davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
VICIOUS REPORTS
ABOUT DEPUTY
Sheriff Mooers Says are
Entirely Groundless
Proposes for Persons Responsible for
the Story to be Brought Before
the Grand Jury

In an interview with Sheriff Mooers
yesterday morning 1t was pointed out
to him that reports were in circula-
ton concerning Deputy Sheriff H. E.
Crocker of Canaan, to the effect that
he was in Jail on charge of liquor
selling and driving an auto while
under the influence of liquor. The
sheriff made this statement:
"The reports are absolutely false
and groundless. and are also absurd
I have ascertained who is responsible
for the circulating of this story and
| propose for those persons and also
others who are spreading similar
stories to come before our Grand Jury
next month and substantiate their
talk or take the consequences. 1t
appears to me like propaganda set
in motion to discredit a deputy, who
has been fearless and untiring in his
efforts to uphold the prohibitory law
in Somerset County and through
whose activity and perseverance
much liquor has been seized with con-
victions following in every part of
the county. My men are all working
together for the upholding of our laws
and the public will not be mislead
by this, especially when in the near
future | expect to show who is the
true fountain head of this vicious
calumny."
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
$1,000 IN COUNTY TREA-
SURy...b|LLS PAID
County Commissioners In Session
Tuesday Last at the Somerset
Court House

County Commissioners Henry Crow
ell of Skowhegan, II. l.. Goodrich of
Palmyra and S. J. Whitney of Bing-
ham, were in session Tuesday at the
Court House attending to usual rou-
tine business and settling up with
the road agents of the county. Among
the agents who appeared before the
board were Earl Taylor of Bingham
agent for The Forks, West Forks and
Moxie Gore, Charles Rollins. agent
for Pleasant Ridge and Andrew Hol-
den of Jackman, road agent for Den
istown, Bald Mountain and Sandy Bay
The monthly statement of County
Treasurer John H. Lancaster showed
that on December J., there was a
cash ON hand of about 81 200 with
all bills paid to that date.
The commissioners went yesterday
to investigate the conditions of Tuttle
Bridge and the road leading thereto
over Ham Hill in Hartland. This
was the old road from Hartland tc
Harmony village. A petition had
been received at a previous meeting
relative to the discontinuance of the
same.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
HAPPENINGS At THE
HIGH SCHOOL
Interesting Items Which Tell OF the
Happings Among the Students

At a recent assembly of the school
Principal Foster introduced Mr.. Verge
composer of songs. Mr.. Verge
gave a very entertaining concert con-
sisting of his own compositions. AS
a final song he sang a fox trot I'm
Fine and Dandy" which proved to be
the most popular of all.
A week ago last Tuesday there was
a meeting of the Lever" Board In
order to elect new assistant man
ager, because the former one had re-
signed. Joseph Cayouette was elect
ed to this office.
Last Thursday the morning session
closed ten minutes early in order
that the teachers might explain to
the pupils the purpose of Tag Day
1t was found that the basketball sea-
son would only be run half through
with the present funds in the S. II
S. athletic association. So it was
thought that the best way to raise
money was to sell tags. AS a. result
each pupil was given six tags oil
more to sell at ten cents or more
A report Friday noon showed that al
least half Of them had been sold. i
this goes through, as it is now, S. H
S. will have plenty of money to use
in athletics.
At recent assembly Richard
Laney, resigned as manager of thu
baseball team of 1924. 1t seems tina
he had been elected captain anC
manager. william Cole was elected
in his place.
School debating has just started fol
1923-1924. This year SkowhegaI
high school Is member of both thu
Bates league and the Bowdoin. Pre-
liminary debates have been held ant
now the real debating is under way
With such good showing as S. H.
had last year, a successful year il
assured now.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
Sk0whegan 1S23-1923

A delightful meeting of the Skow-
hegan Woman's Club was held yester.
day afternoon in the parlors of the
Public Library. 1t was Centennia'
program the subject being, "Skow-
hegan 1S23-1923" Miss Louise II
Coburn presented a very interesting
paper on the "Incomings and Outgo-
ings of Skowhegan.' This was large
ly an historical number and dealt
particularly with the movements OF
the towns population. Mrs. Elise
Fellows White presented a carefully
compiled paper on "nhe Music OF
Skowhegan" and several music num-
bers fitted admirably into this paper
One of these was Mrs. Whites own
Spring Song" sung by Mrs. Pearl B
Pomerleau, with violin obligato by
Miss Elizabeth Russakoff and piano
accomplishment by Mrs. Mary E
Marston. Mrs. Pomerleau also sang
Bitter Sweet" the music of which
IT'LL We Meet Dear Love-" the words
of which were composed by the late
Lillian Clayton Smith and the music
by Harry A. Dinsmore. Miss Doro-
thy Marston Nye played several OF
her own compositions. entitled "Over
the Rocks "The Elfin Dance and
a song, Dreaming by the Fire the
words of which were sung by Mrs
Pomerleau Mrs Della l.. Bartlett
read "Skowhegan, the Place of Watch
by the late Elizabeth Powers Merrill
ed another of her original compost
tions "Braziso". Hostesses for this
delightful meeting were Mrs Deborah
T. Fellows. one of the charter mem
bers and founders of the club, Mrs.
Margaret K. Goodrich and Mrs.
May Butler
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
Skowhegan Review Elects Officers

Skowhegan Review, No. 26 Woman's
Benefit Association of the Maccabees
held its regular meeting last Mon
day evening, December 10th, in G.
A. r. hall at which the customary
annual election of officers took
place. Due to the illness of Com
mender, Mrs. Lulu T. Roberts, su-
pervising state commander, held the
chair. There were several initia-
tions and applications for member
ship. The floor work was very nice
ly conducted being assisted by several
members from the Waterville Re-
view. officers were elected and
obligated as follows: Commander,
Maude Corson; lieutenant eomman-
der, Alice Perry; past commander,
Ida Guilfoyle; record keeper, c.
Louise Gordon; collector. Florence
Cowett. lady-at-arms. Alice Cowett
seargent, Florence Frost; sentinel
Mrs. n. E. Gordon; color bearer No
1, Mary Lessor; color bearer No. 2,
Ora Burke; musician, c. Louise Cor
don; chaplain. Phoebe Goulette.
After the meeting an oyster stew
supper followed by social hour of
dancing, etc, was enjoyed by all.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
ANOTHER new COTTAGE
FOR GOOD WILL
DIR. G. G.. Ayerill Has Just Given the
Association Check for
$4,000

Several years ago the Good Will
Home Association received $4,000 to
build an additional cottage at Good
Will. This new home for boys was
to I've known as Reyes Cottage, in
memory of NJ. L. keyes of Fairfield,
founder of the Keyes Fibre Co. The
war came on the cost of labor and
material increased rapidly and, altho
ground had been formally broken. ac-
cording TO the custom at Good Will,
it was impossible to build. The Good
Will Home Association has just re-
ceiyed check for SO 1000 from DR..
G. G. Averill OF Waterville, to be
added to the original keyes Cottage
Fund. DR.. Ayerill had twice made
substantial additions to the fund and
this generous sum just added makes
the building and furnishing of the
new home next summer an assured
fact. keyes Cottage will be the
fourteenth home 10 be opened by the
Good VIII Home Association, eleven
for boys ana three, on separate
farm. for girls The last one built.
lust before the war. was the Reding-
ton-Gilman. built and endowed by
Mrs. Caroline G. Redington of Show
hogan in memory OF her parents.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
Funeral of Mrs. w. o. Paul Tomorrow

Funeral services for the late Mrs.
Lavina Mcintyre Paul, wife of W. o.
Paul, will be held tomorrow (Friday)
forenoon at 10 am from the family
residence in South Solon. Rev. T.
B. HIATT of Island Falls will officiate
and the interment will be in the
Southside Cemetery here. Mrs. Paul
was taken i'll about three weeks be-
fore her death, which occurred Tues
day, at the home of her son, Ernest
L. Paul in Solon Village, where she
was visiting. Her malady was sep
tic pneumonia.
The. deceased was born October 30,
1856 in Bingham and was married
December 4, 1875. Her parents were
Heman and Basha (Langley) McIn-
tire. Beside the son, where her
death occurred there are another son
and a daughter, twins, Bert and Miss
Bertha Paul. The daughter is well
known as successful school teacher
and is prominent in agricultural club
activities.
1t would be gratifying to the fam
lily If the East Madison Grange, OF
which the deceased was member,
would attend the obsequies in body.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
JOHNSON CAMPS SOLD
TO MRS. SPRAGUE MACE
Plan iOr Rebuilding and Enlarglng
the OUTFIT Another Season

Through the courtesy of Irwin B
Looms Of Pleasant Pond we learn
that Mrs Sprague II. Mace, his sister
has just bought of Wallace johnson
the five camps which have been
known as the Johnson camps. locat-
ed on the northerly shore OF Pleasant
Pond. The main camp was original
ly built by Louis Williams now OF
Caratunk. about 40 years ago.
This is at present used as living
room and dining hall. There are
four sleeping rooms which have been
added since Mr.. Williams ownership.
Mr. Johnson above mentioned bought
the camps of Albert Poolcr. Mr.. and
Mrs. Mace have been operating these
camps under lease with option of buy
ing for two seasons, They have
plans for rebuilding and enlargement
of this outfit another season, which
will be later announced.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
ST. LEDGER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
WILL MOVE TO FORMER SPINNING MILL
Wood Working Business Developed to such an
Extent That Larger Quarters Are Necessary

ture is only part Of the business
carried on by the St. Ledger Manu-
featuring Company. They produce
also picker sticks and Ing sticks and
4 large amount Of interior finish.
sheathing. molding and building ma
terial. They have bought locally
over $4,000 worth of lumber during
the past year. For one and one-half
years their works have been in the
brick building ON the river bank.
reached by a driveway between Hotel
oxford and the AIilburn Block. The
Oriental Rug Works are in the upper
portion of the same structure. The
wood working business has develop
ed TO such an extent as to make larg
er quarters necessary. The new
home of the St. Ledger concern was
formerly the Abbott and Robinson
mills and was once the home OF the
Marston Worsted Mills and later of
the Maine Spinning Company. The
buildings took their name from the
Robinson family Samuel and
Charles) and from William Abbott,
these men long years ago having con-
Quoted woodworking establishments
there. William Abbott is the man
for whom Charles E. Young first went
to work when he. about 30 years
Of age. drove down with his father
from Smithfeld 10 find employment.
about 50 years ago.
Michael St. Ledger is president and
treasurer of the St. Ledger Manufac-
turing Company; E T Goodrich is
secretary and G. II. Smith is a mem
Der of the board of directors.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
WILL Of GEO, WEEKS
PRESENTED FOR PROBATE
Regular December Term Of Probate
Court In Session this Week at
Court House

The December term of Probate
Court has been in session this week
at the Court House with Judge c. O..
Small presiding. Routine business
was attended to and several wills
were presented for probate. In
cluded was the will of the late George
G, Weeks of Fairfield, prominent
member of the Somerset County B/r.
He left his property to his wife,
Lottie Weeks. whom he named as
executrix. This will was made in
1900. According to the estimate of
the appraisers, Mr.. Weeks property
was valued at 100000.
ID. G. Jewett late of Skowhegan be-
queathed his estate to his wife, Louise
V. Jewett. His property estimate
was $4,000. Mr., Jewett signed his
will on April 6, 1922. Mrs. Jewett
is named as executrix.
BY the will of the late Edward
w. Gilmore of St Albans, Mrs. Gill
more is to inherit the property and
at her decease the same will go to
a son, Almon L. Gilmore. Mrs. Gil
more was named as executrix and
she was directed IN the document to
pay to a son, Charles f.. Gilmore, ten
dollars in cash as his share of the
estate The entire property was es-
timated at $4,000.
Another will presented for probate
was that of VIM Benoit, late of jack
man. He directed that his executors
pay to Henry p. Quirrion of Jackman
as trustee for his son, Leo Benoit OF
Jackman, the sum of $4 per week
until he LEO BenoiD attains the age
of Is years. The estate is to be
divided equally between the son and
the two daughters of the deceased
Pauline and Hannah Benoit. The
two daughters are named as execu-
trices and Henry p. Quirrion, is
named as guardian of Leo Benoit
Property holdings are estimated at
$4,000.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
EIR1LAND ACADEMY At HARTLAND WILL
| Be REBUILT ANOTHER SPRING
sucture Erected 67 Years Ago Destroyed by
lire Most Of Equipment Gone $25000 Loss.

1y serious for residents of Hartland.
The school, has been greatly improved
in recent years and many creditable
comments have been heard relative to
the present corps of teachers includ-
ing Prin. E. B. Biggers. The build
ing was one of the historic ones of
the county, being two stories, with
commodious attic quarters which were
at one time occupied by the Masonic
Fraternity. Surmounting the struc-
ture was an old fashioned belfrey.
The history of Hartland Academy
dates back about one hundred years.
An act of the Legislature on Febru-
airy II, 1882, gave st. Adams Acad-
emy, or as it is now called, Hartland
Academy, its birth The first build
ing was erected during 1884, and
stood on the side of the present Acad-
emy building. This was later moved
to the south side of Academy street,
and is now occupied by Ord X. Fuller
and Stephen Ireland.
The present edifice was erected in
1856 at a cost of $500. The upper
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13

,rording to information received
=. Monday Hartland Academy
rsb was burned Friday, will be re-
~ The greater part of the brick
s.,s are still standing but it is not
'snscted that they can be used in the
|'.sonstruction. The seats and books
!. one of the grade rooms were saw
!, otherwise the equipment was al
sost a total loss. The rebuilding
.'srations will not be begun until
~ring. The origin of the fire is a
svstery. 1t was discovered by the
ssitor, Bert Deering, when he ar
.,sd at the school at about 5.45 a.
: IN start the fires for the day. He
srt noted the reflection of the flames
! the A. K. Libby barn, just east
4 the Academy building. There had
Men low fire during the night in
Ms heater but the Indications were
Mst the fire had its origin in the east
hlf of the building, and it is thot
i NAV have been caused from defec-
NE wiring. 1t is possible however
mat it caught about the chimney in
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
B. P. v. CLUB HAS SUP
PER AND ENTERTAINMENT I
Mrs. Florence Waugh DanfOrth Ad-
dresses Gathering. Other Post
Prandial Exercises

About fifty were in attendance at
the meeting of the BPW Club last
Tuesday evening in Grand Army Hall
Supper was served preceding the
meeting by Mrs. Kate S. Simpson
caterer with the following menu: Es-
calloped potatoes, cold ham, salad
celery, pickles. hot rolls, filled cook
les, fruit pudding and coffee. Dur
ing the program hour Mrs. Florence
Waugh Danforth, president OF the
Maine Federation of WOmen's Clubs
gave a very appropriate Christmas
talk to the members and other mum
bers included violin solo by Miss
Evelyn Groder, accompanied by Miss
Doris Tahtish, two readings by Mrs
Maude l.. Jewett, a vocal solo by Mrs.
Rose c. Burrill, accompanied by Mrs.
Lila Friend, editorials on Thinking
Women and What They Think from
the Herald read by several members
and a humorous reading by Mrs.
Lena NJ. Cleveland Mrs. Friend also
favored the company with several
piano solos as they were arriving and
being seated at the table. The presi-
dent, Miss Chase, presided The
next program will be directed by Miss
A. z. Goodrich, Miss Edna Crawford,
and Mrs. Lillian Sylvester. The re-
freshment committee will he Miss
Lillian Boulette, Angie Oliver and
Kate s. Simpson. The following are
the hostesses from December Is to
January I: Virginia Stinchtield, Ce-
cile Sirois, Mrs. Twadelle, Mrs. Pad
dack, Miss Grace Paradis, Mrs. Tar
box Annabelle Lancaster. Angie
Oliver, Ruby Nedeau, Doris Humph-
rey. Effie NJ Nye, Mamie O'Reilly,
Mary Murphy, Mary McQuade Flora
McPheters, Fedora Lessard, Margaret
Macphail, Maude Roullard, Jennie
NORM. Mildred Lewis, Clara Libby,
Margaret Lessard, The assistants
for December are Miss NJ, A. Beale,
Miss Florence Burrill. Mrs. Rose Bor-
den and Miss Lillian Boulette. A
moving picture benefit is being ar
for under the direction of
Miss Paradis, Miss Eva Chabot and
Miss A. f. Burnor.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13

THAT section of the structure. The
! sp of the east wall fell in the to the
Rcond floor and the top of the build
hg including the old belfrey fell
through. The woodwork was prac-
dcally all burned An explosion
blew out several of the windows in
the early stages of the confiagration.
The building was owned Jointly by
the town of Hartland and by the
Academy Association. The town had
an insurance of $4,000 on the proper
y and the Association had an insur-
ance of $3500. A conservative estim-
ate of the loss is $4,000.
combined meeting of the Acad-
emy trustees, the school board and
the selectmen was held Friday and a
committee composed of Carl Rand
ett o. w. Brown and J. c. Young
vas appointed to look after the pres
at needs of the students. They at
taded to their duties and secured the
KOf P. hall, formerly the John Staf-
brd block, near the railroad station
for the use of the high school. The
grades will be taught In the vestry
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and in the hall in the DavisWebber
Block. Owing to several cases of
scarlet fever sessions were not begun
Monday, although the buildings were
IN readiness for the teachers and
,upils.
This is one of the most serious
onfiagrations to visit Somerset coun-
y for many months and is particular
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13

The st, Ledger Manufacturing CO.
will move from its present quarters
to the building at the end of the North
Channel Bridge, formerly occupied
by the Maine Spinning Co, about Jan
uary lst, the lease having been very
recently concluded between the Cen
trail Maine Power Co. and the cor
poration above mentioned.
In 1898 a twenty-six loom textile
plant was operating in the premises
vacated about one year ago by the
Maine Spinning Company One
morning, about 5 o'clock, the night
loom fixer, Eugene Merchant, came
into the Office and showed the treas
urer of the company device for
strengthening picker stick. 1t had
been applied 10 most of the looms in
the mill and had doubled their use
fulness. As a result of that inter
view the device was patented. Since
that date more than $25. 900 worth of
them have been manufactured and
shipped from Skowhegan.
The patent has been sold several
times but is now owned by the St.
Ledger Manufacturing Co., Mr. ST.
Ledger having recently improved on
the article and is now manufacturing
this device from fiber, making il
guaranteed he says, for perfect use
fulness for from three to five years.
1t is an interesting coincidence that
this corporation is to move to the
building where the device was first
thought out and perfected
The manufacture of this loom fix
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
Starks Man Injured In Automobile
Accident

Harold Duley of Starks was brought
to the Kennebec Valley Hospital
Tuesday for X-ray treatment as the
result of an automobile accident in
which he was injured the same day.
He and Percy Bartlett of New Port
land were riding in Ford car near
Duley's home in Starks. The ve-
hicle was lost control of and went
over bank. turning completely over,
but landing on all four wheels. Both
men were in the front seat when the
vehicle ended its somersault, but Mr..
Duley was injured in the turnover.
Mr.. Bartlett was not seriously hurt.
Mr.. Duley is the son of Fred Duley,
is 27 years old and is a guide in the
Rangeley Lake regions.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
Sudden Death OF Mrs. X. T. Parker
Yesterday

Mrs. r. Francis Parker died very
suddenly at her home on the River
road, yesterday morning She had
been in failing health for several
years but the cause Of her death was
paralysis Her age was about seven
ty-two years. Before her marriage
she was Miss Helen Robinson of East
Skowhegan. Beside her hsuband al.
ready mentioned she is survived by
two sons. DR.. Edward a. Parker, an
osteopath, and Eugene Parker, far
mer, both OF Skowhegan and two sis
ters, Mrs. George Tibbetts of Hinck-
ley and Mrs. Laban Allen of North
Fairfield Mrs. Parker for years re-
sided on East Leavitt street in this
village, while Mr.. Parker was engag-
ed in the grocery business with G. l.
Nay on Water street.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
ALBERT BOUND OVER
ASSAULT AND BATTERY
Case oi State " Luc Albert Oi East
Madison Heard Yesterday Before
Judge L. W. Sawyer

Luc Albert. an East Madison farmer
vas before Judge Sawyer in Munici-
pal court, yesterday after two con-
tinued hearings charged with assault
with intent to kill upon Horace Spear
OF Madison Center. He was bound
over to await the action Of the Grand
Jury of the Supreme Court on the
charge of assault and battery, and
was placed under bonds for his furth-
er appearance in the sum OF $1,000. He
was also placed under further bonds
OF $1,000 to keep the peace for one
Continued on Page SIX
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13

inside portion had recently been al
most entirely remodeled, and many
improvements had been made, among
which were running water, electric
lights, modern plumbing, well equip
ped and up-to-date chemical labora-
tory, and last but by no means the
least in importance, a splendid gym
nasium in the upper story.
The will of the late Hon. d. D.
Stewart, one of its most prominent
alumni, set aside the sum of $4,000,
the yearly interest on which is given
the Academy. He also bequeathed
them a fine new athletic field which
is located directly back of the Acad-
emy.
Among the prominent men who
have been educated at this time hon
ored institution are Judge Bartlett
Trip, former minister to Austria /;
Gov. Beldon Connor, Gov. Llewellyn
Powers, Judge Gorham Powers, Judge
Fred Powers, Pres. James Baker of
the University of Colorado; David
Barker, author of "Barker's Poems; !;
Roscoe and John Douglas, both cele-
brated minister of the Friends
Church; John Toule, electrical en-
gineer who established what at that
time was the worlds largest .electri-
cal plant in Dublin, Ireland and many
others.
Among the older alumni who are
now living in Skowhegan are Mrs
Sarah L. Eaton and'Mrs Anna f. Mer-
rill.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-13
Because of Condition
When Treatment Began

In our issue of Thursday last men
ton was made of an investigation
following the death of Howard Tup-
per. This In no way referred to the
treatment which the young man re-
ceived in the hospital where he was
attended, but was due to his condi-
ton before entering the hospital and
the reports in circulation that an un-
pleasant encounter with fellow
workman was directly responsible for
the Illness which could not be over
come.