davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
JOINT INSTALLATION
Priscilla Rebekah Lodge and Par
menas Encampment |. o. o. +.
Hold Joint Installation. Tuesday
Evening, January LIST

A joint installation of the officers
of the Rebekah Lodge and Parmenas
Encampment will be held in the Odd
Fellows Hall. Tuesday evening. Janu-
airy 1st
Mrs r. S McKenney, District Dep
uty President and suite of Madison
will install the officers of the Rebekah
lodge, and Leslie z. Jacobs. Deputy
Grand Patriarch assisted by Edward
Spear acting as Deputy Grand Junior
Warden, Willis A. Bailey as Deputy
Grand High Priest. Hugh Hurley as
Deputy Grand Senior Warden, Loen
w Gerrish as Deputy Grand Scribe
and Arthur R Jewett as Deputy Grand
Treasurer will install the officers Of
Parmenas Encampment
Supper will be served in the lodge
dining hall at $50 p m, past noble
grand, Cora NJ Hurley of the Rebekah
Lodge, chairman.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
FORMER ATHLETE TAKES
A BRIDE
Elias Anderson Taylor and Miss Berle
Frances Nye Married Sunday

Nuptial services of more than usual
interest were held last Sunday after
noon at the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles Taylor of Madison avenue,
when Miss Berle Frances Nye became
the bride of Elias Anderson Taylor
Rev. George Merriam. pastor of the
Bethany Baptist church. ofticiated US
ing the single ring service Only i'm
mediate relatives were present. among
them being Miss Lucy Taylor, sister
Of the groom House decorations
were typical of the Yuletide season.
green and red being combined in the
color scheme Al the conclusion of
the service a dainty collation. OF
sweets and ices were served.
Both the bride and groom are very
we'll known in Skowhegan Mr. Tay-
lor was born in Bingham but came TO
Skowhegan when but q child. He was
graduated from the Skowhegan High
school in 1914 AID thruout the four
years of his course he was prominent
in athletics Fer several years he
was the mainstay of the football team
and was also prominent as a baseball
PLAYER Following his graduation
from the high school he entered Bliss
Business College Lewiston, from
which institution he was graduated
with high honors and became an in
structor there for a time His We'll
known ability as bookkeeper and
auditor led To his appointment on the
auditing STAFF in the Office Of the
Maine Central Railroad in Portland.
which position he still holds
Mrs Taylor is the daughter at
Elizabeth Nye Swain OF Canaan 81
was horn in Skowheean her father
having been Charles Nye formerly a
music teacher i'm e. village Mr..
Taylor inherited fha musical abilities
of her father and IS TO-DAY a pianist
and vocalist ot a1th ability She
was member of the class Of lel4
SkoWheeau hilh sehool baf left friar
To- graduation that She might give
more time 10 her musical studies She
has lately been filling "a musical en-
racement Al Eastport and Lubec but
is at present filling similar duties in
Madison Mrs Taylor has always
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
SKOwHEGAN WOMAN A SUICIDE
Claim Person Whose Death Was Self
inflicted Came From This Village

During the past week word has
been received here from Calais, to the
effect that a woman. Mrs. Susan Was
son. who has been employed as cook
in "A lumber camp near Dennsville
committed suicide by jumping from a
railroad bridge on Christmas day
According to the story the woman,
apparently despondent, walked out
upon the bridge and jumped to the
frozen river about 40 feet below Both
legs were broken and she suffered
internal injuries from which she died
Little is known of the woman ex-
cept that she comes from Skowhegau
the report reads.
Thus far nothing has been learned
of a Skowhegan resident by the name
given above.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27

Horatio Tobey Mooers, son of Ex-
Sheriff and Mrs John A. Mooers, has
returned to Skowhegan after spending
more than six months in the service at
France. Mr. Mooers has been acting
as ambulance driver, carrying wound
ed from Immediately behind the first
line trenches to the base hospitals.
The many things he has done, what
he has seen and encountered, none
but himself knows. But he has re-
turned and the people of Skowhegan
are glad to welcome him
The reporter felt not the least ill at
ease in asking for an interview, At
first Mr. Mooers was reluctant about
saying anything for publication for he
is extremely reticent when it comes to
talking about himself. 1t was urged
upon him that the people of Skowhe-
gan expected him to tell few things
at least; that they were vitality in
terested in his work and must know
the facts
Bon matin, Monsieur. The report
er turned and there stood the person
who had promised to grant an inter
view Tobey Mooers, In the many
months that he has lived with nothing
but French soldiers. has become a
master of the language. He seated
himself and after making inquiries
concerning his former classmates.
showing that his greater interest Is
still in Skowhegan, he began to tell
of a few things he has encountered
Everything he said was gripping and
his experiences should prove interest
ing to all who read of them. What is
chronicled here is but a small portion
of the many things he related.
Mr.. Mooers left Skowhegan May 3,
1917, going directly to New York and
taking passage on a French trans
Atlantic liner arrived in Bordeaux,
France. after a trip of 10 days dura-
ton. From there he went to Paris
by rail During the trip to Paris
could be seen perhaps the most pic
turesque part of France. Gardens
everywhere and houses built Of brick
and stone. Women were doing the
work of men, building railroads and
working in the fields and thus early in
his experiences Mr.. Mooers could see
the ravages of war.
Following three weeks of arduous
training in Paris he departed with the
27th Division S. S. IT, and two day
convoy brought the party to the Cham
pagne sector where they were destined
to remain for six months. 1t is not
far from this section that the boys of
Co e are now stationed. Mr.. Mooers
and the French officers with him
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
ALUMNAE THE WINNERS
SkOWhegan High Grads Prove Too
Much for students at Basketball

A large crowd Of enthusiastic bas-
ketball fans saw the Skowhegan high
school girls team go down to defeat
Wednesday night before the well bal
aneed attack of the alumni 1t was
an excellent game as the score to 6
would indicate. II appeared that
the graduates had lost but little of
that old time skill acquired when they
were members Of championship
team
From the beginning of the contest
it vas evident that the alumni had the
stronger machine Miss Helen White.
former captain OF the Girls team of
the local high school, at one time rat
ed among the best performers in the
State, showed the same skill in
shooting baskets that she has on for
mer occasions For the students
Capt. Fedora Lessard and Miss Martha
Steward played exceptionally well
Altho the student body of the high
school was we'll represented the Al
umni were right on hand and sent up
some lusty cheers II could be seen
from the contest of Wednesday even
ing that the girls basketball team this
year will have to be reckOned with by
all contenders before the Kennebee
Valley championship is decided 1t
would not be in the least surprising
if the honor returned TO Skowhegan
Following the game an informal dane
ing party was held in Grand Army
Hall under the auspices of the X O. G
Club with music by Lyons orchestra
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
BODY OF INFANT FOUND IN STONE WALL
NEAR VILLAGE Of STARKS
Children Make Gruesome Discovery on Friday
Inquest Held and Investigation Started

The body Of an infant was discover
ed Friday afternoon, hidden in an old
stone wall near the village of Starks
Children, returning from schoo! found
the gruesome object, which was naked
and frozen.
Authorities were Immediately noti-
fed and they in turn called upon DR.
w. G Sawyer, acting as Medical Ex-
aminer Dr. Sawyer went to the
scene of the discovery as did Sheriff
Goodrich of Skowhegan. 1t vas con
cllded that the child had been Drema-
turely born and was hidden there BY a
distracted mother. Sawyer took
charge of the remains.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
Free Tickets TO Those Who Are
Worthy of Them

The lessees of the SkOwhegan Opera
House are anxious that no one, finan-
cially unable to attend the moving
pictures, shall be thereby prevented
from doing so. With this in mind
they will try out a plan to reach all
such with free tickets. Tickets will
be issued, good for all picture matt
nees, except Saturdays, it being stipu
lated, however, that children in order
to make use of this offer must be ac-
cOmpanied by one or both parents.
For the present. Father Renaud, Mrs.
Fred Philbrick Mrs. Paul Roullard,
Mrs Samuel Roderick and r. r Pat
ten will constitute a committee, and
applications for tickets should be
made to them They are to deter
mine, under the above conditions. to
whom and in what number these tick
cts are to be given out This is
genuine effort, on the part of the
lessee, to provide free entertainment
for those who could not otherwise af-
ford it, If it fails to reach those
who should benefit by it, the plan Will
be discontinued The committee will
meet in the near future, to formulate
rules under which this work is to be
done. For the present, it may be
stated that, unless the applicants are
known to them, the application should
be accompanied by some evidence,
verbal or written that the party ap-
plying should properly make use of
the privilege thus offered
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
Candidate for General Manager

To the Stockholders of the Somerset
Farmers Cooperative Telephone
Company:
I wish to announce that I shall be
a candidate for the Office of General
Manager of the company for the COM
ing year.
Should | be elected, | shall certain
ly Lear in mind that this company's
lines extend far into the rural dis
tricts, and that the most remote sub
scriher is entitled to equal service
with the village stockholder
| believe il to be the duty of the
General Manager to visit each EX
change frequently, and personally in
spect each telephone line.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
Benefit supper for Red Cross

At the congregational Yestry, next
Wednesday evening at $50 is To he
served an oyster stew supper. the pro
ceeds of which are to go to the Red
Cross fund Details are being ar
ranged by the Christian Endeavor So
ciety of the Congregations Church.
The price of the supper Is % cts and
all who come will be welcome 10 re
main to a sociahle The entertain
ment program has not been fully ar
ranged. but an enjoyable evening may
be counted upon.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
SUFFERS GAS ATTACK


During the first few weeks Of ser
vice Mr. Mooers was engaged in
bringing up wounded from the battle
fields. at was terrible to see some
of those poor fellows, mangled beyond
recognition and still ready to give up
their lives for the cause of France.
have taken them from the ambulance
in pieces said Mr.. Mooers land you
may believe that | have had some bad
dreams" On one occasion he went
ration and altho he wore a mask the
result was nearly fatal. With severe
nausea, headache, and parched throat
he returned to the base hospital but
was soon able to resume his work.
There was little variation in his
work The drivers bring in the
wounded at night time and drive with
out lights On one occasion Mr.
Mooers was to go in a certain division
but at the last moment was transferr-
ed The division in which he was
scheduled to go at first was practic-
ally annihilated by the Germans and
one American driver, very close
friend of Mr. Mooers, was killed. "You
may speak of fate" said Mr. Mooers
in telling this episode, but fate GER
tainly favored me on that occasion"
He sums up the many things he has en-
countered when he says that he can
not see how he managed to return to
Skowhegan. Every ambulance in his
division was hit by shrapnal at one
time or another but he went thru it
all with no injuries save those from
gas
Thruout the service he was connect
ed with the 132nd Division French In
fantry on the Western Front and the
entire unit were French save Mr..
Mooers and this organization was con-
sidered one of the best If not the best
in the entire French army. Follow
ing the expiration of his enlistment,
Mr.. Mooers departed for Liverpool,
England and from there came to New
York on the "Adriatic' He has had
many experiences which he does not
wish published others feel, if he does
not. that he has done his bit. Ask
ed about plans for the future Mr..
Mooers smilingly said that he suppos-
ed the draft would get him. He is
ready and eager to return to the ser
vice but will probably remain in
Skowhegan for a few weeks.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
MISS BERTHA MERRILL
BECOMES BRIDE
Daughter of Prominent SkOwhegan
Family Becomes Bride on Xmas Day

A wedding of much local interest
noon at the home of Hon and Mrs. Ed
ward n Merrill on Water street, when
their daughter, Miss Bertha Merrill
became the bride of Armin Kohl Lo-
beck, Phi. D., of New York City Rev.
Henry Clay Turner, pastor Of the
Centenary Methodist church officiated,
using the full Episcopal double ring
tions were used and the couple were
unattended Miss Ella Nj. Flanders,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs Benjamin
Flanders played Lohengrin's Wedding
March and only immediate relatives
ingly gowned in brown travelling
suit with hat to match. Immediate
ly following the ceremony the happy
couple departed for New York City
where they Will reside in the future
The bride is a member of one of
Skowhegan's prominent families and
is "A most brilliant young woman. She
was graduated from the Skowhegan
High school '08 after which she en-
tered Wellesley College, from which
institution she was graduated in 1913
Immediately following graduation she
taught at Wellesley and in 1914 enter
ed Columbia University for post grad
uate work, specializing in physio
graphy. For two years she studied
at Columbia and was awarded her
masters degree from that University.
There is something of a romance in
the first meeting of DR. and Mrs. Lo
beck While the bride was studying
at Columbia, Mr.. Lobeck travelled to
California to study photographic
provinces west of the Mississippi.
Previous to this time, in 1914 to be
exact, a young student of Columbia
had become acquainted with a gentle
man interested in the same line Of
study as herself The two studied
together and their interest in the
same work developed in a deeper in
terest along another line, the wedding
on Christmas day being the ultimate
result.
DR.. Lobeck is a native of New York
city and has been instructor Of ply
siography at Columbia University
since receiving his degree. For three
months during the past summer he
was connected with the United States
Geological Survey, engaged in map
making at the National Capitol Some
time ago he enlisted in the Engineers
Reserve Corps and was detailed for
special work in New York city. The
marriage was detained for a few days
owing to the fact that the prospective
groom was unable to obtain furlough.
DR. and Mrs. Lobeck have been the
recipients of many beautiful and use
full wedding gifts and their many
friends will wish them a long and
happy life of wedding happiness.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27

Mr. and Mrs Lynne Greene and two
children Carlyle and Mary of Hartland
and Mr.. and Mrs Frank Longfellow
of Augusta. visited Mr. and Mrs. Ell
more Withee over the Christmas holi-
days
Miss Marion Lord arrived in Skow-
hegan last Friday morning from Nor
ton. Mass, where she is a student at
Wheaton College She will spend the
Christmas recess with her parents Mr.
and Mrs. Thomas G. Lord, Turner
Avenue.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27

An investigation was Immediately
started but the officers had little 10
work upon and have not as yet appre-
hended the parties who might be re
sponsible a hearing, in the nature
Of a coroner's inquest was held Mon
day afternoon.
During the past few days the au-
thorities of Starks. selectmen and all
persons in whom power in the matter
is vested have been making careful
investigation The little town is all
'het up over the matter but az yet nn
tangible clue has been reached regard
ing the parties responsible for the
seeming murder OF the child
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27

was the Herald Angel" instead of
Miss Grace Thomson.
The entertainment was given before
very large audience and was we'll
liked.
The offering for the benefit of the
starved Armenians and Syrians In
Asia Minor amounted to $3.50.
Special offerings of IS each were re-
ceived for this collection from the
Ladies Aid and First Philathea Glass,
and 5.75 was received from the Madi-
son Armenians. The Armenians of
Madison had already sent to Armenia,
during the past year over $1,000.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27

December goth.
The lndependent-Repo
Please Publish.
Sirs.-
AS | am a constant reader of
your valuable paper, even tho | am
many miles away thought | would
write a few lines on Army Life"
which | think the people Of Skowhe-
gan and surrounding towns would ap-
preeiate.
To begin With this letter is compos-
ed BY three Soldiers" Private Guy
Cilman of SkoWhegan, Private Joseph
r Graves and Sgt Ernest kluglen
If New York The monotony of this
place makes a fellow rack his mind in
search of something new, so there
fore this letter As YOU can see BY
the above address we are as yet
Somewhere in Texas and Not over
there. but believe us We will be short
ly. We are trained up to the minute
and surely will give a good account
of ourselves when we do get over
There" and we sure are very anxious
for the word which will send us We
are composed of most every national
ity. French, Irish, English. Italian etc
and as everyone knows you have to
be made Of real fighting stock to join
the United States Army so that we all
get along very nicely. The Regiment
of the Twenty First Field Artillery
will go down in History" Our guns
are of the modern type called four
point-seven using five teams of heavy
draft horses to pull the gun carriage
and four to pull the ammunition carri-
age. Our guns have an accurate
range of about two miles. so you see
the Germans will sure catch h'''
when we sail into them. We are at
drill at seven in the morning up to
eleven thirty, have dinner and are
hard at it again at one o'clock in the
afternoon up to four-thirty so you
can readily see we don't have much
time for play Leon Springs is stu
ated about thirty miles from the most
popular city in the States. called San
Antonio, Texas. We have ideal
weather here altho at times it gets
real cold Snow is a rare thing here,
but now and then we have some rain,
and believe us when it does, it sure
does come down. and the mud talk
about trench mud it can't have much
on this every step you take you lift
up about ten pounds OF mud.
The people of San Antonio are de-
ing everything possible to make il
pleasant for us soldiers. giving us en-
tertainments. the young ladies OF the
different churches singing and play
ing music for us. etc. Also have nu-
merous theaters in town for us to go
to. quite a number of the boys receiy-
ed invitations to spend Nmas at some
of the san Antonio folks houses, 10
all of which we are very grateful,
but we all feel of the same opinion.
most Of us would prefer to spend
Christmas With our own folks We
are making great preparations for
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
sknmhrgan 1itgh Srtunl Bull nj 1innnr

read this list should feel proud of their
school for what other of its size can
boast a larger enrolment of its for
mer students2 This list has been re-
vised and is undoubtedly correct
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27

Contained herein are the names of
those now in military service who
either graduated from or at one time
or another we're students of the Show
hegan high school. All alumni who
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
Benefit Entertainment Tuesday Even
ing

Our list of those who were to parti-
cipate in the program as announced
last week, for the Benefit Entertain
ment at the First Baptist Church. last
Tuesday evening, was not strictly ac-
curate. The part of the "Grandfath-
er" was taken by Leighton Tracy, in
stead of Lees Hall, as was given in
our account Thomas Cockburn took
the part Of the Garage Man" instead
OF Leighton Tracy. Miss Mary Lyon
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27

Mrs Thomas ~ Min OF Springfield,
Mass is visiting her parents Mr.. and
Mrs. Lawrence Cockburn, Main st.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
\. TOBEY M0OERS ENCOUNTERED MANY
THINGS OF INTEREST IN WAR ZONE
Skowhegan Boy Returned From France Tells of
Horrors of War as They Actually Exist

worked three sectors or localities,
situated about 100 yards behind the
first line trenches. The Champagne
region has been active ever since the
beginning of the war
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27

CAPT. J. WALLACE BLUNT THOMAS ARBUCKLE
E. EMERY CLYDE c BADGER
L. MARSTON ADOLPH BEAULIER
HOWARD BUTLER
CAPT. WYMAN CLARENCE DUNLAP
Enrol C. CHASE HARRY DYSART
REGINALD FOSS ROY FITZMORRIS
LIT MILBURN GILMAN
MORRILL, HOME
LIT COBURN MARSF0N EARLE HUCKINS
1T ARTHUR MERRILL LINWOOD JEWETT
LIT EARLE PATTEN EARLE JUDKINS
w ROLAND KILKENNY
II. EARLE i4OWTHER
LIT SHERMAN N. ARTHUR McQUIIIAN
LEON SMILEY ARTHUR MERRIAM
1T CHARLES F. SMITH WARREN merrill.
LIT RAYMOND j. H. TOBEY MOOERS
LIT ROBERT WILDES CARROLL MORRILL,
1T WILLIAM WILDES WILLARD F. PAUL
SERGT. A BISSON MAURICE S, PHILBRICk
SERGT HERBERT GRIFFIN
SERGT. F. ELMER NOLN MAURICE PRATT
SERGT. JOSEPH SANDFORD LEDGER
CORP. O BOUCHARD ELLIOT SPEAR
CORP ALVAN BUCKNAM LEON SYMONS
D KLEBER TAYLOR
CORP. RALPH MERROW KARL w. TOBEY
CORP BROOKS SAVAGE CARLETON WHITE
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-12-27
ANXIOUS TO SAIL over
THERE"
SkoWhegan Boy and Comrades Write
of Life in Army

Camp Stanley.
Leon Springs. Texas
December goth
The lndependent-Rep
Please Publish
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-10-26
NEW FLAT
IN EAST CHICAGO

l.. p. Faust. 143rd and Magoun ave
nue.. East Chicago. is having plans
drawn nv Architect Norris for a two
aat building near his residence. 1t
viii cost about 10000. Each flat will
have enclosed sun parlors and five
rooms. 1T will be Of hollow Tile con-
struction. gum trim, with vapor heat
installed. Figures will be taken in about
one week.
Ground has been broken for the pub
lie garage which Pete Skahsh is build
ing al the southeast corner of Chidago
and McCook avenues L viii be 3SX100
feet and made OF pressed brick and
stone. There viii be a plate glass front,
steam heat. cement floors. and the
building will cost $500. J.. H McClay
the contract and expects to have it
ready for occupancy in about sixty days.
steve Bartlus. whose Sanitary Bot
Ting works building was sold to make
way for the Standard Forgings improve
ments, is putting nip a home for his
business on Deodar street, Indiana Har-
Dor, between 13Sth and 139th streets.
It is a two story building of pressed
brick and stone The second floor viii
provide two flats, trimmed In oak with
oak floors. James Harbaugh has the
contract. with X. D Norris as archi-
tect. The building Will cost about SIS
SOC. The foundation is now going in.