The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-02-27
DEBT OF MANY YEARS
IS NOW CANCELLED
Skonhegan Grange Has Jubilee
1s97-1919

Forty three years and five days ago
an organization was formed, to be
known as Skowhegan Grange. There
were thirty-nine charter members. two
of whom were with us on this grand
occasion. At that time the Grange
was composed of farmers and their
wives only When they began to
think of building hall of their own,
they were holding their meeting in
Grand Army Hall, situated on the cor
ner of Madison avenue and Water
street, where the present hall is now
located
Twenty-Five years ago they bought
their lot on Pleasant street, for $1100
This took all the money they had in
the treasury. S. II. Bradbury was
appointed chairman of the building
committee and reported the expendi-
lures at that time to be $29S9 49. After
the hall was completed it was neces-
sary to furnish it, and at the time of
its dedication the Grange was in debt
$4,000.
The first meeting in the hall was
held November "a 1897, and on No
fember 81 of the same year 1t was
dedicated. One month later Decem-
Der 30 there were 2S7 members just
l65 less than we have at the present
time As the order grew changes
were necessary to be made, so in 1906
contract was made with Y. A.
Withee to build an addition to the hall
on the south side, and the stage was
removed from the west side to the
, new addition This cost $1,000
The Grange has held since Noveme
| Der "a, 1897 to the present time 97l
J regular and III special meetings max
| ing total of 1882 Following is the
amount collected in fees and dues
| from date of organization to Febru
/ airy Is. 1919, and the names of the Sc
cretaries with the amounts collected
by each a. r. Smiley, $103 20;
Vesta A. Withee, $l15.O0; c. E. Smith,
! 1859 40 +. l.. X Adams, $1S260;
Alonzo Smith, $1S5.0O Georgia a
Tobey $4,000; Eva b. Smiley, $249.-
| 20. Franklin Danforth, $305.30; Lewis
Beale. $401S0; Ella H. Crowell
s1177.00 Clara b. Leayitt S2229.70;
S. F. Emerson. s756O.SO; making
total of $12,9O9O0
The hall was very prettily decorated
and a table in the center of the ban
quet hall was reserved for the debt
committee. Supper was served under
( the direction of Mr. and Mrs. c. d.
| Miller at o'clock, after which ad
| journment was made to the hall up
stairs where the following program
was carried out: Music, Grange
choir; remarks, 5. F. Emerson; duet.
] Mr.. and Mrs Albert Watson; chroni-
/ cles, How the Debt Was Paid Dorothy
Elliot; We VIII Have to Mortgage the
r dI III. AlIS. -. 4hllltl anu II. / &.
Parker in costume, assisted by Mr. and
Mrs Leroy Sandford, Mrs Emma Dun
ton. Mr. Watson, Elmer Harris and
the debt committee burning of the
note and mortgage by Mr.. and Mrs.
Abel Patten. the only two charter
members that were able to be present;
violin solo. Royce Tuscan. accompan
led by Mrs Fred Tuscan, song, Mrs.
McSorley's Twins Mrs Mammie Wat
SON soloist, assisted by Messrs. Wat
SON Harris and Sanford, Mrs Miller,
Mrs. Sandford, accompanied by Mrs.
Emma Dunton, all were in costume;
closing America" by all
Much credit is due the committee in
charge and all appreciate the hard
work of the debt committee. Mrs.
/ Louis Dow, chairman, Mr.. and Mrs
/ s H Beal, Mr. and Mrs. p c White.
Mr.. and Mrs. F. A. Meader, Mr. and
Mrs. G. H. Tuttle, S. H. Bradbury