davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
Federal Loans to Farmers Reach
Nearly $3O,OOO,OOO

Up to December l. $29,S24,655 has
been paid out to farmers on per
cent long time loans, according to a
report covering the operations of the
u Federal land banks The total of
loans approved, including those clos
ed and those awaiting verifcation of
title and other formalities is sos, 1856
529.
The interest rate under the farm
loan system has been increased from
5 to 512 per cent, to apply to all ap-
plications which have not yet been
approved.
Borrowing is done thru cooperative
farm loan associations organized by
farmers, each association being com
posed OF 10 or more farmer borrow
ers and each group borrowing at
least $4,000. Up to December 1 the
farm loan board had chartered 1889
such cooperative associations.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10


Somewhere in France,
Dec -, 1917.
Dear Father
Don't think l have written you
since Thanksgiving We had a nice
dinner, turkey and about all that
could be expected. 1t was much bet
ter than any one could expect in this
country under the conditions.
No one who has not been here
knows or can begin to realize what it
means to have such war as this in
their country. Every man available
is under arms They are not all at
the front but are all in uniform as
sisting in some way. When not
actually on duty they are working on
the farms. Some are training us.
received the sweater from Mrs
Steward and little box from the
Congregational Church and yours.
have not dropped line to all yet but
will Everything in the box was
very much appreciated.
We have seen a little snow but
there is none at the present time. The
ground is frozen but not very deep.
We drill all of the time except once
in a while we go to a town nearby
and do detail work.
Don't see very much of any of the
officers from home except in this Co.
Lieut. Pierce and Fowler are in near
by towns. Thought that DR.. Nolin
is with us over here at the present
time there is but five men besides
himself.
Capt. Marston has not been with us
since we left Augusta, Me. But
have seen him two or three times. We
are still under the charge of Lieut.
Healy.
There was quite lot of sickness
when we first came here but at pres
ent, outside of sore feet, every one
seems to be we'll There has been
quite few in the hospital but most
all are back. Rays leg does not
seem to gain much, though he is
around on it. Do not think he will
ever walk without a limp. He thinks
it will have to be broken over again
some time but does not want it done
on this side.
was down to the next town and
got a supper at one of the lunch
houses last night of eggs. They were
the first | have had since leaving the
states.
Well | had a birthday in France but
hope | shall not see another over
here But that is something | can
not tell about but do not think | shall
Expect to be under ground or back by
that time. | did not forget the 5th
even be il so far from home.
Guess this will be all for tonight
Yours as ever.
PRIV. CLARENCE DUNLAP,
Co r, 103rd L. S Inf. A. e. F.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
Recruiting Office
Waterville. Nc. Jan IL

W dltfNilieY Mt. Jan T. J3if
/. Men are badly needed for the
various Engineer Companies and a
very vide scope Of organizations are
offered to applicants for enlistment at
the present time All applications
will first be se1t 10 no recruit depot.
Fort sloeum, New York. except those
to be stationed at Aver, Mss. Camp
DeYons1. These applicant. viii b.
forwarded direct to Camp Devons for
enlistment
goth Engineers. forestry Ameri-
can University, j. {.
23rd Engineers, Highway Camp
Mead, Admiral, Md
oath Engineers. (Supply and Shop
Camp Dix Wrightstown, y ].
18th Engineers General Construc-
tom Camp Devens, Aver, Mass.
18th Engineers water Supply
Camp Dix, Wrightstown, n J.
9th Engineers, Mining1 Camp
Mead, Admiral, Md.
2Sth Engineers, Quarry Camp
Mead, Admiral, Md
Goth Engineers, (Gas and Flamel
Fort Myer, Va
41st Engineers auxiliary Forest
ry) American Univ. d. c.
Provisional Railway Reinforce
ments Regt Washington Barracks, d
c.
442nd to 45Sth tTrunk Companies)
Fort Myer Va
459th Company Himousine) Fort
Myer Va.
46Oth Company CAL weather carr
Fort Myer, Va.
462nd and 463rd Companies Motor
cycle, Fort Myre, Va.
2. Men for the Goth Engineers
should be strong, sturdy, and of a de-
termined type. A technical educa-
tional is not necessary, because the
regiment will not be engaged in the
manufacture of chemical compounds
as it is essentially fighting unit.
3. Men for the motor companies
should be selected for the same voca
tons and trades as required by simil
ar units in other branches of the
service
Information for these branches may
be obtained from Lieut.. Charles f
Washburn, Recruiting Office, Armory
Watervile, Maine Open evenings.
LIEUT.. C. E WASHBURN.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
COULDN'T GET ALONG WITHOUT
1T
What One Subscriber Says Regarding
The independent Reporter

The following letter cannot help but
please us for we know, as does this
subscriber that there is nothing quite
like the Independent-Repo for you
if you reside in Somerset County or
have ever been resident here. The
letter follows:
East Pittston, Me, Dec. 25, 1917
Independent-Rep
Skowhegan
Dear Sirs:
Enclosed please find $100 for
the paper for another year
could not get along without 1t.
1t seems like getting news from
home. Since moving from Nor
ridgewock | prize it more than
ever and the news from long ago
is like hearing from old friends.
Yours respectfully,
MRS. c. H. ALBEE,
Gardiner, Me.
r. F. d. No. 2.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10

Plan Entertainment for Soldiers of
Every Camp

Reports coming from southern
camps show the vaudeville shows,
running in tents, are crowding seat
Ing capacities. With the Is Govern
ment theaters at the environments
completed, the Commission on Train
ing Camp Activities will soon start
several high grade theatrical COM
panies on the rounds Of the camps
Each company will be out about Is
weeks.
Local committees in cities and towns
turnout the country will put on sale
"smilage" books the week of January
2S containing coupons good for ad-
mission to the entertainments in
camps and contonments. The books
are made in two sizes to sell at 81
and IS.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10

of. Later sc heard that it landed
at ...... for gasoline and The piloi
was discovered to be q German spg
in French machine II that Is the
truth it is mighty lucky that he va
captured.
We are hearing that We are going
down to italy bnt | nave no faith in
that They can use Us right here II
too good advantage.
Milburn Dr. Fowler was down
here today. but | didn't get a chance
TO speak with him over minute
The other day four French armored
automobiles passed through here
They were highly camoufaged and
were scarcely discernible at even d
short distance. II is queer what d
few splashes of different colored paint
will do to make anything fade into the
scenery. | have nothing more to say
so ! will ring OFF
Love to all,
WARREN
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
AFTERMATH OF RUNAWAY
Plate Glass Window in ]. D. SyuODN
store Badly Shattered

Pine boards have taken the place
Of the plate glass window in the J. D.
Symons store on Water street as the
result of a runaway on Friday fore
noon of last week.
The horse. used by Lashon & But
Ter. marketmen. became frightened
near the Mitchell wood working shep
ON Hathaway street and started o.
the run. apparently Tor rho store from
whence h. came \ SOW. who wa
driving the team jumped and the
friehterei horse plunged madly over
both bridges and down Water street
The Symons and Lashou < Rutier
stores IRE separated by al morrow Il
lev and when the horse started 81
urn in the alley the delivery wagon
Slowed and struck the heavy plate
glass 4 crash and it was all Over
ana part of the Symons stock came
aut ua the sidewalk The horse was
stopped ard found to he unininred a.
was the delivery wagon
But the plate glass was not SO for
tunate and the boards will remain In
the window until "a new glass arrives.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
Bit of History

Somerset County was formerly a
part of kennebec. 1t was set off and
incorporated March /, 1909. Suisse
quent to its division, parts of its
original area have been transferred to
Franklin, piscataquis and Aroostook
counties. Norridgewock was origin
ally the shire town, the change to
Skowhegan being made in 1870. The
present area of Somerset county is
1891 square miles, slightly more than
one-tenth of the area of the state
The population for the various de
colo- - folIomc
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
The Third award


To- piece written b. o4pH= u La,
z....-.. 49,. MA s.H..=5
= #s-.#s- Ct
lteHr5 Hf - J'9r .esf
zr.atea .a or - = Dr. = -
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..,= t#..HI.... -.
z4s"s5i
ad j. i=#a5iton .
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4tI. e. - teatl- : a m IN,
z..
=. t.sA. va" > - - - he ~
eraa.
rf.== G< W5F KtIJHr
n.a,..
~ 1i' '.ehfhR o. - 5a#f } II
M 'p.fa tdp1z' al 9ho"heganf
mar: b'sIe y ieiilH spo-. On Nar
eohdl'lohs ID E1foie ~ she has 9a-
sfIsea mem III hef e4leAs1'e rave.
MIS- y Aelilf mas Jas' returned ron
me front "heH she no oeeh 7lauob-
en since inc ihFasi2h Oh beiglum
lhefeIoret she hda eeoo authority pf
her statements one mas TAXED win
many Oh the crowned heads Oh Earope
ana ma thdt even lhe3 kho" tAelr
Jay mas come.
Mlss v reilly TOOK inherent sloe
OF the war CONDITIONS upon winch 10
base her lecture IMAM many wouid
nave expected. She SPOKE OF the
good "hlch was accomplished oy
American Reilei WORKERS. Not once
ala she mar her interesting talk with
any oi me sichenlnE s'ories 80 many
brihR oack from the IRON. Iheeee'
she sdla that silence III TINS respect
upon 1he part OF lhe person VINO re-
turns Is the most patrlotc stand 10
take.
brleny she outlined the Work "n1eh
those brave hed cross "orkers ae
coinpllsh upon tne commandment OF
each town aiohg the 'front.' ana 'nru
all her stories America leaos as Inc
saviour OF Mankind IN War-raekea
Europe anyone VINO ever doaoted
the good which our relIef WORK can
DO went away from the opera House
on Iuesday night OF december IL
with not only his mind at ease Dat
with hrm resolution TO 40 all IN M
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
posi- ACCOUNT SFTTIEB
All Dealers. Who Were Victims Of Rad
Cheeks. Reimbursed


j Was announced Saturday that ali
SkowheEan dealers Who. several
months aga were the victims @ sew
cral worthless checks. passed in this
town by one Theodore Post Of Boston
have been reimbursed by relatives o.
the boy
Said relatives. or one OF them al
least. was in Skowhegan recently and
while here got a statement OF all &C
counts due the various stores Checks
covering the total were forwarded
these dealers a few days ago. II
will be remembered that Mr. Post
came to Skowhegan several months
ago and has been with us ever since
with the exception Of a few days spent
AZ Poland Springs and Arlington.
Mass Visits To these foreign parts
were only for q few DAYS each and
since his last return here he has been
confined at the county jail awaiting
hearing en- three counts. passing
worthless eheels assault and break
ing Jail lust what the effect OF set
ling for the checks will be can better
bc known after the hearing at the
January term Of : ] Court
i " rueanam : Russakof ana
Waller-Smi'h. the three local firms
which were Yictimized by thu yeuug
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
Warren Merrill Writes Home
December 9. France

December Q. France
Dear Dad
Please excuse the pencil, but
pencils aren't half as rare over here
as good ink is Nothing of much i'm
portance has happened since l wrote
Mother. This part of France is pref
ty dead There are only two trains
per day, SO we can't even get much
amusement watching trains come in
Today there have been four or five
aeroplanes flying over us. One very
accommodating aviator performed
some spirals and looped the loop sew
eral times for our benefit.
Some time ago an aeroplane flew
over here and landed in the field out
front. Then 1t rose again and few
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
Somerset Academy Notes

The most interesting and important
event at Somerset Academy so far
this year was the prize speaking con-
test held last Thursday evening in
Odd Fellows Hall, Athens. There
was a considerable attendance not
withstanding the stormy weather
The winners were Elsie Roberts for
the girls, and Arthur Hight for the
boys Ida Spaulding and Donald
Woodman received honorable men
ton The exercises were carried
out under the direction of Principal
Cato The program proved eXcep-
tionally interesting and impressive
All the teachers had part in the
training of the speakers and they feel
we'll repaid for the splendid results
obtained from the assistance given to
the speakers who took hold OF the
work with intense interest and en-
thusiasm. superintendent Carl
Rhoades was chairman of the judges.
He brought in the decision and com
plimented highly all the speakers for
the creditable delivery of their parts
and in the course of his remarks he
emphasized the great Importance OF
public speaking. The other judges
we're. Rev Fletcher and Rev. Holt
The following students took part;
Earl Fowler, Eleanor Williams, Frank
Sired, Violet Allen, Donald Woodman
Ida Spaulding. Franklin Bradeen
Elsie Roberts, Arthur Hight, Grace
Fox The Academy orchestra, under
the direction of Mrs. Flanders render
od oavara1 Interesting selections
which were very highly appreciated
by the audience. The trustees of the
Academy showed their deep interest
in the contest by furnishing the hall
and the prizes A social was held
after the speaking Most OF the
audience remained Games were
played and refreshments we're on sale
1t proved red letter night for Som
erset Academy.
VINCENT CATO
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
willing to Volunteer

We have a former Austrian citizen,
at Somerset County Jail He is await
ing the action of the Grand Jury hav-
ing been arrested at Jackman, few
weeks since, charged with larceny of
a watch and $14 in money. He ex-
presses himself as having severed re
lations forever with Austria and all
of the Old World countries He states
that, ON securing his release, he ex-
poets to apply for naturalization pa
pers, and to volunteer his services
with the American military forces
He is about 25 years of age and
speaks English very we'll Has evil
IDENTIFY been in this country four or
five years.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
Appreciation

We wish to thank our neighbors and
friends, and all those who aided us at
the time of our fire and have shown
us many kindnesses since
Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Bosworth
Harold Bosworth
North Cornville, Jan 10, 1872
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
CHURCH UNITY
To Save Our Coal
tRcv Felix ! O'NeilA

We shall be pleased to furnish, en-
tirely without charge, the Fort Fair
field Review, for one month. to any
of our subscribers Drop US a postal
If you want IT,
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10

We are authorized to offer the Nor
way Advertiser, Oxford county's lead
ing newspaper, to our subscribers who
will express their desire for the same
for one month free of charge
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
cades is as follows:

1t is estimated that there has been
a slight increase since the census last
quoted
The valuations for the various de
nd. L,,,n h1ap+
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
From the WaterYllle Sentinel

Apropos of the recent movement 70
Union Church services in Skowhegar
a Constant Reader asks us To pub
lsh the following poem clipped fror
Il recent issue Of the Wateryille Sen
tinel
CHURCH UNITY
To Save Our Coal
fRcv Felix J O'Neiln
There was a town of many creeds
That never could agree
Till one cold winter troze them
To perfect unity
ITO Savr ear coal il not our soul,
sand thcz I'm winters done
Lets ,u-e oar varied churches
And worship all in one.
II an the Grceds had one belief.
And followed Gospel text,
'Twould save much coal in this life.
And also in the next
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
Letter From Clarence Dunlap

The following letter is from Clar-
ence. son of Capt F. C. Dunlap, now
with the American Expeditionary
Forces.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10

Big bunch old papers, 10c.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10

Somewhere in France.
Dec II. 1q17.
The courier-index., 1918-01-18
TOWNSHIP ASSESSORS
ARE ASKED TO help
COLLECTOR JACK WALKER HAS
ASKED THEIR AID IN INFORM
ING CITIZENS ON PROVISIONS
OF INCOME TAX LAW.

Internal Revenue Collector Jack
Walker has sent the following letter
to all the township assessors asking
their aid in explaining to the people
the provisions of the new income
tar law.
There is in the heart of every
American citizen a desire to do some
thing to help this country in the
present crisis. Unfortunately, not
every man can be given opportunity
to help in substantial way, but this
opportunity is yours and | am sure
you will be glad to improve 1t. With
out cost to yourself in money, and
at little loss of time, you can very
materially help the government, as
no other man can help so we'll:
and not only the government, but
your neighbors also.
'sThe idea prevails in rural Sec
lions that income tax is rich mans
tax and that it does not apply to
small business men and farmers.
This is mistake. 1t applies to ev-
cry single person who has a net in
The courier-index., 1918-01-18
MR.. SUNDAYS SLANG BOOK

Billy Sundays slang has been the
object of attack from many points
of view; but he has now laid himself
open to criticism from the literary,
quite aside from the oratorical,
standpoint. With some outside as
sistance he has written and publish
ed his first book, called Love Stories
of the Bible" In a foreward he
seeks ito remove the sting of criti-
cism.' according to the st. Louis
Globe-Democrat, by questioning the
sincerity of all those who see any
ance." This paper does not accept
Mr.. Sundays argument and seems to
think that there is even more Of
tense in thrusting forward this
vehicle of emphasis in cold type
than there is in using it with the
Mr. Sunday is charged with himself
misapprehending some of the stories
that he seeks to make more clear
and lifelike. We read:
He defends the slang that ap-
pears on every page, and very fire.
quently in every sentence ON a page,
on the ground that it is necessary
to a proper understanding. He de-
clares. Honest slang is better. than
hypocritical cant, and it is better
than five syllable Greek adjectives
or pretty verses of poetry He gro
tesquely introduces automobiles,
matches. alarm clocks and other
modern things in the stories, taken
from the old testament, in order to
make the stories real, vital, def
mite, personal
''Mr. Sunday made two great mis-
The courier-index., 1918-01-18

takes in preparation of his dubious
, task. He should have called on
George AIDE, Ring Lardner, or some
other master of current slang to give
picturesqueness The book is val
liable as collection of low grade
of slang used twenty five years ago.
The audacity of using ancient prize
ring language in describing Abraham,
the father of the faithful, arouses
temporary interest But Mr.. Sunday
fails to maintain it, because there is
no freshness or brightness in his
slang. His other and worse mistake,
was in not consulting somebody who
had a real acquaintance with the
bible stories. In numerous cases he
entirely misses the point.
His treatment of the life OF
Joseph, which, by the way, was not
a bible love story within Mr.. Sun
days self imposed restrictions, af'
fords an illustration. He has him
talk of Potiphar being quick on the
trigger and as the kind of man who
shoots first and asks questions AFTER
ward. How could any base SANDER
, err so twist the noble sentiment OF
Joseph: My master hath committed
, all that he hath to my hand; there
! is none greater in this house than
1; neither hath he kept back any
! thing from me, but thee, because
thou art my wife; how then can l
do this great wickedness and sin
against God?' Mr.. Sunday also
j, spoils one of the most dramatic pas
sages in literature by having Joseph
] revel his identity before Judah offer.
| ed to take the place of BENJAMIN
The book abounds in such evidences
! of lack of apprehension of the bible
characters and incidents which he
| tries to make vital The whole eff
! feet is revolving to anyone who has
| read the incompatible telling of the
1 stories of the bible itself"
In the second story of the volume
we see Abraham in the guise of q
modern man of affairs:
! abraham was in tight pinch
and he showed it.
'sHe was past the age when he
could hide worry successfully.
"He had locked the door of his
private office and disconnected the
telephone, and given his clerks
orders that under no conditions was
he to be disturbed.
Suddenly he pushed up his roll
top desk with a slam and showed
his hat on his head.
Sarah was waiting for him when
he climbed down out of his automo
bile, at the front gate, and told the
chauffeur he would call him when
he needed him.
"A wife who is on the job never
needs a dictionary to read her hus-
bands mind
"'What has happened, now? she
asked, leading him over to the end
of the veranda, where they could
talk privately.
81 know you haven't been specu
lating, for you have too much sense.
mo. haven't been specializing
said Abraham slowly. But it looks
as though we've got to pull uT
stakes and sell out and move
"If Abraham hadn't been the
steadiest and most respected bust
ness man in town, Sarah might have
thought he had been drinking.
abraham didn't lose any time
after he had made up his mind as tc
where his duty lay.