The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-03-03


sary to give grist mills the right of
way as the grinding of corn was i'm
portant so far as furnishing susie
nance for the settlers was concerned
On December 6. 1853 this saw mill pro-
perty was sold to Mathew Fowler, ia
Their of Augustine and Nathan Fowler,
both deceased, and grandfather OF
William H. Fowler now of Skowhe-
gan. He conveyed this mill property,
although the grist mill had been pre-
viously carried away by a freshet, to
Joseph P. Adams on October 10, 1872.
This sale was in the nature of a trade.
as Mr.. Adams snapped his farm on
the Mountain road in ST. Adams with
Mr.. Pooler for the mill and it's priv
leges and the house now occupied
by the widow of Mr.. Adams and her
two sons, w. D. and S. H. Bradbury.
The house was built by Mr.. Pooler
succeeding one which was burned on
the premises. In the spring OF '73
Mr.. Adams proposed to build mill
on the east side of the river, but in
stead he bought of Abel Homsted, the
property on the west side Of the river
which included rotary saw mill, grist
mill, shingle mill and the small house
in the mill yard, now occupied by Ed.
Whitney. Entering into partner
ship with hi was Chas. A. Smith, who
bought a half interest in the property.
Smith lived on the place now occupi-
ed by Charles w. Walker and after
about two years sold out to Eldridge
Of
after a comparatively short time sold
out his interest to Mr.. Adams. Pre-
vious to the saw mill, starch fac
tory had been operated on about the
sight of the saw mill operations.
In 1856 when William D. and Shell
don H. Bradbury, step-sons Of Mr..
Adams became of age they went into
business with their step-father but
purchased none of the property. On
the plight of January 81, 1890 Malbons
mills had o fire and the saw mill was
burned. There was no insurance and
all there was left was log rule stand
ing in the snow. This was heavy
loss for the young men just starting
in business, but the yard was full OF
logs and there was a quantity Of lum-
Der in the woods to be sawed so W.
D. and s. H. grasped the situation
as best they could, bought out two
thirds interest In the mill property
and privileges and got busy. They
hewed the timbers for the basement,
moved on a new saw on rollers, saw
ed their lumber and erected their mill.
In December of that same year. Mr..
Adams died and the two brothers, his
step sons became the owners Of the
property buying out surviving heirs.
They conducted this property until
they sold out to William L. Walker,
an ex-state senator, in 1905. The
change was made at this time because
Of the Ill health of w. D. Bradbury,
which effected him seriously at that
time and has since kept him from en-
| joying the business activities and
lodge duties, which have played a
prominent part in the life of his bro
Their.
| Senator Walker Is one of the prom
inent Republicans of Somerset County
and has associated with him in him
in his mill and lumber enterprises his
son, Chas. w. Walker.
The Cd red building which now
stands on the east side of the river
was once the old shingle mill that was
afterwards used for the manufacture
ing of spool bars by Joseph Adams
In about 1903 in a big freshet the
bulk head, flume and heavy granite
wall of this property on the east side