The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-05-03


Trolley service on the Somerset
Traction lines has been greatly re-
duced because of lack of power.
MOOSEHEAD LAKE GATES STAY
CLOSED
The report that the Moosehead Lake
gates had been opened was entirely
without foundation, as the lake was
not half filled to It's storage capacity.
ABLE TO CATCH FISH IN HANDS
A rather unique condition result
ing from the freshet was that suckers
and other fish which ordinarily come
I'D the river at this season were
thrown off their usual routes of
travel by the swift current. In
places they sought shelter in the
coves in such numbers that persons
were able to wade in and gather them
up with their hands.
MOXIE DAM PARTIALLY WASHED
7 OUT
A part of the Moxie, dam was APP
parently washed out according to re-
ports which are believed to have been
received correctly here. This dam
was built of logs and was ownd by
the Great Northern Paper Co and
used for the purpose of holding tim
Der in the lakes. 1t was much in
need of repair.
1t is probable that $i,000,000 dam
age will result along the Kennebec
River alone and ii Is estimated that
10000 working people have been
forced into idleness as a result of
the freshet.
MALBoNS MILLS
The bridge at Malbons Mills was
entirely surrounded by water and by
night on Sunday both branches of the
Wesserunsett were running wild over
the meadows and lowlands. Water
about two feet deep was running
across the road near the Earle place
and did not subside until Monday
night. Tuesday the water had fall
en- off about two feet. No particular
damage was reported from this sec
ton. The school did not keep on
Monday owing to tho high water.
Some of the scholars and the teacher
could not get there.
10000 FEET OF LOGS CARRIED
AWAY AT NORTH ANSON
High water in the Carrabassett Riv-
er carried away 10000 feet of logs be-
longing to the North Anson Manufact-
uring Co. The high water mark of
the Kennebee surrounded the Smith
and Hunnewell houses on the Madison
road and compelled the removal of
several families on Madison avenue.
At Horace Smiths on the Madison
road, boats lad to be used to get
across the street. On the New Port
land road. at Mr.. Aliens the water
was across the road SO II was i'm
passable. Down on the Flat this
side of Patterson bridge, the place Is
flooded and looks like a big lake. 1t
is reported there are three feet of
water in the Briggs barn. Every
home on the flat is flooded and some
of the families have come to higher
ground Cattle, poultry, hens and
pigs had to be moved. Furniture,
rugs, carpets, etc. in the homes were
carried upstairs. One piano is mount
ed on barrels 1t is an odd sight,
boats riding up to the door and taxi
| ing the children to boat ride in their
own door yards. AS you look on
you are reminded of Venice. Just
/ how much damage is done cannot be
estimated at this writing.
STORY OF THE GREAT APRIL
FRESHET AT BINGHAM
All day Friday the 9th, the ap-
preaching storm threw out its advance
! guard of high marestail haze from the
west This grew denser with bright
"sun-dog" to the north of the dimly
seen sun as 1t sank in the west Sat
urday, storm clouds gathered from the
south and at noon the rain began to
fall, gently at first. but rapidly in
creasing At five O'Clock it was fall
ing In torrents and this kept up all
night, driven by the wind up the val
| ley in sheets of water. AT seven
o'clock Sunday morning two and one
half inches of rain had fallen. The
water in Austin stream had reached
/ freshet pitch, and was gulling about
/ the west end of the mill dam of w.
f. and T.. e. Andrews.
| Still the water rose and nearly two
! thirds of the dam went out. At five
y. m. the Austin was the highest ever
| known, having oVerspread the fiat
| beyond the iron bridge. In several
places streams of water ran across
the road which had been recently
raised four feet. No rain fell Sun
day afternoon but at night 1t commen-
ced again and poured all night long,
adding one and six tenths inches more
to the rainfall. total of four and
one tenths inches. This in addition
to the MELTING snow sent the old Ken
nebec river up to freshet pitch on
Monday. a little higher than at the
time of the Pumpkin Freshet of Oct.
4. 1868. The Andrews dam will not
be rebuilt.
PEOPLE VACATE HOUSES AT NOR
| RIDGEWOCk
1923 will no doubt 20 down in his
tory as a record year in more things
than one as far as weather. snow. ice,
cold and water are concerned. Dur
ing the winter we have had deeper
4 snow, colder weather at times and
warmer weather at other times than
! was ever known, thicker ice and