum, N. Y. He ex-
poets to remain there indefinitely un-
til the new regiments, forty-four in
number, are ready to be assigned to
duty. There will be one band to each
regiment,
Cards have been received in Pitts
field that Russell Craig, Guy Powell,
Lloyd Cockburn and Maitland Went
worth who went to Fort Slocum last
Thursday, have also passed examina-
tions and are now enlisted in the
Fourth Company. Field Artillery.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
Advance in Price of Printed Butter
Paper

The further increase in the cost OF
butter paper stock necessitates the ad-
vance over the prices we have here
tofore charged The manufactures
advise us that the price is certain to
go still higher and We would advise
our customers to place orders for
liberal supply within the next few
weeks. Quotations at present are
as follows: 125 sheets, $ll0; 81
sheets. S1.35; 500 sheets, $500; 1000
sheets, $500; 5000 sheets. $3.50.
The above is on paper printed to
meet the requirements of the law. II
cash accompanies the order, we pre-
pay portation Otherwise post
age should be added to the above
figure
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
MONSTER CARNIVAL NEXT WEEK
Maccabee Band to Hold Celebration
Week In SkOwhegan

The initial outdoor entertainment to
be offered Skowhegan amusement
seekers will be held under the aus
pices of the First Maine Regiment
Band of the Maccabees for the entire
week of May 21st. The holding of
this event has long been contemplate
ed by the boSs. and they were success
full early this winter in closing con-
tracts with The Wonderland Shows,
Limited, to furnish all attractions,
concessions, free acts, etc.
Nervo, the Human Comet of New
York Hippodrome fame, will give his
sensational free act twice daily and
band concerts will also add to the oc-
casion.
Special cars to Madison every night
35c round trip.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
Sundny school Association To Meet nj
Madison June 20

Announcement has been made by
Miss Hannah r. Page. member Of the
executive board of the County Sunday
School Association, that the annual
meeting of the association Will take
place Wednesday, June 20. at the
Methodist church at Madison.
Rev Mr.. Arters of the Wateryille
Methodist church, State President,
General Secretary Weir and Mr.. Wood
of Augusta are to be the speakers.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
ShOemakers to Play Baseball

The Somerset Shoe Companys team
will play the Norridgewock Shoe
Makers team at Norridgewock Satur-
day. The game will be called at 230.
The local players will make the trip
to Norridgewock by automobile. There
will probably be a return game play
ed here a week from Saturday.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
Interesting Pictures

Forty-six years ago, occurred the
great Chicago fire with a property
loss of $196,OO0,0O and sacrifice of
$50 lives. This catastrophy is vivid
ly called to mind by group of pic
lures in the window of the Blunt
Hardware store on Water street.
These are furnished by A. II. Cleye-
land. local agent of the Glenfalls In
snrance Co.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
on For Plattsburg

The following Somerset men have
received postal cards authorizing
them to report at the first training
camp at Plattsburg as candidates for
commissions in the officers Reserve
Corps ps.-Company 2, Donald W. Phil
brick of Skowhegan; Company II,
Arthur S Merrill of Pittstield; Com
pany IS, r. o. Sukeforth of Fairfield.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
Taft to Speak at Good VIII

Hon. William H. Taft is to speak
at Good Will Farm, Hinckley, at four
o'clock tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.
Mr.. Taft's lecture will be given under
the Mayhem Lectureship Course and
will be free to the public. 1t will
take place in the Prescott Memorial
Building.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17

Maurie Durrell, whose home is at
Lexington Flats and Richard Farm
nam, a native of Oldtown but now a
resident of Madison, had a long walk
TO the recruiting Office at Skowhegan
the Friday when the call to mobilize
was given.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17
TROUTDALE

Our correspondents should hereaf-
ter speak of the railroad station
known as Mosquito as "Troutdale'
The new name is very much more ac-
ceptable to the people living there
and should always be employed.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17

Mr.. and Mrs. w. p. Ordway and Mr..
and Mrs. w. f. Hackett left here this
for Detroit, Mich. They are
to return in Mr.. Ordway's 1917 Cadil-
lac, arriving here about May 2Sth.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-05-17

Elmer Mcguire, who has been work
ing for the past five months at the
local store of the Great Atlantic and
Pacific Tea Company, has severed his
connection with the company on ac-
count of his health. Mr.. Mcguire IS
considering locating in Beverley,
Mass. to work for the United Shoe
Company at later date