The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-11-01
HAS TRAVELLED OVER
$4,000 MILES
For Fourteen Years Fred Eaton Has
Covered the Same Mall Route

cessiye years rural mail carrier In
this town, made his final delivery on
that route over which he has travelled
some $1,000 miles
Every evening during those many
years Mr. Eaton has harnessed his
team and made the only night deliv-
cry going outside the village For
fourteen years he has Travelled the
same route until his coming Is taken
as matter of course by the many
farmers to whom he has distributed
mail. There are several farms scat
tered along the path which he has fol-
lowed SO long and many q person. who
at the beginning used to run out to
his wagon and get the mail, has grown
into manhood and when he comes out
now brings with him his wife and
children.
Mr.. Eaton has seen an entirely new
generation develop along this highway
during his service. He is known as
Mr. Eaton all along the way. Every
one knows him and the sons and
daughters of those who used to greet
him, now gather around as he sorts
out their mail, and with CHEEKY
"giddap" goes along to the next farm
house
Fourteen years Is long time even
in the humdrum life but the same
period OF time used as Mr.. Eaton has
used 1t would seem to some monot-
onous. But with him 1t has never
been so. He has become an institu-
ton along that route and every day
new things have developed which
were interesting to him because he
knew the people with whom he dealt
Few new faces appeared before him
and in so long mingling with them,
tho but few moments each day, he
has learned their hearts and believes
that the best run Of people live In the
country
And yet more remarkable Ia the fact
that during that period Mr.. Eaton has
never missed day How could he?
There was no one to take his place
and so whether sick or we'll he har-
messed up just after train time. Dur
ing the summer 1t was pleasant a
greater part Of the time, tho on many
occasion the venerable driver has
seen times when perhaps others
would have turned back and let the
people wait for their mail But the
winters Times that try mems souls
and make the majority stay close to
the fire. had no terrors for Mr.. Eaton.
With the wind blowing a hurricane
and snow plling waist deep he started
on his route and he always got back
In time to go the next day During
the heavy storms it was his custom
to take a shovel with him and he has
often been obliged to dig his way thru
the drifts that those who were waiting
for him might not be disappointed
And they never were. No matter
how hard the wind might blow or how
heavily the snow might be piled the
country side knew that sometime dur
ing the night the friendly lantern
carried by Mr. Eaton, would shine out
thru the darkness and the letter or
paper, so long awaited and sought
after would be placed in their mail
box.
And so for fourteen long years he
has held the reins over the back OF
old dobbin, thru rain and SNOW, sleet
and blizzard. The people have come
to know him and Will miss him for
Mr.. Eaton has left that route for good.
He has not left Uncle Sam, however,
but has been given another route. the
one formerly driven by the late Nor
ris Cleveland.
The route taken by Mr.. Eaton dur
ing these years OF service differed a
little In summer from the one In win
ter. During the winter season he
carried mail to the White schoolhouse,
bearing to the right along the foot OF
Lake Wesserunsett and up to East
Madison; from there to Lower Mills.
across the Mulunkus road, over Hi
ton Hill, striking the Athens road at
a point near the Kit Perkins farm.
so-called In summer instead OF
crossing the Mulunkus road no came
to Skowhegan over that highway
Mr., Eaton Will feel homosIck for a
time; any man would who had travel
ed the same road for so many years
but II you want to hear some good
opinions on the character OF man
ask any one residing on the night mail
route what they think OF Mr Eaton
Ask the children; they Will tell you
OF his many kindnesses. ask the
grown-ups and they will tell you Of
his accommodating disposition aud HIS .
Few men have served
their duties better and few are more
greatly missed when leaving their
work than Mr. Eaton will be bat what .
one neighborhood has lost the other
has gained
This route, over which NJ Eaton
had jurisdletion for 80 many years. 81,
IN, ~