The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-06-21

ent time that would, print a poster Of
such dimensions. I can recall PIN
ming this big sheet upon the wall for
the process of proof reading and OF
calling the attention of e. q. Nc
Neelie, who was the business man
ager, to the fact that balloon was
spelled with one "l". His reply was
that we had only one 81" in the font
of type from which that line was set
and the balloon" would have to go
Qapnced, or not at all. So this red
RAdl blue sheet preserved all these
years. shows the word balloon" spell
leda a. thus abbreviated. The pro-
gram mentioned beside the balloon"
RReeAaions already referred to, ath-
lettess acrobatic feats, slack wire and
litFAne1es baseball, sunlight fire works,
|IlMammath Civic, military and, indus
Trial. parade, inspiring choral render
ms OF patriotic songs by hundreds of
stNinAd voices, together with frequent
coAcerts by the Belfast Naval Band.
~ special demonstration by Skowhe-
ran Model Fire Department was fea-
tured. The bill for printing render
ed by ]. o. Smith & Company is still
preserved and aggregated S127.50. The
estimate prepared in advance by the
committee called for an expenditure
including the races at Fairview Park
$170S.
In the celebration OF 1905, Herbert
l.. SWEET was chairman. of the COM
mittee, Al &c. Butler was -presi-
dent. Fred F. Lawrence was secretary
and, George e. Sampson, treasurer
The committee headquarters was still
In. the Morrison Block, Room No. s.
The forenoon sports on Water street
Included a hundred yard dash, sack
race. three legged race, a pig driving
contest. I recall the latter with es-
pecial pleasure: The contestants
were to work in pairs and each pair
was assigned pig to drive over a
specified course. Yard sticks were
furnished and no other implements
allowed. Handling, kicking or abus-
ing the pigs would disqualify the
guilty party. Nobody finished the
course and I think most of the drivers
lost rather. than gained ground in
their efforts. The prize had to be
awarded to the pair who had made
LIE UobI pfo6EcSS, nOWeFeI IltdBIt'
/ The fact that automobiles had come
into use, since the previous celebra-
ton Is evidenced in a circular letter
signed by Charles F. Ward, as chair
man of the motor vehicle committee
In this Mr.. Ward extended an invi-
tation to owners of motor vehicles
throughout Maine to come to Skow.
hogan on the Fourth. AS one OF
the motives, for accepting the invita-
tion' a complimentary ticket to the
races at Fairview Park was offered
Motor cars to the number of ten OF
| a. dozen as I recall came to town and
participated in the parade, creating
of course wonderful interest. Thou
sands were present, having never be-
fore seem a motor vehicle of any
kind.
The committee for the celebration
Of the. year following, 1906. still
claimed the services of Mr.. SWEET as
chairman, with Fred F. Lawrence as
secretary and George e. Sampson
treasurer. The correspondence OF
this year saems to be quite carefully
preserved but samples of the adver.
Using matter are almost lacking and
/ must have been careless enough tc
neglect that part of my job, Guess
perhaps was getting a little tired
| of celebrations.
Perhaps a further account along the
same line could be prepared, dealing
| more specifically with some of the
incidents that would be interesting
and may get around to 1t at later
date.