The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-04-10
I11NG 0F PULP-W0OD IN THE NORTH:
FIRM DISTRICT Of MAINE
Sketch and Trip thru Upper Somerset
Iumbering ViIlages--Lumbering Camps

ing the bark with "spud" or spoon
shaped chisel on a long wooden hand
lie. The tops are not cut off until la
ter, as they draw the sap from the
portion peeled, making it lighter to
handle. The scaler follows the chop
per measuring a certain number of
logs from these measurements, he
makes an estimate of the amount be-
ing cut on each section; partial pay
ment is made to the men, on this es-
innate. The final scale is made in
the fall when the pulp is sawed into
four foot lengths and piled in con-
venient tiers, to be hauled to the
landings during the winter.
A year ago. William w. Durgin and
Walter Armstrong contracted to cut,
peel and land sixteen thousand cords
of pulp wood. Also to deliver the
same this coming spring into Dead
River, by driving it out of Gold Brook
and Baker Stream across Baker pond
and down Spencer stream to Dead
River. They have the amount con-
tracted for already landed; and as
soon as the snow melts to give them
To realize what sixteen thousand
cords of pulp means-if piled in one
continuous tier. four feet high, it
would reach twenty-four miles, or
from Bingham to mile south of
Skowhegan. Each cord contains an
average of fifty pieces, total of eight
hundred thousand pieces. Each stick
has to be handled five or more times,
before it starts down the stream, four
million, one hundred and fifty thou
sand landings. In addition to this,
each piece has to be painted with a
blue V one or more times, on each
end; according to the size of the
stick AS this is done by com
pressed air machine, it is done very
quickly.
The pulp wood is piled along the
banks, and on the ice in Baker Stream
for distance of more than five miles,
and fifteen hundred cords are on
Gold Brook, d tributary of Baker
Stream. We asked Mr. Durgin how
such a quantity could be driven in
so small a stream. He explained
that when driving commences, the
tiers that are in the middle of the
stream will be taken out first; leav-
ing the shore tiers. thus forming a
long sluiceway. When the stream
is cleared. the wood in Gold Brook
will be floated and driven down this
sluieeway. Then commencing with
the upstream end the shore tiers will
be put in, and all driven to Baker
Pond.
After being delivered into Dead
River it is driven to Augusta, where
it is taken from the water shipped
by train to Westbrook. unloaded from
the cars, taken into the mills, wash
ed and manufactured into high
grade of book and magazine paper
Those employed at the headquarters
are: Walter Armstrong, boss; and
partner with W. w. Durgin; H. W
Bridges, chief clerk; Henry McMa-
han, assistant clerk, also has charge
of the store houses; Arlie A. Dins-
more. scaler; Raymond Hunnewell
assistant scaler; Mrs. H. w. Bridges
nurse, in charge of the hospital; Ell
Zor Pelion, cook Misses Eva and
Emelina Pelion. cookies; Bert Nc
Coombs horse feeder, whose duty il
is to see that each horse has the
PROPER portion of hay and grain, also
has charge of the barns VIM. Living
stone, blacksmith; Clyde Rogers. Sid
ney Rogers and Richard Morris, to-
tiers. The keeping of sufficient sup
plies on hand for all the various re-
quirements. is a problem in itself. On
a snow road, four horses can haul
from Skinner, three and one half
tons to the load; but in summer only
three -fourths of a ton, on buck
board. Three four-horse teams are
now busy hauling the four hundred
tons of provisions to last till next
winter.
Our party left the farm for home
at 7.30 a. m. and arrived at Skinner
in about three hours. Here the S
ID. Warren Company have hotel
which will accommodate about TWEEN
ty guests. 1t is equipped with cleo
trio lights, hot and cold water. the
power being supplied by Fairbanks
and Morse Electric plant, installed by
e. E. Folsom of Bingham. After a
fine dinner we took the train to Som
erset Junction. At Jackman we
were/giyen a thorough inspection by
the immigration inspector. After
giving our residence, place of birth,
and stating that we were American
citizens, he decided that we were
harmless, and allowed us 10 continue
our journey.
We spent the night at Somerset
Junction, reaching home the next
forenoon, well pleased with our trip
W ID CnnnPIPII