davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
HAVE YOU ORDERED
YOUR COAL?
DR.. Smith Urges Buying
of Winters Supply
Director Of L. =. Geological Surrey
Gives Valuable Advice On
Fuel Problem

Few weeks ago, a commercial ex-
pert mentioned coal with the advice:
Buy only as needed" This week the
same authority sums up his forecast
with, Get your coal in Immediately"
Why this change of heart? Simply.
because with the mines running about
three days a week, it seems probable
that the country is burning up its
coal stocks rather than, adding TO
them
A month ago in an official state
ment, asked the question, Are we
buying coal enough" and the first
telephone message that / received the
next morning after my statement ap-
peared in the newspapers was from
my coal dealer in Washington, who
asked If | was ready to have my coal
put in. 1t was fair question, and |
saw the point. and at once gave the
order for my coal for next winter.
OF course. folks feel some doubt
about price, and no one can guaran-
tee prices months ahead; but while
pr.ees may possibly be lower for soft
coal, there is much less reason to ex-
pect any lower price for anthracite
this year. President Harding is start
ing the much needed reform OF using
lower freight rates in the summer
months as a method of encouraging
the early movement of coal, but even
that IS not worth waiting for. The
gist OF the whole matter is that it
is better to be safe than to be sorry.
Coal can be had now TO fill up the
bins, but next October the car supply
may not be adequate or labor condi-
tions may be less favorable, and with
more consumers in the market, the
demand may again exceed supply.
which will surely mean higher-priced
coal and coal harder to get
My advice to my neighbors whether
in Washington or Skowhegan. is: Buy
next winters coal now. And / may
add that the only way the coal in
dustry will ever be put on business
basis IS by the ultimate consumer buy
ing his coal early in the season and
storing enough of his years supply To
distribute the demand fairly evenly
over the whole year. Today. the con-
sumers are staying out of the market
and the mines are working only about
half-tme. The danger of a coal
shortage next winter can be averted
by each Of us ordering our coal now.
GEORGE OTIS SMITH.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
H.. v. LOWD IS NEW
DEPUTY SHERIFF
Sheriff Mooers Appoints
Successor to R. B. Cole
New Officer is Manager OF the Blais.
dell Automobile Concern-Native
of Conway, N. II.

Robert B. Cole has rendered his
resignation as Deputy Sheriff and
Howard w. Lowd has been appointed
as his successor. Mr.. Cole expected
TO resign January l, but consented to
retain the Office until Sheriff Mooers
was able to find successor. He has
been reckoned as one of the cleverest
criminal officers on Sheriff Mooers'
force and has given much satisfaction
during his long period as a deputy,
having been appointed by Sheriff
Mooers at the time he assumed his
office two years ago last January
Mr. Lowd, the new deputy, is be.eved
to be a very competent man for the
position which he is now assuming. He
has been a resident of Skowhegan for
nearly two years coming here in July,
1919 to superintend the Blaisdell Au-
tomobile concern. He is native of
Conway, N. H., but for about II years
has lived in Maine. He was II years
in Portland and for three years prior
to his removal to Skowhegan was To-
Gated in Bangor. For six years he
was a travelling salesman for the Good
year Tire and Rubber Co. and just
previous to coming here was manager
of the Bangor Branch of Utterback-
Gleason Co. handling the bort auto
mobiles. He has always been a Re-
publican, and is affiliated with local
Masonic Fraternities and the Milburn
Club. Mr.. Lowd is a gen al, social
man and will doubtless prove himself
an able officer of the law.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
GETTING READY FOR
SOMERSET LADS
County Conference Be-
gins May 2O--The Plans
Banquet at Exhibition Building and
Elaborate Program Of Sports
Being Arranged

Under the auspices of the three
Protestant churches of Skowhegan,
over 200 boys from various Somerset
County towns will-.be the guests of
this community from Friday evening
to Monday morning. We should feel
greatly honored by the presence of
these young people and every house
holder should be ready to do his ut
most to see that they are properly en-
terta. ned. The housing committee
will especially need your cooperation
as lodging accommodations will be re-
quired for Friday, Saturday and Sun
day night and meals from breakfast
Saturday morning to and including
breakfast Monday morning.
The committee on housing of which
Everett T. Goodrich is chairman, will
be at the vestry of the Federated
o'clock. Every visiting delegate
must report there Immediately on his
arrival in town.
About the first thing on the offic al
program is the banquet at which will
be present all visiting delegates, also
delegates from various Skowhegan
relig Gus organization, and such OF
Skowhegr ms business men as feel in
terested to attend This will prob
ably occur at the Exhibition Building
at Fairview Park. The hour VIII be
not far from 6.45 Friday evening This
will be free to delegates; the price tC
all others will be $1.00 per plate.
An elaborate program Of meetings
sports, etc. is being prepared. Among
the things already definitely arranged
for is a baseball game at Fairview
Park. Saturday afternoon. between
Gardiner High School and Skowhegar
High School. Delegates will be ad
mitted free. The general public will
pay 25c each. This game is under
the auspices of the Skowhegan High
School Athletic Association but is moi
one of their regular schedules. Sea
son tickets will not be good for this
afternoon There will be running
races and other sports. The Citizens
Band will be in attendance.
1t is planned to assemble all the
delegates near the Federated Church
on Island Avenue just preceding the
banquet Friday evening ani thence
march to Fairview Park.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
JUDGE LAWRENCE BANK
COMMISSIONER
Former Deputy Attorney General Re.
ceiyes Important Nomination From
Governor Baxter

Word was received with interest
here Saturday of the nomination by
Governor Baxter on late Friday after.
noon of Deputy Attorney General Fred
F. Lawrence of Skowhegan for the
position of bank examiner, for the
State or Maine, to succeed Frank l.
Palmer of Saco, lately resigned AL
'hough Judge Lawrence has been To-
octed n Augusta during the past two
years he has been frequent visitor
at his Skowhegan home and local peo-
PIE have been selfish enough to hope
for his return here where he is val
ued as a citizen in the highest sense
Prominent in the legal profession in
the town and county and widely known
in Masonic Circles, his absence has
been keenly felt by the people of this
section.
Judge Lawrence is native q Far
field, residing there until 1890, when
he moved to Skowhegan. He grad
uated from Colby College in 1900
then studied law with Butler & But
Ter of Skowhegan, taking a special
course at the Boston University Law
school and being admitted to the
Maine Bar in 1905. He then engaged
in legal practice in Skowhegan. He
was judge of the Western Somerset
municipal court for four years, 1908
1912, after which he was private sec
retary to the late Governor William T
Haines for two years, 1924. He
was appointed deputy attorney gen.
eral in August. 1919, by Attorney
General Guy H. Shaw, and reap
pointed last January by Attorney
General Ransford w. Shaw.
Judge Lawrence is not unacquaint-
ed with the banking business, although
having been a practicing lawyer. He
has been a director of the Skowhegan
Trust Company since its organization
in 1911. being on it's executive COM
mittee for four years and on the ex-
aiming committee for two years. He
was secretary and a director of the
Somerset Loan and Building Assn
for four years. Since he has been
deputy attorney general he has rep
resented the State in all its so-called
Blue Sky" law cases, including the
famous Greene case, in which that firm
was barred from doing business in
Maine.
Attorney General Ransford w
Shaw also announced late Friday af-
ternoon that he had appointed As
s.stant Attorney General William II
Fisher of Augusta to the position va
Gated by Mr.. Lawrence. q
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
WILL SkoK|AfeAk NAVE
ADVISORY BOARD?
Meeting of Several Local Men and
Women Held Wednesday Relative to
Salvation Army Support

A meeting of the persons suggested
by D. F. Rielley of Boston, a Field
Operator of Salvation Army while in
town last week to serve on an adyis-
ory board for Skowhegan for the Sal
vation Army will be held this evening
at the First National Bank building.
Rev. H. L. Nichols was named as
temporary chairman and Mrs. T. E.
,Greenway as temporary secretary at
a brief session held here last week.
The other members of the committee
called are Mrs. Fred r. Philbrick,
Frank R Madden. l.. l.. Walton, Esq,
John L. Fish, B. /. Rice. W. H. Cum
mings, George H. Plummer. Harry E.
Smith. Rev. George Merriam, l.. H.
Goldsmith, George L. H. Smith. Judge
Z. F. Danforth, and Rev. George L.
Thurlow. The plan is. il the board
becomes a permanent organization for
its members to assist in the support
OF the Salvation Army by aid from
this locality
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
HOME OF H. |. GOOD.
RICH PARTLY BURNED
Bucket Brigade Does Valiant Service
In Saving Fine Palmyra Residence

The fine residence of SXSherih II.
l.. Goodrich now one of the County
Commissioners. was partially burned
at Palmyra yesterday The furnish
ings were removed and the damages
are estimated at $1,000 \ bucket
brigade did valiant service in prevent
ing a serious confagration The
flames were first discovered at the
rear of the house close up under the
caves Its origin is a mystery. There
had been a fire in the kitchen range
during the forenoon and ii is thought
that "A spark might have found its
way into the sawdust banking and
crept up along the side of the house.
The roof was badly burned. The
stable was not ignited Mr.. Goodrich
was. in Skowhegan at the time and
reached home in about 45 minutes by
automobile after being notified. Fort
unately the fire was discovered during
the noon hour and by energetic use
of the telephone large force of fire
fighters was soon on the scene efflcien-
cy being greatly aided by numerous
automobiles. The property was in
sured.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05

In this town in 1860 the subject OF this
sketch was married TO the late George
A. Barnard who was one of Skowhe-
gan's best contractors and builders.
He died April IA, 1903 Mrs. Bar
nard has two children, the daughter
above mentioned and son Charles M.
Barnard of Lewiston, who is a sales
man for the United Shoe Machinery
Company which position he has held
for the past twenty years. There Is
also one grandchild, Virginia B.
Stinchfeld. who is a junior at Show
hegan high school. Mrs. Barnard is
very active and is in excellent health.
She regularly attends many of the So
cial events in the community and is a
great reader being exceptionally in
terested in the daily papers. She is
a member of Sunset Chapter o. e. s.,
Skowhegan Grange, Pomona Grange,
Russell Relief Corps, the Town I'm
provement Society and the Red Cross.
The Reporter congratulates Mrs. Bar
nard upon her graceful approach to-
ward the century mark and W shes her
many happy returns of the day.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
SKOWHEGAk To HAVE
MERCHANTS DAY
Merchants Association Recommends
Closing OF Retail Places of Bus
inc>s Wednesday Afternoons

\ meeting of the Sk9whegan Me-
chants association was held at thu
Municipal court room last THURSDAY
evening with reference To closing dur
ing the summer. II was voted TO rec
ommend that all retail establishments
close on Wednesday afternoon until
further notice. commencing Wednes-
day May 18th. Ii was also voted -
recommend the closing of all retail
places of business all day Monday.
Memorial Day. May 20th
1t was voted to observe Merchants
Day sometime in June, probably Tues
day June 14th
In compliance with the above the
dry goods. clothing. boot and shoe.
m llnery. jewelry and watch repairing
establishments have all agreed to close
commencing May Is 10 and including
the last Wednesday in August as n
boye suggested A r. Jewett's mar
ket on Madison avenue has been clos
ing Wednesday afternoons for some
time and will continue to do so. \
pong the other markets. grocers and
feed dealers there was pronounced
sentiment in favor of clos ng, a small
minority however. being unwilling To
do SO. Unless there are further de
velopments. these last named estah-
lishments will remain open.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
STRONG EFFORT FOR
48 HOUR LAW
Clyde H. Smith Active
In Legislative Sessions

Skowhegan' representative to the
Legislature, Clyde II. Smith, must
have been busily occupied during the
last Legislative session IL actual ac-
complishments speak for anything, but
he made very few speeches on the
floor of the House. His principle eff
fort was in behalf or the forty-eight
hour law. This measure was intro
duced by him earlier in the session.
There were several committee meet
ings where both the opponents and
proponents of the measure appeared
IN considerable numbers. The bill
finally came into the House with the
majority report of Ought to pass 1t
was upon the adoption or rejection
of this report that Mr.. Smith spoke.
We give below his speech in full.
Think ng that our readers would
find it of additional interest we asked
some of Mr.. Smiths fellow legislators
to comment on the speech and before
printing the speech itself some of
those comments are introduced. A
word of explanation is necessary with
regard to the writer's of these letters.
Mr.. Barnes, prominent Houlton at
torney. was the Speaker of the House
in the last Legislature.
DR. Gerrish is a well known physi-
clan of Lisbon Falls, also a member
of the House
Benedict Maher is member Of the
Kennebec County bar. He represent
ed an Augusta district in the session
OF the Legislature just closed.
CONTINUED on Page Nine)
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
THE ROAD COMMISSION.
Err PROBLEM
Special Town Meeting viii be Held
Next Saturday Afternoon to Con-
slider Town Matters

A special town meeting will be
held next Saturday at 1.30 in the Num-
cipal Blu lding to act on various arti-
cles of much Importance to the citi-
zens. The warrant contains eight
articles as follows:f
Article Ito choose Moderator TO
preside over said meeting.
Article 2-To see what acton the
town will take relative to building the
proposed State, read on the Athens
road sorcalled, from. Jewatt street to
Cornville line, especially designating
by whom and under what conditions
the work will be performed and pass
all votes respecting the same.
Article 3-To see If the town will
vote to rescind it's action whereby
1t was voted at the annual town meet
ing to instruct the selectmen to ap-
point a road commiss oner and to pass
all votes respecting the same.
Article 4-To see if the town will
vote to rescind it's action whereby
It was voted to fix the compensation
for roed commiss oner and to pass all
votes respecting the same.
Article 5-To see IL the town will
vote to elect road commissioner, fix
his compensation and designate the
time Of service not to exceed three
years
Art Gle 6-To see IL the town will
vote to install and maintain an cleo
trio light on Bailey street and pass all
votes necessary respecting the same.
Article ITO see If the town will
vote to build a sidewalk on the NAL
bon's NJ lis Road from the Canaan road
to a point near the house OF Verd
Cousins and pass all votes pertaining
to the same.
Article 8-To see If the town will
Sote to resurface the sidewalk on
Chestnut street and pass all votes re-
specting the same.
The Selectmen give notice that they
will be in session for the purpose OF
revising and correcting the list OF
voters on Saturday, May 7th. at a. m.
Given under our hands this thirtieth
day of April, A. d. 1921.
CLYDE H. SMITH
S. H. BRADBURY
JOE BUTLER
Selectmen of SkoWhegan
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
BILLION DOLLARS GOES
TO THE BAKERS
Descendants Of Jacob Baker VIII Re.
ceiye Riches as Story Goes

Bingham. May 2-Is your name Bak-
er or are you a descendant from a
Baker? If so you may be able to
claim a share in fortune of a billion
dollars. so the story goes. Many
years ago there lived an old bachelor
named Jacob Baker in the city of
Philadelphia. He owned therein many
thousand acres of land which he leas-
ed to the city for a long term of
years. This year the lease expires
and the land reverts to his heirs.
The land IS now in the heart of the
city and is said to be worth a billion
of dollars. There has been an agent
in town recently trying TO ascertain
If any of the Bakers in this vic'nity
are heirs of Jacob and willing to re-
ceive a share of the fortune
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
SpirituaIist Ladies Aid Meets

The Spiritualist Ladies' Aid Soeie-
ty met at the home of Miss Olive
Hayden last Friday, it being the birth
day of two of the members Mrs. Annie
Morrill, of Skowhegan and Mrs. Re
becca Woodman of Madison. The lat
ter was 80 years old and one OF the
most active members. A largo num-
ber were present coming from Bing-
ham, Mercer, Cornville and Skowhe-
gan. The forenoon was enjoyed in
soc al way. At noon all were called
to the dining room where the table
was filled with more good things than
you could mention. In the center
was a large birthday cake, brilliantly
lighted with many candles. Pure
maple candy was contributed by one of
the members, Mrs. Sue Corson OF Mer-
Ger, which was delicious. In the al
te noon business meeting was held
and plans made for the coming fair
which will be held at the Camp Meet
ing at Lakewood. The two ladies re-
ceved several presents. When meet
ing adjourned all wished them many
happy returns of the day and decided
1t was the happiest day spent by the
society for a long. long time.
MAINE STATE SPIRITUALIST AS
ISOLATION
The 25th Annual Convention of the
Maine State Spiritualist Association
will be held at Camden, with Quanta-
bacook Spiritualist Society, May 81
22. Converse Nickerson, "The Boy
Medium" from California, will be the
principal speaker, assisted by Win
field Waldron as message-bearer, and
other Maine talent.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
Death of Byron Robinson Yesterday

Byron Robinson, highly respected
citizen of Cornville and a descendant
of one of the older families of that
town, died yesterday after a long ILL
ness. His father was Chandler Rob-
inson and his mother Sophronia NAL
bon Robinson. He was rs years old
on April 18th and had always lived
in Cornville. The family home was
on the old stage road somewhat be-
yond Battle Hill. Mr.. Robinson is
survived by a widow, formerly Miss
Asenath Smith of Cornville, a son
Frank Robinson who lived at home
and a daughter Mrs. Wilder Varney of
Maiden, Mass. Mrs. Varney has been
in Cornville for several weeks The
funeral will be held Friday with Rev.
George Merriam officiating.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
A. L. 7. Cummings to be In Sk0whegan

Under the auspices of the Olin II.
Tracy Mems Class of the Federated
Church, A. l. r. Cummings of Orono
is to appear here Wednesday evening,
May II. Mr.. Cummi gs is a reader.
specializing In Canadian dialect He
will give short talk on THE Canadian
and His Countryside, followed by a
sketch of the life of DR.. Drummond.
who has written a good deal on Canada
and the Canadians, much Of which is
in Canadian dialect verse. Mr.. Cum
mings will conclude with two or three
dialect poems OF his own production.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
WARNING

Some one has girdled a white birch
tree at Coburn Park II is hard to
understand how there could be any
one so devoid of common sense and
feeling of responsibility as to do a
thing of this kind. The trees in the
Park area are In an especial sense
the property of every citizen. They
should be cherished for their possi-
bilites as to pleasure and recreation
for young and old. The careless and
unthinking person who has done this
damage could hardly be punished suf-
ficiently FOR such an offense.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
BRIGGS ESTATE EST.
MATED At $4,000
Mrs. Briggs IL Named as Sole Heir
and Execufrix. Document Signed
In 1905

BY the will of the late Francis W.
Briggs, VIII. .ch has been presented for
probate in the Somerset County Pro-
bate Court, the widow Margaret s. G.
Briggs is to receive the entire prop
erty and is named as executrix of the
document. The will was made Feb
ruary II. 1905 before the birth of
Gordon Briggs, the young son of the
deceased. Estimated value of the
property of Mr.. Briggs was SIP, 900 of
which $4,000 is credited to real es-
tate and the balance personal estate.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
H|LAR|O JOCUND| PRE-.
SENTED BY GRANDS
Mirth Provoking Comedy Presented
Before Members of Priscilla Rebe-
kah Lodge

Tuesday evening after the regular
session of Priscilla Rebekah Lodge
the past noble grands gave their an
nual entertainment by presenting
Hilar.o Jocundi, a mother goose fallal,
to the great amusement of the lodge
members. The members appeared in
a regalia of solemn black capes over
white dresses and were assisted in
the presentation by three gentlemen
and Mrs. Pauline B. Greene as plan
list. The presentation was mirth pro-
yoking IN the extreme 'and various
parts were taken with distinctive
credit to the participants. The coach
was Mrs. Mary H. Bailey and much
praise is due her for the success of
the production. The following was
the cast:
Royal Arch Raz-me-taz, Alice s. Baker
Scrbeo Inky Waxy, Emma L. Bickford
Sine Rhino, -.-s~a Violet V. Fogg
Mother Goose, Helen S. Brown
Medico Examicus, Minna B. Savage
Lex Advisus, Lila Dunton
Secunda Raj, Lillian B. Smith
Master. of the Moat, Mary H. Bailey
Porter of the Portcullis, Nellie Chase
Bogy BambooZler, Susie E. Jacobs
Hodge Podge No /, Mabel G. Bragg
Hodge Podge No. 2, Mertie NJ Lamb
Celestial Censor. Cora B. Hurley
Riff Raft No. l, Lila S. French
Riff Raft No. 2, Carrie b. Berce
Primus Piloticus, Mary M. Hurley
Sagacious Scout, Alice f. Danforth
On-the-Spot, Ava V. Sheridan
Great Scott, c. n. Bragg
Gee Whiz, f B. Chase
Pilgrim, Matthew ]. Greene
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
{. P. KING IS CHIEF
GAME WARDEN
Long an Efficient Officer, SkOwhegan
Man Assumes Important Branch
Of Work

The recent appointment of Edward
p. King for chief game warden for
Somerset County Is of no little in
terest to the people of this section. In
April 1913, Mr.. King was appointed
deputy game warden by the late Gov
ernor William T.3 Haines and has
since been practically in continuous
service. 1t is something of a coin
cidence that his late appointment ar
rived on April 26th exactly eight
years to a day fsom the first appoint
ment. His prdhent appointment for
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
MEN WALK OUT.-STR|KE
At SOLON
Union Men All Leave Pulp Mill and
Plant Shuts Down.

Solon, May 2-The pulp mill shut
down Sunday morning as the union
men all walked out on strike owing
to cut in wages.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-05
Card of Thanks

We wish to express our heartfelt
thanks to our many friends and neigh
bors, also Higgins Lodge X of p. for
their kindness and sympathy and also
for the beautiful floral tributes in our
recent bereavement.
Mrs. Sarah II. Stevens
Mrs. d. l.. Stevens
Mr.. and Mrs l.. J Stevens
a Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth Stevens
Mr. and Mrs. w. w Stevens
Mr.. and Mrs. a. Fl. Leighton
Mainstream. Me-. May A. 1921
The independents t-Reporter 81 so yr.