davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05

with the tragedy Sheriff Goodrich
County Attorney Anderson and ex-
Sheriff Frank Thompson were pres
ent. As result Of the hearing it
was decided that the unfortunate
family met their death by accident.
Daniel F Adams Of Anson. a brother
Of Mrs. Rowe. testified that Mr.. Rowe
had a custom Of hanging his wet
clothes about the stove and building
hot fire to dry them. 1t is the
opinion of officials that such was the
case on the night Of the fire.
Both Mr. Adams and another broth
er testified that they entertained no
foul play. Some little interest was
aroused by the testimony of Mrs
Nary Boynton. a neighbor. who stated
that she was sure she heard Mrs
Rowe scream on the night of the fire
She identified the screams because
of having heard Mrs. Rowe scream in
fright over her children Carl Clnkey
another witness. who was among
those to remove the bodies, stated
that he found an axe and bread knife
and that they were so placed as 10
substantiate the claim that Rowe had
become insane killed his family and
then set fire to the house. 1t was
more probable. according to officials,
that the axe had been used in split
ting kindlings The remains of both
Mr. Rowe and his wife were found
in another part of the house from
the bodies of the children. showing
that they had struggled to save the
little ones.
Many other witnesses testified as
to the condition of the building when
they arrived on the scene. Sheriff
Goodrich and Medical Examiner Saw
yer made a visit TO the ruins bat saw
nothing to confirm suspicious And
so the verdict was reached that the
death of Mr and Mrs Rowe and six
children was purely accidental
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05
SPEEDING AUT0|STS AGAIN HAILED INTO
COURT AND ONE ENTERS APPEAL
Officer Shepley Continues Good Work Insisting
That All Obey Traffic Laws to the Letter

ent in person but arranged to pay the
fine imposed by the court.
1t is of interest to note in con-
nection of these trials that the speed
limit, when approaching corner of
the street or intersection, within that
portion of a city or village where
the buildings are used for business
purposes, is eight miles per hour.
Outside the business portion, as above
defined, and when not approaching a
corner or intersection, fifteen miles
per hour is allowed 1t is, however,
at all times specified that the speed
shall be governed by conditions, and
while limited as above, cannot in any
case be fast enough to endanger
others who are using the highway.
Perhaps we may say here that pre-
sumably it is not expected that the
eight mile or the fifteen mile limit
will never be exceeded There are
circumstances under which autoists
may slightly exceed these speeds, and
we have no doubt, it is expected that
they will do so.
Traffic officer Shepley receives four
dollars a day for his services and we
believe the town never made better
investment. Reckless driving has,
for the most part. been eliminated in
Skowhegan and we are quite confident
that, as a result of the above arrests,
it will wholly disappear. 1t should
be understood that his pay is neither
increased or decreased by the number
of arrests he makes. He would re-
ceive his salary, just the same, if he
made no arrests whatever.
Improvement is yet to be made in
regard to the use of the horn. The
law contemplates that warnings
should be given in every instance
where the auto approaches a corner
or intersection. officer Shepley
commends very highly a few who OBJ
serve this rule, DR.. Dascombe, in his
opinion heading the list He hopes
that the use of the horn by autoists.
in giving proper warnings, will be-
come more general.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05
ATHENS BOY PROMINENT
IN COLLEGE WORK
Alton Bush Carries on Many HOnors
While Student ut Bates

Prominent among the recent gradu-
ates of Bates College was Alton Viii
liams Bush of Athens, an alumnus of
Somerset Academy. Mr.. Bush has
made an enyiable record since enter
ing Bates four years ago. At the
end of his Freshman year he was
awarded the general scholarship prize
for men, and early the following year
received an assistantship in Latin. He
was also made assistant tennis mana
ger, and elected to the Politics Club,
German Club and the Jordan Scienti-
fic Society, honorary organizations in
their respective departments.
During Junior year the Bates Stu
dent, the college weekly publication,
was changed from the magazine form
to weekly newspaper with a month
ly magazine supplement Theodore
E. Bacon was made editor-in- chief,
Alton W. Bush, news editor, and Alice
E. Lawry magazine editor, the last
two having direct charge of their de-
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05
A QUESTION OF LAW
Inmate of Reformatory Says Trustees
Should Release Her

Do the trustees OF the Reformatory
have full power to determine the
length of sentence OF women commit
ted to that institution?
Mrs Alphonsine Lafond of Madison
who Was sentenced in January to
serve time at the Reformatory. fol-
lowing a verdict of guilty by a drawn
jury, on the charge of search and
seizure. now desires her freedom.
Thru her attorney, w. b. Brown of
Madison, writ of Habeas Corpus was
brought by her against Mrs. Gertrude
S. Wight, superintendent at the Re
formatory. A hearing was held at
the court house Monday forenoon with
Judge Warren Philbrook presiding
County attorney T. A Anderson OF
Pittsfield appeared for the State
Others present at the hearing were
Mrs. Wight, the plaintiff, Mrs. Lafond
Clyde II. Smith, chairman of the board
of trustees of the Reformatory, sheriff
Harry L. Goodrich and Deputy Sher-
iff Charles Chute, Mrs. Wight was
questioned regarding the behavior of
the plaintiff and stated that it was
splendid. She added however that it
took a long time to bring about any
decided reformation. The court
ruled that the points at issue were
of such magnitude that the case
should be taken to the law court at
Portland, that full rights of the par
ties might be gained. This was done
on the agreed statement of facts by
the attorneys concerned.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05
Charles ii. Girdler

Charles H. Girdler passed away at
his home in Mercer Monday, July 2,
after a two weeks illness of acute
pleurisy and dilation of the heart. He
was born in Oakland, Dec. 4, 1S47,
moving to Mercer in December, 1865
where he has since resided. He was
first selectman for several years, and
tax collector and constable about II
years, holding that office at the time
OF his death. He was a representa-
tive to the Legislature in 1899 and a
staunch republican. He was a men,
ber of Quinnebassett Lodge |. o. o.,
F, Lebanon Lodge F. and A. NJ. and
of De Molay Commandery No. 10 of
Skowhegan. He leaves a widow, one
daughter Mrs. Bertha B. Andrews. one
grandson, two cousins, Frank c. In
gersoll of Merrimac, Mass, Miss
Carrie W Girdler of Portland and Il
nephew Rev c. G. Mosher of Alham
bra. California Funeral services
were held at the vestry Thursday at
p. NJ. July 5th. Rev Mr.. Meeker OF
Norridgewock officiated and the Ma
sonic services also being held. The
church choir rendered the two hymns
Beautiful Isle of Somewhere and
"Some Time Well Understand
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05

partments. The new form immedi-
ately won success, and during the
| following year achieved a high stand
ard. At the end of the year Mr.. Bush
was elected editor in-chief of the
Mirror, the Senior year book and col
! lege annual This book, containing
nearly 300 pages. with $50 cuts and
drawings, was recently placed in the
hands of the students and acclaimed
the best yet published.
The past year has been a fitting
climax to his college course At the
| recent installation at Bates Of the
Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa of
Maine. he was one of the four men
from the Senior class to be made a
member. This fraternity has been
called the supreme court of scholar
ship in the United States, and college
membership as we'll as individual ad-
mission is very exclusive. In addi-
! tion, he was one of the nineteen SEN
iors to receive a Commencement hon
or Other positions which he has
held include, class treasurer, member
of the faculty and student committee
on the College Commons, the Press
fees in the different societies. He
was one of three candidates for Senior
Glass President but lost out by a
close vote. He also took promi-
nent part during the play given Com
mencement week.
Mr.. Bush has specialized during the
past two years in Government and
Economics, and plans later to take
graduate work along business lines.
Alton Williams Bush is the son of
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar l.. Bush of Athens
and was born March IS, 1895. He
was graduated from Somerset Acade-
my in 1911, being valedictorian of the
class. The following year, 1911-12,
he took a post graduate course in the
same school, because of delay in taxi
ing up the college preparatory course.
Another year elapsed before entering
Bates in the fall of 1913. most OF
which time he was employed in a
printing shop in Auburn. Ten ex-
aminations in two days then entitled
him to admission to college.
His oldest sister, Belva, is a gradu-
ate of Somerset Academy (salutatori-
am and of Pennington State Normal
| SCHOOL. Sne mas ndu COISlueTdDle
experience as a school teacher in va
rious parts of the State, Three of
his four brothers have already gradu-
ated from Somerset Academy. Arthur
the oldest, after several years employ
ment in Auburn now has fine posi-
| tion with the Russell Paper Box Co
in Chelsea, Mass. The other two
Milton and Clyde graduated from
High school in 1915 and have employ
ment in Auburn. The three younger
children, Velma, belmont and Leona
are situated as follows: Velma was
graduated from Somerset Academy
this past spring, is working at the
Oxford Hotel, Skowhegan, this sum
mer, and probably will teach. Del
mont, the youngest son, will be a
Sophomore In Somerset Academy this
fall. Leona, the youngest daughter
is in the seventh grade in Grammar
school and soon will be the eighth
of the family to enter Somerset
Academy. All have done very credit
able work.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05
PRICE OF COAL MAY AD.
VANCE SAYS DEALER
Great Scarcity Due to Lack Of Trans.
pOrtatiOn Facilities

This newspaper talk about coal
dropping from one to five dollars a
ton is all tommy-rot" said one Show
hegan coal dealer in a recent inter-
view with the Reporter. Next win
ter promises to be the hardest season
for years as regards coal and look
for the present price to go up rather
than down.
The dealer who made the above
statement knows the coal business
from the ground up He did not make
the statement without reasons to back
1t up and principle among the reasons
is the lack of transportation facilities.
Much of the coal used in Maine has
to he brought to the State by water
and since the outbreak of the war the
Government has taken over many OF
the vessels formerly used to trans
port coal. One entire fleet, consist
Ing of IA vessels, once used as coal
barges which brought coal to Port
land, is now in the foreign service.
Small wonder that the people OF
Maine cannot get coal. Then again
the railroad facilities for handling
this product are very much impaired
owing to the war conditions. Coal
dealers cannot get coal at any price
because there are no cars in which
TO ship it to interior towns. A third
reason is the shortage of help at the
coal mines. There is plenty of coal
In the ground but no men to take
It out The hundreds and thousands
who once worked the mines are now
enlisted and inexperienced men are
gathering the Nations supply or coal
A circular issued by one of the
large coal dealers in the State warns
the smaller dealers not to promise
any coal before they get 1t and by all
means not to name a price as the
coal market was so uncertain. II
intimated that the price would go up
rather than down. OF course there Is
circulating in coal as in practically
everything else but the reasons given
above are, according to the dealer in
terviewed, sufficient to prove to the
public that coal is liable to be a scarce
commodity this winter and the price
Is apt to be in proportion to the
secretly. Eyes, said the dealer, this
newspaper talk about the price OF
coal dropping from one to five dol.
lars is all tommy-rot." And 1t sounds
that way from the above facts.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05

made many changes. introducing
many modern eonyenienees. Every
thing is up to date and in A flourish
ing condition
The farm has always been called
the Orchard Farm" and we'll it might
be as there is a large orchard there
that Yields the choicest apples. 1t
can always be depended upon as it
bears a bountiful crop each year.
There is a ready market for every
barrel it yields.
Now his son. another generation,
will take up this farm life in modern
way. There is a very promising
outlook for this young man as he
takes up his life's work on this old
home farla.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05

Several parties were before Judge
Brazzell, in the municipal court, Mon
day afternoon, having been arrested
for exceeding speed limit in their au-
tomobiles. There was fine of SO
and costs, amounting to $7.56. Three
out of the four paid; one appealed.
The first case called was that of
Roland T. Patten of Skowhegan. Of
ficer Shepley explained that Mr.. Pat
tens offence occurred on Sunday af-
ternoon about six o'clock. He timed
him with a stop watch between Elm
and Pleasant streets and determined
that he was not observing his speed
miles an hour. The accused said
that he was not observing his speedo-
ometer at the time and therefore
could not say how fast he was going.
While he was very anxious to deserve
a reputation for careful driving, he
had every confidence in officer Shep-
ley and presumed his report of the
matter was correct Mr.. Patten ex-
pressed his approval of the speed
laws, traffic regulation, and in partic-
ular commended the work being done
by traffic officer Shepley. He ex-
pressed his regret at having violated
the law and promised to drive with
more caution in the future.
The next case called was that of
Leslie E. Jacobs, also of Skowhegan.
The circumstances were about the
same. Mr.. Shepley was confident
that Mr.. Jacobs was driving about 20
miles an hour. The respondent thot
this could not have been the case.
Said he and his son, who was with
him, were both observing the speed
0meter and that it ranged from thir-
teen to fifteen miles per hour He
plead not guilty and took the appeal
from the decision of the court.
The other two offenders we're A. L.
Tnipp of Waterville and F. D. Boston
of Gardiner In the latter case the
owner was not in the car which was
being driven by Mr.. Boston's son.
These two respondents were not pres
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05

The semi-annual meeting of Show
hegan lodge, Knights of Pythias, was
held last Thursday evening and the
following officers were elected: Ralph
Priest. chancellor commander; Frank
Green, vice chancellor; Archie Wes-
ton, prelate; William Donaldson, mas
ter Of work; Charles Griffin, master at
arms; Robert Wilson, inner guard /;
Harry Mitchell, outer guard.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05
COMPANY E COMMENDED
Citizens of Wateryille Pay Tribute to
Manliness of SkOwhegan Boys

Skowhegan citizens should be proud
of the clean record made by the boys
sent from this town TO join the colors,
who have been stationed at Waterville
for the past several weeks Their
behavior speaks we'll for the town and
the example which they have set will
have its influence on other Maine
boys, who like the sons of Somerset,
have heard their country's call
The following paragraph culled
from the columns of the kennebec
Journal. under Wateryille heading.
speaks for itself and will be of in
terest TO every man, woman and child
in our community:
The boys of Company E of Skow-
hegan who have been stationed here
guarding bridges for the past few
weeks, left Tuesday morning fer Au-
gusta. where they will Join the re-
mainder of their company. The peo-
pie of the city are sorry TO see them
go. They have been gentlemen in
every sense of the word They have
done their duty fearlessly and we'll
and have left splendid impression on
the citizens of Waterville whose good
wishes will follow them wherever
they go. A number of their friends
in the city were on hand to say good
bye at the station.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05
4 ORCHARD FARM HAS
BEEN SOLD
]. II. Savage Retires and Property Is
Sold to Frank Savage

Bingham loses one of its most
prominent men and successful farm
ers as j. II. Savage has very recently
sold his farm to his son Frank. Mr..
Savage had owned this farm for over
thirt- years, and it has been in the
Savage name over fifty years, his faith
er living there before him. He has
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05
Br0wn-Noyes

A very pretty wedding took place
June the eleventh at the groom's sis
ter Mr.. and Mrs. Eddie McQuilkin
when Charlie H. Brown of Cornville
and Lizzie L. Noyes of Athens were
united in marriage in the presence OF
relatives and friends. The bridal
couple stood beneath q large white
bell while the ceremony was per-
formed by Rev. H. c. Glidden.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05

Mr.. and Mrs. Merton H. French of
Bangor and Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Mar
tin with their two daughters of Gar
diner, who have been passing a vaca-
ton at the French homestead farm
in Cornville, passed thru town on
their way home, this morning.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05

Miss Maud Bacon of Bluehill, now
a teacher in Medford, Mass, has been
In town for a short visit with rela-
lives and friends Miss Bacon was
a teacher in the public schools here
some years ago.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05

If any issue of the Reporter fails to
reach you please drop us postal and
We will forward the missing number.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05

Sheathing paper, rs cts. per 100 lbs.
Independent Reporter Co.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-05

Jean Ortley Of Toronto is expected
here Saturday te be the guest of Mr..
and Mrs K 7 Patten.
The Ordway new era., 1917-08-10

Hes slew eesp ;bssssht. her up 70 the
tefrAces the valley and mountain slope
were dusky with the shadow Of ap-
preaching nightfall. Within the cabin
Dupont had lit one Of the mine candles.
The candlestick was an empty whisky
bottle. Another bottle, not yet empty,
stood ON the rough deal table between
the two men.
"Hello. grille r sang out vandervyn.
as Marie paused in the open doorway.
He sprang up to come around the table
to her. "I've been languishing for you
all afternoon. Would've chased down
the hill. only your dad said you'd get
on your ear If did"
"Yes," quietly replied the girl. She
had raised her hand to shield her face
from the candle, as If the light dazzled
her. As she spoke, she stepped in
and along the side of the table oppo-
site him. apparently not seeing him.
"Yes, would not have cared to see
Sou. was nursing one of the girls
down in the camp"
Vandervyn stopped short. 1T wasn't
anything infectious. I hope"
''No. shall not suffer from the
same trouble. But nm very tired.
The Ordway new era., 1917-08-10
l-ll--A---A-l AL--llL-lll-A-llC-G1CTIETTTrTTT-
The Quarterbreed
1ClA- IlANlI0UTDTIIITTrI rrrr
An Indian Reservation Tale by ROBERT AMEs BENNEr
1CI ]CI-nC 0rr
Tale by ROBERT AMEs BENNET

was evident that he did not pronose
10 De witness to anything Wander
vyn might do.
Mon PEREZ quietly called Marie.
ne shot startled glance at her.
hesitated, and came over to them
Vhndervyn's eyes were upturned IN
the ngure on the mountainside In n
look OF hate that was not pleasant to
see. Dupont followed the menacinp
stare, and then glanced away as n
caught In the guilty act. Fast as
Hardy was scaling the ascent, he was
still within easy rifle shot and would
continue to be for several minutes,
Vandervyn moistened his dry lips,
ana muttered hoarsely: "Take her into
the cabin. She-won't let me-do If ="
dupont coughed, and spoke in a
husky voice. Come into the cabin,
Marie"
NO. she replied.
But listen, girl" he urged. "No
one won't never know, and we won't be
looking. We can lay 1t on the same
buck Indian what has tried to git him
twice Already. There's u lot of 'em
Just come into the valley Dont look
Mt me that way. The dirty sneak has
took our mine away from us-he done
1t by trick, cutting cross afoot. Mr.,
Van can't afford to marry you If me
and him don't git the mine."
"What If I should get it?" asked
the girl, with no shade of change in
her inscrutable calm.
Vandervyn whlrled upon her, his
face convulsed with jealous fury. $50
that's IT.! You've sold yourself to
him! YOU" He stopped, silenced by
her look.
After pause she quietly remarked !:
"He gives me the mine. He is going
away, l do not know where. Instead
Of you, I am to be the owner of the
mine. Do you wish to marry me?"
The Ordway new era., 1917-08-10

-
little about the Engiish people ! knew
In Ottawa. When / saw that you
thought I was romancing. said NO
more except in hints. really was
more intimate with Lady Verlaine
than you VIII find 1t easy to believe.
Her son and daughters were already
married. She took a fancy to me.
When was to comeshome, she invited
me to visit her in England. had
told her all about myself and Pere.
We correspond regularly. She has re-
newed her invitation more than once.
The last time she insisted that I
should come without further delay,
and bring Pere with me-"
"She dIdT exclaimed Vandervyn.
"Then why not all three of us go to-
gether?"
Marie dropped again in her attitude
Of meek humility.
"You are SO generous. Reggie, to be
willing to travel with Pere! But I
cannot allow you to make such a sac
rifice. No; there Is a better way. I
shall go alone with Pere to England.
and then perhaps for little visit to
Paris with the sister of the mother
superior of my convent. Pere has
never forgotten his French-Canadian
dialect, and I have been tinkering it
into fairly good French. A month or
two in Paris may correct his accent.
1t may also smooth down our rough
nesses enough for us to venture over
to Washington without putting you too
greatly to shame before your friends"
1.-TWO months all that timer COM
planned Vandervyn.
"Indeed, no. 1t will be much longer"
answered the girl. II cannot permit
you to marry a mere agency girl. Be-
out his cattle business, may have to
wait for returns from the mine. It
takes quantities of money to buy pol
ish, and lots Of time to put 1t on. We
shall not reach Washington before No
vember or December"
"Five or six months!'
ayes. Aren't you willing to wait for
me?" asked the girl. bridling.
The sudden change from meekness
won a hasty assurance from Wander
vyn: "Of course I am. 1t will be a
fearfully long time to be without you,
If you insist upon But could run
over and see you in England or
France"
mo-" she refused. IT wish you to
stay and work for the good Of my
people. Pere and still are members
Of the tribe. you know, and am deep
ly interested in the irrigation project
laid out by Captain Hardy"
| Vandervyn smiled in his most boyish
manner.
II am neither an engineer nor an
army officer. Someone else must dig
the bitches. shall at once go on to
Washington and prepare for the pas
sage of the appropriation. It's going
to slide through as soon as congress
meets"
"And then I shall come over from
Paris. You will break of your engage
ment with your cousin and we No, no
sir! not single kiss-not one until
you are free, and set the day. am
an heiress now, and must act accord
ipgly. Besides, here Is Pere with the
horses. We must be starting"