The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-03-27

called most wildly the frst years OF
| my residence in Skowhegan, In the
late Seventies. Those were the
halcyon days Of stage-driving from
! Skowhegan to The Forks. I worked
for Paul & Emery In the old Malbon
market. in the building next to the
Second National Bank, now the Show
hogan Trust Company. They sup
piled all the up-river hotels with sau-
sage. and during the fall and winter
months, three times a week. l had to
be up bright and early to deliver the
packages to Irv Young, the famous
stage driver What marvellous stories
he could tell, and what yarns were
spun by others of his feats In hand
ling reins and whip over his leaders
To flick fly of the ear OF one OF his
pets was nothing for Irv to do. and II
all stories concerning his prowess
with the whip were true, he was GER
tainly In a class without competitors
| remember that 1t was claimed he
could drive a tack into a board with
the end OF his snapper, and l do not
recollect that 1t was ever doubted.
l often wonder, also, II Skowhegan
Is still the center Of the up-river lum-
Der trade, or, has the railroad extern
sion diverted the business to other
centers? And still another thought.
Do the river drivers raise Hades, and
then some, when they reach Skowhe-
gan in the early Summer and are
paid on? How the monotony of life
was disturbed In the old town when
the drivers were mustered out and got
their money! What fights and brawls!
Feuds. disputes and Winter quarrels
were usually settled in front OF the old
Elm House. Rings were formed and
In the center the contestants would
battle with the courage and determin-
alton of gladiators with bare fists
until they were almost exhausted, and
then they would stand close and kick
shins with big drivers boots thickly
studded with caulks. Frequently the
battles were interrupted by the citizen
police. have a vivid recollection Of
a battle which was broken up by
Hiram Thyng assisted by posse Of
volunteers. AS the fighters broke
and ran, one of the principals raced
through the hotel yard followed by
Tom Anderson and myself. He ran
into the stable, made e sensational
dive through window, passed the
Fletcher store and tore up Madison
street to the top Of Dyer hill. Tom
and | were the fastest runner and
soon distanced all others. Side by
side we chased up the hill. intent upon
the capture of our quarry. but wher
within a short distance OF him at the
top of the hill, In front of the Will
Wildes home, we suddenly changed
our minds. He turned with big
rock In each hand, and as he faced
us with blood streaming down his face
and the light Of ferocious battle
cleaning In his eyes, 1t simultan-
eously occurred to Tom and myself
that we had better wait for assistance
Not that we were afraid! Oh no, far
from 1t! We preferred, however, to
win the battle strategically. George
Goodwin soon arrived with his truck
team, on the dead run, loaded with
volunteers, and surrounded by super
Tor numbers the enemy surrendered
Have those days all gone, Mr.. Editor,
never to return? Let somebody ans
wer me. Not with a scholarly thesis
on the wickedness of the times but
with a sympathetic and appreciative
spirit.
Times may have changed. but not
the spirit which actuates and controls
In men l doubt not that on the
battlefelds of Europe, our boys from
old Somerset have loyalty and cour-
ageously found vent for, and have
demonstrated beyond question that
the fighting spirit still prevails, as
strong and virile as ever.
Sincerely,
F. s. CAIRNS"
Mr.. Cairns reference to the old
Elm House (the Skowhegan House,,
causes us to reproduce this historic
structure for the benefit of our read
ers. One view herewith Is taken
from very near the location Of the
present Reporter office. The little
old building at the left Is the Har-
Vile blacksmith shop, long since re-
moved, and in the background can be
seen the Somerset Court House with
the dome which was taken down when
the structure was remodeled some
thing like ten years ago. To the
right is the Maine Central Railroad
yard, as 1t was long before the pres
ent freight house or passenger sta
ton were built
The picture entitled Potato Day"
is the older Of the two. 1t gets Its
name from the fact more potatoes
we're housed here in that "a hours
than had ever been on any other day,
up to that date. The building to the
left is the old George Wentworth
store, which stood where. at present,
Is located the brick block occupied
by Bison & Conant, and the Went
worth & Plummer insurance agency.
In the background Is another view Of
the Elm House, and to Its right is the
Morse residence. It Is interesting to
note that In the interval between the
two pictures, perhaps ten years, the
Morse residence has been removed,
the cellar showing plainly In the later
picture. II was in front or In the side
yard OF the Elm House that the Incl
dent occurred which is SO fully re-
lated in Mr.. Cairns letter.
1t Is only fair to say, In answer to
Mr.. Cairns inquiry, that the times.
all too common In that day. about
which he writes, are practically un-
known at present More money, five
times over, is probably paid out to the
men who drive the river. Than in those
days, but they spend 1t for things