davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
DR.. CHAS. E. BARKER TO GIVE SERIES OF
LECTURES IN -SKOWHEGAN OCTOBER 28
Notable Speaker to Address the High School Stu
dents Special Lectures for Women and for Men

DR. Charles E. Barker. doctor Of
hygiene and physical culture, having
been granted university degrees as
such, will give several lectures in
Skowhegan. October 2Sth. His fee Is
S125 per day and he has become much
before the public because of his
famous lectures The Rotary Club Is
responsible for DR.. Barker's appear
ance in Skowhegan and it is said on
authority that Rotary can render no
greater service to community than
by presenting DR.. Barker with his
wonderful message of instruction and
During the day he will
deliver three addresses. one TO the
high school boys and girls on How
to make the most out of life to wom-
en- on "A Mothers Responsibility to
her Daughter" and one to the men on
"A Fathers Responsibility to his Son. :
While the hours have not been def
nitelv decided upon. Dr. Barker will
speak 10 the pupils of the high school
sometime shortly before noon. pro-
badly, TO the women in the afternoon
and to the men in the evening
There will be no admission fee and no
collection as the Rotary Club is fin
ancing this series of lectures. 1t is
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
PRIVATE FUNERAL FOR
FIRE VICTIM
Cyrus Jewell, Who Perished in Flames
With Buildings Where He Lived
Buried at NOrridgewOck

Norridgewock. Oct. 13 A private
funeral service was held for the late
Cyrus Jewell at the home of George
Jewell ON Saturday forenoon at ten
o'clock, conducted by Rev. F. G..
Davis. The remains. were buried in
Riveryiew Cemetery. Mr.. Jewell was
born in Athens on March u, 1852 a
son OF Jesse and Sarah Jewell. He
attended the public schools of Athens
and remained there until in early
manhood he went to Gardiner. Mass,
where he became Chief Engineer in
the Massachusetts State Colony and
remained there twenty years and was
then pensioned and passed the great
er part of the last few years in this
town. He was never married. He
resided in Cornville and last
Wednesday night neighbors discover
ed the place on fire and saw Mr.. Jew
ell sitting in the house but they were
unable TO reach him. At first foul
play was suspected as Mr.. Jewell was
known to have large sum of money
about him the most Of the time, but
relatives thought that he may have
had bad attack with heart trouble
as he suffered with that trouble. He
leaves three brothers. Frank and
George Of this town and Eugene OF
Fitchburg, Mass.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
HCERs IN CONFERENCE YESTERDAY
||ER DEATH AND FIRE OF WEEK AGO
init Suspicion as to Cyrus JEWELS End All
|Meht Vigil and Results Criminal Matters

pending the payment of the same.
Bowers was represented by VIM. Fol-
some Merrill. Sheriff Mooers appear
ing for the State. The respondent
Is proprietor of a dance hall and pool
room and at the hearing Ed Comber
and Bert Morris, two of the plantation
selectmen, testified to having been at
the Bowers place when gambling was
going on.
George w Washburn of Canaan, up
TO yesterday had failed to secure
sureties of $4,000 in which he is held
for the grand jury in an assault mat
ter Washburn was arrested Friday
following an investigation of re-
ported assault on Jennie May Taylor,
slight years old child, who is the
daughter of Washburn's housekeeper
DR.. Stinchfield went at the request of
Sheriff Mooers, accompanied by DR..
Earle of Canaan, and attended the
child. Following hurried consulta-
ton with the physicians, Sheriff
Mooers and Deputy Fred Tuscan made
2 search for Washburn. who could not
be found but after an all night vigil
by the officers, accompanied by Dep
uty Sheriff Ivan Brooks of Pittsheld.
Washburn was taken in custody at
daylight the next morning and i'm
mediately confined in Jail. At a
hearing before Judge Merrill Satur-
day, Washburn waived examination,
pleaded not guilty and was ordered to
furnish bonds for his appearance be-
fore the Grand Jury as before stated.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
DESERTED WIFE OBJECT
OF CHARITY

According to reports which have
come here from Boston relative to
William r. Elliot, who was taken into
custody by local officers at. Larone,
Elliot deserted his wife in East Bos-
ton eighteen years ago, she having
lived in abject poverty, an object of
charity, while her husband was es-
tablished in a comfortable home in
this state This was brought out in
the Suffolk Superior Court in Boston
when the husband was tried for nom
support and Abandonment before
Judge Perrins. The report Is as fol-
lows:
When Elliot, who was brought back
on AN extradition warrant. reached
Boston, he learned that his family
had been depleted by the death of his
children and his wife stricken with
blindness.
Many years ago Elliott's marital
troubles figured in the courts, and at
that time he was ordered to pay Mrs.
Elliot 81 a week. This, she says, he
has never done, but ran away to
Skowhegan, Me-, where he purchased
a farm and lived in fine style. Back
in Boston the wife, with several chill
dren to care for, struggled along to
support them. Soon she was robbed
of her sight, deprivfng her of a
chance to earn a living. She was
then thrown on the mercy of charit-
able societies and the city for sup
port. Search for Elliot finally locat-
ed him in Skowhegan, where he re-
sisted extradition il is claimed. Sergt
William Carey of the District Attor-
neys Office, went there, and, after the
extradition papers were honored
brought him to Boston in August
where he was placed under arrest.
Attorney Edward NJ. Stanley, for
Elliot, took many exceptions during
the trial with the probability that the
case will carried to the Supreme
Court tor final decision. Assistant
District Attorney Daniel w. Casey
prosecuted District Attorney O'Brier
scathingly scored the defendant in
presenting the case.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
Was In Honor Guard at Funeral OF
Lincoln

Word has been received here of the
death of William S. PIummer In
Poughkeepsie, n. Y. former resi-
dent of Skowhegan. The following
is clipped from the "Poughkeepsie
Eagle"
The funeral of William S. Plummer
was held at Trinity NJ. E. Church at
2 o'clock. Thursday afternoon. The
Rev. J. j. Henry officiated and full
military rites were given him by
Hamilton -Sleight Post, G. A. II.
Burial was in the Poughkeepsie
Rural Cemetery in the charge of DEN
ton c. Andrews.
Mr. Plummer was one of the best
known veterans of the Civil War in
this city. His career in that strug-
gle was a thrilling one. A member
of Company A of the 18th Maine Vol
unteers. Mr.. Plummer enlisted for
three years. Before the expiration
of that period he was severely wound
ed at the battle of Gettysburg, and
after hiding in a barn for three days
was found and was sent to a hospital
in Washington. A young surgeon re-
fused to permit amputation of his
wounded arm and saved it by operat-
ing.
After his recovery he was on guard
duty in Washington and was there at
the time of the assassination of Lin
coin, when he had the distinction of
being in the guard of honor at the
funeral of the great emancipator.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
SkOWhegan Ladies' Prominent mt Re-
bekah Assembly

A large number of Skowhegan
ladies', all of them prominently iden-
tified with Priscilla Rebekah Lodge,
were in Bangor Tuesday to attend the
sessions of the Rebekah Assembly of
Maine, held in that city. One of the
important events of the evening ses-
sion was the exemplifcation of the
Rebekan degree by the degree staff
of Priscilla Lodge. Much time has
been spent in preparation for this
feature by the local ladies' and their
success was most gratifying. not only
to their lodge but to Skowhegan peo-
pie as it was a distinctive honor to
them and their order Among those
participating in the work We're Miss
Adelena Landry. the Noble Grand.
Mrs Charlotte NJ. Tarbox. Mrs. Mertie
NJ. Lamb, Mrs. Mabel G. Bragg, Mrs.
Sara T. Dyer, Miss Velma S. Viles,
Mrs. Katherine Cheney, Mrs. Lillian
B. Smith, Mrs. Lena NJ. Dyer, Mrs.
Hazel r. keene Mrs. Fern B. Lock
hart, Miss Myra M. French, Miss Alice
f. Danforth, Miss Florence Beale. Miss
Blanch Jewett, Mrs Mamie Ellis. Mrs.
Zelia Valliere, Mrs. Ora Valliere,
Mrs. Lena Newton, Mrs. Eugenia Col
Inns, Mrs. Lila French, Miss Pearl
Bernard, Mrs. Lottie l.. Harville and
Mrs. Ava V. Sheridan, the Degree Mis-
tress. Assisting in the examplifica-
ton were Mrs Pauline B. Greene. as
pianist, and Mrs Rose Coombs Bur-
rill. soloist, C. ~ Bragg, Matthew
Greene and c. G. Harville.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
Funeral OF Mrs. Helen y. Merrill
To-day

Funeral services for Mrs. Helen 5.
Merrill will be held this afternoon
from her late home on Madison ave
nue. Rev George Merriam of the
Bethany Baptist Church will officiate
nd internterA will be in the -Southside
cemetery
Mrs Merrill died Tuesday about II
O'Clock after long period of ill
health. having been so severely al
hicted with rheumatism for several
years. that she was unable TO leave
her home only at intervals She was
born in Madison. the daughter of JOS
eph and Flayilla CThompsonl Salley,
sixty-nine years ago. Her husband,
the late Henry Merrill died fftsa Years
ago, and three years prior 10 that the
family home was established in this
town. Years ago Mr. and Mrs. Mer-
rill adopted two children. the daueh-
ter being Mrs. Clifton Whittemore.
who has cared for the invalid with
rare devotion and the son Is Herbert
Merrill OF Belyille y. j. There are
also two surviving brothers. Tilson
D. Salley. prominent agriculturist of
Madison and Rev. A. T. Salley D. n.
for many years pastor of the Free
Baptist Church in Lewiston. and now
pastor emeritus of the United Baptist
Church in that city.
Mrs. Merrill was most highly es-
teemed. She was member OF the
Baptist Church in Madison
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
MYSTERY At
HARMONY FIRE

\ most mysterious fire was sub
dued last Saturday afternoon at the
farm residence of +. S. Redd in Har-
mony. In the afternoon about three
O'Clock. Ben Nichols and others. while
passing the house. noticed coming
from The stable, what appeared to be
smoke. Not knowing that the fam
lily were away from home, Mr.. Mich
OILS slowed up the car and decided that
it must be dust blowing from the barn
and that the same came from the
thrashing of beans. A little after
five O'Clock. Mr.. Reed with parties
from Lewiston drove into the yard
and embarrassed. About that time
Mrs Reed arrived and thought she
smelled smoke but thinking that Mr.
Reed had started a fire said nothing
Smoke was however soon detected
elsewhere and it seemed to come
from under the stable floor. Mr.
Reed cut a hole through the flooring
and the flames burst out People
from all over town responded to the
fire alarm and in ten minutes time,
about seventy people had gathered
and the fire was soon eXtinguished
as there was plenty OF water at hand.
The cause of the fire is still unknown
but it had been evidently smouldering
for hours. The stable sets on wall
and nothing larger than a cat could
get through the wall and where the
fire was. it was double planked floor
At first it was thought the fire start
ed from Overheated dressing but
when the floor was cut out it was
found TO be cedar post on fire about
half way down where plank was
nailed for support. All the conclu
sion that can be arrived at is that a
mouse had nest in hole where the
plank and post were nailed together
but even this does not explain this
most mysterious origin of what be-
came almost disastrous fire.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
Highway Conditions

The highway construction between
Jackman and the Canadian line is
nearly completed and the road is re-
ported as being in splendid condition.
There is possibly an eighth of a mile
that is not quite done on one side OF
the road only. The road is in fine
shape for tourists, and in fact every
thing has been done to help the traf-
fic conditions. so as not to detain
tourists anymore than possible.
The work of widening the state
road between NorrdgekUck and Madi-
son has been commenced. 1t is un-
derstood that the road is to be wild
ened 8 IT, on each sidAkaccording To
new law concerning this class of
roads.
The state aid road between St Al
bans and Corinna is entirely finished,
and the third class road between st.
Adams and Dexter is also finished.
This was completed during the month
OF September. The road between st.
Albans and Cambridge is in fairly
good shape and all others are in good
condition.
The road between SkowheGan and
Athens is under process of construc-
tion tor short distance in the Wei
nifty OF Cass' Corner but travel is
allowed over the same. A portion
of the road in the north part Of
Athens ieading to Brighton is hard
travelling but alright for automobiles.
The road from Brighton to Solon IS
for the most part in good condition.
Two state highway crews are eS-
tablishing headquarters on the New
port road beyond Pittsheld. one camp
known as camp No. 6. being located
just east Of the Linwood Hopkins
farm where there are several tents
and large wooden camp is being
erected. The other camp which is
designated as camp No. =, has been
located on the farm owned by Sanger
Cook near Mills Corner. The crew
are TO rebuild the state highway be-
tween Bangor and Waterville and will
work this fall until the severe cold
weather makes work impossible.
The state road between Anson and
Starks is completed. The state road
beween Arson and North Anson is be-.
ing resurfaced and kSill I've completed
in about two weeks
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
Funeral OF Mrs. Lizzie Packard Yes
terday

Funeral services for the late Mrs.
Lizzie Packard, widow of Judson w.
Packard. were conducted yesterday
afternoon from the home Of Mr.. and
Mrs Harold Larry on Bush street.
Rev. Herbert l.. Nichols pastor of the
Centenary Methodist Episcopal
Church ofiiciated and the remains
were inferred in the family lot at the
Southside Cemetery. Mrs. Packard
died Sunday night. She had been in
somewhat feeble health Tor several
months but the end was occasioned
from an infection OF bod on her
face.
The deceased was a native of Fair
field, her parents having been William
Penn and Emily (Hindsl Winslow.
These parentsWere Quakers and Mrs.
Packard always retained a strong be-
lief in the Quaker faith, although
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
Lawrence is Easy Mark for =. IL. =.
GridderS

Skowhegan easily defeated Law
renee High at Fairfield by a score of
$3.50 last Saturday afternoon at Fair
field The game was slow except
for a long run now and then by sone
Skowhegan back. Lawrence High
received the kickoff and Immediately
made two first downs through the
heavy Skowhegan line. Then the
forward motion for Lawrence stopped
never to start again. The Skowhe-
gan boys had taken their opponents
light yand not until they had been
kicked several times did they come
to. 1t was then a continual process
OF Skowhegan taking the ball from
Lawrence and scoring touchdowns
The Skowhegan boys completed two
passes, one for touchdown. There
were no indiyidual stars, touchdowns
being made by Cole / Stinchfield 2
Murray and Smith /. Referee Ladd,
head linesman. Provost.
S. II. S. Is anticipating a hard game
Saturday with Maine Central Insti-
tute at Pittsfield and are working
hard at practice each night.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
Harvest Supper at Bethany This
Evening

There will be a Harvest supper at
the Bethany Baptist Church at $50
this evening The ladies of the Beth
any Guild will serve the supper in
the parlors and those in charge are
Mrs. Levi Thomas Mrs. e. F. Haines.
Mrs. Belle Gates, who takes the place
of Mrs. Viola Burnorg while the So
liciting committee is composed of Mrs.
Bertha Stinchfield, Mrs. Eugenia Mer-
riam, Mrs. Gertrude Stinchfield. Mrs.
Elizabeth Nelson. Mrs. Bessie Thomp-
son and Mrs. Hattie Mason. This
supper is a rally supper and the pas
tor Mr. Merriam and r. F. Homsted,
superintendent of the Sunday school,
are very desirous that 1t be IA real
rally supper. The members of the
church and Sunday School are re-
quested to make special effort to
be present at $50, especially the mem
bers of the church. IT, by any chance
anyone has been overlooked by the
soliciting committee, that will not
mean that you cannot come, but see
some one of the committee and ask
what you can bring. and come along
Rally to this Harvest Supper.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16

particularly desired that mothers
and their daughters attend the after
noon meeting and fathers and sons
the evening meeting As this comes on
the regular meeting OF the Rotary
Club, it is expected that DR.. Barker.
who will be guest Of the club. will
speak TO the Rotarians and il is hop
ed that he can be conveyed 10 Madi-
son for short address
DR. Barer is unique and any at
tempt to describe him is sure TO omit
mucn that should be said. He is
is a man of wide experience on the
public platform, and his addresses are
of such an amazing and inspiring
character that all who have the op-
portunity TO do so. should hear him.
During the four years that Chief
Justice TAFT Was in the White House
Tr. Barker is unique and any at
and under his direction, for an hour
each morning, Mr. Taft followed
system of exercises that kept him
in splendid physical condition.
= The public is urged to attend these
important meetings and to enjoy the
privilege extended by Rotary in our
midst for real benefit. DIR. Barker
comes from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
Funeral of Mrs. J. II. Larry Tuesday

Memorial services for Mrs Eta &.
wife OF j r. Larry of West Hartland.
were conducted Tuesday afternoon at
o'clock from the home OF Mr.. and
Mrs Leon Buker on Spring street.
Rev George Loring Thurlow. pastor
of the Federated church officiated and
burial was at Canaan. Mrs. Larry
died at the Buker home Saturday.
weeks. She had been in failing
health siIfce April having been af1lict-
ed with d cancerous affection Mrs.
Buker was daughter of the deceas-
ed and beside her and Mr. Larry there
are two sons. Jesse and Bertram
Larry both of Hartland and several
grandchildren.
Although the family home was in
West Hartland at the time of Mrs.
Larys death she had been a resident
of several Somerset County towns.
After disposing OF their farm in Hart
land. the couple resided on Spring
street for one year, then moved to
Smthfield and then back 10 Canaan,
before purchasing their present home
as before mentioned.
Mrs Larry was the daughter of Will
liam and Eunice Wheeler Church and
is survived by four brothers and four
sisters. George Church of California,
Charles Church of Brattleboro. Vt,
William Church of Massachusetts.
Hiram Church of Danforth. Mrs. Car
rie Snowden of Canaan Mrs o. r.
Parks of Pittsheld who has lately re-
turned from d trip abroad. Mrs. Lizzie
Richardson OF Connecticut and Mrs.
Lottie Currier of Pittsfeld
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
[N0AA DOUBTLESS WOULD VOTE AGAINST
IiIFYNG CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
irons Consider Child Labor Problem at Ses-
Ion in Athens--Large Attendance Program

by Elizabeth Barker, Winnifred Gar
dner and Vira Robertson; monologue.
by Carrie l.. French The pending
constitutional amendment prohibiting
the labor of persons under eighteen
years of age in industrial plants and
other lines of employment was the
subject of thoughtfully prepared ad-
dress by w. P. Hinckley, past master
of Hinckley Grange, followed by S. F.
Emerson, d. B. Hobart and Kate B.
Ellis. In a measure the speakers
were opposed to the constitutional
enactment but seemed to hold them
selves in readiness to study the sub
1ect more fully before coming to a
complete discussion. There Is no
doubt however but that Somerset Po-
mona would vote against the state
ratifying the amendment Perhaps
we do not get the full meaning of the
amendment or how far reaching it
may be. but there is certainty in the
fact that We should be extra careful
in amending the constitution of the
United States and only in extreme
cases should it be undertaken. An
ME Fox read selection in closing the
program exercises.
The Pomona had every reason to
give the members of Athens Grange a
unanimous vote of thanks for enter
tanning the Pomona so generously and
all will be anxious to go to Athens
again.
Next meeting with East Madison
Grange, Oct. %.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
Teachers Meeting

The monthly meeting of the teach
ers in the schools of Concord, Mos
cow and Pleasant Ridge was held Fri
day afternoon at the Garfield school.
Miss Abb1e Buck gave an interesting
and instructive discussion of the
Health Crusade" which is connected
with the State department of Public
Health. This talk was followed by
an exhibition lesson. illustrating the
new system of reading being intro
duced in the &hools
A Round Tank discussion followed,
in which matters pertaining TO the
OF the schools were TAX
en- up. including plans for profession
al reading and publicity work for the
school.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16

many years ago, she united with the
Centenary Methodist Episcopal
Church where her husband was prom
inent, having served as lay preach
er. She was most highly esteemed
and greatly beloved by her acquain-
tances. Many years OF her married
life were spent on the Packard farm
on Bigelow Hill, the family eventual
ly moving to town Since Mr. Pack
ards death. she has divided her time
to a considerable extent with her chill
dren. They all survive her and are
Lester H. Packard president of the
Skowhegan Jersey Creamery; Mabel,
who married Selvin Flanders; Lena,
who married Harold Larry and Miss
Celia Packard all of Skowhegan. Mrs.
Packards age was - years There
is ais one brother. VIM Penn Wins
low of Larone.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
on for Florida and Other Points

Several automobiles left Maine yes
terday Tor New York City and points
further south. One party consisted
of Don Towne and family and Mr.. and
Mrs Files Of Madison. accompanied
by Mrs Doris Carpenter Nelson. An
other car, driven by Albert Easier,
who is employed by Don Towne, will
carry, beside his wife and little son,
Mrs. Mabel S. Carpenter, Miss Laura
Carpenter and Miss Mia Mack, the
last two ladies' mentioned stopping at
New York City, where Miss Carpenter
will work at her profession during
the winter.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-16
CAR WRECKED THIEVES
STEAL REMNANTS
Merwin Collins Leaves Car Tor Garage
and Finds II Looted on Return

Bingham. Oct. 14-Last Saturday
night as Merwin Collins was coming
to Bingham in his Ford car he met
with an accident, at the turn below
Cony Robinson's about two and half
miles below the village. He had on
too much speed to make the turn, ran
neadlong into the bank. breaking the
front spring, cramping one wheel
and bending the wishbone under the
car. He walked on to Bingham to
a garage, secured help and returned
10 the wrecked car only TO find that
three tires. the cushions lamps and
radiator cap had been stolen during
the two hours he had been gone. not
much of the car being left. Deputy
Sheriff Gipson is at work on the case.
but has, as yet no clue to the thieves.