The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-12-19
The Late Mr. and Mrs. David Gagne

Fifty-seven years ago an overloaded
wagon of the twowheeled type might
have been seen crossing the Canada
line coming toward The Forks.
short distance further, farmer who
caught up with the team offered to
share a part OF his wagon with the
children therein and helped them
reach Malbon's Mills. Mr. and Mrs.
David Gagne and their seven children
and Mr.. and Mrs. Louis Bison and
four children. comprised this interest
in party David Gagne decided to
settle and work al Malbons Mills
whila the others continued to Skowhe-
gan. After two years labor for
Warren LOOMS, Gagne brought his
family to settle here A small white
house, on the corner of Bridge and
West Front streets, was their hrst
home At the time of the great
fre5het this house had to be tied to
a post and trees as the river threaten
ed TO wash it away Mr. Gagne oh
tanned work at a hay press owned by
the late Governor Coburn. Their
next home was the second house from
the South Side Grocery. then owned
ii
two years, Mr. Gagne built a house
facing Pine street He was at that
time working at the Oil Cloth factory.
Ten years afterwards he sold this
property 20 Emery & Turner, grecers
who kept store where W. B. Steward
is now located. Mr. Gagne then
rented a house on French street be-
longing to Mark Waterman, a railroad
man. The family moved from there
to Rochester, N. H., where they lived
for three years, during which time,
Alice. a four Year old daughter died.
Returning to Showhegan they took up
their residence in the house on Mil
burn street now owned by Joseph
Cariveau 1t was at that time the
property of Nathan Antil, farmer
located on a cross road off from the
middle road. whose farm is now partly
the property of Vital Bolduc and OF
Mrs. George Goulette Mr.. Gagne
then rented a house on Railroad street
owned by Louis Bison. who had i'm
migrated to this country with Gagne.
The family lived there one year, and
the following year resided in Patten
! Court, then moved to the house. for
merly located on the Convent grounds,
where Mr. Gagne died at the age OF
! SO years The last ten years of his
life he had been unable 10 work. suf
fering from a bad arm. The 30 years
previous he had been employed at
the Old Cloth factory this being the
last place where he had worked. At
the time of his death, with Mrs.
Gagne at home were her daughter
Leda and her grandson Joseph Jr.
| They continued in the same house un
/ til 1t was sold to George Goulette and
moved away to remodel the grounds.
Mrs Gagne then took mp her home In
the Frank Cayouette house on Sum
mer street and after passing the win
ter there rented the half tenement OF
/ Harold Smith on North street whore
/ her death occurred last week at the
age OF SO years after an illness of
( two months. During those long
/ years Mr. and Mrs Gagne had won
! the admiration and friendship OF all
who knew them Joseph Gagne Jr.
| (often called Mrs. Gagnes SOM is her
| grandson. being the son o. Joseph
| Gagne Of WolfbOro, N H, and was
brought here when six months old and
had lived with his grandmother ever
since.
Card Of Thanks
We are very grateful for the sym
patty and assistance We have receiv-
ed during our recent bereavement and
wish to thank all the kind friends
who have thus been of so much com
fort to US.
Lydia GARNER and family
Skowhegan, Dec. 10, 1879