davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-11-23

IN COLORADO ON HONEYMOON
ma and linen all neatly and carefully
preserved
Saturday night Mrs. Britton who
still remained in the cold farm house
in which there were no signs of fire
said she was ready to right the wrong.
81 admit that | was cruel to him as
he charges in the divorce libel. but
it was only with my tongue. Now
am ready to do my part and right any
wrong that | have done him, but he
stays next door and refuses to come
TO me when he knows that | will not
eat nor have d fire While he is away
Mrs. Britton said tonight, when ques-
toned about the divorce suit of her
husband of four years.
81 love my husband and ! want him
to come to me, or | will not eat a
thing until | finally die from starya-
ton. | am failing rapidly now, es-
pccially since yesterday morning. The
only thing that has crossed my lips
is water and very little of that.
am a very miserable woman" Mrs.
Britton's voice broke and she started
to sob
Britton who is boarding at the home
of "A neighbor scarcely 500 feet from
his own home, had adopted a policy
of "Watchful waiting" but still Is do
ing none of his watching at any closer
spot than the 800 feet He has ap-
parently decided to let his divorce suit
speak for itself.
The records OF the Somerset County
Divorce Court show that on August
Z Britton brought suit for divorce
against his wife, charging cruel and
abusive treatment, and alleging that
she left his bed and board on August
2. The marriage took place, the pap
or set forth. on July ,. 1918, at Kan
sas City. Mo.
On Saturday night Mrs. Britt0n had
visibly weakened. Dark rings had
settled under her eyes and she seem
cd weak. She cmphatically denied
that she was taking any nourishmenl
rs some had believed her to be and
she has been confined to her bed most
of the time since her arrival from
Watcrvillc Monday last. She declar-
ed that she had great deal to live
for in spite of her distress OF the
last few months. One neighbor tried
without results to get Mr.. Britton 10
20 and see his wife.
On Sunday conditions at the Brit
ten home remained much the same
The newspaper man on his visit found
il colder inside than outside the house
\ thermometer on the living room
wall registered IS degrees. Mrs.
Britton sat in an easy chair With
numerous shawis and blankets about
her as she talked with the reporter
81 have lost all my desire for food
and within few hours | know that
| will he SO weak that ! VIII not he
able 10 get ont of bed to open the
doors for visitors. | am taking mo-
thing hut water inside of my mouth.
Nothing that anyone can say will make
me change my mind about 1t until
Louis comes to me and talks thing
over. Just what will be done after
that, should he come here, is thing
cannot foretell" Mrs. Britton said
In the living room fireplace rested
four or five pieces of wood, placed on
the andirons. They were covered
with eob-webs After telling Mrs
Britton of her neighbors' suspicious
that she was secretly partaking OF
nourishment, the reporter was invit-
ed to make an inspection of the kit
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-11-23
Relatives Abandon Contest

The statement was widely publish
ed in daily papers that the will OF
the late Calista S. Mayhem of South
Orange, y. J. in which the Good Will
Home Association was mentioned as
one of the residuary legatees. was to
be contested by relatives. The date
for the preliminary hearing was set
for September 20. in Orange. N. J. but
1t was carried over until Nov. 21st
at the request of the relatives. A
telegram was received at Good Will
Nov. 10, that the relatives had aban-
doned the contest.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-11-23
West Tobey Joins Aviation Corps

West Tobcy, son of Mr.. and Mrs.
George w. Tobey who started out to
see something of the world several
months ago is accomplishing what he
set out to do After crossing the
continent, iourneying much of the
way on foot he worked for a time in
the lumber camps of Oregon. After
leaving the camps he went to Port
land, Oregon and from there to Van
couver. While there he enlisted in
the Aviation Corps and is now sta
toned in the Hawaiian Islands.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-11-23

MIR. ANND MRS. LOUIS BRITTON
which he has instituted. Mrs. Brit
ton who was formerly Miss Bertha
Cole was born In Lawrence, Mass,
forty-three years ago. When the cou-
pie came to Skowhegan Mr.. Britton
was employed by the Savage Paper Co.
having been in charge of the yard
work at the paper mill For time
they occupied a suite at the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry A. Dinsmore on
East Front street In June of that
year he bought the John X. Webb farm
of Mrs. LuGie r. Crowell, wife of lsai
all Crowell. and 1t is there where Mrs
Britton is on her hunger strike. Mrs.
Crowell held a mortgage of the pro-
perry which was foreclosed in Sept
ember of the present year, subsequent
to the date when 1t is alleged the
separation oe6urrd.
i1verything indicates that Mrs. Brit
tons surroundings were those of re-
fnment and that she must have had
splendid educational advantages. She
became private secretary to Prof. Fair
banks of the Girls Industrial School
in Mddletown, Conn. Here one sum
mer came Rev. and Mrs. Clark, Mr.
Clark being an Episcopal missionary
from the west Miss Cole (Now Mrs.
Brttom returned as member OF
lhcir household to South Dakota where
Mr. Clark WAS stationed. Soon alter
wards she became manager OF hotel
in Harrington. Neb. and here she
met and married Louis Britl0n after
a brief courtship. Mr.. Britton orig
mated in the west and h1s been a
farmer all his life. They decided to.
come East being influenced in part
by the fact that Mrs. BrttOn's poo
pie were continued residents of New
England. Mrs. Briipn speaks with
deep feeling Of their honeymoon pass
ed in Colorado and Of Their happy life
np to this last summer. There are
no children. Mrs. Britton has SUI
frred somewhat of late from a brOk
en- arm, the result Of an accident
while at the school in MiddletoWn.
For several years this gave her little
trouble. but moro recently has become
pninfnl and made hor bone duties
aud trials harder 10 bear. II need
ed more than ever the Kindness and
sympathy of my husband says Mrs.
Britton. after this trouble came on
Mrs Britton has been since last Au-
gust boarding in Wateryille. Thru
her husbands attorney, ". + Mer-
rill Esq of this place She understood
HAT size would be met At the train,
If she would return and she expect
ed To be conveyed by Mr.. Merrill to
her farm home which she hoped
would be warmed and prepared for
her arrival, feeling that she would
see her husband and that no doubt
Il reconciliation would be possible IL
she came last Monday. She was not
met at the train by anyone and on
going 10 her home found no fires and
il unprepared for her arrival nor has
she had the opportunity to see her hus
band and she feels he has been coun-
sclled 10 keep away
The husband, Louis C. Britton in
stltuted divorce proceedings the case
being entered at the September term
of s. j. Court of Somerset County
Mr. Britton when first seen by the
Reporters representative was board
ing at the farm home of p. l.. Warren
not over five hundred feet from the
house where his wife was conducting
her hunger strike in a cold and cheer
less room. The reporter found him
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-11-23
Summary:
High School
~ q
, sorExall 4

Time twenty minute perb
Referee, Bowie. Timekeepcr, JoI
son. Scorekeepers, Lombard
Mayo.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-11-23
The people of Maine
are doing the job
for themselves

A Of years ago. lots of people talked
about the need of developing Maine water
powers; but only few did anything aboutlt
These few with far seeing judi ment and
and rare courage, ACTUALLY went at the task
AS long the project in expert
mental stage they lnancedit among them
selves
Then, when the financial solidity Of the
companies assured and when large
amounts OF capital were necessary to do the
big work In big way, these went to
the people Of Maine and enlisted their hnan-
cal backing
Today the splendid development Of Maine
powers. is due to the efforts of the
people Of Maine in backing the enterprise
the foresight and the business experience
and judgment OF Maine corporations They
are doing the job the only way it could be
done.
To-day more than 5000 Maine people
AREAS stockholders, backing Central Maine
Power Company In its work Of developing
Maine. Every Of them has awaysre re-
celved, promptly time, his regular quar-
terly dividend check.
You too hell the men Of Maine to vn. nvmgn at
do Names biggest job-thc development ] "s% %
OF Maine water powers-and you get s s you S", %
besides investment Of good yield and s 81 sS%c
high degree OF safety by buying Central By COMPANY
Maine Power Company % Preferred oSsr ann
Stock ~n.
Central Maine Power COMPANY
Maine incorporated H%
AUGUSTA MAINE
" ss 1900" ns,sm.n
81 lnh,s "'p srf Ss%sna
, 1922-03-09
FREIGHT RATE
PROBE HERE TO
Be AUTHORIZED
Finance Committee of Cham
Der of Commerce Director
ate Urges Investigation
at Cost of $4,000.

Tho Casper Chamber Of Commerce
realiz ng that unjust freight rates. IL
found to exist here would greatly
handicap tho growth OF the town Is
preparing to go intensively into the
matter, according to recommenda-
tons mads by the flriance COMMITTEES
to the board Of directors at a mee<ng
reid Wednesday noon.
The finance committee socks to
have a fund OF $4,000 set aside i'm
OF the freight rate probe Inc seeks
other relief tina will b rquired before
the Investigation Is completed.
The following recommendation was
made by the finance committee. COM
posed of Ben l. Schreck. chairman,
Sam Conwell and J.. S. Mechl ng.
I'VE, your COMMITTEES on finance
and auditing recommended h a the
board Of directors set aside 100000
OF tho 1929 dues already collected for
the purpose OF applying same to the
payment of fees and expenses of the
freight rate Investigation. and that
a systematic effort be made to COL
lect from delinquent members and
that such mou as may be neces-
sary to pay the balance OF this in
vestigat on be set aside as collected
from delinquent memberships for this
fund, Any unexpected balance to be
returned to the general fund"
The directors nave a plan under
I consideration to increase this fund
through solicitation OF special dona,
tions In case that It becomes neces
sary. Several business houses and
shippers have already Indicated that
they will subscribe to such n fund to
properly finance this investigation
which is launched to secure cheaper
freight rates for Casper.
The General Freight Service asso-
, 1922-03-09
PARENTS DAY At MILLS

Parents day which was held March
;, at Mills school, was well attended.
The first part OF the afternoon was
taken up with class work. each grade
wing a thlrty-minute recitation so
that the parens might soc some OF the
regular daily work. This was fol-
lowed by a very clever and interesting
l tile play entitled. George In Nursery
Land" which was enjoyed by all.
The latter part of the afternoon was
taken Up with n visitation and in
Bnection OF the various rooms. The
work displayed In the roaiaq showed
much careful preparation on the TART
Of pupils and teachers md the charac-
ter Of tho work was ex cilult. Dull
cious refreshments were served.
Ine entire afternoon was thorough.
" enjoyed by pupils. parents AMI
teachers and It is hoped that the par
Cnts will be able to visit srhooi m re
1f'en as tsero is nothing that mules
FOR a better school more than the
close cooperation of the parents.
The following parents and visitors
were present: Mr.. and Mrs. Walden,
Mr.. and Mrs. VIM Mills, Mr.. and
Mrs. Perry Hunter. Mr.. VIM Peck
an. Mrs. V. Green. Mrs. Ray Gil
bert. Mrs. W. r. Hunt. Mrs. Jen-
kins. Mrs. Todd. Mrs. julius Jensen
Mrs. II Il Kennedy. Mrs. e. NJ.
Mellts, Mrs Mae McClurg, Mrs.
MaSon. Mrs. e. Outiand Mrs. w.
Philips. Mrs. Chas. Perkins, Mrs. Mad,
Peterson. Mrs F.. Robidon, Mrs r. f.
Robertson. Mrs. Vim Scott NJ, cuu
man Mrs Smothers. Mr.. Lambert
Mrs. G. /. Algier. Mrs. Benson, Mrr
Bouse, Mrs. Alec Tompson. Mrs. John
Bush. Mrs. W. B. Campbell, Mrs. d.
Coughlin, Mrs. Corender. Mrs. II. p.
Denham, Mrs. Dealings. Mrs. L. Wal
lace, Mrs Dockham. Mrs. DailinEer.
Mrs b b Elliot, Mrs. Adelaide Ell.
lot Mrs c. Evans, Mrs. Herbert
Eskew. Mrs ]. C. Folk, Mrs. e A.
Forest Mrs. A Gatewood.
, 1922-03-09
LIVING COSTS HIGH IN COMPARISON
WITH LABORERS' PAY AT REFINERY

Der ane The average between Casper
and these cities would be larger than
shown IN our rcopltulation sheets
q. . and 3-YJ =
We would nke also to can your at
tention TO tho fact that the biggest per
cent OF the common labor employed in
the other cities are not OF the standard
that is employed at the Casper rein
sries as tho largest percent Of them
ie Japs. Mextcans. or other foreign
cu. and we think that you agree with
rs that they arc not TO be Chased with
Dur common lRborers In regard to ef-
nciency.
Drug.
In taking the comparison OF prices
On drugs. we find that the largest DIFF
ference is between Casper and Den.
Ter which shows Casper to be IS per
cent higher than Denver as shown On
the recapitulation sheet. 2-Y. In TAX
Ing this average wo not only took the
hest drug stores In Denver but the cut
price stores as we'll As Il is.R fact
that there are IL cut price drug stores
In Denver run by the Schultz Drug
company, therefore there are IL places
where tho common laborer can buy
drugs at cut prices
Recapitulation Of Rentals for -Four
Towns Visited.
Classes 1 and II include all homes
and apartments for rent appearing In
al towns visited We have excluded
four M five-room apartments as
there are none listed in Casper. This
| Justification includes al living places
n the towns and therefore Includes
the houses OF the poor. the middle
class and the weIl-off. and is there
fore not the classification 70 our pur-
pose.
Classes III and W are the ones that
are ordinarily lived in by the labor.
ng class and falling within what we
understand Art. III, part d. OF the
Industrial Plan book TO mean. but ow-
ling to extremely high rents prevailing
, 1922-03-09

cation OF St Louis, Mo-, VIII be en-
to prepare the case and pre-
sent same TO the railroads- Con
tracts have already been prepared and
the approval of which
which should be received within a
week or ten days
Casper is seriously handicapped in
competition with Denver. Cheyenne
and other cites Of The Colorado
common point group and this plan to
secure an equalization OF rates with
the Colorado grouping points has
been foremost in the minds OF the
, 1922-03-09

our employees Again we md Casper
among the highest in rate charged.
CFolder Wild
Meats and Groceries.
Upon Investigation We find that ow-
ing TO the fact hat there is a war on
in Casper among the meat dealers.
Laramie, Cheyenne, and Casper are
Practically the same in price. whiie
Casper is II per cent higher than Den
yer. The fact Is we are at n loss 10
sec why we should aSt have Denver
prices. which N lower thai Laramie
or Cheyenne, inasmuch as we have a
packing house in our city.
In regard to the prices OF groceries
between Casper and the other cities
investigated. we find the per cent Of
difference docs not show up SO large
as they have stores in the other cities
that cater TO the high class trade only
while in Casper b torres have the
same prices in the big as well as the
small stores owing to the fact that
pressure is brought to bear on the
small dealers by the wholesale houses,
thus maintaining n price level. So.
taking into consideration that the
working man has cheaper places to
buy in other cities han in Casper. by
exercising Judgment In buying. he
,ould live much cheaper than in Cas-
, 1922-03-09

in Casper. most of our common labor
es have been. forced TO nov into
shacks-
Class v-cIues visited had no places
that could properly be compared to
the Casper shack What they call
shacks more nearly compared with our
two and three-room houses
Many real estate dealers when
shown snapshots CnumSeB r.. 4. 10.
Il. Is. IS. Folder I. nnf Folder II.
exhibit c numbers ?. 6. o., 10. II. II.
81. %. a.. IS. 81. 81. 50. and so an
swened. Cant rent" Not ut to live
in" A company should not expect to
keep men II required to III In these
places Conway pf .Denvsr1 Gee
notes attached to reorganization sheet
Ia, Denver Folder -
The comparisons used IN rental re
capitulation for the four cities were
made by taking the average monthly
rental for each class In each city and
basing our Per centaSes ON these Zig
ures, using only the classes of houses
where we found averages In all tour
cities visited.
Another thing you win ind that IN
many Of the places where the labor
rates show low. there are alternating
conditions For instances the Union
Pacific Railroad company furnishes
part of their laborers with houses. fuel
and light. Folder 3. exhibit b. C. Do
In finding the purchasing power Of
n dollar In Casper. as compared with
the average purchasing power In the
cities OF Laramie. Cheyenne. and Den
yer. WI . for Casper e0c Per hour
as a basis; ssT.27. total cost Of rent.
drugs. groceries. Is shown in our re
lcapitulation sheets, I-Y. u-Y and lily.
For the other three cities we used
43.6c per hour the average wage rate
for the three cities. Laramie. Chey-
enne. and Denver. as shown In Folder
III. exhibit b C. and d. obtained by
taking the sum Of each ratio given in
all cities named. nnd dividing by rs
number OF rates giveO and using s535s
the average cost of rent. drugs. and
groceries for the three above named
cities. as shown by Table L II. and II
y.
Explanation of Folder III Exhibk A.
In deriving tho general living cost
or actual expense n common laborer
is put to in Casper. tho committee has
, 1922-03-09

brought me q bottle of Lydia E;Pmk
hams Vegetable Compound 1 too
it regularly until all the hard pain
had left me and i was able to be u,
and to do my work again. The har
lump left my side and feel splendi
in all ways. 1 kno- of r.eny womer
it has helped, Mrs G. RICHARD
SON, 4640 Orcas St, Seattle, Wash
This is another case where Lydi'
E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compoune
brought results after trying
everything any one told me" had
failed.
If you are sufferingfrom pain, ner-
vousness and are alwaystired; if you
are low spirited and good for moth
ing, take Lydia E Ptnkham's Vege-
table Compound.
, 1922-03-09

To tho Board Of Directors. Standard
on Company undianal. Chicago. III
Genf,eusu:
We ths investigating cmnittee OF
The Joint general committee. Casper
plant OF tho Standard on company
dndIanai. working in conjunction with
your committee. beg to report as fol
lows.
Coal and Coke
Investigation showed on n brand
OF coal in the four cities Investigated.
SO no direct comparison was possible
without going into tho b T. u com
pArtson. This we did not feel able TO
90 Howeyer coal prices r as low
rs 1875 Pc ton lump coal in Den
yer. $3.50 for lump coal at Laramie.
and 1875 for lumn coal I Cheyenne
while the Casper price for about the
same quality is 5000, showing Gas.
per at the head OF the list of high
prices
Eishs and Gas
Most Of our laboring men aro not
living in modern houses and ave no
lights or gas. as shown by pictures In
Folder TIC, numbers 2. 7. II, 81, IS.
As. SO. 81 and So. SO comparison was
cut of the question for these items.
However. the cost OF lights and gas
AFFECT considerably the living costs OF
, 1922-03-09
REHABILITATION OF LIVING CONDITIONS

Kind Of Houses
I-Unfurnished excluding tcur and nveroom spart-c
mental None on Casper sheots No. la All othnr
houses and apartments on, sissets No LA for all
places visited
observation-disclosures - above but not Including 1--WE
room spartuuents. Gons In CasDerJ --.-.--...--
and three rooms, not modern;
one. two. threoroom shaokz, unfrrnshed Our
nished species extinct ezcept IN Casper) $1,000.
Drug
An articles appearing on lists from an four cities.
tSmAn nsp.
r1gures in columns obtained by adding tho everzRe
cost OF each article Appearing IN lists OF each of the
, 1922-03-09
BOOSTER CLUB Meets

The Mills Booster club held its most
enthusiastic meeting last night.
Eight cinuses OF the bylaws were
adopted after a spirited discussion on
the part Of the members. Additions
will DO made as needed The next
regular business meeting win be held
Wednesday evening. March %.
, 1922-03-09
PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday school 2:3o p. m. in the
Midwest Theater building. Rev. Nc
Clenchan from Casper. viii give a talk
next Sunday.
The theater has been comfortable
the last two weeks. As soon as pos
sihle a building viii be erected on the
lot which has been purchased by the
Sunday school.
The mems brotherhood class was or
ganized last Sunday. Come and help
make this an interesting class.
, 1922-03-09

The Boy Scouts Of Troop No. 10 II
planning a stunt nte, the exact date
Of which viii be announced later. The
program will consist OF first aid work.
signalling. knot Ieing and boxing. 1t
is hoped all the parents VIII come and
see what the boys arc doing.
, 1922-03-09

The Wednesday Afternoon club met
with Mrs Fred Peterson The after
noon was pleasantly spent in n social
way. Refreshments were served by
the hostess. At the next meeting
there viii be election Of officers.
, 1922-03-09
So Says Employees Committee in Opposing Lat
est Reduction After Investigation OF Living
Costs in Various Cities.

Tho recent wage reduction at the Casper refneries OF the
standard Oil company of Indiana, which lowered laborcIs
pay from $3.50 TO 81 a day, is not lustlhaDle, aecor1ans "
he fndinQs of a committee of employees appointed by the
company to investigate living costs in Casper, Laramie Ghey-
and Denver. Some interesting comparisons in living
costs are drawn in the report which is sef-explanatory and
foIlou in fuI.
, 1922-03-09

on my IecLy ~tu
had chills ant
fever and sucl
pains in my RICH.
side and a hart
lump there. ]
could lot turnmy
self in bed AM
could not sleep. ]
was this way TO
over two months
trying
any n told me
until my siste
, 1922-03-09
W. G. t. o. MEETS

The w. C. T. u. met with Mrs.
Julius Jensen yesterday afternoon.
The afternoon was enjoyed by an
The next meeting win BIO with Mrs.
Ray Gilbert.
, 1922-03-09

RED CROSS CAMPAIGN SUCCESS
The committee In charge of the Red
Cross campaign in Mills was highly
gratified at tho response made by the
townspeople.
, 1922-03-09

The following boys Of Troop No.
10 have passed their terderfeet exam
.iuatiou in a very creditable manner.
Leroy AlEfcr, Walter Geiger. Preston
Riley. Howard Mellis and Russell
BuIson. Anoter examination Will be
held in the near future.
, 1922-03-09
MILLS FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Tho Mills Volunteer Fire depart
ment held its regular business meet
ing Monday night. Plans were made
to give a box-supper and dance at
Cromwell hall on Friday evening.
March II. The next regular business
meeting win be held Tuesday evening.
March IA. A salesman for fire ap-
paratus WI be present to quote prices.
, 1922-03-09

Eober. Every left Monday evening
for Grover. Colorado. where he Will
visit his wife and son and Mrs
Avery's parent From there Mr..
Avery and his family WI go to
Greeley to visit with his parents.
They viii DO gone about two weeks-
, 1922-03-09
o
Mills Merchants


Mrs. Fay Rohrman who has been
confined to her home with a severe
attack Of grippe for the last ten days
is able to be out again.
, 1922-03-09

The Girl Scouts realized $1,000 from
their candy sale" which was held
March3. at the school. This money
viii be used for Scout equipment"
, 1922-03-09

Jeweiry n watch repairing by en-.
pert workmen. All work guaranteed
Casper Jewelry Mig Co.. O.-S Bldg.
a-6ltt
, 1922-03-09

Spring wnl soon be here which
means that it is time to clean up and
paint up II everyone will clean up
Is WI premises tho town as a whole
will be improved. So. altogether for
cleaner. brighter town.
, 1922-03-09

Master Kenneth Bybee has been
brought home from the hospital We
hope for his rapid recovery.
, 1922-03-09

A vIctrosa has been sent to the
Mills school on trial and 1t follows n
very Important need being used for
marcing. physical training and PEN
manship. We hope it may become n
permanent fixture In the school.
, 1922-03-09

Mrs. Bert Ramsey left Monday
evening for Greeley. Colorado. where
she will visit her parents. Mr.. and
Mrs. Avery.