The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-09-06
Historic Buildings at Corner of Madi.
son Avenue and Russell Streets

written pages telling of its early his
tory and the origin Of its name. When
one thinks of Skowhegan being his
torical, pictures of early Indian life
In this vicinity and of Arnold's march
to Quebec which led thru the then
wooded districts 81 81 Scr. Gs.tty'
come to mind.
A historical sketch of our local
streets should always be of interest
since in the early building up of the
town Skowhegan has reached its pres
ent place among the towns of the
country. Not all of its important
history deals with Arnold's march for
those events which lead to Its up
building are quite as important
Many of the older citizens remem-
Der how Madison avenue looked in the
forties and one block of especial in
terest Is that now occupied by the Mil
burn fruit store, Arnold & Curriers'
Grocery. A. r. Jewett's market and
the Sampson &c Avore drug store. The
latter two buildings will be discussed
later, this article dealing with the
corner of the block adjacent to Rus
sell street.
The first building constructed on
this lot was built years ago, beyond
the memory of any living resident. 1t
was some rs years back that Increase
Robinson occupied building on this
site. Mr.. Robinson used to run an
amusement parlor and it is said that
he sold cider for one and two cents
a glass to the boys. Skowhegan
youngsters used to stop on their way
to school and get draught or two be-
fore taking up their daily studies. The
block in which Mr. Robinson had his
shop disappeared some so years ago
and the present building came into
being.
This was built by James Leavitt, a
prominent citizen of the town. Mr.
Leavitt will be remembered by local
people. He lived at the corner of
Madison avenue and Leavitt street in
a house which has since been moved
Later he resided on a farm on the
Norridgewock road He died several
years ago while attending a football
game at Fairview Park.
The building was occupied by DR.
atit tot hn
very prominent In his time and used
to travel to other towns in the county,
enjoying a lucrative income from his
practice. His widow, Mrs. Ida Smith,
still resides at her home on Main
street and a son lives in California.
Another part of the structure was
used by E. E. Sturtevant and o. c.
Bridge, photographers.
On the street floor Mrs. B. r. Flagg
conducted millinery store for sever
al years and for long period of time
following the disappearance of that
store the Somerset Traction Company
had Offices in the building The store
now occupied by John Currier, grocer
was for years the site of the William
Pearson jewelry store and later the
G. S. Webb grocery store G. s.
Webb, now deceased, was succeeded
by Arnold e Currier George Arnold
and John Currier) and later by the
present proprietor above mentioned.
Mrs. G. S. Webb and two daughters,
Elizabeth and Gertrude reside on
Pleasant street. Mrs, Sylvia Arnold,
widow of George ArnolN lives in town
on Madison avenue.
William Pearson, who conducted the
jewelry store was famous character
in his day. His nature was such that
everyone knew and liked him His
present whereabouts is unknown but
it is supposed he is still living.
During the construction of the
building now occupied by the A. r.
Jewett market, there arose little
argument between Mrs. Kate Colby
and John F. Pollard Mr.. Pollard,
who still lives in town, told the Re-
porter that when he started to build
on lot adjacent to the one owned by
Mrs Colby that the latter kicked ter
ribly because his structure spoiled
the scenery. But" said Mr.. Pollard,
Il kept right on building And so
the block came into being and was
first occupied by Mr. Fields who
conducted furniture store. He later
became sea captain and it is not
known whether he is living.
James Leavitt Sr. Esq, lawyer of
the old school, also had offices in this
building. 1t is said that during his
idle moments he was wont to amuse
himself by shooting frogs Leaning
from a rear window of the office he
would use an air rifle more or less eff
fectively.
But those old days have long since
gone by. All the men who had an
interest in those historical times are
gone, save one. All that remains Is
the memory of the few who can re-
member and it promises to be many
years before history will repeat itself
in chronicles relating to the present
store of John F. Currier, the Debe