davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
New Hampshire and Maine Get Ma.
tiOnal Forest Funds

The state of New Hampshire and
Maine have received from the United
States Department of Agriculture
$6,35S.48 and $506.25, respectively, as
their share of the receipts from ma
tional forest resources during the fis-
cal year 1928, according to an an
nouncement by the department. Word
to this effect has been sent to Gov
ernor Brown of New Hampshire and
Governor Baxter of Maine.
New Hampshire contains ,945
acres embraced in the White Noun
tain National Forest. Maine contains
32,256 acres of the same forest
One-fourth of the moneys received
by the department from timber sales,
grazing permits, and other uses OF
forest lands is turned over to the
states in which such lands are To-
Gated on prorata basis in accordance
with an act of Congress. Such sums
are for the school and road funds of
the counties containing national for
est lands.
The total sum 4urned over to all
states containing national forests
during the fiscal year 1923 amounted
to $1,321, 422. Twenty-seven states
and Alaska shared in the distribution
of this sum, which exceeded the an
nual average for the previous five
years by about $250,000. Increased
sales of timber were largely respon-
sible for the record-breaking receipts
of 1923.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11

spected, will say that II not the first
one to see this water he might per-
haps be its real discoverer. =
Admitting all this, why should 1t
bear his name? To change the name
of body OF water as pure as that of
Pleasant Pond in honor of any partic-
ular person is no Insignificant mat
ter. 1t should not be done careless
ly nor without considering the claims
of the one honored as well as those
OF the cottage jewellers ON the shores
and others interested Would Mr..
Hinckley and others subscribe to the
evolutionist and almost revolutionist
ideas in these quotations from "The
Light of Day" one of Mr.. Burroughs
books?
'The story of the Chaldee God Bel,
who cut OFF his own head, moistened
the clay with his blood, and then made
man out of it, is just as rational an
explanation of the origin of man as
the one the Christian church has al
ways adhered to-"
'The priest with his magic and the
doctor with his nostrums have had
their day. If natural goodness will
not save man, he Is lost, and If his
innate powers of recuperations will
not cure him, he must die, just as has
always been the case"
Go slow friends.
H. B. WHIPPLE
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
Big Business Expected at Ledge House

The Ledge House and Cabins at
Dead River report record breaking
fall business. Sunday, September
30, they served dinner to one hundred
three people and Saturday, October 6
every bed in their several log cabins
was occupied and on Sunday, October
7, dinner was served to seventy-seven
besides their regular guests. Not
only the reputation the Ledge House
holds for their wonderful dinners, but
the exceptionally good roads, and the
wonderful mountain scenery are at
tracing auto parties every day, for
no better trip in Maine at this time
of year than the one across Lexing-
ton Flats and over the mountain to
height of land across the Horseback
and following along the base of Bige-
low mountain to Flagstaff then thru
the Cathedral Pines and to Rangeley,
Phillips and Pennington. Not mile
of poor road and beautiful scenery
all the way. No one should miss this
trip at this season of year.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
Captures 26 Pound Coon

Through the courtesy of W. E. San.
born of the Sanborn road in Canaan
we learn of the capture of a rs pound
coon by George W. Lyons. his neigh
Dor. Mr.. Sanborn and Mr.. Lyons
both have pieces of corn. Mr.. Lyons
discovered recently that his crop was
being destroyed by some animal. He
supposed it might be coons and went
out one night to investigate. Mr.
Coon ran up a tree. Mr.. Lyons re-
turned to his buildings, got an ak
and climbed the tree and drove him
out. He had a good dog with him
who tackled the coon and held him
until Mr.. Lyons was able to kill the
animal. Mr.. Lyons made no use of
the meat but has the skin which he
expects to market little later. Mr..
Lyons found that his crop had been
damaged to the extent OF % bushels or
more. Mr.. Sanborn's piece had been
damaged only slightly. Both of
these pieces were fortunate enough to
escape the frosts and were marketed
last week.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
Ledge House Has 5000 Visitors

Now is the time when Maine peo-
pie think to their north woods to
get glimpse at real scenery. No
prettier trip could be found than
the journey thru the Dead River
regious. Up over height of land ira
yelling over gravel highway sec
ond to none for comfort there in
the wilderness among the pines is
the famous Ledge House" This
road house with its adjoining cabins
is known far and wide over this
land. 1t is located in the very heart
of the Maine woods where fishing
and hunting is their respective sea-
sons abounds.
The highway that passes through
here is the ARNOLD Trail in to Can
ada and a thoroughfare that people
of this section of Maine desire to see
the State push thru over the line max
ing it an international highway. This
road also takes one through the Flag
staff and Stratton basin that which
figured conspiciously in the last Leg
islature's discussion on the develop
ment of a huge storage system for
water power.
Over 5000 visitors and callers
have registered at the Ledge House
this season.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
Wolves Drive Mercer Man into Tree

About the year 1900 Daniel Allen,
a resident of Mercer, had very in
teresting adventure with some wolves.
Mr.. Aliens home was then on the
farm now owned by Oscar Beck. He
also owned the saw mill at Mercer
village, probably the first one ever
built there. Mr.. Allen used to go
and come from his home to the mill,
distance OF about three and one
half miles, following a spotted trail.
One evening in the month of April,
Mr.. Allen was returning home a little
later than usual. His wife stepped
to the door, being a little anxious at
the delay. Her anxiety was increas-
ed on hearing the howl of a pack of
wolves. Mrs. Allen, in her prime,
had very powerful voice, one cap
able of reaching to a long distance.
Thinking to warn her husband against
the wolves she called his name with
all the energy she could summon. In
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
Mrs. Mary Gaylord ThOrndike Dies In
Boston

Word has been received here of the
death of Mrs. Mary Gaylord Thorn
dixie at her home in Boston after a
several weeks illness from a cancer
Gus affection. The deceased was the
wife of DR.. T W. Thorndike, a prom
inent Back Bay physician. Her old
home was on Hilton Hill and her
brother. Maurice Gaylord still resides
there A sister, Mrs. Alonzo Smith
lives on Kennebec street, Skowhegan
and another sister. Mrs. Caroline c.
Burrill resides in Newton, Mass. After
leaving Skowhegan, Mrs. Gaylord be-
came a nurse. She was a woman of
personality and through fire..
quent visits here remained in touch
with her girlhood friends. Three
children, Sara, William and Charles,
survive. The funeral services were
held Monday in Boston.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11

that they would meet many eligible
young men, and that matrimony might
result. Among these was the Daniel
Allen, above mentioned, and when he
made known his wish to Aunt Works,
she Immediately said:
Il know just the gal for you. Betsy
Knox of Rye" Betsy came In due
time and with her two other New
Hampshire young women.
When 1t became known that there
were three new guests at the Works
homestead, three young men proceed
ed to call, among them the aforemen-
toned Daniel Allen who, however.
was the last to arrive. In introduce
ing the two young men first on the
scene Mrs. Works would say:
MIR. Smith this is Miss Jones'"
MIR. Brown, this is Miss White, and
this Is Betsy Knox who has come ex-
pressly for Daniel Allen and Daniel
Aliens a-going to have her.
1t was thus that Daniel and Miss
Knox began the acquaintance which
made the above wolf story possible.
There were many children born to
| Mr.. and Mrs. Allen and there are now
numerous descendants to this worthy
couple. In those days there were not
many opportunities for religious wor-
ship. There were sometime school
house meetings and the Aliens were
always sure to go. They were like
wise very strict with their children.
1t is told of them that, every Sunday
when they set out for church, in case
any OF the children were left at home,
they gave each good whipping for
fear they would do something wrong
and remain unpublished while their
parents were attending morning OBJ
seryance.
Mr.. Allen is remembered as a very
large and strong man. In those days,
trees regarded as an encumbrance,
were cut down, piled and burned. The
settlers used to get little revenue
out of them by bleaching the ashes
and making potash. Mr. Allen was a
cooper by trade. He used to make
barrels of hard wood. They were
said to weigh seyenty-fve pounds
each. At one time his nearest mark
ct was in North Belgrade. When he
got couple of barrels done he would
make a sling. adjust them on his
shoulders, carrying them to the town
just mentioned for sale. 1t is said
he got $3.50 for each barrel.
Mr.. Allen farmed it for many years
1t is said he never had pair of
wheels. He used to make what was
then called a toad. This was simply
a tree of suitable size with crotch
at one end. He would shape the
other end to fit the ring on his OK
yoke and nail boards across the trail
ing end or crotch. Stakes at the
rear would thus make a rude convey
ance on which a considerable load
could be transported.
Mr.. Bacon's parents were acquainted
with the Aliens and remember this
last described conveyance very we'll.
In those days an iron tire would have
cost almost years work. Mr.. Ba-
con recalls when his grandfather,
John Williams, had a pair of wheels
for years with no tires.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
The Late Mrs. Emily Weston johnson

Emily Weston Johnson, the oldest
daughter OF Nathan and Almeda
Pooler Weston, was born April 18th,
1885, In Madison. She knew the
hardships OF the early days and was
trained In colonial ideas and ways of
living. She attended the Arson Aca-
DENY and Gorham, Maine. Boarding
School, where she studied the COM
mon branches and learned artistic
needle work and general culture. 1t
was often her duty to be head OF the
family and she showed In girlhood
great ability in managing a home.
May 10, 1856 she became the hand
some bride OF George w. Johnson and
came to Industry to make home In
the house where she lived 81 years
and where she died Tuesday morning,
September rs. Five children, one son
and four daughters were born to
them.
She was always a great worker, a
woman of wonderful ability, of the
pioneer type, few women at the head
of private family could boast of
cooking more, or of feeding as many
guests. No one went away, cold or
hungry at any time of day or night.
She was great reader and often sat
up until late at night to read after a
long days work. She was skilled
with the needle and had gift in sew
ing beyond the average ability and
equally skilful as a nurse, often 60
ing to the bedside of a sick neighbor
and to assist in restoring health
She was a great lover of flowers and
always grew them in the house as
we'll as out of doors. They meant
more to her than the growing of them
and seemed to fill a prominent place
In her life.
She was Congregational in belief
but in health regular attendant of
the Methodist church in Vests Mills
She was a woman of strong character,
always holding high regard for the
Sabbath Day; a devoted wife and
highest type of mother, thrifty, re-
fined in taste. modest and ladylike
She has recorded years of wonderful
work in the hearts of many, many
friends. Besides two daughters and
four grandchildren she leaves four
brothers and a sister to mourn her
loss
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
Mrs. Kelley the Only Woman Sheriff
There

The foregoing is the subject of a
sketch in recent issue of the Lewis
ton Journal and is of especial interest
locally since Mrs. Kelley was former
ly resident of Skowhegan and at one
time was employed in the local ex-
change of the Ne. Tel. & Tel. Co, here.
Mrs. Frances J. Kelley, associate
probation officer for Androscoggin
county. had the distinction of being
the only woman deputy sheriff among
a delegation of 1900 at the SID annual
Congress of American Prison .Associa-
ton just recently held in Boston.
Maine was represented officially by
only two delegates-Mrs. Kelley who
was sent by the Androscoggin county
commissioners. and Warden Eaton of
the States prison at Thomaston. At
tending unofficially from Maine were
also state parole and probation Officer
Fish, Mr.. and Mrs. ODonnell of the
State reform school at Cape Eliza
beth and Mr.. Swasey of the Portland
reform school.
Being the only woman deputy sher-
III Mrs. Kelley was extended unusual
courtesies. She was called Mrs.
Maine"
She had an opportunity to make a
tour of Charlestown prison where she
met and shook the hand of Jesse POM
crop, famous "lifer" who is now a
"trusty," A trip which she especial
ly enjoyed was the famous water trip
to Plymouth, "a trip which made all
of the delegates seasick). At Ply
mouth the party was taken under tow
by Sheriff Blake who extended every
courtesy and took them thru the Jail
there where Mrs. Kelley talked with
Ponzi, notorious financial wizard who
fleeced New England people out of
millions a few years ago. She de-
scribed him as "twinkling."
On another afternoon she was in a
party that had tea at Mr.. and Mrs.
James j. Sorrows palatial home in
Lincoln. Mrs. Storrow is tremend-
ously interested in prison and welfare
work
"At every institution | found some
employees from Maine who were
holding responsible positions" Mrs.
Kellep said proudly when speaking
of the convention. "Payson Smith, a
Maine man spoke to us also" she
added.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
Assembly OF vi. M0rlah Council
the 18th

A regular Assembly of Mt Morah
Council will be held Wednesday, Oct
ober nth, commencing at o'clock in
the afternoon. Harry A. Dinsmore
of Skowhegan, Most Illustrious Grand
Master of the Grand Council of Maine
will be present for the purpose of his
official inspection, A large attend
ance is particularly desired. The de-
gree of Royal Master and Select Mas
ter will be worked Immediately after
balloting. At $50 a harvest supper
will be served in the banquet hall
under the direction of Geo A. Moore,
John l.. Fish, NJ. F. Jewell, George
Soule and Guy l.. Conant. The Super
Excellent Masters degree will be
worked in full form at p. M. A very
large class is expected
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
Perry--Thebarge
fContributed)

A very pretty wedding took place
ence Perry, Madison, when their son
Evangelist was united In marriage to
Miss Annie Margaret Thebarge,
daughter OF Mr.. and Mrs Charles The
barge OF Cornville. The ceremony
was performed at st. Sebastian Church
Tuesday morning, Sept. IS. Rev. FIR.
Nelligan oficiating. They were es-
corted TO church by six autos, con-
veying the many relatives and friends
Of the young couple. Outside they
were met by shower of rice and con-
fetti. rained upon them by those who
anxiously awaited their arrival. Az
ter the usual congratulations were
over they all retired to the home OF
the groom where a sumptuous break
fast awaited them. The earlier part
OF the day was spent very pleasantly
and along towards evening the young
couple followed by many invited
guests motored TO Cornville to the
home OF Mr.. and Mrs Charles The
barge, the brides parents. A magni-
hcent supper was served Music
was furnished and dancing was in
dulged In until late in the night when
the guests began to dispense leaving
behind them happy memories and
good wishes TO the newlyweds.
The many useful and valuable pres
ents received by them showed the es-
TEEN in which they were held in the
community.
The bride was handsomely attired
in a gorgeous gown of brown Spanish
lace and silk crepe de chine and car
ried a bouquet of bridal roses. The
bridesmaid. sister of the groom, was
becomingly gowned to suit the occa-
sion and carried bouquet of roses
and sweet peas.
The groom was neatly set I'D in
suit of blue Australian serge. He
was attended by Fred Bass of Madi-
son. who by his wit, kept the crowd
IN constant roar of laughter. The
young couple will make their future
home in Madison.
May the matrimonial sea on which
they have so lately embarked, be I'M
RULED by wave is the wish of their
many friends.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
shall II Be Burroughs Lake or
Pleasant Pond
Independent-Reporter:

mr. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
coughs Lake or Pleasant Pond
Hipckley in his letter to the
tor has started something, at
IN the neighborhood of the beau
s y of water to which he re-
- about the mountains on the
~ shores? They are known as
and South Pleasant Pond
,,ins. Will they retain these
when there is no Pleasant
Or will they be known as
.ngb's Mountains? What about
post Office at Pleasant Pond af-
|hsre is no Pleasant Pond?
4 pond at an altitude of 1900
4 two miles long by a mile and
n wide and looks from the top
s,sant Pond Mountain, 1t is said
mile with some imagination, like
|Aape of bear skin.
angst the two thousand odd
in Maine Mr.. Hinckley says
are others as clear and beauti-
He does not tell where they are
|this is a challenge to him to
the location of one. Who else
|.pen one with water through
Won can see the rocks at d
| Of forty feet? Who else has
one without inlets to mention
furnishes so large a stream of
| at the outlet? 1t is a big
d.
me- bodies of water are named
Rhose who claimed to be their
Iyerers-Hudson Bay, Mckenzie
ETC., which gives one in a way
III of geographical Immortality.
discovered Pleasant Pond? 1t
lId that when the country was
| and unexplored one of the first
hrs and a friend came upon its
* on a bright day in October
! the autumn colors were best
bue Of them said-"What a Pleas
Pond" 1t has kept the name to
|day
Ie Bible says there are those hav-
Ives who see not and the real dis
Der of a thing or place may not
be one who first looks at it with
icing eyes. Certainly John Bur-
BIS eyes were not that kind. He
Nearly and had an inimitable way
hitting in readable language his
options. A person who has
been to Pleasant Pond who
his description with its char
sketch Of Uncle Nathan" the
J whom many of us knew and re-
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11

449 462 399 474 All 225i
SKOWHEGAN

419 Ala 450 AT ass PISS
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11

this she was successful and Mr.. AL
len answered from a place In the
woods which is now Frank Caswells
pasture about a half a mile from the
Allen home. He had lost his way
and this in part accounted for his be-
ing late. He called back saying that
he had climbed q tree and the wolves
had commenced to gather at the foot.
Mr.. Allen was of course on his part
anxious for the safety of his wife and
children. He called back to her to
20 into the house, shut the door and
keep good fire. He added to this
chat as soon as the sun arose the next
morning the wolves would go away
and he could come home.
Mrs. Allen, however, could not be
quite content with this arrangement.
She feared that her husband, during
the long night, would get benumbed
with cold or fall asleep and tumble
out of the tree. so she would open the
door occasionally and call out to help
him to keep awake. The wolves con-
tinued to howl In a manner indicating
that there was a good sized pack of
them.
The night was passed in this way.
In the morning true to their we'll
known habit, the wolves disappeared
allowing Mr.. Allen to get down and
join his family.
This story was told to j. w. Bacon
of Mercer when about ten years old,
by Mrs. Allen who lived to be ninety
years of age, surviving her husband
n good many years. 1t is hard for
anyone riding through Mercer at the
present day to realize that it was at
the woods for fear of being attacked
and devoured by wolves.
The Mrs. Allen above mentioned
came to Mercer from Nye, N. H. She
had been preceded by two or three
families, among them one by the name
of Works. Quite a number of the
first settlers of Mercer were men who
went up the river with Arnold's Ex-
petition. 1t Is supposed that while
they were camping on the banks of
Che Kennebec they took time to re-
connoiter with reference to selecting
land when they came back. The first
settler was a man by the name of
White. His farm was located where
Ora Packard now lives. He chose
this location because a meadow had
been formed as the result of the work
of beavers. These animals then as
now were building dams. This parti-
cular dam had stood long enough to
kill out all the trees but had after
wards been opened and destroyed and
the tree affected area had come up
in grass. This same land can be
picked out and is still a grass mead
ow after all these years.
The Works family above mentioned
were of considerable Importance
among the colonists. They probably
had little capital when they moved
into that region and were people more
or less looked up to. The settlers
in the neighborhood were mostly
young unmarried men. AS soon as
they had made a little clearing and
perhaps put up log cabin they COM
menced to look for wives. In this
priaseworthy ambition they had the
sympathy Of Mrs. Works, Aunt Works
as she was affectionately called. Mrs.
Works would write hack to Rye and
vicinity and invite the girls In that
neighborhood to come and be her
guests, allowing them to understand
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
WELLINGTON

L. H. Hutchins went to Greenyille
last Monday on business.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Baird and
children went to Hallowell last Sat
urday to visit Mrs. Baird's mother.
Mrs. Elizabeth Carey. They return
ed home Sunday night.
Waitstill Small who has been work
ing In Dexter all summer is visiting
friends in town.
H.. o. Bean of Canaan is visiting
relatives in town. ..s,
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
With the BOwIers

Pittsfeld bowlers won the game
from Skowhegan city league at Show
hogan, Thursday evening. L. Fox
had high single for the evening of 12S.
and high total of Asa for the local
team +. Sleeves had high single of
1l3 for the Pittstield bowlers while
Davis had high total OF All.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
Big Bob Cat Captured

Messrs. Ferris and Hodgdon caught
large bob cat just above here Sat
urday. He showed considerable
fight before being captured.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-03
A. |. DEXTER WILL BE
BURIED ON WEDNESDAY

Funeral services for a. I. Dexter,
1900 Avenue C, pioneer resident of
jefferson county, who died at his
home Monday night after an extended
illness. viii be conducted from the
residence Wednesday morning at
1890 o'clock. by DIR. John a. Mac
Sporran. pastor of the First Presby-
terrain church. The body will be sent
to Whitewater. Wis, for burial.
Mr.. Dexter had been successful
business man throughout his life
time. both in jefferson county and
Whitewater, Wis, from here he re-
moved upon coming to Alabama. At
the time of his death he was a di-
rector Of the Bessemer Coal, Iron and
Land company. II il survived by his
widow, Mrs. Nellie Dexter, one son
and four daughters.
Pallbearers at the funeral VIII be
the following: W. II. Stockham,
Robert Smith. DR.. Edwin Ballard, j.
H Haver, John A. Reid, Charles
Curtis, Arthur King and w. l..
Beasley Honorary paliDearers will
be the elders OF the First Presby-
terrain church, of which body Mr.
Dexter was member at the time OF
his death.