Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-24

According to hunters ana others,
who have visited the woodland this
month, many birds have died of
starvation, and number Of deer
have died for want of food, or been
chased and killed or wounded by
dogs. 1t has been the hardest winter
for animals in half a century.
Although there are from five to six
feet of snow on the level in Patten
region and the thermometers hasn't
been above zero at sunrise since
sometime last fall. what is consider
ed a sure sign of approaching spring
is the first bear hunt of the year.
Three days ago hunters came upon
the tracks of u big bear. which. had
emerged from his den on the side of
Mount Chase, although the mercury
was still from five to 10 below.
There We're 165 deaths in Portland,
in February. according to tabulation
of vital statistics in the city clerks
office. This is double the January
total. So, and 40 more than in February
OF last year Severely cold weather is
regarded a factor in this exception
ally heavy toll. There were 53 mar
riage intentions. six less than in Jam
uary and six more than in February
of last year. Births We're 1873 and in
January there were ia while in Feb
ruary last year, there were AS.
Two years ago when the State
board of assessors established valu-
ations for Bath and the towns of
Sagadahoc, upon which to determine
the State and county tax Bath was at
the last end of her war time pros
perty and. the polls and valuations
were way up. The figures just re-
ceived here, upon which to base the
tax for the next two years shows a
marked decrease. There is a drop
ping off Of Lose polls and drop in
estate values of S1,60S,1SS. due to the
cessation of shipbuilding almost en-
tirely.
Nothing is known in Biddeford and
Saco, about a proposed increase in
wages in the Pepperell mills in Bid
deford and the York mills in Saco.
While Boston newspaper dispatches,
Wednesday. limited at a wage adj
NdIlC0 Ill tile NEW IIllSlfIlu IllllSs anu
a story was circulated that the wages
Of the thousands of textile opera
tives would be raised twelve and one
half per cent. nothing was known at
the counting room about any in
crease. Agent Ernest l.. Morrill, Of
the Peppevell Company is in the
South but it is expected that he will
return shortly.
Mrs. Cynthia Smith. who died at
the home of S. T. Goodrich, Bingham.
recently, at the age of 81 had the dis
tinction of being the oldest Rebekah
in the United States. Mrs. Smith re-
tanned her faculties to a remarkable
degree until a few months ago. For
three years in succession she had
been awarded the silver cup at the
Waterville fair, for being the oldest
woman present. A year ago last fall
she was given in addition IS gold
piece for being the most active wo-
man there. AT the funeral. which was
held at the Congregational church
members of Centennial Rebekah
lodge and of the Eastern Star, at
tended the services.
A municipal judge at the age Of o6
years, Oscar L. Whalen has vet to
try his first legal case. Judge Whal-
en- was recently nominated by Gov,
ernor Percival Baxter, shortly after
he had passed the required examina-
tons in Massachusetts and Maine al
lowing him to practice law. He was
admitted to the Washington county
bar last January and early this month
opened his new law offices in East.