davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-28
History OF Somerset Lodge

History Of Somerset Lodge F. & A.
VI. , prepared by Z. F. Merrill. Esq
and read al the 10oth anniversary of
that Lodge by Mr.. Merrill:
Worshipful Master and Brethren:
have been asked to present to you
briefly an historical account of Som
erset Lodge for the past hundred
years. At the very outset. I wish
il to be understood that this is not
an address prepared wholly by my
self, but I have drawn freely upon
the history OF the Lodge as written
by Brother William Roscoe Green
Estes, and Brothers Thomas II. And
erson and Frank \. Nolin.
The first account of this Lodge is
found in Volume One of the proceed
ings of the Most Worshipful Grand
Lodge of Maine From that record
II appears that a certain number of
brethren residing at ,.ld in the yicin-
ity of Norridgewock petitioned that
body at its session held in June 1920
for a charter to hold a Lodge in that
town. As the petition did not have
the appreciation OF the two nearest
Lodges. the same went over until the
next meeting of the Grand Lodge. at
which time on January II. 1921 it was
voted that the petitioners be granted
a charter to hold a lodge at Norridge-
wock by the name of Somerset Lodge.
and the charter was accordingly is
sued.
The first stated communication of
the Lodge Was held February r. 1921
and on June l4th following the Lodge
was duly constituted and the officers
Installed by representatives of the
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge. There
were present on that occasion many
distinguished Nasons from the var
ious parts of the state including the
then Right Worshipful Robert p. Dun
lap later Most Worshipful Grand Mas
ter and Governor of Maine, who acted
as orator of the day Somerset Lodge
therefore. has been in existence almost
as long as its parent, the Grand Lodge
was the third Lodge chartered by that
body and never worked under any dis
pensation but was set at work with
full and equal powers with sister
Lodges to receive petitions and confer
the degrees OF Masonry within its
jurisdiction
The hall occupied at that time was
in the dwelling house of Brother Ri
chard Sawtelle. on the east side OF
the river in Norridgewock. and may
be known AT the present time as the
large house near the mammoth vii.
low tree There in that inconyenient
and unsuitable place. Masonry in this
vicinity had its birth, fostered by true
and willing hearts. There thai
faithful few met and labored; there
they exchanged their vows and pledg-
es OF fidelity to their obligations,
there they reiqiced in their growth
and, though clouds oftdn appeared
and the darkness OF night rested up
on them, they trusted in the Supreme
Ruler of events, and believed that
Continued on Page Six
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-28
Bodies OF Drowning Victims ReeOY-
cred al Long Pond

Charles Dibuere aged ~ and Fred
Couture aged 40. both OF Long Pond.
were drowned Friday while trying to
cross Long Pond. Children playing
near by heard their cries for help and
two men pushed a canoe out into the
open water where one man was strug-
Cling. his companion having disap-
peared He grasped the stick which
was held out 10 him but before they
could loosen him from the ice he fell
back into the water and further ef-
forts TO rescue him were unsuccess-
ful. DR.. j. NJ. Boothby. Medical Ex-
aminer. was notified and saw the
bodies removed.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-28
thristOpher-TurcOtte

A very pretty wedding occurred
Wednesday morning at Our Lady OF
Lourdes Church when Miss Airline
Turcotte became the bride of Alph0nse
Christopher, Rev. Father J. L. Renaud
officiating. The double ring service
was used. Attending the couple
were the groom's sister, Miss Esther
Christopher as bridesmaid and Tely
Christopher as best man. Beautiful
organ music accompanied the cere-
mony.
Mr. Christopher is in the wholesale
fruit and tobacco business with his
father at Madison where the couple
will reside. Mrs. Christopher at
tended the local schools and for the
last three years was employed In the
local exchange of the Maine Tele-
phone and Telegraph Company A
splendid wedding breakfast was serv-
ed by the brides parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Philip Turcotte of North avenue
after which they left on an extended
trip to various places down river.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-28
JACKMAN

Mrs. Fred Henderson and son VIII
lis were in Sherbrooke recently on
business.
Miss Roxine Taylor, who is en-
ployed in Bangor doing homework, is
passing the holidays with her par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. Vim. A. Taylor
J. S. Williams butchered a spring
pig of the Berkshire Yorkshire breed
recently which dressed 275 pounds.
A. NJ. G.. Soule, Chief Inspector,
Dept. of Agriculture of Augusta, was
in town inspecting apples, Tuesday.
The Payson Smith Primary school
closed Friday with a Christmas tree
and entertainment which was enjoyed
by the pupils and visitors.
Alphonse Gray was called to Woon-
socket, R. l., Friday by the death of
a brother.
Mrs Bernard Gallant of Bingham
spent the week end in town with her
husband who is scaling on Bald Mt.
Mrs. Dan Heenan entertained the
Larkin Club Saturday. Dainty re-
freshments were served and a good
time enjoyed by all present.
A log hauler owned by the Kellogg
Lumber Company was driven from
Sandy Bay to Long Pond, Saturday.
Jos. Blais is suffering with an
abscess in his head.
Mrs. Richard Caravan and daugh-
ters, Dorothy and Mary, arrived from
Calais Monday. Mr.. and Mrs. Cana
van will occupy the rent formerly
owned by Omer Poulin.
]. S. Williams made a business trip
to Sherbrooke, Que, Tuesday.
Harry Smith, who is employed as
scaler on Bald Mt. this winter passed
the week end in town.
Announcements have been received
of the marriage of Miss Violet Still
we'll and Albert Spinney at Green
Vile Jet. Mrs. Spinney is the
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Still
we'll, former residents of Jackman
and a graduate of Jackman high
school and Pennington Normal
school and has been a successful
teacher in Greenyille for the past few
years. She has many friends in town
who join in wishing her many years
of happiness and prosperity
Mrs VIM. A. Taylor is visiting her
sister in Bangor.
The Misses Laura Clapp, Hazel
Hughey, Greta McDaniels and Louise
Kennedy who are attending Gorham
Normal school are spending their
Christmas vacation with their respec-
tive parents.
Miss Vera Moore who teaches in
Massachusetts and Miss Make Ken
nedy a teacher in Rumford, are visit
ing at their respective homes during
the holidays.
H. P. McKenney picked number OF
pansies from his lawn Sunday.
Miss Irene Murtha who is training
for nurse at the Maine General Hos
pital in Bangor, spent Christmas
with her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. VIM
Murtha of Jackman Station.
Miss Elsie Mckinney returned from
Boston Friday to spend the holidays
with her parents Mr. and Mrs. H. p
Mckinney.
F. c. Googins spent Christmas with
his family in Bangor.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-28
SKOYHEGAN LOCALS

Carl Osborne was in Fairfield on
business yesterday.
Mrs. Marjorie Fales left yesterday
afternoon after visiting at the home
Of her father, Or. /. l.. Salley on Mid
die St Miss Corlnnr Salleg.
teacher in Augusta will leave Sunday.
Mrs. Lena Wilson left yesterday for
Fairfield where she will visit for sey-
eral days She Is living this winter
with Mrs. .. Z. Jewett on Winter
street Tn two ladies enjoyed
Christmas dinner with Mrs JeWett's
daughter, Mrs Harry Hilton Of Wat
erville.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-28
Everything Considered, the Roads nre
In Very Good Condition

The exceptionally fine weather has
naturally induced an unusually large
number OF motorists TO postpone the
automobile vacation season that is
assured in our ordinary Maine win
ters. Probably in the history of the
car there has never been a winter
thus far more adapted TO its use and
by the number now seen on the high
ways and by ways We are Of course
led to believe that the road condi-
tons are not extremely poor. But
convenience and necessity seems to
be keeping the automobile working
over time more than it did in by gone
days. The elements do not enter
into the situation as much as they
might.
James Spaulding. who brings cream
to the Skowhegan Jersey Creamery
from the farmers in the East Madison
and Lakewood section, reported yes
ferday that the roads we're very rough
All but about a mile of the road
from Skowhegan to Norridgewock on
the south side of the river Is in pref
ty good condition and a motorist go
ing from here to Bingham by that
route yesterday found the roads to be,
generally speaking, all right How
ever this same man finds that when
one strays from a state road the way
is far from flowery
r. F. d. carriers claim that the
roads are improving but the cross
road must of course be somewhat
imnaired So in summing up the
prevailing situation we may say that
with due judgment and caution the
driver need not encounter severe diff
ficulty in the pursuit of comfortable
winters ride.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-28
RIVER ROAD

The Country Club held its last
regular meeting with Mrs. Annie Clay
ton on Water street with a good at
tendance. A pleasant afternoon
was passed after the business meet
ing. Mrs. Clayton served delight
full lunch to the ladies'. The next
meeting will be with Mrs. Carl Dun
bar on Mt. Pleasant avenue when
the officers. for 1924 will be elected.
S. Moore sprained his ankle quite
badly when a staging gave way and
let him drop to the ground.
The friends Of Mrs. Grace Kelley
are sorry to know that she is i'll at
the Kennebec Valley Hospital.
Norman Chase had the misfortune
to hurt his arm one day at school.
All are glad to know it is getting bet
ter
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-28
KINGFIELD

The w. C. r. U. will meet at Mrs.
Effie Hutchins Thursday, Dec. %.
Howard Leavitt went to Phillips,
Saturday, called by the death of his
brothers wife, Mrs. Will Leavitt.
Chas. Hodgman fell on the icy side
walk in front of his house, Thursday
night and hurt his head quite badly.
Altho still in bed he seems to be i'm
proving,
The temperature Friday Dec. q
was from 40 to so above zero. A
year ago on this date 33 degrees be-
low zero was recorded on Main
street, the coolest record for the win
ter
A. J. Hunnewell observed his 80th
birthday Sunday, December Is. For
dinner there were the usual guests
Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Frost and daugh-
ter Marjorie.
DR.. ]. E. Garland was called to
Mechanic Falls, Tuesday, Dec. IS, to
attend the funeral of his wife's faith
err, who died Sunday, Dec. Is, follow
ing a brief illness of pneumonia. Mrs.
Garland has been there since Thurs
day and much sympathy is given her
by many friends in this community
during her bereavement. Mr.. Dwinal
has been a visitor in Kingfield fire.
quently during the past seven years.
DEATH OF EBEN c. WILLIAMSON
Eben c. Williamson died at the home
of his daughter Mrs. Harold Boyn-
ton. Tuesday afternoon, Dec. IS, fol-
lowing an illness of week of pneu-
horn n IN n
May 8, 1S43, for many years he has
lived in Kingfield, where he was
Familiarity and lovingly known by
everyone as Uncle Eben." He was
one of the old and prominent citizens
and related to the first settlers of the
town. For the last ten years he has
been in charge of the school build
ings of the town where he has been
much loved and respected by pupils
and teachers. Until his serious ILL
ness of a week ago he has been well
and active and interested in the so
cial activities of the town from which
he will be greatly missed. He was
the son of John L. and Mahala Col
Inns Williamson and one of family
of twelve children of whom there are
only three living. His last brother,
John Williamson OF Connecticut died
this month at the age of 81 and was
brought to Kingfield for burial Dec. Z.
The near relatives are a daughter, H.
Bernice. wife of H. II. Boynton, son
Lloyd Plimpton Williamson, two
grandchildren and two sisters, Mrs
Harriet Winter and Mrs. Lucinda Win
ter all OF Kingfeld and a sister Mrs.
MARTHA Harmon of Skowhegan. His
wife. Charlotte Plimpton Williamson.
died about - years ago. Mr.. VIII
lams0ns youth and early married
life was spent in Massachusetts, where
he had employment. He was affili-
ated with the Baptist church here and
also a m her Of Mt. Abram Lodge,
F, and A. y and of Signal Light
Chapter, o. Z. s. Funeral services
were held from the Baptist church.
Friday morning. Dec. FL, the pastor
Rev. C. d. Mckenzie officiating. The
services were in charge of the Masons
The Eastern Star order also held their
memorial service. A large number
of the high school students and grade
schools attended. Interment was in
the family lot in Sunpyside cemetery.
The, auditorium Of the Baptist church
was completely filled Friday morning,
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-28
DayOn Appeals Sentence

Deputy Sheriffs Fortier and Jack
son of Jackman searched the prem
ises OF Louis Dayon in that town
Wednesday afternoon seizing a guam
tity of intoxicating liquors which, it
is claimed, had been carried from the
house while the officers were search
ing but which was soon discovered
outside. Dayon was given the statu-
tory Jail sentence and fine from
which he appealed and gave bonds for
his appearance at the next term of
court.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-28
New Jersey Men Plead Guilty OF
Larceny

John B. Micka and Joseph Steward
each claiming a residence in New
Jersey. were arrested at Dennistown
on Wednesday charged with the lar
ceny of clothing and shoes from
lumbermens storehOuse. They
pleaded guilty before Judge Holden
and We're held to await the action of
the upper court in January. For
ted to jail by Deputy Sheriff Fortier
OF Jackman who made the arrest.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-28
TayI0r-Bartlett

Austin ]. Taylor and Nellie B.
Bartlett of Athens were united in
marriage on Monday by the Rev.
James F. Taylor in Norridgewock.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-28

There will be the usual masses at
the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes
next Sunday, Low mass at 500
o'clock with music by the school
children. High mass at 1000 o'clock
with music by ST. Marys choir.
Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed
Sacrament at $3.50.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-03-06
PLAN QUICKER
DELIVERY FOR
VALLEY TOWNS
Mallory Lines and Gulf Coast
Officials Will Offer Better
Service on Eastern Freight
Shipments

Better service for the towns of the
Lower R'o Giandc Valley on freight
shipments lEom New York and n.hrs
Atlantic ports Is proposed by The Mal-
Tory Steamship lines with the coopera-
ito" OF the Santa Fe and Gulf Coast
Lines. according to Richard Curtis. t.p-
fescnta;ive Of the Mallory Lines. who il
now i'm the Valley.
The Mallory Lines now have six boats
IN commission between New York and
Galveston maintaining regular twicc-a
week sailing and two boats are used for
overflow cargocs. Six days are rcqusr.
ed from the dock ia New York to the
Galveston dock. and under the present
arrangements Valley shipments are car
Fied by the Santa Fe Lines to Alroa.
where they are transferred To the local
freight on the Gulf Coast Lines. Trans
portation Of shipments by local freight
from Algoa 20 Valley points often re-
auires longcr time than from New York
to Algoa.
The Mallory Lines IS now working oul
plan 10 make up carload shipments fof
the Valley 1T The Galveston docks Thee
carloads will b. transferred from the
Santa Re TO the through freight on the
Gull CoaS. Lines al Houston. and
switched to the local freight nj Kings
vile. if this plan Is carried out. from
three TO four days Will te s,~,.i on al.
Valley shipments coming by the Nal
Tory Lines beats into Galveston. Mr.
Curtis is now INTERVIEWING bu sinrss mcn
~ the various Valley towns with the oh
Jer' Of increasing ioarast ia rrns' 10
make the plan feasible.
The Mallory Lines have been hand
ling a large volume OF frciyh; for the
valley. Mr.. Curtis stated. land we are
anxious to secure better service for onr
patrons from Galveston 10 the Valley
The Gulf Coast Lines have shown de-
sire to cooper ate with us and feel a.
sured that IL the plan for msk.g up ear
load shipments N the Galveston dock
and then connecting with the fast
freight at .souston can be carried oui
IL viii not only give the Valley much
better service on east coast 81 psncnts.
but will serve 10 ifcreasc the volume os
our Valley business"
The Mallory Lines has six first cIass
boats in the Galveston New York run.
The Henry u. Mallory bIi' IN 1916.
which was the third largest troop trans
port used by the government during the
war. ami the San Jacinto. the ,atgcst
eoaztwisc steamer in American waters.
are two OF their best boats
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-03-06
CONDITIONS OF ROADS
AND FIELDS IMPROVE
IN HARLINCEN SECTION

Ht2LfNGE<. Tc>as. March G.-vith
weather conditions ideav = since tn cccs
sa'ion % ihr heavy rains On February
27ih ~" Harl nrrn section IL rr;nrnini
to Rormalcy. The roads are raaidl~ ha-
coming pas sable and automobile traffic
is again seen on the highways. with the
exception Of one lad hole between Har-
lirgcn aud Mercedes the road 10 the
urrrr Valley j. ~ very good shape and
caa hc made IN cars.
The main road 10 Brownsville is S..li
blocked hut q detorr j. possible and no,
very much bad road is encountered.
The farmers who have any cabhag,.
bccts or carrots are bringing them in
daily and prices continue % hold good
The cabbage market broke $500 over
Sunday and ~. cash buyers were paw
ing SIS and $50 Monday. with this
price prevailing the outlook Is more Ia
vorahic than il was las year when cab
hagr was bringing from 81 10 Sia per
ton and tons upon tors II it rottch III
The fields The weather has been idrai
for cabbage and the fields are making
good yields ard no insects are heinc
found 10 dccrrasc the value OF the pro-
duct
Much cottou will have hcen planted hy
The end or the wrcf If weather cundi-
;ioas continue as thc.' now nrc. Several
Iiarlinrcn farmers began planting Mon
day morning aid by Thursday thugs
will be moving forward IT rapid rate.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-03-06
PROPOSE COMPANY
TO PIPE GAS FROM
STARR CO. FIELDS

Reports from the upper Valley indi-
cate that an effort s underway 10 sup
ply the Valley with natural gas from the
starr county field In which two M
three -as producers have been struck.
according 70 reports received mere from
the upper Walk \. II j. stated that a
company is ,cinr formed to further ex-
piore III Starr county field ard I.
wells of sufficient capacity are develop
ed the gas will W. pipcd 10 brownsville
supplying All the towns and pumping
stations bctwevs Mission and this city.
No definite information could he orr
tanned a. TO the financing Of the COM
pany. hut i IS reported that number
of Valley man are Interested. and that
further work IN the Starr county field
will Ne started at once. The opinion ~
expressed that sufficient ras % supply
the VALLEY can IT, obtained. a. various
tcst wells have already proven the cx-
istcnce Of rns in that field II il stated
.ha. the consumption of Ea> IN the
Valley would N. twice a. great ~ the
amount used in San Antonio. and that
future devcIurment would greatly in.
crease the amount used.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-03-06
SHERIFF ROBERTSON
CALLED UPON FOR A
KING SOLOMON STUNT

The duties ~ Irxns sheriff are
rinry and varied hn' il j. n"i nftcn they
are callrdfivnn 80 emulate kim solomon
and decide upon tie ownership of a
child.
lrafcrliar twp MrNiran lnlrs APPEAR
N hrf~rr Sheriff i,uhrrfsnR. and stated
,hai they wanted him 40 tr.flr the 'l'Ir r~-
iinn "f whiis should haze ro~~.s>i hon
4 ,liild. ole of 'hr women. tie grand
n"ihcr ~ The chill staiimg that the
hills mother IL widow wh" will
marry IN a fcw day~. aud that ~hr did
not wish her granh,lilh ~ lA,r step
father The mother stated that she
wsinird 10 krr, her ,hill. hut II Sheriff
Robertson thought il best to givc ii 90
it's grahdm"ther she would H.. -.
The sheriff informed the mother that
AZ wnui permit her ~ s"rr ihr clihi
"r fif't.rn tlmvS alter her marriage. nri
"a be riH' ~ that tn. ..r husband
,howrfl no INCLINATION Ia abuse he little
,pr she couIi kc'p il iuiriinii.ly IL
Sarnrd her. however. thai IN IA. event
H. child was ahir~rd or neglected IN any
,ay il would ~ ,ia' "a il The custody .t
~ rraninnlh-r.
The wnlnsn accepted his ~. i~ioE
md stated TINT the rlild would <" Va its
grandmother il the husband - br sh"w
n ANY inrliisai ion - abhse il.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-03-06
SAYS ANDERSON
FUND ON
WET" PAPERS
fBv The Associated Press

NEV- YORK. March n W. III Ansl-r-
>"n. state snpsrinirnslen If ~. Anti.
Saloon League. adn,iitsd that liz paid
cash Ia cmpl"trS of ~wes- newspapers.
according to statement made thi.
morning IN acting District Attorney
l'rrcr;t VIII" j. hayin. the grand jury
make ~ Investigation "f the rxvrmdi
turr n more than <.v.tWn \, Anderson
for puhlisii, in behalf of the League
Pecora said tina, Anderson stated TINT
the Leagues pr"pagandi>i~ working for
ih. new ~Tarer~ might have been cm
''arra~~rd II II became known they We're
10 the rmrioy ~ the l-syue I'-,-.ra
plans 10 invite W. VI. Potter of NrAllen
Texas. former assistant treasurer of the
leagu. to testify before the grind jury.
W. Nj. Potter III McAllcn stated to-
day that w. viii not 70 10 New N"rk 10
testify before the grand jury IN the An
derson invest iSsti"n unless il il ass"-
iutrly narssary. lie received re-
quest fr"m District Attorney Iecora 10
appear before the grand jury several
weeks ago.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-03-06
DEER OVERRUN RANCH
AND EAT UP THE CROP

TAMPIcO. Mex. March = One OF the
various kinds of crops Trowa IN Tam
aulipaS is the garhanzc bean. yet there
are very frw substantial acrcagrs plant
ed TO this kind of vegetable Hswevcr
Tom CLANCY figures that if he can keep
the deer off HIS farm up at rhocoy he
ran make something out Of IL. H. had
- acres planted IN rarhanzos and the
deer succeeded ~ consuming some n of
them. but Mr.. CLANCY. nothing daun'cd
s. poin~ after il again aud IL possible
will see that the deer have less OF Il
feast this time.
He also has 5n acres ~ beans which
the ficrt-foutcd breed like pretty well
hut which produced we'll m that. There.
il such demand FOR these two products
that there Is no trouble in disposing Of
them in the local markets. The land
sronnd Chocoy j. spec ally wei adapted
10 the growing of truck and in time 10
come il expected 70 ~ the center of
floarishing crops Of all kinds Of veg.-
tables.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-03-06
SHIPPED NARCOTICS
FROM BROWNSVILLE
THROUGH The MAILS

A man named Jordan was cap
'ufrd b. federal officers III Dallas Sun
dav night h. took from the poSi vf
flee package containing $500 grains
~ morphine which had been sent
through The mails from Grownsv llc
Texas addressed to Miss Z. Jordan.
Dallas. Texas"
Jordan was in Brownsville last week
and mailed the package. directing Il
from 4 local confectionery H. da rpi
place sufficient postage or the pack.
asc ard IL was returned - the cosf fee
tioncrv. The proprietor Of the confec.
tuner knew nothing 80 tho package
and called the attention ~ Francis
kowslski ~ ihr shcriffs department -
H. and the latter suggested that il 10
opened Ne accordingly opened IL. and
immediately notified the postoffic- nu-
thcritics. The packages VA thrn re-
sealed ani the officers II. DailgS nof 4
fled. mud Iofy'an was arrested when ~
secured the package ~ the Dallas post
office