davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
FRANK A. VOSMUS BUYS
MAIDEN HOTEL
Purposes to Resign from n Long Pc.
Rod of Express Service on Skow.
hegan- Boston Train

Frank A. Vosmus of Maiden. Mass.
who for the past thirty years has been
railroad messenger for the Ameri-
can Railway Express running into
Skowhegan at the present time, who
S the owner of considerable proper
ty on Belmont Hill in Maiden, has
purchased the Hotel Victoria proper
ty. This is located oppos tie the
Western Station in one of the besi
sections of Maiden The property is
one of the best in the suberbs. L
includes the three story brick block
with a frame dwelling in the rear
all assessed for $50, 800. In the
block are seven stores on Summer
street, corner of Maple street and in
the upper stories are fifty rooms which
are part of the hotel hold ngs. The
area of the land is 15,500 square feet
assessed for $15,500. Mrs Vosmus
who was formerly Mrs Mae Allen o
Skowhegan, also owns valuable real
estate in Maiden
Mr.. Vosmus expects to retire from
the express service in about one year
and at that time he and Mrs. Nosmus
will assume management of the hotel
leasing the restaurant privileges and
mainta ming the rooms.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
Reward Offered

The recent rumor that a warning
had been received indicating that
Skowhegans Municipal Building was
to be blown up Is too serious mat
ter to be cast aside unnoticed. 1t is
entirely without foundation but the
damage caused and alarm created
were serious
The party guilty of starting such a
story should be apprehended and pun
ished. | have no authority to use the
public funds for this purpose but am
so strongly impressed with the i'm
portance of the matter that think 1t
hest to offer reward of 500 for in
formation leading to the arrest and
conviction Of the guilty party or par
ties. am doing this as private
citizen and the reward, If pa d. will be
from my personal funds.
CLYDE H. SMITH
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
VIM. K. COOPER, WASHINGTON "Y'WORKER
TO SPEAK At BOYS CONFERENCE
Big Event for Somerset County in Skowhegan
May 20, Il, 22---Fine Addresses and Sports

wh eh will include a baseball game at
Fairview Park between Gardiner high
school and Skowhegan high school
Saturday evening at 7.30 after song
service and deyotions led by Rev.
George Merriam OF the Bethany
Church. there will be brief addresses
By the most popular delegate from
each town upon the subject What
does this Conference mean to our
Delegat on. At $50 there will be
games and stunts under the direction
of Roy C. Handley and another ad-
dress by William Knowles Cooper.
Sunday morning the delegates will
attend church with their hosts and
Sunday School In the afternoon at
3 O'Clock there will be a mass meeting
for the men and boys with song SER
vice and deyot ons led by Jeff c.
Smith with an address at 230 by Mr.
Cooper Sunday evening at 7.30 will
occur the song service, devotions led
by conference officers and report of
committees and address at SIS by Mr..
Cooper, and at 905 a farewell meet
ing.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12

gan Lodge X. of c.. and delegation
from the Fraternal Order Of Eagles.
Mr.. Lashon was born in Skowhegan
his parents having been the late Louis
and Mary Lashon, He was educated
in the town schools and for time was
employed as weaver in the textile
mills. He then became engaged in
the insurance business afterwards
clerking at the l.. B. Jewett market
At the same time E. j. Butler was
employed by Mr.. Jewett and the two
young men decided to enter business
For themselves. After locations on
Madison avenue they opened up a
much larger store in the build ng va
Gated by Parker G. Nay where they
carried groceries as we'll as meats.
Mr.. Lashon was prominently iden-
.ified with the Democratic party in
Skowhegan and served as Deputy
Sheriff under Ex-Sheriff Thompson
He was also prominent In the Catho-
&c church and was member OF the
knights of Columbus of which he was
trustee and of the Fraternal Order of
Eagles.
Beside a widow, formerly Miss
Elizabeth King OF Waterville, a lady
identified with various activities in
the community, Mr.. Lashon is surviv-
I'd by two children, Gladys, Ia years
old and Lyman II years of age.
Out OF town people here to attend
the funeral were Mr.. and Mrs. William
King of Brewer, parents of Mrs. Las
hon, Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Quirrion,
tnu nd
liam King Jr, of Brewer, Mr.. and Mrs.
Augustus Burke of Fairfield. Mr. and
Mrs. Henry Gousse of Fairfield, Mr..
and Mrs. Joseph Burke. Mr. and Mrs.
Albert King, Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Rich
ardson, Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Butler
Mr. and Mrs. Ell Butler of Waterville
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred King of Shawmut
Mrs. Fred King, Mrs. Clara York of
Waterville and Mrs. Rose Vigue Of
Lowell, Mass.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
C0RNv|LLE WOMAN
TAKES LIFE BY HANGING
In Absence OF Her Husband Mrs. Fred
York, Temporarily Insane
Commits Suicide

Mrs. Angelne (Whittier) York, 72
and wife of Fred York committed sui
de by hanging Sunday afternoon in
the absence of her husband. Tenn
porary insanity following a paralytic
shock sustained some years ago is be
lieved to have been the cause. The
lifeless body was found by Mr.. York
upon his return from Athens, hanging
from a rope which had been passed
over the roller Of towel rack. Be-
fore committing the deed Mrs. York
had fastened up the house.
Mrs. York was native of CornYille
and was the daughter of the late Ma
thaniel Whittier. She was married
to Mr.. York about 27 years ago and
beside her husband Is survived by two
step sons. Ralph and Harold York
who were small boys at the time Of
her marriage to Their father. The de-
ceased is spoken of very highly and
the sad incident is causing much re-
gret in her home town. The York
homestead farm is about one and one
half miles from Athens village on the
East Ridge road. Mrs. York was a
cousin of the late Philander Whittier.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12

Plans are materia lizing for a very
successful county conference for boys
in Skowhegan May 90 q and 90 open
ing Friday afternoon at the Centenary
Methodist Episcopal church. There
will be at 2 O'Clock an informal re-
'ept on with issuance of credentials
md the finding of homes for the dele
,ates. The business session will oc-
:ur at 5 O'Clock with Introduction of
caders at 30 announcements at s
o'clock. At 61o parade will be
'ormed and line of march formed 10
The Exhibition hu lding where ban
quet will be served. The Citizens
Band will furnish music for the pa
rade. Prayer will be offered by Rev.
Herbert L. Nichols and Montford
Meader will offic ate as cheer leader.
Willard H. Cummings will officiate as
postmaster and among the welcomes
will he one from the city by Selectman
Clyde II. Smith and from the churches
ny Rev. George Loring Thurlow of the
Federated Church. After responses
or the boys and for the leaders there
will be brief addresses by the confer
ance leaders.
Saturday morning after a song ser
&c at $50 and devotiouS led by Rev
II l.. Nichols. there will occur the
"eport of the nominating committee,
introduction of new officers and an ad-
dress at go by JEFF C. Smith OF Wat
orville upon Our Present Day Chal-
lenge." At $50, A. y Heald of Wat
ergllle will speak of the State Train
ne cpmp and at 1890 there will be
an exercise led by Roy c. Handley of
Auburn. followed by an address by Mr..
Iand'ey upon "A Program of County
Possibilities. William Knowles
Cooper, who is to be at the conference
Saturday night and Sunday is one of
the strong men in the brotherhood
He is general secretary of the Young
mems Chr stian Associate at Wash
lngtol. - C. and Is an exceptionally
strong platform man as well as a lead
er Of great ability and real worth as
a Y NJ {. \, worker. p, He will give
an address at Hos Saturday. This
will he followed by the announce
ments. conference photographs and
adjournment at noon. I'M the after
noon at ? o'clock the recreation hegins
with pleasant program of sports,
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12

where he very shortly contracted
pneumonia and died April 3, 1920.
From the time of the fire to the
date of his death Mr.. Ballou grad
ually lost weight and strength. For
more than a month after the fire he
could eat no sold food because of
the burns in his mouth. His cough,
which developed after the fire accom-
panied by the raising of dark brown
ish sputum, continued with increas .ng
intensity until he died. He tried three
or more kinds of work between the
7th of January and the middle of
March and ia led at all on account OF
his physical condition. Altogether he
worked only few days from the time
OF the fire in Jackman until he died.
Prior to the accident for a period of
year or more Mr. Ballou had lost
no tine from his work on account of
sickness and he appeared to be a
strong, robust man. In view of all the
evidence submitted which was legally
admissible it is found that the death
of Joseph Ballou was a direct result
Of the injury received by him on Mo-
vember II, 1919, in the fire at jack
man. There may have been other con-
tributing causes such as the effect of
the influenza and also the pneumonia
which finally hastened his death, but
it is the opinion of the Commission
that a. very material contributing
cause to which his death can be at
tributed were the injuries received by
him at the fire at Jackman, November
II. 1919 The severe shock to his
nerve system which the burns must
have caused, the great loss Of strength
and vitality resulting from his inabil-
ity to take sufficient nourishment for
several weeks after the fire because
of the burns in s mouth, the serious
impairment to his respiratory organs
which must have resulted from breath
ing the smoke and fire before escaping
as indicated by the brownish sputum
and the blackened tongue and bl s.
tered mouth, unquestionably must
have very materially weakened his
power of resistance and not only made
him more susceptible to diseases such
as influenza and pneumonia, but left
him with greatly ,minished vitality
to resist the ravages of either infiu-
enza or pneumonia once those diseases
attacked him.
1t is therefore found as matter of
fact that the death of Joseph Ballou
on April 3, 1920, was due directly as
result of the injuries received by
him at the fire in Jackman November
II, 1919, and that, therefore, his wild
ow Fannie f. Ballou. is entitled to
compensation as a dependent of the
said Joseph Ballou.
1T IS THEREFORE ORDERED
AND DECREED that the Jackman
Lumber Company. or its insurance
carr er, the Aetna Life Insurance
Company, pay to Fannie K. Ballou.
dependent widow ofsJoseph Ballou
compensation in the sum OF SIS pei
week for period of 22S 5-6 weeks
commencing April g. 1920. The sum
hereby ordered represents the full
amount allowed for compensation to
one totally dependent, to wit, $500
less compensation already paid Mr.
Ballou on account of the injury to wit
compensation for 4 1-2 weeks.
Dated at Augusta. Me-. April 26, 1921
ARTHUR l.. THAYER.
Chairman, Industrial Accident Com
mission.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
DEATH OF W. J. LASHON
Prominent Young Showhegan Man
Succumbs to Brigkt's Disease

Wallace Joseph Lashon. a we'll
known business man of Skowhegan,
died at his home on Mt. Pleasant
avenue, Saturday, at the age Of forty
years. Bright's disease was ascrb-
ed as the cause OF his death and for
the last four months he had been un-
able to attend to business d1ties. Since
last September his health had been
failing. Funeral services were held
from the residence Tuesday forenoon
at $50 followed by solemn high mass
for the repose of his soul at the church
of Our Lady of Lourdes. Father j..
Louis A. Renaud was celebrant assist
ed by FIR. Farley of Madison as dea-
con and FIR Beaudin of Waterville as
sub deacon. The church auditorium
was hung in solemn draperies of black
and white. st. Marys choir assisted
in the mass. Escorting the remains
to and from the church were Skowhe-
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
A Mothers Day Meeting at Bethany
Church

One of the pleasantest as we'll as
most sacred observances of Mothers
Day occurred last Sunday evening
during the o'clock service In the
Bethany Baptist church under the di-
rection Of the Ella F. Mitchell Phil
athea Glass. Mrs. Mabel Phillips
Judkins. past pres dent presided and
after the singing Stand Up For
Jesus" Mrs. Judkins read the scrip
lures with responses Prayer was
offered by Mrs. Joseph Otis Smith and
the Misses Ruth McQuillan, Vir-
gin B. Stinchfield, Helen Hawes and
Gladys Ames sang Songs our Moth
ers Sang" accompanied by Helen
Gates. A group of poems 1.-THE Dear
est Mother, What Little Girl
Thinks" and "Only One Mother" were
given respectively by Lynette Man
tor, Glennis Neil Haines and Dorothy
Staples. Helen Hawes sang a selec-
tion accompanied by Mrs. Ames and
rec .tations were given by Chesley
Moore and Mildred Lancaster. Miss
Pearl Hewes sang Wear a White
Blossom Today" and Dorothy Nye read
The Mother Call Tell Mother I'll
Be There" was sung by the people ex-
planned by Rev. George Merriam.
Gladys Mantor, Gladys Belts, Doro-
thy Nye recited Mother Love" Elmer
and Dorothy Emigh sang Mother
Knows Best" and the Bethany Orches-
ira played Love and Blossoms Miss
Dorothy NJ. Elliot of the high school
faculty gave a tribute to mothers and
expressed her appreciat on of Rev. and
Mrs. George Merriam as parents, she
having had seven of their nine chill
dren during their high school course.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12

X. P. Grand Sen or Warden and pre-
yious to his present election was
Deputy Grand Commander of the
Grand Commandery. Mr.. Bucknam Is
member OF Kora Temple. A. o. M. s..
and has participated in Scottish Rites
to the extent that he is now 32nd
Degree Mason. He is a past president
OF Skowhegan Board of Trade. mem
Der of the Reta | Merchants Associat-
ion and of the Alilburn Club
Mr.. Bucknam will attend the Tri-
ennial Conclaye in New Orleans next
April. Walter p. Ordway OF Skow-
hegan is also included among the
grand officers of the Grand Command
cry having been appointed grand war
den by Grand Commander Bucknam.
De Molav Commandery has once be-
fore furn shed a Grand Commander.
Right Eminent Sir George w Cover
having held that exalted position in
1906 He and Mr.. Bucknam are the
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
BRASS FOUNDRY PROB.
ABLY To AUBURN
Management Believes Competition VIII
BE More Easily Met In Proposed
Location

is to lose one of its industr es. The
management of the Brass Foundry on
Mcclellan street are considering the
feas bility OF removing the plant to
Auburn In the early future. Accord
Ing to Lewis Smith, competition with
other firms will be much easier In
that locality than in Skowhegan be-
cause OF its being nearer center
from which much business Is derived.
Then too, the freight rates will be
cheaper and the plant will be nearer
another big business center Boston
Twenty-four men are employed in the
foundry at the present time and the
citizens regret exceedingly the plan
for removal
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
HIGH SCHOOL GETS
LIBERAL CHECK
Skowhegan Woman's Club Adds Fifty
Dollars Tuesday to Fund for
Memorial to Soldiers

The Skowhegan high school receiv-
ed Tuesday o check for $50 from the
Skowhegan Woman's Club to be used
for the Skowhegan high school men,
orial fund. This makes the total
amount OF $431.59 on the fund. From
the Katcha-Koo presentation the
school received S195 and from the
Bazaar held In connection with the
same. the high school received s1S6.5s
from the Bazaar committee. The sum
just contributed was given out Of
generosity. Piaus are underway for
suitable memorial for the soldiers
who went from Skowhegan high
school.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
NO ,,Ia'!@. ER!E!9 ,E!!!! ETHER"
George McCllntiek Employed at Nor
ridgewock Farm Receives Another
Mysterious Letter

About one month ago George Nc
Clintick, who Is employed at tn,
David Adams farm in. Norridgewock
found threatening note on the dooI
step demanding that he move out. Thii
was published in the Reporter. There
were no developments until Wednes
day of this week when he received the
following letter in the mail;
May 9, 1921
Mr.. McCl ntick:
This is your last chance so
move out or | will move you and
don't be long about it. Don't put
this in the paper. II you do it
will go hard with you. Now do
as tell you and you will come out
better. | have seen every move
you make.
Yours,
No Friend Either
Mr. McCl ntick has no idea as tC
the sender of these warnings, but II
any event he purposes to take no no
tice of them.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
COMMANDER BUCKNAM TO ATTEND
TRfENN|AL C0NCLAVE IN NEW ORLEANS
H. A. Dinsmore Elected Grand Principal
Conductor of Work in Grand Council

Portland. Me, May Frank w.
Bucknam of Skowhegan was elected
grand commander of the Grand Com
mandery OF Maine Knights Templar
at the annual meeting here today
Other officers chosen included. Depu-
ty Commander Frank p Denaco. Ban
gor: Generslissmo, Cyrus n. Blanch-
ard. Wilton; ptain-general. Frank c.
Allen, Portland The total member
ship of the order in Ma ne is 1906 a
gain of $50 during the past year. This
meeting concluded the sessions of the
grand masonic bodies.
Mr.. Bucknam is especially promin-
ent in Masonic Circles in the State
not only because of his present pos
ition but from his previous service
in lodge capac. ties. He was made a Ma .
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
NEW. PROPRIETOR EATON
MT. FARM WEODEO
Former Netown Highlands Man Brings
Bride to SkOwhegan

Luther Hill Elliot, the new proprie-
tor of Eaton Mountain Farm, was mar
ried on May z, in Amesbury. Mass,
Mrs. Helen E. VIII te having announc-
ed the marriage of her daughter, Mary
Choate to Mr.. Elliot. Mr.. Elliot is a
former Dartmouth man and later a
travelling salesman. He recently
came here from Newton Highlands,
Mass, and purchased the farm where
he has now established his home and
Skowhegan people will extend warm
welcome to him and his bride.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12

only two Somerset County men who
have ever held the office. There have
been. however two Grand Generalissi-
mos from Skowhegan. the late Col. w.
r. G. Estes and the late General Isaac
Dyer.
Another important election IN the
Grand Masonic bodies was the election
of Harry A. Dinsmore of this town to
the office of Grand Principal Conduct
or of Work in the Grand Council. Mr.
d nsmore will also have an opportuni-
ty to take an extended journey as he
will be sent to Ashville, y. C. to at
tend the General Grand Council in
September.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
NO FOUNDATION FOR
BOMB STORY
Sheriff Mo0crS Makes Statement Rela
tive to Current Rum0rs
About Town

The report that bombs or threaten
ing or warning letters have been re
Gently received by me or that such
have been received by other Skow-
began citizens is entirely without
foundation.
Those guilty of originating such
stories should pause to consider the
amount of harm. anxiety and actual
damage they are likely to occasion.
JOHN A. MOOERS
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
ROAD AGENT HELD Up
At MOOSE RIVER
Unknown Searcher Finds Few
Sho'el> and Piece of pork in
Automobile

Moose River, May ia hold-up in
met an unusual thing in this part OF
the county and as the road agent was
returning from work last Friday even
ing, he was stopped and accosted by
an unknown party who decided TO look
him over and also the contents of his
car. Nothing was found save a few
shovels and piece of pork Now the
road agent is wondering who the par
~ was and what oftic al right il any
he had in searching his car
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
Moving Pictures at Madison

Moving picture lovers. espec ally in
Madison and vicinity, will be interest
ed In the program of the Madison
Welfare Association Theatre for the
com ng week published on page 3 of
this issue.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12

Look, house for sale on left hand
corner of South and Hathaway SITS.
A bargain for cash. Apply at once.
Address Lock Box 594. Bangor, Me.
1w19
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12

"A Highly Colored Sketch" by Mar
jorie Benton Cooke will be one OF the
distinctive features OF the Junior Ex-
hibition, May q.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12

Note moving picture program for
Skowhegan Opera House published on
Page of this issue.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12

Duncan Hall of Augusta returned to
that city Monday afternoon following a
visit with his father.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12

ION in Casco Lodge in Yarmouth and is
low affiliated with Somerset Lodge. F.
/ A. M. of which he is past worship
sul master He S likewise a member
Somerset Chapter, r. A. NJ, and Mount
Nor ah Council r. & s. NJ, having
served in the highest offices which
these two orders afford. He was the
18th commander of De Molay Com
nandery, No. 10, Knights Templar,
having served thus in 1910 and 1911
He has served as grand junior warden
If the Grand CommandeTy of Maine,
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-12
WIDOW OF JOSEPH bALLOU GETS NEAR
| LY $500 AFTER HARD LEGAL BATTLE
Decision Of Industrial Accident Commission
Given After Three Hearings

decision has been made public by
.r,bur L. Thayer, chairman of the
Industrial Accident commission In the
aase of Fannie E. Ballou. alleged de-
oardent of Joseph Ballou vs. The
pactman Lumber Company and Aetna
II no Insurance Company by which 1t
!. decreed that Mrs. Ballou receive
|sssoO less a compensation already
,oid Mr.. Ballou on account of the in
;urv which was compensation for
,our and one-half weeks. The action
srose following Mr.. Ballou's death
come time after a fire at Jackman
where he sustained serious injuries,
although his death was due to pneu-
|monia The action was hotly con-
|tested with Merrill & Merrill OF Show
|heean appearing for the widow and
Andrews & Nelson OF Augusta for the
lreenoudent. Several Somerset County
Inhysicians were called in as witness
sa in the case including DR.. Hum
|nhrey Of Jackman, Dr. Hopkins of
Rinehsm DR.. Young and DR.. Richard
ron NJ Skowhegan. The decision which
Elves an interesting story OF the case
was as follows:
FANNIE E. BALLOU,
alleged dependent of
JOSEPH BALLOU,
Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1921-12-02
NEW SALEM NEWS

There is some improvement 60
ing on in our city. Mr.. o. J. Wash
has moved building from his farm
to the business part of town for the
purpose of installing a blacksmith
shop, to be operated by Mr. Bonnie
Travis.
The authorities are meeting to-
day, Monday, for the purpose Of re-
pairing the city scales.
The Sunday school at the Presby'
terrain church is making splendid
progress, under the direction Of Mr.
Foster Brooks as superintendent
Our school is climbing the ladder
of education at a rapid rate under
the management of the wise faculty
that the community so much appre'
ciates, which are Prof. Vaughn
Misses Baity and Webb.
Mrs Geo. Moon is slowly improy'
ing.
Little Clint Wash is very sick
New Salem School Girl.