Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-10-17
SKOWHECAN NEWS
SOMERSET co. HE ADQUARTERS
- .e~-e HOTEL OXFORD. ROOM
FARMERS TEL s.2o .....NEW ENG. TEL SHOW &ss.2
Farm Buildings Of l. G. Trafon Totally Destroyed by FIRE
List Of Men Accepted For Military Servce-Ony Two New
Cases

List OF Men Accepted FOR MI
Cases Influenza
One of the most disastrous farm fires
to occur in this section for long time
was the burning Of the buildings at
Highland farm. owned by L. q. Trafton
IN the Bigeiow Hill neighborhood early
Wednesday morning. In the flames %
head of cattle were burned and a large
amount of hay, estimated at 200 tons.
with wheat and grain crops were. The
house and barn were both burned to the
ground and all other buildings on the
north side Of the road except the small
cider mill structure. The small barn on
the south side of the road was saved.
The fire 10 understood to have had its
origin from an overturned lantern which
Mr.. Trafton was using in attending to
the morning chores. He was alone at
the time, his superintendent. John
Chandler. being in Bangor for q few
days. He communicated with Mrs.
Chandler. who was in the house. after
which by that time was being consumed.
so rapidly had the flames spread. The
part of the building where the cows were
kept was 30 badly filled with smoke AMI
fire that it was impossible, to gain ad.
mittance. Mr.. Trafton IL a breeder OF
thoroughbred stock and his animals
were of choice Jersey blood. The great
er part of the stock burned was mich
cows, although there were several
calves in the fire. Probably no cow in
the lot would have been sold for less
than q hundred dollars. The young stock
or large part of it, right around IL
head, were still in the pastures, SO were
not consumed. 1t is understood on good
authority that there was no insurance
on either the livestock or the crops, and
but $1,000 on the buildings. This means
a loss Of many thousand dollars to the
owner.
The place, which was formerly owned
by the late W. H. Weston. was operated
by Mr.. Trafton mainly as a stock farm
For one year. about two years ago. he
was at Ayredale Farm in Bangor as its
ed Of his almost famous herd of Jer-
seys. After severing his connection
with the Ayredale establishment he re-
turned to Skowhegan and again went in
to business for himself, acquiring some
OF his old strain Of Jerseys again. His
general farm superintendent has been
John Chandler. but Mr.. Trafton him
self spent almost his entire time at the
farm, although he maintains a town
home on Main street, this village, where
he and Mrs. Trafton reside both sum-
mer and winter. What steps Mr.. Traf-
ton will take is, Of course, uncertain.
1t is supposed he will make use of the
barn now on the premises, but this will
prove Inadequate even to house the rem
nant Of his splendid herd now remain
ing.
The American Wooden Co. is having
built under the direction Of the Hora ce
Purinton Co. of Waterville a brick ele.
vator tower at the old shoe shop build
ing and a tramway connecting that
building with the Arms mill, formerly
the Marston worsted mill, some distance
away. This will greatly facilitate the
handling of various commodities be-
tween the two structures.
County Chairman Philbrick received
word Tuesday night that Hartland had
subscribed $2l,500 toward the Fourth
Liberty Loan
L. c. Bailey of Portland was the guest
Tuesday and Wednesday of Mr.. and
Mrs. Carl Curtis.
Mr.. and Mrs. F. o. Thompson of
Hartland and her cousin. Mrs. Lucinda
Joaquin Of Boston. were guests Wednes-
day of Mr.. and Mrs. George Soule of
Middle street.
County Agent r. NJ. Stiles was in
SHowhegan Tuesday and Wednesday.
having agricultural details to attend to
in this section. While no definite date
has been set for the annual conventio,
OF the Somerset County Boys and Girls
Agricultural Clubs postponed because of
the epidemic. the event will occur some
time from the middle to the last OF Mo-
vember. Mrs. Nancy Young of Wash
inston county. one of the best club
workers in this State, will be one of the
leading speakers. Between $50 and 200
boys and girls are expected. Mr.. Stfle.
Is uncertain as to the date of the Som
erset County Fam Bureau meeting 70
have been held here during the present
month, but he is at present engaged In
holding community meetings for the
winters work. He also announced that
poultry culling demonstration would
De heid at the home of Mrs. Taylor in
Norridgewock Monday night at $50 and
ne also expects to hold an all-day meet
ing at Bingham in the Grange hall Tues.
DAY providing the health conditions in
that section allow public GATHERINGS.
MT. and Mrs. Arthur r. Jordan wbo
nave been living at Kilcare Farm. have
moved to the .Towne farm across The
road' where they will be located for the
present. .dr. and Mrs. Frank Towne
VINO have been living in the south ma -
OF the dwelling, have gone to Cooners.
town. ~ y. where Mr.. Towne will d.
rect sheep ranch. and his mother wbo
mas lived in the north half of the build.
ing. Will continue to reside there
Forty-one men from the So,,..
county draft will leave here OCT % =.
H. a' for Fort Williams to begin milf.
framing. Sufficient men have a.
ready been accepted for military service
to NIL this quota.
MISS Mabel Ryant OF Portland. wbo
mas been the guest OF Mrs. A. F s.nd
''.n' returned to her home Wednesday
ABOUT half a million brick have been
turned out from the kilns Of the pur.
'nton brfckyard here. the seasons vorL
nov being completed. This is about an
average seasons work A LARGE nar+ ..
the output ha, .Y,.,. h"Ae VI