davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
Death of Mrs. Elsie J. Weymouth

Mrs. Elsie Jane Weymouth died
about two o'clock Tuesday morning
at the home of her daughter, Mrs.
Calvin ID. Eaton on Middle street aft
er several months of failing health
She was eighty-seven, April 9th last,
and was the widow of Frank Wey-
mouth, who died ten years ago. Mrs
Weymouth was a native of Canaan
and was the last of family of eight
children of Walter and Elsie Davis
With the exception of few years in
Newport during her early married life
Mrs. Weymouth had resided in Canaan
until she came to Skowhegan to live
with her daughter, in her early wild
owhood. In her religious views she
was a uniVersalist but was a member
of no church or other organization,
saying that she belonged to her home
She was the mother of five children,
George Weymouth of Bangor, Mrs. C.
d. Eaton, already referred to, Horace
Weymouth of Fairfield, and Henrietta
and Elmer Eugene, who died in child
hood. During the months of her long
illness she has been devotedly cared
for by her daughter who has remained
with her night and day since her con-
dition became more critical. Funeral
services will be held today from the
Eaton home and the remains will be
inferred in the family burial lot at
Canaan.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
Fire at Hotel Oxford

After going to press last Wednes-
day night an alarm from Box "a was
rung in and Hotel Oxford, now own
ed by S. Russakoff and DR.. A. b.
Borden, was found to be on fire. JOS
eph Hanson, proprietor of the Oxford
smelled smoke in the hotel corridor
as he was coming from the dining
room. Almost at the same minute
the alarm was rung in by someone
who had detected the fire from the
outside. The flames had their origin
in the rear, apparently in the part
of the building occupied on the first
floor by the Mallios Clothing Co. Mr.
Mallios was in Lisbon Falls at the
time where he operates another store
and Peter Jravas was in charge of
the store in the Oxford building. Mr.
Mallios is reported as having stock
valued at $4,000 with an insurance
of $4,000 Atkinson's Domestic Bak-
cry. another tenant on the first floor,
suffered badly from smoke and water
but is believed to be practically COW
cred by insurance. This bakery will
be re-opened as soon as possible.
There was little damage in the hotel
aside from smoke and the hosiery
has been operating as usual.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
The Late Mrs. Pamela A. Lawley

Funeral services for the late Mrs.
Pamela Ann Lawley, who died Sat
urday were held Tuesday afternoon
from her late residence on Dinsmore
street, Rev. George Loring Thurlow
of the Federated Church officiating
Rebekah ceremonies were also con-
Quoted and burial was at Southside
Cemetery. Mrs. Lawley had been i'll
three weeks from the effects of a
paralytic shock. She was a native
of Canaan. having been the daughter
of Ira and Abbie Morrow. She was
seVenty-three last July. The deceas-
ed was the widow of Thomas W.
Lawley for many years clerk at Hotel
Coburn. He died June II, 1917. Mrs.
Lawley was the mother of six child
rem. Mrs ID. b. Bearce who has lived
at home for the last few years. Fred
r. and Joseph f. Lawley who are as
ISOLATED together In the market bust
ness in Merose, Mass, DR.. Brace /.
Lawley, a physician in Arlington,
Mass, Carl, who died at the age of
seven years and Mrs. Bessie Maxim
who died several years ago in Massa-
chusetts. There are three grand
children, Martha and Thomas b. Law
ley of Arlington, Mass, and Wallace
l.. Maxim. son of the youngest daugh-
ter, who has been cared for by the de-
ceased and Mrs. Bearce. Mrs. Law
ley was a charter member of Priscilla
Rebekah Lodge and a Past Noble
Grand. She was also a member of
the Pioneer Past Noble Grands' AS
ISOLATION and had served as its presi-
dent She attended the Congrega-
tional Church and had a large circle
of friends in SkoMhegan Beside
the relatives already mentioned there
is one sister, Mrs. Rita White of
Pittsfeld.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
Sknlullrgatt Tnfal Nrlua

Mrs. Florence Waugh Danforth Is
to be the guest of the Federated
Clubs of Guilford at an organ recital
Thursday evening of next week.
Alpheus Mason of Canaan was in
town yesterday leaving here for Bos-
ton, where he will join Mrs. Mason,
who has been spending some time in
that section.
Mrs. Louise V. Furbush left yester-
day morning for Portland to accom-
pany her mother Mrs. John McLane of
West Athens to that city for treatment
for her eyes.
Funeral services for the late Mrs.
Elsie j. Weymouth will be held this
forenoon at 1890 from the residence
of her daughter, Mrs. Calvin d. Eaton,
81 Middle street. Rev. George Lor-
ing Thurlow of the Federated Church
will offieiate.
Gov. Baxter and his secretary G. r.
Chadbourne while in this section,
Tuesday paid a visit to the State Re-
formatory for Women and spoke in
very complimentary terms of the
changes in the buildings and grounds
of the institution since their previous
visit.
The marriage of Earl Edward Bick-
ford of Waterville, son of Owen Bick-
ford OF Wellington and Mrs. Nettie
Edna Adams Of Skowhegan, daughter
of the late S. NJ. Adams and Mrs. Clara
Adams of Madison, occurred Saturday
at 8 p. m. The ceremony was
performed by Rev. George Merriam,
pastor of the Bethany Baptist church
at the parsonage. They were accom-
panied by Harold Rogers and Miss
Mary L. Withee. The groom is a
railroad trainman. Mrs. Bickford will
remain in Skowhegan for the present
as Mr.. Bickford has irregular routes
in his train service.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
Card of Thanks

We wish to thank our neishbors
and friends for the kindness and sym
patty shown us in the loss OF our dear
one; also for the beautiful flowers.
Mrs Lillian f. Holt
Miss Doris NJ. Holt
Hartland, Oct. II, 1929
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-11
SMITHFIELD

J. Il. Littlefold and wife. George
PRATT, Flace Mace and ". G. Freddy
returned from trip to owls head.
K. D. Groves is finishing his new
house.
Clyde Smith and friends are stop
ping at the R. D. Groves cottage.
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07
AUNT VEGETABLES PRESENT

Aunt Mehitable had a powerful and
active imagination that often kept her
awake. She was ever creating diff
culties by imagining them and making
things crooked by trying to straighten
them out. Hiram" said she, 81
can't think what has got into George ;
1 didn't like the way he looked at us
this morning."
probably he was thinking of some
body else" answered her brother.
George" began his aunt the next
day, what was the matter with you
yesterday morning, you looked sourer
n pickles"
"NOthin' was the matter with me-"
said the boy, 81 was puzzlin' over your
Christmas present" Then he added,
"Since you're so mighty suspicious, l
guess I'll give it up" But remember
ing her goodness of heart, George re
Tented and, when the day that shines
away all unpleasantness came round,
Aunt Mehitable had a new nightcap!
C. G. Hazard.
%. 1928, Western Newspaper Union)
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07

T@lACOB SCRIM was accounted a
G prosperous man. Early In life
he had adopted a motto of get.
kS there-atiVeness that had an
parently served him we'll He
could survey premises that yielded
good rentals to him, mortgages that
were a first claim upon good farms.
stocks and bonds that were called gilt.
edged. Sitting in his dingy Office he
did not appear to have any very exact.
ing business. but his clients found that
there was plenty of eXaction before
they were done with him. It was q
favOrite amusement with him during
the intervals Of occupation to go over
his books, glOat over his securities.
and refinger a stock Of gold that he
kept to assure himself Of the reality
of his power and the possibilities of
his life. should he ever care to use
them. This glittering Illusion he
strangely kept in an old stocking, hard
by another in the massive safe, the
second containing a collection Of
gems that he lived to handle without
letting any of them slip through his
fingers.
He was thus amusing himself one
Christmas Eve, all unconscious Of the
radiOed and radiant hopes and put-
poses that filled the atmosphere out
side and ever surged through his room
in which he sat, and all unable to tune
in with any of them. when he seemed
to see upon the wall a handwriting
and to hear voice that interpreted it
to him. saying: "Oh poor dupe of
falsityl When will you hang up a
stocking emptied by benevolence and
make an investment in real happiness?
When will you serve love, that it may
present you with his best gifts? Are
there none who need but cannot have
In this great city? Are there no hope
full children who will creep down to
on Christmas morning?
Power Of light and heat. of truth and
love, of purest happiness is in these
Daubles that you handle, but your
heart is shriveled up into nothing
ness. You have lost your income and
must leave your principal. Come with
me-"
Was 1t dream? Who can say2 But
hey found him there the next morning,
'Old with a new GOODNESS and grasping
With a futile hand the full stocking
hat was so empty I-ChristOpher G.
Hazard.
20. 1928. Western Newspaper Union.)
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07
Christmas kilograms,
Add Yuletide Cheer

TlE WAS always busy, always
h rushing, always hurrying. He
~ always had so many things to
NSsl attend to and so many people
were constantly pressing it
upon his time with this demand, with
that, which required attention.
He wished he could see more Of his
friends His frieds wished they could
see more Of him. He was the sort they
would like to see more Of and at
times they were a little annoyed that
he was so busy.
He was buster than was really
normal. They said he had no time for
the pleasant things of life and that
he could neither enjoy things himself
nor could he be enjoyed because he
was always having so much to do.
But he took time for one thing. He
never failed to take time for it.
Every Christmas he sent all his
friends beautiful Christmas kilograms
Of cheer. He thought of them and
he remembered them and every Christ
mas morning as his friends opened
their gay Christmas kilograms they
would say:
HE always finds time to think of
me on Christmas morning, anyway +!
What a pleasure this is !''-Mary Ora
lam Bonner.
%. 1928. Western Newspaper Union.)
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07

A CHRISTMAS THOUGHT

The greater happiness of the Christ
mas season is a direct result of the
greater participation of men and wO-
men in the spirit of Christ. For then
weakness has a power over strength /;
and then the laughter in the eyes of
little children seems a better thing
than our own good; and then the tired
routine in the lives of those around us
looks out upon US through enigmatic
eyes, and we understand better, we
pity, we cease to cOndemn-we would
even ameliorate, we would show that
we see and Understandable so we
offer the dumb gift which mutely tells
what our words could never tell; and
then in our hearts, In our households,
in our little world, there is Christmas
joy and peace-earth's highest happi-
ness.-Sister NJ. Fides Shepperson in
Pittsburgh Dispatch.
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07

If you must have the whole truth,
there really was no Christmas in the
very early Colonial Days,-at least
among the Puritans. And when you
go back to the history of those days
and of those exceedingly brave old
fellows that built the town of Ply
mouth you can understand how there
would be a strong feeling against
Christmas.
Time was then reckoned according
to the old style. So that January End
was December 25th to the Colonists.
That particular day found them busy
constructing their first buildings and
having to guard against Indians, as
well.
Bradford's note in his famous LOG
Book" records the first Christmas Day
as follows:
'"The day cal'd Christmas Day, ye
Gov calf them out to worke (as was
used) but We moste of this new COM
pany excused themselves, and saide
vt went against their consciences to
work on vt Day. So We Gov, tould
them that if they made it mater Of
conscience he could spare them till
they were better informed. So he led
away ye rest and left them; but when
they came home at noon from their
work he found them in We street at
play openly, some pitching ye bar,
and some at stool ball and such like
sports. So he went to them and took
away their implements and tould
them it was against his conscience
that they should play and others
work" (Stool ball was game where
balls are driven from stool to stool)
There is another brief note con-
corning the first Christmas among the
Puritans. Twenty men were left on
shore as guard and the rest returned
to the ship, the celebrated Mayhower.
Jones the Captain, had his mind on
the return voyage and the necessary |
supplies for it. That very morning
he had refused to give out beer, lest
the supply should not last. Beer took
the place Of tea, coffee, milk or choc-
olate to the Puritans and meant much |
to them. However, the captain re-
Tented at night and as Bradford and
his men were resting about the fire ]
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07

gayly from house to house. Substah-
tial food was served with wine, bowls
of milk punch, pitchers Of eggnogg.
Cakes, special New Years cakes We're
baked and delivered by the bakers ap-
prentice singing a carol.
Washington Irving gives us a faint
idea of an old Dutch tea party, such
as might have happened at New YeaPs
in his History of New York. "The
company assembled at three and webt
away at six, The tea table w Is
crowned by a huge earthen dish well
stored with slices of fat pork, fri4
brown, cut up into morsels and swirl l.
ming in gravy.-Sometimes the table
was graced with immense apple pies,
but it was always sure to boast an
immense dish of balls of sweetened
dough, fried in hogs fat and called
dough nuts, or oily koeks.
"The tea was served out Of a ma
jestic Delft tea pot, ornamented with
paintings of fat little Dutch sheI,-
herds and shepherdesses tending pigs.
To sweeten the beverage a lump Of
sugar was laid beside the cup and the
company alternately nibbled and SIP
ped with great decorum until an ind
provement was introduced by a shrewh
and economic old lady which was To
suspend a large lump directly over
the tea table, by a string from the
ceiling so that it could be swung from
mouth to mouth, an ingenious expedi-
ent which is still kept up by some
families in Albany"
We think Mr.. Irving grew a Bit
satiricaI toward the end, but then he
was apt to do that.
The general observance of New
Years Day was celebrated in endless !
reams of poetry printed in the news.
papers and delivered by carrier. The
following sample continued on in
definitely and may as well concludh |
our story:
"The day devoted is to Mirth
And now around the social hearth
unlocks her genial sprin
And Harmony her Tyre now strings
While Plenty spreads her copiou;
hoard
And piles and crowns the festive
board"
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07

in the cabin he gave out beer in
abundance, in remembrance of the
festivities at home. The poor Pill
grims were still confined to the ships
provisions, and so continued until
summer, when their crops came in.
A year later when seven houses and
four public building stood in the lit
tie town Of Plymouth, their crops were
in, furs and lumber were stored for
export to England, peace treaty had
been signed with the Indians, there
came a season of great rejoicing. 1t
was then that Thanksgiving was in
stituted. For two centuries its cele-
bration was confined to New England,
then later the day became general, 20
be observed by our entire country.
The Pilgrims felt that the observ-
ance of Christmas was anti-Christ,-
the day having been selected by the
Pope. In addition, in England there
was on that day much license and ex-
cess which was another reason for
opposing the celebration of that spe-
cial day. For at least fifty years the
Pilgrims used to display great sim
plicity on that day to show them COM
plete disregard for it.
In1659 Massachusetts Bay made a
law forbidding the celebration of
Christmas under penalty of five shill-
ings. Plymouth, however, never had
such a law. Gradually the prejudice
melted away and Christmas came to
be celebrated everywhere.
In old New York, New Amsterdam
then, the celebration of New Years
Day was similar to our present cele-
bration of Christmas. Since the time
of Stuyvesant, the Dutch and English
observed New Years Day by ex-
changing presents, receiving calls and
with much noise, some what like our
old noisy Fourth of July" The young
men went from house to house firing
guns as salutes, until a crowd had
collected at some outlying home or
farm and all would fire at a mark
This noisy activity was prohibited by |
statute later on, on account of the
done.
Stage coaches with four or six
horses) all piled full of people visited
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07

only saving, but investing. Every gooo
gift is permanent gain to the giver ;
it is better than a bank book carrying
the same amount, for a gift is more
truly a saving than credit account on
bank ledger. If you want to save
your money, give it away-wisely.
Does that sound unreasonable? Re
member, it is more blessed to give
than receive.-F. H. Sweet.
20. 1928 Western Newspaper Union.)
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07
Story of a Stocking
That Was So Empt ,

1ACOB SCRIM was accounted a
prosperous man. Early in life
he had adopted a motto of get.
- there-ativeness that had ap.
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07
A PRESENT FOR KITTY

"Pd like to give my kitty a RADIO"
declared small Lucy.
"What fOr?" inquired her father.
$50 she can enjoy all the cat-con
certs over the worldp- n. B
Thomas.
20. 1898. Western Newspaper UnBon.l
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07
REAL SPIRIT

0F THE real spirit of Christ
mas is within us we will,
indeed, find that it is more
blessed to give than to receive,
and we will give out of the full
ness of our hearts and because
of the joy that giving brings us.
instead of from any other mo-
tive. So to get the real joy of
giving and to receive the rich
ness of the Christmas spirit in
fullest measure, give because
your heart prompts you to and
forget all else.-Katherine Edel-
man.
20. 1928. Western Newspaper Union.)
.@AsAsAsAA-sAsAs
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07
THE GENUINE SPIRIT

The genuine holiday spirit consists
not only in wishing merry Christ
mas, but in making one.
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07
ALWAYS SOMEONE THERE

When a man tries to sneak a few
gifts into the house it seems that the
family is always congregated arount
the front door.
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07
THOSE SLIPPERS

Grandfather is pretty sure 1t will
be pair of slippers. All that remains
to be decided is how many pairs.
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07
''It Is More Blessed to
Give Than Receive

T~lHIS has nothing to do with
Ia = banks or savings accounts; but
more money is saved Mt Christ
SS mas time than any other time
of the year. Yes, saved. That
may sound absurd to a lot Of people
who have spent all their money buying
presents for their families and friends
and neighbors, but it is true just the
same. How? Why, because giving
is the finest sort Of saving, and not
Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-07
THE KINDLY STAR

"a HE little boy was afraid of
the dark, but, as he looked
out through the low window,
upon the panes of which Mr..
Frost was making his pictures,
he saw a bright star that was
winking at him with a most
friendly and assuring light. It
shone through his tears and
seemed to say that 1t would
watch over his sleep So he shut
his eyes. and, stilling his sobs,
the better to hear the carol sing
ers across the street, was safely
away to slumber and a dream.
The dream lady looked like his
mother. all dressed in a robe that
glistened and sparkled like snow,
and she was bringing him the
hope Of his heart, the sled that
was to take him so delightfully."-
down the hill. And when he
woke so early on Christmas
morning he found that his dream
had come true!-Christopher G.
Hazard.
20, 1923. Western Newspaper Union.)
6s1sfs1Ns,sSs1sI ;slsfS,s
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-21
TO CLEAR HEAD
AND CLEAN LIVER
TAKE A CAlOTAB
The Purified and Refined
Calomel Tablet That Is
Free From Nausea and
Danger.

Many sufferers from Piles or Hem
orrhoids have become respondent be-
cause they have been led to believe
that their case was hopeless and that
there was nothing in the world to help
them.
To these people we say, go to
your druggist and. get an original box
of MOAVA SUPPOSITORIES."
One of these inserted into the rectum
according TO directions will be found
to give immediate relief. They reach
the source of the trouble and by their
soothing, healing, antiseptic action
first allays the pain and soreness and
then by direct contact with the ul-
GERS and piles cause them to heal up
and disappear forever.
It's simply wonderful how speedily
they act. Blessed relief often comes
in two days. Even in cases that have
steadily resisted all known treat
ments, marvellous results have been
obtained. MOAVA is one of the won
.derful discoveries Of recent years and
any sufferer from Piles or Hemor-
rhoids who is disappointed with its
use can have their money refunded.
Sommers' drug stores will supply you.
Mail orders accepted. 80 ~t
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-21
WILL VISIT CITY
New President Of Better Business Or.
ganization Coming Here.

Kansas City, Mo-, Sept. 2f.-ken-
meth Barnard, New York, was elected
president of the National Better Bust
ness Commission at the conclusion of
the convention of Better Business Blu
reau here.
Mr.. Barnard is director OF the Vigil
ance Committee of the Associated Ar
vertising Clubs of the World.
George NJ. Musser, Kansas City
secretary and manager of the Bet.
ter Business Bureau here, was elected
vice president.
William p. Green, New York, asso-
ciate director of the National Vigil
ance Committee and retiring president
of the national commission, was elect
ed secretary-treasurer.
Mr.. Barnard announced he would
go from here to Denver. where he
would establish a new bureau. -.
He said he would open additional
bureaus at Oklahoma City and Tulsa
and visit the~bureaus at San Antonio
and Houston.
He asserted that bureaus have been
established in 40 Of the larger cities
The new board of governors will
have its first meeting in Indianapolis
early in November.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-21

or persons with shady pasts. Mem
bership in the movement is regarded
by the community as shameful.
'rThe Rhineland and Ruhr popula'
tons, though eager to end the Ruhr
struggle as quickly as possible. insist
on two essential points before they are
willing to yield: First, they demand
the return to their homes of imprisoned
and exiled residents; second, they in
sist upon the return of the railroads to
German hands.
1--WE know the coming peace will be
hard for Germany, but Premier Poin-
care can have peace Immediately If he
will agree to accommodation on these
and few other minor points"