davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
FINAL DECISION IN HESELTON CASE WILL
ESTABLISH RULE Of PROCEDURE
So Stated Justice Spear at Hearing Held Tues
day Morning In County Com. Room

another hearing will be called. 1t
seems quite clear that the matter
turns on the reasonableness of the
decision of the municipal officers TO
require Mr. Heselton to discard what
ever value may exist in the front
portion of his building, and to re-
place the same by ire-proof construc-
ton. Bearing upon this point, of
course, is the value of the property
as it existed Immediately after the
fire The whole matter will be
weighed, having due regard to the
rights OF the town in its ambition TO
lessen its fire hazard and with due
regard, also, to the rights of Mr.
Heselton.
The Heseton Block was badly dam
aged by fire on March 10, 1917. The
block being situated within the fire
limits of the town of Skowhegan. Mr.
Heselton was not allowed to rebuild,
under the town ordinances. The
case came to trial in the S. j. Court,
the case being entered as The lnhabi-
tants of Skowhegan VS. Martin Hesel-
ton" The decision was rendered for
the plaintiff The case was then ap-
pealed to the law court in which the
decision of the lower court was sus-
tanned. Mr. Heselton then appealed
to the fire commission who stated that
he might rebuild by complying with
certain conditions. which he refused to
do Then followed an appeal to the
selectmen, who upheld the decision of
petition for the writ Of mandamus.
above referred to.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
Letter From Former Resident

Mrs. Isaiah Crowell of this town has
recently received an interesting let
ter from a former friend and neighbor,
Mrs. E. II. Elliott of 453 North Sd st,
San Jose, California
Mr.. and Mrs Elliott were former
residents of Canaan, moving to Skow-
hogan later. where Mr.. Elliott was en-
gagged in business in a shoe store on
Water street
The family will be remembered by
many as their friends were numerous
and their leaving for California some
where in the sos, was regretted by a
large circle of friends.
For a time they resided in southern
California, principally at Pasadena.
finally settling in Oakland, where they
resided for many years, living with
their eldest daughter, Mrs. Cora e.
Jones, whose death occurred two
years ago This winter they are with
their youngest daughter Mrs. l.. p.
Crane in San Jose, another daughter
Mae and family are living in Spokane.
Mrs. Elliott writes the winter with
them has been warm and dry. The
much needed rain had just begun
War is the all absorbing topic and
women everywhere are knitting for
the soldiers
Mr. and Mrs Elliott are both well
preserved and in remarkably good
health, as they think not that they
are growing old, but how best to en-
joy the waiting time" and be ready
when called Mr. Elliott said tell
them | am well and hearty; am SS
years old on January 16; have been
married Ga years, Jan. 15 and can
walk a mile and back easily. Pret-
ty good for one of that age. Mrs.
Elliott is past eighty years of age and
quite active.
A memorial book of testimonials of
friends of their daughter Mrs. Cora
f. Jones, who was a beloved and es-
teemed club woman Of Alameda Dist,
will soon be forwarded to Mrs. Crow
oil
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
Red Cross Notes

The local chapter OF the American
Red Cross made the following ship
ment Of supplies yesterday: 80 pairs
paiamas. 26 convalescent robes, IL
bed sheets, II helpless case shirts "a
hot water bag covers, comfort pill
lows. 200 pillow cases, l05 sheets, PIP
dish towels, II wash cloths. ! pnffs,
= afghans 81 helmets, 2ll pairs stock
ings. 207 sweaters, "A pairs wrstlets,
Is pairs ear protectors, > pairs bed
socks and l roll of old linen.
OF this shipment the various
branches contributed as follows. Nor
ridgeWock, So sweaters, 43 pairs socks,
4 pairs wristlets and - convelescent
gowns. Solon-12 sweaters. ! pairs
socks, - helmets, and 4 pairs wrist
lets. Canaan sweaters, 10 pairs
socks, l6 pairs wristlets and 10 con-
yaleseent gowns. Athens-6 sweat
ers. 6 pairs wristlets, l helmet, and
"a pairs socks. Flagstaff pairs
socks, pairs wristlets, and l sweater.
Fairfield Aux.-3 sweaters. suits of
)ajamas, and l pair socks. Bingham
3 pairs socks, l pair wristlets, &
Heaters. and helmet
A sweaters has been brought into
le Red Cross rooms which VAS knit
ntirely by Francis Bean. the eight
ear old daughter of Levi Bean.
Instead of nxch nging valentines
the pupils of Miss Carls sixth grade
presented an offering of $3.50 to the
Red Cross The pupils of Miss Nora
r. Plummer's eighth grade also turn
ed in the sum of $253.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
LOCAL ITEMS

Deacon Richard Morrill, is reported
as being severely i'll at Hotel Oxford.
Mr.. and Mrs. William Holland are
rejoicing over the birth of Il ten
pound boy.
Articles knitted from yarn taken out
during December and January should
be returned to the Red Cross rooms
before February 28th, especially the
mufIers.
At the meeting of the war savings
stamps committee last Monday even
ing the following gentlemen were ap-
pointed to canvass the town. Rev.
G. H. McElhiney, Harry E. Smith, W.
f. Porter, A. A Porter. Edw. lies,
W r Seekins, John Higgins, NJ. c.
Viles, J A. Chabot, c. A. Burnor,
]. T. Thibodeau, DR.. S. NJ. Cover,
c. W. Day, e r. Goodrich, f. f.,
Greenwood. W. H Hight. r. w.
Leighton, G c. Marble, John Lewis,
c. NJ. Holt. Maurice p Merrill, Geo.
Plummer, f. r. Madden, J A. Avore,
George X Thomson, f. E. Groder, r.
B. Cole, l.. l.. Walton, Earl Tantish,
W. A. Bailey, Philo Steward, Fred
4. williams, s r. Cook. F. B Curtis,
c. W. Sheaff, W. j. Laney, Willie
Lessor, G.. b. Hight. E. w Bacon.
Among those to attend the Inter
scholastic Meet at Bruins wick last
Saturday were Adolph Bisson, Philip
Lessor. Irving Symonds. Julian Good
rich and Elliot Chase. The first three
mentioned were entertained at the
Zeta Psi House. while the others were
the guests of the Delta Kappa Epsilon
Fraternity.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
Item, Concerning Linwood {. Jemctt.

The following letter. recently re
ceived. will interest the friends of the
young mali named therein
Mr. Horace JeWett.
Chandler Street.
Skowhegan. Maine
My Dear Mrs Jewett.
While in France / had the pleasure
Of meeting and talking with Linwood
c. Jewett who gave me your address
that ! might be able TO send YOU this
short message.
He was nicely located and in fine
health and spirits He with other sol
der boys has plenty to wear and to
eat, and is safely sheltered Our gov
ernment is doing everything possible
to Safeguard the health and morals
Of our boys in France and they are
the best-cared-for soldiers in the
world. ! shall return to them the
first of March.
His message to you is: Am well -
Cordially yours,
GEORGE WOOD ANDERSON.
Permanent address. Bellefontaine. 0.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
APPOINTMENT TO ANNAPOLIS
Received BY John +. French of
SkOwhegan

Under the recent enactment of Con-
gress increasing the number of stu
dents at the Naval Academy at Annap-
oils. Congressman John A Peters has
appointed John f. French as an alter
nate to take the entrance 'examina-
tions to that institution. Mr. French,
who is the son of Geo. French of this
town is a graduate of the High schoo,
in the class of 1917, and is at present
freshman at Bowdoin College.
This is a much sought for appoint
ment at the present time, and
selections from Maine have been SO
fortunate in times past, and Maine
boys have taken such a high stand at
the academy, that it is a distinct honor
TO receive these nominations.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
CANDIDATE FOR THE.
LEGISLATURE
A. L. Pattee of Harmony Addresses
the Voters OF His Representative
Class

Harmony, Me, Feb IS, 1918.
To the Republican voters of the
Representative Glass consisting of the
towns of Cambridge, Caanan, Hart
land. Harmony. Ripley and st. Albans;
Since my experience in the Legis-
lature of 1917, have become firmly
convinced that for years this class
has practically lost all influence in
state legislation by sending new and
inexperienced man to each succeeding
legislature; and in exchanging views
with prominent party men throughout
the district, find that there is a
strong feeling that this is true.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
Higher Prices In Those Days

In comparing the present high
prices with those at the time of the
war Of 1872, it is interesting to note
what an old manuscript written in
Norridgewock published in regard to
the prices of 1S12-1S15; The return
of peace in 1915 was hailed by all
classes with acclmations of joy
There was an actual elimination of
the value of property in town, during
the war The price of land fell, and
there were no purchasers, while the
price of all kinds of merchandise was
exorbitant Molasses was sold at a
dollar a gallon, tea at a dollar and a
quarter pound, coffee at thirty cents.
Sheeting was forty cents a yard, and
other articles at the same rates. Flour
was fifteen dollars a barrel and wheat
two dollars and q half a bushel'
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21

On Tuesday morning at $50 in the
county commissioners room occurred
a hearing before Judge Spear at which
Martin B. Heselton appeared as the
nlaintiff in a writ Of mandamus against
the Skowhegan Board of Fire Com
,nissioners. Among those in attend
ance were the three selectmen, the
three fire commissioners, several
newspaper representatives and small
audience of interested citizens.
Two witnesses, the plaintiff, M. B.
Heselton and Archie E. Conant, car
penter. were put on the stand by
Iudge Lawrence. attorney for Mr..
Heselton. A large number of photo
graRhs. showing the condition of the
partially burned Heselton block, were
introduced by Mr.. Cover, counsellor
for the town. During the hearing,
Judge Spear stated that the case was
an important one, as it would estab-
lish the rule of procedure, not only
Tor Skowhegan, but for communities
of its size throughout the state. OF
dciany, at his suggestion, it was
agreed between the parties that the
evidence already in should be sup
plemented by the testimony of some
carpenter or builder, not resident
OF Skowhegan, to be appointed by the
court This expert Is to come here
and view the premises, and make his
report to Judge Spear This is under
stood to be with reference to the ex-
tent of the damage and the proportion
of same to the cost of new struc-
tnre After this report has been made,
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21

My friends have urged me to be-
come candidate for reelection and
after giving the matter due thought
have concluded to do so.
If you feel that my work in the last
legislature merits it, | would be very
pleased to receive your support in the
June primaries.
| feel that if accorded re-nomina-
ton ard election, | can be of vastly
more service to the district than be
fore and pledge myself to look after
its interests to the best Of my ability
Thanking you for your support in
the past, ! am
Very truly yours,
F. A Pattee
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
GENE WILLIAMS WRITES HOME
Popular North Anson Boy Now Sta
toned somewhere In France

Following is the copy of letter re-
ceived by Mrs Helen Williams from
her son, Private Arthur f. Williams,
better known by his many friends as
Gene He is a member of Co. e and
is now over there with the rest of
his company In so far as is known
he was the first man to enlist from
North Anson and when going into the
service he was but Is years of age
North Anson has always been his
home until about three years ago
when his parents moved to the lower
village. The letter follows:
France. Dec %, 1917.
Dear Mother
Just a few lines of love to
let you know that | am well and alive
as ever | see by the Boston papers
that we were in the trenches, but |
guess that they made a big mistake
altho we expect to go into them pretty
soon. | haven't got the box that you
said you was going to send for Christ
mas yet, altho | expect to get it pref
ty soon as it must be near here by
now. | have got only one letter from
you since | came over here and | don't
suppose that you have got any of
those that | have written. | have
written four or five since | got yours
so they must be on the road some
where. The mail comes kind of
funny over here as some of the boys
haven't got any mail since they left
home and others have got dozen let
t RS or so. | would like to be home
for Christmas and New Years but as
am over three and onehalf thOus-
and miles from home | guess | shall
be absent this year.
There must be plenty of snow
there now altho there is none to speak
of over here. The ground is frozen
quite deep and it is pretty cold. 1t
is not nearly as cold over here as it
is at this time, back home. 1t is
still cold enough to wear our over
coats and gloves to drill in the morn
ing. We have got our gas masks
and steel helmets which we will have
to have in the trenches and we are a
Dad lOOklnR TlB WHeH we get lHelH all
on us. | heard that Scott Merrill
died from double pneumonia in the
hospital All we know is that he
was taken away in an ambulance
about two weeks ago and has not re-
turned. They simply disappear and
if they return they are lucky and If
not well we say "He was.a good fell
low and it is to bad he is gone" and
that is all, things go on just the same
suppose his folks have heard about
ii II 1t Is true. | saw by letter that
the water contractor drove his car
over the bank by the garage and broke
few of his ribs guess he will
drive the car little bit slower now.
Have you heard from sister lately.
suppose she will be home from Bos-
ton to spend Xmas and Mex Years
Well will close this letter for this
time with love.
SON
P. S.-Be sure and send all the
news from home.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21

Turcotte of Gardiner The youngest
of the family is Andrew Jr., 10 years
old living at home.
France, Dec. %, 1917.
Dear Mother:
Just line to let you know that
! am we'll and hope you are the same.
I received your letter and was glad to
hear from you | can tell you that. We
are getting along fine only its awful
cold here. One OF the boys died this
week. all the rest are feeling fine. l
am awful glad you sent me sweater
for | might need it before the winter
is over Well mother | wish you would
send me some cigarettes, all we can
get here is French cigarettes and l
don't like them If you send me any
send me some Camels. | am sending
YOU a little souvenir of France.
Well | don't think of any more for
this time, so will close hoping to hear
from you soon.
From your son that never forgets
You
CORP. SIMON PETERS,
Co. F. 103rd Inf, A. e. F.
Via New York.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
Company + Boy Writes Home

The writer of the following letter
is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Pet
ers. who live at No. 4 East Front ST.
The family moved here from South
Gardiner, about two years since, and
the father is employed in the Savage
Paper Mill The writer of the letter
was an employee of the American
Wooden Company, before enlisting. An
older brother, Samuel, about q years
of age is in the Engineers Corps, now
serving in France. Another brother,
Patrick, of this place, is working in
the woods this winter. He has also
another brother, Maxim Peters, now
working in shoe shop in Gardiner.
There are two sisters, Mrs. Ida Bilo-
deau of this place and Mrs. Margaret
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
Engagement Announced

The engagement is announced OF
Miss Katherine L. Keene, of Augusta
formerly of Skowhegan, to Marthon
Doak of Belfast Miss Keene, a
graduate of the Skowhegan High
school, is now chief clerk for John A.
Roberts at Augusta, and previously
held the same position for Leon S.
Merrill at Orono Mr.. Doak is a
graduate of the University of Maine,
and is now taking examinations for
the Aviation Corps.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
Has Taken Reporter Nearly 80 Year

From far away Colorado comes a
testimonial of the excellent feature
of the Independent-Repo This let
ter is from W h. Mcclellan of Greedy.
Colorado. and its contents is self eN-
planatOry:
Observation-Disclosures.
Skowhegan. Maine
We have taken your paper since
1875 just To keep tabs on our old
friends and school mates and we shall
continue To take it as long as we live
| was born In Skowhogan and lived
there until was Is years old. leaving
there in the Spring of 1872
Very truly yours
W Il MCCLELLAN.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
|. R. FOLSOM D|SACREES
WITH sen. WALKER
In Open Letter to the Reporter lie
Gives His Views

Booda,. ,.g hi. ...,,,
- -
VI '''' i2a"e u last "eeh appeared
Iel'ef written by Sen w l.. Walker
of Malbons Mills. 1t annnars that
some. of IN, stata,,,o,,.. l., u,.4 ,o.4ou
l., ,. 3..=t,
I'M '''e VII" '"e luedS oi Le-
roy folsom OF Aorridgewock. The
letter given herein is a reply to the
one of last week. and u.as v.ritto, IN,
Mr. ra,.a,,
Eul'or ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
nave read the letter Of tn Hon
"llliaIn l.. walker published IN yoar
paper lasl week, with some surprise
anu CopslderaDle interest, with sur
PRISE because hf. walker haa already
Hteh honor Will three successive
''ri'l' III lne senate. ii interest be
Ct So ol me fSas - me ~ le5S
81 'i'H ca, -. l';''d .haFi-
.""c Vi Noia9' Nnieh =" 2lN'@ lof ass-
nls loI d lourlh term. Ii n bad
lrdIihll Saia Bows / nave 'ceA ao"i
" 'n' 9en31e thie' terms ana Il
E"' /" pe hapll WIN me- hli2@
llc ropes inefe * a niue salary
"nlch goes with me once Whlch, tho
n a.,ir ne a,', ,,,,d ''' ,,ir ",'i', a,,,
io,, Co.. ut, :, 49, ~
no nouId aat tbo ,.a,a-. ha ,,.i',,1 3',a ~.
tair1,. ha entitIod - ~ os;"o "'"',' Y,,non
h. -, ,a ~ nv o'l'DI " '.e',
no o,,i,,,a nna ',''",i''dl' ;'i;"d MN Gpoi,
n,o ~ '',3' ~ hia &C., '','p''1u %"it'' ~
nnrd"nad pr9 Gov No na15i,,rr o omu 'l'5', 7,n,ont
A., U,ali,ar ',,,,, sa,'. :, onno, that ha
ha., Ia, ',a' ',,ai4i''s e 80 49, 10, :,,,r ~
"',' ';,,. - ai'ias ~ 'l'o" y, a.,'eh
'''' ,'nV ,"e "Doie e ~ ooine loi "iu
,,,,t ca,,.., H..
erSei county put none having ap-
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21

Mrs Louise Vaughan returned We'd
nesday morning to her home in Phila-
delphia. after visiting with her pa
rents, Mr.. and Mrs. Starquit
Forrest Cross, the local enrolment
agent, for the United States Public
Reserve, states that "a have register
ed to date Now that the ship-build-
ers strike has been practically set
tied, local agents have been asked to
speed up the registration of all men
who can use tools.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21

March is the month in which shoall
occur the annual meeting Of he SkoH-
heean Board OF Trade Fer a Ions
period there has seemed 10 be slieh-
interest in this organization hut il "a
certainly desirable that il should he
brought into usefulness again Il
there appears to he sufficient demand.
the annual meeting Will be held. ac-
cording to schedule and Its activities
again taken up
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21
s.ssss+*+s+.s4++*s..s+s..ss-s..s+*
Be SURE TO READ THE
GUY EMpEy STORY

We have arranged to publish
Guy Empeys Wonderful War
Story. "over The Top. This :
book is said to have been read ,
by more people, in the first three
months of its publication. than
any ever previously issued. Mil :
lions in both America and Eu
rope have read this war epic,
written by a man sent home
from the trenches by disabling :
wounds. Don't miss it, 1t com
mences in this issue, on page /.
Tell your friends about il, as the
weeks go by. We shall try to
keep on hand a sufficient num-
Der of each weeks issues to
furnish back numbers if want
ed
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21

The popularity of the brunswick
Phonograph is growing daily This
tolking machine is being shown At the
oxford Department store by the Went
worth Music Co
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-21

Phonograph at the Oxford Department
Store?
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-09-21
BENNINGTON BRraFS
NswB Of the Town ana Village Tee
Strictly fer Busy Raaasre

Mr.. and Mrs. f. B. Jennings have
been in New York for the past week.
Ernest Powers and family are NOV
ing from North Bennington 10 ITO
Unto street.
Mr. and Mrs. F. w. Fuller of Shafts
bury we're guests Friday of her sister,
Mrs c. S. Estes.
Mrs. L. ]. Hawley Of Manchester
was the guest Thursday of Or. and
Mrs. w. B. Walker
Mrs. Edward Smith, who has been
confined to her home on Elm street
by Illness, is improving.
The Hamlen Cider mill will be
ready to receive cider apples on Mon
day, September 23rd. Adv. Aft
Supt. George P. Martin of the Sol.
diers home AID daughter, Mrs. f. S.
futile are in Burlington for a few
days.
George f. Robson of Lewiston, Me,
is spending a few days with his
mother, Mrs. c. H. Robson of Depot
street. Mr.. Robson is awaiting a call
to service.
Miss Annette Talbot has entered St
Vincent's hospital in Bridgeport
Conn, to take up the nurses training
course. Miss Talbot is a graduate Of
st. Margarets hospital in Albany
where she took IN a child's nurse S
course.
Troop No. l., Bennington, Boy
Scouts of America are hereby notified
to report at headquarters in uniform
Monday Sept. 23d. at p. m Patrol
Leaders will be required to account
for their scouts. Candidates not en-
titled to wear the official uniform, and
scouts who are not equipped will wear
in place of the uniform dark co'ored
caps and knickerbockers and brown
shirts.